What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

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

World Of Brazil -- CD

Lee Ritenour

2005 GRP Records

Guitarist Lee Ritenour has long been associated with Brazilian styles (especially after playing with Sergio Mendes's Brasil '77 in the '70s), and 2005's WORLD OF BRAZIL continues that association to excellent effect. Ritenour's smooth, soulful style lends itself perfectly to bossa nova and samba grooves on this mix of originals and covers (including, not surprisingly, several tunes by the genre's greatest composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim).
But one of the things that makes WORLD OF BRAZIL such a treat is the host of guest stars, which includes keyboardists Herbie Hancock and Dave Grusin, bassist John Pattitucci, singer El Debarge, and percussionist Carlinhos Brown. No less a luminary than Tropicalia pioneer Caetano Veloso appears on his own "Linda," and his sultry tenor sounds as alluring as ever. With its mix of smooth jazz and Brazilian flavors, the overall vibe of this disc is relaxed, sophisticated, and cool.

Track Listing
1. Water to Drink (Agua de Beber)
2. Latin Lovers (Incompatibilidada de Ginios)
3. Linda (Voce É Linda)
4. Dindi
5. Stone Flower
6. San Ysidro
7. Harlequin (Arlequim Desconhecido)
8. Bahia Funk
9. Asa
10. Windmill
11. É (Yeah!)

 

[Dennie]

The Journey -- CD

Earl Klugh

1997 Reprise Records

Extremely wonderful CD, Earl, Very Very Pleasant!, June 18, 2004
By Ufuoma Mogun (Warri, Delta State. Nigeria.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Journey, The (Audio CD)

The greatest acoustic guitarist in the world is Earl Klugh. A very talented guitarist. Whenever i listen to his music, i feel at home.The tunes in this CD are second to non, just like his other CD'S. The master-fully rendered acoustic tunes from Earl kligh makes me feel like i'm in Heaven.I love all his tracks. Not withstanding, just check-out such tunes like,Autumn song, Good as it gets, The journey, Last song, Walk in the sun and others, you'll love them every time it's played.Earl is my main-man any time any day. I recommend all his CD'S to all jazz lovers, because all his tracks are extremely very good. If you like acoustic guitar tunes then listen to Earl Klughs' CD'S. Earl,you're the Best Acoustic Guitarist in the whole wide world.

"All Through the Night" - 5:13
"Last Song" - 4:28
"4 Minute Samba" - 3:58
"Sneakin' Out of Here" - 5:05
"The Journey" - 6:10
"Good as It Gets" - 4:18
"Fingerdance" - 5:53
"Evil Eye" - 6:19
"Walk in the Sun" - 3:58
"Autumn Song" - 6:07

 

[Dennie]

Dennie, it wasn't me who recommended Jamie Paul. I'm not sure if I have any of her music...will have to check.

Here is my latest CD that just arrived today from New Zealand. Oddly it won't release in the US until October I think. This is without a doubt my number one all-time favorite female artist. If you've seen my Webshots albums you already know this.

Hayley Westenra - Paradiso

It will enter the CDP very soon.

I thought you mentioned this one.... :think:

But I've been wrong before! :doh:

Thanks for the heads up on Hayley! October can't come fast enough! :eusa-whistle:


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Midnight In San Juan -- CD

Earl Klugh

1991 Warner Bros. Records

Excellent smooth Jazz with a Brazilian Jazz twist !!!, January 30, 2003
By Papetti "papetti" (Mexico City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Midnight in San Juan (Audio CD)

Earl Klugh has always been recognized as a fantastic Jazz guitarist (following the school of Wes Montgomery & George Benson)and this album in particular is one of his best. Earl adds a super cool technique of Brazilian touch with compositions like: 1. <Kissin' on the Beach> where he's accompanied by Abraham Laboriel on Bass Guitar and Paulinho DaCosta on Percussions and 2.<Take you there>
also accompanied by Abraham Laboriel, Paulinho DaCosta, by the superb pianist Eliane Elias and Toots Thielmans on Harmonica.
Overall is a great album, don't miss it if you really like Jazz.

