What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music.....

The World Is A Ghetto -- CD

War

1992 Avenue Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Best known for its distinctive fusion of Latin-flavored jazz, funk, rock, and soul, War was unquestionably one of the most successful fusion bands to emerge in the early '70s. Initially working with Eric Burdon, former lead singer with the British '60s band the Animals, the seven-member team enjoyed a commercial breakthrough with 1971's "All Day Music." The follow-up, The World Is a Ghetto took War mainstream thanks to the crossover success of the title track, a top 10 pop and R&B smash as 1972 became 1973. Cuts like the 13-minute-plus jazz-flavored adventure known as "City, Country, City" alongside the witty "Where Was You At" and the eerie "Four Cornered Room" were standouts on the six-track album. But it was the immediacy of the No. 2 pop single "The Cisco Kid," with its catchy hook that helped give the band a chart-topping No. 1 gold-selling album in 1973, arguably the best representation of its work as groove pioneers of the day. --David Nathan

1. Cisco Kid - War, Allen, Thomas
2. Where Was You At - War, Allen, Sylvester
3. City, Country, City - War, Allen, Thomas
4. Four Cornered Room - War, War
5. The World Is a Ghetto - War, Allen, Papa Dee
6. Beetles in the Bog - War, Warner, Richard

 

[Randy]

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....................

Dude, there you go again, another one of my absolute FAVES. Man, I wore Destroyer, Alive II, and Love Gun out on my old turntable and 8 track player.

 

[Dennie]

Hands Down -- CD

Bob James

1982/2006 Koch Records

Amazing instrumental music album, October 5, 2003
By Arhippa Kaurapuuro (Helsinki, Finland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Hands Down (Audio CD)

The shopkeeper of local store of old CDs & vinyls had written words "royal fusion - out of print" to price tag of this CD. So I bought it. Since I am big fan of funky R&B and retro-synthesizer/computer music it is easy to believe that I love this album. This album is not jazz. Perhaps not even fusion. This is instrumental music that is influenced by early synthesizer-pop, R&B and jazz. What makes this album so good are the wonderful compositions with good producing work. It is a pity that many lovers of good instrumental music don't know what they could find from jazz shelves of recording stores.

1. Spunky
2. Macumba
3. Shamboozie
4. Janus
5. Roberta
6. It's Only Me

 

[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

 

[Dennie]

Concierto -- CD

Jim Hall

1975/2008 CTI Records

Hall, Desmond, Baker = awesome., February 23, 2009
By Richard D. Guba "tenor sax man" (Annapolis MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Concierto (Audio CD)

This is a great album. Chet Baker is really good and with his reputation for excessive behavior it is more remarkable. Chet is on his game as is Desmond. Jim Hall is good as expected, but it is the ensemble work with the 2 horn players that makes this exceptional. I like this album much more than Bill Evans' Interplay which is also an ensemble album with Jim Hall. Stereophile magazine has used this album to test speakers and I understand why. It is well recorded and has fine performances. I recommend higly for any fan of Paul Desmond who would like to hear Paul in a group other than the Brubeck quartet. That being said, this is a Jim Hall feature and he is also in great but understated form.

"You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (Porter) – 7:08
"Two's Blues" (Hall) – 3:51
"The Answer Is Yes" (Hall) – 7:41
"Concierto de Aranjuez" (Rodrigo) – 19:22

Bonus tracks on CD reissue:

"Rock Skippin'" (Ellington, Strayhorn) – 6:14
"Unfinished Business" (Andrews, Carter, Chavez, Hall, Von Roth) – 4:42
"You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" [Alternate Take] - 7:28
"The Answer Is Yes" [Alternate Take] - 5:36
"Rock Skippin" [Alternate Take] - 6:05

Tracks 2, 8 recorded on April 16, 1975; tracks 1, 3, 4, 7 on April 23, 1975.

 

[mzpro5]

Car Talk

 

[Botch]

A-Ha's "Take on Me". By North Koreans. On accordions. Really.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBgMeunuviE[/youtube]

:music-rockout: :music-rockout: :music-rockout:

 

[Dennie]

Dinah '62 -- CD

Dinah Washington

1962/2003 Roulette Jazz

Uniquely Memorable Beautiful Voice, April 24, 2009
By Kriss Siler "Kriss Siler" (Wheat Ridge, CO USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Dinah '62 (Audio CD)

Dinah Washington was one of those rare singers whose artistry was enhanced by her uniquely rare, memorable, beautiful voice. She could literally sing anything (even the telephone book) and give her own unique spin. Dinah could sing torch songs, the blues, jazz, R&B in sad, yearning, lonely vocals or high and happy vocals, depending on the song. The raw emotion she sings with can move you to tears of longing, the remembering of "been there, done that," and just as easily have you jumping and laughing for joy. So, kick back and "Take Your Shoes Off." You're heading for "Make Believe Dreams" of a "A Handful of Stars:" "Destination Moon!"

