What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

I've used this disc to demo speakers for years... :handgestures-thumbup:

Marc Cohn -- CD

Marc Cohn

1991 Atlantic Records

Amazon.com

With rootsier, acoustic neofolk ascendant, Marc Cohn's 1991 debut harkens back to the more sophisticated rock and pop inflections of singer-songwriters of two decades past. His supple, velvety baritone and elegant piano-based arrangements frame shrewdly crafted songs ripe with pop touches, none more intricate or deftly executed than the set's epochal "Walking In Memphis," an epiphany rooted in rich musical history, studded with allusions to Elvis and Al Green, Beale Street and Graceland, and buoyed by a rippling piano motif and surging gospel choruses. Giving the set depth, as well as commercial legs, are of "Silver Thunderbird," infectious and intimate in its evocation of his father, husky meditations "Ghost Train" and "Dig Down Deep," a sexy update of Willie Dixon's "29 Ways" (the probable seed for Paul Simon's antithetical "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"); and the fervent lover's anthem, "True Companion." --Sam Sutherland

All songs written by Marc Cohn, except "29 Ways" written by Willie Dixon.

"Walking in Memphis" – 4:19
"Ghost Train" – 4:13
"Silver Thunderbird" – 4:39
"Dig Down Deep" – 5:09
"Walk on Water" – 4:02
"Miles Away" – 3:23
"Saving the Best for Last" – 5:35
"Strangers in a Car" – 2:47
"29 Ways" – 3:06
"Perfect Love" – 4:23
"True Companion" – 4:10

 

[Dennie]

This one is fun. It was the very first 5.1 demo I ever heard (I was auditioning studio speakers, heard this on some very expen$ive JBL's but bought the Tannoy Reveals). I got tired of listening to the Eagles playing in a cover band, but its been 4 years and hearing these guys now is just... cool!
They're showmanship is just a bit lower than the Cars (very bad) but the razor-sharp harmonies make up for it. :text-bravo:

A very enjoyable disc! I've watched it over and over since it came out.

Great, great sound quality! :text-bravo:


Dennie

 

[Voodoo]

TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light

V

 

[Dennie]

Longing In Their Hearts -- CD

Bonnie Raitt

1994 Capitol Records

Amazon.com

Like its two multiplatinum predecessors, Longing in Their Hearts was produced by Don Was (Raitt is listed as coproducer on the last two) and features the funky rhythm section of ex-Neville Brothers bassist Hutch Hutchinson and ex-Beach Boys drummer Ricky Fataar. As before, Was provides a sympathetic blend of roots rock and radio-ready L.A. pop-rock for Raitt's always-lustrous voice. And yet too many songs on this album just sit there like wallflowers at the juke joint, without enough melody or personality to get the party started. --Geoffrey Himes

"Love Sneakin' up on You" (Little Jimmy Scott, Tom Snow) – 3:41
"Longing in Their Hearts" (Michael O'Keefe, Raitt) – 4:48
"You" (John Shanks, Bob Thiele, Tonio K.) – 4:27
"Cool, Clear Water" (Raitt) – 5:27
"Circle Dance" (Raitt) – 4:11
"I Sho Do" (Billy Always, Mabon "Teenie" Hodges) – 3:38
"Dimming of the Day" (Richard Thompson) – 3:39
"Feeling of Falling" (Raitt) – 6:17
"Steal Your Heart Away" (Paul Brady) – 5:44
"Storm Warning" (Terry Britten, Lea Maalfrid) – 4:31
"Hell to Pay" (Raitt) – 4:03
"Shadow of Doubt" (Gary Nicholson) – 4:26

 

[Dennie]

Fireball Zone -- CD

Rick Ocasek

1991 Warner Bros. Records

A Period Of Creative High For Ric Ocasek, May 5, 2005
By M. Tefer "matt" (MN, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Fireball Zone (Audio CD)

The early 90's was a very creative time-period for Ric Ocasek. Where 1986's This Side Of Paradise (5 years earlier) faired well for him, it was easy to consider it only Ocasek in name since it was really more or less an extension of The Cars earlier work.

Fireball Zone is proof of Ocasek's viability in a post Cars setting. Wisely utilizing David Bowie's Let's Dance producer (and former Chic member) Nile Rodgers, Fireball Zone was one of the best releases of 1991. The tall, thin ex-Cars frontman certainly deserves credit with his trendy borderline - scientific musical expertise. Ric certainly holds his own without reliance upon his old Cars-sound though at the same time, draws from a variety of influences ranging from adult-contemporary to reggae to hard rock.

