What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Thursday Night In San Francisco - Live At the Fillmore Auditorium -- CD

Albert King

1968/1990 STAX Records

They All Want To Be Albert!, July 5, 2002
By deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Thursday Night in San Francisco (Audio CD)

It's hard to believe that 34 years has passed since Albert King recorded this CD during a live performance one Thursday night at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco on June 27, 1968. It's even harder to believe that Albert and his Gibson Flying V guitar sound as fresh today as they did back then. There is some fantastic playing on this CD as is evidenced by "Drifting Blues" and "I've Made Nights By Myself". Albert had such incredible guitar playing ability that it was, and remains, a standard by which all blues players seek to attain. While, a lot of new blues guitarists are often compared to the great Stevie Ray Vaughan, those comparisons overlook the individual that SRV idolized and emulated-Albert King. In fact, Albert influenced the playing of many of the greatest players including SRV, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons and even Kenny Wayne Shepherd. On this CD you will experience what a consummate live performer Albert was. Some have described his playing as down right ferocious and sometimes scary. One thing is for sure, Albert is often imitated, but he will never be duplicated. The Wednesday Night makes a great companion to this disc so seek it out as well.
Track listing

1. "San-Ho-Zay" (King/Thompson) – 0:53
2. "You Upset Me Baby" (King/Taub) – 4:53
3. "Stormy Monday" (Walker) – 8:37
4. "Every Day I Have the Blues" (Chatman) – 4:17
5. "Drifting Blues" (Brown/Moore/Williams) – 8:05
6. "I've Made Nights By Myself" (King) – 6:44
7. "Crosscut Saw" (Ford) – 3:46
8. "I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town" (Razaf/Weldon) – 7:41
9. "Ooh-Ee baby" (King) – 7:40

 

[Dennie]

Greatest Hits -- CD

John Anderson

1996 BNA/RCA Records

Amazon.com

In the late 1980s, John Anderson found himself in the awkward position of seeing the country charts dominated by the new traditionalism, and yet he couldn't buy a hit. Anderson refused to give in, however, and he signed with the fifth company of his career, a brand new label called BNA, and threw the dice one more time. His gratifyingly successful years there have been summed up on Greatest Hits. As good as the songs are, what really makes these hits great is the combination of Anderson's rich, pure-country, baritone drawl, and the pumping swamp rhythms he adds to all his uptempo numbers. Only a handful of country stars could round 15 songs from 1992-96 as impressive as these. Unfortunately, BNA includes his remake of "Swingin'," which sounds busy and less focused than the Warner Bros. original. --Geoffrey Himes

"Money in the Bank" (Mark D. Sanders, Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard) – 2:58
"Seminole Wind" (John Anderson) – 3:58
"Straight Tequila Night" (Debbie Hupp, Kent Robbins) – 2:55
"I Wish I Could Have Been There" (J. Anderson, Robbins) – 3:32
"I Fell in the Water" (Jerry Salley, Jeff Stevens) - 2:40
"I've Got It Made" (Max D. Barnes) – 2:52
"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" (Daniel John Baird) - 3:44
"Mississippi Moon" (Tony Joe White, Carson Whitsett) - 4:15
"Swingin'" (J. Anderson, Lionel Delmore) - 2:59
"When It Comes to You" (Mark Knopfler) – 3:52
"Long Hard Lesson Learned" (J. Anderson, Donna Anderson, Michael A. Anderson, Knopfler) – 3:26
"Let Go of the Stone" (Barnes) – 3:20
"Country 'Til I Die" (J. Anderson, Troy Seals, Eddie Setzer) – 3:02
"Who Got Our Love" (J. Anderson, Delmore) – 3:18
"Bend It Until It Breaks" (J. Anderson, Delmore) – 4:05

 

[Dennie]

Black & White Night -- SACD/DVD Combo Set

Roy Orbison

2005 Image Entertainment

A Black & White Night Live is a Roy Orbison music album made posthumously by Virgin Records from the HBO television broadcast, Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night. The album was released in 1989 and included the songs "Blue Bayou" and "Claudette" that because of time constraints had been deleted from the televised broadcast.

On piano is Glen D. Hardin, who had played piano for Buddy Holly as well as for years for Elvis Presley. Lead guitarist, James Burton is also from Presley's group. Male background vocals with some on guitar, are: Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Steven Soles. Singing the female background vocals are k.d. lang, Jennifer Warnes, and Bonnie Raitt.

