What would be your first clue that he's ready to be free of his contract? Well, you can't say that his 26-year association with Universal hasn't been fruitful. Everyone knows his name and he's made a career out of eclectic. I really like what he's done with his music, but that doesn't mean I want it all. Personally, I favored his big band adventures the most. He and kd lang (credited here with a vocal) couldn't be singularly categorized in our stores. "Release Me" has been a Top 10 Country album and reached #60 on the overall sales chart, but I still wouldn't call it "country" as a whole. It's mostly obscure covers with some special guests involved, and I hate to say it, rather uninspired-sounding. When it hits, it hits. Take this Townes Van Zandt selection, for example...
Smokin'! There is a bluegrass instrumental that pops, a blues tune originally done by Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, and a self-penned, atypical Christmas song that is an off-beat gem. Other than that, whiffs.
I saw an interview with LL where he said he was looking forward to making his next record first and then figuring out how to sell it later. I'll be waiting on it...
More than seven years of professional radio experience and over twenty years in music retailing have provided many opportunities to introduce friends, family, co-workers and customers to great music in four different decades. Out of the biz now for more than five years, I still seek out new music to add to my enormous collection. Most in my age group gave up on finding new music years ago. To quote a line from Crack the Sky, "Why don't they make music for us anymore?" Well, they do, and I share my discoveries in a manner that is intended for those who know me, but can be appreciated by you who do not. I am not a reveiwer paid to have a piece available upon a recording's release, I write only after several listens and sometimes several weeks of spins. Feel free to comment, suggest, and enjoy!
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