What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Along Came John -- CD

John Patton

1963/2000 Blue Note Records

Near definitive soul-jazz session, July 4, 2000
By Thomas Aikin (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Along Came John (Audio CD)

I would rate this album 4 1/2 stars, but thats not an option. While not quite an all-time classic its certainly first rate and a necessary buy for soul-jazz enthusiasts. Its probably the best available introduction to John Patton's talents on the Hammond B3 as well.

This session marks Patton's first as a leader for Blue Note. Rounding out the group are Grant Green {guitar), Ben Dixon (drums), and Fred Jackson and Harold Vicks (both on tenor sax). The strength of this release lies in the rhythm section of Patton, Green, and Dixon. As a trio they backed numerous classic Blue Note groove sessions and have a competely organic interplay and sound. Their experience playing together really is evident on this session. The sound is effortless and easy. Jackson and Vick are two obscure but excellent soul-jazz saxophonists who are are in good form here with a bluesy, gritty sound.

For those not familiar with Patton, he is perhaps the best of the legions of Jimmy Smith followers on the Hammond organ. Patton may actually be a better groove player than Smith as his playing is more blues and less bop. He's certainly in top form here. Most of the tempos are moderate to brisk and induce foot-tapping.

All in all a most welcome reissue. If you like soul jazz and haven't been exposed to John Patton you simply must purchase this title. Excellent sound quality as well.
All compositions by John Patton except as indicated

1. "The Sliver Meter" (Ben Dixon) - 5:41
2. "I'll Never Be Free" (Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss) - 5:03
3. "Spiffy Diffy" (Dixon) - 6:02
4. "Along Came John" - 6:03
5. "Gee Gee" - 6:01
6. "Pig Foots" (Dixon) - 5:44

* Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on April 5, 1963.

 

[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

 

[Dennie]

The Foundation -- CD

Zac Brown Band

2008 Atlantic Records

5.0 out of 5 stars ~laid back attitude~, November 25, 2008
By Joey Sciarra (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Foundation (Audio CD)

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

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

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

1. "Toes" Zac Brown, Wyatt Durette, John Driskell Hopkins, Shawn Mullins 4:21
2. "Whatever It Is" Brown, Durette 3:29
3. "Where the Boat Leaves From" Brown, Durette 3:44
4. "Violin Intro to Free" Jimmy De Martini 1:01
5. "Free" Brown 3:48
6. "Chicken Fried" Brown, Durette 3:58
7. "Mary" Brown, J. Cline 2:50
8. "Different Kind of Fine" Brown, Durette, Stokes Nielson 3:18
9. "Highway 20 Ride" Brown, Durette 3:51
10. "It's Not OK" Hopkins 4:10
11. "Jolene" Ray LaMontagne 4:21
12. "Sic 'Em on a Chicken" Brown, Hopkins 3:51
Total length:
42:42

 

[Dennie]

Golden Heart -- CD

Mark Knopfler

1996 Reprise Records

A Little Bit of Everything, October 2, 2000
By Michael M. (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Golden Heart (Audio CD)

Released back in 1996, Mark Knopfler's first official solo effort, "Golden Heart," defies classification. Since the songs range across such a wide spectrum-Celtic, Cajun, rock, and country (styles which Knopfler so obviously cherishes)-you can't really call this a "rock album."

It's just MUSIC, pure and simple. And as the title suggests, more love songs than you'd normally find on a Dire Straits record. The opening track, "Darling Pretty," is rife with Knopfler's usual guitar artistry. But his message of being able to draw strength from love and thus overcome life's adversities is remarkably touching: "Love will find a way, my Darling Pretty/Find a heaven for you and I." (An aside here: my wife and I actually chose this one as our wedding song four years ago. It may not be the easiest thing to dance to, but it fit our situation perfectly.)

The title track is equally moving, and so gentle, it actually brought a lump to my throat the first time I heard it. And if you've got an ounce of Irish in you, "A Night in Summer Long Ago" might also get you misty. I once worked with a fellow Irishman, who admitted that this one actually had him sobbing, since it reminded him of the songs he grew up with.

But before you start thinking Knopfler's gone completely soft, check out "Imelda," which could be his hardest rocking and most satisfying tune since "Money for Nothing." The song climaxes in a solo that sounds like a guitar duel between Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, and it had me smiling.

