What Are You Listening To?

[heeman]

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!

The first time I heard/saw Jonny Lang was on Eric Claptons Crossroads Guitar Festival 2004 DVD. The emotion that guy has is amazing and his playing is superb!

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music.....

From The Cradle -- CD

Eric Clapton

1994 Reprise Records

FROM THE CRADLE won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. It was also nominated for Album Of The Year.

Some 30 years after cutting BLUESBREAKERS with John Mayall, Slowhand is back--and he's plugged in, too. From the Elmore James-styled slide grunge that heralds Leroy Carr's classic "Blues Before Sunrise," to his sweet, pearly tones on an agonizingly slow "Third Degree," it's clear that FROM THE CRADLE really is your parents' Eric Clapton.

Nearly every album Clapton's ever done has had a suggestion of his roots. But there's more than a suggestion of blues on impassioned, unhinged solos like "Five Long Years," "It Hurts Me Too" and "Someday After A While"--Clapton betrays a childlike pleasure in coming out from behind his pop persona, and the joy is infectious.

That's because FROM THE CRADLE is recorded live...that is to say, everyone at once, with no instrumental or vocal overdubs (save for the sweet dobro obbligatos on an old-timey sounding "How Long Blues"). The slower tempos, like a lowdown "Sinner's Prayer" and the acoustic "Driftin'" really showcase his growth as a vocalist (particularly that bullfrog groan, by way of Muddy Waters, whom he honors with an especially faithful cover of "Standin' Round Crying"). And when Clapton leaves Earth orbit on Willie Dixon's "Groaning The Blues," you get the feeling Eric may never leave the blues again. More, please.

Recorded at Olympic Studios Barnes, London, England.

 

[PaulyT]

Just got this new release today. Think Rodrigo y Gabriela (highly rhythmic latin guitar, if you haven't heard them) meets Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, and they all move to Cuba. Really fun stuff, especially if you're familiar with their other studio albums - the songs are not new, but are lager ensemble "covers" of their earlier duet works, with numerous other featured soloists (there's a great sitar solo in the 3rd track!). Great, great stuff!

SQ: outstanding. May be a candidate for the "Stellar Recordings" thread. Gonna have to listen a few more times to say for sure, but the sound is BIG and you can hear lots of little stuff going on all over the place. Very fun.

 

[topper]

, :handgestures-thumbup:

 

[topper]

* *
reference Jonny Lang

Cool that you guy's got to see Jonny.
For me, and most people, I think, hearing that voice and guitar playing coming from a teenager was pretty amazing.

I think of his 'Lie To Me' as a collector item.

Edit: Muddy Waters took Jonny on tour with him during his early 'professional' years.

 

[Dennie]

My first and last one for the evening.....

Young Lions & Old Tigers -- 20 Bit CD

Dave Brubeck with lot's of Special Guests

1995 Telarc Jazz

Duets, basically, but mostly wonderful ones..., December 11, 2003
By William E. Adams (Midland, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)


This review is from: Young Lions & Old Tigers (Audio CD)

Here's another "Brubeck in old age" CD which in another era, when new jazz releases actually garnered mainstream attention, would have sold wonderfully well. For this 1995 product on the Telarc label, Dave wrote themes for each of his 10 guests. The resulting 63 minutes are almost totally fine. The contributing artists include Roy Hargrove on trumpet, Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman and James Moody, all on tenor saxophones, Christian McBride on bass, George Shearing on piano, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, and Ronnie Buttacavoli on flugelhorn. Jack Six on bass and Randy Jones on drums accompany most of the tunes. The only weak moments come in the two vocal selections. For one of them, veteran scat singer Jon Hendricks does a super-straight, super-slow, super-short version of "How High the Moon" and on the other, James Moody adds some singing to the nearly seven-minute Brubeck composition called "Moody" in his honor. The vocals aren't terrible, but just do not hold up to the 10 instrumental tunes, and that's why I give this four stars instead of five. The disc is mostly mellow, but never is it just so-called smooth jazz, or boring, or fit only for background sound. If you are a fan of Dave's, this is a worthwhile late-career effort, featuring original compositions except for two tracks, and a lot of emotion.

