5 comments about Yours to Keep.

1. I wouldn't have even know anything about Albert Hammond, Jr. if he weren't set to tour with Incubus last year. After seeing him perform live I just had to get his "Yours To Keep" album.
   
   I recommend this album if you like Modest Mousse or Fran Ferdinand. I love this album. It's alway in my shuffle.



2. This album is good but it's unfortunate that it comes from a Stroke in the sense that there have been many a band that do this sort of thing way better and the best of the lot (The Realistics, Supergrass, etc.) have sadly slipped under the radar. This album does have a number of "cringe" moments like the "Sugar Ray" part at the end of "Bright Young Thing" but they get evened out with a couple of solid numbers. Not bad for Mr. Fro. and his crew of socialites.



3. Albert Hammond Jr. is "that other guy" to the Strokes lead singer Julian Casablancas, Hammond being the capable guitarist (and son of ...), but it's never been very clear how much he contributed to the Strokes' mysic (Casablancas writes all the lyrics). This album, Hammond's first solo outing away from the Strokes, brings perspective.
   
   On "Yours to Keep" (12 tracks; 40 min.), the opener "Cartoon Music for Super Heroes" is like a blast from the 1960s Beach Boys. Upbeat "In Transit" is probably as close a Strokes song as anything on this album, and I love it. "Everyone Gets A Star" and "Bright Young Thing" are just about as good. "101" (1st single) is another one of those Strokes-sounding songs, and caps of an incredible first half of the album, which I rate 5 stars. The second half slows down considerably, although there as still some great moments like "Scared" (which features Julian Casablancas and Sean Lennon) and "Hard to Live in the City". The last 2 tracks of the album ("Postal Blowfish", which is just excellent, and "Well... All Right") are listed as "bonus tracks", but why is unclear to me, they simply sound like part of the album proper.
   
   I have to admit that I really did not know what to expect from Hammond's solo debut, and I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. It flows by smoothly and at 40 min., it's over before you know it. One of the better surprises of the yeat so far for me.



4. Who knew that Hammond jr. had such an incredible voice?! A few of the songs are reminiscent of the strokes sound...which is not a bad thing! All in all, a great find!



5. It's hard not to hear The Strokes all over this album, and why not, that's the band from wence he came. My trouble with the album is that he doesn't do enough to get away from the sound of The Strokes. This kind of sounds like a loosely thrown together Strokes album.
   
   With that said, this is still a solid album. There is not a bad song on this thing, and 101 blew me away when I heard it. There is nothing not to like about this album, but it's just "a not quite as good version" of The Strokes - which still isn't all that bad.
   
   Standout Track: 101

5 comments about Senor Blues.

1. This is an amazing, original, varied, heart grabbing, booty shaking, head bobbing CD. This is the disc that could turn any music fan onto Taj. It comes through on the promise of Blues, Rock, World Music, and just plain human-Being expression. It has it all and in spades. Taj puts his whole soul into every song and performance. You can't ask for more.



2. A very digestable cd, goes down smooth and free of bones. Not very heavy, but easy to turn up loud and proud. Toe tappin and head swingin kind of music. A great cd to have in the car, even the kids dig it. (we do have pretty cool kids :)



3. This has to be one of my favorite Taj's records. Great yet earthy production, soulful delivery, and cool arrangements!
   What more could you want?



4. Can't see what all the fuss is about, not his best but a nice , breezy, summertime album let down by some pedestrian lyrics and same old same old songs- some people are just easy to please , me i think it contains maybe two really good songs. It made me laugh the other reviewers comments that this is "up there with'" kind of blue, love supreme , Robert johnson ... it's not even on the same playing field as those classics.
   It's nice and fun but don't expect too much and don't believe the hype - if you are new to taj the first 3 albums he did are the ones to get , for something similar but better try 'sacred island' and 'mo' roots'



5. Taj IS spoofing (or maybe better said "tributing") the man who DID the tune Mr. Pitiful - and it ain't James Brown. It is Otis Redding. I can see where some could prefer other Taj; but if you don't like him all that much anyway (or love him...) and you don't get the allusions to other artists (let alone know who they are...)...well,,,hence the Review Title.

