What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

The Secret Sisters -- CD

The Secret Sisters

2010 Universal Republic

Product Description

Grammy winning producer T Bone Burnett will be presenting and releasing Universal Republic singing duo The Secret Sisters - and their highly anticipated, self-titled debut album- on a brand new Universal Republic label created by Burnett especially for this release: Beladroit Records. The Alabama-reared siblings, Laura and Lydia Rogers, whose new album is steeped in the familial camaraderie and mesmerizing harmonies braced by their Mussel Shoals roots, recorded their inaugural musical effort at Nashville's renowned Blackbird Studio. Produced by revered country knob-turner Dave Cobb (Waylon Jennings and Jamey Johnson), and executive-produced by Burnett, The Secret Sisters' sound captured on their debut has been described by Burnett as "as close to `pure' as it gets, and I've been doing this for forty years."

The multiple-Grammy winner's enthusiasm for The Secret Sisters attests to their burgeoning stature as one of the year's rare musical finds: "In The Secret Sisters, you can hear the history of rural American music from the 1920s and a reverence for every musical genre since," stated T Bone Burnett. "Popular music requires the absolute honesty of The Secret Sisters, and I'm thrilled to be involved in presenting them to the world."

Scheduled to hit stores and online platforms this fall, The Secret Sisters was recorded in a marathon two-week recording time frame. The producers also brought in vintage analogue recording equipment and vintage microphones, determined to properly capture The Secret Sisters' magical harmonizing and stunning vocal power. The duo's signature sound is evident on songs such as "Why Don't Ya Love Me," Why Baby Why," and the lilting anthem "Tennessee Me," among others.

Hailing direct from the fertile musical territory of Mussel Shoals, AL, The Secret Sisters co-wrote several of the songs on the new album. The girls' also re-worked found treasures, including the Frank Sinatra classic "Something Stupid," as well as enlisting the support of legendary country musicians such as pedal steel great Robbie Turner and piano legend Pig Robbins, among others.

Tennessee Me (2:28)
Why Baby Why (2:29)
The One I Love Is Gone (3:25)
My Heart Skips A Beat (2:22)
Something Stupid (2:42)
I've Got A Feeling (2:25)
Do You Love An Apple (2:44)
All About You (2:58)
Waste The Day (2:35)
Why Don't You Love Me (2:19)
House of Gold (2:57)

 

[heeman]

Track listing

All songs written by Bruce Hornsby and John Hornsby, except as noted.

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "On the Western Skyline" 4:43
2. "Every Little Kiss" Bruce Hornsby 5:49
3. "Mandolin Rain" 5:19
4. "The Long Race" 4:26
5. "The Way It Is" Bruce Hornsby 4:58
6. "Down the Road Tonight" 4:26
7. "The Wild Frontier" 4:04
8. "The River Runs Low" 4:28
9. "The Red Plains" 5:01

 

[Botch]

Having some "Soup" right now...

Good call, Mr. Franklin; I'm digging this. Saw that Steven Wilson recorded it, hopefully a 5.1 mix is in the near future. :music-listening:

EDIT: Ooooh, bonus video! Didn't realize Pat Mastellotto was the drummer.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96fOTbF4tg[/youtube]

 

[topper]

So Beautiful or So What by Paul Simon

(2011)

 

[Botch]

The Hidden Land:

 

[Dennie]

Unreleased Masters: New York Concert - May 20, 1964 -- CD

Duke Ellington at Columbia University

1995 MusicMasters Jazz

Rightfully honored as the leader of perhaps the greatest big band that ever existed, renowned as a composer and arranger, and widely regarded by hipsters everywhere as one of the coolest men who ever lived, Duke Ellington was first and foremost a pianist. At this recital recorded May 20, 1964, at Columbia University, Ellington reaffirms his mastery of the keyboard, with five gentle but swinging tunes with bassist Peck Morrison and drummer Sam Woodyard, including crowdpleasing renditions of his signature tunes "Take the A Train" and "Satin Doll." After duetting with fellow pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith on "Carolina Shout" and longtime collaborator Billy Strayhorn on two loose, good-humored jams, Ellington returns to play four solo pieces in the near-classical style he favored at the time. All sides of Ellington's musical style are thus encapsulated, with grace, humor and virtuosity.