Track listing

1. "Only the Lonely"
2. "In Dreams"
3. "Dream Baby"
4. "Leah"
5. "Go Go Go (Down the Line)"
6. "Crying"
7. "Mean Woman Blues"
8. "Running Scared"
9. "Blue Bayou"
10. "Candy Man"
11. "Uptown"
12. "Ooby Dooby"
13. "The Comedians"
14. "Dream You"
15. "Claudette"
16. "It's Over"
17. "Oh, Pretty Woman"

 

[Dennie]

Missing...Presumed Having A Good Time -- CD

The Notting Hillbillies

1990 Warner Bros. Records

The Notting Hillbillies was a country music project formed by Mark Knopfler, who was then lead guitarist and singer of the Dire Straits, with Brendan Croker, Steve Phillips, and Knopfler's bandmate Guy Fletcher. They made just one album, Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time that was released in 1990, before returning to concentrate on their main bands. The Notting Hillbillies have been reunited several times for charity gigs. In May 1997 the Hillbillies went on an 11 show tour in UK.

In 1993, two shows were performed, both without Guy Fletcher.

The Town & Country Club in Leeds on July 3 only featured the Knopfler-Croker-Philips trio. The set list included the only known live performances of two Dire Straits songs : "Ticket To Heaven" and "How Long". The Notting Hillbillies had previously performed "When It Comes To You" in 1990, before it was actually recorded and issued by Dire Straits on their final album On Every Street, in 1991.

The City Hall in Newcastle on July 6 featured for the one and only time Alan Clark on keyboard. Ed Bicknell and Marcus Cliffe were also present. This was the last time that Clark played with Knopfler within a full band.

1. "Railroad Worksong" – 5:29 (Traditional)
2. "Bewildered" – 2:37 (Whitcup, Powell)
3. "Your Own Sweet Way" – 4:32 (Mark Knopfler)
4. "Run Me Down" – 2:25 (Traditional)
5. "One Way Gal" – 3:10 (Traditional)
6. "Blues stay Away from Me" – 3:50 (A. Delmore, R. Delmore, W. Raney, H. Glover)
7. "Will You Miss Me" – 3:52 (Steve Phillips)
8. "Please Baby" – 3:50 (Traditional)
9. "Weapon of Prayer" – 3:10 (I. & C. Louvin)
10. "That's Where I Belong" – 2:51 (Brendan Croker)
11. "Feel Like Going Home" – 4:52 (Charlie Rich)

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

The Very Best of -- HDCD

Gerald Albright

2001 Atlantic Records

The very best indeed!, July 18, 2001
By Tawana Hawkins (Akron, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Very Best of Gerald Albright (Audio CD)

I often wonder who actually picks the songs on cd's labeled, "the greatest hits." Not this time. This is the best of the best ever played by Gerald Albright. It starts with his interpretation of Luther Vandross' "So Amazing." It also includes "Georgia On My Mind", "My, My, My", and one of my very favorites, the Whispers, "In The Mood." Other personal favorites not included are, "Sweet Dreams", from the cd "Dream Come True", and "Lonely Winds" from the "Live to Love" cd. And finally, "Sedona" from the "Smooth" cd. This is a MUST HAVE for any true Gerald Albright fan. Excellent!

1. So Amazing
2. Bermuda Nights
3. In the Mood
4. My, My, My
5. Anniversary
6. Georgia On My Mind
7. G & Lee
8. Boss Of Nova
9. Sooki Sooki
10. When Morning Comes 2001
11. New Girl On the Block

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music.....