5 comments about Comfort Woman.

1. This is the only album that made me angry for not seeing a review!
   
   I discovered this project recently on Last.fm and was able to hear it in its entirety. I played it several times just to make sure that I was not fooling myself with its sonic manipulation and ushering in of a private calibration of a good time I had to share with my wife immediately:)
   
   When I looked at Amazon and saw that the UK release was January 2008 and the US release was in 2003, I was immediately ticked off with every music critic whose opinion I had come to rely on. No one to my knowledge had mentioned anything about this awesome musical experience.
   
   This project clearly picked up where Plantation Lullabies & later song "Rush Over" in the movie "Love Jones" left off. I have Basement Jaxx's Kish Kash where she was a featured guest that had a slight similar vibe and may have been the foundation for one of the Love Songs on this project.
   
   But Comfort Woman is as pure as anything released before or after its release. I don't need a flight or road trip to get the full effect of cosmic travel:) Only true P-Funk fans are initiated & qualified to handle some of the guitar licks put down on this project:)
   
   Now I'm firing all music critics and using Last.fm almost exclusively going forward. Friends may still continue to offer their opinions:)
   
   As Raphael Saddiq's CD was named, CW itself is indeed INSTANT VINTAGE:)
   
   You can and should buy this project just for your own provocative, musical massage!



2. "Come lay down beside me
   I wanna Love
   take you to paradise."
   
   Me'Shell Ndegéocello's music is a blend of bass-heavy funk, neo soul, hip hop, reggae, R&B, rock, and jazz. Arguably her best album, Comfort Woman (2003), is a collection of sensual and seductive grooves reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's classic, What's Going On. These are the songs of a bisexual artist who knows love in all of its physical incarnations: lust, attraction, desire, physical craving, pleasure, and intimacy. Pleasure, this album argues, is an essential part of what it means to be human, and without physical pleasure there can be no life. Few could resist this soul siren when she seductively sings, "come smoke my herb." Album tracks include:
   
   1. Love Song #1 4:03
   2. Come Smoke My Herb 3:52
   3. Andromeda And The Milky Way 4:28
   4. Love Song #2 3:47
   5. Body 3:40
   6. Liliquoi Moon 4:40
   7. Love Song #3 4:30
   8. Fellowship 3:13
   9. Good Intentions 3:47
   10. Thankful 3:23
   
   G. Merritt



3. This is a very chill album that is good and consistent from start to finish. It doesn't contain one bad song, in my opinion. It mixes R&B, jazz, funk, reggae and folk in a soothing way. Prepare to relax and unwind with this album! Many of the songs are about love and sex and a few really get you in the mood (if you know what I mean). Others are autobiographical/introspective and a little on the maudlin side. My favorite track is #9 Good Intentions. It is an artfully contrived track and is simply a prime example of a well, multi-layered made song. It is incredibly funky and the bass line is sick!



4. I am loving this cd. It is very low key, quiet and very sensual. I love to listen to it when I am relaxing in the bath or getting a massage. It is very different than anything else I have ever heard, a complex mix of music and vocals. Overall it is a cd I turn to when I want to be comforted and get back in my body and my mind.



5. Meshell N'Degeocello IS without question one of the sexiest, most progressive, creative minds in the music arena. When so much of the New Millennium's music dives to the leechy depths of misogyny, extreme materialism, cultural and political ignorance and an overall lack of the qualities that render music an artform, everything that this woman composes is GENIUS...creative expression at its very, very best - - - unbelievable production that fuses everything from jazz to reggae to the native rhythms of the Motherland and lyrics that demand that you take your mind to a deeper level.

5 comments about Rush: Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack.

1. My passion is guitar playing by the most accomplished. Clapton is one of the all time best. His voice is good, but I favor his guitar solos. I was inspired by the Crossroads Festival DVD's. This album is a great addition to enjoying his talent.Blues Guitar Greats



2. Even if you didn't see the movie (which was very intense but good), you will LOVE this if you love Eric Clapton. He did all the music on it and you haven't heard it on other albums. No vocals, just great guitar, emotional, attention-getting music.