If anything negative could be said Fireball Zone, it's that it slows down after the first 8 tracks of the album is through, but regardless, it represents a height for Ocasek that would only slightly decline with 1993's Quick Change World.

All songs written by Ric Ocasek except where noted.

"Rockaway"
"Touch Down Easy" (Ric Ocasek/Rick Nowels)
"Come Back"
"The Way You Look Tonight"
"All We Need Is Love"
"Over and Over"
"Flowers of Evil"
"They Tried"
"Keep That Dream"
"Balance"
"Mister Meaner"
"Fireball Zone"

 

[Dennie]

The Royal Scam -- CD

Steely Dan

1976/1999 MCA Records

Amazon.com

Ever the primary conceit of mainstays Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, 1976's The Royal Scam marks the first time the Steely Dan duo actually owned up to the fact. Musically, it's their edgiest, most guitar-driven record (thanks to Becker and a murderer's row of session greats that includes Larry Carlton, Elliot Randall, Dean Parks, and Denny Dias). Lyrically, the songs cut an ever-sardonic, presciently discomforting slice of modern life that was a couple decades ahead of the game (who else was extolling the virtues of condom-couture, à la "The Fez," mid-Me Decade?). Though it didn't garner the radio attention of Aja, its more jazz-suffused, multiplatinum follow-up, Scam boasts a diverse, occasionally muscular musical rhetoric and some of the Dan's most telling portraits (the deranged, yet all-too-familiar killer of "Don't Take Me Alive," "Kid Charlemagne"'s drug-culture celebrity, the tropical convenience of a "Haitian Divorce"). Small wonder many Dan fans consider it their best. --Jerry McCulley

Side one

"Kid Charlemagne" – 4:38
Guitar solo by Larry Carlton
"The Caves of Altamira" – 3:33[3]
Alto saxophone solo by John Klemmer
"Don't Take Me Alive" – 4:16
Guitar solo by Larry Carlton
"Sign in Stranger" – 4:23
Piano Solo by Paul Griffin
Guitar Solo by Elliott Randall
"The Fez" (Becker, Fagen, Paul Griffin) – 4:01
Guitar solo by Walter Becker

Side two

"Green Earrings" – 4:05
Guitar solos by Denny Dias (1st) and Elliott Randall (2nd)
"Haitian Divorce" – 5:51
Talk box guitar solo by Dean Parks, altered by Walter Becker
"Everything You Did" – 3:55
Guitar solo by Larry Carlton
"The Royal Scam" – 6:30
Guitar solo by Larry Carlton

 

[Dennie]

The Gift -- CD

Larry Carlton

1996 GRP Records

It's what you expect from LC...pure fluid guitar mastery!!!, November 9, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Gift (Audio CD)

The "Gift" is exactly that! For the easy listening enthusiast this is as classic a work as you will find. From the title cut to the "fab" Fab Four rework(Things we said today),featuring the lovely Michelle Pillar Carlton, This album will take you from calm escapes to the spine chilling riffs LC is legendary for. A must have for the truly complete Jazz collection. Thanks Larry!

1
Ridin' The Treasure

2
Things We Said Today

3
Goin' Nowhere

4
The Gift

5
Shop 'Till You Drop

6
Pammie Dear

7
Osaka Cool

8
My Old Town

9
Mourning Dove

10
Buddy

 

[Dennie]

Larry & Lee -- CD

Larry Carlton & Lee Ritenour

1995 GRP Records

Pure Magic!!!, July 10, 2002
By M. P. Wright (HOUSTON, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Larry & Lee (Audio CD)

If you're a jazz guitar fan, this cd will blow you away. Impossible to pick a favorite track because every one is pure magic. Tasteful, intelligent smooth-jazz at it's best. Larry & Lee - if you read this - please get together and make another cd. It would be a shame if this turns out to be your only collaboration...

Tracklist:
01. Crosstown Kids - 5:01
02. Low Steppin' - 6:25
03. L.A. Underground - 5:46
04. Closed Door Jam - 4:59
05. After The Rain - 4:44
06. Remembering J.P. - 4:48
07. Fun In The Dark - 5:25
08. Lots About Nothin' - 6:15
09. Take That - 4:53
10. Up And Adam - 6:11
11. Reflection Of A Guitar Player - 5:52

 

[Dennie]

