What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Deguello -- CD

ZZ Top

1979/1990 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com

First released in 1979, Deguello was three years in the making. Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard had disappeared into the sagebrush to recharge their batteries following their grueling World Texas Tour. They returned with a new antic sense of themselves that first appeared in songs like "Cheap Sunglasses," "She Loves My Automobile," and "Esther Be the One" and came to fruition almost four years later with Eliminator. Deguello forges the last link to the band's early blues-rock years, before they became the sleeker, less threatening entity that graced MTV during the '80s. Tunes like their rendering of David Porter and Isaac Hayes's steamy "I Thank You," the salacious "Hi Fi Mama," and the boastful "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" careen on the edges of good taste, but these guys didn't give a *** who they offended as long as they entertained. And, of course, they did entertain legions of fans with their ribald lyrics, off-kilter timing, and Gibbons's daredevil guitar wizardry. But ZZ Top isn't all hard edges and pinup fantasies; the heartbreakingly beautiful intro to their eccentric love song, "Fool for Her Stockings" rivals the lyricism of Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary." --Jaan Uhelszki

Side A

"I Thank You" (Isaac Hayes, David Porter) – 3:23
"She Loves My Automobile" – 2:24
"I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" – 4:46
"A Fool for Your Stockings" – 4:15
"Manic Mechanic" – 2:37

Side B

"Dust My Broom" (Robert Johnson) – 3:06
"Lowdown in the Street" – 2:49
"Hi Fi Mama" – 2:23
"Cheap Sunglasses" – 4:48
"Esther Be the One" – 3:31

 

[Dennie]

Daybreak -- CD

Bela Fleck

1987 Rounder Records

Early & Obscure , but First Class Fleck, August 28, 2006
By jimnypivo "Jim Hisson" (west of Chicago, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Daybreaker (Audio CD)

Whenever I press a Bela Fleck disc into a friend's hand, I and ask them to listen to it,because Fleck is a virtuoso, a master of his instrument. Over the years, Bela Fleck continued to incorporate various styles into his recordings. 1988's `Daybreak' gives you a taste of how well-versed he is in playing other musical genres.

Bela stays faithful to his NewGrass style on `Texas Barbeque', `Twilight`, `Reading in the Dark', `Applebutter', `Dawg's Due' (a David Grisman tune); `Crossfire', and `Punchdrunk'.

There are jazz tunes: Spain'-- a few bars into it you'll recognize this Chic Corea favorite; and a honky-tonk version of Fats Waller's `How Can You Face Me Now' (with vocal).

This would not be a Bela Fleck disc few without a traditional bluegrass melody. This disc has several: `Bill Cheatham' featuring Bill Keith and Bela in a banjo duet; a joyful, bouncy version of `Silverbell` and a NewGrass-y version of `Fiddler's Dream'.

He also throws in a few Celtic songs---- 'Growling Old Man and the Grumbling Old Woman' and 'Christina's Jig/Plain Brown Jug'

For fans of his later `jazzgrass' sound with the Flecktones, `Daybreak', `Flexibility', `Old Hickory Waltz' and `The Natural Bridge Suite' (reminiscent of Stephane Grappelli/Django Rheinhart) won't disappoint.

If you'd like to hear more examples of Fleck's virtuosity, catch his Grammy-winning recording of classical music, 'Perpetual Motion'.

All tracks written by Béla Fleck except where noted

Texas Barbeque
Spain
Twilight (Corea, Rodrigo)
Reading in the Dark
Growling Old Man and the Grumbling Old Woman (trad.)
How Can You Face Me (Razaf, Waller)
Bill Cheatham (trad.)
Christina's Jig / Plain Brown Jig
Silver Bell (trad.)
Fiddler's Dream (trad.)
Daybreak
Dawg's Due
Flexibility
Old Hickory Waltz
Crossfire
Applebutter
The Natural Bridge Suite
Punch Drunk


Béla Fleck - banjo, guitar
Tony Trischka, Bill Keith - banjo
Russ Barenberg, Glenn Lawson, David Parmley - guitar
Sam Bush, Randy Sabien - fiddle
Mark O'Connor - fiddle, guitar, viola
Darol Anger - fiddle, violectra
Jerry Douglas, Stacy Philips - Dobro
David Grisman, Jimmy Gaudreau, Jack Tottle - mandolin
Paul Kahn, Mark Schatz - bass
Pat Enright - vocals

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

All My Tomorrows -- CD

Grover Washington, Jr.

1994 Columbia Records

The Art of Attraction In Song, February 24, 2006
By Marty Nickison II (Austintown, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: All My Tomorrows (Audio CD)

A fine melot wine. A candlelight italian dinner. The sound of the wind softly gliding against the moonlight sky. Two loves sharing the aroma of romance over a specially prepared dinner; and the music in the background moves them to dance, not like before, but as a celebration---a homecomming for two drifting souls.

