Reviews

Weekly Reviews For November 12, 2006

Review Index

I am Managing Editor at Metal4Life

I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock

I am also featured reviewer at spacerock.co.uk

I was Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.

New Reviews

Big Street MG.PR. - Acoustic Kindergarten

I'm going to work on the principle that this lot hail from Sweden, based on their URL and their names. Regular readrs of my online rants may be aware that Sweden recently moved above France on my list of countries to bomb, something this lot were obviously unaware of.

So it pains me to admit this set of acoustic singer songwritery stuff is rather delightful. It's low key, well written and performed with some great arrangements which take the songs in some interesting nu soul / acid jazz directions especially on album highlight, "Stay".

It may not be enough to save them from obliteration but it gave me pause for thought.

Various - Where Blues Meets Rock VII


The more astute of you may have twigged that this is Volume 7 of Provogues budget line of samplers, where you get the chance to catch up with recent happenings in their catalogue. And they've put out some mighty fine CDs of late.

Take one listen to former Mountain Leslie West rampage through "Blues Beore Sunrise" and explain again why you haven't bought his Blue Me" album? Gits. For your bucks you get highlights from recentish releases from Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Pat Travers [an awesome take on Johnny Winters I'm Yours, She's Mine], Rick Derringer, Stoney Curtis Band, Michael Katon, Dave Hole, Greg Koch, Carl Verheyen, Scott Henderson, Michael Landau and Jing Chi.

Worth every part of the thruppence ha'penny it'll cost you.

Various - Viva Carlos! A Supernatural Marathon Celebration

If you're one of those people saddened by the demise of Carlos Santana into the bit player he's become over them last few years on his own records, then this tribute will have you flipping with joy.

Marvel at the uninhibited joy of UFO axeman Vinnie Moore as he blazes through "Se A Cabo", shudder with pleasure as Eric Gales dirtys up "Jingo", feel the smile ripple across your face as Albert Lee slides through a silky Samba Pa Ti" and take a magical ride with Coco Montoya on Jungle Strut".

There are some remarkable feats of guitar dexterity here and for your listening pleasure it also features Jeff Richman, Mike Stern, Pat Martino, Eric Johnson, Frank Gambale and Robben Ford.

The Michael Landau Group - Live

A straightforward name, some might say uninspired, for an album that is home to some inspired playing from the legendary session musician.

The twelve tracks are spread across two CDs which gives guitarist / vocalist Landau plenty room to spread his wings. The all original material, bar a storming cover of "Worried Life Blues", will be a revelation to those unfamiliar with his work with "6/8 Blues" the highlight as the band kick back and chill. Mind you, when he rips out grubby licks you can't help but feel a little bit dirty. But in a good way!

Chock full of delights, you can't help but marvel at some of the music offered up as the band run through the gamut of electric blues.

Slimey Things - Spacetoast

It's a real shame that a band has to resort to pretending to come from a mythological country to try and get some attention. But that's what honking electro surf punks Slimey Things are reduced to.

And if that sounds like a deranged description it pales beside the strange bleeps and boings that pass for music in their world, non-existent, though it is.

It's the B52s trapped in Plan Nine From Outer Space for four tracks and a spooky uncredited fifth. With a saxophone. Bliss.

Powder Blues - Blues + Jazz = Blazz


Sorry but that is most definitely not a phrase that is ever going to catch on. But their personal brand of swing / jump blues certainly will.

They've already won a Juno in their native Canada and taken a WC Handy Blues Award home from Memphis. Oh, and lets not forget a turn at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

This is the latest in a long line of releases since their debut came out in 1980 and is another fine aggregation of original jump blues material sitting alongside some well chosen covers with the highlights including 'Well Do It' and a cracking cover of the Boz Scaggs hit from 1970, 'Runnin' Blue'.

Oohlala - Chop The Mutha Down


If, as we all hope, real music is making a comeback, fuelled by bands like The Answer, then you'll be delighted to know that Australia has their very own blues n' soul fuelled sensation ready for lift off.

Oohlala are the band and this four track EP is a sensational introduction to their raw, invigorating music.

High octane Hammond drenched slabs of power, they have it all - great songs and musicians, all topped off with the stratospheric vocals of Simon Meli. Three of the songs are absolute gems, w ith "Yeah People" simply life affirming

Greg Abate Quintet - Monsters In The Night


It's spooky things like this that freak me out. I'd just returned from visiting the Wicked Witch of the West (aka my mum) so was in need of some headphone music to take away the pain. And the next CD in line for review was this splendid jazz release. With a tracklisting of 'Dracula', Frankenstein', 'Dr. Jeckyll', 'Igor's Revenge' etc. And this was on Halloween!

Understandably it took a while and some additional medication before I was properly able to appreciate the splendours of the music, all composed by bandleader and saxophonist Greg Agate.

His was an unfamiliar name, to my shame, as it turns out he succeeded David "Fathead" Newman in Ray Charles band as well as playing with an array of major talents.

His quintet are all excellent musicians in their own rights but a special mention goes to the sparkling piano lines of Paul Nagel. It's modern but with flavours of the sixties Blue Note sounds and comes highly recommended.

Carl Verheyen Band - Take One Step


Now don't get me wrong, there is some delightful music onthis CD. There is the funky Tommy Bolin like 'The Code for starters. Then you have the seventies west coast feel of the title track. But.

What I really, really want is to hear a top class vocalist taking on some of these songs. How I would love a Glenn Hughes to wrap his tonsils around 'You Bring Me Down'. But you don't many of those to the pound. At least not since Shug cut out the Mars Bars.

It's really all that prevents a good jazzy, bluesy guitar album from being a great one.

Bill DiCosimo Quartet - Grab Hold of Your Dreams: Live At Jazz Central


Exactly what it says on the tin. An album recorded completely live, without recourse to overdubbing or jiggery pokery.

Largely a forum for the sprightly piano work of the band leader, there are some delightful touches that lift things on up including a couple of well judged synth flute solos.

The primary vocalist is Lisa DiCosimo who does sterling job but I was particularly taken with the Latin 'Guajira' with vocals from bass player Edgar Pagan. However, his opportunities must be limited with the wrong surname!

There's a nice cover of Norah Jones' 'Nightingale' but best of all is Oscar Brown Jrs 'The Snake'. Simple but funky.

Angelique - Around The World In A Groove


Neo soul with a touch of funk. So says the blurb and if all blurbs were as accurate, there would be little point in me.

Californian Angelique has taken a look over her shoulder at the greats of seventies soul, taken a sideways glance at India Arie and thought "that'll do nicely".

The first couple of tracks suffer from some unnecessary rapping cluttering up the fresh grooves but from hit single in the making 'Loved and Left Again' onwards it's an utter delight. I favour it most when Angelique gets the funk out with 'What Would You Do [If You Had My Family] a standout.

Largely self penned with a couple of choice covers, Angelique is a name in the making.

Andrea Menard - Simple Steps


If you know the name Andrea Menard at all, then it will be for her jazzy, bluesy debut album, 'Andrea Menard as the Velvet Devil'. But, here on the follow up, she takes a surprising, sideways, step.

In deciding to explore her heritage as a Métis woman, she decided to move into the world of folk and country tinged roots music. To remarkable effect. For this is one of the best albums I've heard all year.

With a clear, chiming voice, some excellent self-penned songs, tremendous arrangements and some delightful lyrical nuances, this is a record to savour and treasure.