What Are You Listening To?

[Botch]

:music-listening:

 

[Botch]

:music-rockout:

 

[Botch]

 

[heeman]

:music-listening:

:text-bravo:

 

[Dennie]

Acoustic -- CD

Everything But The Girl

1992 Atlantic Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Though they've worked with plenty of accompaniment, the heart of Everything but the Girl's music has always been simple: a voice (usually Tracy Thorn's), a simple melody, and enough emotion to keep Kleenex in business for decades. On Acoustic, Thorn and Ben Watt strip things down to the bone, and the starkness makes the music even more affecting than usual. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the material they've chosen to work with is pretty affecting to begin with. The five covers are fantastic (Mickey and Sylvia's "Love Is Strange," Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than the Rest," Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," Elvis Costello's "Allison," and Tom Waits's "Downtown Train"), but the five originals, all of which appear on other EBTG albums, hold their own; and three of them--"Driving," "Apron Strings," and "Me and Bobby D"--do much more that that. --Randy Silver

"Love Is Strange" (Ethel Smith, Sylvia Robinson, Mickey Baker)
"Tougher Than the Rest" (Bruce Springsteen)
"Time After Time" (Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman)
"Alison" (Elvis Costello)
"Downtown Train" (Tom Waits)
"Driving" (Ben Watt)
"One Place" (Tracey Thorn)
"Apron Strings" (Live) (Thorn, Watt)
"Me and Bobby D" (Thorn, Watt)
"Come On Home" (Thorn, Watt)
"Fascination" (Live) (Thorn)

 

[heeman]

Track Listing

All songs written by Melissa Etheridge.

1."Fearless Love" - 4:28
2."The Wanting of You" - 4:12
3."Company" - 4:53
4."Miss California" - 4:00
5."Drag Me Away" - 4:41
6."Indiana" - 5:28
7."Nervous" - 3:12
8."Heaven on Earth" - 3:47
9."We Are The Ones" - 5:39
10."Only Love" - 5:43
11."To Be Loved" - 5:16
12."Gently We Row" - 5:11
Bonus Tracks

1."The Heart of a Woman" - 5:16
2."Away"- 4:37

 

[Botch]

 

[Dennie]

Passage of Time -- CD

Joshua Redman Quartet

2001 Warner Bros. Records

The Best Redman CD thus far, April 27, 2005
By Matt Thornton (WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Passage of Time (Audio CD)

You must listen to this CD in its entirety. You won't be able to get into this CD if you listen to the tracks in isolation. Passage of Time is a complete composition in of itself. So do yourself a favor and put aside the time to really listen to this CD. This CD is quite different from everything else Redman has released. Get ready for a wild ride! This CD is by far his most creative and emotional work. I LOVE this album. After hearing this album I had to buy up every other Redman CD I could find. I was secretly hoping to find something comparable to this CD. There isn't one. This is Redman's best work... PERIOD!

"Before"
"Free Speech, Phase I - Declaration"
"Free Speech, Phase II - Discussion"
"Our Minuet"
"Bronze"
"Time"
"Enemies Within"
"After"


Joshua Redman – saxophone
Aaron Goldberg – piano
Reuben Rogers – double bass
Gregory Hutchinson – drums

 

[Dennie]

Goin' Out of My Head -- Remastered CD

Wes Montgomery Arranged and Conducted by Oliver Nelson

1965/2007 Verve Records

One of the best., January 21, 2011
By peggyd "mbd23" (Boston) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Goin Out of My Head (Reis) (Rstr) (Dig) (Audio CD)

This album is so good. I can't believe I only discovered recently. The playing is superb, the material even better. One of my favorites.