Track listing

1. Drinking Again
2. Destination Moon
3. Miss You
4. A Handful of Stars
5. Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?
6. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
7. Red Sails in the Sunset
8. Where Are You?
9. Coquette
10. Take Your Shoes Off, Baby
11. Make Believe Dreams
12. Something's Gotta Give
13. I'll Never Stop Loving You
14. Me and My Gin

 

[Dennie]

Blue Lights In The Basement -- CD

Roberta Flack

1977/1995 Atlantic Records

Released in 1977, Blue Lights in the Basement is Roberta Flack's follow-up to 1975's Feel Like Makin' Love. Of course during the space between the two efforts, R&B and pop had certainly changed immensely. This album finds Flack responding to the changing times with a batch of smooth tracks and a polished and accomplished production. Of course by this time, she seemed to be divorced from the intelligent and recondite work that typified the early part of her career. Some of the tracks here do come close to that style; "25th of Last December" and "Love Is the Healing" throw in some nice changes to complement Flack's sweet and patient vocals. What caused this album to be such a big seller was the Flack and Donny Hathaway duet, "The Closer I Get to You." The track easily attains the grace and gorgeous sound that a lot of the like-minded songs here just miss. The dramatic "Where I'll Find You" appropriately closes the album and has a great echo effect on her voice during the chorus. Flack is indeed in great voice here, but Blue Lights in the Basement is most notable for its hit single rather than the tracks that surround it. ~ Jason Elias

01. Why Don't You Move In With Me 4:54
02. The Closer I Get To You 4:42
03. Fine, Fine Day 4:51
04. This Time I'll Be Sweeter 4:27
05. 25th Of Last December 4:34
06. After You 3:53
07. I'd Like To Be Baby To You 4:40
08. Soul Deep 2:24
09. Love Is The Healing 3:45
10. Where I'll Find You 3:10

 

[Dennie]

In The Dark -- CD

Grateful Dead

1987 Arista Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Hardcore Deadheads always equate this 1987 comeback record with commercial acceptance and a watered-down fan base, but while those assertions are indeed accurate, step back and you'll hear an album full of strong material and equally solid, live-in-the-studio performances. It's more than coincidence that songs such as "Touch of Grey" (the band's only top 10 hit), "Hell in a Bucket," "West L.A. Fadeaway," and "Throwing Stones" all became staples of the Dead's last decade of touring. While longtime fans will probably have no use (or desire) for this release (especially since the CD version omits the brilliant "Brother Esau"), it remains one of the band's most successful studio forays and the quintessential icebreaker for newcomers. --Marc Greilsamer

Side one

"Touch of Grey" (Garcia, Hunter) – 5:47
"Hell in a Bucket" (Barlow, Weir) – 5:35
"When Push Comes to Shove" (Garcia, Hunter) – 4:05
"West L.A. Fadeaway" (Garcia, Hunter) – 6:39

Side two

"Tons of Steel" (Mydland) – 5:15
"Throwing Stones" (Barlow, Weir) – 7:18
"Black Muddy River" (Garcia, Hunter) – 5:58
"My Brother Esau" (Barlow, Weir) - 4:20

"My Brother Esau" was omitted from the LP and CD releases of In the Dark, but was included on the cassette and on international releases.

 

[Dennie]

Fine Young Cannibals -- CD

Fine Young cannibals

1985/1986 IRSD/MCA Records

A brilliant debut album, March 7, 2001
By A. Macphee (Inverness) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Fine Young Cannibals (Audio CD)

I have been a FYC fan since the get go. Their music is just so soothing. Roland Gift's voice is great. You can really feel the passion that he puts into it.

The songs are great, in particular, "Johnny Come Home", the cover of "Suspicious Minds"(With Jimmy Sommerville[Bronski Beat/The Communards] assisting on vocals) and "Blue", along with the remixes of "Johnny" and Suspicious Minds".

Definitely one of the better things to come out of the eighties.

