What Are You Listening To?

[heeman]

 

[heeman]

All tracks are written by Mark Knopfler.

1."Darling Pretty" – 4:31
2."Imelda" – 5:26
3."Golden Heart" – 5:01
4."No Can Do" – 4:54
5."Vic and Ray" – 4:36
6."Don't You Get It" – 5:16
7."A Night in Summer Long Ago" – 4:43
8."Cannibals" – 3:41
9."I'm the Fool" – 4:28
10."Je Suis Désolé" – 5:14
11."Rüdiger" – 6:03
12."Nobody's Got the Gun" – 5:25
13."Done With Bonaparte" – 5:06
14."Are We in Trouble Now?" – 5:54

 

[heeman]

All songs written by Mark Knopfler.

Side one
1."Telegraph Road" – 14:18
2."Private Investigations" – 6:45

Side two
1."Industrial Disease" – 5:50
2."Love Over Gold" – 6:15
3."It Never Rains" – 7:59

 

[Dennie]

Pan - American Journeys -- CD

Modern Mandolin Quartet

1993 Windham Hill Records

Impeccable tone, terrific musicianship, eclectic selections, February 15, 2003
By Twain Steinbeck "flynbike" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Pan American Journeys (Audio CD)

In a departure from the acoustic New Age of much of the rest of the Windham Hill catalog, and in a further departure of the mandolin from its bluegrass association, the MMQ interprets modern classical pieces of the Americas. With arrangements ranging from the sweet (Brouwer's "Berceuse"), to the opaque (Piazzolla's "Four for Tango"), to garage mandolin (The Louie Louie Variations), don't dismiss this disc as dinner music. You may find yourself coming back to it when you won't be distracted.

1. Redonda
2. Elements IV: Water
3. Berceuse
4. Ojos Brujos
5. Four, For Tango
6. Assanhado
7. Piano Prelude I
8. Piano Prelude II
9. Piano Prelude III
10. Danca/Bachianas Brasileiras # 5
11. The Louie Louie Variations

 

[Botch]

Is this good? I've read mixed reviews. I like the Adrian Belew King Crimson.

I'm digging it more with each listen. It's pretty mellow, and no odd time signatures that I can tell. The other guitarist, Jakko Jakszyk, sounds like Wetton, and either multi-tracked his voice into some really tight harmonies (unusual for Crimson) or is using a Harmonizer, I can't quite tell yet. He also plays a chinese plucked zither called a Gu Zheng http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu_zheng which really sounds nice.
The layered vocals, and the extensive Frippertronics, sound really good on the 5.1 DVD-A. Jury's still out on the saxophonist...
I'd buy it again. :handgestures-thumbup:

 

[Botch]

District 97, Hybrid Child:

A prog band with a couple chicks! One plays cello, which is a nice change; will be listening to this in the car for the next week.

 

[Dennie]

Back -To - Back -- 2 HDCD Set

Tiny Moore & Jethro Burns with Eldon Shamblin, Ray Brown, Shelly Manne, David Grisman

1979/2005 Acoustic Disc

Acoustic Disc proudly presents the long awaited CD release of Back To Back, the classic 1979 summit meeting of the two giants of jazz mandolin, Tiny Moore & Jethro Burns, complete with a second disc of previously unreleased alternate takes and a bonus track. Produced by David Grisman (who guests on three tracks), Back To Back also features the stellar rhythm section of guitar legend Eldon Shamblin with jazz masters Ray Brown (bass) and Shelly Manne (drums).

Jethro Burns, known to mandolin players as "The Great One," had a career in show business for more than fifty years - most notably as half of the comedy duo Homer & Jethro. His colorful style of 'note perfect' mandolin picking continues to be an influence to this day. Texas native Tiny Moore began working with Western Swing legend Bob Wills in 1946 and created his own unique style on a single-string, electric solid-body mandolin. The Back To Back sessions marked the first meeting of these legendary mandolin giants - an event of historic proportions.

