BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY - "Do What You Love"

To the uninitiated San Francisco band Big Brother and the Holding Company are a legendary name in the annals of psychedelic rock history. They had a #1 U.S. album 'Cheap Thrills' in 1968 but even the success of this was eclipsed by 'Pearl', the 1971 posthumous album by their singer Janis Joplin.
In the Mystic Records press release Big Brother's music is called 'progressive-regressive hurricane style blues', a curious and endearing description.
'Do What You Live' began its gestation in the summer of 1999. The 48 minutes of music begins with a 'loosener' appropriately entitled 'Take Off' ('fasten your seat belts') This is one of two tracks featuring viola player Anna Schaad, the other being a short instrumental 'OK Chorale' (Get it?)
A variety of musical styles are in evidence on the album. 'Save your Love' has a reggae feel, 'It's Cool' is a cousin of rap while 'I Need a Man to Love' (originally on 'Cheap Thrills') is a steamy blues/soul. Janis Joplin is of course a hard act for anyone to follow but I agree with the press release that Lisa Battle makes this song her own. Similarly with the gutsy feminist song 'Women is Losers' (originally on the band's eponymous 1967 debut) 'Men always seem to come out on top!'
So far there has been lashings of wah wah guitar (The guitar players are Sam Andrew, one of the founder members, Tom Finch and guest Johnny Thompson on two tracks) over a solid rhythm section of Peter Albin and Dave Getz (The original rhythm section from 35 years ago in fact)
The other subject matter is autobiographical ('Bos' Bio' and 'Looking Back') and, as you'd expect protest ('Freedom')
However, as the album goes on it tends to quieten down a bit and Lisa's excellent vocals are less in evidence(Sam is the other singer) 'Back Door Jamb' sounds like an outtake while 'X Factor' as the title suggests is experimental. It all tends to peter out somewhat. However, when the band focus on blues/ soul with Lisa singing 'Do What You Love' really cooks!
Web site: www.bbhc.com
(Mystic Records MYS CD 152)

Reviewed by Phil Jackson) musician and reviewer, Paradox One

RICK RAY - "The Guitarsonist"

Well, I was going to review this one, but unlike the last Rick Ray release, I can't quibble with anything Phil has said, so Mr Jackson, take it away.

Rick's play on words continues with 'The Guitarsonist' with its striking pyrotechnic sleeve design (Rick's also a talented artist)
The CD starts with the title track, a rip roaring 6 minute instrumental that demonstrates all of Rick's considerable instrumental talents. Next up is 'Psycho Sam' following in the wake of the 'Mind Control Inc.' album (and elsewhere in Rick's catalogue) with a song about the devastating effect of psycho drugs on the population at large. Rick Schultz is credited with a co-write here and also adds clarinet.
'Kill Max Kill' is one I wasn't sure about on first listen. It appears over long with a loop depicting a police bust of a gig did in 1980 with recurring manic laughter. However, after a few more listens I discovered the haunting quality of this track. In fact, as he readily concedes, Rick takes a few chances on this album including 'Dance Floor King'. I asked him about the subject matter and he admitted it was 'just a joke'. There's no messing in the brilliant riff at the end though!
It's back to the serious stuff on 'Mr Cooper' (William Cooper, author of 'Behold a Pale Horse'), a poignant if disturbing track with Rick on picked acoustic guitar and keyboard strings.
'Domestic Terrorism' is one of the strongest tracks on the album driven by bass/ guitar and astute drum programming and it's nice to hear keyboards used in places like the electric piano on 'We All Fall Down', a song about retribution reflecting Rick's strong spiritual beliefs.
'Dance of the Particles' reminded me of some early Hendrix experimentation while 'Of Your Own Design' brought me back to a vintage Groundhogs feel in the opening bars repeated as a 'walking guitar/ bass' sequence.
Rick Schultz takes the instrumental lead in the verse on a graphic song about the tragic futility of war, 'The Battlefield'.
'The Climb from Sheol' features some evocative guitar experimentation on top of chilling chords and ends all too quickly. 'Out in the Street' is a Ray/ Schultz composition, with a deceptive start, a kind of 'lounge jazz' before blazing exchanges between the two Ricks lead us back in to the 'cool' stuff again. You know what's coming of course- this man is a big fan of Frank Marino and Robin Trower after all!
The CD ends reflectively with the lovely instrumental 'I'm Sorry'.
Rick's musical message is uncompromising but whatever your viewpoint there is so much passion, invention and sheer musicality that 'The Guitarsonist' (as with all Rick's considerable back catalogue) is an essential listen.
How about 'Guitarmageddon' for the next one, Rick- only joking!!
Contact: hobbelshnimp@hotmail.com
(Neurosis Records) Reviewed by Phil Jackson) musician and reviewer, Paradox One

Earnest Woodall - Pictures In Mind

We have reviewed and, therefore, liked Mr Woodalls last two offerings, "13" and "Unusual Characteristics", and now in 2002, he's back, minus the G from the middle of his name, and with 11 new instrumental pieces.

Now you know that I bask in my self appointed role of Philistine, so when someone announces that their new CD was deeply inspired by some of the greatest artwork in the world, then I'm reaching for my shooting iron with one hand and sick bag with the other. So after I finished shooting a passing juggler, and vomiting on a mime, I sat down and listened.

Which was good. For, yet again, Mr Woodall shows in exemplary fashion that he knows his way around a modern classical motif. Much like our good friend, Mr Karda Estra, the music draws you in before you even notice the classical idiom, and once you're there, the experience is too good to leave. Damn you!

There are eleven pieces here, with at least seven being worthy of repeat visits. Particular favourites round Z Towers were "Ariadne", inspired by the art work of Giorgio de Chirico, "Evening" inspired by the art work of Georges-Pierre Seurat and the best of the best, the remarkable "The Mountain" inspired by the art work of Balthus. Hey, only one name, he must be good.

Highly recommended, you can contact Mr Woodall at;
http://www.ewoodall.com
ewoodall@optonline.net