"Goin' Out of My Head" (Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein) – 2:14
"Morro"(Vinicius De Moraes, Antonio Carlos Jobim) – 4:46
"Boss City" (Wes Montgomery) – 3:46
"Chim Chim Cher-ee" (Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman) (From Disney's Mary Poppins) – 4:51
"Naptown Blues" (Montgomery) – 3:08
"Twisted Blues" (Montgomery) – 4:15
"End of a Love Affair" (Edward Redding) – 3:43
"It Was a Very Good Year" (Ervin Drake) – 3:43
"Golden Earrings" (Ray Evans, Jay Livingston, Victor Young) – 5:14


Wes Montgomery – guitar
Phil Woods – alto sax, clarinet
Bob Ashton – flute, clarinet, saxophone
Romeo Penque – tenor saxophone, piccolo, flute, clarinet, oboe, English horn
Jerry Dodgion – tenor saxophone, piccolo, flute, clarinet
Donald Byrd – trumpet
Ernie Royal – trumpet
Joe Newman – trumpet
Danny Moore – trombone
Jimmy Cleveland – trombone
Quentin Jackson – trombone
Wayne Andre – trombone
Tony Studd – trombone
Herbie Hancock – piano
Roger Kellaway – piano
George Duvivier – bass guitar
Dan Bank – drums
Grady Tate – drums
Candido Camero – congas

Production notes:

Creed Taylor – producer
Oliver Nelson – arranger, conductor
Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
Orrin Keepnews – original liner notes

 

[Dennie]

Cornet Chop Suey -- CD

Ruby Braff

1994 Concord Jazz

For this Concord CD, the great veteran cornetist Ruby Braff is joined by guitarist Howard Alden, bassist Frank Tate and (on five of the twelve numbers) clarinetist Ken Peplowski and drummer Ronald Zito. Braff has never recorded a dull album and his highly expressive playing is the main reason to acquire this disc although Alden is also in particularly good form. Highlights include a rapid rendition of "Cornet Chop Suey," "Do It Again," an unusual instrumental version of "It's the Same Old South," an emotional "It Had to Be You" and a medley of songs from the film High Society.

1 Cornet Chop Suey Armstrong 5:04
2 Nancy (With the Laughing Face) Silvers, VanHeusen 4:24
3 Ooh, That Kiss Dixon, Warren, Young 5:08
4 Do It Again DeSylva, Gershwin 4:28
5 Love Me or Leave Me Donaldson, Kahn 4:51
6 It's the Same Old South Eliscu, Gorney 4:34
7 It Had to Be You Jones, Kahn 4:26
8 I Must Have That Man! Fields, McHugh 3:40
9 Sweet and Slow Dubin, Warren 4:10
10 Shoe Shine Boy Cahn, Chaplin 6:19
11 High Society Medley: You're Sensational/I Love You Samantha/True Love Porter 4:30
12 Lover, Come Back to Me Hammerstein, Romberg 7:01

 

[Dennie]

East River Drive -- CD

Stanley Clarke

1993 Epic Records

Lord of the Low Frequencies, March 8, 2003
By Russell Diederich (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: East River Drive (Audio CD)

Not many people can step out and make the bass the front instrument, but Stanley Clarke sure can. Clarke composes most of his songs with a smooth jazz feel that builds around the bass like many musicians build their music around a guitar, trumpet or sax. His unique style of snapping the strings against the fretboard gives him his signature sound. Although there is no "School Days" track on this album, it is a good listen, smooth.

"East River Drive" shows off Clarke's smooth jazz composing abilities. His bass leads us through the song with a good solo by George Howard on sax. The other extreme is "Funk Is Its Own Reward" where Clarke gets, well, funky. His long time collaborator, George Duke, sits in for this upbeat tune. This should get your feet taping with a cool groove, and some impressive string snapping, slapping and sliding. "I'm Home Africa" is another upbeat tune, with a great solo from saxophonist Doug Webb. Clarke can really romance it up with slow tunes as well like, "What If I Forget the Champagne". And the tunes "Illegal" and "Lords of the Low Frequencies" are a base workout.

Ever since I saw Clarke perform "School Days" with Larry Coryell on guitar, he has been one of my favorites. He has helped move me over into the Jazz world with his incredible musicianship. This album, like "Hideaway", is smoother than his stuff from the seventies. It's still a great album, with great playing, just a little different. It still doesn't top my favorite album by him, "Stanley Clarke and Friends, Live at the Greek" with Larry Carlton, Billy Cobham, Deron Johnson, and Najee.

