Hot Tuna "Steady as She Goes" is a welcome surprise from Levon Helm's Woodstock studio. Well crafted at moments nervy combo of electric & acoustic blues Tuna, softened in spots by Jorma's country heart persona. With aging the voice is less reedy and more broadly expressive-- some may miss the tougher Tuna of yore. Casady's wonderfully fat bass tone anchors the entire enterprise, including a couple of extended solos that get jumpin' jack off his chair with eyebrows twitching. Not to be missed by anyone who ever cared about the better half of the Airplane.
If this is love I want my money back,
I want an honorable discharge. JK |
Just goes to show how one person's great is another person's that's terrible. I thought Jeff Blakes self titled album is one of the worst recording I've ever heard. Made a coaster out of it. |
And another that is headed for my album of the year list....
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi "Rome"
Rather than try to explain this myself, this is the description from Amazon. Amazing piece of music unlike anything I've heard and also a way cool recording using vinatge gear, live to tape:
"Some five years in the making, the conception of Rome actually dates back even further, to the 2004 meeting of Brian Burton a/k/a Danger Mouse and Italian composer/arranger Daniele Luppi. Burton was emerging from the aftermath of the media storm around his Grey Album and beginning work on Gorillaz now multi-platinum and Grammy winning Demon Days. Luppi was amassing acclaim for his album An Italian Story, which paid tribute to the cinematic sounds that shaped his childhood, while writing music for the screen (Sex In The City, Nine, etc.) and soon thereafter contributing arrangements to Burton projects including Gnarls Barkley, Dark Night of the Soul and Broken Bells.
United in their shared passion for classic Italian film music, Burton and Luppi have created a record like no other: Intense songwriting periods both together and apart and travels to Rome during which Luppi reunited for the first time in decades original musicians from the scores of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West including the legendary Marc 4 backing band and Alessandro Alessandroni's 'I Cantori Moderni' choir laid the groundwork. Recording took place in Rome's cavernous Forum Studios formerly Ortophonic Studios, founded, amongst others, by the great Ennio Morricone -- employing vintage equipment, for which Burton and Luppi would pay with bottles of wine, and making every effort to replicate the recording practices of the 1960s/70s golden age, recording live to tape, with no electronics, computers or 21st-century effects.
Crucial to the completion of Rome has been the enlistment of two lead vocalists who not only do justice to but complete the three songs each written for a man and a woman. While on tour with Gnarls Barkley, Burton met Jack White and a year later, White recorded his contributions The Rose With The Broken Neck, Two Against One and The World in Nashville. White s counterpart, in a revelatory turn, is Norah Jones, who flew to Burton s L.A. studio from New York to sing on Season's Trees, Black and Problem Queen.
With acclaimed director and photographer Chris Milk brought in as "Visual Director", half a decade of hard work and unstinting perfectionism would draw to a close as the album and package were completed.
From Rome's opening with soprano Edda Dell'Orso's dramatic voice (the same haunting vocal presence from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly 44 years ago) gracing Theme of Rome to the closing strains of The World, Rome -- for all its cinematic qualities -- is not the soundtrack to an imaginary movie, but rather a complex, nuanced pop record rife with counterpoints of intensity and darkness as well as uplift and light. (Luppi calls it "a small window on human life, touching on love, death, happiness, desperation, and the visceral connection of a man and a woman".) It's an ambitious work with a uniquely modern sound achieved through traditional, vintage means. It is, above all, a fully realized album, perfectly formed and hauntingly beautiful.
Welcome to Rome." |
In have an add, one I find truly special.
The Antlers "Burst Apart"
This is not "Hospice" nor will anything ever be like it but it does have the layers of swirling, rich and difficult intensity. With lyrics like "...Prove to me/that I'm not gonna die alone...." this is not a simple record, yet I felt connected to it from the first play and find myself wanting to start it over each time the closing song fades. This is going to be on my years best list for sure. |
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Diana Krall, Doing All Right. Live concert recording from the Jazzaldia Festival in Spain. |
Ditto Fleet Foxes. On first listen new TV on the Radio is mostly a flop. Keep hoping they'll top Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes.
New Eleventh Dream Day, The Walkmen, Low Anthem. |
Fleet Foxes, Beastie Boys |
Fixin To Die--G Love & The Special Sauce
It was produced by the Avett Brothers.
