What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

McGriff Avenue -- RVG Limited Edition 24bit CD

Jimmy McGriff

2002 Milestone Records

Fine Wine, June 23, 2009
By Fish1066 (New York) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mcgriff Avenue (Audio CD)

I AM a McGriff fan, and I LOVE this disc. It's all about the groove with Jimmy and this disc has it to spare! The horn playing is excellent and Jimmy just lays down some smooth, cool, groovin' melodies. If you're looking for virtuoso - look how many notes I can cram into one measure - music, keep looking. If you're looking for something to sit back, relax and groove to, this is it. Jimmy is like a fine wine, smoother, rounder edges, but the texture is more layered, the flavor more sophisticated and the experience sublime.

Track Listing
1. All About My Girl
2. McGriff Avenue
3. Soul Street
4. Answer Is in the Blues, The
5. Great Unknown, The
6. Dissertation on the Blues
7. Worm, The
8. America the Beautiful

 

[Dennie]

A Night At The Vanguard with.... -- Remastered CD

The Kenny Burrell Trio

1960/2008 Verve Records

Kenny Burrell's storied career as perhaps the premier modern jazz guitarist has been documented by many efforts in the studio, but here's a nightclub date that may well be highly ranked as one of his very best efforts. The spontaneity and freshness of Burrell's lyric lines and deft chords is further enhanced by perhaps the most advanced musicians he has ever played with -- bassist Richard Davis and drummer Roy Haynes. For music done in 1959, this is heady, seat-of-the-pants, brilliantly executed jazz that is mostly based in standards, but stretched to exacting tolerances that bend, but are not close to breaking. Davis provides strong support without going as outward as he did later in life, while Haynes might sound subdued to his fans, yet has an elastic presence that allows the other two a lot of freedom to fully articulate this modern mainstream language as a prelude heading into the turbulent '60s. On this straight reissue that originally sported the title "Man at Work," the trio plays all standards save the lively blues groove, more pronounced than the studio version of Burrell's "All Night Long," and the Erroll Garner tune "Trio," where Burrell's proves expert at combining singles lines and chords in balance. Most of the material is very upbeat and energetic as on the fast and quick "Will You Still Be Mine," and the bop swing of "Broadway" mixed up a little melodically by Burrell. The love of Duke Ellington's music is always with the guitarist as rendered during "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'," where the genius of Burrell is extant in his ability to provide his own counterpoint. Burrell's other precious component is his ability to relax and consistently swing as on Thelonious Monk's "Well, You Needn't," Benny Goodman's poignant and simple "Soft Winds," and dipping deep into the tenderness quotient on the ballad "I'm a Fool to Want You" aside the tango-flavored bass of Davis. A solid effort top to bottom, and a recording most highly recommended, this is Burrell and his extraordinary trio very close to, if not truly in their prime, and their element. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Track Listing
1. All Night Long
2. Will You Still Be Mine
3. I'm a Fool to Want You
4. Trio
5. Broadway
6. Soft Winds
7. Just a-Sittin'' and a-Rockin'
8. Well, You Needn't

------
Kenny Burrell Trio: Kenny Burrell (guitar); Richard Davis (bass); Roy Haynes (drums)

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

Heart String -- CD

Earl Klugh

1979 EMI America

The Perfect Title for the Perfect CD, June 28, 2005
By A. Sloan (Cary, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Heart String (Audio CD)

I started playing guitar in the early 70's when I was in Junior High. When I started working at a record store 6 years later I finally learned what playing guitar really meant when I began listening to Earl Klugh. Heart String is a masterpiece. This album was my favorite and was best listened to staring out at the full moon on a crystal clear night on the beach with the one you love. (Especially Acoustic Lady I and Heart String Reprise) Earl Klugh is what excellence is all about. The mix of strings and orchestration with the ballads is magical and haunting and the percussion mix on the faster paced songs is reminiscent of the islands on Acoustic Lady II. I had never heard such a mix of styles before that time and see that it was considered jazz. His other CD's like "Late Night Guitar", Love Songs and Ballads are simply wonderful too, (I especially LOVE Christina on the Ballads CD!) but "Heart Strings" will always be special to me. It's like your first love, that holds a special place in your heart that you never forget and it changes everything for you.

"Heart String" - 6:23
"I'll See You Again" - 5:52
"Acoustic Lady, Pts. 1 & 2" - 7:43
"Spanish Night" - 3:18
"Pretty World" - 4:47
"Waiting for Cathy" - 2:50
"Rayna" - 5:15
"Heart String (Reprise)" - 4:03

 

[Dennie]

Morning Dance -- CD

Spyro Gyra

1998 Amherst Records

Morning Dance is the title of the second studio album by Spyro Gyra, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music). This is the first CD labeled on MCA Records. The cover showed a picture of a forest filled with dancing fairies and insects. It also showed a young woman spying on them.

Morning Dance is Spyro Gyra's most commercially successful album. The title cut became a major radio hit (Billboard #24 pop, #1 adult contemporary.)

1. "Morning Dance" (Jay Beckenstein) - 4:11

2. "Jubilee" (Jeremy Wall) - 4:31

3. "Rasul" (Jeremy Wall) - 3:57

4. "Song for Lorraine" (Jay Beckenstein) - 3:59

5. "Starburst" (Jeremy Wall) - 4:50

6. "Heliopolis" (Jay Beckenstein) - 5:34

7. "It Doesn't Matter" (Chet Catallo) - 4:27

8. "Little Linda" (Jeremy Wall) - 4:27

9. "End of Romanticism" (Rick Strauss) - 5:00

 

[Botch]

Morning Dance is the title of the second studio album by Spyro Gyra, released in 1979

Huh, I thought it was their debut. It was the first "jazz" album I ever bought.

 

[Rope]

Rope

 

[Dennie]

Greatest Hits - Live -- 2 CD Set

Boz Scaggs

2004 Gray Cat Records

Boz at his best, May 24, 2005
By Longtime Boz Fan (Northern California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Greatest Hits Live (Audio CD)

This is an outstanding CD. I've listed to Boz evolve vocally since his Steve Miller days and he's at his best here. He's taken hits from most of his past records and performs them in this live concert version and made them even better. This is a 2-CD set, but I wish there more. I also bought the DVD of this concert, which is excellent, and includes backstage footage of Boz and the band and a photo gallery. Boz is a truly gifted artist and I would recommend this to everyone.

DISC 1:

Lowdown
Slow Dancer
Heart Of Mine
It All Went Down The Drain
Harbor Lights
Jojo
Ask Me 'Bout Nothin' But The Blues
Breakdown Dead Ahead

DISC 2:

Look What You've Done To Me
I Just Go
Georgia
Miss Sun
Lido Shuffle
Runnin' Blues
Loan Me A Dime
We're All Alone

 

[Dennie]

Phoebe Snow -- CD

Phoebe Snow

1995 The Right Stuff

Phoebe Snow is the eponymous debut album by singer/songwriter Phoebe Snow, released in 1974 (see 1974 in music). It contains her Top 5 Billboard pop hit, "Poetry Man".

All songs by Phoebe Snow, except where noted

"Good Times" (Sam Cooke) – 2:20
"Harpo's Blues" – 4:22
"Poetry Man" – 4:36
"Either or Both" – 3:52
"San Francisco Bay Blues" (Jesse Fuller) – 3:29
"I Don't Want the Night to End" – 3:55
"Take Your Children Home" – 4:15
"It Must Be Sunday" – 5:50
"No Show Tonight" – 2:57

 

[Dennie]

Morning Dance is the title of the second studio album by Spyro Gyra, released in 1979

Huh, I thought it was their debut. It was the first "jazz" album I ever bought.