Raising Sand -- CD

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

2007 Rounder Records

Amazon.com

Perhaps only the fantasy duo of King Kong and Bambi could be a more bizarre pairing than Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Yet on Raising Sand, their haunting and brilliant collaboration, the Led Zeppelin screamer and Nashville's most hypnotic song whisperer seem made for each other. This, however, is not the howling Plant of "Whole Lotta Love," but a far more precise and softer singer than even the one who emerged with Dreamland (2002). No matter that Plant seems so subdued as to be on downers, for that's one of the keys to this most improbable meeting of musical galaxies--almost all of it seems slowed down, out of time, otherworldly, and at times downright David Lynch-ian, the product of an altered consciousness. Yet probably the main reason it all works so well is the choice of producer T Bone Burnette, the third star of the album, who culled mostly lesser-known material from some of the great writers of blues, country, folk, gospel, and R&B, including Tom Waits, Townes Van Zandt, Milt Campbell, the Everly Brothers, Sam Phillips, and A.D. and Rosa Lee Watson. At times, Burnette's spare and deliberate soundscape--incisively crafted by guitarists Marc Ribot and Norman Blake, bassist Dennis Crouch, drummer Jay Bellerose, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Seeger, among others--is nearly as dreamy and subterranean as Daniel Lanois's work with Emmylou Harris (Wrecking Ball). Occasionally, Burnette opts for a fairly straightforward production while still reworking the original song (Plant's own "Please Read the Letter," Mel Tillis's "Stick with Me, Baby"). But much of the new flesh on these old bones is oddly unsettling, if not nightmarish. On the opening track of "Rich Woman," the soft-as-clouds vocals strike an optimistic mood, while the instrumental backing--loose snare, ominous bass line, and insinuating electric guitar lines--create a spooky, sinister undertow. Plant and Krauss trade out the solo and harmony vocals, and while they both venture into new waters here (Krauss as a mainstream blues mama, Plant as a gospel singer and honkytonker), she steals the show in Sam Phillips' new "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us," where a dramatic violin and tremulous banjo strike a foreboding gypsy tone. When Krauss begins this strange, seductive song in a voice so ethereal that angels will take note, you may stop breathing. That, among other reasons, makes Raising Sand an album to die for. --Alanna Nash

1. "Rich Woman" Dorothy LaBostrie, McKinley Millet 4:04
2. "Killing the Blues" Roly Jon Salley 4:16
3. "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us" Sam Phillips 3:26
4. "Polly Come Home" Gene Clark 5:36
5. "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" Don Everly, Phil Everly 3:33
6. "Through the Morning, Through the Night" Gene Clark 4:01
7. "Please Read the Letter" Charlie Jones, Michael Lee, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant 5:53
8. "Trampled Rose" Kathleen Brennan, Tom Waits 5:34
9. "Fortune Teller" Naomi Neville 4:30
10. "Stick With Me Baby" Mel Tillis 2:50
11. "Nothin'" Townes Van Zandt 5:33
12. "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" Milton Campbell 4:02
13. "Your Long Journey" Doc Watson, Rosa Lee Watson 3:55

 

[Dennie]

Funkdamentals - Mind Blowing Funk Hits -- CD

Various Artists

1999 The Right Stuff/Capitol Records

Good Collection of Mainstream Funk, October 6, 2005
By Pablo Parks "Pablo" (Bayonet Point, Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Funkdamentals (Audio CD)

Almost every major name and contributor of funk is represented here with classic tracks spanning the early 70s to the mid 80s. Mainly all commercial funk. Favorites are the timeless "Movin" by Brass Construction", the jazz-funk "Dazz" from Brick, early Kool and the Gang "Hollywood Swinging", and possibly the best Funk song ever "Do It Till your Satisfied" by BT Express. Also many tracks more 70s pop-r&b-disco than funk like Cheryl Lynn, EW&F, The Whispers, and O'Bryan. Some rare stuff as well like Mass Production and Sun and some 80s funk represented as well from Cameo and George Clinton.

1. Atomic Dog - Clinton, George
2. Got to Be Real - Foster, D.
3. Boogie Wonderland - Lind, Jon
4. Give It to Me Baby - James, R.
5. And the Beat Goes On - Shelby, William
6. Fantastic Voyage - Alexander, F.
7. Word Up! - Blackmon, Larry
8. Fire - Bonner, L.
9. I'm Your Boogie Man - Casey, H.
10. Hollywood Swinging - Bell, Robert
11. Lovelite - Burnette, OBryan
12. Dazz - Hargis, R.
13. Sun Is Here - Byrd, B.
14. Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) - Nicholls, B.
15. Do You Wanna Get Funky with Me - Brown, P.
16. Movin' - Arthur
17. Live It Up, Pt. 1 - Isley, Ernie
18. Welcome to Our World (Of Merry Music) - Williams, T.

