|
GARY PUCKETT &
THE UNION GAP
on Columbia Legacy
|
LES FRADKIN
on RRO Records
|
BO DIDDLEY
on Raven Records
|
SPRING
BREAK 2005
MUSIC & RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
ABKCO
RECORDS - A
shrewd musical move that has the fingerprints of Beatles / Rolling
Stones impresario Allen Klein, the double CD set 40 Licks
was first conceived of in 2002 as a joint venture between
Klein’s company Abkco and Virgin. Mixing the ‘60s
music of The Rolling Stones with tracks from their post - Let
It Bleed years and beyond actually helps to blur the lines between
the group’s heady ‘60s pop and R&B sound with the band’s
trendier, made for FM radio sounds of their ‘70s albums. With
disc one adding together 20 of the best Stones singles, disc two compiles
20 more tracks from the post-Brian Jones years topped off by
four tracks recorded in 2002 by Mick, Keith, Bill, Charlie and Ron
with producer Don Was. There’s a cool booklet with decent
notes but, while humorously missing out on single / Lp info, the set
interestingly gives detailed credits to a number of key session players
who helped embellish these songs with the Stones including Al Kooper,
Jack Nitzsche, Marianne Faithfull, Nicky Hopkins,
Dave Mason (Dave played a shenai on “Street Fighting Man”),
John Paul Jones...and that was just in the ‘60s! www.rollingstones.com
ANGEL AIR RECORDS - Over in England, Angel Air continues releasing
great music from the archives of U.K. producer legend Mike Hurst.
Their latest, Mike Hurst Producers Archives Volume 2: 1965-1984
further collects some great Hurst productions including the
original 1979 recording of “Video Killed The Radio Star”
by Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club. The song was actually
co-written by Woolley and Trevor Horn, who beat Woolley to
punch with a version he made with The Buggles. Other Hurst productions
reexamined here include ‘60s tracks by Barry St. John,
Truly Smith, Human Instinct (a ‘68 cover of The
Byrds’ “Renaissance Fair”), several cuts from Hurst
himself including tracks recorded with Jimmy Page on guitar
and also ‘80s tracks Hurst made with Samantha Fox and
Jonas (featuring Alvin Lee on guitar). Historically,
Hurst made a name for himself on early productions with Cat Stevens,
Mary Hopkin and Dusty Springfield, yet these equally rewarding, though
lesser known pop nuggets sheds further light on the amazing production
skills and finesse brought to the pop music world. The 16 track Archives
Volume 2 features insightful liner notes by Hurst himself, who
is at work compiling an expected Volume 3 for release in ‘05.
Other recent titles on Angel Air includes a 2005 compilation from
Ice entitled Ice Man. The 19 track CD
captures the classic late ‘60s pop band sounding inspired by
the late period psych-pop Spencer Davis Group sound. Featuring new
sleeve notes from original vocalist Glyn James, the lost relic
pop artifact CD was remastered from 45’s so the sound is more
than authentic! Also out on Angel Air is a vital newly recorded 2004
album of Brit-pop CD entitled Pop Yowlin’ from
The Look, who originally scored a top ten hit back in 1981.
In the spirit of classic late ‘70s U.K. pop bands like The Rumour
and Madness, the Look latches on to a sing-song hook and nails it
on the inside track. www.angelair.co.uk
ASTRALWERKS - Huge in Australia, The Dissociatives recently
landed a Stateside deal with NYC-based Astralwerks and for
pop fans it comes like manna from on high. Although Split Enz were
from New Zealand, their influence spread well into Australia and you
can fully hear that well crafted, strangely alluring sound in full
flight on their self-titled CD, The Dissociatives. The brainchild
of Australian dance music guru Paul Mac and Daniel Johns
from the Aussie group Silverchair, the CD merges Beatle-esque pop
with a touch Split Enz ala Eno while the snappy instrumentals and
ultra strange cover art would put a smile on Eddie Raynor’s face.
www.The Dissociatives.com
AUDIO FIDELITY - One of the most innovative progressive bands
from England during the early ‘70s, The Strawbs are remembered
with vital 2004 DVD release on the L.A. based Audio Fidelity label.
The 80 minute DVD combines a variety of intriguing subject matters
including a ten track 1975 live Strawbs concert from Japan and a rarely
seen full length video for their all time album classic from 1972,
Grave New World, which was originally planned for theatrical
release following the album release. Other features of the DVD include
a 1970 Strawbs Granada TV appearance with Rick Wakeman in the
lineup, a 1974 video interview with Strawbs founder Dave Cousins
and a 2002 clip of Cousins and Wakeman performing together live
in Wakeman’s studio. When it came to mixing English folk music
and progressive rock, few bands were able to equal the power and majesty
of The Strawbs, a fact this essential DVD clearly demonstrates. www.audiofidelity.net
B-CAT - He may have grown up on Hendrix, Zeppelin and Peter
Frampton, but later exposure to fusion jazzers like Steve Morse, Robben
Ford and Pat Martino made all the difference in the guitar style of
L.A. based guitarist Matthew Von Doran. Seasoned by twenty
years of session work, Von Doran steps out as a leader on his 2004
solo debut effort produced by Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip.
Featuring the guitarist in a setting with top players such as Bob
Mintzer (sax), Larry Goldings (B-3) and four different
drummers including Peter Erskine and Terri Lyne Carrington,
In This Present Moment establishes Von Doran as a major
player on a solid instrumental set that puts a new spin on the post-Metheny
/ post-Scofield guitar landscape. Von Doran’s words, "The
record has a nice eclectic mix but it's not too all over the map”
are underscored on a CD that skillfully merges post-bop jazz, atmospheric
fusion and funk. www.matthewvondoran.com
BMG HERITAGE - Always primal and wild than a made for FM radio
stereo experience, the music of Jefferson Airplane lives on
decades after their ‘60s heyday. The pinnacle was clearly the
group’s 1969 album Volunteers, which was
reissued last year by RCA / BMG Heritage. This domestic
reissue adds in five tracks captured live at the Fillmore in November
‘69, providing a vivid reminder of a year that lives on in musical
lore. Released in the Fall of ‘69, Volunteers remains
a quintessential snapshot of the definitive Airplane lineup of Grace
Slick, Paul Kantner, Marty Balin, Jack Cassidy,
Spencer Dryden and Jorma Kaukonen. Revisiting the classic
album art is nostalgia at it’s finest while liner notes provide
a historical slant on the Jefferson Airplane as messengers of the
anti-war and pro-peace hippie movement of the ‘60s and early
‘70s. www.jeffersonairplane.com
BACKBEAT BOOKS - S.F.-based Backbeat continues releasing high
profile books on some of great guitarists of the 20th Century. High
on Backbeat’s roster of early 2005 releases is Django Reinhardt
- Know The Man, Play The Music. Part biography /
part instruction, the spiral bound book takes an in-depth look at
Django’s life story in part one, while the second half of the
book chronicles chapters on his technique, tone and harmonic approach
accompanied by a CD of eight classic Reinhardt recordings, paired
with newly recorded backing tracks without lead guitar making it perfect
for practice sessions. The stylish 128 page Know The Man, Play
The Music was expertly written by U.K.-based Django Reinhardt
mavens Dave Gelly—examining Django’s life, and
Rod Fogg—who chronicles his music and ‘Djangology’).
A fine intro to the Reinhardt legacy, the book is filled with
numerous historic b&w photos of the European guitar great.
Also up and out in 2005 on Backbeat is Incurable Blues: the
Troubles & Triumph Of Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin. An
influential guitarist, Sumlin can be heard on many Chess recordings
by Holin’ Wolf while his unique blues work has been an inspiration
to greats like Hendrix, Clapton, Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The
272 soft-cover edition was written by Will Romano and features
a number of b&w photos. A cool Backbeat soft-cover book from 2004
is Guitar Effect Pedals: The Practical Handbook.