"Midnight in San Juan" - 5:53
"Every Moment with You" - 3:57
"Kissin' on the Beach" - 6:07
"She Never Said Why" - 4:32
"Movimientos del Alma (Rhythms of the Soul)" - 4:40
"Jamaican Winds" - 3:44
"Theme for a Rainy Day" - 5:26
"Take You There" - 7:06

12528

 

[Dennie]

Fantasia CD

Eliane Elias

1992 Blue Note Records
A lovely lady with a tremendous talent, June 18, 2001
By
Joachim Detlef Hansen (Boston, Mass.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantasia (Audio CD)
I make my living as a classical pianist. For fun, I teach music at the local community college and Church. I was in Des Moines, Iowa to perform a concert with the Des Moines Symphony, and I was offered caught Ms.Elias at the Civic center. Just the site of her takes a man's breath away, but once she started playing,it was incredible. I've bought several of her albums since, and I am not disappointed with any of them.

This Brazilian beauty,in my opinion, is one of the greatest pianists I have heard in a very long time.

TRACKLIST
01. The Girl From Ipanema (6:31)
02. Wave (3:45)
03. Milton Nascimento Medley (7:50)
04. Sabe Voce (Do You Know) (5:27)
05. Bahia (Na Baixa Do Sapateiro) (5:50)
06. Fantasia (To Amanda) (2:28)
07. No More Blues (Chega De Saudade) (8:41)
08. Ivan Lins Medley (7:04)

 

[Dennie]

:music-listening:

oh so nice...

Oops! I found what I thought was the "Jamie Paul" recommendation and was wrong. (Again) :angry-banghead:

But, I did pick up the Sophie Milman album "Make Someone Happy" on your recommendation Dane, Thanks! I really enjoy it. :handgestures-thumbup:

Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Quiet Nights -- CD

Diana Krall

2009 Verve Records

Editorial Review

Diana Krall's 12th album Quiet Nights is an intimate recording of ballads and bossa novas from the team that brought you her best-selling GRAMMY Award-winning CD The Look of Love. Accompanied by her quartet and orchestra, Diana turns her sensual vocals and consummate piano skills to "The Boy from Ipanema", "Walk on By"and other classic tunes. Quiet Nights is initially available as a limited edition CD including 2 bonus tracks - her stunning rendition of the Bee Gee's "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" and the standard "Every Time We Say Goodbye". Also available on LP pressed on 180 Gram Vinyl.

"Where or When" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 4:10
"Too Marvelous for Words" (Johnny Mercer, Richard A. Whiting) – 4:05
"I've Grown Accustomed to His Face" (Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner) – 4:48
"The Boy from Ipanema" (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Norman Gimbel) – 4:54
"Walk On By" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 5:03
"You're My Thrill" (Jay Gorney, Sidney Clare) – 5:47
"Este Seu Olhar" (Jobim) – 2:45
"So Nice" (Marcos Valle, Paulo Sérgio Valle, Gimbel) – 3:52
"Quiet Nights" (Jobim, Gene Lees) – 4:45
"Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry" (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) – 4:59
"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" (Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb) – 4:30
"Everytime We Say Goodbye" (Cole Porter) – 5:18

 

[Dennie]

Nothin' But The Taillights -- CD

Clint Black

1997 RCA Records

Amazon.com

When Clint Black neared the end of his 1995 tour, he realized he had been on the album-tour-album-tour treadmill for seven years without a break. Even Black had to realize that he risked repeating himself and losing the freshness that distinguished his 1989 debut. To his credit, he was smart enough to shut it down for a while--he stayed home for two years and recharged his batteries. Nothin' But the Taillights, released in 1997, is not, despite the wishes of many of us, a return to the hardcore honky-tonk sound of his first album, but it is a top-notch pop-country recording and represents Black's best work since 1992's The Hard Way.

