What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Love's Been Rough On Me -- CD

Etta James

1997 Private Music

Love's Been Rough on Me is a terrific latter-day album from Etta James, capturing her at the peak of her powers. James' voice has diminished only slightly over the course of her career, and she knows how to make such warhorses as "I've Been Loving You Too Long" sound fresh. She also invests contemporary music, including John Berry's contemporary country hit "If I Had Any Pride Left at All," with real soul. The result is a record that delivers the real goods with grace and style. ~ Leo Stanley

Track Listing
1. Rock, The
2. Cry Like a Rainy Day
3. Love's Been Rough on Me
4. Love It or Leave It Alone
5. Don't Touch Me
6. Hold Me (Just a Little Longer Tonight)
7. If I Had Any Pride Left at All
8. I Can Give You Everything
9. I've Been Loving You Too Long
10. Done in the Dark

 

[Dennie]

Something Good -- CD

Charmaine Clamor

2010 FreeHam Records

From Charmaine Clamor, the queen of jazzipino: I believe there are two kinds of music: the Good Stuff and everything else.

Good can be jazz, or world, or blues. Good can be classical, or opera, or hip-hop. Or funk or soul or even pop. The labels don't matter; the sound matters.

It's true, I'm a Filipino-American. It's true, I'm a jazz singer. I do this musical blending called jazzipino, and it comes straight from my heart. But it's also true that I'm a citizen of Earth, and I'm a world-blues-funk-soul-pop vocalistwho won't be, can't be, categorized. I'm me, and this is my music.

You'll hear my passion for the groove, for swing, for beautiful words and inspiring sounds. You'll also discover my passion for the blessed planet we inhabit, and which we honor with our Mother Nature Suite. How strongly do I feel about taking care of our environment? The tray your CD sits in is made of potatoes. If you don't dig this album, you can bury the whole package in your compost heap. It's 100% recycleable!
We like to think, however, that our music doesn't qualify for the dreaded "everything else" genre. We're delighted to share with you Something Good.


Liner Note Author: Charmaine Clamor.


1 Every Single Moment
2 Doodlin' in Taglish
3 Something Good
4 Feelin' Stevie
5 Motherless Ili-Ili
6 Let's Take a Trip
7 Flow
8 Maalaala Mo Kaya
9 Ikaw
10 Sweet Spot
11 Farther You Go
12 Velieve in Love
13 Breakfast with Bubba

 

[Dennie]

................ :bow-blue:

Back At The Chicken Shack -- CD

The Incredible Jimmy Smith

1960/1997 Blue Note Records

Awesome!, February 20, 2005
By Claude Lapointe "maaaars" (Quebec, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Back at the Chicken Shack (Audio CD)

I agree 100% with Guy from New Haven. And even though I don't possess all of Jimmy's albums, this has to be his best... Maybe the the best jazz album ever!!! Never heard anything so groovy; it's B3 organ, Tenor Sax and good rhythm galore!!!

I don't know which track is best because they're all stunning but to name a few, maybe "Minor Chant" by Stanley Turrentine (who brilliantly plays the sax throughout the album), stands out a little... not by much though. "When I grow too old to dream": what a sweet melody!... Messy Bessie (by Jimmy) is so good, I would have appreciated a finale instead of the fade-out we got (but that's okay). And technically, the 1960's Blue Note pure, clear, and no-fuss analog recording sounds flawless.

If you're jaded with the traditional organ-drums-guitar formation, check this out because tenor saxophone truly adds a uniquely elegant and amazingly powerful dimension to Jimmy's already great sound! This will put a smile on your face and make your head bounce!

"Back at the Chicken Shack" (Jimmy Smith) — 8:01
"When I Grow Too Old to Dream" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg) — 9:54
"Minor Chant" (Stanley Turrentine) — 7:30
"Messy Bessie" (Smith) — 12:25
"On the Sunny Side of the Street" (Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh) — 5:45 (Appeared as a CD-only bonus track, not part of the original LP configuration).

-----

Jimmy Smith - organ
Kenny Burrell - guitar
Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Donald Bailey - drums

 

[Dennie]

It's About Time -- CD

Jack McDuff & Joey DeFrancesco

1996 Concord Jazz

The master & the pupil, November 13, 2000
By Enno Roosink (Amsterdam) - See all my reviews
This review is from: It's About Time (Audio CD)

Two masters of the hammond organ, both masters in their own class, two generations, two warriors, two heroes carrying the B3 torch into 2000 and far beyond. Listen carefully and enjoy the pleasures of the real stuff, although Concord recordings used to be the " mainstream label " please get tempted and purchase this 4 star recording. Settle yourself infront of your Hi fi stereo set and let the Lesley Box vibrations come over you.