Their Debut Album was "Spyro Gyra"...

I don't think I have it! :confusion-scratchheadyellow:


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

Love's Been Rough On Me -- CD

Etta James

1997 RCA Records

THE ONE AND ONLY ETTA JAMES, August 28, 2005
By R. Rodriguez "Mayan Traveler" (Maui Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Love's Been Rough on Me (Audio CD)

Etta James takes on a country feel on this release but being that it IS Etta James one would think that there were no other country singers ever. From the opening tract "The Rock" you feel the pain in this womans soul. when she sings " Now you say I`m only holding you down like some ole rock you been draggin around " You know that she has felt it and she makes you feel it too.The following song " Cry like A Rainy Day " Has Etta`s voice soaring to its highest high and down to its lowest lows never clearer, stronger, and just as powerful as ever this lady can SANG. The Title Track will bring you to tears she sings " Have Mercy Baby Loves Been Rough On Me " her voice and style take you down a path of broken dreams and hearts as only Etta can do.Her rendition of "If I Had Any Pride At all" and I`ve Been Lovin You" Will have you running for a tissue. And then as if to rescue your broken heart Etta sings " I Can Give You Everything " to bring you back from that edge. To round the offering out the closing tract was written by Etta herself with her son Donto and Josh Sklair." Done In The Dark" is catchy, sassy,in your face, I know your doing me wrong kinda song,a fitting end to these sessions.
As with all of her recordings the backing musicians are a tight and well oiled unit one wonders if playing with the best brings out the best I`m not sure but it sure sounds that way. This CD belongs in everyone ones collection
I was lucky enough to of seen this Lady twice this summer she can still belt em out and stir your soul, she is after all THE ONE AND ONLY ETTA JAMES

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]

Today's work truck music.....

Running On Empty -- CD

Jackson Browne

1977/1990 Elektra Records

Amazon.com

Recorded onstage, backstage, in three different hotel rooms, and on a Continental Silver Eagle tour bus during a cross-country 1977 tour, Running on Empty is a paean to life on the road. Jackson Browne's sense of camaraderie extended to the road crew, if "The Load Out," a love song to his roadies, is to be believed. Browne is much more blithe here than in his earlier outings. But Empty also represents a fleeting lighthearted moment for the singer-cum-poet whose concerns became more political than personal after its appearance. Beneath its flippant surface, this disc is a look at the lengths Browne and his friends went to avoid facing the demands of the touring life. What with the frequent drug references, misogynistic references to on-the-fly pairings with women, and the sobering line in the title track--"I look around for the friends I used to pull me through / Looking into their eyes, I see them running, too"--one realizes that Browne was much more comfortable on the road than off. --Jaan Uhelszki

"Running on Empty" (Browne) – 5:20
Recorded live (8/27/77), Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
"The Road" (Danny O'Keefe) – 4:50
Recorded in room 301 (8/27/77), Cross Keys Inn, Baltimore, MD (first — 2:58) and live (9/7/77), Garden State Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
"Rosie" (Browne, Donald Miller) – 3:37
Recorded backstage (9/1/77) "in the big rehearsal room," Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
Doug Haywood and tour photographer Joel Bernstein sing harmony.
"You Love the Thunder" (Browne) – 3:52
Recorded live (9/6/77), Holmdel, NJ
"Cocaine" (Browne, Reverend Gary Davis, Glenn Frey) – 4:55
Recorded in room 124 (8/17/77), Holiday Inn, Edwardsville, IL
"Shaky Town" (Danny Kortchmar) – 3:36
Recorded in room 124 (8/18/77), Holiday Inn, Edwardsville, IL
Danny Kortchmar sings harmony.
"Love Needs a Heart" (Browne, Valerie Carter, Lowell George) – 3:28
Recorded live (9/17/77), Universal City, CA
"Nothing but Time" (Browne, Howard Burke) – 3:05
Recorded "on a bus (a Continental Silver Eagle) somewhere in New Jersey" (9/8/77)
Russ Kunkel is credited as playing "snare, hi-hat, and cardboard box with foot pedal." The song was recorded aboard the band's Continental Silver Eagle tour bus (hence the lyrical reference to "Silver Eagle") while en route from Portland, Maine to their next gig in New Jersey. The bus's engine is audible in the background throughout, and its downshift and acceleration can be plainly heard during the bridge.
"The Load-Out" (Browne, Bryan Garofalo) – 5:38
Recorded live (8/27/77), Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
"Stay" (The Zodiacs) – 3:28
Recorded live (8/27/77), Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD

 

[topper]

1. Wonderful World, Beautiful World
2. Come Into My Life
3. Vietnam
4. Wild World
5. Hard Road To Travel
6. You Can Get It If You Really Want
7. Bongo Man
8. The Harder They Come
9. Many Rivers To Cross
10. Sitting In Limbo
11. Struggling Man
12. If I Follow My Mind
13. The News
14. Sooner Or Later
15. Give The People What They Want
16. Shelter Of Your Love
17. Majority Rules
18. I Can See Clearly Now
19. Rise Up

(all on 1 disc)

 

[Randy]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Myles Goodwyn, except where noted.
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "All Over Town" 3:00
2. "Tellin' Me Lies" 2:59
3. "Sign of the Gypsy Queen" Lorence Hud 4:16
4. "Just Between You and Me" 3:54
5. "Wanna Rock" 2:06
6. "Caught in the Crossfire" 3:33
7. "Future Tense" 4:07
8. "Big City Girls" 3:42
9. "Crash and Burn" 2:31
10. "Bad Boys" 3:10
11. "One More Time" 3:55

I picked this one up over the weekend at BB for $4.99...................Good Stuff, I only knew their hits. It turns out they have 16 studio albums!

HELL YA HEEMAN. One of my all time faves.

 

[heeman]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Myles Goodwyn, except where noted.
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "All Over Town" 3:00
2. "Tellin' Me Lies" 2:59
3. "Sign of the Gypsy Queen" Lorence Hud 4:16
4. "Just Between You and Me" 3:54
5. "Wanna Rock" 2:06
6. "Caught in the Crossfire" 3:33
7. "Future Tense" 4:07
8. "Big City Girls" 3:42
9. "Crash and Burn" 2:31
10. "Bad Boys" 3:10
11. "One More Time" 3:55

I picked this one up over the weekend at BB for $4.99...................Good Stuff, I only knew their hits. It turns out they have 16 studio albums!

HELL YA HEEMAN. One of my all time faves.

Randy,

:text-bravo:

I was hoping that someone would pick up on this one!

It is a great CD with a variety of musical styles. I will look for more of their stuff in the bargain bin!

Rock On!

Keith

 

[Dennie]

Recently -- CD

Joan Baez

1987 Gold Castle Records

Joan Baez at her best, August 4, 2000
By Bogardus "NW reader" (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Recently (Audio CD)

"Recently" brings the listener Joan Baez's beautiful voice in full and glorious maturity. This is not an album of rearranged and previously recorded hits or traditional favorites, but a beautiful compilation including 2 written by Joan."Recently" is one of 2 superior efforts by one of our greatest contemporary Folk singers. The other great album is "Come From The Shadows". Both albums contain the social consciousness that Joan champions, but also are masterful musical assemblages. If you are only going to own 1 or 2 Joan Baez albums, let it be these. Enjoy!