"Johnny Come Home"
"Couldn't Care More"
"Don't Ask Me to Choose"
"Funny How Love Is"
"Suspicious Minds"
"Blue"
"Move to Work"
"On a Promise"
"Time Isn't Kind"
"Like a Stranger"

Note: The album was reissued in 1986 with two additional tracks, remixes of Johnny Come Home (Extended Mix) and Suspicious Minds (Suspicious Mix), following Like A Stranger.

 

[Dennie]

The In Crowd -- Remastered CD

The Ramsey Lewis Trio

1965/2007 ARGO Records

Soul-jazz pioneer Ramsey Lewis's 1965 hit "The In Crowd" made the pianist a crossover smash, connecting with the pop, rock, and jazz crowds simultaneously. His simple, bluesy, swinging style is infectious and immediately accessible. One of the key aspects of THE IN CROWD is its party atmosphere--you get a real feel for the interaction between Lewis and the live audience, and you can hear him humming along with the piano and bass lines.While some jazz purists of the day condemned Lewis for what they saw as pandering to the masses with his instrumental versions of pop songs and his preference for blues-based modality over complex bebop-derived harmonies, time has shown the wiser. Today, THE IN CROWD sounds like an extension of the hard-bop era's no-frills, groove-oriented aesthetic, not to mention a foreshadowing of what would emerge decades down the road as acid jazz.

Track Listing
1. "In" Crowd, The
2. Since I Fell For You
3. Tennessee Waltz
4. You Been Talkin' 'Bout Me Baby
5. Theme From Spartacus
6. Felicidade (Happiness)
7. Come Sunday - (previously unreleased, CD only)

 

[Dennie]

Rural Renewal -- CD

The Crusaders

2003 Verve Records

Everyone should own this record, May 8, 2003
By Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Rural Renewal (Audio CD)

I know virtually nothing about the Crusaders. Their kind of music--ultra-sophisticated, roots-based jazz-funk--has fallen outside my musical experience.

My loss.

Let me come straight out and say it. This is one of the most accomplished and satisfying discs I have ever encountered. There's this deep groove coming from some authentic place--Texas, I learned, since I became interested in this group. This is not the kind of music that can be mass produced, predicted, or even successfully copied. It has its own inherent, uncompromising authenticity and authority.

How can it be so precise without being slick? So soulful without being cliché? So sophisticated yet completely natural? I'll tell you. A lifetime of commitment combined with pure genius and musical telepathy set loose, UNLEASHED, given free rein.

Fundamentally, a project like this gains nothing by heavy-duty analysis, so I'm going to quit while I'm ahead. Trust me on this: Just buy it.

Track Listing
1. Rural Renewal
2. Creepin'
3. Heartland
4. Healing Coming On, A
5. Sing the Song
6. Shotgun House Groove
7. Territory, The
8. Greasy Spoon
9. Viva de Funk
10. Lazy Sundays
11. Goin' Home

 

[Dennie]

Larry & Lee -- CD

Lee Ritenour & Larry Carlton

1995 GRP Records

Double Your Pleasure, June 21, 2001
By Russell Diederich (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Larry & Lee (Audio CD)

There is something special about two guitarists trading licks back and forth. Funny how four years after this album Larry Carlton would end up replacing Lee Ritenour in the group Foreplay. This album will not disappoint you if you're a fan of either guitarist. Both men are incredibly talented with the guitar, and play with real drive and emotion.

The album starts out with a great tune in "Crosstown Kids", which prepares you for what's to come. "L.A. Underground" really steps it up with Ritenour leading the way, breaking in several places to give Carlton a place to play. On the cut, "After the Rain" they lay back and play a very smooth piece before turning it up again on "Remembering". Throughout the album, these guitarists use each other to springboard to new levels of playing. They take turns expanding on an idea, combining their styles to really bring out some fun music.

There is some very good stuff on this album. Ritenour's smooth playing is counterbalanced by the bluesy edge of Carlton's. The complement is enjoyable, and it gives quite a coloring to the music. Guitar fans should find this album very impressive. It is one that I keep revisiting.