3. Although the movie for which this is a soundtrack is ancient by Hollywood standards, the music remains alive and as relevent as when it was created. For Clapton fans this is a must-addition to your collection. Keep in mind that movie music is, by definition, incidental, and you will find some forgiveness in the occaisional musical non-sequiter. Even with that disclaimer, however, this is Clapton in a rich blues genere. If you like Eric Clapton, you must buy this disk!



4. If you like slow sexy music, this is the CD to buy!!! Claptons guitar provides most of the vocals and it really does sing on this one!



5. This is one of my top ten Clapton cd's i just love every song on it, i have had this for a few years, i still listen to it quit often. I will never get tired of it, the dvd (Rush) is also excellent it brings back a lot of memories also starring (Gregg Allman)a nice plus. I like to put this in while i am sitting around the house this is really relaxing soothing music. I also like this one while i am driving, the only draw back to me is it is to short.

5 comments about Ginuwine... The Bachelor.

1. this is my thrid copy of this cd, they always seem to get scratched really bad. This album is great, it was Ginuiwine first album out and he did outstanding! From tracks 1-10 is just non-stop jamming. He has great beats, great vocals, and outstanding musical effects to spice it up some. If you like Keith Sweat and R. Kelly then Ginuwine is definately the person that ties in both of their style with his own and he just drop hits. And I have yet to meet a lady that can resist the sound of Ginuwine even if they never heard of him. My props out to "G" and the Bachelor, also I have all of Ginuwine's CD's and this one is the best then "100% G" is the next best.



2. I agree completely with all the positive reviews already posted about this album. Along with Aaliyah's "One in a Million", Missy's "Supa Dupa Fly" and Timbaland's "Welcome to Our World", this album has introduced (between 1996 and 1997) a new concept of R&B to the worldwide audiences. Actually, i believe that this has been the more meaningful turning point for this kind of music, in the last decade.
   During the following years, Timbaland's musical creativity has made him a crossover artist and producer, always capable to amaze us with his unique sounds arrangements. Now we're almost "accustomed" to speak about his talent, but i can say that in the period when all the above mentioned albums was released his trademark sound was a true revolution. It's always a pleasure to hear these albums, even now. Maybe because i'm an huge Timbaland fan, i still think that "The Bachelor" (and the following "100% Ginuwine") are been the best albums of this singer. After these disks, Ginuwine has substantially reduced his collaboration with the original producer...and the final results aren't been always of the same level, unfortunately.
   "Tell Me Do U Wanna" is still my favorite Ginuwine's song. Great intro, great arrangements...how you can ask for more?



3. Ginuwine's debut album from 1996 was a fresh new start for good ol' R&B/Soul when the perfomers both wrote their own music and actually were interesting perfomers. Not since the late 80's we had seen guys that could actually dance and Ginuwine co-wrote most songs and made them very personal and sophisticated aswell. 21 year old Ginuwine was obviously influenced by both Prince and Michael Jackson (And he also covered them both). Timbaland on the other hand was a relativetly fresh producer that had a very unique sound with, awesome samples and frequently used sound loops of his own voice, the music was a mix of contemporary R&B and Hip Hop that also made the music appealing to a broader audience. As other reviewer already pointed out, this album was not only a bluprint for Ginuwine's upcoming album, but also for many other talented Perfomers/Dancers like Usher, Dru Hill and Justin Timberlake and also to talented songwriters like R. Kelly and later Ne-Yo.
   
   "The Bachelor" Got this very fresh sound all over it, something that the R&B world really needed at the time when New Jack Swing was all over the charts but eventually gotten a little tiresome. Ginuwine was also capable of both singing and dancing and both making catchy uptempo's and seductive slow jams. Simple put, he was the Next thing and the record sold extremly well. First single "Pony" is a midtempo with awesome sound loops and very daring lyrics like "If youre horny, lets do it, Ride it, my pony, My saddles waitin, Come and jump on it", It sounded like nothing else on the charts and reminded alot of Prince's most controversial songs. "Tell Me Do You Want It" is an slow jam right on point, ditto with the seductive "Hello" and "Lonely Daze". Great lyrics and sound, one of his best. "Holler" is another uptempo made for the club. "Ginuwine 4 Your Mind" remind me alot of a slower Pony, the samples are quite alike. "Only When You're Lonely" yet another great slow jam. "I'll Do Anything/Sorry a midtempo co-penned by Missy Elliott. "World Is So Could" also feature a sample simular to Pony, this one is also slow. "When Dover Cry" a 90's version of Prince's classic 1984 hit, Pretty damn good and also a hit. "G Thang" is not so interesting, a midtempo that features Missy. "550 What?" closes the album, yet another good song.
   