 

[topper]

thanks for bringing this one to my attention, PaulyT , . , :handgestures-thumbup:

Angel Band by Emmylou Harris
A 1987 release on Warner Bros. Records

1. Where Could I Go But To The Lord
2. Angel Band
3. If I Be Lifted Up
4. Precious Memories
5. Bright Morning Stars
6. When He Calls
7. We Shall Rise
8. Drifting Too Far
9. Who Will Sing For Me
10. Someday My Ship Will Sail
11. The Other Side Of Life
12. When They Ring Those Golden Bells

"Bluegrass gospel doesn't get better than this. While Ms. Harris can sing any type of
music she chooses , she is never better than when she does these simple
country/bluegrass traditional numbers."

 

[Dennie]

Just Because I'm A Woman - Songs of Dolly Parton -- CD

Various Artists

2003 Sugar Hill Records

Amazon.com

It’s Joan Osborne who sums it up best in the promotional material accompanying this tribute album: " Dolly Parton is a gifted artist cleverly disguised as a media superstar and sex bomb." Osborne’s got it right. Beyond and beneath Parton’s well-publicized and oft-caricatured curves and angles, lurks the heart and soul of one of modern country music’s very best songwriters--the best, perhaps, since the great Loretta Lynn. In fitting celebration of the 35th anniversary of the release of Just Because I’m A Woman, Parton’s very first solo album, contemporary leading ladies of country and pop, including Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, Shania Twain, Joan Osborne, Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris, and Sinead O’Connor have offered up worthy new interpretations of some of Parton’s classic compositions. That said, some of the highlights here are from lesser-known singers: Mindy Smith’s haunting rendition of "Jolene," Kasey Chambers’ bitter-sweet take on "Little Sparrow," and Allison Moorer’s tender turn on "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning." --Bob Allen

"9 to 5" - Alison Krauss
"I Will Always Love You" - Melissa Etheridge
"The Grass Is Blue" - Norah Jones
"Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" - Joan Osborne
"The Seeker" - Shelby Lynne
"Jolene" - Mindy Smith
"To Daddy" - Emmylou Harris
"Coat of Many Colors" - Shania Twain and Alison Krauss
"Little Sparrow" - Kasey Chambers
"Dagger Through the Heart" - Sinéad O'Connor
"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" - Allison Moorer
"Two Doors Down" - Me'shell Ndegeocello
"Just Because I'm a Woman" - Dolly Parton

 

[Dennie]

Here Come The Derailers -- CD

The Derailers

2001 Lucky Dog Records

The Derailers made their name the old-fashioned way, by hitting the road hard with their brand of rootsy, rocking C&W. This Austin-based outfit has been championing authentic Americana since the mid-'90s, and their first recording for Sony-backed Lucky Dog Records is the kind of record designed to take a beloved cult favorite to the upper reaches of the country charts. A classic drinking tune like "Bar Exam" may not play sonic dress-up like the efforts of more commercial country hitmakers, but it's got enough classic country songcraft to resonate with anybody raised on George Jones and Merle Haggard.While the Derailers obviously know their Nashville history backwards and forwards, they're no prefab retro act. In a manner not entirely dissimilar to the Mavericks, they mix up the stylistic pot with some classic '60s-style pop ("I See My Baby") and soulful R&B (a heartfelt take on Arthur Alexander's chestnut "If It's Really Got to be That Way"). True to their good-time nature, the Derailers close the album with the rocking, light-hearted "There Goes the Bride." This tongue-in-cheek tale of wedding-day tribulations is a perfect example of the band's knack for subtly twisting country convention in an engaging way.

Track Listing
1. More of Your Love
2. Bar Exam
3. You Know What She's Like
4. Your Guess Is Good as Mine
5. I See My Baby
6. Country a Go-Go
7. I'd Follow You Anywhere
8. All the Rage in Paris
9. My Angel's Gettin' Tired
10. Mohair Sam
11. If It's Really Got to Be This Way
12. There Goes the Bride

 

[Dennie]