Track listing

1. Crosstown Kids
2. Low Steppin'
3. LA Underground
4. Closed Door Jam
5. After The Rain
6. Remembering JP
7. Fun In The Dark
8. Lota About Nothin'
9. Take That
10. Up And Adam
11. Reflections Of A Guitar Player

 

[Dennie]

Telepathy -- CD

Bill Stewart

1997 Blue Note Records

The best jazz CD you've never heard, April 20, 2004
By MT "huckfinn246" (Princeton, NJ) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Telepathy (Audio CD)

Bill Stewart is one of the best drummers around--working with Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, etc. This CD received accolades when it came out and top marks in every Jazz Guide I've ever seen and yet it's out-of-print! Do what you can to put your hands on this one. The quintet is terrific. Stewart receives particularly strong accompaniment from pianist Bill Carrothers on this CD. Bill Stewart has played on several Bill Carrothers projects and they've played to rave reviews in Europe. You can check out the CDs "Ghost Ships," "A Band in All Hope," and "Duets" (available on Amazon--the rest you can search for on the net under Bill Carrothers)

Track Listing
1. These Are They
2. Mynah
3. Happy Chickens
4. Lyra
5. Rhythm-A-Ning
6. Dwell on This
7. Calm
8. Fano
9. Little Melonae

 

[Dennie]

Moondance -- CD

Hubert Laws

2004 Savoy Jazz

The legendary flutist returns to the contemporary jazz fold in an era when the type of sexy cool soul-jazz he recorded on CTI in the '70s (earning three Grammy nominations in the process) is now considered retro and hip. Even with some incredibly fresh new material, magnificently wistful playing, and his grand legacy in tow, he might have trouble getting the flute onto the smooth jazz format. But his new label gives him a great shot at it, helping him along first on the title cut with Chris Botti's subtle trumpet and Fattburger guitarist Evan Marks' best wah-wah clicks. Even with those luminaries and lush backing vocals, Laws' sultry flute gymnastics stand out. "Bloodshot" sounds like the kind of dreamy funk-jazz he did in the '70s, helped along here by the keyboard punch of Jeff Lorber, who also traverses both eras. And speaking of hip, on "Summer '75" Laws picks up the piccolo for a higher-tone melody over the bouncy moods of smooth jazz star Brian Culbertson's Wurlitzer and Rhodes. Another guest sure to help in the marketing of the legend's new era is Herbie Hancock, an old CTI labelmate who charms on acoustic piano on the midtempo "Nighttime Daydream." Ironically, as strong as those tracks are, Laws does just fine with a core trio of David Budway (piano), John Leftwich (bass), and Ralph Penland (drums) throughout the rest of the disc. "Stinky" is all speedy chops, while "Malibu" offers more of Laws' laid-back side. A marvelous night, indeed. ~ Jonathan Widran

Track Listing
1. Moondance
2. Bloodshot
3. Stay With Me
4. Summer '75
5. Stinky
6. Nighttime Daydream
7. Malibu
8. Love You Tonight
9. Clarita
10. Kiss

------
Hubert Laws (flute, alto flute, keyboards, bass synthesizer); Amber Whitlock (vocals); Evan Marks (guitar, strings, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards); David Budway, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Lorber (piano); Brian Culbertson (Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer organ); Guy Eckstine (Clavinet, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards, bass synthesizer, percussion, drum programming); Rob Mullins (keyboards, synthesizer); Ralph Penland, Duncan Moore (drums); Munyungo Jackson (percussion).

 

[Dennie]

Night Passage -- CD

Weather Report

1980 ARC/Columbia Records

As good as music gets, August 25, 2008
By R. Fischer (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Night Passage (Audio CD)

The power and passion of this music is undeniable. Weather Report was always noted for their compositions, and this album contains five of the band's strongest tunes: "Night Passage", "Dream Clock", "Fast City", Jaco Pastorius' beautiful "Three Views of A Secret" and the band's magnum opus, "Madagascar." From a whisper to a roar, this is an intensely dynamic album---be careful not to play it too loud! Some of the synth sounds have dated a bit, but this remains music of incredible sophisication and soulfulness, and the grooves---particularly on "Madagascar"---are out of this world.

1. "Night Passage" Zawinul 6:30
2. "Dream Clock" Zawinul 6:26
3. "Port of Entry" Shorter 5:09
4. "Forlorn" Zawinul 3:55
5. "Rockin' in Rhythm" Ellington, Mills, Carney 3:02
6. "Fast City" Zawinul 6:17
7. "Three Views of a Secret" Bob Mintzer/Pastorius 5:50
8. "Madagascar" Zawinul 10:56

 

[Yesfan70]

Hadn't heard this in a while, so I popped it in. I love this album. Some great music by a great band.


For some reason, I still think of the movie Boogie Nights when I hear "Spill the Wine".

 

[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

 

[topper]

10 Days Out
Blues From The Backroads by Kenny Wayne Shepherd

"back-to-the-roots" road-trip documentary CD/DVD from blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd

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