"Don't You Get It" is another fine example of his approach to straightforward rock-and-roll, but songs like "Cannibals" and "Je Suis Desole" represent something new for Knopfler fans: a Cajun influence! What's even more surprising is that he is able to pull it off so convincingly.

Like Bob Dylan, Knopfler's love-them-or-hate-them vocals are often overlooked, but if you're a fan, you'll think he sounds great here. His smoky rasp is actually an asset on songs like "Are We in Trouble Now" and "Done With Bonaparte." But on "I'm the Fool" he sounds so crisp and smooth, you might think he had the assistance of a guest vocalist.

Overall, almost as solid as the just-released "Sailing to Philadelphia," but because of the album's sheer eclectic nature, it has often been mistakenly labeled as "uneven." Please don't be fooled: Knopfler's decision making is based on his genuine affection for the music, not an attempt to confound the listener.

All tracks are written by Mark Knopfler.

1. "Darling Pretty" – 4:31
2. "Imelda" – 5:26
3. "Golden Heart" – 5:01
4. "No Can Do" – 4:54
5. "Vic and Ray" – 4:36
6. "Don't You Get It" – 5:16
7. "A Night in Summer Long Ago" – 4:43
8. "Cannibals" – 3:41
9. "I'm the Fool" – 4:28
10. "Je Suis Désolé" – 5:14
11. "Rüdiger" – 6:03
12. "Nobody's Got the Gun" – 5:25
13. "Done With Bonaparte" – 5:06
14. "Are We in Trouble Now?" – 5:54

 

[Dennie]

Live / Dead -- CD

Grateful Dead

1969 Warner Bros. Records

Live/Dead is the first official live album released by the San Francisco-based band Grateful Dead. It was recorded over a series of live concerts in early 1969 and released later in the year on November 10. At the time of its release, Robert Christgau wrote that parts of the album contained "the finest rock improvisation ever recorded." A landmark live album that captured the Grateful Dead's improvisations at their best – Allmusic would write that "Few recordings have ever represented the essence of an artist in performance as faithfully as Live/Dead" – it is also the final album with keyboardist Tom Constanten.
Side one

"Dark Star" (Garcia, Hart, Kreutzmann, Lesh, McKernan, Weir, Robert Hunter) – 23:18

Side two

"St. Stephen" (Garcia, Lesh, Hunter) – 6:31
"The Eleven" (Lesh, Hunter) – 9:18

Side three

"Turn On Your Love Light" (Joseph Scott, Deadric Malone) – 15:05

Side four

"Death Don't Have No Mercy" (Reverend Gary Davis) – 10:28
"Feedback" (Constanten, Garcia, Hart, Kreutzman, Lesh, McKernan, Weir) – 7:49
"And We Bid You Goodnight" (Traditional, arr. by Grateful Dead) – 0:35

 

[Dennie]

Desolation Angels -- Remastered CD

Bad Company

1979/2008 Swan Song Records

Bad Company's best, January 31, 2012
By J. Bynum (the southwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Desolation Angels (Audio CD)

This may have been the last of Bad Company's best albums, but this is the best of the lot. This one only generated two songs that entered the charts, but it has the best collection of songs of any Bad Company album. It has the hits, "Rock n Roll Fantasy" and "Gone, gone, gone", but the best song on the album is "Evil Wind". Some discount this album, mainly because it `only' has two hits, but do not pass this one up. This is Paul Rodgers' best album since the "Heartbreaker" album he did with the group `Free'. I am very happy to replace my old LP with this great CD even though it lacks a decent booklet (it only has a single folded card for the CD cover).
This album earns a Solid Five Stars.

Side one

"Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy" (Paul Rodgers) – 3:15
"Crazy Circles" (Paul Rodgers) - 3:32
"Gone, Gone, Gone" (Boz Burrell) - 3:50
"Evil Wind" (Paul Rodgers) - 4:22
"Early in the Morning" (Paul Rodgers) - 5:45

Side two

"Lonely for Your Love" (Mick Ralphs) - 3:26
"Oh, Atlanta" (Mick Ralphs) - 4:08
"Take the Time" (Mick Ralphs) - 4:14
"Rhythm Machine" (Simon Kirke/Boz Burrell) - 3:44
"She Brings Me Love" (Paul Rodgers) - 4:42

 

[Dennie]

Love's Been Rough On Me -- CD

Etta James

1997 RCA Victor

One of the best ever!,
December 5, 2008
By R. Slade "asteviefan" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Love's Been Rough on Me (Audio CD)

Seriously, this is not only one of Etta's best, but one of the best you'll hear if you are truly a fan of the blues. Her voice is stellar. Her emotion is uncomparable. She is truly a living legend and this CD proves her raw, untamed talent once again.

1. The Rock
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
7. If I Had Any Pride Left At All
8. I Can Give You Everything
9. I've Been Lovin' You Too Long
10. Done In The Dark

 

[Dennie]

The Road To Ensenada -- CD

Lyle Lovett

1996 MCA Records

Amazon.com essential recording

After the more experimental themes and misanthropic bit players populating his prior album, I Love Everybody, the songs on this superb 1996 set return to the more affable, earnest, but still knotty balance established by Lyle Lovett on his first four albums. He spins amiable yarns about his preferred headgear ("Don't Touch My Hat") and larger-than-life love objects (the one-eyed "Fiona"), sways hilariously through the backfired seductions of the samba-paced "Her First Mistake," and swings buoyantly through "That's Right (You're Not from Texas)," then ropes the equally droll Randy Newman into a tongue-in-cheek duet on "Long Tall Texan." In between, he sneaks a fresh string of dark love songs ("Private Conversation," "I Can't Love You Anymore") that sustain his formidable standards. Forget the forced issue of his putative ties to "new country": Lovett is simply one of the best American singer-songwriters extant, whether playing raconteur, philosopher king, or wounded romantic. --Sam Sutherland

All songs composed by Lyle Lovett except as noted.

"Don't Touch My Hat" – 3:47
"Her First Mistake" – 6:28
"Fiona" – 4:09
"That's Right (You're Not from Texas)" (Lovett, Ramsey, Rogers) – 4:54
"Who Loves You Better" – 4:46
"Private Conversation" – 4:32
"Promises" – 3:07
"It Ought To Be Easier" – 4:11
"I Can't Love You Anymore" – 3:14
"Long Tall Texan" (Henry Strzelecki) – 3:27
"Christmas Morning" – 3:43
"The Road To Ensenada" – 10:12
"The Girl in the Corner" -- hidden at the end of track 12, following 1:30 of silence

 

[mazersteven]

1. Prayer
2. Both Sides Now
3. Never Saw Blue
4. Dell'Amore Non Si Sa (with Andrea Bocelli)
5. What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You)
6. May It Be
7. Quanta Qualia
8. You Are Water
9. She Moves Through The Fair
10. My Heart Belongs To You
11. Ave Maria
12. I Say Grace

Odyssey is the second internationally published album by Hayley Westenra. Her other previous albums, with the exception of Pure, were released only in New Zealand and Australia. It was published by the Decca Music Group label in 2005.

Westenra wonderful voice retains its crystal-clear purity in this album, but Westenra's singing is now richer and more rounded than before.

Odyssey included a duet with Andrea Bocelli called "Dell'Amore Non Si Sa", a gospel song "I Say Grace", an inspired cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides, Now", "May it Be" – a song from The Lord of the Rings, as well as "What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You)" which was Westenra's debut as a songwriter.

Hayley Westenra began performing when she was just 6 years old and made her first recording in a professional studio at 12. She was still only 16 when she released her debut international CD, Pure. It rapidly became the fastest-selling debut album from a classical artist, and reached the Top 10 of the pop charts in 11 countries. Her albums have sold more than four million copies worldwide to date. "Pure" was certified by the official UK chart compilers as the best selling classical album of the 21st Century.

Her voice is just beautiful :eusa-clap:

 

[Dennie]

This is Jazz - Volume 1 -- CD

Louis Armstrong

1996 Columbia Legacy

the king of jazz, February 1, 2004
By Riccardo Pelizzo (baltimore, maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: This Is Jazz 1 (Audio CD)

I do not know how many Louis Armstrong anthologies there are, but one thing I know for certain is that this is one of the best, if not the best, anthology of Satchmo's songs.
There is an extraordinary recording of West End Blues and of Potato Head Blues, a super-famous recording of Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust, there is a very interesting version of When you're smiling, but above all there is Armstrong's masterful performance on Basin Street.
Satchmo's performance is literally breath-taking: his voice and his trumpet have never been better and they go straight to the heart.
This collection is great not only for those who like to learn something about jazz. This is a record that everybody should listen to. This is some of the best jazz ever played.

