What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

"Hollywood Town Hall" -- CD

The Jayhawks

1992 Def American Records

Amazon.com essential recording

The Jayhawks' breakthrough album is a roots rock classic. "Like folk music, but really loud," is how guitarist Gary Louris liked to describe the Jayhawks, but the reality is more complex--try the country-rock sound of the Flying Burrito Brothers, Neil Young, or the Band married to white-boy soul, bar band rawness, and a slight alternative edge. Hollywood Town Hall is a masterpiece of American songwriting, blending irresistible melodies, ringing guitars, and Louris and Olson's gorgeous harmonies with moody, imagery-rich lyrics. Best cuts: "Waiting for the Sun," "Take Me with You (When You Go)."

"Waiting for the Sun" – 4:19
"Crowded in the Wings" – 4:55
"Clouds" – 4:51
"Two Angels" – 4:04
"Take Me with You (When You Go)" – 4:50
"Sister Cry" – 4:08
"Settled Down Like Rain" – 3:00
"Wichita" – 5:26
"Nevada, California" – 4:05
"Martin's Song" – 2:58

 

[Dennie]

Rock 'n' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul -- CD

Jeff Beck

2011 ATCO Records

Rock And Roll Party To Honor Les Paul, Jeff Beck's Concert Tribute To The Iconic Guitarist Recorded This Summer At The Iridium Jazz Club In New York City.

Jeff Beck paid fitting tribute to Les Paul last summer, celebrating what would have been the pioneering guitarist's 95th birthday by playing his friend and mentor's music, along with classic tunes from the era, in the same Times Square nightclub that Les Paul played every Monday for 14 years, before his death in August 2009.

Sponsored by Gibson Guitar and billed as 'A Celebration of Les Paul,' Jeff Beck was joined by The Imelda May Band at the Iridium Jazz Club on June 9th, 2010. The two-time Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee mesmerized the star-studded audience with a tour de force performance of classics that Paul recorded with Mary Ford, 'How High The Moon,' 'Vaya Con Dios' and 'Mockin' Bird Hill,' along with such rock and roll standards as 'Twenty Flight Rock' and 'Walking In The Sand.'

Following this release, Beck will take the 'Rock And Roll Party' on the road for a short U.S. tour. Beck will once again be backed by The Imelda May Band and its enchanting singer, Imelda May, who joined Beck on stage at the 2010 Grammy® Awards for a spot-on rendition of Paul's 'How High The Moon.'

PBS will give fans a first look at a unique edition of this performance with the premiere of 'Jeff Beck Honors Les Paul,' a concert special that captures the first night of 'The Celebration to Honor Les Paul,' which was recorded on June 9, 2010, what would have been Les Paul's 95th birthday. Special guest performers included Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews, Gary U.S. Bonds and Brian Setzer, who traded riffs with Beck on Eddie Cochran's rockabilly classic 'Twenty Flight Rock.'

1. Double Talking Baby
2. Crusin'
3. Train It Kept a Rollin', The
4. Cry Me a River
5. How High the Moon
6. Sitting On Top of the World
7. Bye Bye Blues
8. World is Waiting For the Sunrise, The
9. Vaya Con Dios
10. Mocking Bird Hill
11. I'm a Fool To Care
12. Tiger Rag
13. Peter Gunn
14. Rockin' is Our Business
15. Apache
16. Sleep Walk
17. New Orleans
18. Walking In the Sand
19. Please Mr Jailor
20. Twenty Flight Rock

 

[Zing]

That guy on the left looks more like Bobby Sherman than Jeff Beck. Then again, it could be the Southern Tier. bscene-drinkingdrunk:

 

[Dennie]