Track Listing
1. Pork Chops and Pasta
2. Please Send Me Someone to Love
3. Secret Love
4. Our Delight
5. Yesterdays
6. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
7. Rock Candy
8. Funk Pie
9. Black Jack

 

[Dennie]

Come On Up -- CD

Brian Culbertson

2003 Warner Bros. Records

More Funky Than Romantic, June 30, 2003
By Chris (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Come On Up (Audio CD)

In comparison to his previous release, Nice & Slow, Brian Culbertson's latest, Come on Up could also be called "Fast & Funky." This CD moves away from the predominantly soothing melodies of Nice to incorporate more horns ("Serpentine Fire," an instrumental remake of the Earth, Wind, & Fire hit, and "Funky B") and thumping bass lines ("Midnight") to go along with Culbertson's signature piano melodies. For those like me who were converted to Culbertson by Nice & Slow, "Last Night" is a gentle, flowing song that reminds one of the style of his previous release and "Days Gone By" is reminiscent of the steamy "I Could Get Used To This." As for outstanding performance, the title track "Come On Up" weaves Culbertson's infectious piano melodies with Norman Brown's stellar guitar segments to stand out as the highlight of this CD.

Other notable efforts include "Our Love," a piano ballad written for Culbertson's wedding, and the bouncy "Fly High," the only song that incorporates any vocals--and that only a chorus--and features background vocals slightly distorted through a talk box.

Overall, Brian Culbertson's Come On Up is more funky than romantic, but has enough of both to satisfy everyone.

Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Say What? - (featuring Steve Cole)
3. Midnight - (featuring Marcus Miller/Steve Cole)
4. Playin'
5. Days Gone By
6. What Up B?
7. Serpentine Fire
8. Fly High - (featuring Rahsaan Patterson)
9. Last Night - (featuring Rick Braun)
10. Come on Up - (featuring Norman Brown)
11. Our Love
12. Funky B

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

Coco -- CD

Colbie Caillat

2007 Universal Republic

The Girl From Malibu, August 23, 2007
By E. Laway "Lady E" (Temecula, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Coco (Audio CD)

Who is Colbie Caillat? From the CD pix, she looks like a real pretty version of Jennifer Aniston, wholesome, all American girl. There's a mention of her being from MySpaceMalibu, so you expect light and breezy, but it's actually pretty mature and well thought out lyrics that gets your attention, even with the soothing acoustic guitar, the lyrics are pretty serious like "Midnight Bottle" about subduing one's loneliness with a drink(she was 22 at the recording of this CD) or moving away from a bad relationship in "Battle."
The first track "Oxygen" sets the tone of this album with her deep, smokey Rickie Lee Jones voice. With modest beginings, Colbie can be the next big thing, her understated grace and inate talent as a musician might be key to her success. She kinda reminds one of a female version of Jack Johnson or Donovan Frankenritter. So folks looking for something alternative to listen to, this is it.

1. "Oxygen" Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves 3:51
2. "The Little Things" Caillat, Reeves 3:46
3. "One Fine Wire" Mikal Blue, Caillat, Reeves 3:37
4. "Bubbly" Caillat, Reeves 3:17
5. "Feelings Show" Blue, Caillat, Reeves 3:10
6. "Midnight Bottle" Caillat, Reeves 3:41
7. "Realize" Blue, Caillat, Reeves 4:05
8. "Battle" Blue, Caillat 4:03
9. "Tailor Made" Caillat, Reeves 4:30
10. "Magic" Caillat, Reeves 3:25
11. "Tied Down" Caillat, Reeves 3:07
12. "Capri" Caillat 3:04

 

[Dennie]

Speak Like A Child -- Remastered CD

Herbie Hancock

1968/2005 Blue Note Records

Amazon.com

Recorded three years after his groundbreaking Maiden Voyage LP, this 1968 date features the pianist/composer leading a trio which includes his Miles Davis bandmate, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Mickey Roker, augmented by a three-piece horn section featuring alto flute, bass trombone, and Thad Jones on flugelhorn. This unique configuration was inspired by the orchestral timbres of Gil Evans's voicings, filtered through a 1960s syncopated perspective. Remastered by the original session engineer, Rudy Van Gelder, Hancock's percussive, yet flowing pianisms are more detailed in front of the evocative woodwind arrangements. Several jazz standards flowed from this date. The maze-like "Riot" and "The Sorcerer" were both recorded by Davis--as well as the dreamy bossa nova title track. Hancock plays with his patented style of "controlled freedom," and this LP paved the way for his future forays in modern music. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

All compositions by Herbie Hancock, except as indicated.