Track Listing
1. Cornet Chop Suey
2. Heebie Jeebies
3. Potato Head Blues
4. West End Blues
5. Memories of You
6. Stardust
7. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles with You)
8. Dinah
9. Tiger Rag
10. Lazy River
11. Basin Street Blues
12. Big Butter and Egg Man
13. Ain't Misbehavin'
14. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
15. I've Got the World on a String
16. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

 

[Dennie]

Things Ain't What They Used To Be -- CD

Duke Ellington

1996 LaserLight Digital

Things ARE What They Used To Be, November 13, 2009
By Dexter Jeffries (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Things Ain't What They Used to Be (Audio CD)

These small Ellington sessions produced special recordings because they offered those individual geniuses timely opportunities to shine. Rex Stewart was always just that, a congenial and intelligent musician who was a political and social being. His cornet playing exhibited his fidelity to an instrument that his hero Louis Armstrong had abandoned after the Hot Five and Hot Seven sessions in the late 1920's. Stewart relished this instrument and diligently developed his unique sound on the cornet with his famous half-valving technique. No other musician ever replicated his "talking" cornet.

In addition to Stewart on these small group recordings, Ben Webster explored a rich sound on the tenor sax that placed him between Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young, a nice niche for sure. Raw and always tender in the high register, he is soothing and biting.
Finally, Johnny Hodges, the master of the swing alto sax, is a delight. Effortlessly playing ballads as well as jazz "dance-hop" pieces, his velvet sound is comforting.
This album is proof why Things Ain't What They Used To Be.

01. Smada (2:56)

02. La Plus Belle Africane (12:19)

03. Azure (7:12)

04. Satin Doll (5:40)

05. Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue (8:16)

06. Caravan (6:01)

07. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (3:06)

08. Sophisticated Lady (3:43)

09. In A Sentimental Wolrd (3:39)

10. The Unknown (4:33)

 

[Dennie]

Layla and other assorted love songs -- 24k Gold CD

Derek and The Dominos

1970/1993 MOFI Ultradisc II

The greatest guitar album of the rock era, November 10, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Derek and the Dominos/Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (Audio CD)

If you only know this album from hearing "Layla" on the radio, then your first question after hearing this will be: "Why don't they play the rest of it?" Even if you are sick of "Layla", this album is a treasure chest of searing pain songs, caused by Eric Clapton being dumped by Patti Harrison, wife of Beatle George. Even the relatively hookless tunes like "Keep On Growing" and "Anyday" get over on sheer desperate passion. Plenty of guitarists can make their instrument scream, but only Clapton, on "Bell Bottom Blues", had ever made it sob. This was Clapton's absolute peak--all the power and virtuosity of his Cream years are encapsulated here, cast in a personal blues tone that anticipates almost everything he ever did thereafter. Duane doesn't suck either. If you can, read the 1985 interview with Clapton in Rolling Stone. He relates how the band was all nodded out on drugs the entire time. Do _not_ try this at home; they are trained professionals!
Side one

1. "I Looked Away" (Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock) – 3:05
2. "Bell Bottom Blues" (Clapton) – 5:02
3. "Keep on Growing" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 6:21
4. "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" (Jimmy Cox) – 4:57

Side two

1. "I Am Yours" (Clapton, Nezami) – 3:34
2. "Anyday" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 6:35
3. "Key to the Highway" (Charles Segar, Willie Broonzy) – 9:40

Side three

1. "Tell the Truth" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 6:39
2. "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 4:41
3. "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" (Billy Myles) – 6:52

Side four

1. "Little Wing" (Jimi Hendrix) – 5:33
2. "It's Too Late" (Chuck Willis) – 3:47
3. "Layla" (Clapton, Jim Gordon) – 7:05
4. "Thorn Tree in the Garden" (Whitlock) – 2:53

 

[Dennie]

Piano Starts Here -- CD

Art Tatum

1995 Columbia Legacy

Review: From JazzReview.com

As a wee lad in the '70s, at my local library, one could check out records for a week. The selection was mostly classical music (got me hip to Aaron Copeland, Harry Partch and Ed Varese) of which I partook, but at the time, I was interested in their jazz albums. Once I took home Piano Starts Here by this Art Tatum fellow (1909-1956) – four studio tracks from the 1930s & the rest, live tracks from '49, I liked it, but at the time, I was into fusion (when it still seethed with energy & excitement) and the avant-garde, so Tatum seemed “conservative” to me. Also, the sound quality seemed...muddy. Still, it sounded like no other piano music I’d ever heard, leaving a distinct impression on my jazz and rock-fueled psyche.