Great roots album!!! |
BuddyGuy-Living Proof. Although I think it was released in the winter of 2010. |
Just spun thru the new Feelies CD "Here Before". Just what the doctor ordered! The first half picks up just where they left off on their last release (in 1991!) and the second half wanders off in somewhat new directions. |
@Airegin - Great album there. One of the better jazz releases I have heard this year as well. |
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Yea Marco, I think you will really like that one but of all the nonsense I spew on this forum, I cannot recommend the new Mountain Goats, All Eternals Deck, highly enough. Especially knowing you....this is one I would say rush out and buy it tonight then listen to it over and over again. I have it on as I type and just can't stop loving it more and more. I really do think it's brilliant. It got me from track 1. Listened to the samples you sent on YouTube - GREAT STUFF, Richard!! Loved all three cuts and great lyrics. He sounds like he could be Jeff Mangum's long lost brother (another one of my favorites). Some vids back at'cha. Do check out that Mark Hollis solo, I think you'll dig on it. Here's a vid (hardly a vid - a picture of the album cover) of my favorite cut, A New Jerusalem. It's not too challenging material (so your pansy-ass system should be up to the task ;-P - very sparse and stark, and quite slow paced (so don't expect no NWA, or the urge to dance in the streets - you may have the urge to slit your wrists though - iow not for everyone). Been enjoying another 2011 release that I'm sure you turned me on to (?) - Heidi Spencer, Under Streetlight Glow. |
Thanks, Richard. I've been on the fence about buying the new Mountain Goats LP, and will now proceed.
Among recent releases, Low "C'Mon" and Panda Bear "Tomboy" are high water marks for both artists. These and new Foo Fighters are fine vinyl. |
Helge Lien Trio - Natsukashii |
Yea Marco, I think you will really like that one but of all the nonsense I spew on this forum, I cannot recommend the new Mountain Goats, All Eternals Deck, highly enough. Especially knowing you....this is one I would say rush out and buy it tonight then listen to it over and over again. I have it on as I type and just can't stop loving it more and more. I really do think it's brilliant. It got me from track 1.
I have 2 old Talk Talk albums but never really followed them after that. I'll do a little sampling of the Mark Hollis stuff, thanks for that! I love these threads. |
Dgarretson....Maybe so but it is really a record that encompasses all of what is special about him...stripped down and poetic, reminiscent of his finest stuff like 1997's Smog "Red Apple Falls" or 2005 "A River Ain't Too Much To Love"...all with more maturity, confidence and in a way, more gentle. Folks will get him or they won't I'd guess. I just wanted to put it out there because it is not something that many of these guys would be exposed to without digging a bit. That'd definitely be my speed, as you know, Richard. The two Smog titles you mention are probably my two favorites, with "A River..." being on top. I believe I have you to thank for introducing me to those! What a great sense of wit, and a wonderful use of language he has. In that same vein, and I might have mentioned him before in this thread, but there's a paralell in the starkness of the music, though, so I'll echo it once again - Mark Hollis solo, self-titled effort is just beautiful. Probably more austere than any of the Smog titles mentioned though, but with a very similar starkness and intelligence. Since then I've been checking out some of his stuff with Talk Talk and the much later titles from their efforts speak a similar language. The solo album (Mark Hollis) is my favorite though. |
Dgarretson....Maybe so but it is really a record that encompasses all of what is special about him...stripped down and poetic, reminiscent of his finest stuff like 1997's Smog "Red Apple Falls" or 2005 "A River Ain't Too Much To Love"...all with more maturity, confidence and in a way, more gentle. Folks will get him or they won't I'd guess. I just wanted to put it out there because it is not something that many of these guys would be exposed to without digging a bit. |
God I love threads like this, such a fun way to discover new music! |
Richard, Bill Callahan has evolved into one of most original voices out there, but perhaps Apocalpse is too far out there for most in here. His last one, "Rough Travel for a Rare Thing"(live) is just as great & more accessible.
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Post above in response to Rja. |
The title song, which opens the album could be and it has a brief reprise to close the album, but I can't imagine that Christchurch Girl is. |
Yes....yet another great 2011 release...
Bill Callahan "Apocalypse"
So far this has been a great year for music. |
On the LP format...
The Cave Singers - No Witch |
Another 2011 gem to add!
The Mountain Goats "All Eternals Deck"
Brilliant!!!!! |
I read in a review of Harlem River Blues that all the songs are about a contemplated suicide. Is this true or just literary embellishment? |
Lucinda Williams - Blessed As good as anything she has ever done.
Cold War Kids - Mine is Yours Great songwriting, vocals and performance.
Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde Heard them live at recent Austin music festival. Very dreamy and melodic sound. An undiscovered gem.
Neal |
Sia "Some People Have Real Problems". Listen to the cut "Beautiful Calm Driving".
She has got to have, hands down, one of the finest, sexiest, purest voices I've ever heard. Someone else mentioned this CD and I looked at it and said, no way am I going to like this. I was wrong. Best female vocalist CD since Joan Osborne "Relish". I want more Sia. |
The new Paul Simon is just tremendous. I bought it yesterday and cannot stop listening to it. Great music, great songs, and a great recording, too.
The Feelies new one is very good, very mellow and acoustic-driven, very similar to "The Good Earth."
Also good releases by Drive-by Truckers, Lucinda Williams, PJ Harvey, and Buddy Miller. Not sure yet about the new Alison Krauss, but there is a great cover of Richard and Linda Thompson's "The Dimming of the Day" on it. I think the album as a whole is at least pretty good.
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Agree w Rpeluso. Only thing wrong w Harlem river Blues is its length. After 33 minutes, I am left wanting much more. |
Adele - 21.... My best of 2011 so far
Rpeluso, if you haven't already, make sure you pick up a copy of Midnight At The Movies. If it's not as good, it's certainly close to Harlem River Blues. |
Justin Townes Earle Harlem River Blues, a great great record |
G Love.. Fixin' To Die (produced by the Avett Brothers) |
"All you need is now" by Duran duran seems interesting. I like most of the tracks on it. |
I really like REM's new one "Collapse Into Now" It is closer to their earlier works with jangly guitars and good harmonies. Eddie Vedder and Patty Smith sing background vocals. As far as new artists go, I have enjoyed The Big Something out of North Carolina. Their cd "Stories From the Middle of Nowhere" was chosen as the Homegrown Music Network's new artist of the year. It is fantastic. |
Agree with Sfar, Smoke Ring Halo by the Wood Brothers is an awesome album!! They are also one of my favorite bands that I have discovered in the last few years. I saw them live and they put on a fantastic show! All of their albums are top notch. |
Elbow, Adele, Brian Ferry, Cold War Kids, Warpaint,PJ Harvey, the Watson Twins, Doobie Brothers |
John - I'll have to give the new Frazey some more play time. Sometimes things grow on you after time, but after three plays nothing was really clicking with me. I was wrong about a new solo from her: I had gone to The Be Good Tanyas site and saw the promo for "Firecracker" which made it look like a new solo CD. I do have Chestnutt's originals and agree with you on the comparison, but still enjoy the Junkies versions of his stuff too. I will definitely check out Sera Cahoone - thanks! Departing from chicks with strings, and going more into the melancholic male singer/songwriter...I've been really mesmerized by the sparse and haunting arrangements on the lone solo effort of Mark Hollis that someone introduced me to a few weeks ago (though it's an older release). It the self-titled CD. |
Arvid Henrikson, this guy plays the trumpet like it's a flute...mindboggling ECM sonics too. |
Jax, I'll get the Jenny's live. Have all of the Be Goods. Sounds like I like the solo Frazey better than you; I admit it's not "in heavy rotation," but I enjoy it quire a bit.
I'm enjoying Cowboy Junkies' Vic Chesnutt cover album "Demons" (favorite cut "Supernatural"). But get the original, if you haven't, especially the masterpiece "West of Rome." Much less polish than CJ, much more guts.
People who like girl-with-guitar should check out Sera Cahoone -- lovely stuff.
John |
Josh T. Pearson "Last of the Country Gentleman"
A sort of Astral Weeks meets Blood On The Tracks vibe...
PJ Harvey Let England Shake
Radiohead King Of Limbs |
I'll maybe say Amos Lee - Mission Bell. He's kind of a folk/soul singer-songwriter. Mission Bell probably requires more listens to get into than his previous efforts, but I'm quite liking it. Guest appearances by Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson. |
I'd like to give a big hand to "Blame Sally" a female quartet from San Francisco and "Girlyman" out of Atlanta. Based on many of the posts, I think you'll like them. |
Speaking of chicks with banjos; Abigail Washburn's latest is pretty good, but did like her first best. |
Just received Robbie Robertson's new one...played it on my laptop(crappy sound) but fairly sure it's one of my better buys this year.....looking forward to tonight! |
One more to look forward to:
The Feelies' (with both Bill Million and Glenn Mercer participating) new CD is due out on Tuesday, the 12th. It's their first new release in more than decade.
Marty
Thanks all for the suggestions, I'll be sure to hunt down a few of the "chicks with banjo" recommendations. |
I vote for Iron And Wine--Kiss Each Other Clean.
Love the sound, love the songwriting... |
JDoris - The Jennys at the Mauch Opera House is wonderful. It's a great live recording that'll make you want to see them live if you have not already. I agree with you that Firecracker is not as strong as 40 Days, but I still like it. I haven't heard the new one yet.
Richard_stacy - ALWAYS great to hear your recommendations as you know we are virtually on the same page 90% of the time where this genre is concerned. Funny you mention Almanac as I downloaded it from their site in FLAC last night. I'll give it a listen today at work on. Anyone who strikes of Gillian Welch would be a must-hear in my book. She's another great one to see in concert with David Rawlings (was not as fond of his solo effort). Also disappointed with Frazey Ford's first solo album, Obidiah. As a huge fan of The Be Good Tanyas (and for anyone who has not heard them, run don't walk to pick up their three CD's, especially anyone who like Po' Girl). Frazey has a new solo album I have not heard yet that I'm curious enough to buy as I do love her voice and her writing. I just wish the Tanyas would come out with a new one, but I fear they are no longer as there are no tour dates listed and the site has not been updated in a while. Another good one I'm really warming up to is Cowboy Junkies, Demons (songs by Vic Chestnut). And how could I forget another great recent release by someone I can't get enough of: William Fitsimmons, Gold in the Shadow. If you were disappointed by Iron and Wine's latest, then try Fitzsimmons (any of his albums, really). |
And....
Hiss Golden Messenger (M.C.Taylor) "Bad Debt"...Fantastic folksy americana. Beautify written and played with heart. |