Rit's House -- CD

Lee Ritenour

2002 GRP Records

Amazon.com

The old Rit is back! His smiling, swaggering guitar-playing alter ego has resurfaced, and he's invited all his friends over for a tumultuous jam, including George Duke, Marcus Miller, and Peter Erskine. Red-hot organist Joey DeFrancesco brings the Wes Montgomery out of Ritenour on the corner of "78th & 3rd," and a killer overhaul of Dave Grusin's movie theme "Three Days of the Condor," re-titled "Condor," is a reminder that Rit was kicking the smooth jazz before they had a name for it. Some beboppers already know that Ritenour is quite capable in that genre, too. In case they've forgotten, he's got Lee Morgan's "Party Time" and Gary McFarland's nice Brazilian piece, "13." Michael McDonald sings a Sting song, and the guitarist's buddy, Ernie Watts is back on sax on "A Little Dolphin Dreamin'," a tune that harkens back to their old fusion days. There's no themes or long-form tributes; everyone is just having a great time and it sounds like it. Rit's House is the guitarist 30th album, but it's the first "real" Lee Ritenour record in a long time. --Mark Ruffin

Tracklist:
01. Module 105 - 4:32
02. '13' - 5:01
03. Mizrab - 5:27
04. 78th & 3rd - 5:38
05. Rit's House - 5:05
06. A Little Dolphin Dreamin' - 5:15
07. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - 4:03
08. Condor - 5:14
09. Olinda - 5:11
10. Night Owl - 6:24
11. Party Time - 4:20
12. Just Listen - 6:00

 

[Botch]

I have a ton of direct-to-disk vinyl that Lee Ritenour did in the late 70's/early 80's; need to get my turntable set back up!

 

[Dennie]

I have a ton of direct-to-disk vinyl that Lee Ritenour did in the late 70's/early 80's; need to get my turntable set back up!

Yes you do! :banana-rock: :banana-dance:



Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Nightlife -- CD

Avenue Blue with Jeff Golub

2997 Mesa/Bluemoon Records

Samples don't do justice to this CD, October 13, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Nightlife (Audio CD)

As an avid listener to this CD it struck me how little of this brilliant effort makes it into the samples. Golub consistently takes the listener on a journey with more twists and turns than any Raiders of the Lost Ark movie. It is his genius in combining his ideas, bending the direction and changing the flow of the music that makes his work so worthwhile. Combine that with a fluid and soulful guitar style that matches any sax and you have an experience that gets better and better with each play. A small sample just does not do justice to this music.

01. Nightlife (Written by Jeff Golub & Rick Braun)
02. Bobby's Mood
03. Always There (Written by P.B. Allen, Ronnie Laws & Jeffries)
04. Seventh Heaven (Written by Jeff Golub & N. Jason)
05. Daylight (Written by Bobby Womak & Harold Payne)
06. (Oh No) No Mo Yo (Written by Jeff Golub)
07. A Woman's Touch (Written by Jeff Golub)
08. Thank You, May I Have Another (Written by Jeff Golub & Rick Braun)
09. Only A Memory (Written by Jeff Golub & Rick Braun)
10. In A Crowd

Guest Performers:
Rick Braun
Bob James
Gato Barbieri
Bill Evans

 

[Dennie]

Lucky Man -- CD

Dave Koz

1993 Capitol Records

Excellent early work from the sax man, February 26, 2000
By "nightfly27" (Temple, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Lucky Man (Audio CD)

I first heard Dave Koz on an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210. He was supposedly in concert and he played "You Make me Smile" and I couldn't believe how much I liked the song. It was peppy, upbeat, and downright fun. So, I came across the CD and gave it a listen. The whole disc is filled with music that makes you notice it. Perhaps the most fun track is "Saxman" which features Koz, Clarence Clemons, and Steven "Doc" Kupka, from Tower of Power. Another quality track on the disc is "Tender is the Night" which features Phil Perry on vocals.

Koz always seems to work with excellent talent, and he continues to do so on this record. In addition to Perry, Clemons, and Kupka, he also works with his brother, Jeff, Jeff Lorber, Nathan East, Bill Payne (from Little Feat), Jimmy Haslip, and Booker T. Jones. All in all, a worthy album for any jazz lover's collection.

1. Shakin' The Shack
2. You Make Me Smile
3. Faces Of The Heart
4. Don't Look Any Further - Prelude
5. Don't Look Any Further
6. Tender Is The Night
7. Saxman
8. After Dark
9. Lucky Man
10. Silverlining
11. Wait A Little While
12. Show Me The Way
13. Misty

 

[Dennie]

Souled Out -- CD

Tower Of Power

1995 Epic Records

Sounds dated (and in this case, that's DEFINITELY a GOOD thing), June 16, 2008
By Glen Zimmerman (Lindenwold, New Jersey)
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Souled Out (Audio CD)

Legendary in th 70s for its tight, funky grooves, unbeatable group of horn players, and having the great Lenny Williams as lead vocalist, some people might agree that 1995 was probably not the best year for TOP to be making an album, especially with all of the personnel changes up to that point. That being said, this may actually be one of the best funk albums not made during the genre's glory period. The horn section is as fierce as ever (especially on the gritty instrumental "Undercurrent"), and with his muscular yet smooth voice, Brent Carter makes a highly respectable substitute for Lenny Williams, and he shines brightly throughout, especially on the soothing ballad "Soothe You."

Tracks:
1. Souled Out
2. Taxed To The Max
3. Keep Comin’ Back
4. Soothe You
5. Do You Wanna (Make Love To Me)
6. Lovin’ You Forever
7. Gotta Make A Change
8. Diggin’ On James Brown
9. Sexy Soul
10. Just Like You
11. Once You Get A Taste
12. Undercurrent

 

[Botch]

Souled Out -- CD

Tower Of Power

Ahhhhh..... :music-listening:

 

[Dennie]

Super Hits -- Remastered CD

The Manhattans

2002 Columbia Legacy

Ten beloved recordings from the Manhattans' CBS era. The dazzling choices include a shining version of Timi Yuro's '60s hit "Hurt," which they rejuvenate with the addendum of a killer fade. Two underrated bawlers, "Wish That You Were Mine" and "Am I Losing You," are as gripping as their mega hits: "Shining Star" and "Kiss and Say Goodbye." These are coveted male group sounds by one of the urban genre's most durable and liked vocal groups. ~ Andrew Hamilton

Track listing

1. It Feels So Good To Be Loved So Bad
2. Wish That You Were Mine
3. There's No Me Without You
4. Kiss and Say Goodbye
5. Am I Losing You
6. Don't Take Your Love
7. I Kinda Miss You
8. We Never Danced To a Love Song
9. Hurt
10. Shining Star

10980

 

[Dennie]

Mind, Body & Soul -- CD

Joss Stone

2002 Virgin Records US

Amazon.com

These days, it seems anyone can make an R&B album. However, recording a soul album takes that special intangible element. The 17-year-old Devon, England, native first proved that she has it with The Soul Sessions, a collection of rare soul grooves. She does it here again with Mind, Body & Soul, her first album of original material. For those who thought that Stone could only interpret vintage ballads, witness the midtempo attitude of "Jet Lag." Backed by a thumping backbeat, Stone tells of a love of so all-encompassing that it is physically draining. On lead single, "You Had Me," Stone takes the persona of a woman done wrong with biting edge and a funky wah-wah guitar introduces her "get lost" sentiment over an infectious hook. Mind, Body & Soul also features a host of moving ballads that are reminiscent of the more downtempo fare characteristic of The Soul Sessions. The choir-backed "Security" is an organ-touched tale of love and support in the wake of tragedy. "Spoiled," a song Stone wrote with the legendary Lamont and Beau Dozier of Dozier-Holland-Dozier, is a romantically lush offering in which Stone's alto caresses the piano-driven arrangement. Other Mind, Body & Soul highlights include the hypnotic "Snakes & Ladders" and the roots reggae vibe of "Less Is More." While The Soul Sessions introduced Stone to the world, this album will make her placement in the soul canon undeniable. --Rashaun Hall

1. "Right to Be Wrong" Joss Stone, Desmond Child, Betty Wright Mike Mangini, Steve Greenberg, Wright 4:40
2. "Jet Lag" Stone, Jonathan Shorten, Conner Reeves Mangini, Greenberg, Wright, Shorten, Reeves 4:00
3. "You Had Me" Stone, Francis White, Wendy Stoker, Wright Mangini, Greenberg, Wright 3:59
4. "Spoiled" Stone, Lamont Dozier, Beau Dozier Mangini, Greenberg, Wright 4:03
5. "Don't Cha Wanna Ride" (contains a sample of "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited) Stone, Child, Wright, Greenberg, Mangini, Eugene Record, William Sanders Mangini, Greenberg, Wright 3:31
6. "Less Is More" Stone, Shorten, Reeves Commissioner Gordon 4:17
7. "Security" Stone, Greenberg, Daniel Pierre Mangini, Greenberg, Wright 4:30
8. "Young at Heart" Stone, Salaam Remi Remi, Wright 4:10
9. "Snakes and Ladders" Stone, Shorten, Reeves Mangini, Greenberg, Wright, Shorten, Reeves 3:35
10. "Understand" Stone, Wright, Angelo Morris, Mangini, Greenber Mangini, Greenberg, Wright 3:46
11. "Don't Know How" Pierre, Curtis Richardson, Jeremy Ruzumna, Justin Gray Mangini, Greenberg, Wright, Danny P 4:01
12. "Torn and Tattered" Austin Howard, Ben Wolf, Andy Dean, Wright The Boilerhouse Boys, Greenberg, Wright 3:58
13. "Killing Time" Beth Gibbons, Stone, Wright Mangini, Greenberg, Wright 5:11
14. "Sleep Like a Child" (the actual duration of music on this track is 5:19; the rest is filled with silence) Patrick Seymour Mangini, Greenberg, Wright 15:27
15. "Daniel" (hidden track) Stone 2:44

 

[Dennie]

This is my last one for the evening.....

Love Deluxe -- CD

Sade

1992 Epic Records

Love Deluxe, October 4, 2000
By WILLIE A YOUNG II "willow" (Houston, TX.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Love Deluxe (Audio CD)

Never has repetition worked so well! From the hypnotic bass groove of the opening "No Ordinary Love" this remarkable band uses space, and the lightest embellishments to wondrous effect. Paul S. Denman anchors every song with some of the most understated yet innovative bass playing ever recorded. His deep, sliding, funky bass playing makes "Feel No Pain" a virtual masterpiece of minimalism, and he gets downright buttery as he hangs in the background on "I Couldn't Love You More" and "Cherish The Day". Stuart Matthewman (guitar & sax) Andrew Hale (keyboards) and the underappreciated Leroy Osborne (backing vocals) help round out this solid, transistional effort. The spare, stripped down funky soundscapes painted here chart the the direction these men would follow 4 years later in Sweetback. Ms. Adu as always is in wonderful voice. Her achingly lovely contralto is front and center on every cut, (the instrumental piece that closes the album being the only exception) and you can actually hear tears in her delivery on tracks like "Cherish The Day", "Kiss Of Life" and the acoustic gem "Like A Tattoo". Not a bad song to be found here, and none of it ever sounds dated or pretentious. A Modern Classic.

"No Ordinary Love" (Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman) – 7:20
"Feel No Pain" (Adu, Andrew Hale, Matthewman) – 5:08
"I Couldn't Love You More" (Adu, Hale, Matthewman, Paul S. Denman) – 3:49
"Like a Tattoo" (Adu, Hale, Matthewman) – 3:38
"Kiss of Life" (Adu, Hale, Matthewman, Denman) – 5:50
"Cherish the Day" (Adu, Hale, Matthewman) – 5:34
"Pearls" (Adu, Hale) – 4:34
"Bullet Proof Soul" (Adu, Hale, Matthewman) – 5:26
"Mermaid" (Hale, Matthewman, Denman) – 4:23

 

[heeman]

It has been a while since I have played this one!

 

[Dennie]

21 -- CD

Adele

2011 Columbia Records

Editorial Reviews

21 is the eagerly awaited sophomore album from British singer-songwriter Adele. It’s the follow up to Adele’s critically acclaimed, Grammy award winning debut album 19 (both named after her age at the time the songs were written). Recorded in Malibu and London, 21 offered Adele the opportunity to work with such luminary producers and songwriters as Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Dan Wilson and Fraser T. Smith, as well as continuing to work with Francis “Eg” White and Jim Abbiss.

This new collection of songs showcases the growth of this incredible artist, who at the very young age of twenty two, exhibits the poise of a seasoned veteran. Adele’s music takes some new direction while staying true to her signature style. “I discovered lots of artists I'd never heard of, particularly Wanda Jackson, Allison Krauss, Yvonne Fair, Andrew Bird, Neko Case, Lady Antebellum and Steel Drivers who I fell in love with. Then I delved in to more from artists I've loved forever - Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Elbow, Mos Def, Alanis Morissette, Tom Waits and Sinead O'Connor. There's something in every single one of these artists that have really really inspired 21.”

1. "Rolling in the Deep" Adele Adkins, Paul Epworth Epworth 3:48
2. "Rumour Has It" Adkins, Ryan Tedder Tedder 3:43
3. "Turning Tables" Adkins, Tedder Jim Abbiss 4:10
4. "Don't You Remember" Adkins, Dan Wilson Rick Rubin 4:03
5. "Set Fire to the Rain" Adkins, Fraser T. Smith Smith 4:02
6. "He Won't Go" Adkins, Epworth Rubin 4:38
7. "Take It All" Adkins, Eg White Abbiss 3:48
8. "I'll Be Waiting" Adkins, Epworth Epworth 4:01
9. "One and Only" Adkins, Dan Wilson, Greg Wells Rubin 5:48
10. "Lovesong" Robert Smith, Simon Gallup, Roger O'Donnell, Porl Thompson, Lol Tolhurst, Boris Williams Rubin 5:16
11. "Someone Like You" Adkins, Wilson Wilson, Adkins 4:45