The tunes on Back To Back are loaded with harmonic depth and swinging improvisation. From the first groovin' notes Wes Montomery's opening title track, it's apparent that this is jazz of another dimension. Tiny's electric mastery sways and bends in tandem with Jethro's acoustic expertise, while Shamblin, Brown and Manne provide an aural canvas that is simply unparalleled. From the barn-burning "Jethro's Tune" to the luscious triple-mandolin arrangement of Bill Monroe's "Moonlight Waltz," Duke Ellington's "In A Mellotone," Count Basie's "Tickle Toe," Moore's poignant ìReal Laid Backî and the Reinhardt/Grappelli favorite, "Swing '39" - nothing was out of their league

The recently-discovered alternate takes that comprise the second disc reveal "golden insight into what made these cats swing so hard," as Jethro's musical protege, Don Stiernberg, declares in his liner notes. The program also includes a gem that was not included on the original LP, "Maiden's Prayer." So now for the first time on CD, we all can now enjoy Back To Back in its' newly-extended form.

Disc 1

1. Back to Back
2. Diane
3. In A Mellotone
4. Real Laid Back
5. Flickin' My Pick
6. Moonlight Waltz
7. Jethro's Tune
8. Swing '39
9. Out of Nowhere
10. Tickle Toe
11. Tiny's Rag
12. Groovin' High
13. Maiden's Prayer

Disc 2

1. Back to Back-take 2
2. Diane-rehearsal
3. In A Mellotone-take 2
4. Real Laid Back-take 4
5. Flickin' My Pick-take 3
6. Moonlight Waltz-take 1
7. Jethro's Tune-take 2
8. Swing '39-take 1
9. Out of Nowhere-take 1
10. Tickle Toe-take 1
11. Tiny's Rag-take 1
12. Groovin' High-take 1
13. Maiden's Prayer-take 2

 

[Dennie]

Garcia & Grisman -- CD

Jerry Garcia & David Grisman

1991 Acoustic Disc

Perfect!, February 15, 2002
By J. Sutherland "zeppfan" (Southport, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Grisman & Garcia (Audio CD)

This album was recorded in the spring of 1991. I have never heard Grisman and Garcia sound as good as they do on this cd. Garcia's picking and singing is tasteful. Garcia's picking on this album are much more inspired and timely than on So What. As for Grisman his soloing on Friend of the devil is the best mandolin solo I've ever heard. And I'ver heard many. This version of Friend of the devil is the BEST I've ever heard because everything is perfect about the song.

Garcia's voice on that track and throughout the whole album is yearning and soulful. The song also has a slower and more longing sound to it. This album is composed of an eclectic mix of songs that include: celtic, blues, the dead, southern bluegrass, I guess what you would call "russian music", spanish music, and original grisman garcia compositions.

The mix is perfect there's something of everything and somehow it all fits together seamlessly. It starts off with a BB King tune and then goes into a wonderful celtic sounding Grisman composition. Then a "real" Irish/Celtic song that sounds sad if you listen to the words. Then, of course, the best version of Friend of the devil ever. With Garcia's desperate voice and Grisman's sweet mandolin tremolos reflecting Garcia's feeling. Then a nice russian lullaby that reminds of a cold winter night. Then another Grisman composition that shows how great of guitar player Garcia can be. Then perhaps my favourite track "walkin' boss" comes next. It starts out with a great introduction then goes into the verse and chorus. It ends with both Grisman and Garcia soloing at the same time and somehow sounding like they are reading eacother's minds because they are totally synchronous throughout the entire song. Grisman makes use of the harmonics on his mandolin to great effect on this one. Track 8 is a nice bluesy southern song about being bored. The last track is a composition by Grisman that is underrated in my opinion. Some have said it's different that all the other tracks on this album, but I say it's the culmination of all the previous tracks. Arabia has everything that all the other tracks had except for Garcia's passionate voice. It's a spanish-flavoured song that is definitely worth listening to all the way through. There are bass, guitar, mandolin, and conga solos in it.

This album is PERFECT. If you took anything away it would be less than, so do yourself a favour and hear two of our greatest musicians in their finest hour. Total time 58+ minutes.

"The Thrill is Gone" (Hawkins, Darnell)
"Grateful Dawg" (Garcia, Grisman)
"Two Soldiers" (traditional)
"Friend of the Devil" (Garcia, Hunter, Dawson)
"Russian Lullaby" (Berlin)
"Dawg's Waltz" (Grisman)
"Walkin' Boss" (traditional)
"Rockin' Chair" (Carmichael)
"Arabia" (Grisman; middle part based on the Cuban folk theme "Hasta Siempre")

 

[Dennie]

Double Violin Concerto -- CD

Mark O'Connor & Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg with The Colorado Symphony Orchestra

2005 OMAC Records

Expansive Americana, August 5, 2005
By Erik North (San Gabriel, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Double Violin Concerto (Audio CD)

Mark O'Connor has become quite the composer in recent years. Known very well among the Nashville session musician circle as one of the great fiddle players of all times (his fiddle work is featured on the landmark 1987 TRIO album by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris), O'Connor has also ventured into the classical realm as well, taking his experiences in country and bluegrass and placing them into Classical Americana. And on this album, he gets some high-power assistance.