The most obvious key to that achievement is Black's willingness to reach beyond his own insular camp to collaborate with other country-music talents. The singer and his longtime songwriting partner Hayden Nicholas teamed up on five of the new songs, but Black cowrote the seven other songs with new folks, who have injected some new juice into the Black formula. When he wanted to write a sequel to "Cadillac Jack Favor," his real-life saga of a rodeo champion serving time and trying to preserve a marriage while imprisoned on a homicide charge, Black knew he'd need both a woman's perspective and a outsider's viewpoint. Matraca Berg of "Strawberry Wine" fame provided the former, and Marty Stuart, a member in good standing of country-music's outlaw wing, supplied the latter. The resulting bittersweet ballad included both the male and female angles on the story, so it made sense to do it as a duet with labelmate Martina McBride. That song gets the full pop-country treatment, but the singer proves he can also thrive in a stripped-down bluegrass arrangement when he joins Alison Krauss & Union Station on "Our Kind of Love." While he was camped out at home, Black spent a lot of time wood-shedding on the guitar, and he shows off the results by playing a lot of electric guitar as well as acoustic on the new album. No one would mistake Black for Chet Atkins, Steve Wariner, Larry Carlton, Dann Huff, Hayden Nicholas, or Mark Knopfler, but he has improved sufficiently to hold his own with those six gentlemen as they all take guitar solos on "Ode to Chet," a tongue-in-cheek song about learning guitar to impress a young woman.

Nothin' But the Taillights isn't a perfect album, with two tracks lapsing into maudlin schlock that tempts Black into over-singing. Nonetheless, the singer seems reinvigorated by his layoff, his new partnerships, and his new guitar chops even as he's hung on to the best qualities of his early career. --Geoffrey Himes

All songs written by Clint Black/Hayden Nicholas except where noted.

"Nothin' but the Taillights" (Black, Steve Wariner) – 3:50
"That Something In My Life" (Black, Kostas) – 2:52
"Our Kind of Love" (Black, Shake Russell) – 4:09
With Alison Krauss and Union Station
"Loosen Up My Strings" – 3:30
"Still Holding On" (Black, Matraca Berg, Marty Stuart) – 4:01
Duet with Martina McBride
"Something That We Do" (Black, Skip Ewing) – 3:57
"The Shoes You're Wearing" – 3:53
"You Don't Need Me Now" (Black, Russell) – 3:42
"What I Feel Inside" – 4:30
"You Know It All" (Black, Wariner) – 4:17
"Ode To Chet" – 3:13
With Chet Atkins, Steve Wariner, Larry Carlton, Dann Huff, and Mark Knopfler.
"Bitter Side of Sweet" – 4:28


An Impressive group of musicians..... :handgestures-thumbup:

Band

Clint Black—acoustic guitar, harmonica, electric guitar, vocals, background vocals
Chet Atkins—guitar
Barry Bales—acoustic bass
Eddie Bayers—drums
Ron Block–acoustic guitar
Mike Brignardello—bass
Robbie Buchanan—piano, keyboards
Larry Byrom—acoustic guitar
Larry Carlton—guitar
Stuart Duncan—fiddle, mandolin
Skip Ewing—acoustic guitar
Paul Franklin—steel guitar
Dann Huff—electric guitar
Mark Knopfler—guitar
Alison Krauss—fiddle, viola, background vocals
The London Session Orchestra—strings
Hayden Nicholas—guitar
Dean Parks—acoustic guitar
Steve Real—background vocals
Michael Rhodes—bass
John "J.R." Robinson—drums
Matt Rollings—piano
Leland Sklar—bass
Adam Steffey—mandolin
Fred Tackett—acoustic guitar
Dan Tyminski—acoustic guitar, background vocals
Julianna Waller—fiddle
Steve Wariner—guitar

 

[GreatDane]

Sophie is good>>( with AKG 'phones)

...and Quiet Nights too :music-listening:

I'm REALLY enjoying the new Hayley CD.