Down The Old Plank Road - The Nashville Sessions -- CD

The Chieftains

2002 RCA Victor

Amazon.com

Now that bluegrass is (again) momentarily cool, leave it to the Chieftains to (again) plunge an all-star country cast into the Celtic wellsprings of old-time music, just as they did 10 years ago with 1992's Another Country. It's no surprise that the Chieftains can handle the rapacious rhythms of a hot fiddle tune; whether they can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Tim O'Brien, Béla Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, and Del McCoury is another matter. Rest assured they can, and they even coax some inspired jamming from Earl Scruggs--who sounds like he has something to prove on "Sally Goodin"--and a chilling vocal from Alison Krauss on "Molly Ban," the Celtic equivalent of "Fair and Tender Maidens." The Chieftains' only miscue comes in wasting Vince Gill's talents on a busily arranged "Dark as a Dungeon." While this set will likely appeal more to fans of contemporary Irish music than to hard-core twang fans, anyone who loves acoustic roots music will find these collaborations refreshing, if not down-right bracing. --Roy Kasten

1. Down the Old Plank Road (w/ John Hiatt, Bela Fleck, Jeff White and Tim O'Brien)
2. Country Blues (w/ Buddy & Julie Miller)
3. Sally Goodin (w/ Earl Scruggs)
4. Dark as a Dungeon (w/ Vince Gill)
5. Cindy (w/ Kentucky Thunder & Ricky Skaggs)
6. Molly Ban (Bawn) (w/ Alison Krauss)
7. Don't Let Your Deal Go Down (w/ Lyle Lovett)
8. Medley: Ladies Pantalettes; Belles of Blackville; First House in Connaught (w/ Bela Fleck)
9. Whole Heap of Little Horses (w/ Patty Griffin)
10. Rain and Snow (w/ The Del McCoury Band)
11. I'll Be All Smiles Tonight (w/ Martina McBride)
12. Tennessee Stud (w/ Jeff White)
13. Katie Dear (w/ Gillian Welch & David Rawlings)
14. Give the Fiddler a Dram (Finale)

 

[Dennie]

Sapphire Blue -- CD

Larry Carlton

2003 Bluebird Records
*****AWESOME*****, October 29, 2003
By M. P. Wright (HOUSTON, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)


Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Saphire Blue (Audio CD)

This is one of the best guitar CDs I have ever heard. Larry is one of the top jazz guitarists in the world and anyone familiar with his work will be blown away by these instrumental gems. Larry's liner notes state "I have wanted for many years to do a 'blues oriented' CD. For 'Saphire Blue' I had complete creative freedom." I assume his desire for creative freedom has something to do with the fact that this cd is only available as an import. Don't let the price scare you - it's worth every penny.

Larry maintains an upbeat jazz/blues focus while showcasing his brilliant dexterity and encyclopedic knowledge of various styles. My personal favorites are "Night Sweats" and "Take Me Down". The former begins with ominous keyboard changes that bring to mind "Come Together" by the Beatles and progesses into slow, simmering jazz groove that could have been lifted from a Steely Dan CD. The later is an acoustic guitar/harmonica exchange between Larry and his old buddy Terry McMillan. I immediately thought of "Black Water" by the Doobie Bros. Other highlights include the title track which has a B.B. King feel to it and the bouncy bonus track "Room 335". The stellar backup musicians include Reese Wynan (formerly with Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble) on B-3 organ, Mark Douthit on tenor sax and excellent horn arrangements by Jim Horn. I would give this CD 10 stars if I could - it's really that good! Can't wait to see him in concert 11/15.

Track Listing
1. Friday Night Shuffle
2. Pair of Kings, A
3. Night Sweats
4. Sapphire Blue
5. 7 for You
6. Slightly Dirty
7. Just an Excuse
8. Take Me Down

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music.....

Clapton -- CD

Eric Clapton

2010 Reprise Records

Product Description
Co-produced by guitarist and long-time collaborator Doyle Bramhall II, ‘Clapton’ features an all star cast of musical collaborations started with the legendary JJ Cale, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Willie Weeks, and keyboardist Walt Richmond - and the sessions later added guests including Steve Winwood, Wynton Marsalis, Sheryl Crow, Allen Toussaint, and Derek Trucks. Clapton created a collection that touches on everything from century-old traditional brass bands to little-known country blues to brand-new originals. The result is both relaxed and revelatory, and unlike anything the guitarist has done in his legendary career.

‘This album wasn't what it was intended to be at all,’ says Eric Clapton. ‘It's actually better than it was meant to be because, in a way, I just let it happen. It's an eclectic collection of songs that weren't really on the map - and I like it so much because if it's a surprise to the fans, that's only because it's a surprise to me, as well.