Track listing

1. Roy Hargrove
2. How High the Moon
3. Michael Brecker Waltz
4. Here Comes McBride
5. Joe Lovano Tango
6. In Your Own Sweet Way
7. Joshua Redman
8. Together
9. Moody
10. Gerry-Go-Round
11. Ronnie Buttacavoli
12. Deep In a Dream

Personnel: Dave Brubeck (piano); James Moody (vocals, tenor saxophone); Jon Hendricks (vocals); Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman (tenor saxophone); Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet); Ronnie Buttacavoli (flugelhorn); George Shearing (piano); Chris Brubeck (electric bass); Christian McBride, Jack Six (bass); Randy Jones (drums).

 

[topper]

 

[Dennie]

Brothers In Arms -- 20th Anniversary Edition SACD

Dire Straits

2005 Mercury Records

Featured in Kalman Rubinson's Music in the Round in the January 2006 issue of Stereophile!

2006 Grammy Award Winner for Best Surround Sound Album!

Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits, one of the best known rock albums of the '80s and one of the most sought after rock albums for a Surround Sound edition, is now available on 5.1 Super Audio CD! Brothers In Arms features 9 songs written by Knopfler, including one that was co-written by Sting who provides guest vocals on the album as well. It was originally released in 1985 and this SACD marks the albums 20th Anniversary. The SACD of Brothers In Arms follows last year's release of Knopfler's most recent album entitled Shangri-La in Surround Sound SACD and DVD-A + CD Double Disc.

Propelled by Mark Knopfler's literate songs, gruff vocals, and spidery guitar work, Dire Straits had overcome initial skepticism for their resistance to '70s new wave accents in favor of their rootsy traditionalism. This 1985 album captures the band consolidating a far more epic style than the concise shuffles and ballads that the original scrappy quartet had reeled off, their ambitions fueled by the larger canvas afforded by the compact disc. One of the first albums to exploit the format's longer playing time, Brothers in Arms was initially released in separate versions for CD/cassette and edited LP, and the band became digital poster boys on a world tour sponsored by CD hardware interests.

Critics that had once warmed to the band sniffed at the marketing, but the album remains their best known, noteworthy for the MTV staple "Money for Nothing" and the breezy rock shuffle "Walk of Life," as well as for the wistful "So Far Away," the plot-driven narratives of "Ride Across the River," and the title song of course. The album is an amazing mix of styles and moods, but produced without a fault all the way through. This was the showpiece album for this group of hard working musicians, and proved Mark Knopfler one of the worlds greatest guitarists. And now for the 20th anniversary of the album we get a limited edition SACD version that sounds incredible and reeks of sonic integrity.

Features:
• 20th Anniversary Edition
• Re-Mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound

Selections:
1. So Far Away
2. Money For Nothing
3. Walk of Life
4. Your Latest Trick
5. Why Worry
6. Ride Across the River
7. The Man's Too Strong
8. One World
9. Brothers In Arms

 

[Dennie]

Damn! -- CD

Jimmy Smith

1995 Verve Records

"This cat is the eighth wonder of the world" Miles Davis, July 18, 2005
By Jazzcat "stef" (Genoa, Italy Italy) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: *** (Audio CD)