Written by U.K.-based Dave Hunter, the 224 page book examines
a wealth of effects pedals—vintage models and new high tech devices—and
how they supercharge a guitarists’ sound. www.backbeatbooks.com
BADMAN RECORDING CO. - Back in the ‘60s Elektra Records
could do very little wrong and in a strange move during the heady
year of 1969 they released the debut album from Bread. Although
their ‘69 album was critically acclaimed, the group faded into
a premature soft-rock scene. Fourteen cutting edge pop rock artists—including
Ken Stringfellow, Jon Auer of The Posies and 12 other
‘60s pop devotees—have banded together on the 2005 Badman
CD release Friends And Lovers: Songs Of Bread. There’s
no loafing about here, these guys get the power and glory Bread mainman
David Gates brought to the FM radio scene back then. In the hands
of these younger eager players, the music of Bread winners Gates and
the late, great James Griffin comes alive with a fresh vision. www.badmanrecordingco.com
BIG BUG RECORDS - Following a pair of blues-rock releases,
guitarist Magic Red cuts loose with a ten track CD of guitar-based
instrumentals that tactfully combines elements of hard rock and blues,
and a touch of acoustic-flavored instrumentals. Assisted by Nick
Douglas (bass), “Texas” Steve Carter (drums)
and Rich Fogg (percussion), drives home his rockin’ original
instrumentals with a sonic intensity and an appealing clarity of purpose.
Regarding his approach to instrumental rock music Red claims, “The
guitar to me is so much more than I could ever express in words. It’s
a friend, a love affair, a puzzle, a spiritual pursuit.” Inspired
by the house in East Rutherford, N.J. where he learned to play guitar,
Red takes his guitar vision to a higher ground with 87 Humboldt
Street. www.magic-red.com
BIG SURF BAND - The temperature is minus zero and the surf’s
gone wild, but don’t tell that to Minnesota-based Big Surf.
The all instro power trio released their rockin’ 16 track CD
entitled Action Heroes in 2004. The group’s lead
guitarist and principle songwriter, Phil Belknap was born in
California and although he moved to Minnesota in the ‘60s, his
love of instro surf music followed after him. He strikes gold with
the Big Surf CD, which combines a number of guitar instro tracks with
faithful covers of Ventures classics like “Diamond Head”
and “Journey To The Stars.” www.bigsurfband.com
BLUE RAFT MUSIC / CELESTIAL SPHERE - Much like some
of the great late ‘70s music from Brian Eno, Kenotic from
the group Hammock is dream like floating stuff filled with
all kinds of guitar / keyboard mixes. Bordering on a haunting hybrid
of celestial electronica, Hammock features some fine interplay between
group members Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson. In addition
to the glorious electronica backdrop, the 16 track CD features some
amazing guitar work that echoes the spirit of Robert Fripp at his
most sublime. www.hammock.com
BOLERO RECORDS - Nuevo flamenco guitar ace Armik and
his Bolero imprint recently expanded their musical empire
with the release of the 2005 CD from Young & Rollins. Esperanza
finds the guitar duo of Dan Young and Lawson Rollins
in fine form on their third duet album and debut CD for Bolero.
Fans of Armik’s daredevil GUITAR instrumentals will be mightily
impressed with Esperanza. With the title track inspired by
the beaches of Esperance, in Western Australia, the eleven track CD
goes on to combine the musical styles of European classical music
exemplified by the power and passion of Brazilian, salsa, and flamenco
traditions Latin guitar music. Seductive guitar sounds with just the
right amount of technical guitar virtuosity, Esperanza is a
welcome addition to the Bolero Records catalog and is recommended
for anyone who enjoys guitar greats like Ottmar Liebert, Strunz &
Farah, Oscar López and Jesse Cook. The Young & Rollins
CD is rounded out by fine liner notes and—as is the case with
all Bolero releases—vivid artwork. Other recent arrivals on Bolero
include new CDs from Jason McGuire Distances and Duende
by Romero. www.youngandrollins.com / www.bolero-records.com
BOOSWEET RECORDS - Guitarist Vernon Neilly joins forces
with three other well respected guitarists for the 2005 release of
G-Fire II. Founder member Neilly joins with guitarists
Mark Whitfield, Kevin Chokan and Miguel Mega on
this impressive CD of bluesy and rockin’ smooth jazz and fusion
music. Having worked with top artists like Herbie Hancock, George
Benson and George Duke—Neilly, Whitfield and company heat things
up nicely on their album of exciting, entertaining sounds. www.boosweet.com
CAR-TUNES MUSIC - The best instrumental guitar music has a
great beat, impressive musicianship and a hook you could hang your
hat on. Those three elements are clearly in abundance on the 2004
self-produced CD release from West Virginia guitarist Charlie Read.
Solid support from players including his sons Matt Read (rhythm
guitar) and Isaac Read (drums) helps the guitarist realize
his musical mission. A master of the rock, jazz and blues instrumental
guitar sound, Read has also developed a fine reputation for his guitar
teaching abilities and his fine CD will entice guitar fans to ‘read
between the lines.’ Commenting on his guitar background Read
adds, "Like many guitarists, I spent most of my teens and early
twenties with an instrument in my hand as often as possible. Before
the days of CDs and instructional videos, I ruined most of my vinyl
albums by trying to figure out licks while slowing the LPs down to
16 rpm on a turntable. However, this tedious process helped me in
the long run to develop a keen ear which has certainly come in handy
though the years, and perhaps especially in my current role as a guitar
instructor.” Read also spoke about his numerous musical influences
adding, “OK, let me show my age. The Beatles' famed Ed Sullivan
appearance blew my mind and changed the course of my life, as I dusted
off my sister's Silvertone acoustic and laboriously started learning
some chords. In those days the sheet music wasn't worth the paper
it was printed on (at least for guitar players), but I learned enough
chords to master some of my favorite tunes by Dylan and The Byrds,
and picked out the Ventures “Walk Don't Run” by ear. I remember
the day I came home from school, turned on the radio, and heard a
song that stopped me in my tracks. It was 'Hey Joe' by Jimi Hendrix,
and I realized rock guitar would never be the same. Of course, all
the styles of the greats were absorbed by my insatiable musical curiosity,
as my practice time increased to 4 to 7 hours a day. Jimmy Page, Eric
Clapton, Michael Bloomfield, Carlos Santana - visionaries and influences
every one. Then there were Terry Kath (Chicago), Leslie West, Joe
Satriani. Like the old saying "You are what you eat" the
same holds true for the music we take in. It becomes part of our nature,
our mode of expression. When we play, glimpses of that input manifest
themselves just as we reflect the personalities of our parents as
we age. I think my style is my own, and cannot be compared exactly
to anyone else. But, no man is an island - and everything I am as
a guitarist is a result not only of my own personal 'woodshedding
time' but the awesome talents of those who have gone before and left
a lasting legacy of beautiful guitar music that will go on and on."
www.charlieread.com
CASTLE / SANCTUARY - There is no better way to learn
guitar than through the instructional books from acoustic guitar legend
Stefan Grossman. Humorously calling himself The Ragtime
Cowboy Jew, Grossman’s instructional books and now DVDs are
legendary, although as a recording artist Grossman cuts equally a
dazzling figure. His ‘70s works—deftly mixing both instrumentals
and vocals—on the U.K.-based Transatlantic label is given
a fresh look with the release of a double disc set entitled Those
Pleasant Days: The Transatlantic Anthology. Busting
out of the blues mold, Grossman incorporates a number of valid acoustic
guitar forms here including ragtime, classical and trad jazz. His
clarity of picking is almost routinely dazzling and drawing from eight
different albums, the 44 track double disc set is a great introduction
to a guitar legend. www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.co.uk
CHICKADEE MUSIC - In spite of the album being called Poor
Player, Seattle guitarist Mortimer Nelson is
anything but that! A stellar sounding mix of acoustic jazz with classical
guitar overtones (and hints of Ragtime too), Poor Player is
a crisply recorded set of compelling acoustic instrumentals with Nelson’s
Taylor guitar ringing out loud and clear. Nelson is more Stefan Grossman
or John Renbourn than Leo Kottke, yet the 15 track all original set
maintains an atmospheric, experimental edge while seducing listeners
with it’s sumptuous sound stage. Regarding the CD title Nelson
adds, “it's intimidating and maybe a little presumptuous to be
playing on the same field as the great guitarists, even if you're
not in the same league. I've always loved music, or the idea, or feelings
of the music, more than the guitar per se, but the guitar just seems
to come closer to the sound of that 'inner music' than any other sound
for me.” The occasional addition of Riki Tesea on Casio
SK1 synth adds some nice edges, and guitar buffs won’t fail to
be impressed by Nelson’s meticulous command of the acoustic guitar
fretboard. Nelson’s melodic fretboard work is most convincing
on the set-closing 11+ minute track “Tidepools.” www.cdbaby.com/cd/mortimern
COLUMBIA / LEGACY - One of the great Top 40 pop bands of the ‘60s,
Gary Puckett & The Union are given a respectable 14 track
best of compilation on Columbia Legacy, the original home of their
great music. Breaking out with their August ‘67 smash “Woman,
Woman”, the band went on to sell 20 million records by 1970,
racking up five Top ten hits. The group’s calling card had them
dressing up as Union soldiers from the Civil War and however corny
it was, it worked with their first 45 rpm going into the Top five.