1. Take The 'A' Train
2. Satin Doll
3. Caravan
4. Skillipoop
5. Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall (Duke's Poetry)
6. Blues Medley: Happy-Go-Lucky Local/John Sander's Blues (E & D Blues)/C Jam Blues
7. Carolina Shout (The Lion)
8. Tonk
9. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
10. Melancholia/Reflections In D
11. Little African Flower
12. Bird Of Paradise
13. The Single Petal Of A Rose

 

[Dennie]

Unreleased Masters: London The Great Concerts - Jan. 23, 1963 -- CD

Duke Ellington

1995 MusicMasters Jazz

Elegant Jazz September 28, 2009
By James E. Scalise
Format:Audio CD

The sophistication and class of Dukes' great band in action before an audience in January, 1963. Everyone is bright and shiny on this one. Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves add their personal touches. Johnny just kills me. The concert moves along like a well oiled machine with Duke changing directions and moods and Sam Woodyard propelling the band along the way. Swedish trumpeter Rolf Erickson gets a little action on a couple of tunes. "Harlem" takes you on a mental trip with all the stops. "Petal" features the simple beauty of Duke alone at the piano. The band roars as a unit to close on "Rockin'" with Cat Anderson leading them out.

Through no fault of his own, Duke was over recorded. A lot of new stuff has been released since his death in 1974. I think he would have approved of this one.

 

[Dennie]

So Near, So Far (Musings For Miles) -- CD

Joe Henderson

1993 Verve Records

Amazon.com

One of the most effective tributes ever recorded, this session matches Joe Henderson's tenor with three brilliant former Miles Davis sidemen--guitarist John Scofield, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Al Foster. While these musicians were associated with Davis during his later electronic years, the session's inspiration is clearly from the trumpeter's great acoustic career. It includes little-heard pieces like "Swing Spring," from 1954, and "Circle," from 1966, as well as masterworks such as "Miles Ahead", "Milestones," and "Flamenco Sketches" from the intervening classic period. Heard at his best here, Henderson is a stunning improviser, combining a relaxed, almost offhand flow with frequently surprising melodic and rhythmic turns, developing an intriguing multidirectionality in his solos. While Davis has been one of the most imitated of musicians, there's nothing derivative about this tribute, which garnered 1993 Grammy Awards as both Best Jazz Instrumental (individual or group) and Best Jazz Solo (instrumental) for Henderson's serene work on "Miles Ahead." The CD is unquestionably a group accomplishment, though, with intense yet restrained work from Scofield (his comping here sometimes suggests the master, Jim Hall) and bristling interplay in the rhythm section. --Stuart Broomer

Track listing

1. Miles Ahead
2. Joshua
3. Pfrancing (No Blues)
4. Flamenco Sketches
5. Milestones
6. Teo
7. Swing Spring
8. Circle
9. Side Car
10. So Near, So Far

 

[PaulyT]

So Beautiful or So What by Paul Simon

(2011)

Y'know, I have this one and I've listened to it a few times, but so far it doesn't do much for me. I'll give it a few more tries though as I have enormous respect for Simon, and love Graceland (and of course S&G which I have just about all of).

 

[Dennie]

Ten Strait Hits -- CD

George Strait

1991 MCA Records

My favorite of his hits! February 7, 2002
By Roy Levins
Format:Audio CD

Out of all the greatest hits collections I truly think this collection is my favorite. These are some of his best songs. You have so many nice songs its amazing like Ace in the hole,Babys gotten good at goodbye,Baby Blue,Drinking Champagne and so many more just 10 great songs. This is great but I do say that any fan of this cd really should buy the real albums these songs came off of because I think those are his best albums. Your hearing his hits here from 1988-1991. Great collection if you are little strapped for cash right now and cannot afford the box set.

1. Famous Last Words Of A Fool
2. Baby Blue
3. If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')
4. Baby's Gotten Good At Goodbye
5. What's Going On In Your World
6. Ace In The Hole
7. Overnight Success
8. Love Without End, Amen
9. Drinking Champagne
10. I've Come To Expect It From You

 

[Botch]

So Beautiful or So What by Paul Simon

(2011)

Y'know, I have this one and I've listened to it a few times, but so far it doesn't do much for me. I'll give it a few more tries though as I have enormous respect for Simon, and love Graceland (and of course S&G which I have just about all of).

I'm in the same boat Paul, the last few PS albums haven't really clicked with me either, but I'm still a huge fan.

 

[Dennie]

Slow Down -- 2 CD Set "Tower Records Exclusive!"

