WARREN HAYNES- MAN IN MOTION
For what seems like an eternity, Warren Haynes has been on the road, either with The Allman Brothers or his anything goes jam band, Gov't Mule. There was a period, late 90s until about 2006, where a Gov't Mule show was an absolutely must for me. It was just about guaranteed that you'd hear a full spectrum of music, with fine chops from all involved, not to mention the occasional special guest. But then the set lists, which included Haynes originals mixed with covers by anyone from Elton John and King Crimson to The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, started to become rote, and the performances started to lack fire. Haynes was working too much and it showed. Mule needed to be put on hiatus.
Now comes his first solo studio recording since his debut in 1993, and "Man In Motion" is a killer. Heavily influenced by the southern soul and blues Haynes listened to growing up, with Little Milton being his main focus, this record is the perfect combination of Haynes, then and now. With a band that includes George Porter Jr. of The Meters on bass, Terence Higgins, alumnus of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on drums, and Ron Holloway on sax, Haynes delivers Memphis soul, tweaked and extended just enough to remind you that the man has not forgotten his employers.
Right now, you can get this as a $3.99 download over at Amazon. I'd do it, if I were you.
http://www.amazon.com/Man-in-Motion/dp/B004YKL82G/ref=tmm_msc_title_1
THE CARS- MOVE LIKE THIS
It looks, feels, and sounds like The Cars, but that's just not good enough. "Move Like This" is the new release by the new, old Cars, not to be confused with the New Cars. Ric Ocasek's voice sounds young and alive and the production is slick. Problem is, the songs are lousy. Nothing here has anything remotely as exciting as those killer hits from 70s, especially not "Keep On Knocking," the boring and very inferior rewrite of "You're All I've Got Tonight." (Though, "Too Late," the first single is not bad.) Even Eliott Easton's always tasty guitar playing seems to be in short supply. Halfway through this disappointing comeback, I forgot it was even playing.
BUY IT HERE--http://www.amazon.com/Move-Like-This-Cars/dp/B004NTMNB8/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1305030143&sr=1-1
BOOKER T. JONES- THE ROAD FROM MEMPHIS
One friend's early comments about this record led me to believe I was about to listen to a real snoozer. I'm thrilled to say, I do not feel the same. Backed by the always reliable ?uestlove & The Roots, the legendary Booker T. Jones delivers the...(I hate this phrase like I hate the phrase "perfect date movie, but I'm using it anyway)..."soundtrack of the summer."
"The Road From Memphis" is one groovy track after another. Jones' signature organ sound and The Roots' in the pocket grooves help create one happy record. Yim Yames (of My Yawning Yacket) turns in an inspired vocal on "Progress," a song that back in the day, would have been blaring out of every beach transistor on every blanket. Yet another cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," works as an instrumental, as does Mrs. Lauren Hill's "Everything Is Everything." Even the 104 year old Lou Reed delivers on his ode to "The Bronx." I love this record.
Check out "Progress."
BUY IT HERE
http://www.amazon.com/Road-Memphis-Booker-T-Jones/dp/B004S7G6CW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305030186&sr=1-1
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK
RAPHAEL SAADIQ- STONE ROLLIN'
Follow-up to Saadiq's 2008, essential retro-soul release "The Way I See It," "Stone Rollin'" continues the journey, only misses the mark one too many times. You'll feel a little Sly & Motown here, but the songs are less focused, and at times, sound unfinished.
RANDY NEWMAN- THE RANDY NEWMAN SONGBOOK VOL. 2
The man, his material and a piano...again. Why not?
SLOAN- THE DOUBLE CROSS
I never got on board the Sloan train, and you think that I would have. It's pop music, with jangle and harmony, and lots of hooks. Yet somehow, the band has always eluded me...until now. I'd like to hear from any Sloan fans out there. Let me know how you feel about "The Double Cross," because I think it's great, so I'd like to know what I was missing.
AND FINALLY....
The great Terry Adams is BACK! The new NRBQ album, "Keep This Love Goin'" is a good ol' good one, and right now, only available at NRBQ.com
"Keep This Love Goin'" is a compact powerhouse of classic Q moments, sweet Beatley pop, and off-kilter grooves. It is reminiscent of the Q's finest hours, like "Tiddlywinks" and "Scraps." Run, don't walk to your keyboard, and order this baby!
14 comments:
I think Sloan's new album is great, too. I'll always take up the chance to talk up the band.
Sloan albums have been hit-and-miss for me (though more "hit" than "miss".) Their only dud in their catalog (IMO) was "Pretty Together" when they were still operating under the every-member-of-the-band-gets-3-songs approach.
Twice Removed through Between The Bridges are stone classics, IMO. And Never Hear The End Of It with it's 30 songs was just fab.
And their cover of McCartney's "Waterfalls" reinvented that song as a power pop gem, too..
I'm with you. Never really jumped on the Sloan bandwagon, although I have friends whom have been wild about them for years. Maybe my love for all that is Tragically Hip and 54:40 overshadowed all other beloved Canadian bands. I have seen Sloan live...good, but not enough to make me want to go back and listen to the stuff I had from them over and over. I will pick up this new one and give it a shot on your fine recommendation...maybe it will send me back to my collection to give some of the older titles another shot.
Sal, I love how much you love music. Even the bad ones, you really try to like them. My favorite parts of this BW are the toss offs: My Yawning Yacket, and 104 yr old Lou Reed. When will you be back in NOLA? Hurry. -- Alan
Ha! Thanks Alan.
I really admire the man love for warren haynes,sal. You know how I feel, so I won't digress.... Nice to to hear booker T is still kickin'...and Lou....theres only one lou and if gets away from the laurie anderson aura and straps on his start, he can stll kick it... Eric S.
I've had the Q album for a couple of weeks and haven't even had a chance to take off the shrinkwrap.
I guess I ought to get moving in that regard.
Man, you should buy Sloan's "Never hear the end of it" right now ! It's one of the finest +70's minutes cd ever made ! Power pop at its best, with all the 30 tracks wonderfully linked together as a whole masterpiece !
Thanks to Steve and now you, Sloanfan, I just did.
I've been digging the Warren Haynes for a month or so now and it just keeps getting better. I am taking my son on Thursday to the Beacon for the show. It should be great.
I too have been on the Mule bandwagon for what seems like forever. I remember the days in the little clubs with 100 people. I have to agree it has not been the same in years. In fact I would go back to losing Woody as the beginning of the dull times. That and too much time playing with Phil and the Dead. I miss the heaviness of the old Mule.
Warren Haynes new one is streaming here now (Tues. aft.):
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-hear-warren-haynes-new-album-man-in-motion-20110503
Strange career, replacing dead guys.
The new Q takes a few listens, got it when you last mentioned it and still a bit wary.
Glad to see Street Date is back!
Cool... you sold me on the Booker T record right there. (Didn't even know he was making a new one.) I'm going to the record store tomorrow to get the new Fleet Foxes (on vinyl, beeyatches!) and the new Raphael Saadiq... despite your review I think I am gonna dig that one. But we'll see. My wife and I play "The Way I See It" so much, I gotta give it a chance.
@ Walk In The Woods
I like the Saadiq. It just ain't "The Way I See It." You'll see.
I think we'll have to cart out the Nearly Human/2nd Wind analogy for the Saadiq album.
And how about that Steven Tyler? I love the single. Only wish it had been an Aerosmith cut. Joe Perry would have kicked ass on it and Joey Kramer would have put it in overdrive. Good for him! As I sail into old age it's great to see geezers like him, Jagger, Springsteen, Daryl Hall and ok Todd still putting it out there.
WHOA that Booker T cut sounds good!!
And man, what's up with The Roots lately - they're turning into the R&B/hip hop version of Jack White - a new collaboration every other week.
Slammin!
Post a Comment