Winter Into Spring -- 20th Anniversary Edition -- CD

George Winston - Solo Piano

1982/2002 RCA Victor Records

Amazon.com essential recording

More like poems for piano than traditional, structured songs, the music of George Winston plays like a lyrical soundtrack to the natural world's rhythms, and nowhere is this more brilliantly enacted than on his third album, Winter into Spring. There are wondrous, beautiful melodies here, but what's amazing is Winston's intense inspiration that spills from his spirit and flows straight to the keys. He uses simple techniques that would hardly impress the most intellectual of music critics but can bring any listener with an artist's heart to tears. Tense and full of motion, his Steinway urgently rolls through songs like aspen leaves fluttering in the wind. From the first sparse, tinkling notes of "January Stars," Winston pulls you into his solitary dreamscape and doesn't let you go until the CD's end. During "January Stars" it's hard not to imagine standing in crunchy snow while staring up at stars glittering in a black, expansive sky. Another standout, the 10-minute "Rain," may be the most archetypal of Winston pieces. Beginning with serene, deliberate melodies, the piece jumps into a chiming complexity that grows until the listener is drenched in streams of urgent, rushing-watery notes. It's fitting Winston named this album after a transition because the music couldn't take you to lovelier places. A masterpiece. --Karen Karleski

Track Listing
1. January Stars
2. February Sea
3. Ocean Waves (O Mar)
4. Reflection
5. Rain
6. Blossom / Meadow
7. Part One-Introduction
8. Part Two
9. Pine Hills, (Love Echoes in the) - (bonus track)

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music....

Flying Cowboys -- CD

Rickie Lee Jones

1987 Geffen Records

After the release of The Magazine in 1984, Jones retreated from the limelight. She married a French musician, Pascal Nabet-Meyer, and gave birth to a daughter, Charlotte, in 1988 while working on her fourth full-length studio album.

Jones had been writing and working on new material for several years before the recording work commenced in1988, with Becker as producer. Jones had expressed admiration for the work of Steely Dan, particularly their album The Royal Scam (1976).

All tracks composed by Rickie Lee Jones; except where indicated

"The Horses" (Walter Becker, Jones) – 4:47
"Just My Baby" (Jones, Pascal Nabet-Meyer) – 4:44
"Ghetto of My Mind" (Jones, Nabet-Meyer) – 6:12
"Rodeo Girl" – 4:50
"Satellites" – 4:54
"Ghost Train" – 4:16
"Flying Cowboys" (Sal Bernardi, Jones, Nabet-Meyer) – 5:02
"Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" (Les Chadwick, Leo Maguire, Gerry Marsden, Freddie Marsden) – 4:13
"Love Is Gonna Bring Us Back Alive" (Jones, Nabet-Meyer) – 4:51
"Away from the Sky" – 5:30
"Atlas' Marker" – 5:58

 

[PaulyT]

Enjoying this one a lot. Great piano. And man, the bass line on the first track is killer! :music-listening:

Edit: the SQ on this album is terrific, I could see this becoming demo material.

 

[Zing]

Edit: the SQ on this album is terrific, I could see this becoming demo material.

Agreed!

I own about 4 or 5 of his albums but only 2 standout as stellar audio quality: Grand Piano Canyon and Ivory Coast.

 

[Botch]

Enjoying this one a lot. Great piano. And man, the bass line on the first track is killer! :music-listening:

Edit: the SQ on this album is terrific, I could see this becoming demo material.

Added to the "Cart"! :handgestures-thumbup:

 

[heeman]

Enjoying this one a lot. Great piano. And man, the bass line on the first track is killer! :music-listening:

Edit: the SQ on this album is terrific, I could see this becoming demo material.

Added to the "Cart"! :handgestures-thumbup:

On my list!

 

[Dennie]

Enjoying this one a lot. Great piano. And man, the bass line on the first track is killer! :music-listening:

Edit: the SQ on this album is terrific, I could see this becoming demo material.

Added to the "Cart"! :handgestures-thumbup:

On my list!

In my Rack! That is one of my Favorite Bob albums. I also like his "Trio" work. Good stuff!


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

*Funk Beyond The Call of Duty* -- CD

Johnny Guitar Watson

1977/1994 Collectables Records

Funking above and beyond the call of duty, October 5, 2000
By aL (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Funk Beyond the Call of Duty (Audio CD)

Hot on the heels of the success of his previous two albums (they both went gold), Johnny 'Guitar' Watson dropped another 70's funk classic. I'd heard this wasn't as good as the previous two but I'd say its my favourite Johnny 'Guitar' Watson cd so far, there are more grooves on this one and less ballads. Watson wrote , preformed, and produced, this and played all the instruments except for drums and horns. For fans of 70's funk music that want an introduction to one of the genre's lesser known master's, 'Funk Beyond the Call of Duty' is the perfect introduction. After all, this is: FUNK BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY.

