What Are You Listening To?

[Tiggi]

Ella can always be relied upon. There may be rubbish Ella releases out there, but I haven't heard any...

[Thraak]

[video=youtube;vBDwBLH3Z5k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBDwBLH3Z5k[/video]

Still reeling after the excellence of the gig on Friday night. So glad I recorded this fantastic cover of Robert Johnson's 'Walkin' Blues'.

[Tiggi]

1960 recording which focusses on RC's Jazz playing. He wanted to make an album featuring himself on Hammond Organ, and he's backed by either the Basie Band, or another Big Band put together for the recording. There are a couple of songs with RC taking the vocals, but it's mostly instrumental Jazz.

The Hammond sounds quite out of place in a Big Band environment at first, but once you get past that, this is a solid album.


AllMusic 3+/5 stars.

[CRAZY-HORSE]

BOB DYLAN "modern times" 2006 cd. #1 US, #3 UK, #1 Aust.

firstly, i dont know what makes me listen to "his bobness" most of the time...he cant sing, has a terrible voice that cant hold a note in tune, his lyrics can be so obscure that even he doesnt know what they mean, but he has something about him that seems so honest and meaningful that is impossible to ignore. he's easy to make fun of with his style, he can release a brilliant album then follow it up with several abominations, yet we still buy them hoping for that "great" Dylan album, why???...because He Is Bob Dylan!
anyway, this album is full of jazz/blues/swing overtones...much in the same style as Willy Nelson's recordings.
it is a great album, the music is spot on and precise, the recording is first class, and even though Bob's vocals are extremely gravelly and slur at times, it works a treat. i can hear a bit of Muddy Waters in several of these songs, though it is most evident in "rollin' and tumblin'".
the opening track, "thunder on the mountain" was recently covered by Wanda Jackson on her Jack White produced album, and is the only half decent song on it....not Bob's, Wanda's!
Bob won two Grammy's for this album, "best solo rock vocal performance" for "someday baby" and "best contemporary folk,americana album" for the album....not sure about the first one, but the album award was justified in its win.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM!

worst track: someday baby
best track: thunder on the mountain

tracks: doncha just hate it when you have a good album to share and there's only a couple of links!!!!

1. thunder on the mountain***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-9scdPjWb4 video
2. spirit on the water***
3. rollin' and tumblin'**
4. when the deal goes down***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Xhs4F-K...8DD49E042B video
5. someday baby** #98 US
6. workingman's blues #2***
7. beyond the horizon**
8. nettie moore***
9. the levee's gonna break***
10.aint talkin'**


"Thunder On The Mountain"

Thunder on the mountain, and there's fires on the moon
A ruckus in the alley and the sun will be here soon
Today's the day, where I'm gonna grab my trombone and blow
Well, there's hot stuff here and it's everywhere I go

I was thinking about Alicia Keys, couldn't keep from crying
When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line
I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee

Feel like my soul is beginning to expand
Look into my heart and you will sort of understand
You brought me here, now you're trying to turn me away
The writing on the wall, come read it, come see what it does say

Thunder on the mountain, rolling like a drum
Going to sleep over there, that's where the music is coming from
I don't need any guide, I already know the way
Remember this, I'm your servant both night and day

The pistols are popping and the power is down
I'd like to try something but I'm so far from town
The sun keeps shining and the North Wind keeps picking up speed
Gonna forget about myself for a while, gonna go out and see what others need

I've been sitting down studying the art of love
I think it will fit me like a glove
I want some real good woman to do just what I say
Everybody got to wonder what's the matter with this cruel world today

Thunder on the mountain rolling to the ground
Gonna get up in the morning walk the hard road down
Some sweet day I'll stand beside my King
I wouldn't betray your love or any other thing

Gonna raise me an army, some tough sons of bitches
I'll recruit my army from the orphanages
I been to St. Herman's church, said my religious vows
As I've sucked the milk out of a thousand cows

I've got the pork chops, she's got the pie
She ain't no angel and neither am I
Shame on your greed, shame on your wicked schemes
I'll say this, I don't give a damn about your dreams

Thunder on the mountain heavy as can be
Mean old twister bearing down on me
All the ladies in Washington scrambling to get out of town
Looks like something bad is going to happen, better roll your airplane down

Everybody going and I want to go too
Don't wanna take a chance with somebody new
I did all I could, I did it right there and then
I've already confessed, no need to confess again

Gonna make a lot of money, gonna go up North
I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth
The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf
For the love of God, you ought to take pity on yourself.





3s=6
2s=4
1s=0

rating: 2.6

[Music Head]

^^
wow! only 2 links on a Dylan album, that's weird

not sure I could go 2.6 on this, but won't know till I get there

[CRAZY-HORSE]

i either find i love or loathe Dylan albums, this one just happens to be in the former for me, i reckon most of his albums wouldnt make the pass mark on a good day!
i couldnt believe the lack of links myself,there were a couple of poor live clips filmed from phones i guess,too bad for inclusion here.

[bahama]

Wardell Gray! Dude was awesome tenor man

[Thraak]

^ Nice review Lloyd! 'Modern Times' is a fantastic album and I personally love Dylan's latter period 'gravelly' voice as you put it!

[CRAZY-HORSE]

VAN 'the man' MORRISON "moondance" 1970, cd.

the question remains...where does Van belong?...jazz,blues,pop,folk???? seems to be a bit of everything to me.
but this album firmly fits here in Jazz/blues section.
ten absolutely classic tracks that waft through the air like a cool summers breeze.
its the only one of his albums i own so i have nothing to compare it to.
one of those true "classic albums" IMO

rating: 9/10 or 2.7 on Music Head's scale

ps: any other recommendations on other VM albums appreciated

[Tiggi]

^ I agree.

Moondance always comes close to the top of my fave album list.

Astral Weeks is the critics' favourite, but whilst it's very good, it won't be for everyone.

I like pretty much everything I've heard that he's done, but if I had to recommend three, they'd be Beautiful Vision, Inarticulate Speech of The Heart, and No Guru, no Method, no Teacher.

None of these except perhaps the last are as Jazzy as Moondance, but I think you'll like them.