What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

John Barleycorn Must Die

Traffic

1970 United Artists Records

WHAT A GREAT TRAFFIC JAM!!, February 3, 2001
By Patrick Earley (Edmond, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: John Barleycorn Must Die (Audio CD)

Man, was this a departure for Traffic from their previous albums. When I first picked up this album and saw Dave Mason wasn't on it, I was disappointed. Afterall, Mason was the guitar player for the band, and he wrote half their music. I really liked that folk pop sound on their previous self-titled album. And I felt Mason was the one primarily responsible for that sound. But it was obvious Winwood didn't want to go that way, and he and Mason had a fallen out. So that takes us to this album. This was orignally supposed to be a solo album for Winwood. But at the last minute he decided to bring on his old bandmates Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood, minus Mason. From the moment I first put the needle to the vinyl, and GLAD came on, well I was hooked big time. This was different than anything I had ever heard before. A band without a true guitar player who could jam and improvise like a jazz band, but still maintain a rock sound. What a way to start the 70's. Glad still remains one of the best instrumental songs I've heard.But the extended jams don't stop there. FREEDOM RIDER comes next with some fantastic creative sax and flute playing by Chris Wood. And then EMPTY PAGES with the most memorable elecric piano solo by Winwood that I've ever heard. Side 2 of the original vinyl did feature guitar. But it was Winwood handling the duties this time. This album was clearly a Winwood vehicle. He also produced most of this album. But he did bring in Guy Stevens, who was one of the best rock producers ever, to produce on STRANGER TO HIMSELF, and EVERY MOTHER'S SON, which has some George Harrison sounding guitar playing along with an extended organ and piano solo going on at the same time. Definitly the Guy Stevens touch, and a good way to close the album. A lot of people don't consider this their best album. But of all the Traffic albums I have, and I've got about all of em, I seem to reach for this one the most.

Side one

"Glad" (Winwood) 6:32
Steve Winwood - Hammond organ, piano, bass, percussion; Chris Wood - saxophone, flute, percussion; Jim Capaldi - drums, percussion
"Freedom Rider" (Winwood/Capaldi) 6:20
Winwood - vocals, Hammond organ, piano, bass, percussion; Wood - saxophone, flute, percussion; Capaldi - drums, percussion
"Empty Pages" (Winwood/Capaldi) 4:47
Winwood - vocals, Hammond organ, electric piano, bass; Wood - Hammond organ; Capaldi - drums, percussion

Side two

"Stranger To Himself" (Winwood/Capaldi) 4:02
Winwood - vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums; Capaldi - vocals
"John Barleycorn" (traditional-arr. Winwood) 6:20
Winwood - vocals, guitar, piano; Wood - flute, percussion; Capaldi - vocals, tambourine
"Every Mother's Son" (Winwood/Capaldi) 7:05
Winwood - vocals, Hammond organ, piano, bass, electric guitar; Capaldi - drums

 

[Dennie]

Blind Faith

Blind Faith

1969 RSO Records

The short-lived classic-rock supergroup Blind Faith's sole album has aged remarkably well. In 1969, Blind Faith fused the psychedelic blues of Eric Clapton and the soulful vocals and keyboards of Steve Winwood with the polyrhythmic, Afrocentric leanings of drummer Ginger Baker. "Can't Find My Way Home" is one of the hippie era's most lyrically poignant, sonically subtle tunes. The record has a lot of surprises; "Presence of the Lord" is rousing and melancholy at the same time, while the way the bass and guitar double-team on the introductory melodic line to "Had to Cry Today" makes a hard-rock cliché fresh again. The 10-minute drum solo on "Do What You Like" is pretty good as 10-minute drum solos go. This 2000 reissue of the album omits the unreleased jams and mixes that fill the second disc of the deluxe reissue that appeared earlier in the year. --Mike McGonigal

Side 1

1. "Had to Cry Today" (Steve Winwood) – 8:48
2. "Can't Find My Way Home" (Winwood) – 3:16
3. "Well All Right" (Norman Petty, Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison, Joe B. Mauldin) – 4:27
4. "Presence of the Lord" (Eric Clapton) – 4:50

Side 2

1. "Sea of Joy" (Winwood) – 5:22
2. "Do What You Like" (Ginger Baker) – 15:20

 

[Dennie]

