Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer (Expanded CD Reissue) Two Of A Kind

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Billy May, Bobby Darin, Johhy Mercer, Two Of A Kind

Two Of A Kind (CD Expanded Reissue)

Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer

Omnivore 2017

Review by David Bowling

 

Bobby Darin, (1936-1973), packed a lot into his 37 years of life. He was a teen idol who produced such hits as “Splish Slash” and “Queen Of The Hop” that led to his 1990 induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He was an actor who won a Golden Globe Award and he actually married actress Sandra Dee of Grease song fame.

At the height of his commercial appeal, he changed musical directions. He always wanted to be a Sinatra-type singer and recorded “Mack The Knife” from Three Penny Opera. It became one of the most popular singles in music history, topping the Billboard Pop Chart for nine weeks.

In 1961 he joined with orchestra leader/arranger Billy May and recorded the album Two Of A Kind. That album has now been reissued with seven bonus songs.

I find it interesting that this album was picked for reissue. While it is representative of the second part of his career, it just disappears into his catalogue of releases. It is a smooth and pleasant album but probably not among his best works.

He was touring with Johnny Mercer at the time, and the material reflects that relationship. It is an album of standards, highlighted by two Darin/Mercer compositions and four more Mercer songs.

“Ace In The Hole” is an old jazz song from 1909. Darin gives it a more Big Band/pop feel in a swinging version. The lightweight “Who Takes Care Of The Caretakers Daughter” is a pun-fill journey. On the other hand he gets to cute with “My Cutey’s Due At Two-To-Two.” It is representative of a number of songs that appeared dated over 50 years ago and today fall into the quaint category today.

The seven bonus songs are more of the same except for an interesting take on the Dave Dreyer/Ruby Herman song “Cecelia.”

This reissue of Two Of A Kind” will no doubt please Bobby Darin fans but if you want an introduction to Darin at his best, there a a number og Greatest Hits albums available.

 

Rating: **1/2

A Song I Can Live With (CD) By Chip Taylor

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Chip Taylor

A Song I Can Live With

Chip Taylor

Train Wreck Records 2017

Review by David Bowling

 

Chip Taylor may be an artist you may not have heard of but he is an artist you probably have heard.

He is one of the latest inductees into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. His career has now reached the 60 year mark as it stretches back to his big 1960’s hit by the Troggs, “Wild Thing. Hundreds of songs have followed that have spread out into rock, country, and folk. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Dusty Spring, and Frank Sinatra are just a few of the artists who have recorded his songs.

He has also been a consistent presence in the studio; producing consistent, melodic, and lyrically incisive music. His solo albums tend to be laid back affairs that are comfortable in a country of folk music setting.

His newest release, A Song I Can Live With, is a lot lighter than his recent releases. He used a stream of consciousness approach in the creation of the songs. Songs such as “Crazy Girl,” “New York In Between,” “Save Your Blues And Your Money,” and “Little Angel Wings,”

 

Heal My Soul (CD) By Lex Grey And The Urban Pioneers

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Heal My Soul, Lex Grey, Urban Pioneers

Heal My Soul

Lex Grey And The Urban Pioneer

Pioneer Productions 2016

Review by David Bowling

 

Number 1: The woman can sing. She is one of those vocalists who can squeeze every once of pathos, meaning, and emotion from a song.

Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers  have just issued their sixth album titled Heal My Soul. They are known as an energetic and explosive live band who have toured relentlessly honing their craft. Grey’s tough-woman appeal help them present music that fuses rock and roll and the blues into an interesting mix.

She is backed by guitarist Vic Mix, violinist Kaia Updike, drummer John Holland, bassist Adam Price, and multi-instrumentalist Brian DeWan, who have developed into a tight and formidable band. They are fueled by the instrumental leads of Mix and Updike. It is Updike’s violin that gives the music an unusual sound at times as her ability to use it in a blues format is different and at times stunning.

Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers are still very much a Brooklyn bar band. They are perfect for a smoky club late at night. In some ways they may be a little to authentic for huge mainstream success but Heal My Soul is a disc that needs to be played loud as it contains the essence of American rock and roll at its most basic and best.

Rating: ***1/2

 

Got A Mind To Give Up Living: Live 1966 By The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

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Elvin Bishop, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield

Got A Mind To Give Up Living: Live 1966

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Real Gone Music 2016

Review by David Bowling

 

Time is a great equalizer and the legend and legacy of The Paul Butterfield Blue Band has started to fade, but as members of The Blues Hall Of Fame and The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, they have influenced two generations of electric blues bands and harmonica players that have followed.

When they pulled into Boston’s Unicorn Coffee House during May of 1966, it was their classic line-up that took the stage. Harmonica player Paul Butterfield (1987), guitarist Mike Bloomfield (1943-1981), guitarist/vocalist Elvin Bishop, keyboardist Mark Naftalin, drummer Billy Davenport, and bassist Jerome Arnold were at the height of their powers. Butterfield and Bloomfield were extraordinary musicians and Bishop and Naftalin just a cut below.

Butterfield was a harp virtuoso. He focused on each note rather than chords, which gave his playing a very different sound and flavor.

Their set at the Unicorn has been bootlegged a number of times but this is its official release debut. The only negative is the sound quality. It struggles to be average. The good news is the instruments are sharper than the vocals, which is the important thing with this band. Real Gone Music are wizards at cleaning up the sound of archival recordings so the original tapes were probably rough. In some ways, the performance, which took place in a small coffee house setting, was probably gritty anyway and it may be close to what the audience was hearing.

Despite the sound issues, it all comes down to the music. The band was in the middle of changing their approach. Gone were the tight three and four minute songs. They were being replaced by longer improvisational tracks, of which the 12 minute version of “Work Song” is an example. Butterfield, Bloomfield, and Naftalin all thrived in an improvisational setting.

The set is typical of their early career as it is a combination of classic blues songs, traditional tunes, and a few covers of the day. “Got My Mojo Working,” “I Got A Mind To Give Up Living,” and “Comin’ Home Baby” are energetic presentations of blues songs that are required listening. Covers of two soul songs, Curtis Mayfield’s “Memory Pain” and Smokey Robinson’s “One More Heartache” explore the connection between soul and the blues.

This particular line-up of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band shone brightly for a short time and then disintegrated. Documents such as Got A Mind To Give Up Living: Live 1966 are a trip back in time with an important band that helped to change the course of American music. Despite the sound issues, it is an album well-worth exploring.

Rating: ***1/2

Memory Box (CD) By East Of Venus

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Michael Carlucci. East Of Eaden

Memory Box

East Of Venus

Omnivore Recordings 2016

Review by David Bowling

 

If there is such a thing as an under the radar super group, East Of Venus is it. Michael Carlucci (Winter Hours), Glenn Mercer (The Feelies), Stan Demeski (The Feelies), and Rob Norris (The Bongos) began playing together close to a decade ago and finally have released their debut album.

East Of Venus is an energetic alternative rock band that has a raw appeal. Fusing the styles of their former bands, they have managed to produce and ardent and passionate brand of rock that should please fans of any of the bands mentioned.

Consisting of two covers, Tim Hardin’s “Reason To Believe” and The Rolling Stones “Citadel,” plus eight originals; it is a romp through some of the best that alternative rock has to offer.

Sometimes fate is cruel as this will be the only release by this configuration as Michael Carlucci passed away at the end of 2015 leaving behind an excellent and poignant release.

Rating: ***1/2

 

 

Blues For Big Walter By Various Artists

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Big Walter Horton, Blues For Big Waler

Blues For Big Walter

Various Artists

Ellersoul Records 2016

Review by David Bowling

 

Big Walter Horton, 1921-1981, was a musician that floated under the radar for most of his career, but by people in the know, he was recognized as one of the premier harmonica players of the 20th century.

His first recording was in 1939 as a sideman for blues guitarist Little Buddy Doyle and he would continue to support leading bluesmen for the next three decade. As I solo artist he was signed to the fledging and soon to be famous Sun label.

Now a number of musicians and especially harmonica players have joined together to recreate his sound and honor his legacy. A virtual army of artists are on board to bring this tribute to fruition. Ronnie Owens, Kim Wilson, Mark Wenner, Andrew Ali, and Sugar Ray Norcia all bring their harmonica skills to modernize the blues.

My only criticism is when I open the fold-out package, there is blue printing against a black background, which I simply cannot read without putting it five inches from my face or getting out the old magnifying glass.

Blues For Big Walter is a fitting tribute to a musician who is many times forgotten today. Best of all, it contains some very good music.

Rating: ***

Panophobia (CD) By Von Grey

Panophobia

Von Grey

Loud 2015

Review by David Bowling

 

This one has been sitting on my desk awhile so shame on me as it contains some of the better music of the past year.

Annika, Fiona, Petra, and Kathryn are sisters who not only mange to get along but also are able to create some interesting and creative music together. They are classically trained and retain some of its elements but basically they create sonic pop with tight harmonies and song structures that push their sound to the edges of the mainstream.

“Katie” and “Forever Bound” are both stunning pieces of music. The sound ebbs and flows but the soaring vocals push it all to the next level. Interestingly, the official videos for the two songs add an extra element to the process and make me think the visual medium is one they may want to explore more.

Six songs is too short as it only provides an introduction to their sound. It is a group not only worth hearing but wondering what lies in their future.

Rating: ***1/2

 

The Classic Christmas Album (CD) By Earth, Wind & Fire

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Classic Christmas Album, Earth Wind & Fire

The Classic Christmas Album

Earth, Wind & Fire

Legacy 2015

Review by David Bowling

 

Literally thousands of musicians have released Christmas albums during the last 50 years. They have included country, rock, pop, easy listening, and jazz artists but perhaps one of the most unique holiday releases is The Classic Christmas Album by the rhythm & blues and funk band Earth, Wind, & Fire.

Earth, Wind & Fire was formed in 1969 and while a dozen or so musicians have performed with the band, they have remained relevant and commercially successful for nearly a half-century, selling tens-of-millions of albums and continually crossing over onto the mainstream pop charts. Songs such as “After The Love Has Gone,” “Shining Star,” “Got To Get You Into My Life,” “September,” and “Boogie Wonderland” have become a part of the American musical landscape while propelling the band into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Given their musical niche, a Christmas album could have been a disaster; but they wisely do not just play the songs but rather adapt the material to their style, which makes all the difference.

The traditional hymns are more of a stretch for the band. “Joy To The World,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Away In A Manger,” and “The First Noel” center around the vocals rather than the rhythms. On the other hand, “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “and “Sleigh Ride” return the band to the funky rhythms that made them famous.

There are also a number of original compositions, and while they may not be eternal holiday fare, they are a lot of fun. “Get Your Hump On For Christmas” is not for the fire place on Christmas Eve but is fine for the holiday dance floor. “December” and “Gather Round” have a more sophisticated approach and are fine additions to the holiday catalogue of sounds.

Earth, Wind & Fire took a chance by creating an album of Christmas music. Instead of taking the safe route, they travel in some unexpected directions and create a minor masterpiece. Everyone needs a little funk in their Christmas season.

 

Rating: ****

Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends) By Pugwash

Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends)

Pugwash

Omnivore 2015

Review by David Bowling

 

Pugwash was a well-kept Irish secret until last year when they released the career spanning compilation album A Rose In A Garden Of Weeds to a world wide audience. In order to capitalize on their new fame, they have issued a new, and in many ways brilliant, album titled Play This Intimately (As Is Among Friends).

Vocalist/guitarist Thomas Walsh, guitarist Tosh Flood, bassist Shaun McGee, and drummer Joe Fitzgerald have created an album of tight harmonies, incisive lyrics, and catchy melodies.

It is an album that hangs together well. While their are a number of excellent stand-alone tracks; they add up to a cohesive whole. From the opening rocker “Kicking And Screaming” to the Ray Davies influenced “Oh Happy Days” to the ending creative fusions of “We Are Everywhere,” it is an album by a band exploring their creative boundaries.

It may be an intimate album but it is also so a rock and roll album, so play it loudly and enjoy.

Rating: ****

The Days Of Wine And Roses (CD Reissue) By The Dream Syndicate

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Days Of Wine And Roses., DReam yndicate, Paisley Underfround

The Days Of Wine And Roses (CD Reissue)

The Dream Syndicate

Omnivore 2015

Review by David Bowling

The Paisley Underground was an American music movement emanating from the West coast during the 1980’s. It combined a psychedelic sound with harmonies and rock/folk rhythms. Bands such as Game Theory, The Plimsouls, The White Rope, and Dream Syndicate were part of the movement, which began to fade away during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, leaving behind an indelible imprint on American music.

The Dream Syndicate was in the forefront of the Paisley Underground movement. Formed during 1981, they released their first album, The Days Of Wine And Roses, during 1982. That album has now been reissued with some excellent bonus tracks.

The original lineup of Steve Wynn, Karl Precoda, Kendra Smith, and Dennis Duck were feeling their way when they released their first album. They were creating music that was original rather than copied. There were no blueprints to be used when forming their music. It was dark, passionate, and energetic.

“That’s What You Always Say” is one of those songs that defy description. There are textures, tempo changes, and a number of twists and turns. “Halloween” is a song that builds throughout, propelled by a scintillating guitar solo that threatens to leave conventional music behind. The title track find the band in attack mode.

If you are a fan of the band, then the bonus tracks will be a treat. “Still Holding On To You” and “Armed With An Empty Gun” are early versions of songs that appeared on their sophomore album, 1984’s Medicine Show.  Kendra Smith left the band after the first album, so her participation on this tracks makes them different than the future finished versions.

The Dream Syndicate brought a tape recorder into the studio on December 9, 1982. The results are the previously unreleased shot jam “Is It Rolling Bob” and the complete song “A Reason,” which was probably ignored as it just doesn’t fit into their normal style.

The final two tracks are from early 1982, which was about two months after the bands formation. “Like Mary” has a jam quality but is a finished song. “Outside The Dream Syndicate” is a ten minute guitar jam that finds the band engaged in a relaxed creative process.

The Days Of Wine And Roses is an oft forgotten seminal album from the 1980’s. It has been out of print for close to a decade, and combined with the bonus tracks, makes for a nice trip back in time to a specific era and style of music. It is worth the trip.

Rating: ***1/2