I still love rock & roll, but the older I get, the more I grow to appreciate jazz’s “established masters,” hepcats such as Cannonball Adderley, Frank Morgan, Bobby Hackett, and, yes, Art Tatum. Listening to Piano Starts Here, I am amazed at how fresh and stunning it sounds, and how parts of it are almost, dare I say, avant-garde. “Someone To Watch Over Me” features dazzling speed and technique, abrupt & unpredictable tempo changes, changing approach (elegant ballad to jaunty boogie-woogie) and brief, but ominous, low rumbles. Ditto for “Yesterdays,” parts of which remind this writer of the brilliantly berserk player-piano sounds of Conlon Nancarrow.

Tatum played the 88’s like no one before and few since – even classical pianists of the day came away impressed. He cooked, swung madly and smartly and possessed brain-blitzing agility, and he was one of the Swing Era players that embraced (even anticipated) bebop (jazz's avant-garde of the 1940s). Hard to believe in retrospect, but many musicians and critics majorly dissed bop – some said it wasn’t jazz and a few said it wasn’t even music. Sound familiar?

This edition of Piano Starts Here has been technologically upgraded from previous versions. The Zenph Studios folks call it a “re-performance,” wherein computer software “replicates” on a piano what Tatum played back-when. Blasphemy? Who knows. If Tatum lived now, he might be utilizing electronics and samplers. It’s like the difference in classical recordings, where some are recorded with “period” instrumentation and others with instruments built this century.

Just going by the wonderfulness of musical content: Eight stars, three thumbs up! If you buy only one jazz solo piano disc this (or any) year, make it Piano Starts Here.

1. Tea For Two
2. St. Louis Blues
3. Tiger Rag
4. Sophisticated Lady
5. Humoresque
6. Tatum Pole Boogie
7. Someone To Watch Over me
8. How High The Moon
9. Yesterdays
10. Willow Weep For Me
11. The Kerry Dance
12. Gershwein Medley
13. I know That You Know

 

[Dennie]

Super Jazz 1 -- CD

Al Hirt - Pete Fountain

1975/1990 Columbia Records

Party All Night Long, March 17, 2010
By Mr. Richard D. Coreno "Mr. C" (Berea, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Super Jazz (Audio CD)

The icons of Bourbon Street - Al Hirt and Pete Fountain - teamed up for a series of gigs in conjunction with the 1975 Super Bowl being played in Tulane Stadium, with the performances pulled from a number of the evenings.

The album mirrors the shows; opening with Hirt and his band, then Fountain and his group performing a set and the night culminating with a jam session featuring Hirt, Fountain and all the band members. The three numbers from Hirt are from the first evening and are worth the price of admission solely on his monolgues explaining the variety of parades in New Orleans, the history of traditional Creole music and his special friendship with Louis Armstrong. Fountain paves a pop path with "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" and delivers a hot rendition of the classic "When the Saints Go Marching In."

The editing gets choppy for the jam session, as the hijinks from a later gig finds Fountain explaining to the audience the challenge of performing after having a few cocktails and Hirt amping things up to the point where certain words are "bleeped" out. But the dynamic duo delivers on "Basin Street Blues" and "Super Bowl Blues."

Though they owned clubs in the French Quarter and performed extensively in the city, the pair rarely played on the same stage once they became international stars. Hirt called the gigs "Super Jazz 1" and this is truly a legendary team on their home turf.

Track listing

1. South Rampart Street Parade
2. Jazz Funeral (Oh, Didn't He Ramble)
3. Salute to Satchmo: S-H-I-N-E / Coquette / C'est Si Bon / Mack The Knife / Beale Street Blues / Hello Dolly
4. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree
5. Mood Indigo / It's Been A Long, Long Time
6. When the Saints Go Marching In
7. Closer Walk, A
8. Lazy River
9. Perdido
10. Basin Street Blues
11. Super Bowl Blues

 

[Dennie]