Miles used to think this about Jimmy Smith, and he was right. Jimmy really was a marvel of the jazz world! He was an incredible bopper but he also invented the organ jazz thing. He has been incredibly influential. And rightly so because in a sense he invented a way of playing jazz, organ soul jazz. But this one is probably the best late album by Jimmy Smith (and it is straight ahead jazz, bebop I might say). He played exceptional music 'til his last days, nevertheless this album is one of the best of his late years (1995 .... you can buy Off the top too, the album he recorded with Benson, Turrentine, Carter, Tate in his late years, the eighties maybe, it's fabolous!!!!). He is accompanied here by a cast of great, really great "new" cats (Nicholas Payton, Roy Hardgrove, Mark Whitfield and more.. ) but don't forget, Jimmy is still the star. Even if it's not an historic recording from Smith (50's, 60's) it is of that quality. You can believe me. Jazz of the highest quality with an old LION still growling as he used to! It is an album of standards and Jazz originals. Among the best tune I point out the blues opener, "Papa's got a brand new bag" from James Brown songbook, played here as a thunderous Jazz anthem. I remember to have read that in the sixties when James Brown (which would like to play the organ and he played in a childish way in his concerts) heard Jimmy Smith playing, he literally shot his Hammond Organ!! I can't think what he could do if he had the opportunity to listen to this Smith's version of his "Bag"!!! Hi hi hi hi !!! =))))) Then I would say "Scrapple from the apple" a line from Charlie Parker's pen. Finally I would say that this album is very very well recorded, audiophile quality I'd say. My Avalon speakers really appreciate this one! BUY this one absolutly before it goes out of print. Believe me.

Track listing

1. Papa's Got a Brand New Bag
2. Sister Sadie
3. Woody 'N' You
4. One Before This, The
5. Watermelon Man
6. This Here
7. Scrapple From the Apple
8. Hi-Fly
9. la Mode, A

 

[Dennie]

Nobody Left To Crown -- CD

Richie Havens

2008 Verve Forcast

Over 40 years after the release of his debut album, 1967's MIXED BAG, folk-rock master Richie Havens returns to his original label, Verve Records, for 2008's NOBODY LEFT TO CROWN. Although Havens's public image will forever be frozen as the impassioned singer and percussive guitarist whose improvised set at Woodstock made him a national star, he has not stopped performing or recording during the intervening decades. Along with several strong original songs, including the pointedly political "Hurricane Waters" and the title track, Havens transforms three well-known songs into his unique style: Jackson Browne's "Lives in the Balance," Peter, Paul and Mary's "The Great Mandala," and most surprisingly yet most effectively, the Who's powerhouse protest anthem "Won't Get Fooled Again."

1. Key, The
2. Say It Isn't So
3. Won't Get Fooled Again
4. Standing on the Water
5. Hurricane Waters
6. If I
7. Nobody Left to Crown
8. (Can't You Hear) Zeus's Anger Roar
9. Lives in the Balance
10. We All Know Now
11. Fates
12. Great Mandala, The (The Wheel of Life)
13. One More Day

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening......

History - America's Greatest Hits -- CD

America

1990 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com

This is about as treacly as pop can get, yet something about it endears and endures. Forget the Neil Youngish banality of "Horse with No Name." The best America songs feature a delicate yet intricate interplay of acoustic guitars that creates a tableau for sweeter-than-sweet vocalese. Just try not to sing along to "Ventura Highway" or "Sister Golden Hair." Try not to be suckered into sentimental reminiscence when listening to "I Need You" or the superb "Daisy Jane." And if your heart hardens when listening to the low-key lope of the "Muskrat Love," you must be cold-blooded. --Tod Nelson

1. Horse With No Name
2. I Need You
3. Sandman
4. Ventura Highway
5. Don't Cross the River
6. Only in Your Heart
7. Muskrat Love
8. Tin Man
9. Lonely People
10. Sister Golden Hair
11. Daisy Jane
12. Woman Tonight

 

[Dennie]

Sunshine On Leith -- CD

The Proclaimers

1988 Chrysalis Records

Sunshine on Leith is The Proclaimers' second and best known album, released in August 1988. The album had three singles, including the title track, "I'm On My Way," and "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," which also became a hit following its inclusion on the soundtrack to Benny & Joon five years later in 1993. It is about their birthplace, Leith, and the title track Sunshine on Leith is played by Hibernian F.C. at the beginning of matches.