Track Listing
1. Funk Beyond the Call of Duty
2. It's About the Dollar Bill
3. Give Me My Love
4. It's a *** Shame
5. I'm Gonna Get You Baby
6. Barn Door
7. Love That Will Not Die

 

[Dennie]

A Real Mother For Ya -- CD

Johnny "Guitar" Watson

19771994 Collectables Records

A True "Funkmaster", December 19, 2008
By zenovice (Ferndale, AR USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Real Mother for Ya (Audio CD)

I first heard Johnny while stationed in Australia, of all places. Luckily, we had a D.J. who was really up on his music - especially Funk and Soul. As soon as I heard Mr. Watson coming from the speakers, I just HAD to know who was making that driving, funky sound. I had to wait for the next supply ship to make it to our "out-in-the-bush-on-the-edge-of-the-world" Naval base (about two months) before I got my own copy of this album, but it was worth the wait. Between Rick James, Parliament, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson, it is a toss-up as to who is the funkiest. But, while the music is great, it is only half of the goods. Johnny's lyrics are the other half, and they are witty, funny, sometimes a social commentary (even then they are still funny and witty). The rest of his band is also excellent, espcially the drummer, whose beat is so perfectly right-on that he could have been born with a metronome up his...well, you get the picture. His bassist is always pretty much in the background, but now and then you get to hear his expertise. Regarding Johnny's playing - his middle name isn't "Guitar" for nothing. He is quite accomplished, and can play smooth and sweet, or he can do some truly heavy-handed plunking. One thing that has amazed me since that night I first heard this album/CD is the wide range and variety of people with quite different musical tastes who have embraced this music immediately upon hearing it for the first time. This stuff is infectious! You can't help snapping your fingers or tapping your toes...and it is always upbeat. And, while the Isley Brothers, and Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire are considered about the best crooners to inspire, ummm, uhhh, errr whoopie-making sessions, when Mr. Watson sets his mind to singing a love song with feeling, he really does it, and does so with passion, verve, and a raised voice. This is not your Barry White, softly crooned, sweetly gentle, love song. Anyway, give it a shot. If you like the funk of the 70's and 80's, there's better than a 9 out of 10 chance that you will be glad you tried this artist.

Track Listing
1. Real Mother for Ya, A
2. Nothing Left to Be Desired
3. Your Love Is My Love
4. Real Deal, The
5. Tarzan
6. I Wanna Thank You
7. Lover Jones

 

[Dennie]

The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield -- CD

Curtis Mayfield

1997 Rhino Records

Timeless and perfect., June 29, 2002
By Gracejoy "gracejoy7" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Very Best of (Curtis Mayfield) (Audio CD)

Curtis Mayfield was a musical genius and this CD is a testament to his amazing ability to create powerful, engaging, funky, soulful, moving music. Mayfield is clearly the master of funk and his falsetto vocals are the baddest of bad. I have too many favorite tracks to pick just one, but I will say that "Freddie's Dead" and "Kung Fu" are alone worth the price of this CD. Most of the songs address some kind of moral or social issue and the lyrics are genuinely thought-provoking, not cliched. Some of the songs beg you to get up and dance, while others are meant for closing your eyes and just soaking it in. All of it is GREAT.

This is one of my favorite CDs of all time. If you are even remotely curious about Curtis Mayfield or funk music in general, you have to have this CD. It doesn't get any better than this.

“(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go”
“The Makings of You”
“Move on Up”
“Get Down”
“We Got to Have Peace”
“Freddie's Dead (Theme From Superfly)”
“Superfly”
“Pusherman”
“Future Shock”
“Can't Say Nothin'”
“Kung Fu”
“So In Love”
“Only You Babe”
“Do Do Wap is Strong in Here”
“Between You Baby and Me”
“Do Be Down”

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

The City -- CD

Paul Brown

2005 GRP Records

The City opens up in with the funky and sensuous "Cosmic Monkey" featuring Jeffrey Osbourne's slinky overdubbed harmonies. "Hello Again" is Wes Montgomery-breezy soul samba. Next up is "Side Steppin'"s high-spirited blast of '80s-era disco jazz. "The City"'s dreamy blend of Boney James' soulful tenor saxophone, shivery keyboards, boogaloo congas, bluesy guitar and cognac-smooth jazz vocal follows.

"Las Vegas" is an exuberant congress of dancing guitar licks, Michael Paulo's throaty sax and a bouncing hip-hop swing beat. "Old Friends" is a quiet fire ballad caressed by Brown and James' tender interplay. "Winelight"'s blend of Brown's Grover Washington, Jr.-channeling solos and tasty club beats is complemented by the silky-smooth party starter "Jumpin' Uptown." "Food For the Moon"'s cool 'n funky hip-hop jazz groove flows into a faithful/playful voice box-juiced version of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Reel Mutha For Ya." Fittingly, the album closes with the sublime Brown/James chillout duet "The City (Instrumental)."

The City proves beyond a doubt that Paul Brown is one of the most exciting and important guitarists in contemporary jazz.

Track Listing

1. Cosmic Monkey
2. Hello Again
3. Side Steppin'
4. City, The
5. Vegas, Las
6. Old Friends
7. Winelight
8. Jumpin' Uptown
9. Food for the Moon
10. Real Mutha for Ya
11. City, The - (instrumental)

 

[PaulyT]

Returning to Gillian Welch:

I admit, the first couple of times I listened to this one, I was a bit ... bored, I guess, to be blunt. I think I was expecting something a bit more like Alison Krauss or Sarah Jarosz. This album is not a fast-paced, toe-tapping, country/bluegrass romp - true. But now that I'm listening to it again, and trying to appreciate it for what it is instead of what I was expecting, I'm liking it a whole lot more. There's some great musicianship here, though it's more low-key and subtle. Good vocals and some great guitar work by Rawlings in particular.

I'm glad I came back to this. :music-listening:

 

[topper]

1. Street Fighting Man
2. Like A Rolling Stone
3. Not Fade Away
4. Shine A Light
5. The Spider And The Fly
6. I'm Free
7. Wild Horses
8. Let It Bleed
9. Dead Flowers
10. Slipping Away
11. Angie
12. Love In Vain
13. Sweet Virginia
14. Little Baby

 

[Rope]

Rope

 

[Dennie]

My America -- SACD

Monty Alexander

2002 Telarc Jazz

Now available in discrete multi-channel surround SACD as well as the CD recording!

When Jamaican born Monty Alexander was a young boy, he idolized the American heroes of the silver screen. Among his favorites were the singing cowboys like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers—pop culture icons of the post-WWII era who embodied the most universal and appealing aspects of the American Dream: freedom, individualism, strength of character, and a frontier spirit.

"They sang melodic songs that evoked a feeling of freedom and liberty,” Alexander recalls. “You’d watch these movies and you just wanted to be riding along with the good guys...As the years went by, I was capturing all these songs and playing them on the piano.”

Years later, Alexander embraced the dream first-hand when he came to America with his family in the early 1960s at age 17. By then, the aspiring young pianist had adopted a new set of American icons as his heroes—an eclectic cross section of musical giants that included Count Basie, Nat Cole (“a staple in our house”), Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and many others.

In tribute to the cowboys, crooners and other legends who have inspired him since his childhood, Alexander has recorded My America. The album is a twelve-track homage to the musical and cultural ideals that have drawn hundreds of millions of immigrants to the United States since the 1800s. While the songs are American in origin, Alexander brings a distinctly Jamaican groove to most of the tracks.

Many of the titles are familiar touchstones of 20th century popular music: Al Green’s “Love and Happiness,” the Louis Armstrong/Bobby Darin classic “Mack the Knife,” and instrumental versions of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” and James Brown’s “Sex Machine.”

“It became like a party,” says Alexander, recalling the extended “Sex Machine (Soul/Yard Meeting)” jam session. “We just started recording, and the next thing you know, it was eight or nine minutes long. We just kept the tape rolling.”

Joining Alexander throughout My America are a few Telarc labelmates. Freddy Cole lends a hand in a syncopated rendition of Nat Cole’s “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” while John Pizzarelli steps in for an easygoing duet on the nostalgic “Summer Wind.” Jazz vocalist Kevin Mahogany helps conjure up the spiritual element with a churning version of “Hallelujah, I Love Her So.”

It all comes together in a rich melting pot that celebrates a nation’s finest musical traditions. Experience Monty Alexander’s America through the eyes and ears of an artist whose craft is a direct reflection of the dream. “It’s a privilege for me to do this recording and play music by some of my favorite people,” he says. “Because it’s the music that brings people like me here.”

1. Don't Fence Me In
2. Straighten up and Fly Right
3. Love and Happiness
4. Rockin' in Riddim
5. Mack the Knife
6. Summer Wind
7. Honky Tonk
8. Hallelujah I Love Her So
9. Sex Machine (Soul/Yard Meeting)
10. Sexual Healing
11. River Rolls On
12. Battle Hymn of the Republic (Glory Hallelujah)

 

[Dennie]

Q's Jook Joint -- CD

Various Artists

1995 Qwest Records

Reserve a table at the "Jook Joint" Tonight!!!, July 11, 2001
By Kenny King (Kaiserslautern, Germany) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Q's Jook Joint (Audio CD)

What a stunning set of songs by incredible artists!! I am a sucker for a good compilation cd! Quincy knew what he was doing with the release of "Q's Jook Joint". It was sad though, because I was almost a year late in getting this cd. I just happened to be over my cousin's house hanging out, heard Brandy's trademark voice on the Michael Jackson remake, "Rock With You", made her play the whole cd, then just up and left to buy it! If you like jazz, get this cd. If you like R&B get this cd. If you like rap, get this cd. If you don't like any of those genres of music, you still have to get this cd. It definitely satisfies! If for nothing else buy it for the wonderful collaboration, "Moody's Mood For Love", a wonderful duet between Brian McKnight and Rachelle Ferrell with Take 6 doing background vocals (pure heaven!!!). The whole cd hits the nail right on the head. I love the way it feels like you are really in an old skool meets new skool night club. Not just a cd, but an experience like no other! You better reserve your seat at the "Jook Joint" today! You don't want to get turned away at the door!

Just a few other artists featured on the cd include Gloria Estefan, Chaka Chan, Phil Collins, Tamia, Babyface, Ronald Isley (Mr. Bigg), R. Kelly, Naomi Campbell and Queen Latifah.

1 "Jook Joint" (Intro) Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, LL Cool J, James Moody, Coko, Stevie Wonder, Lester Young, Brandy, Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Marlon Brando, Charlie Wilson, Barry White, Chaka Khan, Töne Löc, Queen Latifah, Ray Charles, Greg Phillinganes, Siedah Garrett, Patti Austin, Will Wheaton, Mervyn Warren, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, Gloria Estefan, Lelee, Charlie Parker, Shaquille O'Neal, Bono 1:32
2 "Let the Good Times Roll" Stevie Wonder, Bono and Ray Charles 2:55
3 "Cool Joe, Mean Joe (Killer Joe)" Töne Löc, Queen Latifah, Nancy Wilson 7:32
4 "You Put a Move on My Heart" Tamia 6:13
5 "Rock With You" Brandy and Heavy D 4:08
6 "Moody's Mood for Love" Brian McKnight, Rachelle Ferrell, Take 6 and James Moody 4:18
7 "Stomp!" Original Cast Members of "Stomp": Luke Cresswell, Fiona Wilkes, Carl Smith, Fraser Morrison, Everett Bradley; Mr. X, Melle Mel, Coolio, Yo-Yo, Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Shaquille O'Neal, Luniz 6:16
8 "Jook Joint" (Reprise) Ray Charles and Funkmaster Flex 0:56
9 "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" Phil Collins 3:57
10 "Is It Love That We're Missing" Gloria Estefan, Warren Wiebe 4:45
11 "Heaven's Girl" R. Kelly, Ron Isley, Aaron Hall, Charlie Wilson and Naomi Campbell 5:26
12 "Stuff Like That" Charlie Wilson, Ray Charles, Brandy, Chaka Khan and Ashford & Simpson 5:45
13 "Slow Jams" Tamia, Babyface, Portrait and Barry White 7:30
14 "At the End of the Day (Grace)" Toots Thielemans, Barry White and Mervyn Warren (Voices) 7:42
15 "Jook Joint" (Outro) Barry White, Tamia and Toots Thielemans 0:49

 

[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