"Justice's Groove" – 4:06
"Fantasy Love" – 4:37
"Zabadoobeedi- (Yabadoobeeda!)" – 4:35
"East River Drive" – 7:48
"I'm Home Africa" – 5:59
"Theme From Boyz N The Hood" – 6:58
"Christmas In Rio" – 6:42
"What If I Forget The Champagne" – 5:12
"Never Lose Your Heart/There Lies The Passion" – 5:59
"Illegal" – 3:20
"Lord Of The Low Frequencies" – 6:07
"Funk In Its Own Reward" – 4:45


16883

 

[Dennie]

:eusa-clap: Hootie....... :music-rockout:

Learn To Live -- CD

Darius Rucker

2008 Capitol Nashville

Pretty Dang Good!, September 17, 2008
By A* (New York, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Learn To Live (Audio CD)

To say Darius Rucker is new to country would be a slight, he grew up in the South and has cut his share of country tinged material, just take a listen to Scattered, Smothered and Covered to hear Rucker's excellent baritone in full bloom -- the guy can sing. And it is a wonderful thing to know that the material stands up to his earnest delivery.

Rucker approached the material by gathering a gaggle of current country mainstays to lend their talents, Brad Paisley's paw prints are all over, "All I Want" and that's a good thing. "Forever Road" carries the same weight of a great chorus (that you can sing along with) and a catchy hook that could get a bite from a fish without bait. But the stomper goes to "Drinkin' and Dialin'."

The ballads are the selling point here, Rucker's voice sells them. Rightfully so, he's clear in the mix, he sounds sincere on songs such as "History in the Making," and "Don't Think I Don't Know." A standout track is the contemplative "If I Had Wings," it could have been too cloying, too schmaltzy, but Rucker's voice won't allow it to be, but credit also belongs to Vince Gill and Alison Krauss for their amazing backing vocals.

An excellent pop-country disc that will get its share of radio play, and rightfully so.

1. "Forever Road" Darius Rucker, Frank Rogers, Chris Stapleton 4:01
2. "All I Want" Rucker, Rogers 3:49
3. "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" Rucker, Clay Mills 3:03
4. "Learn to Live" Rucker, Rogers 3:48
5. "If I Had Wings" Rucker, Rogers, Rivers Rutherford 4:03
6. "History in the Making" Rucker, Mills, Rogers 3:29
7. "Alright" Rucker, Rogers 3:51
8. "It Won't Be Like This for Long" Rucker, Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley 3:39
9. "Drinkin' and Dialin'" Rucker, DuBois, Gorley 3:04
10. "I Hope They Get to Me in Time" Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby 3:26
11. "While I Still Got the Time" Rogers, Rucker, Rutherford 3:49
12. "Be Wary of a Woman" Rucker, Dave Berg, Patrick Davis 3:26

 

[Dennie]

Drive -- CD

Alan Jackson

2002 Arista Records

Amazon.com

He sings straight, writes songs without a half dozen Music Row hacks pitching in their two cents, and keeps the music basic. On Drive, Jackson mixes wistful visions with satire, sorrow, and eloquence, using old cars--"Drive (For Daddy Gene)"--to explore growing up and, on "Work in Progress," spoofing a woman obsessed with "improving" her man. As usual, he explores love's joy ("When Love Comes Around") and anguish ("The Sounds"). His flair for thoughtful, evocative expression reaches its zenith with his classic September 11 commentary "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," included in both the studio version and the song's live debut on the CMA Awards. Non-originals, including the Mark Irwin-Irene Kelley tune "A Little Bluer Than That," fit the album's tone. "Designated Drinker," a duet with George Strait, is a pleasant vocal event, though it's rendered mundane by the quality of the other material. Yet again, Jackson zaps Nashville's fallacy that any recipe for success requires generous helpings of dated pop and rock. --Rich Kienzle

All songs written by Alan Jackson except where noted.