   Overall, Ginuwine's debut is almost flawless and not only stands as one of the greatest R&B albums of the 90's but also as the bluprint for many other artists to come. It got uptempo's and slow jams and he can both sing and dance and he writes his own music. Now this is just great!. If you are new to him, start here. His first album is the best.



4. Classic Debut from Ginuwine which is a Must Have!! this is back when him and Timbo were doin there thang which alot of fans miss! hot beats all over and Ginuwine performs some of his best work ever on this, my fav tracks are "Pony" "Tell Me Do U Wanna" "Holler" "Hello" "Lonely Daze" "Only When Ur Lonely" "I'll Do Anything (I'm Sorry)" "World Is So Cold" and "When Doves Cry". all together though this album is a classic and if you ain't got it, you are missing out on some classic 90's G! and i no you ain't gonna pass that up!?



5. 1. Intro 10/10 Hot drum and bass sounds
   2. Pony 10/10 The Classic and Original
   3. Tell Me Do U Wanna 10/10 Best intro to a song ever!
   4. Holler 10/10 Sounds that every one now copies
   5. Hello 10/10 Creative story. The track gets better as it goes on
   6. Lonely Daze 10/10 Perfection. Catchy and sexy
   7. Ginuwine 4 Ur Mind 10/10 How dose Timbaland do it!
   8. Only When Ur Lonely 10/10 The song I can listen to all day. My favorite
   9. I'll Do Anything/ I'm Sorry 10/10 Remake of a Stevie Wonder track, Amazing!
   10. World Is So Cold 10/10 Great lyrics, great bass sounds
   11. When Doves Cry 10/10 You all know this one
   12. G. Thang 10/10 Unstoppable head bomping track
   13. 550 What? 10/10 Great flow from G. 550!!!

5 comments about Magic Time.

1. Sorry, but this recording bored me to sleep.
   
   Look for it in my trash.



2. Croon to me, Van. Love is muti faceted, and Van Morrison's tribute is a wonderous story blending the bittersweet, joyous and reverant.



3. What can one say about one of the greatest artist of modern times? He could sing the phone book and make it interesting. I've loved Van the Man since the days of THEM and have more of his music in my collection than anybody else. I've seen every performer I've wanted to see worth seeing...almost...except Van and Paul Simon...and just may go to Austin in September if gas comes down! This particular CD is blues and he sticks to the genre like syrup on pancakes on Saturday morning....ummmmm! He is a true genius that deserves to be affected and particular and maybe even strange and a recluse if choosen...like greta garbo...just wants to be left alone. If anyone calls tell them you haven't seen me. He will be worth shedding a tear over when he is gone because he has made the world I live in so much better. Thanks Van the Man for Magic Time always.



4. Definately not his best effort. In fact I have only listened to it one time. Having been a fan since the 60's I can easily say that this is not worth the time or money to include it in your collection. There are so many memorable tunes from Van the Man don't disapoint your self with this one.



5. 3 and 1/2 stars i would say. this is an enjoyable set, absolutely. there is not really a bad van morrison recording out there (heck, i even get enjoyment from "a period of transition"), but let's face it: van is not trying very hard here. this is the kind of recording he is so used to making that he could call it in on the phone from home. a little r & b, plenty of mid-tempo stuff with nice tame saxophone, standard blues harmonica and some gentle string arrangement stuff. all nice, all predictable. none of it classic (listen to "astral weeks," or "veedon fleece," for the classic stuff). the only tune here that's close to outstanding is "gypsy in my soul," which is very, very strong. lots of the rest has an almost cheesy las vegas feel to it. and hey, nothing wrong with that; i find it enjoyable, myself. it's just not great. it doesn't even try for great. it is what it is: an easy to listen to piece of entertainment. fine by me.