Side A:

"Riot" – 4:40
"Speak Like a Child" – 7:50
"First Trip" (Ron Carter) – 6:01

Side B:

"Toys" – 5:52
"Goodbye to Childhood" – 7:06
"The Sorcerer" – 5:36

Bonus tracks on CD reissue:

"Riot" (First Alternate Take) – 4:55
"Riot" (Second Alternate Take) – 4:40
"Goodbye to Childhood" (Alternate Take) – 5:49

------

Herbie Hancock — piano
Ron Carter — bass
Mickey Roker — drums
Jerry Dodgion — alto flute (not on #3)
Thad Jones — fluegelhorn (not on #3)
Peter Phillips — bass trombone (not on #3)

 

[Botch]

 

[Dennie]

Nice! :handgestures-thumbup:



Dennie :happy-partydance:

 

[Dennie]

Kiss My Axe -- CD

The Al Di Meola Project

1991 Tomato Records

One of the best guitarists on the planet!, January 6, 2007
By John Keating - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Kiss My Axe (Audio CD)

While I too think Elegant Gypsy is Al's finest moment, his other work has always been a musical pleasure. His Winter Nights is simply superb. Electric Rendezvous short but sweet! Casino is as close to Gypsy as can be. Kiss My Axe is also worth the money and your time to give it a listen. If you like a variety of styles intermingled - here's the happy meal! Blazing guitar, gut wrenching bass on some of the tunes. Light and airy on others.

In following Mr. Dimeola's career, there seems to be a maturity in his work-While Gypsy is a simply a marvel in its blazing guitar work - each piece is technical bliss and speed! The works thereafter have been all about change -evolution if you will. The man still has the chops, but it's tempered and controlled. Youth to experience is the best analogy I can make here. It is obvious that he wants to stretch his music in other styles - not specifically jazz fusion.

I will continue to purchase his work simply because it has never failed to entertain me. Mr. Dimeola is simply one of the best of the best. One other reviewer wrote something to the effect "surely the Master knows more than his admirers!" I think there is a grain of truth in that remark. Each work that this man has done has been a step in his musical journey-I, for one, am glad he's allowed me the opportunity to walk with him along the way.

 

[Dennie]

The Foundation -- CD

Zac Brown Band

2008 Atlantic Records

Zac Brown Band - the Real Deal, November 19, 2008
By Matt Davis (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Foundation (Audio CD)

I first heard ZBB when they opened for Los Lonely Boys in October '08, just before "Chicken Fried" became a bona-fide hit. I had never in my life heard of them, yet I walked away from that show a die-hard fan. These guys are all amazing musicians, fluidly traversing across genres song in and song out, be it country, rock, reggae, or bluegrass. They have a sound all their own that is firmly grounded in southern roots. Their songs are all heartfelt and catchy, and unlike so many of the polished and overproduced pop acts that dominate the country charts that are computerized shadows of themselves, these guys are legit - truly at home on the stage. Like another reviewer stated, there's not a song on this CD that I ever skip.

In spite of not fitting the mold that mainstream country would just love to cram them into (think Rascal Flatts,) I have a feeling these guys are going to be around, on their own terms, for a long, long time. I'm already pining for the next album. That's why I think they are the "Real Deal."

