Three For The Road (CD) By John Mayall

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Greg Rzab, Jay Davenport, John Mayall

Three For The Road

John Mayall

Forty Below Records

Review by David Bowling

 

John Mayall just keeps rolling along. Now in his early 80’s, he maintains an extensive concert and recording schedule.

Mayall’s new live album, Three For The Road, began two years ago when guitarist Rocky Athas missed a concert due to plane connections. Forced to play as a trio, John Mayall decided to continue within that context. His new album was recorded at two concerts in Germany during March of 2017.

Bassist Greg Rzab and drummer Jay Davenport have been with Mayall for a decade and their chemistry together is excellent. Mayall, vocals, keyboards, and harmonica, is more in the limelight than he has been in years. His music has always had a guitar focus but now his keyboards are central and it is a new and welcome direction for an artist whose career has passed the 50 year mark.

The nine tracks include 7 covers by classic blues artists and two original Mayall concert favorites. They all run from 5 to 11 minutes, so their is a lot of room for experimentation and improvisation.

Mayall’s “Streamline” and “Lonely Feelings” have been concert staples for some time but here they take on new textures within the trio format. “Congo Square” at 11 minutes and “Tears Came Rollin’ Down” at nine plus minutes are excellent examples of how three instruments can interact over an extended period of time.

Mayall’s voice may have lost a little over time but it is still an effective blues instrument.

John Mayall is travelling a different road in the twilight of his career, which is not an easy thing for a veteran artist. Three For The Road is an album well-worth exploring.

Rating: ****

The Focus Family Album (CD) By Focus

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Focus, Hocus Pocus

The Focus Family Album

Focus

Focus Records 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Focus was, and sometimes still is, a Dutch progressive rock band who found success in the United States during the first half of the 1970’s. Formed in the late 1960’s by Thijs Van Leer; their early line-up included guitar virtuoso Jan Akkerman. Albums such as Moving Waves (1972), Focus 3 (1971), and Hamburger Concerto (1974) sold several million copies in the United States and produced the quirky hit single “Hocus Pocus.”

The Focus Family Album is a two-disc, 20 track CD that includes 10 tracks by the band and 10 tracks by various current and former members; hence the name of the album.

The group tracks are modern era in origin, originally recorded for several different projects. The represent the band’s current approach and are competent progressive rock.

The solo tracks are more eclectic and experimental. How good they are depends on the listeners ability to stretch their minds.

Individual solos dominate the individual band members contributions. Pierre van der Linden presents two tracks from his experimental Drum Poetry album.  Band leader This van Leer donates two flute pieces that run counter to the drum tracks. “Hazel” is an acoustic guitar piece by Menno Gootjes that demonstrates his precise style. Udo Pannekeet brings a unique approach to his bass playing through the use of a fretless bass on “Song For Yaminah” and a six string bass on “Anaya.”

The album is not a cohesive affair. The full band tracks have a finished feel, while the individual pieces find the members experimenting and, in some cases, doodling on their own. In many ways it is the band deconstructed.

The Focus Family Album is a niche release for hard core fans of the band. If you want to experience their full power and creativity, check out their 1970 releases.

Rating: **

 

The Luckiest Man (CD) By Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters

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Ronnie Earl & Broadcasters

The Luckiest Man

Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters

Stony Plain 2017

Review by David Bowling

 

Any new release by Ronnie Earl and his Broadcasters is a must listen for any blues aficionado and The Luckiest Man is no exception.

The album is one of loss and faith; both explored within the context of the blues. The passing of his long time friend and bass player bandmate Jim Mouradian has left an imprint on his latest album of music. “Death Have No Mercy is a fitting tribute to hos lost friend, while “Never Gonna Break My Faith” deals with recovery and moving on.

He returns with his past with the ten minute “Long Lost Conversation.” A Number of his old bandmates are along for the ride, including vocalist/bassist Sugar Ray Norcia.

From the opening cover of “Ain’t That Loving You Baby,” he quickly demonstrates why he is considered on of the best traditional blues guitarists working today.

The Luckiest Man is an album of how the blues should always be.

Rating: ****

Whistle Down The Wind (CD) By Joan Baez

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Folk Music, Joan Baez, Whistle Down The Wind

Whistle Down The Wind

Joan Baez

Joan Baez 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Joan Baez is a bona-fide member of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. While the title may not fit her musical style, the honor is appropriate. She was an essential part of the folk revival movement and like or hate her politics; she has influenced the society and culture of the United States through her voice and music for the last half century plus. She has now returned with her 25th studio album.

Whistle Down The Wind is a nostalgic, poignant, and yearning release. The edge to her music is a little more subtle than in the past. Her acoustic guitar playing seems to have acquired a nice patina with the passage of time.

I have always thought she does not compose original material enough. Here she presents 10 songs by other artists and she has chosen well as she brings her experiences to each and transforms them into her own creations.

The title song by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan finds her looking back at life. “Be Of Good Heart” is a sweet remembrance of a past relationship. Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “The Things We Are Made Of” is a thoughtful and laid back tune of independence.

“I Wish The Wars Were All Over” returns her to one of the themes that have dominated her music and life. “The President Sang Amazing Grace” is a response to the shootings in South Carolina.

As with any Joan Baez album, there is always a focus on her voice which continues to have a purity virtually unmatched.

Whistle Down The Wind may not have the power of her earlier releases but it is an album of music that fits where she is in life, and her that is enough.

Rating: ****

The Searcher (Soundtrack) 3-CD Set By Elvis Presley

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Elvis Presley, Mike McCready, The Searcher

The Searcher (Soundtrack) 3-CD Box Set

Elvis Presley

Legacy 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Calling all fans of “The King;” the Elvis Presley train is pulling into the station again with some friends in tow.

HBO will be premièring a new Elvis Presley documentary April 14, and this is the Soundtrack to the film with a lot of extra material.

The music of Elvis has been released many times and in just about every format imaginable. The 18 tracks from the documentary, when taken apart from the film may seem like an eclectic group, but that is part of their charm. From his early Sun material, “My Baby Left Me,” “That’s All Right,” and “Baby Let’s Play House,” to the immortal “Hound Dog” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” to some lesser known tracks, “Milky Way,” “Like A Baby,” and a rehearsal version of “Separate Ways,” it is a different approach to his music and legacy.

The other 37 Elvis tracks follow the same pattern. While the former fit into the documentary; the rest of the material by Elvis has a seemingly random approach and so you take the good with the bad. I’m not sure I need another copy of “Suspicious Minds (Take 6)” or a rehearsal version of the Bee Gees “Words,” but tracks like “Reconsider Baby,” “You Gave Me A Mountain,” and “An American Trilogy” are always welcome.

It is the third disc that sets the release apart. Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) contributes “Dissolution” and “Rebound,” while Petty’s cover of “Wooden Heart” is present.

It is the music that purportedly influenced Elvis that makes the disc worthwhile. Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s version of “That’s All Right” is still a raw experience, while Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning” explores the beginnings of rock and roll. Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” examines Elvis’ early sound from a country perspective. Throw in such forgotten performances as “Mystery Train” by Little Junior’s Blue Flames, “She May Be Yours But She Comes To Me Sometimes” by Joe Hill Lewis, “Rocket 88” by Jackie Bernston, and “Write Me A Letter” by the Ravens are worth the price of admission.

The Searcher” examines the music of Elvis Presley from a different perspective. Taken outside of the film, it is an interesting listen with a lot of good music.

Rating: ****