The liner notes and photos featured in the 2004 reissue CD supplies
an excellent historic backdrop as does their timeless, made for AM
radio music which still holds up well over 35 years after Puckett
recorded his last music for Columbia Records. www.legacyrecordings.com
CHRONICLE BOOKS - San Francisco-based Chronicle issued an amazing
book version of the Beatles famous Anthology series.
The final word on the the illustrious Fab Four history, The
Beatles Anthology, expresses in the group’s own
words, the power and the glory they brought to the music world of
the ‘60s and beyond. Paul McCartney, George Harrison
and Ringo Starr agreed to tell their story for the book,
and—compiled from world wide sources—the words of Beatles
founder John Lennon are equally represented here. Featuring
the classic cover artwork of Klaus Voorman, this 368 page Apple
sanctioned soft cover edition also features key contributions from
Beatles cohorts including Derek Taylor, Neil Aspinall and
producer George Martin. Another key Beatles-related book on
Chronicle is Each One Believing: Paul McCartney On Stage, Off
Stage And Backstage. Conceptualized by McCartney during
his worldwide 2002/2003 tour, the 208 page hard cover book compiles
a stunning range of color and B&W photos taken by Bill Bernstein
at concerts in NYC, Rome’s Colosseum and Moscow’s Red Square.
Also of interest on Chronicle is a 2002 soft cover edition of Temples
Of Sound: Inside The Great Recording Studios. Written
by Jim Cogan and William Clark—with a forward by
Quincy Jones—the 224 soft cover book details the unique
history of fifteen of the great American recording studios. Taking
readers into the workings of Capitol studios, Sunset Sound and United
Western in L.A. to Stax and Sun Studios in Memphis to Motown, Sigma
Sound in Philly and Atlantic in NYC, Temples Of Sound provides
a unique history lesson into how recording studios and the engineers
working the boards were almost as equally important as the music they
helped immortalize. www.chroniclebooks.com
CROOKED MILE - Cincinnati-based guitarist George Cunningham
teams with producer and drumming ace from The Bears Chris Arduser
on his latest CD Stumblingham. Subtitled An
American Album of Unfamiliar Music, the mostly guitar-based
instrumental album lands on a number of instro genres blending surf,
Latin, Celtic, Middle Easter, solo acoustic fingerstyle guitar, ‘30s
jazz and cartoon music. According to Cunningham, “I decided that
making this record would be a good idea when I realized that, at some
point, Mariah Carey had managed to ruin all vocal music for me.”
Stumblingham is a fine showcase for Cunningham’s cunning
guitar moves, while the album further benefits thanks to Arduser’s
production, songwriting and added talents on drums, bass, acoustic
guitar and mandolin. www.graveblankets.com
CUNEIFORM - Offbeat, heady stuff firmly entrenched in the realm
of funky fusion, the Yo Miles! release of Upriver
is the latest effort from guitar maestro Henry Kaiser and electric
/ acoustic trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith. Paired with top players
like Michael Manring (bass), Steve Smith (drums) and
guitarists Mike Keneally, Chris Muir and Dave Creamer,
Kaiser and Co. burn their way through a number of classics long
associated with jazz icon Miles Davis. Recorded live in the
studio, Davis classics like “Go Ahead John”, “On The
Corner Jam” and “Bitches Brew” are given a new lease
on life, while the 2005 hybrid, double CD / SACD set also features
an original Smith composition and a group improvisation called “Macero.”
Formed in San Francisco in 1998 as a tribute to the mid ‘70s
Miles, the first ‘90s Yo Miles! lineup featured a number of players
including guitarists Nels Cline and Elliot Sharp and with Upriver,
Kaiser & Co. continue to explore and redefine the fiery electronic
jazzy-funky groove that Davis brought to the world of contemporary
jazz and fusion improvisation. A wild sonic ride that stretches the
borders of modern music, Upriver is a solid tribute to his
dark, electrifying musical mystique. Yo Miles! reestablishes Kaiser—best
known for his avant gard works with Jerry Garcia, David Lindley and
Fred Frith among the most daring and creative guitarists currently
recorded today . www.cuneiformrecords.com
DMI - Among the new releases on Digital Musicworks International
is a 2004 CD from guitar maven Lino. A great album demonstrating
Lino’s excellent performance on Yamaha’s SLG Silent classical
and steel string guitars, Return To Avalon is
an amazing mix of Baroque classical, smooth jazz, instrumental rock
and New Age into one appealing package. Evoking images of John Williams
during his neoclassical rock years with Aussie instro rockers Sky,
Lino demonstrates inherits that throne with his own brand of modern
classical guitar performance. Supplying keen melodies and near classical
style touches on both electrified classical and steel string guitars,
Lino’s merger of various is wonderful and will be a treat for
instro guitar buffs and the elite classical crowd looking for a great
album to rock out. A set-closing cover of “You Belong To Me”
oozes sentiment from Lino’s guitar. www.digitalmusicworks.com
DT - An album with a "guitaristic" name if there was
one, Semi Hollow Body introduces the music of
guitarist Tim Jenkins and the group Delirious Tremor.
Assisted by David Sheets (bass) and David Huether (drums),
Jenkins has written some intriguing instrumental music for the group’s
third album, combining upbeat and jazzy guitar music with a subtle
progressive twist. A complex trio album with abundant improvisation,
Delirious Tremor set their group apart adding elements of rock, folk
and modern classical into their framework while the group’s mastery
of tricky time signatures enhance the swing and groove direction of
the CD. www.delirioustremor.com
DEW MUSIC - Experimental guitar music with just the right combination
of melodic ideas and atmospheric vibe, Guitar Island was
released by the Georgia-based Perkins Wood in 2004. Described
as A psychedelic symphony for modern man, the DIY album features the
guitar team of Jeff Perkins and Ann Wood. Although the
two are clearly influenced by all realms of post-punk guitar including
surf, metal and jazz, they eschew the obvious, preferring a unique
post modern kitchen sink approach to instrumental rock that works
more often then not. www.perkinswood.com
DRAKE ENTERTAINMENT - Featuring the sublime songs and vocals of
the alluring Andriette Redmann, the 2004 CD from NYC-based
Sun Palace takes the cutting edge sound of pop artists like
Sarah McLachlan and Bjork one step further. Supplying backing support
to Redmann’s lush melodies and multi-layered vocal harmonies
on Give Me A Perfect World are key players such as guitarists
John Rokosny and co-producer Tony Geballe in addition
to Jerry Marotta (drums) and Pat DiNizio (backing vocals).
Modern pop-based chill music that just oozes with atmospherics, the
eleven track CD is capped off by a faithful Sun Palace cover of the
Led Zep classic “Going To California.” www.SunPalaceMusic.com
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT - Eagle Rock continues their DVD wave
of releases in 2004 with a series of live concerts recorded at Europe’s
fabled Montreux Jazz Festival. Kicking things off is Gary Moore
& The Midnight Blues Band - Live At Montreux 1990.
Filmed on July 7th, 1990, the DVD finds blues rock guitar great
Moore blowing away the crowd with added support from Don Airey
(keyboards), Andy Pyle (bass) and Graham Walker (drums).
Also guesting on three tracks is blues rock icon Albert Collins.
Featuring a detailed booklet, the DVD also features three tracks from
Moore’s 1997 Montreux appearance. Another choice Montreux DVD
from Eagle, Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Live At Montreux captures
the legendary prog-rock trio in fine form live in concert on July
7th, 1997. A definite comeback show for ELP, the DVD features a cross
section of their best including “Knife Edge”, “Hoedown”
and “Tarkus / Pictures At An Exhibition.” Described by drummer
Carl Palmer as, “one of the great concerts by ELP”,
the 14 track, 84 minute DVD features in depth liner notes written
in 2004 by Greg Lake, Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer.
Also out on Eagle, Al Di Meola: Live At Montreux captures
the legendary jazz-rock guitar ace at two different Montreux performances.