1. "Toes" Zac Brown, Wyatt Durette, John Driskell Hopkins, Shawn Mullins 4:21
2. "Whatever It Is" Brown, Durette 3:29
3. "Where the Boat Leaves From" Brown, Durette 3:44
4. "Violin Intro to Free" Jimmy De Martini 1:01
5. "Free" Brown 3:48
6. "Chicken Fried" Brown, Durette 3:58
7. "Mary" Brown, J. Cline 2:50
8. "Different Kind of Fine" Brown, Durette, Stokes Nielson 3:18
9. "Highway 20 Ride" Brown, Durette 3:51
10. "It's Not OK" Hopkins 4:10
11. "Jolene" Ray LaMontagne 4:21
12. "Sic 'Em on a Chicken" Brown, Hopkins 3:51
Total length:
42:42

 

[Dennie]

The Evening of My Best Day --CD

Rickie Lee Jones

2003 V2 Records

More great work from RLJ, November 16, 2003
By Addison Phillips (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Evening of My Best Day (Dig) (Audio CD)

Rickie Lee Jones has produced some outstanding music over the years, including the frequently mentioned Pirates and Flying Cowboys. In recent years she's also made a number of interesting and experimental albums, including the not-nearly-as-approchable "Ghostyhead" and some other work such as "Pop-Pop", a set of Jazz standards covers (before it was really hip to do that).

Her work is always idiosyncratic and exploratory, not mainstream. For years Flying Cowboys has been, in my opinion, the apothosis of her work. I eagerly anticipated this new CD....

And it doesn't disappoint. There are some moments of "stock RLJ" and the disc is not as unified a vision as many of the earlier albums, but there are no clunker songs here at all. Some of the work is etherial and not pop music, but it is all subtle, well-crafted, and beautiful work.

In a fit of irony, Amazon was selling this album with the new Edie Brickell disc "Volcano" (RLJ made an overseas disc called "Girl at Her Volcano" some years ago now) and playing the two back to back is just mean to Ms. Brickell, who's work is well produced, even, and entirely slick next to the entirely self-visionary Rickie Lee Jones.

I've seen Pirates or Flying Cowboys recognized by diverse artists over the years. This album should inspire a whole new generation.

All tracks composed and arranged by Rickie Lee Jones; except where indicated

"Ugly Man" – 4:20
"Second Chance" – 4:53
"Bitchnostrophy" – 4:38
"Little Mysteries" – 5:01
"Lap Dog" – 3:58
"Tell Somebody (Repeal The Patriot Act)" – 4:04
"Sailor Song" (Jones, David Kalish) – 5:00
"A Tree On Allenford" – 5:13
"It Takes You There" – 5:17
"Mink Coat At The Bus Stop" – 4:50
"The Evening Of My Best Day" – 4:15
"A Face In The Crowd" – 3:43

 

[topper]

 

[nats]

:text-+1:

 

[heeman]

All songs written by Pete Townshend except where noted.

"I Won't Run Anymore" – 4:51 Vocals by Pete Townshend with Deborah Conway
"Over the Top" – 3:31 Vocals by John Lee Hooker
"Man Machines" – 0:42 Vocals by Simon Townshend
"Dig" – 4:07 Performed by The Who
"A Friend Is a Friend" – 4:44 Vocals by Pete Townshend
"I Eat Heavy Metal" – 4:01 Vocals by John Lee Hooker
"All Shall Be Well" – 4:02 Vocals by Pete Townshend with Deborah Conway and Chyna
"Was There Life" – 4:19 Vocals by Pete Townshend
"Fast Food" – 4:26 Vocals by Nina Simone
"A Fool Says" – 2:51 Vocals by Pete Townshend
"Fire" (Arthur Brown, Vincent Crane, Mike Finesilver, Peter Ker) – 3:47 Performed by The Who
"New Life/Reprise" – 6:00 Vocals by Chyna with Pete Townshend and Nicola Emmanuel. Contains small extract of a live performance of "Magic Bus"


:handgestures-thumbup:

 

[Dennie]

Dixieland Classics -- 2 CD Set

Pete Fountian

1998 Ranwood Records

Disc one tracks are:

1. Way Down Yonder In Ne Orleans
2. Alice Blue GowN
3. Up A Lazy River
4. Muskrat Ramble
5. Amazing Grace
6. San Antonio Rose
7. Cheek To Cheek
8. It Had To Be You
9. Basin Street Blues
10. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
11. I Can't Believe Your Still In Love With Me
12. Deep Purple
13. Georgia
14. Walking The Floor Over You
15. Honky Tonk

Disc two tracks are:

1. Jazz Me Blues
2. Marie
3. Crazy
4. Running Wild
5. Paradise
6. Just A Closer Walk With You
7. Unforgettable
8. Wolverine
9. Girl Of My Dreams
10. Rose Room
11. I Can't Stop Loving You
12. Tin Roof Blues
13. Your Cheatin' Heart
14. Nobody's Darlin'
15. When The Saints Come Marching In.