"Drive (For Daddy Gene)" – 4:02
"A Little Bluer Than That" (Mark Irwin, Irene Kelley) – 2:54
"Bring On the Night" (Jackson, Charlie Craig, Keith Stegall) – 4:04
"Work in Progress" - 4:07
"The Sounds" – 3:23
"Designated Drinker" – 3:52
(A duet with George Strait)
"Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" – 5:06
"That'd Be Alright" (Tim Nichols, Mark D. Sanders, Tia Sillers) – 3:41
"Once in a Lifetime Love" – 3:25
"When Love Comes Around" – 3:07
"I Slipped and Fell in Love" (Harley Allen, John Wiggins) – 2:55
"First Love" - 3:14
"Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) – 5:47
Live from the 35th Annual CMA Awards
spoken intro by Vince Gill

 

[Dennie]

Douglas Wayne Sahm (November 6, 1941 – November 18, 1999), was a musician from Texas. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was a child prodigy in country music, but became a significant figure in blues, rock and other genres. Today Sahm is considered one of the most important figures in what is identified as Tejano music. He was the founder and leader of the 1960s rock and roll band the Sir Douglas Quintet, and later with Augie Meyers, Freddy Fender and Flaco Jimenez in The Texas Tornados, and also in Los Super Seven supergroup.

Sahm was proficient on dozens of musical instruments and was a lifelong baseball fan.

The Return of Wayne Douglas -- CD

Doug Sahm

2000 Tornado Records

Doug Sahm recaps a great career, February 21, 2001
By Doug Seitz (Stillwater, MN USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Return of Wayne Douglas (Audio CD)

If Doug Sahm had known he'd soon die, this would probably the album he'd have recorded. How fortunate we are that he did it anyway. "Wayne Douglas" explores Sahm's country roots, re-records some early material, and pays homage to Bob Dylan, a friend and influence. The cd consists almost entirely of songs that Sahm wrote, and those have always been the songs he does best. And he is in GREAT voice, the best he's sounded in years. But Doug also sounds more subdued on this collection, as if he knew he didn't have much time left. There is an underlying sense of melancholy, although this could well be this listener's projection of his melancholy over the loss of a long-time favorite musician. What a great album to leave us, what a great finale to a long career. Thanks, Doug!

1. Beautiful Texas Sunshine
2. Oh No Not Another One
3. Love Minus Zero No Limit
4. You Was For Real
5. Cowboy Payton Place
6. Theyll Never Take Her Love From Me
7. Huggin Thin Air
8. Yesterday Got In The Way
9. I Cant Go Back To Austin
10. Dallas Alice
11. I Dont Trust No One When It Comes To My Heart
12. Texas Me

 

[Dennie]

:text-bravo: :bow-blue:

Ray Sings - Basie Swings -- CD

Ray Charles + Count Basie Orchestra

2006 Hear Music

The "Ray Charles & Count Basie Tapes". A must listen !,
January 6, 2007
By MUSiCOLOGY
This review is from: Ray Sings, Basie Swings (Audio CD)

Undiscovered genius until now!
From the Fantasy master tape vaults a rare treasure was unearthed. Vintage, never-before-released, absolutely stunning Ray Charles performances; 'Genius' in his prime, singing a bevy of timeless Charles classics including 'Let the Good Times Roll,' 'I Can't Stop Loving You,' and 'Georgia on My Mind.'
The only problem was that-while the power and nuance of Ray's vocals were recorded perfectly clearly-the accompanying big band parts on this 2-track stereo tape were, conversely, quite poorly-recorded and barely audible.
But Ray Charles vocal performances this good just had to be released and heard somehow.
Fortunately, with the benefit of modern recording technology and one of the most swinging big bands on the planet-today's Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Bill Hughes-these rousing big band arrangements were recreated and re-recorded in sync with Ray's incredible vocal performances, with excellent results.

"Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" (Oscar Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers) – 4:35
"Let the Good Times Roll" (Moore, Theard) – 2:57
"How Long Has This Been Going On?" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 6:19
"Every Saturday Night" (Hogan, West) – 4:05
"Busted" (Harlan Howard) – 2:35
"Crying Time" (Buck Owens) – 3:53
"I Can't Stop Loving You" (Don Gibson) – 4:02
"Come Live with Me" (Bryant, Bryant) – 4:10
"Feel So Bad" (Johnson, Temple) – 4:10
"The Long and Winding Road" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 4:04
"Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" (Melanie Safka) – 2:51
"Georgia on My Mind" (Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell) – 4:40

 

[Dennie]

Sweet Sunny South (Vol. 5) -- CD

The Bluegrass Album Band

1989/1994 Rounder Records

Bluegrass Album, Vol. 5 - —Sweet Sunny South is a fifth album by bluegrass supergroup, Bluegrass Album Band, released in 1989. Violinist Bobby Hicks is on this album replaced by Vassar Clements and bass duties are taken over by Mark Schatz (instead of Todd Philips, who otherwise plays on all Bluegrass Album Band albums.

"Rock Hearts" (Otis) 2:37
"Big Black Train" (Johnson, Sherry) 3:01
"Thinking About You" (Flatt, Scruggs) 3:18
"Out in the Cold World" (trad.) 3:09
"On the Old Kentucky Shore" (Monroe) 3:52
"Preachin', Prayin', Singin'" (McCarty) 2:33
"Someone Took My Place With You" (Flatt, Gurney, Scruggs) 2:47
"Foggy Mountain Rock" (Certain, Flatt, Graves) 3:58
"My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountains" (trad.) 2:42
"Along About Daybreak" (Monroe) 3:49
"Sweet Sunny South "(trad.) 3:27

Tony Rice - guitar, vocals
J.D. Crowe - banjo, vocals
Doyle Lawson - mandolin, vocals
Vassar Clements - violin
Jerry Douglas - Dobro, vocals
Mark Schatz - bass

 

[Dennie]

Pickin' On The Eagle - A Tribute -- CD

Various Pickers'

1999 CMH Records

Don't miss the point, April 14, 2004
By Philip (NY USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Pickin' on the Eagles (Audio CD)

The whole Pickin' on series is a treat for me, but Pickin' on the Eagles is one of my top choices. Its the Eagles put to Bluegrass. Don't miss the point. Hotel California just ignites with passion and excitement. Already gone is a toe tapping masterpiece. Peaceful Easy Feeling is just that, a great combination of the bluegrass instruments arranged perfectly. Lyin' Eyes is another great arrangement. The Eagles music lends itself easily to the Bluerass sound and Pickin' On set the Eagles to the number one or two spot of my collection.

Track listing

1. Hotel California
2. One of These Nights
3. Witchy Woman
4. New Kid in Town
5. Peaceful, Easy Feelin'
6. Lyin' Eyes
7. Life in the Fast Lane
8. Desperado
9. Tequila Sunrise
10. Take It to the Limit
11. Already Gone
12. Heartache Tonight
13. Take It Easy
14. I Can't Tell You Why
15. Seven Bridges Road

Performers include: David West (guitar, banjo, mandolin); Mike "Chickenhawk" Toppins (guitar, banjo); Tom Corbett (guitar, mandolin); Penn Pennington, Billy Troy, Mark Thornton (guitar); Steve Wilkerson (dobro, mandolin); Troy Graves (dobro); Glen Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Tom Ball (harmonica); Buddy Hyatt (piano); John Vogt, Ronnie Hughes (bass); Bo Fox, Wayne Killius, Todd Rubenstein, Bob Warren (drums, percussion).

 

[Dennie]

Pick Your Wings - A Bluegrass Tribute to Aerosmith -- CD

Cornbread Red

2007 CMH Records

Aerosmith's perfect mixture of rockers and ballads proved to be the definitive 1970s soundtrack. This tribute re-invents some of Aerosmith's best songs as ethereal bluegrass. The amazing fretwork of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford are translated to banjo, mandolin, and acoustic guitar. High-lonesome harmonies lift choruses to heights. Want to hear Aerosmith songs in a new light? Walk this way.