Di Meola’s 1986 Montreux set found him performing acoustic tracks,
some of which he first recorded with John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia
back in 1983, while his 1993 Montreux set found Di Meola performing
with his trio World Sinfonia. Highlights of the 1993 show includes
live reworkings of the Return To Forever classic “No Mystery”
and “Tango Suite”, written by Astor Piazzolla. As part of
this series, Eagle Rock have also released, Curtis Mayfield:
Live At Montreux 1987, Earth, Wind & Fire: Live
At Montreux 1997/1998, Marvin Gaye: Live At Montreux 1980 (on
DVD and CD) and Charles Mingus Quintet: Live At Montreux 1975.
Each Montreux DVD on Eagle features great audio and video quality
remastered in 5.1 surround sound and DTS audio while detailed booklets
reveal the rich history connecting each artist with Montreux. www.eaglerockent.com
EMI - Few labels have the breadth of artists that EMI does. The
combination of artists on both EMI in England and Capitol Records
in the USA is almost staggering and in late 2004 EMI in England released
a various artists compilation entitled Scorched Earth: Rock
Grooves 1969-1975. A wide cross-section of both EMI
and Capitol artists are featured here proving the US / UK rock axis
during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s was truly a once in
a lifetime event. Artists on the interestingly titled Scorched
Earth include Harvey Mandel, Terry Reid, Hank
B. Marvin, Ike & Tina Turner, Quicksilver Messenger
Service, Ashton Gardner & Dyke and, of all things,
Japan’s The Sadistic Mika Band with an amazing track called
“Silver Child”. Scorched Earth is one heckuva strange
ride indeed.
Also on EMI, a 2004 four CD box from ‘60s pop icon Sandie
Shaw - Nothing Comes Easy chronicles the musical history
of one of England’s great pop singers. Although she never hit
it big in the U.S., Shaw gave the best female singers like Petula
Clark some fierce competition back in the ‘60s, yet unlike many
of her contemporaries, Shaw also made a fine comeback in the ‘80s
with the assistance of Smiths mainman Morrissey, who also wrote
some tracks from her great ‘86 comeback album Hello Angel.
Much more Chrissie Hynde than Petula Clark, her rock side really
comes alive on that classic album. Even more interesting to note that
Chris Andrews—who wrote so many of her early hits—reunited
with Shaw for her ‘86 album, although sadly it remains her last
recorded work to date. Shining a light on one the best female singers
from the swinging mod boom of England in the mid ‘60s, EMI adds
in a 64 page booklet with all sorts of amazing data and photos from
one of the true heroines of the British pop scene. http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/pop
EARTH SOUNDS -World beat music meets NYC / LA style jazz is at
the root of Snake Charmer, the 2005 album from
guitarist Rez Abbasi. One of the best examples yet of how to
merge the inspiring ambience of Indian music—sitar-guitar, tabla
and all—with jazzy improvisational jazz inspired by icons like
Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin & Shakti, the eight track, 56
minute CD pairs the L.A.-based guitarist with top players like Gary
Versace (organ), Danny Weise (drums, tabla) topped off
by the hypnotic vocals and tanpura of Kiran Ahluwalia. Part
jazz, part Indian raga, Snake Charmer is a real gas and really
breaks new ground with a pan-global jazz fusion vision. Relating background
on his ability on electric sitar-guitar Rez adds, “The use of
the sitar guitar is mostly for coloristic purposes although it invariably
plays a role in the exposure of a cultural sentiment that I’ve
grown up with. The sympathetic strings also create more textural opportunities.”
Liner notes by Bill Milkowski sheds light on Abassi’s intriguing
East meets West approach to modern jazz. www.reztone.com
EMPYREAN RECORDS - From the label that brought you last years
pop psych classics from Silver Sunshine and more comes a 2005 seven
song CD release from pop trendsetter Eric Matthews. Entitled
Six Kinds Of Passion Looking For An Exit, the
CD demonstrates Matthews’ unique pop-rock sensibilities on various
fretted and keyboards instruments as well as trumpet. A ‘60s
McCartney / Bacharach kind of vibe permeates and the lead off track
“Worthy” sets an even keel. As proven by his various CD
releases over the past ten years, Matthews has a unique background
in the pop field and he sets the pace once again with this seven track
set on the aspiring Empryrean imprint. www.ericmatthewsmusic.com
FANTASY JAZZ - An essential jazz CD reissue, Feeling Blue
by The Phil Upchurch Guitar Sound features veteran
blues-rock bass and guitar great backed by a couple different band
lineup including greats like bassist Chuck Rainey and drummer
Bernard Purdie. Produced by Orrin Keepnews and first
released on Milestone back in late 1967, the album was a real instrumental
guitar sleeper in the spirit of A&M-era works of Wes Montgomery
and A.C. Jobim. Featuring orchestra, trumpets, celeste, electric bass,
the album is a great display both of Phil’s electric guitar prowess
but also his choice of material is stellar including instrumental
guitar covers of classics like “Corcovado”, “Tangerine”
as well as a groovin’ ‘60s Wes style instro of “Up,
Up And Away.” The CD features great notes and discography information.
www.fantasyjazz.com
FOSSIL - Spanning classic Yes-style (Wakeman / Howe) prog instrumentals
to jazzy, funkier fusion grooves and easy on the ears acoustic guitar,
Charles Brown is proving to be a veritable master of the guitar
trade. On his recent 2005 CD, Cry Of The Northern Wind,
Brown puts his craft to the test and comes up a winner. With help
from like minded cohorts including the fine drumming of Mr. X,
Brown rises the the occasion with solid performances on guitar synth,
Les Paul and Fender Strat. Whether playing classical and acoustic
steel or cranking his Roland through a Marshall, Brown never comes
up short of crafty musical maneuvers on Cry Of The Northern Wind.
www.cdbaby.com/cd/charlesbrown3
FUEL RECORDS -L.A. based Fuel 2000 did great things with
their Jethro Tull releases and now they do the right thing reissuing
various titles from former Police guitar ace Andy Summers including
a compilation CD entitled The X Tracks: The Best Of Andy Summers.
Following his Police years, Summers built a sizable solo career starting
by the ‘80s, releasing a number of titles built around his formidable
New Age / Fusion guitar sound. A compilation of four different Summers
albums, The X Tracks collects a dozen of his best jazziest
instrumental guitar tracks. According to Summers, “This CD is
a selection of tracks recorded between 1997 and 2002. Already in 2004
they appear to me like fading photographs, memories, associations
with people, time and place.” At his best, Summers is a master
of the Jazz-Rock fusion sound and his guitar playing reaches new heights
on this essential collection of his recent work. Mostly instrumental,
The X Tracks also features guest spots from Sting, singer
Debbie Harry and rapper Q-Tip, the CD features reflective
liner notes from Summers. www.andysummers.com
GLENN ROTH - The guitar has been his constant companion throughout
his life and Connecticut guitarist Glenn Roth takes his dream
one step further with the 2005 CD release of Innovations.
Influenced by everyone from Van Halen to Tommy Emmanuel and Preston
Reid, Roth laid down his electric guitar in favor of his love of acoustic
finger style guitar. There’s a strong air of originality running
throughout Innovations and Roth tempers his genre-blending
mixture of rock, blues, classical, jazz and bluegrass with some masterful
guitar-tapping and other effects. The CD is expertly recorded and
fans of acoustic masters like Fahey and Kottke will find much to appreciate
here. Interestingly, Roth was chosen by the MUNY Program (Musicians
Under New York) and you can currently see and hear him performing
in the subways under Grand Central & Penn Stations and Rockefeller
Center. www.glennroth.com
GUITAR GARDEN - Guitarist Pete Prown was influenced early
on by fusion players such as John McLaughlin and Steve Howe. On his
latest effort with Guitar Garden, Prown’s guitar work
blends a variety of Asian music motifs within the context of hip-hop
grooves and ethnic beats. With titles like “Erhu” and “Ashes
Of The Pagoda”, the sound of China Rose moves
traditional Asian music melodies into the world of easy on the ears
jazz-rock with excellent results. Eschewing daredevil guitar pyrotechnics
in favor of a soulful, tastefully played ambient world beat guitar
groove, Prown and company puts an intriguing new spin on the wide
ranging possibilities of Asian fusion music. www.guitargarden.net
INSIDE OUT MUSIC - Making inroads since their 2000 CD debut God
Has Failed, German prog-rockers RPWL have recorded their
finest album yet with the 2005 release of World Through My Eyes.