You got'a love Dusty! :handgestures-thumbup:

Dusty - America's Newest Singing Star

Dusty Springfield

1964 Phillips Records (Hi-Fi Mono :eusa-clap: )

Bouncy Dusty at her Early Best, June 12, 2000
By Tom O'Leary "Writer" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dusty (Audio CD)

This is one of the earliest Dusty albums to be released in America. It shows how much Dusty was influenced by both Motown (especially her friend Martha Reeves) and the reigning girl groups of the era (especially those bad girls, The Shangri-las). Dusty had tasted American soul music, loved it, and sang it back to us with her usual impeccable timing and perfect voice. This doesn't compare to the classic "Dusty in Memphis", but it's great fun just the same. Brava!

Side A

"All Cried Out" (Buddy Kaye, Phil Springer) – 3:04
First release: Philips UK EP Dusty, BE 12564, 4 September 1964
"I Wish I'd Never Loved You" (Mike Hawker) – 3:38
First release: Philips UK EP Dusty
"Can I Get a Witness" (Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Edward Holland Jr.) – 2:45
First release: Philips UK EP Dusty
"Summer Is Over" (Tom Springfield, Clive Westlake) – 3:45
First release: Philips UK single BF 1369 (B-side of "Losing You"), 16 October 1964
"Don't Say It Baby" (Ted Daryll, Chip Taylor) – 2:25
Recorded in New York, September 1964. First UK release: Philips single BF 1396 (B-side of "Your Hurtin' Kinda Love"), 5 February 1965
"Guess Who?" (Gary Klein, Arthur Kornfeld) – 2:33
Recorded in New York, September 1964. First UK release: bonus track 1998 re-issue of 1965 album Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty

Side B

"Live It Up" (Leon Huff) – 2:27
Recorded in New York, September 1964. First UK release: Philips EP Dusty In New York, BE 12572, 9 April 1965
"My Coloring Book" (Fred Ebb, John Kander) – 3:03
First release: UK album A Girl Called Dusty, April 1964
"Nothing" (Frank Augustus, Bob Elgin, Clarence Lewis Jr.) – 2:12
First release: A Girl Called Dusty
"Do Re Mi (Forget About the Do and Think About Me)" (Earl King) – 2:22
First release: A Girl Called Dusty
1999 CD-re-issue: remix
"Don't You Know" (Ray Charles) – 2:45
First release: A Girl Called Dusty
"I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 3:02
Recorded in London, 4 June 1964. First release: Philips UK single BE 1348 (A-side), 26 June 1964

 

[Dennie]

Gaucho

Steely Dan

1980/2008 MCA Records (180g reissue)


All songs written by Becker and Fagen, except where noted

Side one

"Babylon Sisters" – 5:49
"Hey Nineteen" – 5:06
"Glamour Profession" – 7:28

Side two

"Gaucho" (Becker, Fagen, Keith Jarrett) – 5:30
"Time Out of Mind" – 4:11
"My Rival" – 4:30
"Third World Man" – 5:18

 

[Dennie]

Out of the Blue -- 2 LP Set

E.L.O.

1977 Jet Records

The best ELO has to offer, August 24, 2007
By NYC Leather Pants Wearin' Wierdo (New York) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Out of the Blue: 30th Anniversary Edition (W/Book) (Audio CD)

ELO's ambitious "Out of the Blue" remains the standard by which all other ELO records would be judged. This is no doubt ELO's finest moment, a whopping double album of well crafted songs, each with a mini symphony of its own. It boggles the mind how so many good songs were written in such a short amount of time with such good production values. Many of the songs have a Broadway-like quality to them; For example, listen to "Wild West Hero", you will see what I mean.

There are also the radio staples: "Turn to Stone" and "Sweet Talkin' Woman", no strangers to heavy rotation on the FM airwaves to this day. However, the underrated star of side one is "Across the Border", a sweet mixture of Beatles, Symphony Orchestra and Aculpulco. This is Jeff Lynne on top of the world, doing what he does best...Beatles inspired rock and roll with an experimental twist.

Side three gives us the "Concerto for a Rainy Day"..a mini record unto its own. "Big Wheels" and "Summer and Lightning" are timeless.

In short, if there were one ELO collection to get, this is the one.