 

[Dennie]

Deuces Wild -- CD

B.B. King

1997 MCA Records

Amazon.com

B.B. King, probably the most celebrated living blues player, has come a long way from Itta Bena, Mississippi, and this CD illustrates just how far. A series of guest shots by such artists as Van Morrison, Tracy Chapman, Eric Clapton, Mick Hucknall, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Joe Cocker, Marty Stuart, the Rolling Stones, and Willie Nelson, Deuces Wild is far removed from the blues King played in the '40s and '50s. It's more like psychodrama, especially in the case of the Cocker track, "Dangerous Mood." Nobody here, celebrity notwithstanding, is just going through the motions. The album's crass concept is redeemed by, among others, drummers Steve Jordan, Jim Keltner, and Charlie Watts. Although it's an overblown international project with no affinity for the meaning of the blues, the players and their love for the music triumph. --Stanley Booth

1. If You Love Me - (with Van Morrison)

2. Thrill Is Gone, The - (with Tracy Chapman)

3. Rock Me Baby - (with Eric Clapton)

4. Please Send Me Someone to Love - (with Mick Hucknall)

5. Baby I Love You - (with Bonnie Raitt)

6. Ain't Nobody Home - (with D'Angelo)

7. There Must Be a Better World Somewhere - (with Dr. John)

8. Confessin' the Blues - (with Marty Stuart)

9. Paying the Cost to Be the Boss - (with The Rolling Stones)

10. Dangerous Mood - (with Joe Cocker)

11. Keep It Coming - (with Heavy D)

12. Cryin' Won't Help You - (with David Gilmour/Paul Carrack)

13. Night Life - (with Willie Nelson)

 

[Dennie]

...................... :text-bravo:

Mr. Lucky -- CD

John Lee Hooker

1991 Charisma/ Pointblank Records

All Star Cast, June 12, 2001
By Russell Diederich (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Mr Lucky (Audio CD)

When one of the most revered blues guitarists asks for help on his album, there is no shortage of great talent to show up. The likes of Santana, Ry Cooder, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, John Hammond, and Robert Cray (to name just a few) come out in support of "Mr. Lucky", the follow up guest album to "The Healing". But, John Lee Hooker doesn't need all of this talent to put out a great blues album.

Robert Cray shows up on the title cut of this album providing some great leads to Hooker's rhythm. A tune that makes Hooker "... feel a little better". Albert Collins steps in for "Backstabbers" providing a powerful presence that only he was capable of. All you have to hear is one note of Collins to know it's him. "I Cover the Waterfront" is a haunting tune with Van Morrison taking over the guitar work and Booker T. Jones on organ. Morrison's voice complements the low-boom of Hooker's. Another highlight is Santana's work on "Stripped Me Naked".

Hooker's Delta Blues sound is hypnotizing, and his deep voice is lazy and sweet. There are very few that have shaped the sound of music, especially the blues, as he has. This album, a tribute of sorts, is a must for blues lovers. To hear so much talent gathered in one place playing with a legend like Hooker gives me the chills.

Except where otherwise noted, all songs composed by John Lee Hooker.

"I Want to Hug You" (Hooker, Al Smith) – 2:52
"Mr. Lucky" (Hooker, Al Smith) – 4:38
"Back Stabbers" (Hooker, Smith) – 5:01
"This Is Hip" – 3:23
"I Cover the Waterfront" – 6:39
"Highway 13" – 6:32
"Stripped Me Naked" (Hooker, Benny Rietveld, Carlos Santana, Chester Thompson) – 4:18
"Susie" – 4:23
"Crawlin' King Snake" (Tony Hollins, Bernard Besman, Hooker) – 3:20
"Father Was a Jockey" – 4:58



Performance :bow-blue:

Kenny Baker – saxophone
Gaylord Birch – drums
Bowen Brown – drums
Albert Collins – guitar
Tom Compton – drums
Ry Cooder – guitar
Richard Cousins – bass
Robert Cray – guitar, vocals
Maurice Cridlin – bass
Steve Ehrmann – bass
Terry Evans – vocals
Jeff Ganz – bass
William "Bill" Greene – vocals
Jim Guyet – bass
John Hammond, Jr. – harmonica, slide guitar
Kevin Hayes – drums
John Lee Hooker – guitar, vocals
Johnnie Johnson – piano
Booker T. Jones – organ
Deacon Jones – organ
Tim Kaihatsu – guitar
Jim Keltner – drums
Bobby King – vocals
Nick Lowe – bass
Scott Mathews – drums
Van Morrison – guitar, vocals
Michael Osborn – guitar
Karl Perazzo – timbales
Jimmy Pugh – organ
Raul Rekow – conga
Keith Richards – guitar
Benny Rietveld – bass
Carlos Santana – guitar
Larry Taylor – bass
Chester Thompson – keyboards
Johnny Winter – guitar