Pieces of Eight -- CD

STYX

1978/1987 A&M Records

Amazon.com

In some ways, Styx was America's answer to Queen. The Chicago quintet never ascended to the ranks of rock-and-roll royalty, as did their English counterparts, nor are they held in as high a regard today. Nevertheless, Styx fulfilled a Midwestern American hunger for high-flown fantasy typified on Pieces of Eight with songs like Dennis DeYoung and James Young's "I'm Okay" and "Lords of the Rings," with their elaborate arrangements, soaring vocal harmonies, and lyrical pretensions. In quite another direction, guitarist Tommy Shaw writes about basic human needs and working-class values in "Blue Collar Man," while his song "Sing for the Day" is a pleasant air, and "Renegade" a hard-charging rocker. Styx may have seemed somewhat schizophrenic on Pieces of Eight but their legions of fans diminished not a whit, making the album the band's second multiplatinum effort in a row, following The Grand Illusion. --Daniel Durchholz

"Great White Hope" (Young) – 4:22
Lead vocals and lead guitar: James Young
"I'm O.K." (DeYoung, Young) – 5:41
Lead vocals, synthesizer solo and pipe organ: Dennis DeYoung
Lead Guitar: Tommy Shaw
"Sing for the Day" (Shaw) – 4:57
Lead vocals, mandolin, all guitars: Tommy Shaw
"The Message" (DeYoung) – 1:08
All synthesizers: Dennis DeYoung
"Lords of the Ring" (DeYoung) – 4:33
Lead vocals and middle guitar solo: JY
Ending guitar solo: Tommy Shaw
Synthesizer solos: Dennis DeYoung
"Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" (Shaw) – 4:05
Lead vocals and lead guitar: Tommy Shaw
"Queen of Spades" (DeYoung, Young) – 5:38
Lead vocals: Dennis DeYoung
Lead guitar: James Young
"Renegade" (Shaw) – 4:13
Lead vocals: Tommy Shaw
Lead guitar: James Young
"Pieces of Eight" (DeYoung) – 4:44
Lead vocals: Dennis DeYoung
Lead guitar: Tommy Shaw
"Aku-Aku" (instrumental) (Shaw) – 2:57
Lead guitar and whisper chant: Tommy Shaw

 

[Dennie]

A New World Record -- CD

ELO

1976/1990 Sony Music

The second album to be recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, the LP proved to be the band's long awaited breakthrough in the UK: after seeing their previous three studio recordings fail to chart in their home market, A New World Record became their first top ten album in the UK, The LP became a huge global success and would consolidate the band's position as one of the biggest selling rock bands in the world, reaching multi-platinum status in the US and UK, The album sold five million units worldwide within its first year of release. The cover art features the famous ELO logo, designed by Kosh, for the first time. This logo would be included on several of the group's subsequent releases.

The album included the hit singles "Telephone Line," which became the band's first gold US single, "Livin' Thing," and "Do Ya" (US); and "Rockaria!" (UK). "Do Ya" was an ELO updating of The Move's late 1972 final US single on United Artists Records. The focus is more on shorter pop songs, a trend which would continue throughout the rest of ELO's future albums. In 2006, the album was remastered and released with bonus tracks on Sony's Epic/Legacy imprint. "Surrender" was also issued as a promotional single and an iTunes download single, which entered the top 100 download chart.

The band's frontman Jeff Lynne regards his own songwriting at this point to have reached a new high.
“ The songs started to flow and most of them came quickly to me. To have all those hits, it was just ...I mean amazing really. Going from doing okay for probably three or four years to suddenly being in the big time, it was a strange but great thing. ”
– Jeff Lynne 2006; A New World Record remaster

Side one
No. Title Length
1. "Tightrope" 5:03
2. "Telephone Line" 4:38
3. "Rockaria!" 3:12
4. "Mission (A World Record)" 4:25
Side two
No. Title Length
1. "So Fine" 3:54
2. "Livin' Thing" 3:31
3. "Above the Clouds" 2:16
4. "Do Ya" 3:43
5. "Shangri-La" 5:32

 

[PaulyT]

 

[mazersteven]

Listened to this last night :music-listening:

1. I Walk Alone
2. Lost Northern Star
3. Seeking for the Reign
4. The Reign
5. The Escape of the Doll
6. My Little Phoenix
7. Boy and the Ghost
8. Sing for Me
9. Oasis
10. Poison
11. Our Great Divide
12. Sunset
13. Damned and Divine
14. Die Alive
15. Minor Heaven
16. Ciaran Swell
17. Calling Grace
18. You Would Have Loved This [Live]
19. Damned and Divine [Live]

Tarja is a Finnish singer-songwriter and composer. She is a full lyric soprano and has a vocal range of three octaves. She is well known as a professional classical lied singer but best known as the former lead vocalist of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, which she founded with Tuomas Holopainen and Erno Vuorinen in 1996. Their combination of hard and fast guitar riffs with Turunen's classical lead vocals quickly achieved critical and commercial popularity. Their symphonic metal style, soon dubbed "opera metal", inspired many other metal bands and singers.