Keb Mo

1998 OKeh/Epic Records

Real blues played with in a 90's style January 14, 2000
By slider
Format:Audio CD

I never heard of this guy until he landed in Amazon's Recommendation list to me. And am I happy it did. What a great album. Not a bad song on the entire CD. Keb plays the blues like they were meant to be played - with feeling and depth. He reminds me of a throwback to the early days of blues - 40's and 50's to be exact. Muddy Waters basically invented the current blues lineup that you see in many blues bands today. That is one that has a guitar, bass, drums, piano and harp, with the guitar palyer either doubling on vocals or the use of a second guitarist. Keb goes back even further, before Muddy changed everything. He uses simple production values combined with even simpler arrangements. There is nothing fancy on this album whatsoever. But the beauty, and this is what makes this an outstanding album, is that it works. All of it. He uses subtle chord changes and progressions that remind one of Hooker and T-Bone Walker. Both of whom relyed on simple melodic figures to display both emotion and depth in both their playing and singing. The guitar never overpowers the singing and vice versa. If you are seeking blues the way they were meant to be played pick this up!

1. "Muddy Water" Kevin Moore, Georgina Graper 4:21
2. "I Was Wrong" Moore, Anders Osborne 4:21
3. "Everything I Need" Moore, Charles Edward Streetman 3:56
4. "Henry" Moore, John Lewis Parker 5:20
5. "Soon As I Get Paid" Moore, Parker 4:38
6. "A Better Man" Moore, Osborne 5:16
7. "I Don't Know" Moore, Graper 4:12
8. "A Letter to Tracy" Moore, Parker 4:09
9. "Slow Down" Moore, Parker 4:52
10. "Rainmaker" Moore, Patrick Shepard 4:15
11. "Love In Vain" Robert Johnson 3:05
12. "God Trying to Get Your Attention" Moore, Colin Linden 4:09
13. "I'm Telling You Now" Moore, Bruce E. Fisher 2:35

Bonus Disc:

1. More Than One Way Home (4:53)
2. Every Morning (3:22)
3. Just Like You (3:26)
4. Dangerous Mood (Live from The Planet) (5:42)

 

[Dennie]

So Beautiful or So What by Paul Simon

(2011)

Y'know, I have this one and I've listened to it a few times, but so far it doesn't do much for me. I'll give it a few more tries though as I have enormous respect for Simon, and love Graceland (and of course S&G which I have just about all of).

I'm in the same boat Paul, the last few PS albums haven't really clicked with me either, but I'm still a huge fan.

:text-+1:

I'm waiting for my "used music dealer" to come up with it. Paul is one of the Great Singer/Songwriters of our time, but I'm okay waiting to pick it up.


Dennie

 

[topper]

ref. Kevin Moore's Slow Down . . .

Your way-back post, Dennie, got me to buy it.

A fun disc to listen to, and now a favortie ot mine.

Edit: I've only had 'So Beautiful or So What' (Paul Simon) about a week, but think it's pretty good. Only other album of his I have is "Graceland"

 

[Dennie]

ref. Kevin Moore's Slow Down . . .

Your way-back post, Dennie, got me to buy it.

A fun disc to listen to, and now a favortie ot mine.

Edit: I've only had 'So Beautiful or So What' (Paul Simon) about a week, but think it's pretty good. Only other album of his I have is "Graceland"

Thanks Gary! Reminds me of the time, years ago, you told me about "Duke Elegent" by Dr. John. I love that album! :text-bravo:

This 2 disc "Keb Mo" set was a freebie from my "used music dealer". It came with my most resent order, disc 2 is great, although only 4 songs, I'm glad add it to the collection.


Dennie bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[Dennie]

I really enjoy this album.....

Naste' -- CD

Roy Ayers

1995 RCA Records

The title is Naste` but the music is wonderful!, November 18, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Naste (Audio CD)

I purchased this on cassette when it came out in 1995. I love it!! It's one for the collection and I'm now going to purchase it on CD so I won't wear out my cassette!! I don't think Roy Ayers has put out a "bad" cd. The tunes are smooth and showcase his unique style. If you like Roy Ayers, you will love "Naste".

Track Listing
1. Nasté
2. Mama Daddy
3. Your Love
4. Treasure
5. Swirl
6. Fantasy
7. Olé José
8. Baby Set Me Free
9. No More Trouble
10. Satisfaction
11. I Like It Like That
12. Last XT
13. Nonsense

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

The New Standard -- CD

Herbie Hancock

1996 Verve Records

Overlooked Jazz Masterpiece, February 22, 2006
By Lars Tackmann (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: The New Standard (Audio CD)

This is by far one of Hancock's best recordings (at least since the Headhunters, Thrust, Manchild days). He captures a strange haunting sound in the twilight between Jazz, Pop and Rock. When I come home from a long day there is nothing better than mixing a gin and tonic and putting on Herbie's fantastic version of "Norwegian Wood". The musicians seams to be completely in tune on this record, not just showing off talent but really putting there soul into it.

If you dig Miles Davis on "In a Silent Way" or Coltrane in "My Favorite Things" then you are going to love this fantastic record. Tracks like "Mercy Street", "When Can I See You", "Manhattan" and "Love is Stronger Than Pride" are made of the good stuff, they are played with depth and skill in that rare way that makes a classic. In short this record can be put next to any great Jazz masterpiece.

Track listing

1. "New York Minute" (Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, Kai Winding) - 8:33
2. "Mercy Street" (Peter Gabriel) - 8:36
3. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 8:04
4. "When Can I See You" (Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds) - 6:15
5. "You've Got It Bad Girl" (Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright) - 7:13
6. "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" (Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman) - 7:57
7. "Scarborough Fair" (Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel) - 8:25
8. "Thieves in the Temple" (Prince) - 7:30
9. "All Apologies" (Kurt Cobain) - 5:04
10. "Manhattan (Island of Lights and Love)" (Herbie Hancock, Jean Hancock) - 4:05

 

[Dennie]

Mr. Lucky -- CD

John Lee Hooker

1991 Pointblank Records

Product Description

Released in 1991 on Pointblank/Virgin, this audiophile treat finds the 'Hook in some very special company. Co-producers Roy Rogers, Ry Cooder and Carlos Santana (who all contribute musically on this title as well) persuaded the likes of Albert Collins, Robert Cray, John Hammond, Johnnie Johnson, Van Morrison, Keith Richards, Nick Lowe and Johnny Winter among others to join in and the result is one terrific record. This original analog recording is beautifully recorded and a highlight to the ump-teenth rejuvenation in the 'Hooks career.

Except where otherwise noted, all songs composed by John Lee Hooker.

"I Want to Hug You" (Hooker, Al Smith) – 2:52
"Mr. Lucky" (Hooker, Al Smith) – 4:38
"Back Stabbers" (Hooker, Smith) – 5:01
"This Is Hip" – 3:23
"I Cover the Waterfront" – 6:39
"Highway 13" – 6:32
"Stripped Me Naked" (Hooker, Benny Rietveld, Carlos Santana, Chester Thompson) – 4:18
"Susie" – 4:23
"Crawlin' King Snake" (Tony Hollins, Bernard Besman, Hooker) – 3:20
"Father Was a Jockey" – 4:58


Kenny Baker – saxophone
Gaylord Birch – drums
Bowen Brown – drums
Albert Collins – guitar
Tom Compton – drums
Ry Cooder – guitar
Richard Cousins – bass
Robert Cray – guitar, vocals
Maurice Cridlin – bass
Steve Ehrmann – bass
Terry Evans – vocals
Jeff Ganz – bass
William "Bill" Greene – vocals
Jim Guyet – bass
John Hammond, Jr. – harmonica, slide guitar
Kevin Hayes – drums
John Lee Hooker – guitar, vocals
Johnnie Johnson – piano
Booker T. Jones – organ
Deacon Jones – organ
Tim Kaihatsu – guitar
Jim Keltner – drums
Bobby King – vocals
Nick Lowe – bass
Scott Mathews – drums
Van Morrison – guitar, vocals
Michael Osborn – guitar
Karl Perazzo – timbales
Jimmy Pugh – organ
Raul Rekow – conga
Keith Richards – guitar
Benny Rietveld – bass
Carlos Santana – guitar
Larry Taylor – bass
Chester Thompson – keyboards
Johnny Winter – guitar

 

[mzpro5]

Listening/watching the 2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on HBO Signature. They are reshowing it all day today.

 

[Dennie]

Drive -- Original Master Recording SACD

Bela Fleck

2005 Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Ultradisc, UltraHighResolution, Gain 2

Utterly fantastic - the remaster REALLY helps, April 8, 2005
By It's Me, "Really" (Houston) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Drive (SACD)

This is a fantastic remaster of this classic album. I always thought the original CD edition of "Drive" had great songs and superb playing. However, it suffered from very flat sound quality that squashed the dynamics of the acoustc instrumentation. Thankfully, the remaster completely eliminates this problem, and listening to the CD is like sitting in on the sessions. The bonus track is a worthy addition that makes the set that much more worth purchasing. I'm very happy with this release. Hopefully, Mobile Fidelity can get its hands on some of the other Fleck albums in the Rounder Records catalogue.

1. Whitewater
2. Slipstream
3. Up and Around the Bend
4. Natchez Trace
5. See Rock City
6. Legend
7. Lights of Home
8. Down in the Swamp
9. Sanctuary
10. Open Road
11. Crucial County Breakdown
12. Shuckin' the Corn [Bonus Track]