5 comments about Legends - Live at Montreux.

1. This is a one-off recording of a one-off supergroup.
   The band line-up is:
   Steve Gadd - Drums
   Marcus Miller - Bass/Bass Clarinet
   Joe Sample - Keyboards
   Eric Clapton - Guitar / Vocals
   David Sanborn - Alto Sax
   
   This is mostly instrumental, with only vocals by Clapton on a couple of tracks. As you would expect with a crack rhythm section like this the groove generated is fantastic and the opening track 'Full House' demonstrates this amply. Clapton had insecurities about playing with such a Jazz based group of musicians, however he more than holds his own against the prodigious talents of Sample, Miller and Sanborn (not to mention the drummers drummer Gadd).
   
   The numbers performed are:
   
   Full House
   Groovin'
   Ruthie
   Snakes
   Going Down Slow
   The Peeper
   In Case You Hadn't Noticed
   Third Degree
   First Song / Tango Blues
   Put It Where You Want It
   Shreveport Stomp (solo Piano)
   In A Sentimental Mood / Layla
   Every Day I have the Blues
   
   For this DVD think mid-period Crusaders, so if you like blues based Jazz/Rock you'll love this. Great Stuff.



2. This DVD presents an unusual collaboration of musicians and a unique mix of genres in one concert.



3. Saw parts of this first on cable TV and thought it was worth owning. Got it home and saw/listened to the the whole DVD; it is really great.
   We'll watch/listen many times. Some great tunes and what and ensemble! They are all showcased and what great an eclectic group music from the very best at their instruments.



4. I just caught this right now On Demand. Being a big Clapton fan, my girl excitedly put it on for me.
   
   It started pretty cool, although it's pretty clear that Clapton is out of his comfort zone. He's well aware of it and simply tries to hide the fact by playing really fast. Hell, I still love the guy. He still presented us with awesome licks during the course of the show; even if it didn't quite fit in.
   
   Marcus Miller is DOPE!!! Simple as that. His being on this show is such a treat.
   
   Joe Sample is a wasted talent here.
   
   My main gripe?! DAMMIT!!! Somebody tell David Sanborn to stop hoggin all the solo spots! Even when they're playing ensemble licks - He's hella loud! It got really distracting and annoying. I was ready to turn it off just because of this him. Believe me, I like all instruments, but Sanborn just goes and goes and goes. All while being super loud. I'll keep it real - only a saxaphone player can appreciate this much Sanborn.



5. The first CD I received was defective. I returned it and received
   the replacement. It also wouldn't play. Amazon's response in both
   cases was excellent as I expected. Someone needs to sample these CD's,
   however. It would seem unlikely that 2 would be defective. Probably the
   whole batch is!!!!

3 comments about Deliveries After Dark.

1. If you like the eclectic mixture of Rock and Blues Popa Chubby mastered, then you'll like this CD. Popa is in more of a rock mode in this one, but there's lots of blues here as well.
   
   It seems like every CD has acouple of high points for the blues purists out there, and this is no exception. "Grown Man Crying Blues," "Man of the Blues" and this uniquely titled "Rock and Roll You Heartless Bitch" show that Popa Chubby is still clearly a master bluesman.
   
   This is primarily a 'fun' CD, but it also has it's depth to it. Popa often portrays himself primarily as a 'fun' act (consider the double-entendre name), but he demonstrates his guitar virtuosity on a 'surfer' version of the Godfather theme, and he shows his depth as a songwriter on "Rock and Roll You Heartless Bitch."
   
   All in all, this is quite an impressive addition to his growing list of accomplishments. Popa continues to get better and better.



2. What can you say about a guy who just keeps giving you quality music year after year and raises' the level every time. Even though he is a great live performer and is on the road most of the time, he always finds time to jam with pals and co-stars at BBKing's or at your local waterrin' hole.Popa always had a hard - rock quality lurking underneath and you could hear it here on "Let The Music Set You Free" and "I'll Piss On Your Grave",But the man with a giant heart and hands will always be a spokesman for blues, with a rough edge of course after all he's from the streets of NYC not Mississippi, Real Good Time Music..Eat it up !



3. The underrated Popa puts out another good album !
   If you like blues-rock, you will like this one. Why he does not get more acclaim is beyond me. Go see him "live" if you get the chance !

5 comments about Twenty-One Good Reasons: The Paul Carrack Collection.

1. I bought this album for "Don't Shed A Tear," and was pleasantly surprised to fall in love with several other songs on the album. Mr. Carrack is a versatile songwriter and performer, and if you've heard one of his songs, and enjoyed it, you're likely to enjoy this album greatly.



2. If you like blue-eyed soul, Paul Carrack makes the short list of singers from the 80's/90's era in popular music that did it the best. Other names that come to mind are: Darryl Hall, Sting, Phil Collins and Paul Rodgers. Of course, each of them adds their own twist to the genre. For me, there's just something interesting about a self-conscious caucasian guy trying to sound like Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding or even B.B. King. Perhaps it is the underlying angst that comes through as he attempts to transcend his own limitations. Some people might feel that this is not an authentic blues/soul experience, but I like it.
   
   This product contains an excellent collection of songs from a man who, by his own admission, "lives by the groove". There is no question that he follows his muse wherever it might take him because, after reviewing his long and varied career, you will notice that he has collaborated with several different groups (Ace, Squeeze, Mike & the Mechanics, etc.). Somehow he always manages to put his stamp on the final outcome, and things usually turn out well.
   
   If we all "lived by the groove", the world could potentially be a better place. On the other hand, who would carry the mail or pick up the trash if we were all busy "groovin'"? Pop this into your disc player and form your own conclusions. Enjoy!



3. I have to say that Paul Carrack has to be one of the best pop singers to do well in bands as well as solo. They do a good job compiling his best hits with Ace (How Long), Squeeze (Tempted), Mike and the Mechanics and his solo hits (Don't Shed A Tear). But my favorite solo song from Paul is One Good Reason from 1987 as that song rocks big time, from the horns to the guitars! Unfortunately, Don't Shed A Tear was played more during that time and One Good Reason got only some minor buzz. Reason seemed more comfortable to some with the low key rock guitar. But the other songs are good candidates to this effort. Paul just loves to perform and this collection justifies his major success as an artist for close to 3 decades.



4. "Twenty-One Good Reasons" provides a good presentation to the music (and the voice) of Paul Carrack. Ace, Squeeze, Carlene Carter and even Mike & The Mechanics have received the benefits of working with such a good performer like Mr. Carrack. If you are seriously engaged with 70s Pop & Rock music, this CD is A MUST for you!



5. This, by far, is one of my favorite cd's. Paul Carrack has one of the most fabulous voices around and I believe, is very underrated. This is an awesome cd and great to have on when cleaning--you can't help singing along to! :) Love the tracks with Carlene Carter! A must have for even the slightest fan. I was lucky enough to see him perform with Ringo Starr (in his All-Star Band)and his voice is still so smooooooth!!

5 comments about Into the Purple Valley.

1. 1972 was a banner year for what is now called Americana music, and its best and brightest purveyors were attached to Warner Brothers Records and their subsidiary Reprise. Between the two labels, they had a very cool stable of artists. Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor became mainstream successes fairly quickly. Others took longer to find fame and acclaim, but were no less noteworthy. Among these were 3 forward-thinking, backward-glancing master musicians who anticipated the best-selling "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack by 28 years.
   
   Consider: In 1972 Warner/Reprise released Ry Cooder's "Into The Purple Valley", John Fahey's "Of Rivers And Religion", and Van Dyke Parks' "Discover America". Fellow label-mate Randy Newman issued his "Sail Away" album that year, but he wouldn't fully explore American themes until 1974's "Good Old Boys". The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band gained the most notice of all of these records with the 1972 release of their landmark double album "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" on the Liberty label.
   
   It's not like no one had recorded this stuff before - there was of course the originals (Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, to name just two) - and such vaunted keepers-of-the-flame as Johnny Cash. Dylan was certainly an early practitioner at times, as were the Byrds with much of 1968's "Sweetheart of the Rodeo". Many folk artists recorded chestnuts like "Statesboro Blues" on albums otherwise filled with their own material. Singing and playing old songs on acoustic guitar is one thing. Total immersion and dedication to the proper historical instrumentation - and presentation of these songs as a conceptual whole - is something entirely different. It could be said that 1972 was when this music finally reached "critical mass", and a greater number of counter-culture artists tapped into the zeitgeist and expanded its boundaries (or narrowed them, if you prefer). Their attention to detail and authenticity raised the bar to a new level, and they made dusty old Smithsonian archival recordings sound fresh and revelatory for a whole new generation.
   
   For this review, I'm choosing to concentrate on the Warner/Reprise releases that best illustrate this discussion. All 3 were flawless masterpieces that investigated different facets of American music. Ry Cooder explored Tennessee Dust Bowl balladry, Western themes of gunfighters and farmers, and the kind of "union" songs favored by Pete Seeger. John Fahey released an all-instrumental record (no vocals) of sleepy Mississippi blues, spirituals, and New Orleans dixieland jazz. Van Dyke Parks went further south yet, with steelband calypso music of the Caribbean - but sang entirely about American themes and people such as Franklin Roosevelt, Bing Crosby, the Mills Brothers, and J. Edgar Hoover.
   
   For me, these albums comprise a perfect American trilogy. That they were released the same year is altogether remarkable. Thankfully, they are all available on CD. I can't recommend them highly enough.



2. Goes perfectly with Paradise and Lunch; the two fit nicely on one cd for the car.
   Tremendous git playing from Ry as usual, with the added bonus of lots of his tasty mandolin. All the tunes are old gems, treated with reverence and joy. The Joseph Spence tune about FDR coming to Trinidad is a hoot and a half.
   Very musical music, and lots of fun.



3. This Japanese mini-lp replica version of Ry Cooder album is simply a work of art! Very beautifully designed with all the lyrics included and with a sound quality remastered to perfection.
   This 2007 Warner reissue is by far the best version of this album that is out there; great sound quality, great packaging, great songs! A must have in any CD collector's library. A real collectors item of these guitarist, top 10 of all times.



4. Whoa. I bought this album on the strength of these reviews and the 5 stars...but be careful, all is not 5 stars in the kingdom of Cooder. The reason you've never heard of this album is that while the guitar playing is impeccable, inspired and a mark of true talent, the singing is AWFUL. Cooder is almost tuneless and clearly has never learned how to sing. On tracks like Teardrops Will Fall, his back-up singers come in and really highlight how terrible his tune is. Consider yourself warned.



5. Into The Purple Valley is basically a concept album about 1930s America, and Ry Cooder's second solo record. The only other Ry Cooder album I own is his self-titled debut, which is great, but this one blows it away. Certain songs on Cooder's debut are among my all-time favorites, especially "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live?", which has heartbreaking lyrics almost enough to make the staunchest Republican turn socialist (contrary to a previous review, "How Can A Poor Man" IS from Cooder's debut album, not from Into The Purple Valley). But overall I was disappointed by the self-titled album, mainly because my expectations were so high. The sound was not full enough, since Cooder used a backing band on only a few of the tracks, and too many slow songs slowed everything down.
   
   This album, however, lives up to all expectations. The foot-tappers "Money Honey" and "Taxes On The Farmer Feeds Us All" are the two perfect songs, but almost equally great are "How Can You Keep Moving," "On A Monday," and "Denomination Blues," all of which have awesome, lighthearted lyrics that would have come off as merely cute if they had not been done exactly right. And then there are the beautiful/sad songs: "Teardrops Will Fall" (which sounds much more modern than the rest of the songs, both musically and lyrically - it could almost be a Smokey Robinson tune), and "Great Dream From Heaven," a short but sweet instrumental. I realize that I've named nearly every song on the album, something that usually annoys me when I'm reading other people's album reviews, but that just goes to show you how much I love this whole CD. If you are a fan of roots-conscious rock music like The Band and Rory Gallagher, then you can't go wrong with Ry Cooder; and if you are just getting into Ry Cooder, I don't think there is a better starting place than Into The Purple Valley.
   
   (Bonus tip: if you have not heard of Rory Gallagher, definitely check him out too, especially his two live albums.)