On their latest for Inside Out Music, the quartet are assisted
by fine players including singer Ray Wilson and there’s
plenty of high quality of progressive sounds running through the entire
album. With their trippy keyboards, sonic guitar sounds and a singer,
called Yogi Lang, that evokes The Zombies’ Colin Blunstone,
much has been made of the band’s influences. Suffice to say,
if you enjoy Pink Floyd circa Meddle—RPWL have contributed
to several Floyd tributes—you’ll probably catch a cosmic
buzz off of World Through My Eyes. www.rpwl.de
HAMMOND BEAT - The whole lounge and exotica movement of the mid
‘90s gave way to a number of retro-flavored musical trends. Influenced
by the organ-based sound of Booker T. & The MGs and swinging the
‘60s, Italy’s great instrumental rock group The Link
Quartet inject great style and panache into the musical mix on
their 2004 CD Italian Playboys. A stellar tribute
to the ‘60s Stax R&B and Hammond organ sound crafted by Booker
T. Jones and guitarist Steve Cropper, The Link Quartet bridge musical
generations with their magnificent Italian Playboys CD. With
a modern yet retro sound, the band—including keyboardist Paolo
“Apollo” Negri and guitarist Giulio “Link”
Cardini—hits hard and fast. Overall, the CD is a fine spin
for fans of ‘60s soundtracks and the funkadelic soul revolution
of the mid ‘70s, and there’s even a cool Booker T. inspired
cover of the The Beatles classic “Glass Onion”. www.linkquartet.com
/ www.hammondbeat.com
JEJA JINX - A journeyman guitarist who earned his stellar reputation
working for rock music legends like Buddy Miles and Greg Rolie, L.A.
based Greg V. demonstrates his articulate guitar skills on
his solo debut. The twelve track Tailgate Troubadour
is the perfect setting to convey his formidable skills on electric,
acoustic, lap steel, baritone, dobro and mando guitars plugged into
vintage amps. In this all instrumental setting, V. lets his notes
speak for their group. Filled with irony and emotion, his songs are
completely convincing and effective. One minute you can hear a Clapton
flavored track, then a Neil Young / Crazy Horse effect and it’s
on to the swing surf sound of ‘60s West Coast instrumentals.
The CD features fine support from Kevin McCormick (bass) and
Jim Christie (drums) while the sound quality also benefits
from the clear as a bell studio mix from fellow guitarist Mark
Goldenberg. www.gregv.us
JIM FOX MUSIC - No less a musical icon than Frank Sinatra Jr.
wrote some key liner notes for this 2004 CD release from California-based
jazz guitar ace Jim Fox. Describing the recently released Sunburst,
Sinatra adds, ‘If you find yourself in a quiet mood and a
relaxing place, put this album on and rejoice in the hands of a true
musician.” For fans of traditional jazz guitar sounds, it doesn’t
get any better than the solo jazz guitar sounds on Sunburst. Aficionados
know these songs inside out and fittingly, Fox does justice to standards
such as “Cry Me A River”, “How Long Has This Been Going
On?”, “Come Rain Or Come Shine” and nine other unforgettable
song classics. Sinatra’s notes adds a nice touch to what’s
sure to become a modern jazz guitar classic. www.jimfoxmusic.com
KOCH - Right up there with Lola Vs Powerman And The Money Go
Round and Think Visual as the most sumptuously recorded
Kinks album ever, the 1977 album from the Kinks, Sleepwalker
was reissued once again by Koch, this time as a dual layer
SACD / stereo CD. No complaints here—if you pick up one Kinks
SACD remaster, make it this one. Interestingly, also in early 2005
Koch released an SACD remaster of Soap Opera, the 1975 album
that sealed the deal on the Kinks being the leading advocates of rock
theater. Way back then, the Kinks would stage these amazing stage
productions, best reflected in their classic ‘70s albums for
RCA Records. Perhaps the greatest example of their mid ‘70s theatrical
years was Soap Opera. In rare form, Kinks mainman
Ray Davies, penned a number of classics including the Soap
Opera single, “Holiday Romance”—a “Winchester
Cathedral” for the ‘70s! Like Sleepwalker, the 2005
SACD remaster of Soap Opera comes features fine digi-pak design,
detailed booklets with notes and lyrics and a range of bonus tracks.
Other recent Kinks related reissues on Koch include, Return
To Waterloo—Ray’s 1985 solo album first issued on
Arista—and two from brother Dave Davies—AFL1-3603,
a 1980 release and Glamour from 1981. All three
feature original artwork and lyrics, no liner notes and that FBI sticker
on both the tray card and the CD, so you better watch out! www.kochentertainment.com/reissues.htm
KOKOMO MUSIC - A fine solo jazz guitar CD performed on a range
of vintage guitars, Bar Pickups & Flatwound Strings introduces
the sound of California-based guitarist Phil Emerson. The jazz
icons Emerson covers on his 14 track 2004 CD include Lester Young,
the Gershwin brothers, Keith Jarrett and Duke Ellington, topped off
by a “Salute To Barney Kessel” performed by Emerson on a
King M5 and a 1932 Martin C3. A well played and chosen selection of
songs classics and originals, Bar Pickups & Flatwound Strings
is a splendid choice for jazz guitar buffs. Emerson goes into
detail on each track here on his web site. www.kokomomusic.com
KRISPEN HARTUNG - Well schooled in a variety of musical styles—from
progressive rock in the ‘80s to art rock and fusion in the ‘90s
to a more traditional and avant garde sound in the new millennium,
Krispen Hartung released a great album of new music in 2004 entitled
Places. Implementing acoustic guitar within the
realm of real time looping, Hartung’s improvisational, free-style
avant garde ambient instrumental music sound comes to life with mixing
spontaneous composition with attention to atmosphere and melody. Hartung
cites influences like Frisell, Rypdal and Fripp and in that regard
he breaks new musical ground with Places. Also worth checking
out is Hartung’s experimental DVD entitled Microscopic
Horrors, featuring excerpts of his CD accompanied by
live video of microscopic organisms. www.krispenhartung.com
LELIO PADOVANI - Hailing from Parma, Italy guitarist Lelio
Padovani recently released his latest CD entitled Unknown
Evolution. Ranging from progressive instrumental to
more of a rock / fusion sound, Padovani is on to some cool sounds
here. Assisted by a tight rhythm section, the CD is very atmospheric.
Padovani will appeal to fans of finely played rock instrumentals that
echoes some of his influences including guitarists John Petrucci,
Stef Burns and Jennifer Batten. www.leliopadovani.com
MERGING MEDIA - Recorded live at Club Cafe in Pittsburgh sometime
in 2002, The Bears - Live At Club Cafe is a great live
DVD from one of America’s best kept pop secrets. Of course everyone
knows that Bears guitarist Adrian Belew also serves as a member
of prog-rock icons King Crimson, but in context of The Bears, he gets
to wear his pop influences on his sleeve. The band’s 2002 CD,
Car Caught Fire is well represented on the 20 track concert
DVD, which is further fleshed out with bonus interview footage and
a video tour of Belew’s home studio. Belew shines on guitar and
vocals and is ably assisted throughout by Bears band mates Rob
Fetters (guitar, vocals), Chris Arduser (drums, vocals,
mandolin) and Bob Nyswonger (bass). Performing before a packed
house of long time fans who keenly recall the group’s early albums,
The Bears overpower the crowd with a action-packed set of superbly
executed power pop gems. www.thebearsmusic.com / www.mergingmedia.com
MICHAEL YOUNG MUSIC - In the spirit of guitar greats like Leo
Kottke and Chet Atkins, Minnesota guitarist Michael Young lets
his fingers do the talking on his debut CD I Listen To My Feet.
According to the guitarist, “If my feet start tapping, then
my guitar is saying something I should pay attention to. So this recording
is really just a measure of my listening skills.” Mixing standard
and alternate tunings as well as slide guitar into his six and twelve
string acoustic playing, Young never comes up short of interesting
guitar ideas. Like Kottke, Young also injects a dose of humor into
his instrumental guitar music and on a couple tracks he’s joined
by several players including Dave Berg (upright bass), Gabriela
Sweet (bottleneck slide) and Ryan Parsons (percussion).
Young shines throughout I Listen To My Feet and clearly gets
a great sound from his 6 string RainSong guitar and 12 string Taylor
guitar. www.michaelyoung.com
MONUMENT / LEGACY - The recorded repertoire Roy Orbison
on Monument Records during the early ‘60s provides a veritable
encyclopedia of musical knowledge and styles that have been reworked
and rewritten by countless artists, yet they’ve never been bettered.