 

[Dennie]

Hot House -- CD

Bruce Hornsby

1995 RCA Records

This album is addicting and mesmerizing., October 26, 1999

This album is both addicting and mesmerizing. From the first strains of Spider fingers to the last notes of Cruise control, Bruce Hornsby proves that he is the consummate musician and story teller. He's racked up a bunch of superior musicians and vocalists to work with here. Included are Jazz guitarist Pat Metheney, country Banjoist Bela Fleck and the always funky and fabulous diva Chaka Khan. All of them give stellar performances, but none outweigh the arresting presence of Bruce himself. The cd just gets better and better with each track, my favorites are "White wheeled limousine" the story of a jilted bride and "Country doctor" the story of a doctor who's wife dies under mysterious circumstances. The music is jazzy and jammin not the pop piano songs that you might expect. It's hard to believe that this is the same guy who wrote "The way it is". Patty Hayes

All songs written by Bruce Hornsby.

1. "Spider Fingers"
2. "White Wheeled Limousine"
3. "Walk in the Sun"
4. "The Changes"
5. "The Tango King"
6. "Big Rumble"
7. "Country Doctor"
8. "The Longest Night"
9. "Hot House Ball"
10. "Swing Street"
11. "Cruise Control"

12546

 

[Dennie]

Falling Up -- CD

Geoffrey Keezer

2003 MaxJazz Piano Series

Among the most beautiful jazz albums ever recorded, October 9, 2003
By Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)


This review is from: Falling Up (Audio CD)
Jeff Keezer, the brilliant young jazz pianist, has a very personal, even idiosyncratic musical vision. Here, on what can only be described as a ravishingly gorgeous disc, it serves him unfailingly.

A number of things make this disc work, not least the artist's love of Hawaiian folk music, which is the (unlikely, for a jazz artist) starting point of this disc--and, hence, the understandable but misleading idea that it has a New Age vibe. Something much deeper is going on, something almost impossible to even talk about without sounding sentimental or weird: Hawaiian music has somehow become the most effective vehicle for Keezer to express his deepest feelings, the essence of which is a kind of glory tinged by sadness. The key is the song "Famous Are the Flowers." Originally a 19th century popular song protesting the annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii to the United States, it is here rendered with such love, such poignancy, such glorious melancholy, that the listener encounters the kind of longing that C. S. Lewis called Sehnsuct, and which pervades, for example, The Lord of the Rings. Interesting, a tune from the film version of LOTR, "Gollum's Song," is included

The three Hawaiian tunes included are simply stunning, and definitely set the musical tone for the entire disc. One thing is glaringly apparent--Keezer's genuine appreciation for the music of Hawaii. Too often artists, in their effort to add color and exoticism to their work, do not pay sufficient attention to the subtleties of the alien musical sensibilities they desire to incorporate into their own aesthetic vision. The clincher is "Navigating by Starlight," an original Keezer composition and the longest and most evocative tune at over eight minutes. Keezer, in notes to the music, describes the piece thus: "I was thinking about ancient seafaring people, and how they could travel for thousands of miles reading tides originating from even other continents. In the mysterious darkness of night, they used a highly evolved understanding of the stars to guide them. Sounds of Java, Okinawa, and Japan." These are the racial and cultural antecedents for the people of Hawaii, and he has perfectly captured that sensibility in a profound way. Aided by Anthony Brown (who co-wrote the tune) and the Asian American Jazz Orchestra, the song perfectly evokes what Keezer describes in his notes.

The other tunes on the album, though arising out of different circumstances and having a slightly different feel, seem to have somehow been drawn into the orbit of the Hawaiian sun that pervades the disc. Personal favorites include "Falling Up," with its attractive melody, slightly exotic instrumentation, and feel-good vibe, the three piano trio numbers, "Palm Reader," "Gollum's Song," and "Prelude in E-Flat." The only song that doesn't work optimally for me is "Featherfall," featuring vocals by Claire Martin. It would've best been left off the disc, but since it has deep personal meaning for Keezer, I can see why he wanted to include it.

Highest recommendation.

Falling Up
Shiny Shell Lullaby
Horsewoman, The
Palm Reader
Featherfall
Gollums Song
Navigating By Starlight
- Grace
T.G.T.T.
Mirrim
Prelude in e Flat

Geoffrey Keezer: piano, rhodes, vibraphone, marimba
Scott Colley: bass
Karriem Riggins: drums, percussion
Keola Beamer: acoustic guitar
Paul Bollenback: acoustic guitar
Claire Martin: vocals
Ingrid Jensen: trumpet and flugelhorn
Joe Locke: vibraphone
Steve Wilson: alto flute
Tim Garland: bass clarinet
Laurence Cottle: acoustic bass guitar
Richard Cottle: keyboards
Moanalani Beamer: ka 'eke'eke (bamboo pipes)

 

[Dennie]

If you like Geoffrey Keezer, he plays on Rob's album "Lasting Impression"........ :handgestures-thumbup:

Lasting Impression -- CD

Rob Thorsen

2009 Pacific Coast Jazz

Acoustic bassist Rob Thorsen has been a stalwart on the San Diego jazz scene for 20 years after moving from his native San Francisco. He's developed into a top-notch modern mainstream jazz player and bandleader, as evidenced by this effort showcasing his estimable talents and choice of material and sidemen. Thorsen mixes in some original compositions with reworked bop, post-bop, and American popular song standards.

The exceptional pianist Geoff Keezer guests on five tracks, with up-and-comer Josh Nelson in on four. Saxophonist Ben Wendel and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos form a fine front line in the Joe Henderson-Kenny Dorham tradition, and the skillful drummer Duncan Moore rounds out this potent band that delivers every step of the way. The standards are rearranged with some new twists and turns, as Charlie Parker's "Dexterity" is turned around the corner as a modern New Orleans shuffle, John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" is completely tossed upside down into a dark, startling, and richly hued song of even bigger proportions with a deconstructed melody, and Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae" is fairly faithful to the original, but includes free sections and updated, stretched-out paraphrases, with a fine solo from the emerging tenor saxophonist Wendel. Charlie Chaplin's immortal "Smile" is modified by the exploratory Keezer in melodic inferences much like Mona Lisa's famous slight visage, "The Man I Love" is an out-and-out Afro-Cuban sizzler, while "It's Alright with Me" has Thorsen with just the trio playing the frantic lead melody very fast and soloing as well, going into hard and neo-bop territory, with Wendel's Michael Brecker influence shining through on his late entrance. Of the leader's originals, the horns sound focused and completely locked in for the exotic "Milagro Cafe," as Thorsen's probing bass turns to bop, while the bandmembers eventually sound like they are playing out of the repertoire of Woody Shaw. The outstanding "Dance of the Freaky Circles" showcases Thorsen's bass during the solo intro in 6/8 time, with a muted Castellanos and Wendel countering Keezer's intricate lines and Moore's tick-tock blue beats. The nine-minute "Cigarones" allows Keezer even more roaming room underground to sleepwalk among denizens of the deep, with some illuminating light from the cameo flute playing of John Rekevics. Castellanos is a player on the scene who deserves close attention, as he owns all the requisite chops, smarts, and good common sense to become a major jazz player on his instrument, very much evident on this recording.

Lasting Impression is an appropriate title for those who discover this recording, easily recommended because it borders on excellent, and at times is extraordinary. ~ Michael G. Nastos

1. Dexterity 6:50

2. Giant Steps 6:32

3. Little Melonae 6:18

4. Smile 7:10

5. Milagro Cafe 8:56

6. Man I Love 6:30

7. Danec of The Freaky Circles 8:45

8. Ciagarones 9:21

9. It's All Right With Me 5:43

10. Wish On Us 3:13


Personnel: Rob Thorsen (upright bass); John Rekovics (alto flute); Ben Wendel (bassoon, tenor saxophone); Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet, flugelhorn); Geoff Keezer, Josh Nelson (piano); Duncan Moore (drum); Charlie Chavez (congas).

 

[Dennie]

Truth Be Told -- CD

Mark Egan

2010 Wavetone Records

ONE OF THE BEST OF 2010, January 7, 2011
By Grillman (Mass. USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Truth Be Told (Audio CD)

I can't believe no one has reviewed this CD. This was one of the best Jazz fusion releases of 2010. Mark is an accomplished bass player and composer, and this supergroup he assembled for this recording is top notch. Great tunes, with great players and excellent recording quality by engineer Phil Magnoti. Mark has sure come a long way since his days with the Pat Metheny group and this CD is in my player all the time. Highly Recommended.

1. Frog Legs - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
2. Gargoyle - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
3. Truth Be Told - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
4. Sea Saw - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
5. CafÉ Risque - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
6. Shadow Play - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
7. Blue Launch - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
8. Rhyme Or Reason - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
9. Blue Rain - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
10. Pepe - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi
11. After Thought - Mark Egan Feat. Bill Evans, Vi


Personnel: Mark Egan: fretted and fretless basses; Bill Evans: saxophones; Mitch Forman: keyboards; Vinnie Colaiuta: drums; Roger Squitero: percussion.

 

[Dennie]

Spiral -- SACD

Hiromi

2005 Telarc Jazz

Very nice fresh new music, January 24, 2006
By Jonathan Guarriello (Rutherfordton NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Spiral (Audio CD)

I just recently picked up a copy of Hiromi's Spiral and I am hooked! For one thing it is awesome to see young players like Hiromi and her bassist and drummer playing all original music. All the songs on spiral are penned by the pianist. I like the way the songs are very composed but don't get robotic sounding. I think she has toned down her chops and focused more on the songs,but this doesn't mean that she doesn't rip on this one. My favorite tracks are spiral the first track,and #3 Edge. I really like The Return of the Kung Fu Champion,which is the only track on this album where she uses electronic keyboards. I like her use of the synths. I don't think its fair to her to compare her synth sounds with 70's fusion. As much as I love Chick Corea I think most of the synth sounds he used on mid 70's RTFE albums like Where Have I known you before, No Mystery and Romantic Warrior where really chessey. This album has definite cross over appeal because the tunes are catchy and they blend classical,jazz and funk fusion. Tony Grey the bassist on this is the man. I think he's headed for bass great status. The drummer Martin Valihora is killer nuff said buy this record you won't be disappointed!

1. Spiral 10:04
2. Music for Three-Piece Orchestra: Open Door - Tuning - Prologue 10:16
3. Music for Three-Piece Orchestra: Déjà vu 7:45
4. Music for Three-Piece Orchestra: Reverse 5:09
5. Music for Three-Piece Orchestra: Edge 5:19
6. Old Castle, by the river, in the middle of a forest 8:20
7. Love and Laughter 9:03
8. Return of Kung-Fu World Champion 9:39


Bonus Picture.....

 

[Dennie]

Switching gears..... :auto-layrubber:

Live/Dead -- CD

The Grateful Dead

1969/1990 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Improvisation had been the Grateful Dead's tie-dyed calling card since their beginnings as the house band for novelist Ken Kesey's mythic mid-60s "acid tests." So, after the fair-to-middling artistic results of their initial three studio-recorded albums, the band opted to release their first-ever concert collection--and irrevocably changed the course of their entire career. Propelled by the epic classic, "Dark Star," as well as folk-tinged "Death Don't Have No Mercy,' and the fusion-ish "The Eleven," Live Dead showcased the instinctual, probing interplay between Jerry Garcia, bassist Phil Lesh, and the rest of the band, and finally captured the Dead's special magic for all to hear. --Billy Altman