Track list:
01. Traveling Alone
02. Rocking Chair
03. River Runs Deep
04. Judgment Day
05. How Deep Is The Ocean
06. Milkman
07. Crazy About You Baby
08. That’s No Way To Get Along
09. Everything Will Be Alright
10. Diamonds Made From Rains starts at 1:40
11. When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful
12. Hard Times
13. Rolling And Tumbling
14. Autumn Leaves

 

[heeman]

Sapphire Blue -- CD

Larry Carlton

2003 Bluebird Records
*****AWESOME*****, October 29, 2003
By M. P. Wright (HOUSTON, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)


Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Saphire Blue (Audio CD)

This is one of the best guitar CDs I have ever heard. Larry is one of the top jazz guitarists in the world and anyone familiar with his work will be blown away by these instrumental gems. Larry's liner notes state "I have wanted for many years to do a 'blues oriented' CD. For 'Saphire Blue' I had complete creative freedom." I assume his desire for creative freedom has something to do with the fact that this cd is only available as an import. Don't let the price scare you - it's worth every penny.

Larry maintains an upbeat jazz/blues focus while showcasing his brilliant dexterity and encyclopedic knowledge of various styles. My personal favorites are "Night Sweats" and "Take Me Down". The former begins with ominous keyboard changes that bring to mind "Come Together" by the Beatles and progesses into slow, simmering jazz groove that could have been lifted from a Steely Dan CD. The later is an acoustic guitar/harmonica exchange between Larry and his old buddy Terry McMillan. I immediately thought of "Black Water" by the Doobie Bros. Other highlights include the title track which has a B.B. King feel to it and the bouncy bonus track "Room 335". The stellar backup musicians include Reese Wynan (formerly with Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble) on B-3 organ, Mark Douthit on tenor sax and excellent horn arrangements by Jim Horn. I would give this CD 10 stars if I could - it's really that good! Can't wait to see him in concert 11/15.

Track Listing
1. Friday Night Shuffle
2. Pair of Kings, A
3. Night Sweats
4. Sapphire Blue
5. 7 for You
6. Slightly Dirty
7. Just an Excuse
8. Take Me Down

Dennie, What Larry Carlton CD/Album do you recommend? I would like to pick up 1 or 2?

KH

 

[Dennie]

Dizzy's Business -- CD

Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band

2006 Manchester Craftman's Guild

The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band's Dizzy's Business continues where 2002's Things to Come (credited to the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars) left off. Gone is the fabulous trumpeter Jon Faddis, who also led that aggregation, but many of the other key players return, among them tenor saxman Jimmy Heath, baritone saxman Gary Smulyan, alto saxmen/flutists Antonio Hart and Frank Wess, trombonists Jay Ashby and Douglas Purviance, trumpeters Greg Gisbert and Claudio Roditi, guitarist Marty Ashby, drummer Dennis Mackrel, and bassist John Lee (who co-produced with the Ashbys). This time around, the all-star cast boasts even greater star power, however, with the additions of James Moody on tenor sax, flute and vocals, Randy Brecker on trumpet, and Mulgrew Miller playing piano. Trombonist Slide Hampton, who also performed on Things to Come, returns here as bandleader, trumpet hotshot Roy Hargrove appears as a guest soloist, and Italian vocalist Roberta Gambarini adds her deliciously sweet tones, scatting dizzily with Hargrove on Gillespie's steaming "Blue 'N Boogie" and turning in a sensitive, moody lead on the classic "Stardust." Not surprisingly, there's a lot of world-class blowing going on here, both in an ensemble format and in the solos. Miller does Thelonious Monk proud on the album-closing "Off Minor" and "I Mean You" (which Monk co-penned with Coleman Hawkins). Brecker shines on Gillespie's "Tour de Force" and the opening title track, and Hargrove proves himself up to the task of playing in the Gillespie vets' company with his solo turn on the classic "Hot House." The updated arrangements fashioned by Mackrel and Hampton remain faithful to Gillespie's vision without becoming trapped in retro-ville. Recorded live in Pittsburgh in 2005, Dizzy's Business accomplishes what it sets out to do: pay tribute to the master and nudge him into the future. ~ Jeff Tamarkin

Track Listing
1. Dizzy's Business
2. Con Alma
3. Blue 'N Boogie
4. I Mean You
5. Without You - No Me (To Dizzy)
6. Hot House
7. Stardust
8. Tour de Force
9. Moody's Groove
10. Morning of the Carnival
11. Off Minor

The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band: James Moody (vocals, flute, tenor saxophone); Roberta Gambarini (vocals); Marty Ashby (guitar); Frank Wess, Antonio Hart (flute, alto saxophone); Jimmy Heath (tenor saxophone); Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone); Claudio Roditi (trumpet, percussion); Greg Gisbert, Randy Brecker, Frank Greene (trumpet); Jay Ashby (trombone, percussion); Steve Davis , Jason Jackson (trombone); Douglas Purviance (bass trombone); Mulgrew Miller (piano); John Lee (bass guitar); Dennis Mackrel (drum).