Turunen was dismissed from the band on October 21, 2005 for personal reasons. She started her solo career in 2006 with the release of a Christmas album called Henkäys Ikuisuudesta. In 2007, Turunen released My Winter Storm, an album featuring various styles, including alternative rock and symphonic metal and started the Storm World Tour. Turunen released her third album, What Lies Beneath, in 2010. She performed several concerts in Europe, playing in metal festivals including the Graspop Metal Meeting and the Wacken Open Air, before starting the What Lies Beneath World Tour, scheduled to last until April 2012.

 

[Dennie]

Portrait of the Blues -- CD

Bobby "Blue" Bland

1991 Malaco Records

This 1991 release, along with YEARS OF TEARS from 1993, amply demonstrate the enduring power of Bobby Bland, a most singular blues singer. Justly hailed for his '50s records on the Duke label, Bland remained a powerful presence over the ensuing decades. As with all of his recordings for the Jackson, Mississippi-based Malaco label, the bulk of the songs were penned by Malaco's in-house writers. One of the set's only numbers from an outside source is the opening "Ain't No Love For Sale" by John Barranco.

With his characteristic snorts and growls, it's clear from the outset that Bobby "Blue" Bland is in command. PORTRAIT is his usual mix of bluesy shuffles, ballads, and soulful stomps. And any album that's got a song called "She's Puttin' Something In My Food" has got a leg up on the competition. Produced by Wolf Stephenson and Tommy Couch, PORTRAIT features a regal stable of players, including the durable Muscle Shoals rhythm section of drummer Roger Hawkins and bass player David Hood.

Track listing

1. Ain't No Love for Sale
2. Hurtin' Love
3. These Are the Things That a Woman Needs
4. I Can Take You to Heaven Tonight
5. Last One to Know, The
6. Just Take My Love
7. I Just Won't Be Your Fool Anymore
8. She's Puttin' Something in My Food
9. When Hearts Grow Cold
10. Let Love Have Its Way

 

[Dennie]

Blue Gardenia -- CD

Etta James

2001 Private Music

The legendary blues singer indeed lives up to the silly cliché about being able to sing the phone book and make it sound rich, meaningful, and soulful. Still, it's always exciting to hear her tackle materials she's missed before. Here she shifts gears impressively into the intimate jazz club mode, performing beautifully arranged takes on a wide variety of standards (from "Come Rain or Come Shine" to "Cry Me a River") under the direction of producer John Snyder and arranger/pianist Cedar Walton. Those two gathered a handful of great jazz players and recorded the initial tracks without James, who had a touch of the flu. A few months later she had recovered and did the amazing vocal sessions which truly sound live and in synch with the music. Beginning with the redemptive theme of "This Bitter Earth," each song allows her to explore both tenderness and guttural emotions, even a little irony on clever twists like "He's Funny That Way." There are also perfectly placed spotlights for the featured musicians. "This Bitter Earth" and "He's Funny That Way" feature a thoughtful improvisation by Walton, while Duke Ellington's "In My Solitude" has a passionate interlude by tenor saxophonist Red Holloway. Most of the vocals are textured over a bed of simmering brass, adding to the old school big band flavor that creates the atmosphere for the project. It's certainly common for great artists to thank their parents for various influences, but James goes one step further on the title track, allowing her mom to sing the tune; mom is no match for her daughter, but it's still a unique touch that adds emotional dimension to an already emotionally rich affair. ~ Jonathan Widran

Track listing

1. This Bitter Earth
2. He's Funny That Way
3. In My Solitude
4. There Is No Greater Love
5. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying
6. Love Letters
7. These Foolish Things
8. Come Rain or Come Shine
9. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
10. Cry Me a River
11. Don't Blame Me
12. My Man
13. Blue Gardenia