What is playing? All My Tomorrows by Grover Washington, Jr.

Firstly, I must say that this album shocked me. At a time when I was only into smooth jazz (and some Miles Davis), a store owner recommended this particular album to me. He said it would match my tastes in jazz (at that time, Gearld Albright, David Sandborn, Bob James, Kirk Whalum, etc). When I took this tape home, I just didn't get it!

Primary listening evaluations led me to categorize this as "The Cosby Show-type Jazz" (along the lines of Quincy Jones' The Ballad of Chet Kindaid) and that it was created for older minds. Now, 10 years later; I appreciate this music for what it is.

This album is a slow-romance masterpiece. All the tempos are slow, the musical timbre is soft, and the presetation is subtle and detailed. Grover quiets his horn (as a sidenote, read the linter notes as he discusses his embrechure lessons from Eddie Harris) and allows for extended breathing techniques in his music. The texture of the music is rippled and the overall presentation is excellent.

I think this album belongs in every romantic's collection. I keep this album at home and in the car (next to Anita Baker and Luther Vandross). It's a soft and slow drift from the noise of the day to a somber and seductive place of mind that only lover's know of.

If you have this album, also purchase:

Merry Go Round, Freddy Cole
When I Fall In Love, Nat "king" Cole
I Just Dropped By To Say Hello, Johnny Hartman
Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane
The Billie Holiday Songbook, Terence Blanchard and Janine Bryson
Aria, Grover Washington (with Terence Blanchard)


The music is subtley seductive; what can I say?

E Preciso Perdoar - Grover Washington, Jr., Costa, C. Coqueijo
When I Fall in Love - Grover Washington, Jr., Heyman, Edward
I'm Glad There Is You - Grover Washington, Jr., Dorsey, Jimmy
Happenstance - Grover Washington, Jr., Washington, G. Jr.
All My Tomorrows - Grover Washington, Jr., Cahn, Sammy
Nature Boy - Grover Washington, Jr., Ahbez, E.
Please Send Me Someone to Love - Grover Washington, Jr., Mayfield, Percy
Overjoyed - Grover Washington, Jr., Wonder, S.
Flamingo - Grover Washington, Jr., Anderson, Edmund
For Heaven's Sake - Grover Washington, Jr., Bretton, E.
Estate ("Ess-Tah-Tay") (In Summer) - Grover Washington, Jr., Brighetti, B.

 

[mazersteven]

1. Trouble In Shangri-La
2. Candlebright
3. Sorcerer
4. Planets Of The Universe
5. Every Day
6. Too Far From Texas
7. That Made Me Stronger
8. It's Only Love
9. Love Changes
10. I Miss You
11. Bombay Sapphires
12. Fall From Grace
13. Love Is

Trouble In Shangri-La' is legendary rock poet Stevie Nicks' first solo collection since 1994's Street Angel. To make things even better, ex Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsay Buckingham plays guitar throughout the album. Also, Sheryl Crow worked on 5 of the 13 tracks, adding guitar, vocals and bass.

Rock enchantress Stevie Nicks strips off the shawls, scarves, and most of the rest of her trademark witchy esoterica for her first album since 1994's rather precious Street Angel. Seemingly more comfortable in her skin, Nicks also settles more comfortably into her croaky, lived-in voice, and is a stronger presence for it. While Trouble in Shangri-La was produced in part by Sheryl Crow, Nicks also tapped the talents of John Shanks (Melissa Etheridge) and Sarah McLachlan producer Pierre Marchand (McLachlan adds her haunting pipes to "Love Is"). Also on hand are Dixie Chick Natalie Maines (on the rockabilly-like "Too Far from Texas"), and the ubiquitous Macy Gray growls on "Bombay Sapphire," a blistering, hard-charging track that recalls the best moments of Fleetwood Mac. Other standouts on the album are the unflinching, autobiographical "Fall from Grace," recorded at punk rock speed, and the winsome "Everyday," with its elegant, soulful lyrics.

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music....

Slowhand -- CD

Eric Clapton

1977/1996 Polydor Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Clapton had already established himself as a guitar legend by the time he released Slowhand. His heroin habit long behind him, Clapton's songwriting mastery was fully evident on the album, particularly in the stunning ballad "Wonderful Tonight." It fully actualized all of the potential hinted at in his earlier "Promises," and Clapton trusted himself enough to slow things down. Some of his most expressive guitar work can be found throughout this album, not just within "Wonderful." Ironically enough, Slowhand is probably best known for the hit "Cocaine." Built upon a simple repeated riff, the song had Clapton's trademark smooth voice with its wear around the edges, and yet another stellar guitar solo. Flashy runs and licks were never the most integral part of Clapton's catalog, his blues background being the primary source for his sound. Slowhand, with its phrasings, both guitar and vocal, established Clapton as the possessor of one of the most extensive vocabularies in rock. --Steve Gdula