"Brothers in Arms" (Mark Knopfler)
"Recently" (Joan Baez)
"Asimbonanga" (Johnny Clegg)
"The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" (Jimmy Webb)
"James and the Gang" (Baez)
"Let Us Break Bread Together"/"Oh Freedom" (Traditional)
"MLK" (Bono, David Howell Evans, Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton)
"Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" (Chips Moman, Dan Penn)
"Biko" (Peter Gabriel)

 

[Dennie]

Flying Colors -- CD

Grant Geissman

1991 Bluemoon Records

What surely sets Grant Geissman apart from other acoustic guitar soloists in contemporary jazzdom is his impeccably mellifluous composing skills and his desire to stretch himself into more challenging sub genres. While never straying too far from his trademark David Benoit like peppiness, Flying Colors -- which represents the guitarist's commercial peak on early smooth jazz radio -- displays mouth-watering flamenco and brassy Latin tinges. A musically logical follow up to the similarly vibrant Take Another Look, Geissman's playing is enhanced by the positive support of keyboardists Gordon Goodwin and Emil Palame and saxophonist Sam Riney. Of special note (and the best cut) is Geissman's ode to his youth, "Places I've Been," which features Byrd-like riffs, Beatle-esque sitar and orchestrated, "Eleanor Rigby" touches. ~ Jonathan Widran

Track Listing
1. Flying Colors
2. Tricks of the Trade
3. Long Goodbye, The
4. Barcelona
5. Places I've Been
6. El Cabong Rides Again
7. Neon Nights
8. Hang Time
9. Dancing on the Edge
10. Where the Heart Is

 

[Dennie]

A Dynamic New Sound : Guitar/Organ/Drums -- SACD

The Wes Montgomery Trio

1959/2004 Riverside Records

Not Typical, December 27, 2000
By B. Benedetto (Ipswich, Ma USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Dynamic New Sound (Audio CD)

This is not your typical sounding jazz record, so don't be too surprised or turned off when you initially hear it. I've discovered that the music on this one tends to grow on you over time. Of course, this version of "Around Midnight" is one the best ever, but there a lot of other gems here. The other bonus about this record is the clear, crisp sound quality. You feel like you're right next to his amp. If you like jazz guitar this is must have.

"'Round Midnight" (Thelonious Monk, Cootie Williams) – 4:58
"Yesterdays" (Otto Harbach, Jerome Kern) – 3:20
"The End of a Love Affair" (Redding) – 3:18
"Whisper Not" (Benny Golson) – 4:40
"Ecaroh" (Horace Silver) – 3:00
"Satin Doll" [Alternate take] (Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn) – 4:08
"Satin Doll" (Ellington, Mercer, Strayhorn) – 3:58
"Missile Blues" [Alternate take] (Wes Montgomery) – 4:37
"Missile Blues" (Montgomery) – 6:04
"Too Late Now" (Burton Lane, Alan Jay Lerner) – 4:55
"Jingles" (Montgomery) – 5:31

Tracks 6 & 8 do not appear on the original album.

 

[heeman]

Some Pearl Jam from the $4.99 bin.....

 

[topper]

 

[heeman]

Track listing
No. Title Writer(s) Lead vocals Length
1. "Detroit Rock City" Paul Stanley, Bob Ezrin Stanley 5:17
2. "King of the Night Time World" Stanley, Ezrin, Kim Fowley, Mark Anthony Stanley 3:19
3. "God of Thunder" Stanley Gene Simmons 4:13
4. "Great Expectations" Simmons, Ezrin Simmons 4:24
5. "Flaming Youth" Ace Frehley, Stanley, Simmons, Ezrin Stanley 2:59
6. "Sweet Pain" Simmons Simmons 3:20
7. "Shout It Out Loud" Stanley, Simmons, Ezrin Stanley, Simmons 2:49
8. "Beth" Peter Criss, Ezrin, Stan Penridge Criss 2:45
9. "Do You Love Me?" Stanley, Ezrin, Kim Fowley Stanley 3:40
10. "Rock And Roll Party [29]" Simmons, Stanley, Ezrin Instrumental 1:25

I bought this one as a young 15 year old on LP. Now I am 50 and picked it up in the $4.99 CD bin...................wow did it bring back memories....................