MAY 2004 PLAY LIST
1)
Patti Smith Trampin’
I’m sure by the time you have read this , Rock poetess, Patti Smith’s
first studio album for four years will have been feted by fans and critics
alike. But it is worth remembering that her ground breaking “Horses” album came
out in 1975, and here we are some 29 years later and she’s almost matched that
opus both in terms of songs and social relevance.
“While “Trampin’” is just as uncompromising
as “Horses”, it is a lot more directly political, and hangs round two major
pieces The 12 minute opus“Radio Baghdad”
is an aural dissection of both current and historic events in the Middle East,
and the equally eloquent and passionate “Gandhi” acts as a counter weight – an
ode to a man of peace.
The album is full of tender moments, stark imagery and a closing gentle
title track duet with daughter Jesse on piano.
Undoubtedly one of the most significant albums of recent times, this is
up there with a Dylan style come back, albeit with a more pressing subject
matter than philosopher Bob.
2) Boccigalupe
& The Bad Boys “Its
My Turn Now” Atlantis Records
It’s
not very often that the PR blurb for a band or album bears any resemblance
to reality. So it is with a breath of fresh air that claims such as “These
guys are the sound of Asbury Park,
Boccigalupe is one Tony Amato a fine
singer, thoughtful song writer and fiery keyboard player who seems to occupy a
musical space that finds him to be a
more subtle version of Southside Johnny,
and more good time version of Springsteen, and posses of a more soulful drive
than Bon Jovi>
Of course, I’m sure Bocci would love to have
achieved as much success as any of his three
Highlights include the title track, the funky “Love On The Run” and the
rocking “Movin On Down The Line”.
The band are touring through the end of May and beginning of June, and
the words party and great musicianship should inspire you to check them out.
Here are some audio clips: |
Broadband (CD quality) |
Dial-Up (AM radio) |
| It's My Turn Now |  |
 |
| Karma | |
|
2)
JAN
AKKERRMAN “CU” Angel Air
It’s
a long time ago that Focus and their guitarist Jan Akkerman
held sway in the album and singles charts. But two generations on, Jan gloriously
reveals he still has his chops with a very contemporary soundning
album that broaches Rock, blues, Jazz and Trip Hop!
The title track, spelt “See You” opens with an Eastern flavoured fiff led piece that neatly offsets some searing vocal
whoops with Jan’s fine playing. The following “In Between The Sheets” is a
little more challenging as you have to overomce a
programmed disco beat before an Eric Gale/Earl Klugh sty;le guitar pattern emerges.
The funky “IN The Mood” and the hugely spirally guitar and keyboard
solo’s from Jerden Rietbergen
on “Dance The Blues Away” are as good as it gets
Akkerman is a subtle, innovative
player who‘s superb natural ability is only compromised by some intuitive
eclectic grooves and a continual need to
explore
“CU” is an album flowing with ideas. His lightning licks on “Kloenk” and his beautiful tone on the aptly titled “Blowing” are the playing of a guitarist of the highest class who is still pursuing his creative muse to the best of his ability.
Here are some audio clips from C.U: |
Broadband (CD quality) |
Dial-Up (AM radio) |
| Dance The Blues Away | |
|
| Blowing | |
|
3)
Roger
Chapman & The Shortlist “Under No Obligation” Mystic Records
www.chappo.com www.mysticrecords.co.uk
Produced
by Mike Vernon and previously only available through import, this album may
be regarded as Roger’s Gospel/blues album.
Following the brace of well produced, almost sophisticated
efforts, “Walkin’ The Cat” and “Hybrid & Lowdown”, UNO represents a return to Roger’s bluesier roots. The caustic openers “Love Is A Hard Thing” and “Just A Child UNO”
find the king of the wailers doing what he does best, but its on cuts like
“Praying For Rain” complete with back up
singers, on which the ensemble all but jam in the studio, that will please
early Family fans.
There is a also a four track bonus EP, including an irreverent but
hugely enjoyable version of “Riot In Cell Black No.9”.
5) THE
STOLEN BIBLES “Medicine Show”
Described as a Medicine Show playing “Music To Make You Feel Better”,
As with anything eclectic and uneasily classifiable, the band and the
album deserve repeated visits. Tony is a “feel” player playing a soulful mix
of Rock, R&B, funk and jazz blues licks in a very west Coast style. What
this means in terms of both performance and this album, is that there a number
of slow burners” that lodge in your brain and stay there. On you second and
third trip to the CD machine you are hooked, and numbers such as the opening
"Iridescent El Dorado" and the dobro led "It Doesn't Matter"
set a very high standard
The Stolen Bibles are never going to be the kind of band that fit in anywhere,
and that is their special talent, an ability to knock out some classic soulful
grooves with hints of psychedelia, languid guitar
runs and real feel. File under cool
Here are some audio clips from Medicine Show: |
Broadband (CD quality) |
Dial-Up (AM radio) |
| Iridescent El Dorado | |
|
| It Doesn't Matter | |
|
6) TERRY REID “Alive! Are
You Sure?” Sanctuary
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hollow/5562/terryalb.html
The man that cut the Wonderful Seeds of Memory in the mid 70’s is an
almost forgotten British treasure. Long
exiled in
On the evidence of this short album it looks as if we will have to wait
a while longer to see what kind of shape Terry is in.