In fact, many rock fans who came by the ‘Orb through his late
‘80s work with George Harrison and Traveling Wilbury’s would
have to agree by now that Harrison really patterned the Wilburys blueprint
with songs like “In Dreams”, “Love Hurts”, “Blue
Bayou” and “Borne On The Wind” in mind. Orbison’s
symphonic pop songs were huge influences on The Beatles and ELO. The
2004 Monument / Legacy release of Rob Orbison Love Songs strikes
a timeless nerve and although it’s called Love Songs, these
songs transcend mere adolescent emotion and truly define the essence
of musical destiny. Decent liner notes are here along with strange
cover art but the kicker is a booklet with a complete list of all
the players Orbison employed—his list of guitarists is quite
impressive including Harold Bradley (who played on many of
these classics including “Only The Lonely”), Hank Garland,
Ray Edenton, Joseph Tanner, Scotty Moore and
so many others it reads like a veritable history lesson! Among the
rarities on the 14 track CD is Roy’s cool January ‘63 cover
of the Everly Brothers classic “All I Have To Do Is Dream.”
www.legacyrecordings.com
MUSIC MILL - An album of multi-layered electric guitars sounding
greatly influenced by the ground breaking, instrumental New Age /
electronic guitar sound of Mike Oldfield and Michael Rother, Vigilant
State is the third CD from Synchrony, featuring Long
Island-based guitarist Joseph T. Lor. A noted performer, arranger
and composer, Lor is clearly in his element on the third Synchrony
CD, writing, recording and playing all the instruments on his 11 track
symphonic rock masterpiece. According to Lor, My newest CD Vigilant
State holds many great moments for me as an artist. When I was
putting this CD together my life was both hi and low. The guitar is
the extension of my spirit it reflects my most inner feelings with
out thought my fingers travel to the notes that are needed for that
song. When this happens there is magic I am an artist for that moment
in time. The songs took me to that magic spot light many times a place
inside myself when the guitar just sings out with energy.” Enhanced
by some impressive studio wizardry, Vigilant State takes Lor’s
instrumental orchestral rock vision to new heights. The cover art
features a blissed out Lor while the CD booklet further depicts the
music with track by track liner notes. www.synchrony1.com
NEUROT - Back in the ‘70s there were some now legendary bands
from Sweden that created fantastic albums combining traditional Swedish
folk melodies with Pink Floyd / Grateful Dead style weirdness. In
a similar way to that, and also with a nod to last years album from
String Cheese Incident, a kindred experimental instrumental sound
can be heard on the 2004 CD from the Oregon-based group Grails.
With several guitarists in the lineup, including Alex Hall
and Zak Riles, the Grails sound fits in with their belief that
‘instrumental music is total music.’ Majestic, haunting,
radical are just a few words to describe Red Light.
www.neurotrecordings.com / www.grailsongs.com
NOT LAME - As a member of Brian Wilson’s 2000 touring band,
singer-songwriter Scott Bennett has made music history and
he furthers that notion with his his 2004 album entitled The
Dotted Line. In the spirit of pop wunderkind Jason
Falkner and Mr. Wilson himself, Bennett is a gifted guitarist and
multi-instrumentalist that does it all on his self-produced CD on
Not Lame Records. A few guests appear including Brian Wilson,
Jeff Foskett and Nick Walusko, who lend backing vocals
on a set closing number penned by Wilson and Bennett called “No
Wrong Notes In Heaven.” Rockin’ pop hooks abound on the
the ten track set topped off by a rock solid cover of Wilson’s
Pet Sounds classic “I Know There’s An Answer.”
In the spirit of classic ‘70s albums from McCartney and Emitt
Rhodes, Bennett conjures an impressive display of power pop magic
on The Dotted Line. www.thedottedline.net
Other end of 2004 titles on Not Lame include a 26 track double CD
compilation from ‘90s pop group Wanderlust entitled Lust
And Found and a most appealing 21 track tribute CD to ‘70s
pop icons The Cars entitled Substitution Mass Confusion.
Among the artists contributing covers of Cars classics first made
famous in the late ‘70s / ‘80s include Jason Falkner,
Owsley, Chris Von Sneidern, Spiraling, Doug
Powell and many more. Not Lame continues to amaze with another
slate of pop classics for the new millennium. www.notlame.com
PARTIAL MUSIC - Michigan-based Robert Spalding Newcomb
is a gifted multi-instrumentalist who not only excels on classical
guitar but also demonstrates abilities on amplified guitar, amplified
sitar, electronics, voice, keyboards and hammered dulcimer. On his
2004 CD for his Partial Music, Native Planting,
Newcomb generates some truly strange and beautiful guitar sounds,
performed live in the studio and on stage before an audience. On Native
Planting, recorded during 2001-2004 in Ann Arbor, Newcomb conceives
an extraordinary mixture of composition and improvisation that encompasses
a number of guitar forms including avant garde rock, classical guitar,
Indian raga forms, computer generated composition, as well as traditional
folk and blues idioms. An intense, yet ultimately rewarding album
of often astonishing guitar-based music, Native Planting offers
a fitting display of Newcomb’s ingenious musical imagination.
www.partialmusic.com
RA RECORDINGS - Is it trance or dance? Rock or New Age? Who cares.
Music this good defies stereotypes and lives up to hype. We’re
talking about Love Philtre Magick from U.K. guitarist
/ vocalist Charles Casey and his merry band he calls Akasha.
From the great looking CD packaging down to the music, Casey sounds
inspired by the dark, cinematic, contorted sounds of U.K. legends
like Art Of Noise, Adrian Belew and Fripp’s King Crimson. Although
it’s mostly instrumental music, Casey assumes the lead vocal
on several tracks that borders on Velvet Underground or even Jim Dandy
of Black Oak Arkansas. Love Philtre Magick is modern cosmic
music at it’s finest and just might be the future of rock. http://cdbaby.com/cd/akasha
RRO - There is perhaps no better or more qualified guitarist around
today to serve up a CDs worth of rocking Beatles instrumentals than
Colorado-based guitar maven Les Fradkin. After all it was Fradkin
who was chosen, back in 1976 out of a pack of 2000 guitarists, to
play the George Harrison lead guitarist part in the
original Broadway production of Beatlemania. And with good
reason. On his 2005 Beatles tribute CD—entitled While
My Guitar Only Plays—Les and his band (including Joe
Rotondo on drums and Dave Stalheim on bass) offer up fourteen
of the best rock instrumental versions of Beatles classics ever recorded.
And that’s saying something, because over the years there’s
been hundreds of artists—from The Hollyridge Strings to Chet
Atkins—who’ve paid their honors to the greatest Fab Four
music of the ‘60s. Not only has Fradkin put all the arrangements
and guitar parts in the right place, but he’s chosen a collection
of songs that, although perfect choices for guitar instrumentals,
were sorely overlooked as possible guitar covers in the past, possibly
for their sheer complexity and detail of interlocking melodies, guitar
voicings, vocal harmonies and arrangements. Highlights on While
My Guitar Only Plays include Fradkin-ized covers of “Here
Comes The Sun”—including a guest appearance by Ventures
guitarist Nokie Edwards—instro covers of “And Your
Bird Can Sing”, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, a sentimental,
mellotron-hued “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and a blistering
instro rave-up of “I Saw Her Standing There”. There’s
even a sweet, note for note cover of the famous album closing “Golden
Slumbers” medley from Abbey Road. A veteran guitarist
who’s recorded several outstanding instrumental and vocal albums
in the past few years on his RRO Records label, Fradkin—on his
Beatles tribute—masterfully blends a variety of vintage Epiphone
and Rickenbacker guitars, similar to the ones that The Beatles also
used to drive home their timeless song classics. The guitars are all
listed in the CD liner notes. In Fab Four fashion, Fradkin also flavors
many of the songs with some stellar keyboard, pedal and mellotron
effects. Beatles fans who still relish the spirit in which these greatest
‘60s pop classics were first made, owe it to themselves to check
out Les Fradkin’s While My Guitar Only Plays. www.lesfradkin.com
RAINBOW QUARTZ - Proof that all kinds of great pop comes out of
Scandinavia, one of Norway’s best pop bands, The Love Thugs
merges a wealth of great music ideas on Babylon Fading.
With the spirit of the ‘60s at the center, the band cites
both The Doors and Quicksilver as prime ‘60s influences. Track
after track, there’s a breezy and eclectic electric psych-pop
element in play, sitars and best exemplified by cool cover art. www.thelovethugs.com
RAVEN - Downunder, Aussie label Raven continues to amaze
with a look back at some early ‘70s work from rock and roll pioneer
Bo Diddley. Years after classic hits like “Bo Diddley”
(1955) and “Mona”, Bo made a big comeback at John Lennon’s
1969 Live Peace In Toronto festival. Afterwards he released a quartet
of albums for Chess Records between ‘70-74, the best of which
is recalled on Raven’s 20 track compilation Tales From
The Funk Dimension 1970-1973. The famous Bo Diddley
beat that inspired everyone from Buddy to the Stones is well in abundance
and the CD is a reminder as to where the the whole big beat meets
funk and hip-hop groove started. Diddley’s singing and patented
guitar playing was always a major influence and on these early ‘70s
cuts he his singing and guitar work is both funky and electrifying.
The detailed booklet is a history lesson. Other Raven remasters well
worth checking out include two on one CDs from Albert Lee -
Hiding / Albert Lee (from 1979 and 1982 w/ Buddy
Emmons, Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell), Bonnie Bramlett
- It’s Time / Lady’s Choice (1974 and 1976 w/
Greg Allman, Dobie Gray, Bobby Whitlock), Isaac
Hayes - For The Sake Of Love / Don’t Let Go (1978
/ 1979 w/ guitarist Kim Palummu) and Tommy Sands - Man,
Like Wow! (a 33 track collection of early rock ‘n’
roll from 1957-1963). Each of these Raven reissues are packed with
four color CD booklets loaded with tons of history filled facts, figures
and logic. www.ravenrecords.com.au
RIGHTEOUS RUDE RECORDS - Guitarist Rudy Guess was influenced
by his early childhood growing up close to the Arizona desert. A fondness
for spaghetti western music and the culture and food of neighboring
Mexico added fuel to his musical background and guitar style and you
can really hear it reflected in his 2004 album El Surfeador.
It’s great the way Guess sometimes flavors his Ventures
/ Duane Eddy style guitar instrumentals with Mariachi style trumpets
or the haunting sound of pedal steel guitar. Recording in L.A., Guess
is ably assisted by The Surf Kings including Nick Vincent (drums),
Jack Radavich (bass) and more. Mixing ‘60s guitar
instrumentals, Herb Alpert soundtrack sounds and more, El Surfeador
is an outstanding album of surf-rock, Southwestern style. www.rudyguess.com
ROCKADILLO - When it came to merging ethnic world music and instruments
and the sound that came to become known as fusion music, Piirpauke
were the originators, at least from their home country of Finland
and probably much of Scandinavia and beyond. A glimpse of their very
first era from the mid ‘70s on Love is combined with the group’s
present 2000's recordings with Tapio Korjus and his Rockadillo imprint—one
of the most progressive music labels in Northern Europe as it stands
in 2005. Piirpauke leader Sakari Kukko remains one of the greatest
‘blowers’—as Lars Hollmer would say—and, perfectly
casting his renowned abilities on flute, sax and keyboards, is the
pivotal player throughout every lineup. Piirpauke were also renowned
for enlisting great guitar players and early ‘70s works with
guitarist Hasse Walli and later on with Jukka Tolonen,
and many other great Finnish ax-men, are now considered classics.
Although theoretically, this is the kind of band deserves a four CD
retrospective, (especially more geared to their progressive ‘70s
and ‘80s albums), the Rockadillo single disc Pauhaat: The
Very Best Of Piirpauke is a good intro to one of the most
musical progressive world fusion ensembles ever to emerge from Europe.
www.rockadillo.fi
ROLLTOP RECORDS - A worthwhile album of ‘60s inspired Ventures’
style instrumentals, Beach & Guitar: Surf And Hawaiian Style
by guitarist Tim Coffman puts together a set freshly
minted 2004 sounds that recaptures the essence of the early ‘60s
surf-rock excitement. Recorded in both Hawaii and San Diego, the eleven
track CD finds Coffman backed up by great players along with several
tracks featuring the authentic surf lead guitar of Belairs founder
Paul Johnson and Hawaiian steel guitarist Greg Sardinha.
Coffman seals the deal on a fine guitar set that blends upbeat surf
and Island music, cool jazz, Flamenco, Roots Rock and modern loops
to create a new wave of Beach Music. www.rolltopmusic.com
ROY DAVIES MUSIC - Although in the years before all things must
pass away, George Harrison aptly pointed out, ‘There’ll
be no Beatles reunion as long as John Lennon remains dead’, he
said nothing I believe about the scads of Beatles tribute bands and
if he was here today, old Georgie would no doubt get a real buzz off
of a 2004 double CD set from 1964 called The Tribute:
All You Need Is Live. In some respects, the live concert
eerily evokes the early Beatles live sound. Playing to a receptive
group of kids in Oklahoma, it sounds like Beatlemania is finally reaching
the conservative heartland! Joking aside 1964 summon some decent covers
of 28 Beatles classics in an amusement park atmosphere including fake
screams from excitable teeny boppers getting Fab Four fever all over
again! 1964’s web site features a cool quote from George’s
sister Louise Harrison. www.1964fanclub.com
SANCTUARY RECORDS - Often referred to as one of the architects
of 20th Century rock music, the late, great John Entwistle is
remembered on a double CD 2005 double CD release on Sanctuary called
So, Who’s The Bass Player? The Ox Anthology.
Lovingly referred to as the Ox by his bizarre band mates in The
Who, Entwistle was truly a peer of Who guitarist Pete Townshend
and on his early solo albums on Track, he was simply untouchable.
Fittingly the double CD set touches on classics from both Smash
Yer Head Against The Wall and Whistle Rhymes. There’s
even a few cuts from his rock and roll send up album Rigor Mortis
Sets In. Spanning a sporadically sequence of solo album that ends
with his 2000 studio CD, Music From Van Pires, live covers
of Who classics and King Biscuit live tracks, the CD set on
Eagle commemorates what would have been his 60th birthday. www.sanctuaryrecords.com
SKYDOG RECORDS - A French guitar ace who was buddies with Sting
and even played in an early version of The Police, Henry Padovani
and his group, The Flying Padovani’s are making waves
over in Europe with a reissue of his ‘80s instrumental tracks
called Font L’enfer. Taking a cue from Link Wray
and The Ventures, Padovani and his group combine a range brilliant
guitar instrumental ideas laced with a progressive ‘60s vibe.
Their instro cover of the Knickerbockers ‘60s rock classic, “Lies”
fits right in with Padonvani’s well crafted originals, demonstrating
the full musical power of the song. A fabulous guitar legend worth
checking out, Padovani is also gearing up for a 2005 album with guest
artists Sting, Stewart Copeland, Manu Katché, Steve Hunter
from his old gang at I.R.S. Records and more. www.cdbaby.com/cd/flyingpadovanis
SNAPPER MUSIC - Just about the time that The Shadows released
their classic 1982 double Lp Life In The Jungle, the group’s
lead guitarist Hank Marvin decided it was time to release a
solo album. Conceived as an adjunct to his guitar instrumental work
in the Shads, both Words & Music (1982) and All
Alone With Friends (1983) were fine albums demonstrating
Hank’s guitar and vocals and perhaps more importantly his unique
hook-writing ability. The rest of the ‘80s would see Hank completely
absorbed in his work with The Shadows, instrumental and vocal, up
until their final studio album to date, 1990’s Reflection
(Polydor). The best of his two ‘80s albums and his
solo work in the ‘90s is given another shot in the arm with the
release of a 2004 double CD set on U.K.-based Snapper Music.
Aside from the Marvin originals on the two ‘80s solo albums,
Snapper’s humorously titled Shadowing The Hits mostly
focuses mainly on Hank’s unique ability to make majestic instrumental
out of seemingly pedantic hits like “Rocket Man” and “Live
And Let Die”. Recorded on various mid ‘90s solo albums for
Polydor, these songs are given another look in Hank’s hands.