All Songs Written By Craig & Charlie Reid, except where noted.

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – 3:33
"Cap in Hand" – 3:24
"Then I Met You" – 3:50
"My Old Friend the Blues" – 3:06 (Steve Earle)
"Sean" – 3:23
"Sunshine on Leith" – 5:16
"Come on Nature" – 3:34
"I'm on My Way" – 3:45
"What Do You Do?" – 3:38
"It's Saturday Night" – 3:24
"Teardrops" – 2:32
"Oh Jean" – 5:55

 

[heeman]

Some Doobie Brothers.............

Side One

"Wheels of Fortune" (Simmons, Baxter, John Hartman) – 4:54 (#87 Hot 100)
"Takin' It to the Streets" (McDonald) – 3:56 (#13 Hot 100)
"8th Avenue Shuffle" (Simmons) – 4:39
"Losin' End" (McDonald) – 3:39

Side Two

"Rio" (Simmons, Baxter) – 3:49
"For Someone Special" (Porter) – 5:04
"It Keeps You Runnin'" (McDonald) – 4:20 (#37 Hot 100)
"Turn It Loose" (Johnston) – 3:53
"Carry Me Away" (Simmons, Baxter, McDonald) – 4:09

 

[heeman]

"Here to Love You" (McDonald) – 3:58
"What a Fool Believes" (McDonald, Loggins) – 3:41
"Minute by Minute" (McDonald, Abrams) – 3:26
"Dependin' on You" (Simmons, McDonald) – 3:44
"Don't Stop to Watch the Wheels" (Simmons, Baxter, Michael Ebert) – 3:26
"Open Your Eyes" (McDonald, Abrams, Henderson) – 3:18
"Sweet Feelin'" (Simmons, Templeman) – 2:41
"Steamer Lane Breakdown" (Simmons) – 3:24
"You Never Change" (Simmons) – 3:26
"How Do the Fools Survive?" (McDonald, Carole Bayer Sager) – 5:12

 

[heeman]

Side One

"Listen to the Music" (Johnston) – 4:44
"Rockin' Down the Highway" (Johnston) – 3:18
"Mamaloi" (Simmons) – 2:28
"Toulouse Street" (Simmons) – 3:20
"Cotton Mouth" (Jimmy Seals, Dash Crofts) – 3:44

Side Two

"Don't Start Me to Talkin'" (Sonny Boy Williamson) – 2:41
"Jesus Is Just Alright" (Arthur Reid Reynolds) – 4:33
"White Sun" (Johnston) – 2:28
"Disciple" (Johnston) – 6:42
"Snake Man" (Johnston) – 1:35

 

[Dennie]

I'm really enjoying this album......

If I had to "classify" it, I would call it "Country Boogie"! :happy-partydance:

The Foundation -- CD

Zac Brown Band

2008 Atlantic Records

5.0 out of 5 stars ~laid back attitude~, November 25, 2008
By Joey Sciarra (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Foundation (Audio CD)

Although they aren't "cookie cutter" typical radio-ready country, the Zac Brown Band suddenly have found themselves with a #1 smash country hit, "Chicken Fried", a catchy tune with great harmony and fiddle playing. Surprisingly, their album is a nice mix of a variety of music that is really hard to describe. Think half island/reggae country similar to Kenny Chesney's - and half bluegrass country similar to Union Station. Soothing, relaxing, and just great to pop in and chill out...chicken fried comfort music for the soul!

I hope ZBB continues to put out more of this awesome music...very pure and not over-produced at all! It's rare for the modern country music industry to accept non-mainstream music, and it's so nice to see some variety for a change...so I hope this trend continues and they get more national recognition. They are a very talented band, and i love their simple acoustic style...awesome stuff!!!

Song to check out: "Whatever It Is" (track #2)

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]

Revolution -- CD

Miranda Lambert

2009 Columbia Records

Fabulous collection by Miranda, October 21, 2011
By KERK - See all my reviews
This review is from: Revolution (Audio CD)

I was not a fan of Miranda Lambert prior to this cd coming out. I did like "The House That Built Me" when I heard it, so I began to pay attention to her again. Finally I decided to purchase the cd and could not believe how great it was!! I thoroughly enjoy every track and frequently listen to it over and over again. This is definitely one to own if you like Miranda.

1. "White Liar" Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby 4:48
2. "Only Prettier" Lambert, Hemby 3:09
3. "Dead Flowers" Lambert 3:59
4. "Me and Your Cigarettes" Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Blake Shelton 2:24
5. "Maintain the Pain" Lambert 2:17
6. "Airstream Song" Lambert, Hemby 2:48
7. "Makin' Plans" Lambert 3:50
8. "Time to Get a Gun" Fred Eaglesmith 3:55
9. "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go" Julie Miller 3:21
10. "The House That Built Me" Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin 3:56
11. "Love Song" Lambert, Shelton, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood 2:49
12. "Heart Like Mine" Lambert, Monroe, Travis Howard 2:57
13. "Sin for a Sin" Lambert, Shelton 3:28
14. "That's the Way That The World Goes 'Round" John Prine 3:25
15. "Virginia Bluebell" Lambert, Hemby, Jennifer Kennard 3:46

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

Seduction -- CD

Boney James

1995 Warner Bros. Records

Boney's best album, January 4, 2000
By djdjdjdjdjdj9 "djdjdjdjdjdj9" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Seduction (Audio CD)

As the title indicates, I feel this is Boney's best album. Most of his newer stuff has too much of that "Playboy"-ish slow timbre to it, but Seduction has several faster tracks that keep me tuned. You can also hear hints of future Latin-style tracks he would later record on Sweet Thing and Body Language. This album I would consider essential to any Boney James fan, and also a definite purchase for those looking for real contemporary saxophone talent.

The only complaint I have is that sometimes Boney's sax sounds quiet and drowned out by the other instruments playing (percussion, guitar, horns, etc.)

1. "Camouflage" 5:17
2. "Got It Goin' On" 5:11
3. "Lights Down Low" 4:31
4. "Seduction" 5:26
5. "Washington Bridge" 5:32
6. "Without a Doubt" 4:37
7. "Sara Smile" 3:31
8. "Second Nature" 5:18
9. "Ain't No Sunshine" 3:56
Total length:
43:19

 

[Dennie]

Bossa Nova From Brazil -- CD

Marcia Salomon

2007 Cooking Vinyl Records

Track listing

1. Pro Menesca (Pro Ze)
2. Longa Metragem
3. Verbo Amar/O Melhor Vai Comecar
4. Cada Um Cada Um
5. Tons De Outono
6. Abraco Vazio
7. Ponto De Luz
8. Bom Pressagio
9. Amigos Novos E Antigos
10. Gatinho Com Novelo De La
11. Meu Brazil E Com S
12. Cade A MPB - Salomon, Marcia & J.C. Costa Netto
13. Bye Bye Brasil/Hino Do Carnaval Brasiliero

 

[Dennie]

Najee's Theme -- CD

Najee

1986 EMI Records

Fantastic!, May 13, 2005
By Noompsey (Norfolk, Va) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Najee's Theme (Audio CD)

This is one of those CDs in which I actually find it difficult to decide which of the songs I like the best. I didn't know who Najee was until my dad gave me this cassette tape for my 13th birthday in June 1988, but when I got this album, I couldn't stop listening to it. Now I have the CD and when I play this album in my car on my Discman, I can set it at random and still not go wrong because without exception, EVERY song is fantastic. All the albums he's done range from decent to very good, but Najee's Theme is the bomb!!! Definitely 5 stars!!!

Track Listing
1. Feel So Good to Me
2. Najee's Theme
3. For the Love of You
4. Can't Hide Love
5. We're Still Family
6. Sweet Love
7. Betcha Don't Know
8. What You Do to Me
9. Mysterious