Side One
No. Title Length
1. "Turn to Stone" 3:47
2. "It's Over" 4:08
3. "Sweet Talkin' Woman" 3:47
4. "Across the Border" 3:52

Side Two
No. Title Length
5. "Night in the City" 4:02
6. "Starlight" 4:30
7. "Jungle" 3:51
8. "Believe Me Now" 1:21
9. "Steppin' Out" 4:38

Side Three (Concerto for a Rainy Day)
No. Title Length
10. "Standin' in the Rain" 4:20
11. "Big Wheels" 5:10
12. "Summer and Lightning" 4:13
13. "Mr. Blue Sky" 5:05

Side Four
No. Title Length
14. "Sweet Is the Night" 3:26
15. "The Whale" 5:05
16. "Birmingham Blues" 4:21
17. "Wild West Hero" 4:40

The 30th Anniversary Edition was released on February, 20th 2007 with three bonus tracks.
2007 bonus tracks
No. Title Length
18. "Wild West Hero (Alternate Bridge - Home Demo)" 0:24
19. "The Quick and the Daft" 1:49
20. "Latitude 88 North" 3:24

 

[Dennie]

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

City To CIty

Gerry Rafferty

1978 United Artists Records

Amazon.com

It took Quentin Tarantino's using "Stuck in the Middle with You," the 1973 hit of Gerry Rafferty's former band Stealers Wheel, in Reservoir Dogs to make Rafferty hip again. But City to City, his 1978 solo breakthrough, has long been worth rediscovering--and not just because it contains "Baker Street," one of the biggest and best singles of the 1970s. Rafferty brilliantly modernizes his Scottish folk-rock background on such pop treasures as the churning title track, the minor follow-up hit "Right Down the Line," the bouncing ditty "Mattie's Rag," the enchantingly churchy "Whatever's Written in Your Heart," and others. It's as rewardingly refreshing a change of pace now as it was when it emerged in the midst of the disco era. --Peter Blackstock

"The Ark" – 5:36
"Baker Street" – 6:01
"Right Down the Line" – 4:20
"City to City" – 4:51
"Stealin' Time" – 5:39
"Mattie's Rag" – 3:28
"Whatever's Written in Your Heart" – 6:30
"Home and Dry" – 4:52
"Island" – 5:04
"Waiting for the Day" – 5:26

 

[Dennie]

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

The Promiseland

Willie Nelson

1986 Columbia Records

This is a classic Willie record, February 15, 2008
By Johnny Boy "The Record Collector" (Hockessin, DE) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Promiseland (Audio CD)


This is probably Willie Nelson's most underrated record. It's also one of his best. The opening track, 'Living In The Promiseland,' is one of his biggest hits, and it's also one of my all-time favorites.

Highlights other than the title track include 'I've Got The Craziest Feeling,' 'I'm Not Trying To Forget You,' 'You're Only In My Arms,' and Willie's rendition of 'Bach's Minuet In G.'

If you like Willie's 1974 epic 'Red Headed Stranger,' you'll like this 1986 masterpiece. It's one of my favorites, and it's highly recommended. A welcome addition to any Willie collection.

"Living in the Promiseland" – 3:18
"I'm Not Trying to Forget You" – 3:17
"Here in My Heart" – 3:50
"I've Got the Craziest Feeling" – 2:54
"No Place but Texas" – 3:22
"You're Only in My Arms (To Cry on My Shoulder)" – 3:16
"Pass It On" – 3:10
"Do You Ever Think of Me" – 2:17
"Old Fashioned Love" – 2:47
"Basin Street Blues" – 4:09
"Bach Minuet in G" – 1:36

 

[Dennie]

Memphis

Roy Orbison

1972 MGM Records

Side one

"Memphis, Tennessee" – (Chuck Berry)
"Why A Woman Cries" – (Jerry McBee)
"Run, Baby, Run (Back Into My Arms)" – (Joe Melson, Don Gant)
"Take Care Of Your Woman" – (Jerry McBee)
"I'm The Man On Susie's Mind" – (Joe Melson, Glenn Barber)
"I Can't Stop Loving You" – (Don Gibson)

Side two

"Run The Engines Up High" – (Jerry McBee)
"It Ain't No Big Thing (But It's Growing)" – (Neal Merritt, Alice Joy Merritt, Shorty Hall)
"I Fought the Law" – (Sonny Curtis)
"The Three Bells" – (Bert Reisfeld, Jean Villard Gilles
"Danny Boy" – (Frederick Weatherly)

 

[Dennie]

Sweet Forgiveness

Bonnie Raitt

1977 Warner Bros. Records

Bonnie's first (almost) big hit album., October 14, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Sweet Forgiveness (Audio CD)

When this was released in 1977, it looked as if the mainstream was about to catch up with the incredible music machine named Bonnie Raitt. Alas, they would have to wait another 12 years until the release of Nick of Time. This one has it all, however. Containing some of Bonnie's most rocking numbers (Gamblin' Man and Three Time Loser) to her most mellow and introspective (Paul Siebel's classic "Louise" and her take on Jackson Browne's "Farewell", Sweet Forgiveness is one of the best of the early Raitt repetoire.

"About to Make Me Leave Home" (Earl Randall) – 4:14
"Runaway" (Max Crook, Del Shannon) – 3:57
"Two Lives" (Mark T. Jordan) – 3:49
"Louise" (Paul Siebel) – 2:45
"Gamblin' Man" (Eric Kaz) – 3:27
"Sweet Forgiveness" (Daniel Moore) – 4:11
"My Opening Farewell" (Jackson Browne) – 5:20
"Three Time Loser" (Don Covay, Ronald Dean Miller) – 3:19
"Takin' My Time" (Bill Payne) – 3:37
"Home" (Karla Bonoff) – 3:28

 

[Dennie]

That Lucky Old Sun

Brian Wilson

2008 Brimmel/Capitol Records

Seldom has an album had as much to live up to as THAT LUCKY OLD SUN. When Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks wrote the iconic song suite SMILE some four decades earlier, they created the definitive art-pop statement, inspiring countless imitators for years to come. It's a gutsy move for Wilson to create a new album-length suite in 2008 in collaboration with Parks and bandmate Scott Bennett, a work that will unavoidably be compared to the unmatchable SMILE.

LUCKY OLD SUN isn't SMILE's sequel; rather, it's an extended meditation on the pop myth Wilson and the other Beach Boys created in the '60s--L.A. as eternal summer-land, a surf-sand-and-hot-rod-heaven. Naturally, the music references the Beach Boys' classics, teeming with rich, close vocal harmonies, lilting, piano-driven song structures, and sunny, sophisticated melodic lines that will send a chill up the spine of anyone who's ever absorbed the sunshine-pop majesty of PET SOUNDS. Sure, Wilson's voice is a bit worn with age, but there's no attempt to duplicate the epic sweep of SMILE. THAT LUCKY OLD SUN succeeds on its own terms.

"That Lucky Old Sun"
"Morning Beat"
"A Room With a View" (narrative)
"Good Kind of Love"
"Forever She'll Be My Surfer Girl"
"Venice Beach" (narrative)
"Live Let Live / That Lucky Old Sun (reprise)"
"Mexican Girl"
"Cinco de Mayo" (narrative)
"California Role / That Lucky Old Sun (reprise)"
"Between Pictures" (narrative)
"Oxygen to the Brain"
"Can't Wait Too Long"
"Midnight’s Another Day"
"That Lucky Old Sun (Reprise)"
"Going Home"
"Southern California"

 

[Dennie]

Easy

Grant Green

1978 Versatile Records

chEASY goodness, January 17, 2009
By Dodger - See all my reviews
This review is from: Easy (Audio CD)

This is not the best GG album. It fell prey tothe late 70's sensibility. Various jazz greats had a decades-worth of trying to survive by piggy-backing on the success of soul, r&b, or rock covers. Grant made some absolutely sublime music at the start of the 70's doing just that. This is not up to Carryin' On, Live at the Lighthouse, Club Mozambique, etc. The main problem is the band is large. In his prime, whether it was the Idle Moments, Solid, etc era classic phase, or the relentless groove feel with Claude Bartee on tenor, Idris Muhammed on drums,et al. every member was crucial to the total sound. ALthough there are some great solos on Easy, this does not match his previous outings. THERE ARE HOWEVER on this album many moment of Green showing that near the end of his life he was fully capable of doing what he did best - mining the groove for all it was worth, with a technical and soulful style that was unique. He shines through the at times over-produced, too-much sting-section feel of the album.

"Easy" (Lionel Richie) - 7:57
"Just the Way You Are" (Billy Joel) - 7:11
"Wave" (Antonio Carlos Jobim) - 6:07
"Empanada" (Gene Dunlap, Mario E. Sprouse) - 12:19
"Nighttime in the Switching Yard" (Jorge Calderón, David Lindell) - 5:11
"Three Times a Lady" (Richie) - 7:07

Recorded in New York City on April 17-20, 1978

 

[Dennie]

American Pie :handgestures-thumbup:

Don McLean

1971 United Artists Records

Amazon.com

There's an old quote of St. Theresa's that goes something like, "More tears are shed over answered prayers than those that remain unanswered." In other words, be careful what you wish for--you just might get it. Don McLean, like any other singer-songwriter, no doubt wanted a hit, or some degree of success. "American Pie" gave him that and more. McLean's ode to Buddy Holly began with a folky intro that sounded like a protest song. Almost nine minutes later the song finally ends. Sure the song's poetic, sure it's a touching tribute, and sure, it's undeniably a classic. But it also became the bane of McLean's existence for many years as it was the only one of his songs that people wanted to hear. American Pie the album sold well on the strength of the title track, and even propelled the comparatively weak "Vincent" into the Top 20. A fine release rooted in folk, American Pie is a classic, whether anyone actually pays attention to the other songs or not. --Steve Gdula All tracks composed and arranged by Don McLean; except where indicated

The original release (UAS-5535, 1971 United Artists Records)

"American Pie"
"Till Tomorrow"
"Vincent"
"Crossroads"
"Winterwood"
"Empty Chairs"
"Everybody Loves Me, Baby"
"Sister Fatima"
"The Grave"
"Babylon" (Traditional)

 

[Dennie]

Well~Oiled Machine -- CD

Hot Buttered Rum

2006 Harmonized Records

What a joy!!!, March 27, 2006
By jljbird "jljbird" (Novi, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Well-Oiled Machine (Dig) (Audio CD)

This is a band hitting their stride! This release is a BIG jump from their last (and only) studio release. Every song is played by musicians having FUN! Every song is strong. Retro, bluegrass, folk....kind of Leftover Salmon, kind of Blue Highway, kind of Mountain Heart, kind of Yonder Mountain String Band, kind of Cornmeal,......kind of FUN, FUN, FUN. By the way they include flute (not your typical bluegrass instrument) for some added character.

Firefly
Guns or Butter
Idaho Pines
Poison Oak
Waterpocket Fold
Always Be the Moon
Well-Oiled Machine
Waiting for a Squall
Butch & Peggy
Sweet Honey Fountain
Wedding Day

 

[Dennie]

Alice's Restaurant

Arlo Guthrie

1967 Reprise Records

Family Tradition, November 19, 2004
By Lisa M. Piquette "eosaurora" (Centereach, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Alice's Restaurant (Audio CD)

Since I was born, every Thanksgiving at noon a local radio station has played Alice's Restaurant. I think this is the most solid traditio in my family. The song is hysterical. My mom has always loved it and whenever I tell people in my generation, like my fiance, that they must listen to it, they look at me like I am insane. But it is a classic song that has enhanced my life. When I went to buy the song for my mom I found this CD, which also had the Motorcyle Song, that my mom used to sing when I was really little and I had never heard the actual thing. So if your kids have never heard this, tell them it is great and make them listen to it, they will at least laugh. And in a time when the draft may come back, they may need to hear his brief experience in a funny way...

All tracks composed by Arlo Guthrie.

"Alice's Restaurant Massacree" – 18:20
"Chilling of the Evening" – 3:01
"Ring-Around-a-Rosy Rag" – 2:10
"Now and Then" – 2:15
"I'm Going Home" – 3:12
"The Motorcycle Song" – 2:58
"Highway in the Wind" – 2:40

 

[Dennie]

Ellis In Wonderland -- CD

Herb Ellis

1956/2006 Verve Records

The "swing machine", June 30, 2006
By Jazzcat "stef" (Genoa, Italy Italy) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Ellis in Wonderland (Audio CD)

The Oscar Peterson Trio plus Herb Ellis was a terrific swing machine. Probably one of the best, if not the overall best rhythmn team in Jazz. Its swing flows with an impressive naturality. Everything seems incredibly easy and natural for these guys. This album de facto is an Oscar Peterson swing machine album plus some talented soloist, Jimmy Giuffre, Sweet Edison for the first four excellent tunes. This album is from 1956 and it has that fifties patina that is especially sweet and lovely. The program is classic, blues, standards and ballads. Herb is really focused on this album. It is clear he was playing regularly with a strong routine. His command of the instrument is total here. His ideas are brilliant, his playing precise and he swings like crazy. This album together with the album Herb preferred "Nothing but the blues" is perfect if you want to own just a couple of albums from Herb. The tunes I love the most here are the first four because of the variety and the quality of the solos from the improvisors. Edison and Giuffre were terrific, but I repeat Herb is absolutly excellent here. in this album he palyed some of his best music for sure. The opener is a splendid bop blues, a typical blues "sonic magma" from the trio. The second and the third tunes are two wonderful standards. Exceptional the rendition of the ballad It could happen to me. Pogo instead is a bebop tune, fast and "aggressive" just as bebop should be. The last four tunes are played more relaxed maybe (it was a different session). The music at some point is almost counterpoint (in the jazz sense). I think this album is a must buy for Jazz lovers.

"Sweetheart Blues" (Herb Ellis) – 4:46
"Somebody Loves Me" (Buddy DeSylva, George Gershwin, Ballard MacDonald) – 4:55
"It Could Happen to You" (Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) – 3:47
"Pogo" (Ellis) – 4:45
"Detour Ahead" (Lou Carter, Ellis, Johnny Frigo) – 4:03
"Ellis in Wonderland" (Ellis) – 3:52
"Have You Met Miss Jones?" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 6:20
"A Simple Tune" (Jimmy Giuffre) – 4:11

Herb Ellis – guitar
Jimmy Giuffre – baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet
Harry "Sweets" Edison – trumpet
Charlie Mariano – alto saxophone
Oscar Peterson – piano
Ray Brown – bass
Alvin Stoller – drums

 

[Dennie]

Greatests Hits (BNA) -- CD

John Anderson

1996 RCA Records

Amazon.com

In the late 1980s, John Anderson found himself in the awkward position of seeing the country charts dominated by the new traditionalism, and yet he couldn't buy a hit. Anderson refused to give in, however, and he signed with the fifth company of his career, a brand new label called BNA, and threw the dice one more time. His gratifyingly successful years there have been summed up on Greatest Hits. As good as the songs are, what really makes these hits great is the combination of Anderson's rich, pure-country, baritone drawl, and the pumping swamp rhythms he adds to all his uptempo numbers. Only a handful of country stars could round 15 songs from 1992-96 as impressive as these. Unfortunately, BNA includes his remake of "Swingin'," which sounds busy and less focused than the Warner Bros. original. --Geoffrey Himes

"Money in the Bank" (Mark D. Sanders, Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard) – 2:58
"Seminole Wind" (John Anderson) – 3:58
"Straight Tequila Night" (Debbie Hupp, Kent Robbins) – 2:55
"I Wish I Could Have Been There" (J. Anderson, Robbins) – 3:32
"I Fell in the Water" (Jerry Salley, Jeff Stevens) - 2:40
"I've Got It Made" (Max D. Barnes) – 2:52
"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" (Daniel John Baird) - 3:44
"Mississippi Moon" (Tony Joe White, Carson Whitsett) - 4:15
"Swingin'" (J. Anderson, Lionel Delmore) - 2:59
"When It Comes to You" (Mark Knopfler) – 3:52
"Long Hard Lesson Learned" (J. Anderson, Donna Anderson, Michael A. Anderson, Knopfler) – 3:26
"Let Go of the Stone" (Barnes) – 3:20
"Country 'Til I Die" (J. Anderson, Troy Seals, Eddie Setzer) – 3:02
"Who Got Our Love" (J. Anderson, Delmore) – 3:18
"Bend It Until It Breaks" (J. Anderson, Delmore) – 4:05

 

[Dennie]

Right On Time -- CD

Hepcat

2004 Hellcat Records

RIGHT ON TIME is the third release from Hepcat, the eminently soulful nine-piece ska collective. From the title cut's opening groove, the group plays it smooth. The same song features an answering machine message in which singer Greg Lee's father declares that the band is "on time" and downright "scientific." This likable 13-song collection has a sound true to ska's forbears and colored by touches of jazz, swing, and big band.
"The Secret" unfurls its musical tapestry with the ease and smoothness of an island wave. "Pharoah's Dreams" is a warm, up-tempo jazz-meets-ska piece. "Tommy's Song" continues in a jazzier vein, with pleasing Ellingtonian flavorings. "Together Someday" is a doo-wop number, while "Goodbye Street," "Rudies All Around," and "Mama Used to Say" will please listeners seeking a reggae fill.

Track Listing
1. Right on Time
2. I Can't Wait
3. Goodbye Street
4. Secret, The - (Patois)
5. Pharoah's Dreams
6. No Worries
7. Mama Used to Say
8. Rudies All Around
9. Tommy's Song
10. Nigel
11. Together Someday
12. Baby Blues
13. Open Season...Is Closed
14. (Untitled) - (hidden track)

 

[Dennie]

Careless Love -- CD

Madeleine Peyroux

2004 Rounder Records

Amazon.com

When Madeleine Peyroux's debut, Dreamland, was released in 1996, its success threw her for a loop. She's taken eight years to create this follow-up, and, at age 30, she brings a confidence and resilience to this dozen-song set. She's able to move seamlessly between songs by writers as diverse as Elliott Smith and W.C. Handy, whose title track was popularized by Bessie Smith. Though American-born, Peyroux absorbed the language and culture of France growing up in Paris with her French-teacher mother. On her debut, she covered Edith Piaf, and this time out she wraps herself around "J'ai Deux Amours," which Josephine Baker sang to the Allied troops during World War II. --David Greenberger

"Dance Me to the End of Love" (Leonard Cohen) - 3:56
"Don't Wait Too Long" (Madeleine Peyroux–Jesse Harris–Larry Klein) - 3:10
"Don't Cry Baby" (Saul Bernie–James P. Johnson–Stella Unger) - 3:16
"You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" (Bob Dylan) - 3:26
"Between the Bars" (Elliott Smith) - 3:42
"No More" (Salvador Camerata–Bob Russell) - 3:31
"Lonesome Road" (Gene Austin–Nathaniel Shilkret) - 3:10
"J'ai Deux Amours" (Vincent Scotto–Géorges Koger–Henri Varna) - 2:54
"Weary Blues" (Hank Williams) - 3:39
"I'll Look Around" (George Cory-Douglass Cross) - 4:47
"Careless Love" (William C. Handy-Martha Koenig–Spencer Williams) - 3:50
"This Is Heaven to Me" (Frank Reardon–Ernest Schweikert) - 3:12

(Recorded at Market Street, Venice, and Paramount Recording Studios, Hollywood by Helik Hadar.)

 

[Dennie]

Deguello -- CD

ZZ Top

1979/1990 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com

First released in 1979, Deguello was three years in the making. Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard had disappeared into the sagebrush to recharge their batteries following their grueling World Texas Tour. They returned with a new antic sense of themselves that first appeared in songs like "Cheap Sunglasses," "She Loves My Automobile," and "Esther Be the One" and came to fruition almost four years later with Eliminator. Deguello forges the last link to the band's early blues-rock years, before they became the sleeker, less threatening entity that graced MTV during the '80s. Tunes like their rendering of David Porter and Isaac Hayes's steamy "I Thank You," the salacious "Hi Fi Mama," and the boastful "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" careen on the edges of good taste, but these guys didn't give a *** who they offended as long as they entertained. And, of course, they did entertain legions of fans with their ribald lyrics, off-kilter timing, and Gibbons's daredevil guitar wizardry. But ZZ Top isn't all hard edges and pinup fantasies; the heartbreakingly beautiful intro to their eccentric love song, "Fool for Her Stockings" rivals the lyricism of Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary." --Jaan Uhelszki

Side A

"I Thank You" (Isaac Hayes, David Porter) – 3:23
"She Loves My Automobile" – 2:24
"I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" – 4:46
"A Fool for Your Stockings" – 4:15
"Manic Mechanic" – 2:37

Side B

"Dust My Broom" (Robert Johnson) – 3:06
"Lowdown in the Street" – 2:49
"Hi Fi Mama" – 2:23
"Cheap Sunglasses" – 4:48
"Esther Be the One" – 3:31

 

[Botch]

doof-post... :doh: