What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

I'm really, really enjoying this one...... :text-bravo:

Softly As A Summer Breeze -- Remastered CD

The Incredible Jimmy Smith with Kenny Burrell & Philly Joe Jones

1960/2006 Blue Note Records

It's smooth and powerful with great ballad interpretations, January 23, 2000
By macfawlty "macfawlty" (potomac, MD USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Softly As a Summer Breeze (Audio CD)

I have the LP and will have to get the CD as well since there are 4 more songs on it. Don't shy away from these ballad albums, they are great and really show alot of depth and incredible mastery of the B3. I still have a ways to go to complement my 40 or so Jimmy LP's with the convenience of CD's.

"These Foolish Things" (Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey) - 5:27
"Hackensack" (Thelonious Monk) - 5:58
"It Could Happen to You" (Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) - 6:16
"Sometimes I'm Happy" (Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans) - 8:21
"Someone to Watch Over Me" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) - 6:30
"One for Philly Joe" [aka "Home Cookin'"] (Jimmy Smith) - 4:46
"Willow Weep for Me" (Ann Ronell) - 3:24 Bonus track on CD reissue
"Ain't No Use" (Leroy Kirkland, Sidney Wyche) - 2:40 Bonus track on CD reissue
"Angel Eyes" (Earl Brent, Matt Dennis) - 3:25 Bonus track on CD reissue
"Ain't That Love" (Ray Charles) - 2:45 Bonus track on CD reissue

-----

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey on February 26, 1958 (tracks 1-6) and October 14, 1958 (tracks 7-10)

 

[Dennie]

Rene Olstead -- CD :text-bravo:

Rene Olstead

2004 Reprise Records

Amazon.com

No less an expert on pop affairs than Neil Sedaka likens the impossibly mature voice of 14-year-old vocalist/TV star (CBS' Still Standing) Renee Olstead to "Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday all wrapped in one." There's no disputing the sultry vocal talents showcased on this debut that balances familiar chestnuts from the great American songbook ("Summertime," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Sentimental Journey") with more recent fare that veers from R 'n' B sass ("Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby") to 70s chart hits like Sedaka's own "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and Maria Muldaur's "Midnight at the Oasis." A cynical ear might question how much of Olstead's own life informs these bluesy performances: how trying can eigth grade be for an attractive redhead with a major label contract? Indeed, the tagline for at least one latter-day Ella Fitzgerald project comes frequently to mind here: "Is it real, or it Memorex?" Olstead is yet another teen protege of hugely successful producer David Foster (who's midwifed the careers of Josh Groban and Michael Buble in recent years), and he provides her with some sturdy jazz arrangements to riff emotively on here--even if his production is as slick and bloodless as ever. Still, Foster's penchant for overwrought melodrama is kept mercifully in check on his own composition "I Want a Love to Last," while his shrewd teaming of the young chanteuse with fellow teen pop phenom Peter Cincotti on Sedaka's "Breaking Up.." deftly underscores the promising talents of both. --Jerry McCulley

1. "Summertime" (Gershwin, Gershwin, Heyward) ? 4:12
2. "Taking a Chance on Love" (Duke, Fetter, Latouche) ? 3:31
3. "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" (Austin, Jordan) ? 3:20
4. "Someone to Watch Over Me" (Gershwin, Gershwin) ? 4:26
5. "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (Greenfield, Sedaka) ? 4:11
6. "A Love That Will Last" (Foster, Thompson) ? 3:32
7. "Meet Me, Midnight" (Manilow, Sussman) ? 2:56
8. "Sunday Kind of Love" (Belle, Nye, Prima, Rhodes) ? 4:34
9. "On a Slow Boat to China" (Loesser) ? 3:16
10. "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" (Adams, Grever) ? 3:27
11. "Midnight at the Oasis" (Nichtern) ? 3:21
12. "Sentimental Journey" (Brown, Green, Homer)

 

[Dennie]

Alive and Kickin' -- CD

Willie Nelson & Friends

2003 Lost Highway Records

WILLIE STILL KICKIN' AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, July 9, 2003
By Larry MacInnis (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Willie Nelson & Friends: Live & Kickin (Audio CD)

Willie Nelson Live & Kickin' delivers the goods! Sure Wyclef Jean is no Julio Iglesias on "To All The Girls I've Loved Before," but so what. His quirky interpretation is not the catastrophe others have claimed it to be.

Such quibbles about an offbeat interpretation or two do not dilute the overall charm and fun of this disc, especially Willie and Toby Keith kickin' it all out on "Beer For My horses." (If there is any justice, radio stations will replace the studio version of "Horses" with the live version heard here -- the way the live "Okie from Muskogee" replaced the original studio version on the radio airwaves in 1970 and has now become the version of choice for Merle Haggard fans.)

Other stand-outs include Shania and Willie on "Blue Eyes Cryin' In The Rain," and the offbeat coupling of Willie and Nora Jones on "Wurlitzer Prize," originally made a classic by Willie's late, great good buddy Waylon Jennings.

I thoroughly enjoyed this CD and would recommend it to anyone who loves Willie and his music -- and is not afraid to hear these songs in a refreshing and different light.

"I Didn't Come Here (And I Ain't Leavin')" (Scotty Emerick, Michael Smotherman) - 3:12
"Night Life" (Walt Breeland, Paul Buskirk, Willie Nelson) - 4:32
duet with Eric Clapton
"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" (Fred Rose) - 2:55
duet with Shania Twain
"Homeward Bound" (Paul Simon) - 3:57
duet with Paul Simon
"Beer for My Horses" (Emerick, Toby Keith) - 3:33
duet with Toby Keith
"Crazy" (Nelson) - 4:35
duet with Diana Krall and Elvis Costello
"To All the Girls I've Loved Before" (Hal David, Albert Hammond) - 4:25
duet with Wyclef Jean
"The Wurlitzer Prize" (Bobby Emmons, Chips Moman) - 2:30
duet with Norah Jones
"She Loves My Automobile" (Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill) - 2:40
duet with ZZ Top
"Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" (Nelson) - 4:37
duet with Shelby Lynne
"A Song for You" (Leon Russell) - 5:22
duet with Ray Charles
"I Couldn't Believe It Was True" (Eddy Arnold, Wally Fowler) - 2:53
duet with John Mellencamp
"Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning" (Donna Farar, Gary P. Nunn) - 4:33
duet with Kenny Chesney
"Run That by Me One More Time" (Fred Foster, Arthur Hancock, Jimmy Lambert) - 2:34
duet with Ray Price
"One Time Too Many" (Richard Supa, Steven Tyler) - 5:30
duet with Steven Tyler

 

[Dennie]

Thunderstorms and Neon Signs -- CD

Wayne Hancock

1995 DejaDisc

The real deal, July 18, 2002
By Thomas More (Billings, MT USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Thunderstorms & Neon Signs (Audio CD)

I first heard Wayne on the Prairie Home Companion radio show News Years Eve Gala in Dallas, TX. I was in the audience that night and heard several of these songs performed live. I've owned the CD now for several years and have listened to it countless times. There's something simply extraordinary about the simple arrangements. Stan Smith's clarinet and Bob Stafford's trombone being brought in for some of the tracks lends it a crossover feel. I've even come to accept Wayne's abrasive take of "Summertime" at the CD's end. It's country that gets at the heart of the tradition. And there's a lot of heart packed into this CD's contents. The title track and "Cold, Lonesome Wind" highlight the melancholy elements wonderfully. They may be my favorites, though songs like "Juke Joint Jumping" and "Double A Daddy," with their driving, danceable rhythms, are brilliant. I highly recommend this to anyone.

All Songs Written By Wayne Hancock Except Were Noted

"Juke Joint Jumping" – 3:18
"Poor Boy Blues" - 2:20
"Thunderstorms and Neon Signs" - 3:42
"She's My Baby" - 2:31
"Big City Good Time Gal" - 2:57
"Ain't Nobody's Blues But My Own" - 4:06
"Double A Daddy" - 3:25
"Why Don't You Leave Me Alone" - 2:50
"Tag Along" - 2:18
"Cold Lonesome Wind" - 4:24
"Locomotive Joe" - 2:11
"No Loving Tonight" - 1:39
"Friday and Saturday Night" - 2:36
"Summertime" - 5:42 (D. Hayward, G. Gersbwin and I. Gersbwin)

 

[Dennie]

Live At Leeds -- CD

The Who

1970/1995 MCA Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Anyone who owned the vinyl copy of Live at Leeds will barely recognize its digitized namesake. While the 1970 record offered a mere six selections, the 1995 CD reissue is fleshed out with a full 14 tracks. Reveling in the augmented Leeds prompts one to wonder why in the name of "Heaven and Hell" they didn't put out a double record in the first place. No matter. This Live at Leeds is actually superior to its revered predecessor. The Who are at their Maximum R&B peak here, bringing an almost proto-metal aggression to supercharged covers of "Young Man Blues," "Summertime Blues," and "Shakin' All Over" (all from the original record) and treating fans to originals familiar ("I Can't Explain," "My Generation," "Magic Bus") and less known ("Heaven and Hell," "Tattoo," "A Quick One"). An improved-upon classic. --Steven Stolder

"Heaven and Hell" (John Entwistle) – 4:50 (bonus track on CD)
"I Can't Explain" (Townshend) – 2:59 (bonus track on CD)
"Fortune Teller" (Naomi Neville; original by Benny Spellman) – 2:35 (bonus track on CD)
"Tattoo" (Townshend) – 3:42 (bonus track on CD)
"Young Man Blues" (Allison) – 5:52
"Substitute" (Townshend) – 2:07
"Happy Jack" (Townshend) – 2:14 (bonus track on CD)
"I'm a Boy" (Townshend) – 4:42 (bonus track on CD)
"A Quick One, While He's Away" (Townshend) – 8:41 (bonus track on CD)
"Amazing Journey/Sparks" (Townshend) – 7:55 (bonus track on CD)
"Summertime Blues" (Capehart and Cochran) – 3:22
"Shakin' All Over" (Johnny Kidd) – 4:34
"My Generation" (Townshend) – 15:47
"Magic Bus" (Townshend) – 7:48

 

[Dennie]

The Best of George Harrison -- CD

George Harrison

1976/1990 Apple/Capitol Records

Amazon.com

As the Beatles' perpetual dark horse, Harrison rarely got the chance to write and sing more than one or two songs per album. But once the band split up, the former "quiet one" was quick out of the gate with a series of memorable hit singles that seamlessly merged his budding spirituality and an epic, Phil Spector-inspired pop sensibility. This collection, originally released in 1976, combines seven of Harrison's best-known Beatles numbers, including "Something," "If I Needed Someone," "Here Comes the Sun," and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with a half-dozen early solo hits including "My Sweet Lord," "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)," "You," and "What Is Life." As such, it's a good entry-level Harrison primer. --Scott Schinder

1. Something
2. If I Needed Someone
3. Here Comes The Sun
4. Taxman
5. Think For Yourself
6. For You Blue
7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
8. My Sweet Lord
9. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
10. You
11. Bangladesh
12. Dark Horse
13. What Is Life

 

[Dennie]

A Night In San Francisco - Live -- 2 CD Set

Van Morrison

1994 Warner Bros. Records

WOW, September 24, 2008
By L. E. ALPERT "The Happy Wanderer" (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Night in San Francisco (Reis) (Audio CD)

Fabulous CD with great Blues! I mean Terrific Awesome BLUES! A must have for a complete Van Morrison collection.

Disc one

"Did Ye Get Healed?" – 4:18
"It's All in the Game/Make It Real One More Time" (Charles Dawes, Carl Sigman) / (Morrison) – 4:19
"I've Been Working" – 3:24
"I Forgot That Love Existed/All Along the Watchtower" (Morrison) / (Bob Dylan) – 6:17
"Vanlose Stairway/Trans-Euro Train/A Fool for You" (Morrison) / (Morrison) / (Ray Charles) – 6:55
"You Make Me Feel So Free" – 3:14
"Beautiful Vision" – 4:11
"See Me Through/Soldier of Fortune/Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" (Morrison) / (Morrison) / (Sylvester Stewart) – 10:18
"Ain't That Loving You Baby?" (Ivory Joe Hunter, Clyde Otis) – 4:44
"Stormy Monday/Have You Ever Loved a Woman?/No Rollin' Blues" (T-Bone Walker) / (Billy Myles) / (Jimmy Witherspoon) – 6:08
"Help Me" (Sonny Boy Williamson) – 6:10
Organ solo from "Green Onions" (Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg, Al Jackson, Jr.)
"Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" (Sonny Boy Williamson) – 3:33
"Tupelo Honey" – 4:01
"Moondance/My Funny Valentine" (Morrison) / (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 9:09