Specifically, that high-power assistance belongs to Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, one of the greatest classical violinists this nation has ever produced. Both her and O'Connor take up O'Connor's own Double Violin Concerto, which takes on elements of blues and jazz music, as well as his Appalachia Waltz, which he had previously recorded with bassist Edgar Meyer and cello virtuoso extraordinnaire Yo-Yo Ma. On the "Johnny Appleseed Suite", which O'Connor composed for a Grammy-nominated children's recording in the early 1990s, the composer is joined by good friends John Jarvis and Bryan Sutton in one of the truest expressions of Classical Americana since Aaron Copland's glory years. This recording ends with O'Connor's fine rendition of the ultimate American spiritual "Amazing Grace."

Best of all, there is great support to be had on this recording from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and its Conductor Laureate Marin Alsop, one of the great conductors around today, female or otherwise. One could not have asked for better accompaniment than from this largely unknown orchestra or its fine conductor. And O'Connor, Salerno-Sonnenberg, and company are brilliant in their roles as well. A great recording to look out for, especially if one appreciates the heart and soul of America in classical form with some unique twists.

Track Listing:

1. Double Violin Concerto - featuring Mark O'Connor, violin;Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin; Colorado Symphony Orchestra.Swing (11:34)Midnight on the Dance Room Floor (8:56)Dixieland (11:40)

2. Appalachia Waltz - (6:22) - Featuring Mark O'Connor, violin; Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin

3. Johnny Appleseed Suite - Featuring Mark O'Connor, violin;John Jarvis, piano; Bryan Sutton, guitar; Colorado Symphony Orchestra Marching Along the Ohio Frontier (4:58)Johnny's Apple Pie (5:09)Three Angel Brides (4:59)The Life and Times of Johnny Appleseed (3:10)

4. Amazing Grace (P.D. Arr. O'Connor/Meyer) (3:21)Featuring Mark O'Connor, violin; Colorado Symphony Orchestra

 

[Dennie]

Pyramid In Your Backyard -- CD

Praful

2005 Rendezvous Records

Electronica Meets Smooth Jazz - Praful Makes a Perfect Union!!, November 22, 2005
By Michael Liimatta (Kansas City, Missouri USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Pyramid in Your Backyard (Audio CD)

Review by Alex Henderson

To some electronica enthusiasts, it might seem like a contraction to describe Praful as a saxophonist who has some relevance to electronica. If electronica is all about synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers, samplers, and the like, how can a saxman possibly have any relevance to electronica? Isn't "saxophone electronica" sort of like kosher pork or vegetarian sausage? But electronica doesn't have to be 100 percent electronic - it can involve a combination of electronic programming and real instruments (and often does). Besides, Praful never claimed to be an electronica purist - actually, it is difficult to say exactly how Pyramid in Your Backyard should be categorized. It's probably best to describe this 2005 release as a hybrid mixture of electronic club/dance grooves (including trip-hop, chillout, and ambient), pop-jazz, and world music. Of course, world music is a very broad, far-reaching term - and on Pyramid in Your Backyard, it means everything from Indian, Arabic, and Middle Eastern music to Brazilian samba. This is a largely instrumental CD, but if Praful (who plays guitar, keyboards, and the Indian bansuri flute in addition to his tenor and soprano sax) is essentially an instrumentalist, he is an instrumentalist who isn't afraid to feature the occasional vocalist when it is appropriate - including himself. Praful does much more playing than singing, but he does sing lead on the moody "Naked." Pyramid in Your Backyard is not a perfect CD; some of the tunes are more successful than others. But the disc has more ups than downs - and the fact that Praful is hard to pigeonhole is a definite plus.