Repeated rumours of overdue UK dates remain little more than the
rumours themselves, and this live set only partly sets the record straight
about his once angelic voice.
Sure he sounds nicely world weary and sandblasted in a Keith Richard
kind of way, but only on Ann Peebles “I Cant Stand The Rain”, and the splendid
“Secrets” does he really convey his talent. This album is a passable filler for
a talent that has lain dormant for too long.
7) ALASTAIR GREENE BAND
“Live In LA” Riatsala Music
A Southern Californian band who blow in the style of say the Allman Brothers/Stevie Ray with a hint of Free but without
the cliché’s. AGB are a gloriously Retro Rock Blues band who on the evidence of
this album just love playing their enduring blend of full on Rocking blues.
There’s nothing remotely new about any of these seven tracks but once
you pop the CD on your player, you are transported to the world of a club
residency where the usual trio format is augmented by the mighty Hammond of
Steve Utsein. The B3 shines on the funky Albert
Collins piece, “Beginning To Wonder” while Green comes to the fore with his
slide guitar on “Say What You Want”
Alastair’s steely licks also penetrate
the funky blues of “Say What You Want”,
and the Latin groove of “Afro Blue”.
Too often nowadays albums are either over produced or are totally bereft
of any production, making for a lack of feel. This live set is an undiluted
document of a quality club band teaming with fat toned solo’s, playing growling
rock blues at its best, and they deliver moments of restrained inspiration.
As I said the best in Southern Rock from
Here are some audio clips from Live In LA: |
Broadband (CD quality) |
Dial-Up (AM radio) |
| Beginning To Wonder | |
|
| Say What You Want | |
|
8) THE MOBILES with DORRIE
An interesting album that veers from the Pop Rock sensibilities of song
writer Guy Tanning through to the Robin Bibi guitar
led Rock format, The Mobiles have an cut a debut album that will appeal to an
AOR audience.
Vocalist Dorrie Jackson immediately impresses
with her husky voice, a sort of sultry version of Sally Oldfield
perhaps. From the Poppy phrasing on the opener “To Be Away From You”, to the
song writer’s own favourite, the self explanatory “A Little Caribbean” , there
is both light and shade to the material as evidenced by the Robin Bibi muscular guitar led “Don’t Push Your Luck”, and the
closing rocker “I’ve Been Lazy”
Bright and breezy songs, full of good playing, only the fact that its
all a little studio bound, holds back a potentially fine unit.
9) THE LOCOMOTIVE “We Are
Everything You See” Eclectic Records
The title comes from the hook on one of the greatest ever Prog Rock singles of all time, “Mr Armageddon”, and the
label name is one of the most apt I have ever come across. I sought out the single in the late
60’s after searching for months, and aside from the band’s earlier, almost Ska style hit “Rudi’s In Love”, there remained a blank for
over 30 years.
During the intervening years I discovered Locomotive were really the
voice, keyboard and songs of Norman Haines, and one time Steve Gibbons drummer
Bob Lamb. The band were also boosted by a stellar horn section that included
Dick Heckstall Smith, Traffics’ Chris Wood, the
redoubtable Henry Lowther and Lyn Dobson.
Over three decades on this collection reminds you of how innovative Prog Rock could be, with sparkling ideas, and great playing
in abundance. “Mr Armageddon retains its power – a
10) Various
Artists Ruf 10th Anniversary Sampler 2004
Ruf Records
Yep
its in for another month, this fine Rock Blues compilation is worth another
listen, packed as it is with all the kind of tour bands that we love, be it
from Walter Trout through
to Omar & The Howlers,
or the new kids on the block The Imperial Crowns.
Always a sucker for a sampler since the heady early 70’s
days of “Picnic” and “Fill Your Head Full Of Rock“ etc., this special 10th
anniversary has a host of gold nuggets.
There’s plenty to choose from and the well known heavy weights
like Walter Trout (“
But there’s much more. Michael
Hill just about steals the prize with a mesmerising “Something In The
Sky”, while Ian Parker adds
to his growing reputation as a deep thinking song writer.
There are eleven tracks here including a reborn rocker in
the shape of Aynsley
Lister and plenty to tickle anyone’s palate.