Disc two

"Jumpin' With Symphony Sid" (King Pleasure, Lester Young) – 4:47
"It Fills You Up" – 4:43
"I'll Take Care of You/It's a Man's Man's Man's World" (Brook Benton) / (James Brown, Betty Newsome) – 16:23
"Lonely Avenue/Be-Bop-A-Lula/4 O'Clock in the Morning (Try for Sleep)/Family Affair/You Give Me Nothing but the Blues/When Will I Become A Man?/Sooner Or Later/Down the Line" (Doc Pomus) / (Gene Vincent, Bill Davis) / (Morrison, John Platania) / (Sylvester Stewart) / (Morrison) / (Erica Ehm, Tim Thorney) / (Vernon, Ross, Shaw) / (Roy Orbison) – 14:51
"So Quiet in Here/That's Where It's At" (Morrison) / (James Alexander, Sam Cooke) – 5:00
"In the Garden/Real Real Gone/You Send Me/Allegheny" (Morrison) / (Morrison) / (Sam Cooke) / (Bill Staines) – 9:41
"Have I Told You Lately" – 3:51
"Shakin' All Over/Gloria" (Johnny Kidd) / (Morrison) – 11:29

 

[heeman]

Pat Travers - Fidelis


:angelic-green: :music-rockout: :angelic-green:

 

[Dennie]

Electric Mud -- CD

Muddy Waters

1968 Chess/MCA Records

Criminally Underrated, April 27, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Electric Mud (Audio CD)

While I prefer the younger, funkier Muddy Waters with his moaning voice in full swing, this album is by no means the abomination that it has been lambasted as for so many years. In fact, I prefer it to the much-hyped "Fathers and Sons" Waters-partial Butterfield Band team-up of several years later.

Is it experimental? Sure, there's plenty of 60's fuzz, reverb/echo and effects going on here.
Is it still blues? Absolutely, blues is not defined as an idiom by the way one amplifies guitars or filters vocals.
Is it good? Yes, in fact it apporaches greatness at several points in the album, particularly when compared to the "classic" albums of rock psychedelia of its era.

If you enjoy Muddy Waters with his bands and dislike late 60's rock and roll, you will not like this album. Unfortunately, most of the blues critics of the time fell into this catagory and hence this album's ridiculous reputation. If you can see beyond the rigid catagorization of musical artists, this album is for you.

1. "I Just Want to Make Love to You" Willie Dixon 4:19
2. "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man" Willie Dixon 4:53
3. "Let's Spend the Night Together" Mick Jagger and Keith Richards 3:12
4. "She's Alright" Morganfield 6:36
5. "Mannish Boy" Morganfield 3:50
6. "Herbert Harper's Free Press News" Sidney Barnes, Robert Thurston 4:40
7. "Tom Cat" Charles Williams 3:42
8. "The Same Thing" Willie Dixon 5:42
Total length:
36:54

 

[Dennie]

"You Had To Be There" - Live -- 2 CD Set

Jimmy Buffett

1978/1990 Records

How it used to be, December 17, 2003
By William J. Eichelberger "I will not go quietly" (Ft. Thomas, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: You Had To Be There: Jimmy Buffett In Concert (Audio CD)

For those of you who think the real thing is the antiseptic, sanitized version who's been raking in the cash since the mid-80's, this is the disc that will change your mind. This is how it was in Jimmy's creative heyday. Every concert a for-real party with plenty of recreational stimulants and rum for all. Jimmy cleaned up his act as the '80's rolled along, and with the cleaning went a lot of the life. Creatively he's never really come close to the early days, and his concerts are so dull that he depends on the crowd to make their own show, with his music as the soundtrack. This isn't all bad, as it means Jimmy is still with us, but now he's punching the clock for a paycheck more than leading the party.