Side one

"Cocaine" (J.J. Cale) – 3:41
"Wonderful Tonight" (Clapton) – 3:44
"Lay Down Sally" (Clapton, Marcy Levy, George Terry) – 3:56
"Next Time You See Her" (Clapton) – 4:01
"We're All The Way" (Don Williams) – 2:32

Side two

"The Core" (Clapton/Levy) – 8:45
"May You Never" (John Martyn) – 3:01
"Mean Old Frisco" (Arthur Crudup) – 4:42
"Peaches and Diesel" (Clapton, Albhy Galuten) – 4:46

 

[No-L]

 

[heeman]

Wow.........this one was a steal for $5 used!

Track Listings

1. Precious Things
2. Angels
3. Silent All These Years
4. Cornflake Girl
5. Mary
6. God
7. Winter
8. Spark
9. Way Down
10. Professional Widow
11. Mr. Zebra
12. Crucify
13. Me And A Gun
14. Bliss
15. Playboy Mommy
16. Baker Baker
17. Tear In Your Hand
18. Sweet Dreams
19. Jackie's Strength
20. Snow Cherries From France


Editorial Reviews
The first compilation of Tori Amos hits from her multi-platinum catalog... Remixed. Re-Mastered. Revealed. She has sold fifteen million records worldwide, done numerous sold-out world tours, and has amassed one of the most loyal followings in contemporary music. Now Tori Amos gives her fans more of the soul-searching lyrics and complex melodies that her devotees have come to live and breathe for. Sixteen of her most popular songs...plus two re-recorded rarities and two brand-new tracks heard here for the very first time. Twenty songs in all -- plus a bonus DVD featuring three newly filmed live songs, and two additional Remixed 5.1 Audio Tracks -- forging the first-ever definitive Tori Amos Collection.

 

[No-L]

 

[No-L]

It doesn't get much than this!!

 

[No-L]

My favorite of her albums.

 

[mzpro5]

The Notting Hillbilles - Missing, Presumed Having a Good Time.

Discovered this one day while listening to Radio Paradise. From an Amazon review:

As other reviewers have written here, this is one that will grow on you. The Notting Hillbillies are Mark Knopfler, Steve Phillips, Guy Fletcher, and Brendan Croker. Fletcher plays piano, the others are guitarists. Paul Franklin is credited for pedal steel guitar, but doesn't rate a photo on the cover. Bass and drums appear on many of the songs, but no musician is credited. Knopfler is the only one of these guys I know of in any other context. The strength of the album, for me, is the beautiful guitar work, and slow easy but always tight rhythmns.
The album is a collection of traditionals & classics arranged by the band, and some originals (only one by Knopfler). Musical styles vary from one song to the next, but the album as a whole has a bluesy folksy sound to it that just can't be beat. Vocals are mostly handled by Knopfler's 3 band mates (he sings his own composition, "Your Own Sweet Way" and harmonizes on some others); I can't recognize who is who, but the voices are excellent and fit perfectly into this music. Some of the songs feature nice harmonies.

 

[mzpro5]

My favorite of her albums.

I have that and love it.

 

[No-L]

:text-goodpost:

 

[No-L]

 

[No-L]

 

[Dennie]

Ride -- CD

Boney James

2001 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com

It's no wonder Boney James is a winner of a Soul Train music award, and that his music is heard on urban radio almost as much as he's heard on smooth-jazz radio. From his first album, and on up to Ride, his eighth, James always has had a degree of funky soul and light pop mixed in his sax playing, which is a smooth-jazz staple. But here the lines are drawn more clearly and distinctly. There's no doubt that he's staking a claim in the retro-soul R&B movement with several potential hits, including "Something Inside," with its gospel-drenched Dave Hollister vocal, and "See What I'm Saying," featuring bassist Marcus Miller. With popular singer-rapper Jaheim, James manages to make at least three musical references to the '70s on the title track, including a musical nod to Con Funk Shun. The average smooth-jazz saxophonist wouldn't know Con Funk Shun from Brass Construction, which is one reason why James is not your average smooth-jazz saxophonist. He has chipped away at two different audiences and now has one big one that not only allows him headline status, but gold records. Ride will be his fourth in a row. --Mark Ruffin

1. "Heaven" (featuring Trina Broussard) 4:04
2. "Grand Central" 4:57
3. "RPM" 4:48
4. "Something Inside" (featuring Dave Hollister) 3:53
5. "So Beautiful" 4:21
6. "See What I'm Sayin'?" 4:34
7. "All About You" 4:07
8. "Ride" (featuring Jaheim) 4:33
9. "As You Are" 4:30
10. "This Is the Life" 4:59
11. "Boneyard" (Hidden Track) 3:56

 

[Dennie]

My favorite of her albums.