From www.allmusic.com

Tracks:

01 Moon Glide [4]
02 Says Kabir [7]
03 Acredite [6]
04 April Seven [5]
05 Eternity [5]
06 Hand-Cart Puller [6]
07 Naked [6]
08 Azul [2]
09 Drop To The Ocean [6]
10 Wishful Walk [6]
11 Ponto De Partida [7]
12 We Live On [6]


19095

 

[Dennie]

Four Corners -- CD

Yellowjackets

1987 MCA Records

Where I always return..., January 30, 2000
By Paul Pomeroy (from somewhere left of Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Four Corners (Audio CD)

I slipped into jazz by way of Steely Dan back in the late '70s. Since then my collection has expanded to include a whole range of artists, from Adderley to Zawinul. But I always return to the Yellowjackets and, in particular, this CD. Why? Here's the short answer to that question: Buy the CD. Put track 1 on. Turn it up LOUD. You can lose yourself in just that one track for days, and then there's track 2 ...

And the long answer: this is all pretty subjective, of course, but the reason I like this CD so much has as much to do with what it isn't as what it is. First of all, it isn't some '80s version of '50s jazz or some jazzed up new age [stuff]. Most of the cuts on this CD are what was called "jazz fusion," the fusion of jazz and rock. The only "big success" (in terms of records sold) for jazz fusion is Steely Dan, mostly because they stayed on the "rock" side of the mix (to the extent that much of their music is better categorized as jazz influenced rock). But there were some great (artistically successful) jazz fusion groups back then (Weather Report being one of the best known). Of all of these groups, the Yellowjackets stand out as one that consistently got the spirit (the drive; the intensity) of jazz fusion right.

Beginning with their Four Corners CD, the Yellowjackets really got the fusion right (much more jazz than their earlier releases). Compared with their earlier releases, something magical is happening here. As magical as it is, the credit for how great it sounds is due to the incredible mix of talent the 4 members of the group bring to the music.

The music is grounded by William Kennedy on the drums, arguably the best jazz drummer of the '80s. On top of the drums is Jimmy Haslip's bass (both 5 string and fretless). Jimmy's style of playing owes much to Jaco Pastorius (the hugely influential bassist for Weather Report who reinvented the art of playing bass). There's no adequate way of describing how great a fretless bass can sound - you just have to listen to someone like Jimmy playing it (try track 7).

On top of the drums and bass is Russell Ferrante's piano and keyboard playing. If you want to hear what musicians mean by "fat chords" and "fat sounds," listen to Russell's playing - it's the reason that most of the cuts on this CD sound like there are 10 people playing instead of 4. Russell, who wrote or co-wrote most of the tracks on this CD has an incredible range, from gospel phrasing to syncopated African rhythms, and is equally adept at slow, achingly beautiful melodies as he is at lightening fast, jack-hammered runs. On top of all of it is Mark Russo's saxophone. When this guy gets going it's incredible - he gets an unbelievable amount of emotional mileage out of a saxophone without ever approaching the egotistical, plastic passion of players like Kenny G[ag]. Mark's range is just as impressive as Russell's - from flat out wailing (in track 2, for example) to the incredibly tender longing expressed in the melody of track 4.

Track List

01. Out Of Town 5:04
02. Wildlife 6:06
03. Sightseeing 5:55
04. Open Road 3:39
05. Mile High 4:14
06. Past Ports 5:33
07. Postcards 5:31
08. Room With A View 4:31
09. Geneva 2:28
10. Indigo 5:29

Russell Ferrante - aoustic piano and all synthesizers
Jimmy Haslip - five string bass and fretless bass,vocals
Marc Russo - soprano and alro saxes
William Kennedy - drums,percussion

 

[Dennie]

I planned on doing a whole lot of nuthin' today and so far, my plan is working out perfectly! :happy-smileygiantred:

Tourist In Paradise -- CD

The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman

1989 GRP Records

My First Rippingtons, August 15, 2005
By Armando M. Mesa (Chandler, AZ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Tourist in Paradise (Audio CD)

This cd was my introduction to the Rippingtons back in '89 (fresh out of high school---into college)...I then started to collect some of their other works. Without a doubt, from their classy Jazz Cat (retro beatnik?) mascot artwork to the actual musical material,as a whole, this cd is brilliant ! The vitality and the energy (even the subtle warmth and beauty of the slower tracks like One Night In Brazil) from this project renders each composition to be very special with absolutely no fillers. Styles range from contemporary smooth cool jazz, light pop rock (Earthbound) to a highly danceable salsa track (Aruba!) steeped in it's rich Latin ambience and rhythms really makes this an awesome and complete cd ! Tourist in Paradise is polished to perfection.

I happen to own both the cd version and the vinyl/record version (remember those?). The vinyl pressing is a trip to listen to and makes the music really come alive---now I know why jazz enthusiasts prefer the sound of vinyl over cd sometimes ! There's no elevator muzak here guys. The Rippingtons know how to really surprise and catch your attention by also creating beautiful Latin-jazz infused rhythms and tracks throughout some of their catalog releases; They do it with such genuine command and natural ease !

Out of the entire Rippingtons catalog I recommend these 4 titles: 1. Tourist In Paradise, 2. Moonlighting, 3.Life In The Tropics, 4. Wild Card.

"Tourist in Paradise" - 5:39
"Jupiter's Child" - 5:17
"Aruba!" - 4:15
"One Summer Night in Brazil" - 6:28
"Earthbound" - 4:37
"Let's Stay Together" - 4:47
"One Ocean Way" - 4:19
"Destiny" - 5:40
"The Princess" - 3:08

 

[Botch]

Finished this, this morning:

Very good documentary.

But riddle me this, Willis: the doc has footage of Alex Leifson telling his parents, at the dining room table, that he was dropping out of school to pursue music. With several camera angles. First off, video cameras weren't that common in (I'm guessing) the mid-seventies, and that there are more than one camera angles, how would they even know it was a momentous moment in music, before the band even formed?

:think:

 

[Dennie]

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus - CD Box Set

Various Artists

1968/1996 ABKCO Records

A Past Life, October 19, 2002
By Richard R. Carlton (Ada, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Rock & Roll Circus (Audio CD)

The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus was released Oct 15, 1996. It is the long suppressed made-for-TV special recorded 28 years earlier on Dec 11-12, 1968 with The Who, John Lennon, Taj Mahal, Jethro Tull, Marianne Faithful, and Eric Clapton. The packaging is beautiful with a great 42 page glossy color booklet that has all the rare behind the scenes photos and a full account of things leading up to the event. The Who were red hot at the time and easily upstaged the Stones who were still struggling through their first major crisis after the removal of Brian (and his subsequent death) and attempting to figure out how to hold on to their status as the premier band. The Stones refused to release the recordings because their performances were not spectacular. Most reviewers agreed when they finally got to see the film themselves. However, what the film lacks in production (which was obviously amateurish) it makes up for in history. The Stones lackluster set of Jumpin' Jack Flash, Parachute Woman, No Expectations, You Can't Always Get What You Want, Sympathy For the Devil, and Salt Of The Earth are easily compensated by The Who's mini opera A Quick One While He's Away and Lennon and Clapton's Yer Blues. There are also dated period piece interviews with Mick and John and very amateurish introductions by the individual Stones, which when combined with the extremely amateurish set, acting, and cinematography amply demonstrate why this is one for Stones and rock history collectors. The Stones were right, it didn't work for them, and it is good that the release was delayed until it appealed to collectors and would not reflect on the reputation of the band.

Most people know the music, so in my reviews I try to give you data on the sessions and interesting facts connected with the songs and the album. Here we go:

Interesting notes include:
.....this CD and the companion DVD and VHS releases were the last time Brian Jones performed with the Stones
.....Brigitte Bardot was Mick's original choice for the ringmaster, when she declined, he did it himself
.....Keith wanted Johnny Cash, but he declined too
.....Mick refused to consider Jimmy Page's new band "The New Yardbirds" without hearing their tapes (which were released on their first album "Led Zeppelin")
.....Ivry Gitlis was a great classical violin virtuoso.....he accepted an invitation to perform because he respected Brian Jones
.....John Lennon's temporary supergroup (Clapton, Mitch Mitchel, and Keith) was named Dirty Mac in response to the hottest band of the day....Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
.....the taping started around noon on Dec 11 and ran for 18 hours...when the specially chosen fan audience left at 6AM, Mick and Keith shook hands with most of them and thanked them for coming

Other songs from the same show that were recorded for the Circus but which have not yet been released are:
.....Route 66
.....Confessin' The Blues
.....Yonder Wall
.....Walkin' Blues

This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson and from my own collection, with some of the notes from Davis' "Old Gods Almost Dead." Both books are available from Amazon.com.

All songs by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and performed by The Rolling Stones, except where noted.

