Yep, just can't devote enough time to do this properly for the moment, and with the holiday season upon us, do not anticipate any new posts till 2015. I have a few titles ready to go so I'll list them with a short blurb and maybe a video...
JOE HENRY - Invisible Hour
Ooooofff, this storyteller stuff is fine, but damn, one would need a bowl of Quaaludes to sit through this as a whole. I like him, but this is borrring.
JOHN MAYALL - A Special Life
I don't think there has ever been a more savvy bluesman in his ability to surround himself with musicians who "get" the musical blueprint he's looking for than John Mayall. He's been recording for fifty years and hardly ever disappoints. Not this time, either...
ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD - heartsoulblood
This should really be better than it is based on the group's members; Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Mike Zito and Charlie Wooten. This is a gumbo in which someone omitted the okra...it just ain't right. A couple of bites (tracks) are okay, but it's probably best to just throw it out...
UMPHREY'S MCGEE - Similar Skin
Always held a bias against this band as they were formed at a hated NCAA football school, Notre Dame. No denying the various members' musical influences, be they jam band, jazz, improv, Zappa-esque, what-have-you, I just never found them to develop their own sound. Per example, the opening track of this album unabashedly swipes from The Police. Known for their live performances and wacky covers, I just wish they had melded it all into something truly original. Fifteen years and eight studio albums later, it still hasn't happened. Keeping three tracks and this is one...
ROYAL BLOOD
I was obviously late to this party as it debuted at #30 domestically and #1 in the UK. A bit of research finds they're on a major (WB) and a two-man band, a style of which I have vehemently argued against since the White Stripes, to whom this is most often compared. Well, I think it sounds more like Jack White's solo efforts and this blows them away. Won't even mention The Black Keys in the same breath. I also heard what most everyone else mentions, Muse and QOTSA, but others reference T. Rex and Led Zep. Simply put, this is nothing new but that doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable. Only negative is there's not enough of it at 32 minutes.
Yep, that's a bass he's playing and yep, this is probably why Dave Grohl is a fan and taking them out to open for the Foos next year.
MIKE FARRIS - Shine For All The People
Completely stunned by this record. Could not believe this was the same guy from Nashville's Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies......still shaking my head as I play this while writing. And I believe this is the first Gospel album I've posted on. That's right, Gospel. The guy was a mess back in the SCW days, and apparently, he's sobered up and turned his life around, sharing the experience and joy through his music. An acquaintance of mine used to sing BGVs for Natalie Cole years ago (she's portrayed Billie Holiday in a local production and recently sang in a Ray Charles tribute show for 2700 humans...so the woman can bring it!) and I knew she would appreciate the record, so I put on the opening track for her. She immediately stepped back, cocked her head and asked, "Is that Al Green? No, wait, Sam Moore?" Nope, just a born-again rock 'n' roller who still looks the part.........white dude. "WHAT?!?! NO WAY!!!" Yes, way...
PHILIP SAYCE - Influence
OK, click on this link for my post in 2012 that gives the background needed here.
Thank you.
May I now present a slightly altered excerpt of a review that I wholeheartedly endorse...
"...this is an album fueled not by moonshine, but one of quality Gin, the spirit flavored with hints and whispers of various botanicals along with the main ingredient, juniper (allow me to suggest substituting "blues" here), that tease and test your taste buds. "Influence" does the same for your ear and tests the hearing skills as you find and identify the influences from genres and guitarists including Rock, Rock n’ Roll, Psychedelia, Heavy...guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Healey and others. The overall influence is blues of every shade and tone. This album is an aural teaser. Every track is different with a balanced mix of divine originals and instinctual covers (Little Richard, Graham Nash) that take you to a place that is musical and spiritual; they hit that musical nerve at the bass of your spine and send tingles and shivers of delight throughout your body, creating a feeling of oneness with the music."
Still an import in the U.S. but if I can find it, so can you. One of the best albums this year.
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And that's a fine record to sign off with................for now......
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