 

[Dennie]

This Is Jazz #5 -- CD

Thelonious Monk

1996 Columbia/Legacy

Great Intro to Monk's Music, December 11, 2004
By R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: This Is Jazz 5 (Audio CD)

If you are not sure where to begin with Monk then this is a good introduction to his work. Monk is in a class by himself, a true original and his music is addictive once you "get" him. I would recommend this cd to any friend who asked me about Monk with the caveat that once you hear it you will be buying more recordings and exploring Monk's music more fully. The man has left us a rich legacy of recordings from different periods and with different supporting casts. It's all good , from the crispness of the Columbia recordings with his quartet, to the more exploratory recordings on Riverside and Bluenote. This CD which features many of his bettter known compositions will open up windows that can lead to endless hours of musical joy.

Track Listing
1. 'Round Midnight
2. Well, You Needn't
3. Bemsha Swing
4. Ruby, My Dear
5. Straight, No Chaser
6. Blue Monk
7. Rhythm-A-Ning
8. Monk's Dream
9. Misterioso
10. Epistrophy

 

[Botch]

When I was stationed in Grand Forks, I'd hit a basement blues bar occasionally (it was way too smoky and I'm not a big blues fan) and "Kid" Jonny Lang played there a few times, out of the Twin Cities.
He was 14 then!

 

[Dennie]

Oscar's Ballads 1990 - 2000 -- CD

Oscar Peterson - Piano

2001 Telarc Jazz

Simply "Spot-On"!, May 23, 2001
By E. B. Hopkins "Minister Of Sound" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Oscar's Ballads (Audio CD)

I'm STILL in awe at the performance that OSCAR PETERSON gives on this CD. I purchased this album looking for some "background" music for an Anniversary dinner I was making for my wife. Needless to say, the lush piano picked me up and wisked me away to somewhere my heart had only DREAMT about! I sat there, my attention fully on this CD, and burned our dinner. I would have to say my favorite is, When Summer Comes. Such a full and haunting masterpiece to me. I can BARELY get it away from my wife, because when she takes a bath she ALWAYS grabs this CD and a book! Oh about dinner........we went out! Get this one quickly!

Track Listing
1. Harcourt Nights
2. If You Only Knew
3. When Summer Comes
4. Nighttime
5. Love Ballade
6. Tranquille
7. Ecstasy
8. Peace for South Africa

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

Quiet As The Moon -- CD

Dave Brubeck

1991 Music Masters Jazz

Schroeder in the Desert, September 8, 2005
By Skylark Poems "the round & wagging dance" (of a summer) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Quiet As the Moon (Audio CD)

These tracks were recorded over a two plus year period beginning in late 1988 for a Peanuts Cartoon. I have titled this review "Schroeder in the desert" for obvious reasons. Dave seems to like getting "Forty Days" onto as many unrelated albums as possible and I'm sure I've heard "desert and the parched land" on another platter. In fact this is the 3rd straight album I've reviewed with "Forty Days" on it. It wasn't intentional. I swear it!

The album features:

Dave Brubeck (piano)
Bobby Militello (flute, alto sax, tenor sax)
Matthew Brubeck (cello)
Jack Six (bass)
Chris Brubeck (elec bass, bass trombone)
Randy Jones, Dan Brubeck (drums)

8 of the tracks were written by Dave, the rest by others. Great music.

If you love Brubeck you WILL buy Quiet As The Moon. "When I Was a Child" is pure genius in stride, not bad licks on the drum either. Militello is smooth on "Travelin' Blues" with a few righteous outbursts. "When You Wish Upon a Star" is so sweet you could eat it or kiss it [as you prefer]. Lastly, or maybe second since that's it place in the Moon cosmology, Dave is exquisitely adventurous with his piano banging on "Linus and Lucy."

Matthew Brubecks cello on "Forty Days" help make it the best of 6 instances of that title in my collection. The Bass Trombone and the Cello definitely make this a different and welcome mix!

Track listing

1. Bicycle Built For Two
2. Linus and Lucy
3. Forty Days
4. When I Was a Child
5. Quiet as the Moon
6. Cast Your Fate to the Wind
7. Benjamin
8. Looking at the Rainbow
9. Desert and the Parched Land, The
10. Travelin' Blues
11. Unisphere
12. When You Wish Upon a Star