Mick Jagger's introduction of Rock and Roll Circus – 0:25
"Entry of the Gladiators" (Julius Fučík) – 0:55
Mick Jagger's introduction of Jethro Tull – 0:11
Jethro Tull – "A Song for Jeffrey" (Ian Anderson) – 3:26
"Song for Jeffrey" features the original This Was music track (with Mick Abrahams on guitar; Abrahams' replacement in Jethro Tull, Tony Iommi, appears with Tull in the Rock and Roll Circus TV program) with new vocals overdubbed by Anderson.
Keith Richards' introduction of The Who – 0:07
The Who – "A Quick One, While He's Away" (Pete Townshend) – 7:33
"Over the Waves" (Juventino Rosas) – 0:45
Taj Mahal – "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Homer Banks/Willie Dean "Deanie" Parker) – 3:48
Charlie Watts' introduction of Marianne Faithfull – 0:06
Marianne Faithfull – "Something Better" (Gerry Goffin/Barry Mann) – 2:32
Mick Jagger's and John Lennon's introduction of The Dirty Mac – 1:05
The Dirty Mac – "Yer Blues" (Lennon/McCartney) – 4:27
The Dirty Mac, Yoko Ono, and Ivry Gitlis – "Whole Lotta Yoko" (Yoko Ono) – 4:49
John Lennon's introduction of The Rolling Stones / "Jumpin' Jack Flash" – 3:35
"Parachute Woman" – 2:59
"No Expectations" – 4:13
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" – 4:24
"Sympathy for the Devil" – 8:49
"Salt of the Earth" – 4:57
"Salt of the Earth" features the original Beggars Banquet music track with new live vocals

 

[heeman]

Finished this, this morning:

Very good documentary.

But riddle me this, Willis: the doc has footage of Alex Leifson telling his parents, at the dining room table, that he was dropping out of school to pursue music. With several camera angles. First off, video cameras weren't that common in (I'm guessing) the mid-seventies, and that there are more than one camera angles, how would they even know it was a momentous moment in music, before the band even formed?

:think:

Well Botch, good catch there!!!

I was so interested in the story, that it did not even cross my mind........

I thought the Documentary was really great and gave good insight into one of my favorite bands!

 

[Dennie]

This one is so good..... :text-bravo: :text-bravo:

Rare Genius - The Undiscovered Masters -- CD

Ray Charles

2010 Concord Music

Concord Records is celebrating the 80th birthday of the legendary Ray Charles with a special gift for his legions of fans: Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters. This treasure trove of newly discovered recordings, highlighted by a duet with fellow icon Johnny Cash, will become available on October 26th, 2010.

Culled from four decades worth of demos and other previously unreleased material, Rare Genius showcases the remarkable artistic vision, stylistic range and emotionally rich vocals that crafted Charles enduring legacy. Listening to the ten gems from the '70s, '80s and '90s that comprise this CD, fans will have no trouble envisioning the late singer rocking back and forth at the piano as he effortlessly segues between R&B/soul, pop, country and gospel. "Ray would always get inside the meaning of a lyric and make the listener believe every word," says Concord Music Group Chief Creative Officer, John Burk. "His vocals carried incredible emotion and intensity, even on demo tapes. What we have here with Rare Genius is on par with some of his greatest works."

And that's crystal clear right from the album's sparkling opener, "Love's Gonna Bite You Back." The March 1980 session track features an upbeat horn arrangement behind what Rare Genius liner notes author Bill Dahl calls "a Charles vocal that's a signature mixture of sandpaper grit and heavenly goodness." Up next is the stunning ballad "It Hurts to Be in Love," which underscores the album's main thematic focus and one of Charles' favorite subjects: the ups and down of romance. Another compelling standout is the gospel-stirred Charles and Cash duet on Kris Kristofferson's "Why Me, Lord?" Discovered in the Sony vaults, the song was produced by Billy Sherrill in Nashville and recorded in 1981 for an anticipated release on a CBS album. For unknown reasons, that didn't come to pass. What's more important, however, is the emotional charge you get listening to these two powerful voices come together in this spirited and inspired pairing. Except for "Lord," the nine other Rare Genius tracks including the soul-drenched "I Don't Want No One But You," a blues-infused cover of songwriter Hank Cochran's country classic "A Little Bitty Tear" and the joyous "I'm Gonna Keep on Singin'" were found in the vault at Charles' R.P.M. International Studios in Los Angeles. Adding a little sweetening to some of the sparse, stripped-down tracks was a team of top-notch musicians and artists: guitarists Keb' Mo' and George Doering, organist Bobby Sparks, trumpeter Gray Grant, trombonist Alan Kaplan, bassists Trey Henry and Chuck Berghofer, drummers Gregg Field and Ray Brinker and background vocalist Eric Benet.