 

[Dennie]

Sapphire Blue -- CD

Larry Carlton

2003 Bluebird Records
*****AWESOME*****, October 29, 2003
By M. P. Wright (HOUSTON, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)


Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Saphire Blue (Audio CD)

This is one of the best guitar CDs I have ever heard. Larry is one of the top jazz guitarists in the world and anyone familiar with his work will be blown away by these instrumental gems. Larry's liner notes state "I have wanted for many years to do a 'blues oriented' CD. For 'Saphire Blue' I had complete creative freedom." I assume his desire for creative freedom has something to do with the fact that this cd is only available as an import. Don't let the price scare you - it's worth every penny.

Larry maintains an upbeat jazz/blues focus while showcasing his brilliant dexterity and encyclopedic knowledge of various styles. My personal favorites are "Night Sweats" and "Take Me Down". The former begins with ominous keyboard changes that bring to mind "Come Together" by the Beatles and progesses into slow, simmering jazz groove that could have been lifted from a Steely Dan CD. The later is an acoustic guitar/harmonica exchange between Larry and his old buddy Terry McMillan. I immediately thought of "Black Water" by the Doobie Bros. Other highlights include the title track which has a B.B. King feel to it and the bouncy bonus track "Room 335". The stellar backup musicians include Reese Wynan (formerly with Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble) on B-3 organ, Mark Douthit on tenor sax and excellent horn arrangements by Jim Horn. I would give this CD 10 stars if I could - it's really that good! Can't wait to see him in concert 11/15.

Track Listing
1. Friday Night Shuffle
2. Pair of Kings, A
3. Night Sweats
4. Sapphire Blue
5. 7 for You
6. Slightly Dirty
7. Just an Excuse
8. Take Me Down

Dennie, What Larry Carlton CD/Album do you recommend? I would like to pick up 1 or 2?

KH

Hey Keith, knowing your love for Rock and Blues, I would recommend that one. But the reissue, cause it is much cheaper.

It now looks like this.....

Or Fire Wire.......

Or even better, a sampling of his works......

Larry is a fantastic Guitarist and you know some of his work with "Steely Dan".

This is from Wiki:

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Carlton was a session musician in Los Angeles, making up to five hundred recordings a year, including albums by Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, The Four Tops, Christopher Cross, Barbra Streisand, the Partridge Family, and Charly García's Clics Modernos.

His guitar work on Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne" from their 1976 LP The Royal Scam has been listed as the third best guitar solo on record by Rolling Stone Magazine.


In 1988, while working on his electric guitar LP On Solid Ground, which was released in 1989, Carlton was the victim of a random act of violence, shot in the throat outside Room 335, his private studio in Southern California. The bullet shattered his vocal cord and caused significant nerve trauma. Carlton managed to recover quickly and completed On Solid Ground by the end of the year. He continued his work with the electric guitar in 1991 when he started to record a blues album, but decided to delay the project to meet demand for a more commercially-oriented jazz offering, which resulted in Kid Gloves. Renegade Gentleman was finally released in 1993, featuring Nashville, Tennessee harmonica player Terry McMillan on several tracks.


Keep us posted,


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Sapphire Blue -- CD

Larry Carlton

2003 Bluebird Records

A real treat for those seeking a "less smooth" Carlton, January 14, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Sapphire Blue (Audio CD)

People who have listented to Carlton across the decades know that he's not a musician of limited range. I personally enjoy the Fourplay stuff as part of that range but my first question when I learned of his intention to release a blues album was "I wonder if he'll loosen up and let 'er rip" The answer: Yeah. Understand that this is not "Larry Carlton & Double Trouble," nor is it similar to his collaboration "No Substitutions" with Steve Lukather. It's not a Humble Pie CD. The album has a big band / swing blues feel on many tracks but the seriously nasty track...the one where he both plays AND sprays the notes...is the title track. It's eight minutes long and fulfills any "Carlton Plays The Blues" fantasies his fans might have. There are little touches of the "attitude" playing that graced so many of the classic Steely Dan tracks (and help build his legend). "Just An Excuse" is similar in spirit to many of Eric Clapton's slow and aggressive blues tracks, but he is NOT ripping EC off by any means. "Take Me Down," the album closer, prominently features Terry McMillan on harmonica and is the only track that never really catches fire...somewhat "Delta blues" but it never gets out of first gear. The CD is 48 minutes long, living up to the show business creed of "always leave 'em wanting more"...but 48 solid minutes from a master of the instrument like Carlton is absolutely worth the sticker price.

Track Listing
1. Friday Night Shuffle
2. Pair of Kings, A
3. Night Sweats
4. Sapphire Blue
5. 7 for You
6. Slightly Dirty
7. Just an Excuse
8. Take Me Down

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

Days Like This -- CD

Van Morrison

1995 Polydor Records


Amazon.com

In an era when most old rock stars are left to recycle their greatest hits for megatours and MTV Unplugged, it's refreshing to know that Van Morrison still pours on all the originality and wit he had when he made Moondance. On Days Like This, Morrison continues his lifelong exploration of the human psyche, offering up highly entertaining and danceable (yes, danceable!) tunes about everything from love to manic depression. As always, Morrison's vocals rumble along through intelligent lyrics, plowing up a range of emotions almost too numerous to catalog. Needless to say, the sweet, soulful harmonies of Morrison's adroit backup singers and Pee Wee Ellis's fabulous horn arrangements serve as fabulous counterpoints to Van the Man's energetic and pointed performances. When all is said and done Morrison sums it up best in "Songwriter," a self-effacing ditty about the job he has done, and still does, so very well. --L.A. Smith

All songs by Morrison unless noted otherwise;

1. "Perfect Fit" – 4:33
2. "Russian Roulette" – 3:56
3. "Raincheck" – 5:53
4. "You Don't Know Me" - (Arnold, Walker) – 4:32
5. "No Religion" – 5:14
6. "Underlying Depression" – 4:35
7. "Songwriter" – 2:50
8. "Days Like This" – 3:13
9. "I'll Never Be Free" - (Benjamin, Weiss) – 3:37
10. "Melancholia" – 3:56
11. "Ancient Highway" – 8:53
12. "In the Afternoon" – 6:21


27555

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music.....

Sheer Heart Attack -- CD

Queen

1991 Hollywood Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Sheer Heart Attack is a Queen album that has something for nearly everyone. There's glam, progrock, guitar pyrotechnics to spare (check out Brian May's shape-shifting performances on "Brighton Rock" and "Flick of the Wrist"), proto-speed-metal ("Stone Cold Crazy"), and Queen's unique brand of campy humor ("America's new bride to be / Don't worry, baby, I'm safe and sound," Freddie Mercury declares on "Now I'm Here," a Queen concert staple). The group takes a rocked-up turn at ragtime on "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" and downshifts memorably on the spare piano-and-voice interludes "Lily of the Valley" and "Dear Friends." Best of all is the wicked rock-and-harmony showcase "Killer Queen," the group's first international smash. If you need a reminder of everything that was right about rock's old guard before punks stormed the gates, look no further. --Daniel Durchholz

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Brighton Rock" Brian May 5:08
2. "Killer Queen" Freddie Mercury 3:01
3. "Tenement Funster" Roger Taylor 2:48
4. "Flick of the Wrist" Mercury 3:19
5. "Lily of the Valley" Mercury 1:43
6. "Now I'm Here" May 4:10
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "In the Lap of the Gods" Mercury 3:20
2. "Stone Cold Crazy" Mercury, May, Taylor, John Deacon 2:12
3. "Dear Friends" May 1:07
4. "Misfire" Deacon 1:50
5. "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" Mercury 2:13
6. "She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes)" May 4:08
7. "In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited" Mercury 3:42
Bonus track (1991 Hollywood Records CD reissue)
No. Title Length
14. "Stone Cold Crazy (1991 remix by Michael Wagener)" 2:15

 

[topper]

Wow! . page 200
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