Disc One:

Son of a Son of a Sailor" (Jimmy Buffett) 4:21
Pencil Thin Mustache" (Jimmy Buffett) 4:37
Wonder Why We Ever Go Home" (Jimmy Buffett) 4:13
Landfall" (Jimmy Buffett) 3:32
Miss You So Badly" (Jimmy Buffett/Greg Taylor) 4:19
Havaña Daydreamin'" (Jimmy Buffett) 6:34
Margaritaville" (Jimmy Buffett) 5:30
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" (Jimmy Buffett) 3:28
Come Monday" (Jimmy Buffett) 3:41
Perrier Blues" (Jimmy Buffett) 3:52

Disc Two:

Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit" (Jimmy Buffett) 8:06
God's Own Drunk" (Lord Buckley) 12:40
He Went to Paris" (Jimmy Buffett) 6:13
The Captain and The Kid" (Jimmy Buffett) 4:15
Why Don't We Get Drunk (and Screw)" (Marvin Gardens) 6:23
A Pirate Looks at Forty" (Jimmy Buffett) 5:47
Tampico Trauma" (Jimmy Buffett) 5:47
Morris' Nightmare" (Tim Krekel/Jimmy Buffett) 3:27
Dixie Diner" (L. Raspberry/G. Taylor/C. Ferrante/R. Berretta/B. Marshall) 6:22

 

[Dennie]

Rock N Roll Jesus -- CD

Kid Rock

2007 Atlantic Records

Amazon.com

Kid Rock maintains a remarkable propensity for wearing his contradictions on his sleeve, and more than anything he's previously released, Rock n Roll Jesus finds fuel in unresolved opposites. Is he a hard-core chauvinist ("Half Your Age") or a would-be gentlemen ("When U Love Someone")? Is he a God-fearing everyman ("Blue Jeans and a Rosary") or a bohemian hero ("So Hott")? These questions are nothing new, even if the album at hand takes them to freshly delirious extremes. Ever since he first began shedding his rap/rock posture to be the next Ted Nugent, Kid Rock has constructed his public persona out of full-frontal ambivalence: race, class, sex, religion, money, whatever it takes. This album's bookends--the title song and "bonus" track, "Lowlife (Living the Highlife)"--demonstrate all this irreconcilable nonsense in no uncertain terms, but all his polar wobbling is at least stabilized by a firm commitment to southern-styled rock, tinged at times with gospel, blues, a lingering need to rap ("Sugar"), and a rare, soul-fed instrumental jambalaya ("New Orleans"). In the end, Kid Rock may be a remarkable self-promoter, but a musical Messiah he is not. --Jason Kirk

1. "Rock N Roll Jesus" R.J. Ritchie, K. Tudrick, M. Young 4:29
2. "Amen" Ritchie 4:40
3. "All Summer Long" E. King, L. Marinell,R. Ritchie, G. Rossington, M. Shaffer, R. VanZant, R. Watchel, W. Zevon 4:56
4. "Roll On" Ritchie 6:11
5. "So Hott" Ritchie 4:07
6. "Sugar" B. Ervine, J. Krause, Ritchie, Shaffer, D. Simon, J. Smith, Young 3:44
7. "When You Love Someone" Ritchie, Shaffer, Young 5:40
8. "New Orleans" D.A. Coe, Ritchie 6:36
9. "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" Ritchie, Shaffer, Young 4:20
10. "Blue Jeans And a Rosary" Ritchie, Young 4:35
11. "Half Your Age" Ritchie 3:45
12. "Lowlife (Living the Highlife)" J. Eddie, Ritchie 4:04

 

[Dennie]

Get Lucky -- CD

Mark Knopfler

2009 Warner Bros. Records

Editorial Reviews

This is the sixth solo studio album from the legendary musician and follows 2007's highly successful Kill To Get Crimson, which Rolling Stone heralded as 'a gem' and USA Today described as, '...yet another unpretentious showcase for his unmistakable gifts as a musician, tunesmith and storyteller.'
Recorded at Knopfler's award-winning British Grove Studios in West London, Get Lucky was co-produced with longtime collaborators, engineer Chuck Ainlay and keyboardist Guy Fletcher and featured Richard Bennett, Danny Cummings, John McCusker, Matt Rollings and Glenn Worf. The 11-track album explores a lifetime of musical roots exemplified by the title track. 'The first itinerant person I ever met would sing in soul bands in winter, then work part-time in fairgrounds or 'go pick fruit down south' when the weather turned warm,' explains Knopfler. 'I was about 15 years old, stuck in school and envious. 'Get Lucky' came from him and other traveling characters I went on to meet in places I'd find myself working short-term, like farms, warehouses, building sites, before I got lucky with my songs.'