As with its Concord predecessor, 2004's Grammy-winning Album of the Year Genius Loves Company, Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters is another fitting tribute to Charles, who would have turned 80 on September 23, 2010. It's a fresh, vibrant reaffirmation of the music icon's unparalleled artistry and legacy.

"Love's Gonna Bite You Back" – 3:54
"It Hurts To Be In Love" (Dixson, Toombs) – 4:53
"Wheel Of Fortune" (Benjamin, Weiss) – 4:00
"I'm Gonna Keep On Singin'" – 5:30
"There'll Be Some Changes Made" (Blackstone, Overstreet) – 4:04
"Isn't It Wonderful" (Taylor, Webster) – 4:13
"I Don't Want No One But You" – 4:20
"A Little Bitty Tear" (Cochran) – 3:35
"She's Gone" – 3:10
"Why Me Lord?" (Kristofferson) – 3:57

 

[Dennie]

One Step Closer -- CD

The String Cheese Incident

2005 SCI Fidelity

Don't expect a live show!, September 6, 2005
By AmeriKinda (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
This review is from: One Step Closer (Audio CD)

In an effort to accomplish something truly humble and personal String Cheese Incident (SCI) has released this, their most recent album. A mistake obviously made by a prior review is to judge this work on scale with the band's energizing live performances. With past releases SCI has not reached the energy that their live performances are capable of, and this album is no different. In fact it is obvious that was not what they were attempting to do. But what they did do is take some time in the studio, an environment that is essentially new and rather exciting to them, and attempt to do something different. Utilizing, a producer with experience working with Dylan, SCI created a "rootsy" album with tracks that have been simplified and reworked specifically for the recording. Not to mention the subject matter of the work. Granted some of the tracks aren't something to call your friends about, but there is beauty to be had, and it is not hard to find. With collaboration with Todd Shaeffer of Railroad Earth, SCI accomplishes some rather profound writing, minus a couple of Travis songs. All in all if I had to say what it sounded like; a strange mix of The Beatles and Bob Dylan crossed with the String Cheese I know, and love. I can only ask that you let the disc spin a couple of times before you pass judgment, its too good not to!

"Give Me the Love" (John Perry Barlow, Malcolm Burn, Michael Kang) - 3:33
"Sometimes a River" (Keith Moseley, Todd Sheaffer) - 5:20
"Big Compromise" (Jim Lauderdale, Bill Nershi) - 4:26
"Until the Music's Over" (Malcolm Burn, Keith Moseley, Todd Sheaffer) - 4:48
"Silence in Your Head" (Malcolm Burn, Kyle Hollingsworth) - 3:40
"Farther" (Jim Lauderdale, Bill Nershi) - 4:00
"Drive" (John Perry Barlow, Kyle Hollingsworth, Michael Kang) - 3:53
"Betray the Dark" (Michael Kang) - 2:28
"45th of November" (Kyle Hollingsworth, Robert Hunter) - 4:26
"One Step Closer" (Bill Nershi) - 3:30
"Rainbow Serpent" (Ina Grigorova, Michael Travis) - 3:57
"Swampy Waters" (Ina Grigorova, Michael Travis) - 4:59
"Brand New Start" (Jim Lauderdale, Keith Moseley) - 4:12

 

[Dennie]

The band suggested a few ideas for the album's title before finally settling on "Hoist"; one of the alternate suggestions was "Hung Like a Horse." The band eventually ruled this out, but decided to keep the visual joke intact for the album's cover.

:laughing-rolling:

Hoist -- CD

Phish

1993 Elektra Records

Phish for people who usually don't like Phish, August 28, 2009
By Joel B. Knauff "exlepper" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Hoist (Audio CD)

I should probably get this out of the way first. I'm not typically a Phish fan and have a very low tolerance for jam band music. I find the genre riddled with overly-long and musically self-indulgent songs. That said, Phish's "Hoist" is a notable exception in their catalog in that I tend to really like it. It owes more to the tradition of the off-kilter rock-funk of outfits like Primus than it does to the jam band tradition of the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers. It's songs are generally shorter and more concise than a typical Phish album. It may not be the album of choice for the Phish die-hards, but it is a great Phish album for those of us not in their typical audience demographic.