Tracklist:

1 Sweet Emotion
2 Mama Kin
3 Adam’s Apple
4 Uncle Salty
5 Draw the Line
6 Walk This Way
7 Dream
8 Same Old Song and Dance
9 Last Child
10 No More No More
11 Rag Doll
12 Love in an Elevator
13 Janie’s Got a Gun
14 Pink
15 I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing

 

[Dennie]

Green Day Blue Grass - Pickin' On Green Day - A Bluegrass Tribute -- CD

Honeywagon & Cornbread Red

2005 CMH Records

Holy Cow, This is Good, April 8, 2006
By G. Oliver "Single Dad" (Landisville, Pa. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Pickin' on Green Day (Audio CD)

Good songs, well played, spirited and a delightful surprise that made me want to buy more pickin' on music. Highly recommended for bluegrass fans and music fans alike. I like it a lot!
Track Listings:

1. American Idiot - Cornbread Red/Various Artists
2. Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Cornbread Red/Various Artists
3. Welcome to Paradise - Honeywagon/Various Artists
4. Basket Case - Honeywagon/Various Artists
5. Coming Clean - Honeywagon/Various Artists
6. Time of Your Life (Good Riddance) - Honeywagon/Various Artists
7. Maria - Honeywagon/Various Artists
8. Warning - Honeywagon/Various Artists
9. When I Come Around - Honeywagon/Various Artists
10. Nice Guys Finish Last - Cornbread Red/Various Artists
11. Extraordinary Girl - Cornbread Red/Various Artists
12. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Cornbread Red/Various Artists

 

[Dennie]

Okay, one last one from the series....

Pickin On The Grateful Dead - A Bluegrass Tribute -- CD

Various Pickers'

1997 CMH Records

Pickin' on the Grateful Dead: A Tribute is a 1997 tribute album to the Grateful Dead consisting of thirteen of their songs replayed in a bluegrass style.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ahh..lovely! Delicious backbeat, free wheeling...purrfect!, December 5, 1998
By Jeff Pasternack (lordhappy@aol.com) (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This disk is truly "not" the Dead as we know it. None of the Dead band members play on this disk. What this disk is about is a fresh interpretation of tunes we love to jam to. But its a different kind of jamming...thje comments by the prior reviewers bely their age when they say this disk doesn't jam.

This disk is filled with amazing fingerpicking and backbeat strumming. One re-finds that soft sense of freedom when you heard Jerry fingerpick you up and away...and that's what this is about. There's no Bobby-hogging at all. This disk has no ego, just warm fuzzies all over it.

And in the end, there'll be nothing left to do but smile smile smile

Track listing

"Althea" (Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia) - 5:31
"Scarlet Begonias" (Hunter/Garcia) - 5:24
"Friend of the Devil" (Hunter/Garcia/Dawson) - 4:25
"Bird Song" (Hunter/Garcia) - 6:32
"Truckin'" (Hunter/Garcia/Phil Lesh/Bob Weir) - 6:06
"Lady with a Fan" (Hunter/Garcia) - 4:12
"Casey Jones" (Hunter/Garcia) - 4:12
"Samson and Delilah" (arrangement: David West) - 3:46
"Touch of Grey" (Hunter/Garcia) - 6:02
"Cumberland Blues" (Hunter/Garcia/Lesh) - 5:26
"Ripple" (Hunter/Garcia) - 4:10
"Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" (arrangement: David West) - 3:59
"Dark Star" (Hunter/Garcia) - 4:18

Personnel

David West – Guitars, mandolin, banjo, bass, dobro, hammered dulcimer, percussion, background vocals
Mike Mullins – Guitar, Mandolin
Phil Salazar – Fiddles
John Rosenburg – Piano
Tom Ball – Harmonica
Jody Eulitz – Drums
Bill Flores – Pedal steel guitar
Barney Tower – Electric guitar
Pat Milliken – Guitars, mandolin
Bo Fox – Percussion
Kenny Sultan – Guitar
Paul Lee – Fiddle

David West – Producer, Engineer
Recorded at – Studio "Z", Santa Barbara, California