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Monday, March 24

Cathi's Reviews - 3/23/08

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Basile, Al – “The Tinge” (Sweetspot Music ) B
Trumpet player who wrote for a living meets Duke Robillard and the next thing he knows, he’s touring everywhere behind Duke and Roomful of Blues—musical accents on swing and jazz. Duke and have of Roomful back him here and you get that same big horn band professional sound atop Al’s vocals.. Vocals color great music not necessarily for the good, but Roomful sure knows how to play.

Beirne, Chris – “Freezerburn” (Dino Ranch Rec.) C
Solo effort of a man fond of country and rock. He’s really gonna be a better day job kinda guy. Vocals are almost bearable; music is bland. Not recommended.


Evans, Mack – “Lowdown” (Storm of the Century Music) B
Man with bass register voice who more talks than sings lyrics. Music, however, is standout – esp. on resonator and acoustic guitar blues. Songs tell a story. Some are a little passé-blues, but a few are really stellar and I give him big points for interesting topics. Really can play that guitar – and a bunch of real pro backup musicians put this disc way over.

Legendary R & B Review – “Command Performance” (Delta Groove) 2008 B
Live jam with Tommy Castro, Deanna Bogart, Deanna Bogart, Marcia Ball, Magic Dick and Curtis Salgado. Sounds like it was a lot of fun in person. A little sloppy and slam-bang on record. Rockin’ and some good blues by Ronnie Brooks. Always interesting to hear Salgados’ vocal phrasing and Magic Dick must be rich as much as he plays like he gets paid by the note.

Popa Chubby – “Deliveries After Dark” (Blind Pig) B+
Papa is quite the hero of the rock screamers. He’s very fast on guitar, prolific with cranking out albums, most all filled with hard rock tunes and paid-by-the-note solos. I’m not into his usual stud rock, but he puts some surprises on this disc (also stud-laden, but with enough surprises to remind me that he really CAN play good music. Nice reggae on # 12.

Various – “Honeydripper” Soundtrack (Warner) B
Soundtrack album with a blues speakeasy focus. Old time blues shouters and mamas, with many instrumentals of the period. Nice to hear Ruth Brown and Keb Mo doing old standards, but the music is pretty average…definitely of a period.

Various – “Soulsville Sings Hitsville” (Stax) C+
Stax soul singers cover hits of the 60s. Most of them are poor copies of the originals, but there are a few keepers. Can’t go wrong with the Staples who can sing the phone book and sound good. Isaac Hayes is schmaltzy but smokey on #6, and The Soul Children’s (#10) is the winner. Otherwise, nothing to write home to mom about.

Various – “Stax Does The Beatles” (Stax) C-
Painfully schmaltzy…eek…put it out of its misery quick!

posted by Cathi N @ 9:15:00 AM   0 comments

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Sunday, March 23

Darbuki Kings, Acoustic Brazil, & DO

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The Darbuki Kings
Lawrence of Suburbia
Antonio H. Albarran and Robin Adnan Anders take us for a listen along their adventures on the Silk Road. I would have liked to see them perform during their tour through Bloomington…we’re noted in the cover. This is an instrumental c.d., featuring instruments from the Silk Road regions of China, Central Asia, Near East, and Europe.
comments / tracks of interest:
#2: Dunbak beginning
#4: complex rhythms
#8: all percussion (drums)
#9: chimes have a sunny presence
#10: about the deer

Acoustic Brazil
“Brazilian music encompasses a vast array of cool styles, ranging from the driving samba of Rio’s carnival to the lilting melodies of its enchanting acoustic grooves. Think Global: Acoustic Brazil – in association with Oxfam – features unplugged, late-night tracks from Brazilian legends such as Maria Bethania, Chico Buarque, Marcos Sacramento and Paulo Moura.” (world music network) Lots of samba here!
comments / tracks of interest:
Slow tempos: #’s 2, 7, 11, & 15
Medium tempos: #’s 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, & 14
Tracks 12 & 13 skip, so avoid playing


Omar Sosa & Greg Landau
DO: Day Off EP 1
“DO (Day Off) reflect a new vision of Latin American music- a portrait capturing the evolution of blended African and European indigenous traditions painted with new technological tools and textures. DO is the brainchild between longtime collaborators, producer/musician Greg Landau and Cuban piano star Omar Sosa. The Day Off recordings came to fruition during Sosa's visit to Landau's garage recording studio. On a random day off, Sosa immersed himself in front of Landau's computer and began elaborating on his raw sonic sketches. The result is ten laid out tracks beautifully crafted into 21st century Latin American electronic soundscapes.” (6 degrees) Nice beats.
comments / tracks of interest:
#1: Brazilian flavor
#2: touch of Reggae
#3: calm vibe, djembe & Asian string instrumental
#4: Spanish w/ Middle Eastern & conga rhythms behind a piano melody and synthesized beats

EP 2
(see above description)
Mostly chill.
comments / tracks of interest:
#1: steel drum
#2: Afro-Caribbean influences
#3: “power to the people”
#4: beat boxing

posted by a stranger @ 7:26:00 PM   0 comments

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Sunday, March 16

Cathi's CD Reviews 3-16-08

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Bibb, Eric – “Get On Board” (Flatbrim Rec.) A-

Usual very smooth vocals, and what Bibb calls a more “spiritual” approach to tunes on this disc. More story songs, with life philosophy behind them. Easy mood and some very tasty beats, backed by great harpsmanship by Grant Dermody (Seattle player). Ruthie Foster and Bonnie Raitt give some very stellar assists on a couple of tunes as well. As usual, eminently listenable stuff from Bibb…one of the truly contemporary song writers today. Sometimes gets a little peace and lovey – but that sure ain’t no crime.

Clearwater, Eddie “The Chief” – “West Side Strut” (Alligator) B+

Old time west sider of Chicago struts his Chicago stuff. A disciple of the Luther Allison brand of showmanship, Eddie quickly decided blues was a lot better with showmanship, and he’s got that to the max. This disc has a lot of variety…his rockin’, funky, blues, even with a gospel number “Time for Peace” to finish off the sermon. “The Chief” is always a club favorite and one of the few who can translate this onto disc. Good disc. A partying, good feel approach produced by Ronnie Baker Brooks, and with active participation by the latter’s dad (old Chief-friend, Lonnie Baker Brooks). Good partying blues.

Duncan, Little Arthur – “Live at Rosa’s” (Delmark) B-

Nice backup band of Chicago stalwarts backing up on old-timer (Arthur) with none-too-polished vocals. Pretty nice club stuff, but showing the effects of endless club dates. Arthur’s an old-time harper/ vocalist who stuck right in there, giving rise to a lot of players…still doing the neighborhood thing. Illinois Slim (guitar) uses his vast knowledge of guitar chops and history to polish up this one, yet Arthur’s a bit worse for the wear

Fox, Jimmy – “Guit Town Git Down” (Sadawala Music) C-
Not much of anything to write home about – not recommended.

Mason, John-Alex – “Town & Country” (Naked Jaybird Music) B-

Steel playing young Colorado guitarist with a taste for old-time moanin’ blues and street buskin.’ He’s got the real feel of the blues and very strong resonator guitar skills. His young, nasal voice tends to show his extreme youth and lack of experience, but I expect that won’t stop him. It’s an interesting solo sound. All songs are of medium tempo and okay for morning mix. Songs are very similar and even tempo’d.

Speer, D. Charles & The Helix – “After Hours” (Indie) C-
1. “Fuck”
Well—terrible singer—oddmusic, but not in a good way. Eek.

Thom, Paul – A Long Way from Tupelo (Perpetual Obscurity Rec.) A-

Gritty singer with beautifully furnished songs, bristling with visual lyrics and mood-setting stories, usually falling into the rock beat category. Wow…what a songwriter…I’m jealous. Everything’s got good beat…musicianship great…songwriting---holy mama. No wonder Knopfler, Kristopherson and Prine consider him the best kept secret in the music business. I’m glad to be in on it.

Wonderland, Carolyn – “Miss Understood” (Bismeaux Productions) B+

Belter VERY reminiscent of Janis Joplin…smoother voice though. Killer slide (and trumpet) player and a songwriter now living in Austin and celebrated by many there—Bob Dylan’s latest favorite; toured with J. Winter and Buddy Guy. Supple voice and rock-tinged tunes. Easily hits the screamer vocal notes and moves back into smooth notes. Nice to hear some power vocals without strain.

Zucchero – “All the Best” (Universal Music ) B

This quirky Italian artist, a good friend of Pavarotti, brings to this disc some of the best tunes he’s put out on several albums, duets of note including a duet with John Lee Hooker (very cool); his duet with Pavarotti is truly a keeper as well. Working with Eric Clapton, Don Was…clearly he’s a respected musician who here combines the European beloved electronic beat with blues, popular, sometimes gospel, and now operatic. A Moby-type innovator. I always enjoy his new approaches, though he doesn’t always stay away from the syrupy. Good record.

posted by Cathi N @ 3:57:00 PM   1 comments

1 Comments:

At Mon Mar 17, 06:04:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cathi:

Hello. Thanks for taking the time to review my CD, "Guit Town Git Down". I wonder if however I couldnt get you to try it again, as maybe I'm an aquirred taste for you. I am having alot of good response in other quarters and frankly I dont know anyone who could do much better on a 100% home produced recording.

I'm a fan of super old time artists such as Jimmie Rodgers, The Texas Playboys, and Roy Acuff, so maybe you were expecting something more "modern" sounding? I'm part of a movement to put the Country back in Country music you can check out more groups like the Poverty Line Old TIme Band at www.sadawala.com and see if this helps with some context. Thanks again for everything.

 

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