Side one

"Dark Star" (Garcia, Hart, Kreutzmann, Lesh, McKernan, Weir, Robert Hunter) – 23:18

Side two

"St. Stephen" (Garcia, Lesh, Hunter) – 6:31
"The Eleven" (Lesh, Hunter) – 9:18

Side three

"Turn On Your Love Light" (Joseph Scott, Deadric Malone) – 15:05

Side four

"Death Don't Have No Mercy" (Reverend Gary Davis) – 10:28
"Feedback" (Constanten, Garcia, Hart, Kreutzman, Lesh, McKernan, Weir) – 7:49
"And We Bid You Goodnight" (Traditional, arr. by Grateful Dead) – 0:35

 

[Dennie]

The Best of 1968 - 1973 -- CD

Steve Miller Band

1990 Capitol Records

Good stuff, no jokin', June 13, 2002
By Jinkyu - See all my reviews
This review is from: Steve Miller Band: The Best of 1968 - 1973 (Audio CD)

Steve Miller's work is generally noted for its listenability, but the distinction between this set and his later work is that the material here has more substance. This collection contains great rockers and pop songs, infused with some blues, but also showcases some of the psychedelia that was a prominent part of his pre-mid-'70s work. Leading the way are the hard-driving (literally) Americana classic "Living in the U.S.A.," the gorgeous rocker "Sugar Babe," and "The Joker," the cool, catchy staple of AM and FM radio. Also necessary inclusions for this multi-sobriqueted icon are the Western fantasies "Gangster of Love" and "Space Cowboy." Some songs mix in psychedelia, but the pretty entries from Sailor, "Quicksilver Girl" and the atmospheric "Song for Our Ancestors," are pure-breds. Stevie "Guitar" Miller also does the country sound well, as demonstrated in some of the studio tracks and a couple of live ones. This package represents a solid legacy from the fluid-sounding West Coast guitar hero and falls short of five stars just barely.
1

The Joker



4:25
2

Living in the U.S.A.



4:04
3

My Dark Hour



3:09
4

Going to the Country



3:13
5

Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma



5:40
6

Going to Mexico



2:28
7

Come on in My Kitchen



4:05
8

Evil



4:36
9

Song for Our Ancestors



6:00
10

Your Saving Grace



4:50
11

Quicksilver Girl



2:43
12

Seasons



3:51
13

Space Cowboy



4:57
14

Gangster of Love



1:15
15

Kow Kow Calqulator



4:27
16

Little Girl



3:23
17

Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around



2:30
18

Jackson-Kent Blues



7:18
19

Sugar Babe



4:33

 

[Dennie]

Happy Trails -- CD

Quicksilver Messenger Service

1969/1994 Capitol Record

The Definitive QMS, August 8, 2004
By C. Thwaites (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Happy Trails (Audio CD)

This is a superlative example of west coast, jam innovation from the late 60s. Hard to believe this is from 1968 and pre-dates some of the best Dead, Hendrix guitar feedback exercises. The 25 min version of Bo Diddely's Who Do You Love highlights the album along with a shorter but no less startling Mona. This is a must if you want to explore the Dead around that time. John Cippolina is in full force. Check him out too on the recently released Grateful Dead. Closing of Winterland, where he leads a 20 min "Not Fade Away".
Side A

"Who Do You Love - Part 1" – 3:32 (Ellas McDaniel)
"When You Love" – 5:15 (Gary Duncan)
"Where You Love" – 6:07 (John Cipollina, Duncan, Greg Elmore, David Freiberg)
"How You Love" – 2:45 (Cipollina)
"Which Do You Love" – 1:49 (Freiberg)
"Who Do You Love - Part 2" – 5:51 (McDaniel)

Side B

"Mona" – 7:01 (McDaniel)
"Maiden of the Cancer Moon" – 2:54 (Duncan)
"Calvary" – 13:31 (Duncan)
"Happy Trails" – 1:29 (Dale Evans)

 

[Botch]

Black Dub:

I don't remember who recommended this one, but thank you! The mix is pretty rough, and the guitar player needs to use a tuner, but damn a great drummer and that female vocalist kills! :text-bravo: