Saturday, January 27, 2007
FREEDOM'S ROAD
John Mellencamp
Finally, I do mean finally, John (forgive me, Cougar) Mellencamp is back with his original style and grace. OK, cut 7 ("Our Country") is a total sell-out to both American patriotism with a dash of psychobabble AND to a Chevy commercial. But it remains a solid song and sets the table for the rest of the bunch.
The album mixes a great "live in studio" feel with sharp percussion, not under or over-whelming acoustic guitars, and gritty lead vocals by the artist formally known as Johnny! Also, the supporting instrumentation is not in your face, the vocal is and where it belongs. Lead electric guitar riffs are tasteful, not whiz-bang show-off-ish. It fits together like your favorite lie-around-the-house outfit...comfy and familiar.
The tunes remind me of the quality of "R.O.C.K. in the USA," and even a tad of "Jack and Diane," in style. It's been way too many years; welcome back Mr. Mellencamp...in all your glory. I take off a half-point for the relatively short length (just 10 tunes...unfortunately common for this singer), unless you spring for one of the various vendor "exclusive" versions (another sell-out) with bonus tracks, and I also shave off one point for the overall hard-sell. Oh, and least I forget the one annoying thing...there's a "hidden track." Which means you have to listen to silence for a few minutes to hear the very end of the CD...this was cute the first time it was tried, by whom I don't know. After that, it's a distraction!
BOTTOM LINE 3.5/5 stars
PS: Of course I know an artist with J.M.'s legacy basically HAS to go to TV and souped up deals with big box retailers to push the product. It's still sad that such a great little album needed such a push.
Zeph, out
John Mellencamp
Finally, I do mean finally, John (forgive me, Cougar) Mellencamp is back with his original style and grace. OK, cut 7 ("Our Country") is a total sell-out to both American patriotism with a dash of psychobabble AND to a Chevy commercial. But it remains a solid song and sets the table for the rest of the bunch.
The album mixes a great "live in studio" feel with sharp percussion, not under or over-whelming acoustic guitars, and gritty lead vocals by the artist formally known as Johnny! Also, the supporting instrumentation is not in your face, the vocal is and where it belongs. Lead electric guitar riffs are tasteful, not whiz-bang show-off-ish. It fits together like your favorite lie-around-the-house outfit...comfy and familiar.
The tunes remind me of the quality of "R.O.C.K. in the USA," and even a tad of "Jack and Diane," in style. It's been way too many years; welcome back Mr. Mellencamp...in all your glory. I take off a half-point for the relatively short length (just 10 tunes...unfortunately common for this singer), unless you spring for one of the various vendor "exclusive" versions (another sell-out) with bonus tracks, and I also shave off one point for the overall hard-sell. Oh, and least I forget the one annoying thing...there's a "hidden track." Which means you have to listen to silence for a few minutes to hear the very end of the CD...this was cute the first time it was tried, by whom I don't know. After that, it's a distraction!
BOTTOM LINE 3.5/5 stars
PS: Of course I know an artist with J.M.'s legacy basically HAS to go to TV and souped up deals with big box retailers to push the product. It's still sad that such a great little album needed such a push.
Zeph, out
Friday, January 19, 2007
AMERICA:
HERE AND NOW
A 2 CD Set
It's here and I have heard both discs 3 times each. This is a new studio CD paired in the same package with the umpteenth 'live' America performance. Studio CD first, since it's all new material.
H&N's studio sounds are just delightful. I was worried just a tad when I heard this album was being made with younger artists (a la Tony Bennett, and a cast of hundreds). Especially when Ryan Adams and Fountains of Wayne producers took their swash at the patented gentle America acoustic harmonies.
Well, not to worry; the sound is intact. In fact I personally don't get the "big" deal of the "hot" new partners who put this together. OK, there's a few harder guitar licks, but basically it's a near-perfect America album. Gerry and Dewey's voices are smooth, and unlike the Sydney DVD (see below) are not worn-out sounding. The harmonies are ubiquitous, maybe a hair too much so. But driving around, or just relaxing, it's pretty, mostly acoustic guitar and voice founded with little embellishment. There are no particular stand-outs on this disc, YET. I suspect "Ride On" will get some play; the boys performed it live on David Letterman's LATE SHOW in the USA a few days ago. But this one, with lead vocals by Dewey and "Sha La La's" (rather than the pervading "oooh's and aha's") is perhaps the median of the disc; not the best and not a klinker. If you want a truly new collection of the breezy and calming America sound, you can't go wrong with this CD.
The 2nd disc is a live perfomance of many of their hits (and war horses, no pun intended), at the XM Radio theater or whatever they call it. And as you open up the jewel box (at least in the USA) you get a fall out advert for XM radio, begging you to try it on line for free. It ticks me off a bit that a quality performer has to do this, but face it America hasn't been "really big" for over a decade.
That having been said, it's a nice collection, especially since you get to hear the Dan Peek songs (but not Dan, again see below under Sydney's DVD) "Woman Tonight" and "Lonely People." Dewey sings the latter and Gerry the former, with a bit of help of band members. The real treat however is "Muskrat Love" which the boys rarely do live. I've seen them a good few times and never heard it. Even when Dan was still in the group. So for this reason alone, us fanatics want to own this concert CD...even if I'm the only one on earth that doesn't consider "Muskrat" a Captain and Tennille (or is that TOENAIL?) ditty.
I as a fan do wish America didn't have to "sell" the new material with a "hits" disc. But that's life, and the music biz I suspect. Just don't KEEP putting out similar live CDs, gentlemen... Take a cue from the masters of live after live after live CD, the Rolling Stones, and vary the shows if you do it again.
And how about SOME day, reaching into the archives and put out a Dan Peek/America performance CD, with perhaps a studio reunion? Just a thought. I'd love to hear a new version of "Today's the Day," for one thing.
BOTTOM LINE:
1. New material on disc #1: 4/5 stars -- a buy
2. Old material live on disc #2: hard to call; 3 if you don't covet the Peek tunes and "Muskrat" and 4 if you do.
Zeph, out
PS: if you buy the album at BEST BUY in the USA (or bestbuy.com) you get an extra studio track on disc 1 (literally the title track, "Here and Now." Don't go out of your way...it is the weakest track of the whole package in my view).
HERE AND NOW
A 2 CD Set
It's here and I have heard both discs 3 times each. This is a new studio CD paired in the same package with the umpteenth 'live' America performance. Studio CD first, since it's all new material.
H&N's studio sounds are just delightful. I was worried just a tad when I heard this album was being made with younger artists (a la Tony Bennett, and a cast of hundreds). Especially when Ryan Adams and Fountains of Wayne producers took their swash at the patented gentle America acoustic harmonies.
Well, not to worry; the sound is intact. In fact I personally don't get the "big" deal of the "hot" new partners who put this together. OK, there's a few harder guitar licks, but basically it's a near-perfect America album. Gerry and Dewey's voices are smooth, and unlike the Sydney DVD (see below) are not worn-out sounding. The harmonies are ubiquitous, maybe a hair too much so. But driving around, or just relaxing, it's pretty, mostly acoustic guitar and voice founded with little embellishment. There are no particular stand-outs on this disc, YET. I suspect "Ride On" will get some play; the boys performed it live on David Letterman's LATE SHOW in the USA a few days ago. But this one, with lead vocals by Dewey and "Sha La La's" (rather than the pervading "oooh's and aha's") is perhaps the median of the disc; not the best and not a klinker. If you want a truly new collection of the breezy and calming America sound, you can't go wrong with this CD.
The 2nd disc is a live perfomance of many of their hits (and war horses, no pun intended), at the XM Radio theater or whatever they call it. And as you open up the jewel box (at least in the USA) you get a fall out advert for XM radio, begging you to try it on line for free. It ticks me off a bit that a quality performer has to do this, but face it America hasn't been "really big" for over a decade.
That having been said, it's a nice collection, especially since you get to hear the Dan Peek songs (but not Dan, again see below under Sydney's DVD) "Woman Tonight" and "Lonely People." Dewey sings the latter and Gerry the former, with a bit of help of band members. The real treat however is "Muskrat Love" which the boys rarely do live. I've seen them a good few times and never heard it. Even when Dan was still in the group. So for this reason alone, us fanatics want to own this concert CD...even if I'm the only one on earth that doesn't consider "Muskrat" a Captain and Tennille (or is that TOENAIL?) ditty.
I as a fan do wish America didn't have to "sell" the new material with a "hits" disc. But that's life, and the music biz I suspect. Just don't KEEP putting out similar live CDs, gentlemen... Take a cue from the masters of live after live after live CD, the Rolling Stones, and vary the shows if you do it again.
And how about SOME day, reaching into the archives and put out a Dan Peek/America performance CD, with perhaps a studio reunion? Just a thought. I'd love to hear a new version of "Today's the Day," for one thing.
BOTTOM LINE:
1. New material on disc #1: 4/5 stars -- a buy
2. Old material live on disc #2: hard to call; 3 if you don't covet the Peek tunes and "Muskrat" and 4 if you do.
Zeph, out
PS: if you buy the album at BEST BUY in the USA (or bestbuy.com) you get an extra studio track on disc 1 (literally the title track, "Here and Now." Don't go out of your way...it is the weakest track of the whole package in my view).
TOM JONES CONCERT Warning!
According to tomjones.com, despite actual sales of tickets upcoming dates in 2007 for Sir Tom in Atlantic City New Jersey USA and Chile are not confirmed. The site (please check if you are interested for specifics) advises against making travel plans, hotel booking, etc. When the dates are confirmed it will be posted at tomjones.com.
Zeph, out
According to tomjones.com, despite actual sales of tickets upcoming dates in 2007 for Sir Tom in Atlantic City New Jersey USA and Chile are not confirmed. The site (please check if you are interested for specifics) advises against making travel plans, hotel booking, etc. When the dates are confirmed it will be posted at tomjones.com.
Zeph, out
Sunday, January 14, 2007
AMERICA IN CONCERT
Live at the Sydney Opera House
DVD
“These are not oldies, these are classic rock…there’s a difference!” A quote by half of the America duo, Gerry Beckley says it all, well except for this other quote of the singer/pianist/guitarist, “We’re a lot slimmer than your average classic rock band!” Looking at guitarist/singer Dewey Bunnell and Mr. Beckley, I have to say they have taken care of themselves over the 30+ years they have been performing 100-150 shows a year.
So what about the DVD? Well, it’s great for America fans, since it’s about 2 and a half hours long, 24 songs in all. That’s longer than any of the 4 or so live shows that I have personally seen America in concert over the years (including the Dan Peek years). The voices have worn, haven’t they all, but the vocals sound live, not doctored. And the actual soundtrack recording is superb; about the best you can do to get a legit America live “album.” In fact even a casual music fan is better off with this collection than any previous "America Live" CD (and there are several of them available; as well as DVDs).
You also get a nice and remarkably long interview with Dewey Bunnell and Mr. Beckley, that spans their entire career. The Dan Peek departure is a bit sanitized, compared to what is written in the booklet you get with the HISTORY 4 CD collection, but who cares. Everyone is happy nowadays, and don’t hold out for a grand reunion.
Hearing the guys admit “Horse With No Name” sounded awfully like a Neil Young song (around the time of “Heart of Gold”), when it hit the airwaves AND it might just be the reason it was a hit, launching the juggernaut that was to sell millions of albums, concert tickets, and yes DVDs, was a hoot to me, since I do remember thinking “Horse” indeed was a N.Y. song when it made it onto AM radio way back when, and I even thought “I Need You” was a Bee Gees song (glad I was wrong!). And on “I Need You,” here’s my bone to pick with the show…Gerry plays a strumming acoustic guitar for this one in the DVD, that had always been a PIANO song (seen him play it that way 4 times), leaving lead guitarist Michael Woods to play a synthesizer strings program, with no actual piano sound, yuk!
Oh, and Gerry does play (electric) piano on “Daisy Jane,” and it’s lovely, so there is no excuse… I do long for the days of the band touring with a real grand acoustic piano, but I guess that’s a financial and logistical nightmare. Now one of the cool things about the show is you get to really enjoy the incredible dexterity of Willie Leacox on drums. He rarely shines through on a studio disc for some reason, but rocks appropriately out on all the tunes. He’s a master, and as good as any percussionist you will hear live. Yes, I know that’s saying a lot. There's a reason he's been the drummer for this group for 31 years; "he can't get a real job," says Gerry.
The other player is Richard Campbell on bass, who is more than competent, and has a nice singing voice when you alert you ears to pick it out; he does the high harmonies brilliantly. This group is tight, and the arrangements (no matter how old) are brought to startling life while in concert.
I’m told this video played in part on Public Broadcasting in the USA, for those of you who want to see a good hour’s extra material or those who missed it all together, it’s a buy.
BOTTOM LINE: 4/5 stars.
Zeph, out
PS: There’s a new combo studio/live greatest hits double CD from America coming out this month…stay tuned.
Live at the Sydney Opera House
DVD
“These are not oldies, these are classic rock…there’s a difference!” A quote by half of the America duo, Gerry Beckley says it all, well except for this other quote of the singer/pianist/guitarist, “We’re a lot slimmer than your average classic rock band!” Looking at guitarist/singer Dewey Bunnell and Mr. Beckley, I have to say they have taken care of themselves over the 30+ years they have been performing 100-150 shows a year.
So what about the DVD? Well, it’s great for America fans, since it’s about 2 and a half hours long, 24 songs in all. That’s longer than any of the 4 or so live shows that I have personally seen America in concert over the years (including the Dan Peek years). The voices have worn, haven’t they all, but the vocals sound live, not doctored. And the actual soundtrack recording is superb; about the best you can do to get a legit America live “album.” In fact even a casual music fan is better off with this collection than any previous "America Live" CD (and there are several of them available; as well as DVDs).
You also get a nice and remarkably long interview with Dewey Bunnell and Mr. Beckley, that spans their entire career. The Dan Peek departure is a bit sanitized, compared to what is written in the booklet you get with the HISTORY 4 CD collection, but who cares. Everyone is happy nowadays, and don’t hold out for a grand reunion.
Hearing the guys admit “Horse With No Name” sounded awfully like a Neil Young song (around the time of “Heart of Gold”), when it hit the airwaves AND it might just be the reason it was a hit, launching the juggernaut that was to sell millions of albums, concert tickets, and yes DVDs, was a hoot to me, since I do remember thinking “Horse” indeed was a N.Y. song when it made it onto AM radio way back when, and I even thought “I Need You” was a Bee Gees song (glad I was wrong!). And on “I Need You,” here’s my bone to pick with the show…Gerry plays a strumming acoustic guitar for this one in the DVD, that had always been a PIANO song (seen him play it that way 4 times), leaving lead guitarist Michael Woods to play a synthesizer strings program, with no actual piano sound, yuk!
Oh, and Gerry does play (electric) piano on “Daisy Jane,” and it’s lovely, so there is no excuse… I do long for the days of the band touring with a real grand acoustic piano, but I guess that’s a financial and logistical nightmare. Now one of the cool things about the show is you get to really enjoy the incredible dexterity of Willie Leacox on drums. He rarely shines through on a studio disc for some reason, but rocks appropriately out on all the tunes. He’s a master, and as good as any percussionist you will hear live. Yes, I know that’s saying a lot. There's a reason he's been the drummer for this group for 31 years; "he can't get a real job," says Gerry.
The other player is Richard Campbell on bass, who is more than competent, and has a nice singing voice when you alert you ears to pick it out; he does the high harmonies brilliantly. This group is tight, and the arrangements (no matter how old) are brought to startling life while in concert.
I’m told this video played in part on Public Broadcasting in the USA, for those of you who want to see a good hour’s extra material or those who missed it all together, it’s a buy.
BOTTOM LINE: 4/5 stars.
Zeph, out
PS: There’s a new combo studio/live greatest hits double CD from America coming out this month…stay tuned.