"Border Reiver" – 4:35
"Hard Shoulder" – 4:33
"You Can't Beat the House" – 3:25
"Before Gas and TV" – 5:50
"Monteleone" – 3:39
"Cleaning My Gun" – 4:43
"The Car Was the One" – 3:55
"Remembrance Day" – 5:05
"Get Lucky" – 4:33
"So Far from the Clyde" – 5:58
"Piper to the End" – 5:47

 

[Dennie]

Young Americans -- CD

David Bowie

1975/1981 EMI/Capitol Records

A Rare Album Of Consistency, July 20, 2005
By Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF" (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Young Americans (Audio CD)

After "Diamond Dogs", the world was thrown off balance again with Bowie's rumors of hanging out in a Philadelphia studio with fans sleeping at the stage door. It was the same city he recorded the "Diamond Dogs" tour - the `City of Brotherly Love'. Black/White Soul Love music from Bowie? No way. Yes way. Although it was a strong departure, "Young Americans" has become one of those Bowie albums that are so unique and distinct in its character that you either love it or hate it. It's all true soul funk with the magical backup of the late Luther Vandross's voice. "Young Americans" made it as a modest single, but it was the collaborative effort of "Fame" with John Lennon that is the song of choice here. There is nothing like it anywhere in the world. Bowie's rendering of "Across The Universe" is an uninspired tribute to Lennon and "Can You Hear Me" is bland. However, "Somebody Up There Like Me" is a true funky bass driven number that completely satisfies. At the very least, this album is consistent and Bowie proves he truly has some serious soul.

Side one

"Young Americans" – 5:10
"Win" – 4:44
"Fascination" (Bowie, Luther Vandross) – 5:43
"Right" – 4:13

Side two

"Somebody Up There Likes Me" – 6:30
"Across the Universe" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 4:30
"Can You Hear Me" – 5:04
"Fame" (Bowie, Carlos Alomar, Lennon) – 4:12


Reissue bonus tracks

"Who Can I Be Now?" – 4:35
"It's Gonna Be Me" – 6:29
"John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" – 6:58

 

[Dennie]

11 Tracks Of Whack -- CD

Walter Becker

1994 Giant Records

It's not surprising that Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker's debut solo album sounds like a Steely Dan record. What is a little surprising, though, is that, in his lead singing debut, he sounds so much like his erstwhile partner, Donald Fagen. Not that you'd mistake the two (Fagen projects more and is slightly grittier), but they sing in the same register with the same sly phrasing and the same accent. Other differences from the Dan are equally subtle: Becker adopts a sparer musical approach, for one thing, the missing element being the prominence of Fagen's keyboards (although Fagen does play on the record and co-produced it). Nothing gets in the way of Becker's voice, and he proves to be a less ornate lyricist than Fagen, restricting himself largely to tales of romantic dislocation. On the whole, this album sounds like what you'd expect -- one half of Steely Dan. ~ William Ruhlmann

1. "Down in the Bottom" 4:16
2. "Junkie Girl" 4:07
3. "Surf and/or Die" 6:15
4. "Book of Liars" 4:09
5. "Lucky Henry" 4:39
6. "Hard Up Case" 4:56
7. "Cringemaker" Walter Becker, Dean Parks 5:11
8. "Girlfriend" 5:43
9. "My Waterloo" 4:02
10. "This Moody ***" 5:18
11. "Hat Too Flat" 5:26
12. "Little Kawai" 2:44

 

[heeman]

11 Tracks Of Whack -- CD

Walter Becker

1994 Giant Records

It's not surprising that Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker's debut solo album sounds like a Steely Dan record. What is a little surprising, though, is that, in his lead singing debut, he sounds so much like his erstwhile partner, Donald Fagen. Not that you'd mistake the two (Fagen projects more and is slightly grittier), but they sing in the same register with the same sly phrasing and the same accent. Other differences from the Dan are equally subtle: Becker adopts a sparer musical approach, for one thing, the missing element being the prominence of Fagen's keyboards (although Fagen does play on the record and co-produced it). Nothing gets in the way of Becker's voice, and he proves to be a less ornate lyricist than Fagen, restricting himself largely to tales of romantic dislocation. On the whole, this album sounds like what you'd expect -- one half of Steely Dan. ~ William Ruhlmann

1. "Down in the Bottom" 4:16
2. "Junkie Girl" 4:07
3. "Surf and/or Die" 6:15
4. "Book of Liars" 4:09
5. "Lucky Henry" 4:39
6. "Hard Up Case" 4:56
7. "Cringemaker" Walter Becker, Dean Parks 5:11
8. "Girlfriend" 5:43
9. "My Waterloo" 4:02
10. "This Moody ***" 5:18
11. "Hat Too Flat" 5:26
12. "Little Kawai" 2:44

Dennie,

What is your thoughts on this one??

Keith

 

[Botch]

I'm not Dennie, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express (located on Nos Tatic Atoll) last night...

The thing that struck me about Donald's, and then Walter's solo album(s), was how you could hear what each brought to the SD party, and it wasn't what Mr. Ruhlmann said at all. Donald's albums had all the gloss, polish, and especially the dense jazz chords of the SD catalog, but the lyrics were just, wimpy. Eleven Tracks, on the other hand, didn't interest me at all musically, but the acidic, biting cynicism of his lyrics demonstrated clearly what he brought the Dan stew. Fun to hear that kinda thing! :handgestures-thumbup:

 

[Dennie]

At Club "Baby Grand" Wilmington, Deleware Vol. 2 -- CD

The Incredible Jimmy Smith

1956/2008 Blue Note Records

Jimmy Smith in Grand Form at the Baby Grand, July 3, 2008
By Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Live at the Baby Grand 2 (Audio CD)

Most of the recent Blue Note RVG Edition titles are reissued, remastered titles that simply have been out of print on CD for a time. By contrast, both volumes of Jimmy Smith's "Live at the Baby Grand" have never been available domestically on disc until now, a most welcome release indeed! Recorded on April 4, 1956, in the jazz hotbed (?) of Wilmington, Delaware (my birthplace, BTW), this is the organist at his raw, jaw-dropping best. You really do get the feeling of what those original jazz fans and curiousity seekers must have felt when first going to a Jimmy Smith show -- the Charlie Parker of the organ, let's see what the buzz is all about! While these sessions do a marvelous job of capturing that energy, they also have their shortcomings. In order to get that great live feel, a certain muddiness does come to the forefront at times on certain tunes, particularly when Smith plays those extended left hand chords during his solos, which I have to say get tedious at times -- revolutionary back then, a bit humdrum now. Also make no mistake, this is the Jimmy Smith show, and guitarist Thornel Schwartz and drummer Donald Bailey are simply along for the ride, with minimal contributions and an often distant placement in the mix. And while I'm being critical, let me also mention that each CD logs in at around 45 minutes, just long enough so that these volumes could not be squeezed on to one CD. But still Blue Note should have done something -- released this RVG as a value-priced two-fer, or uncovered some additional bonus tracks in the vaults (come on Cuscuna!) -- to make it more substantial than the original vinyl. However, these are minor quibbles with a set that I am delighted to see back in print.

"Caravan" (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol) - 10:18
"Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster 10:46
"Get Happy" (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) - 7:27
"It's Alright with Me" (Cole Porter) - 11:53

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Recorded at Club Baby Grand in Wilmington, Delaware on August 4, 1956

Jimmy Smith – organ
Thornel Schwartz - guitar
Donald Bailey – drums

 

[Dennie]

I'm not Dennie, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express (located on Nos Tatic Atoll) last night...

The thing that struck me about Donald's, and then Walter's solo album(s), was how you could hear what each brought to the SD party, and it wasn't what Mr. Ruhlmann said at all. Donald's albums had all the gloss, polish, and especially the dense jazz chords of the SD catalog, but the lyrics were just, wimpy. Eleven Tracks, on the other hand, didn't interest me at all musically, but the acidic, biting cynicism of his lyrics demonstrated clearly what he brought the Dan stew. Fun to hear that kinda thing! :handgestures-thumbup:

Yeah, I didn't agree Mr. Ruhlmann on a lot of points. This dosen't sound like half of Steely Dan, to me. Unless you consider a "polished" sound, only applicable to Steely Dan. Yes, the music is a little "Steely Dan-ish" but I really like it. Funky and soulful come to mind and a little dirtier or rawer.

A very enjoyable album and as Botch mentioned, great lyrics.


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Spyboy -- CD

Emmylou Harris

1998 Eminent Records

Emmylou and Spyboy-- country with soul, September 12, 1998
By Frederick Rudofsky (East Greenbush, NY USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Spyboy (Audio CD)

SPYBOY is a tremendous document of Emmylou Harris's musical journey with Buddy Miller, Daryl Johnson, and Brady Blade in the past two years on the momentum of her beautifully realized WRECKING BALL. She performs songs from throughout her career, the aching "Love Hurts" (a poignant duet with Miller) to the mad reverie of "Deeper Well." Of special note is Julie Miler's appearance on her own "All My Tears," a powerful gospel song with a drum beat that echoes the Cherokee tradition. Emmylou sounds wonderful, singing in her distinctive voice the pangs and joys of life. Buddy Miller, who produced this album and is a tremendous solo artist in his own right plays simply magificent guitar (I think only Richard Thompson would be able to show such range) and provides great harmonies to each song. And the rhythm section of Johnson and Blade is dynamic in the true sense of the word, bringing imagination and energy to each song-- Daniel Lanois' "The Maker" is a great example of their genius. In short, this is Emmylou at the heght of her powers, with a telepathic and exciting band playing memorable songs and having fun. For new fans and die-hard fans of this classy woman and her maverick sensibilities, this album is a must.

"My Songbird" (Jesse Winchester) – 3:30
Studio version on Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town
"Where Will I Be" (Daniel Lanois) – 4:21
From Wrecking Ball
"I Ain't Living Long Like This" (Rodney Crowell) – 4:20
Studio version on Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town
"Love Hurts" (Boudleaux Bryant) – 2:55
First performed by Harris with Gram Parsons on Grievous Angel
"Green Pastures" (Traditional) – 3:05
First performed by Harris on Roses in the Snow
"Deeper Well" (Harris, Lanois, David Olney) – 7:16
From Wrecking Ball
"Prayer in Open D" (Harris) – 4:01
From Cowgirl's Prayer
"Calling My Children Home" (Doyle Lawson, Charles Waller, Robert Yates) – 3:02
First performed by Harris with the Nash Ramblers on At the Ryman
"Tulsa Queen" (Crowell, Harris) – 4:30
From Luxury Liner
"Wheels" (Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons) – 3:04
A Flying Burrito Brothers' song, Harris first recorded it for Elite Hotel
"Born to Run" (Paul Kennerley) – 4:44
From Cimarron
"Boulder to Birmingham" (Bill Danoff, Harris) 3:21
First recorded on Pieces of the Sky
"All My Tears (Be Washed Away)" (Julie Miller) – 5:06
From Wrecking Ball
"The Maker" (Lanois) – 8:40
Also recorded with Willie Nelson on Teatro

 

[Dennie]

Simone On Simone -- CD

Simone

2008 Koch Records

4.5 stars. This is great..., May 17, 2008
By Jim C (Reston, VA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Simone on Simone (Audio CD)

This week I listened to three new discs by three new female artists with a grand total of three names among them. Unusual week. Duffy got three stars. So did Adele. But Simone is positively the best. By far. Her voice is energetic and attention getting but still silky smooth. The songs match her perfectly, mostly standards and songs her mother, Nina Simone, has recorded. I don't like giving 5 stars (because nothing's perfect) but this is darn close. I won't be listening to the other discs again soon, but Simone will be on "repeat" for a long time.

1. Music for Lovers [Live with Nina Simone in Ireland]
2. Gal from Joe's
3. Go to Hell
4. Keeper of the Flame
5. I Hold No Grudge
6. Love Me or Leave Me
7. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
8. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
9. How Long Must I Wander
10. Don't You Pay Them No Mind
11. Work Song
12. Child in Me
13. Feeling Good