The three early cogs of Van Der Graaf Generator get together one more time and reach forward while reaching back. Hugh Banton/key-b, Guy Evans/dr and Peter Hammill/p-g-voc mix vintage 70s progressive rock and make the younger generation sound safe and…
Month: January 2017
A PAIR OF INTIMATE DUETS…Robert Kaddouch & Gary Peacock: 53rd Street, High Line
The apotheosis of jazz’s high wire acts, the duet, is presented here by two masters, pianist Robert Kaddouch and bassist Gary Peacock on these two albums. The moods are similar, but the variant selections set them apart. 53rd Street emphasizes,…
OLD SCHOOL SOUNDS…Betty St. Claire: Complete Jubilee & Seeco Recordings
Fresh Sound Records keeps finding these obscure vocalists that had a brief time in the spotlight before drifting away. This latest discovery is of Betty St. Claire (1927-1972), who actually had a gig with Dizzy Gillespie, Erroll Garner and Howard…
REAL ‘SOUL’ MUSIC…Dee Dee Sharp: Songs of Faith
Now 71 years old, back in the 60s Dee Dee Sharp made a name for herself with a few Top Ten R&B hits like “Slow Twistin’” “Do the Bird” and “Mashed Potato Time.” Less known about her was her influence…
FROM BAKERSFIELD, WITH LOVE…Buck Owens and the Buckaroos: The Complete Capitol Singles 1957-1966, Don Rich and the Buckaroos: Guitar Pickin’ Man
Just as Duke Ellington is to jazz, Buck Owens was to country-western music; a man with a sound that is not only unique, but one that cuts to the marrow of what it right and true about music, and once…
Gabriel Espinosa with Tierney Sutton: Songs of Bacharach and Manzanero
The songbooks from North and South America are explored by vocalist/bassist Gabriel Espinosa and Tierney Sutton. The core supporting team of Misha Tsiganov/p, Mauricio Zottarelli/dr and Espinosa-Gustavo Amarante-Joe Martin/b is supplemented by Itai Kriss’ flute as he floats with Sutton…
George Burton: The Truth of What I Am-The Narcissist
Pianist and keyboardist George Burton brings his compositions and approach from his idol Charles Mingus on this wide ranging album. His core team of Noah Jackson/b and Wayne Smith/dr is mixed and matched with trumpets from Terell Stafford and Jason…
Ryan Meagher: Mist. Moss. Home
Ryan Meagher plays guitar, Wurlitzer pain and even sings on this flexible album with a post bop team of Tim Willcox/ts, Chris Higgins/b and Charlie Doggett/dr. The group has a light sound with Meagher’s guitar supplying the soft safety net…
Rory Block: Keepin’ Outta Trouble
Rory Block gives a bona fide tribute to the country/gospel blues legend Bukka White on this impressive and heartfelt release. She splits the material between songs composed by him, performed by him, or inspired by him and delivered by Block’s…
James Lee Stanley: Live At Last
A cozy night with friends is recorded by vocalist/guitarist James Lee Stanley and his team of Cheryl Prashker/perc and Chad Watson/b as he mixes stories, originals and covers on this intimate hour + of an evening’s fun. He has some…