"Julius" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 4:42
"Down with Disease" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 4:07
"If I Could" (Anastasio) - 4:09
"Riker's Mailbox" (Anastasio, Fishman, Gordon, McConnell) - :26
"Axilla, Pt. 2" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 4:28
"Lifeboy" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 6:54
"Sample in a Jar" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 4:41
"Wolfman's Brother" (Anastasio, Fishman, Gordon, Marshall, McConnell) - 4:28
"Scent of a Mule" (Gordon) - 4:02
"Dog-Faced Boy" (Anastasio, Fishman, Marshall, McConnell) - 2:11
"Demand" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 10:42

Phish

Trey Anastasio - guitars, vocals
Page McConnell - keyboards, vocals
Mike Gordon - bass, vocals
Jon Fishman - drums, vocals

Special Guests

Morgan Fichter - violin on "Lifeboy"
Alison Krauss - additional vocals on "If I Could"
Rickey Grundy Chorale - backing vocals on "Julius"
Rose Stone & Jean McClain - backing vocals on "Julius" and "Down With Disease"
Tower of Power Horn Section - horns on "Julius" and "Wolfman's Brother"
Johnathan Frakes - trombone on "Riker's Mailbox" <-- "Comander Riker", from "Star Trek TNG"! :handgestures-thumbup:
Bela Fleck - banjo on "Riker's Mailbox," "Lifeboy," and "Scent of a Mule"
The Richard Greene Fourteen - strings on "If I Could"

 

[Dennie]

Keys To The World - CD

Richard Ashcroft

2006 Parlophone Records (Import Holland)

Worth Every Penny, August 8, 2006
By Green - See all my reviews
This review is from: Keys to the World (CD & DVD) (Audio CD)

Before buying this cd, I knew little of Richard Ashcroft--I knew the single 'Bittersweet Symphony' (with The Verve), and had a British friend who loved his music, but I hadn't heard it. Then, I heard a track from 'Keys' on radio while in my car and literally drove to the nearest music store as it played to buy this cd. I've NEVER done that (never even thought about it!), but I had to have this music, right then! And I am so glad I did. This is an excellent disc & a permanent fixture in my stereo. My favorite track is "World Keeps Turning"--it is impossible not to move to the beat of it. The only song I'm not absolutely wild about is "Sweet Brother Malcolm", and it's pretty good. Richard Ashcroft is well worth getting to know!

1. Why Not Nothing?
2. Music Is Power
3. Break The Night With Colour
4. Words Just Get In The Way
5. Keys To The World
6. Sweet Brother Malcolm
7. Cry Til The Morning
8. Why Do Lovers?
9. Simple Song
10. World Keeps Turning

 

[Dennie]

Ingenue -- CD

k.d. lang

1992 Sire/Warner Bros. Records

THE VOICE, June 13, 2000
By R. Penola (NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Ingenue (Audio CD)

With k.d. lang, it is all about that voice - a spectacular alto belt with soul and tenderness and clarity and perfect pitch and tone - when she goes for those sustained notes, you are thrilled down to your toes. This album, featuring her songwriting skills (some are better than others; all are worth listening to over and over), showcases that voice in all its glory, matched beat for beat with luscious production values and interesting instrumentation. The album has a moody, depressive tone, yet is immensely enjoyable in its darkness. Appealing to all of us not enamored with k.d.'s more folksy/country/twangy efforts, this album is torchy, jazzy and pop-infused. The stunning Constant Craving truly infects you; it gets inside you with its perfect blend of melody, layered vocals and lyric. Cannot wait for the Invincible Summer album!

(all songs by k.d. lang and Ben Mink, except where noted)

"Save Me" – 4:33
"The Mind of Love" – 3:48
"Miss Chatelaine" – 3:49
"Wash Me Clean" (Lang) – 3:17
"So It Shall Be" (Lang, Penny) – 4:30
"Still Thrives This Love" – 3:35
"Season of Hollow Soul" – 4:58
"Outside Myself" – 4:57
"Tears of Love's Recall" – 3:49
"Constant Craving" – 4:37