Instrumentals of early ‘60s songs he and the Shads wrote for
Cliff Richard, an unjustly quick shot of a few Marvin guitar originals,
an appearance by Duane Eddy on “Pipeline”, covers
of Dickey Betts’ great Allman Bros. instro “Jessica”
and, of course Hank’s great ‘80s vocals on his ‘82/83
albums make it a Shadows-related title worth checking out. Decent
liner notes and superb remastering are also in evidence here. www.snappermusic.com
STRIP MALL OF SOUND - Arkansas-based composer Jerry Colburn
takes listeners on a wild ride with his 2005 CD Smell The
Love. Performing 23 songs that clock in at 50 minutes,
Colburn cites a number of influences including cartoon music composer
Carl Stalling and lounge / exotica king Esquivel and he combines diverse
sounds like orchestral strings, banjo blurbs, hip-hop, and even Middle
Eastern weirdness. File it under loop-based electronica, but as the
CD proves, there ain’t much Colburn can’t do. http://cdbaby.com/cd/jerrycolburn
SUBMERGENCE - Recorded in 2004, the debut album from Nautilus
is a fascinating album of modern 20th century prog-rock. After hearing
their CD What Colours the Sky in Your World?,
it makes sense that this quartet—featuring guitarist Andy
Challinor and drummer Darryl Finch—hail from Canterbury,
England as there’s a clear connection between the 2005 Nautilus
sound and the heady ‘60s code of groups like Caravan and Soft
Machine. A prime example of just how graceful the progressive music
genre has aged, the all instrumental CD features stellar performances
from all four Nautilus members and their music comes through loud
and clear. Clocking in at just under forty minutes, What Colours
the Sky in Your World? rocks from start to finish. www.submergence.info
SUNNY SMEDLEY RECORDS - Featuring the songs and vocals of Dan
Whitaker, Great Plains Gypsies add in numerous rock styles
and often impress with a new hybrid sound on their 2005 CD Stare
Into The Sun. One minute there’s a Phil Ochs style folk-rock
thing and then the next it’s the Dead circa American Beauty
or even a folk-rockin’ version of The Smiths. Teamed with
some fine players including guitarists Scott Schenke and George
William Norton, Whitaker does his best to sound like a young Phil
Ochs or even Arthur Lee. Stare Into The Sun is a fine introduction
to a band that’s come far since it’s ‘95 folk-rock
debut. www.greatplainsgypsies.com
SUNDAZED RECORDS - Called the Spirit album that never was,
the band’s 1968 soundtrack to Model Shop was finally
released by Sundazed. Around the same era-that produced their all-time
classic, Clear, the model shop featured a splendid performance
from all five including the late, great guitarist Randy California,
his step dad, ace drummer Ed Cassidy and the brilliant, tho'
often overlooked keyboards of John Locke. The mainly instrumental
nature of the CD reiterates the band’s reputation as a cutting
edge band, often, like Hendrix of pushing the boundaries of rock and
art-rock fusion music. Once again, Sundazed pulls out the stops adding
in essential artwork and definitive liner notes. www.sundazed.com
TAKOMA / FANTASY - One of the prime inspirations behind
guitar legends such as Leo Kottke and the late, great Michael Hedges,
acoustic guitar hero John Fahey is further anthologized with
a fifteen track CD on Takoma / Fantasy entitled The Best Of
John Fahey Vol. 2 1964-1983. Produced by avant gard
guitar hero Henry Kaiser—who also wrote the insightful
liner notes—the 2004 CD compiles a number of later period tracks
Fahey made for Takoma Records, including rarities and topped off by
three tracks from an unreleased album Fahey recorded in 1991, Azalea
City Memories. Fantasy has done a great job reissuing the historic
Takoma catalog and their volume two best of Fahey supplies several
more missing pieces from the genius of the American primitive guitar
movement. www.fantasyjazz.com
TINTOP RECORDS - Upbeat, swinging jazz played with tact and precision,
Star Hustler is the latest solo CD from Downtown
NYC-based Will Sellenraad & Root Down. Also
featuring Brian Charette (Hammond C3 organ) and Darren Beckett
(drums), the eleven track CD is a great cross-section of ‘loose
tight’ improvisational instrumental organ trio jazz in the spirit
of guitar legends Grant Green and Wes Montgomery. Having studied with
legends like Jim Hall and John Abercrombie, Sellenraad also keeps
his guitar sound contemporary, at times adding in a fusion twist reminiscent
of Pat Metheny’s jazzier works. A guitarist to keep an eye on,
Sellenraad excels on this amiable set of guitar-based jazz. www.willsellenraad.com
VOICEPRINT - Rock guitar great Leslie West made his huge
breakthrough back in 1969 with the first Mountain
album recorded with late great producer legend Felix Pappalardi.
Going on 36 years after Mountain exploded on the scene West returns
in early 2005 with Guitarded, his latest CD for
U.K. based progressive label, Voiceprint. Embracing the same
kick-ass rock stance that brought Mountain untold fame, Guitarded
features West in the company of rock royalty including Gregg
Allman (keyboards, vocals), Ten Year After bass great Leo Lyons,
guitarists Popa Chubby and Joe Bonamassa and Deep Purple
singer Ian Gillan. As usual, West surrounds himself with great
drummers including long time Mountain thumper Corky Laing,
John Entwistle Band’s Steve Luongo and the legendary Aynsley
Dunbar. West wrote a number of new tracks for Guitarded
and he rounds things out with one of a kind covers of classics including
the Mountain classic “Theme For An Imaginary Western”, “Stormy
Monday”, the Beatles’ favorite “Old Brown Shoe”,
“Goin’ Down” and “Honky Tonk Women.” West
may be growing old gracefully as a growling, blues-rock guitar icon,
yet he keeps the pot boiling with the humorously titled Guitarded.
www.voiceprint.co.uk
WARNER CLASSICS - On June 24 and 25, 2004 Sharon Isbin became
the first classical guitarist to solo with the New York Philharmonic
in 25 years. Following that performance—on June 28-30, 2004—Isbin
went into the studio with the NY Philharmonic and conductor Jose
Serébrier to record the three guitar concerti featured
on her latest album appropriately entitled Sharon Isbin: Rodrigo
Concierto de Aranjuez, Ponce Concierto del Sur,
Villa Lobos Concerto For Guitar with the New York Philharmonic.
Concerning the music on the CD, Isbin adds, “It’s all
Latin-based music, and the pieces represent the guitar in the traditional
20th Century concerto repertoire. It was nice to have had all of this
music percolating in my mind over the past 20-plus years before committing
it to a recording.” The CD further establishes Ms. Isbin as one
of the leading advocates of the classical guitar world. Her 20203
CD—Sharon Isbin Plays Baroque Favorites For Guitar—was
hugely popular and interestingly, one of her 2005 projects is an unexpected
duet with rock guitar icon Steve Vai to which she adds, “His
new piece is a suite that will feature him on electric guitar and
me on classical. The new piece will exploit the lyricism of Steve’s
writing and my playing and will fuse our styles.” www.sharonisbin.com
/ www.soloette.com / www.warnerclassics.com
WHITE GATES MUSIC - Recorded way back in 1982, Morning Song
Evening Song is a reissue CD of a unique musical meeting between
Tim White (sitar / flute) and Jack Gates (guitar). A
newly remastered CD of the six selections that were first released
on Lp back in 1983, the 2004 reissue of their album adds on three
unreleased tracks from the original recording sessions. White and
Gates have been playing together since 1975 and their musical telepathy
comes through loud and clear on this meditative musical masterpiece.
Inspired by Indian classical master Ali Akbar Khan, their mix of sitar
and acoustic guitar sounds amazing and the improvisational nature
of the recording is a tribute to the duo’s musical mastery. Adding
in liner notes and pictures of the pair from 1974 and 1982, Morning
Song Evening Song proves the sitar is a universal instrument yet
it also begs the question as to why Tim and Jack haven’t recorded
together since. www.whitegatesmusic.com
WHYTEA MUSIC - Berklee grad, bassist / guitarist and composer
Yukihide Takiyama (a/k/a) Taki establishes himself as
an ace jazz rocker on his 2004 solo CD Three Sides Of My Ego.
Born in Osaka, Japan, Taki relocated to L.A. in the late ‘90s
and joined Boxing Gandhis on their two Atlantic releases. A wild mix
of instrumentals, his ten track solo set mixes in several vocal cuts,
but primarily Taki’s instrumental fusion is quite appealing and
his song “Gravity” sounds like Alan Holdsworth meets Frank
Zappa. Three Sides Of My Ego is adventurous instrumental music
skillfully rendered with Taki’s intense and expressive fretboard
techniques. http://cdbaby.com/cd/yukihide
Attention Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed
in www.mwe3.com and 20th Century Guitar. Send to CD Reviews Editor
Robert Silverstein, P.O. Box 630249, Little Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249
e-mail: rss54@mwe3.com