I have that and love it.

I don't have that one...... :angry-banghead:

Added!


Dennie bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[Dennie]

Make my Funk The "P -Funk"........ I wants to get "Funked UP"!!!!!! :banana-stoner:

Give Up The Funk - The Best of -- CD

Parliment

1995 Polygram Records
Amazon.com

For legal reasons too complicated to dive into, George Clinton forged two bands, Parliament and Funkadelic, out of what had just been one. In loose terms, Parliament was thought to be the more commercially viable of his insane clown posses, so it's not surprising that most of the tracks on this essential package made it to the radio. And radio never had it so good, since Parliament's idea of Top 40 included timeless dance-floor manifestos like "Flashlight," "Bop Gun," and "Give Up the Funk." This collection is a party on a platter and then some. --Amy Linden

01 - Flash Light {Clinton, Collins, Worrell} 5:47
02 - Bop Gun (Endangered Species) {Clinton, Collins, Shider} 8:31
03 - P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) {Clinton, Collins, Worrell} 7:40
04 - Mothership Connection (Star Child) {Clinton, Collins, Worrell} 6:12
05 - Do That Stuff {Clinton, Shider, Worrell} 4:47
06 - Theme from the Black Hole {Clinton, Collins, Theracon, Vitti} 4:37
07 - Ride On {Clinton, Collins, Worrell} 3:34
08 - Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker) {Brailey, Clinton, Collins} 5:45
09 - Up for the Down Stroke {Clinton, Collins, Haskins, Worrell} 5:08
10 - Agony of Defeet {Clinton, Dunbar, Sterling} 4:25
11 - Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop) {Clinton, Collins, Worrell} 6:41
12 - Dr. Funkenstein {Clinton, Collins, Worrell} 5:44
13 - Chocolate City {Clinton, Collins, Worrell} 5:36
14 - Let's Play House {Clinton, Collins, Morrison} 3:36

 

[Botch]

This is an interesting brain-cell experiment.
Naturally was the first "serious" rock album I ever owned (I'm discounting the Partridge Family here... :roll: ) and I wore that damn disk out on my folks' record player, the one with the 1"-cube of modeling clay on the end of the tonearm so it wouldn't skip. (If I ever develop a vinyl allergy I'll know where the overexposure was...).
Haven't listened all the way thru yet, but its funny. I haven't listened to this disc in 3, 4 decades; saw it on CD at Amazon for less than $5, so I ordered it. Some parts of the album I remember like the back of my hand (including some very bad edits), other things (sometimes whole songs) don't sound familiar to me at all. Really weird...
There's a town just across the Utard border in Nevada called Wendover ("Bend-Over"). Its kind've dangerous to drive in with all the Utard mormons gambling, driving, and buying booze while covering up their faces (in case they run into their Bishops... bscene-birdiedoublered: ) BUT the town does have an incredible, intimate concert hall that gets a lot of bands from my era (ow, it hurt to say that...) Anyway, Three Dog Night played there a couple years ago, and all seven original members were playing; sure wish I'd taken the 3-hour drive to go see them...

 

[Dennie]

This is an interesting brain-cell experiment.
Naturally was the first "serious" rock album I ever owned (I'm discounting the Partridge Family here... :roll: ) and I wore that damn disk out on my folks' record player, the one with the 1"-cube of modeling clay on the end of the tonearm so it wouldn't skip. (If I ever develop a vinyl allergy I'll know where the overexposure was...).
Haven't listened all the way thru yet, but its funny. I haven't listened to this disc in 3, 4 decades; saw it on CD at Amazon for less than $5, so I ordered it. Some parts of the album I remember like the back of my hand (including some very bad edits), other things (sometimes whole songs) don't sound familiar to me at all. Really weird...
There's a town just across the Utard border in Nevada called Wendover ("Bend-Over"). Its kind've dangerous to drive in with all the Utard mormons gambling, driving, and buying booze while covering up their faces (in case they run into their Bishops... bscene-birdiedoublered: ) BUT the town does have an incredible, intimate concert hall that gets a lot of bands from my era (ow, it hurt to say that...) Anyway, Three Dog Night played there a couple years ago, and all seven original members were playing; sure wish I'd taken the 3-hour drive to go see them...

:text-goodpost:

Yeah, music will take me right back to a place and time. That can be good and bad. I've got a couple albums I just can't listen to right now, because of the memories. Some day! :eusa-whistle:

I know what you're sayin' about not remembering parts of the album. I've been picking up records my Mom played when I was a kid growing up and like you say, some I remember every word and some I don't remember at all! Some I still enjoy very much and some I don't.

I'm glad you got that album Botch, very cool indeed! :eusa-clap:


Dennie bscene-drinkingcheers:

PS About the 3 hour drive, remember what happened to Gilligan and The Skipper!!! :doh: