5 comments about Grateful Heart: Blues and Ballads.

1. I tell ya... The guy from Amazon who wrote the piece about this album needs to get his ears cleaned out!

   I have yet to hear an Earl tune where he's "just noodling". Yes, this album is a jazz-blues crossover, but it's a good one. His duets here with David "Fathead" Newman are just fabulous. Some of them sensual and smooth, some of them burning like a hot skillet!

   Overall the pace of the album is slow to mid-tempo, but then again the title is Ballads & Blues, so no surprises here.

   Obviously the two main genres tackled here are blues & jazz, but there are plenty of other influences present here ranging from gospel to latin.

   People who want to hear straight blues from Mr Earl should look at his latest "Feel Like Going On" which is also great.

   I feel the music on Blues & Ballads feels a bit like a bluesier version of Kenny Burrell.

   If you like your blues on the jazzy side (think vintage port instead of Jack Daniels) this album's a damn fine choice.




2. This is the best and most important album by Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. I say this because it is the first album that truly moves his music into the jazz genre'. Earl's playing is melodically beautiful, well improvised although structured in the end. The B-3 sound melded with David"Fathead" Newman's tenor saxophone takes you on a journey into spirituality. If this album doesn't chase away the blues, there may be no hope for you... Make this cd a must have. My highest recommendation. Also check out "Colour of Love", Earl's follow-up to this disc and Blue Note records debut.



3. This album represents a wonderful blending of blues and jazz, with superb musicianship and a great production. Mellow, moody, and moving, Earl is the star but he allows plenty of space for sax and keyboards to take center stage in turn. This is an album of instrumentals, and as the title suggests, it has a relaxed atmosphere that demands deep engagement with the listener. When I play this cd I just get drawn in and find myself grooving silently with it.

   I play guitar so I really love listening to Earl's delicate touch, but this is not an album for muso's where competence replaces emotion. In fact it is the exact opposite - being soulful and engaging. I find that everyone I play this album to has the same reaction -- 'what is that? - it's beautiful' -especially people who think they do not like jazz. As an earlier reviewer said, I also give this a gift to people - as Earl seems to have given us this music as a reminder of how special life can be, and it seems appropriate to pass this on.

   Earl has been though some tough times with addiction and this album represents a cleansing and a new found appreciation for life. If ever music could communicate such feelings, I think this album does. Treat yourself to a reminder of what music can do for us - this is special.




4. Every song on this CD should have lyrics.. You will find yourself making up words as hear the beautiful music. I give this away as a gift to all ages and all kinds. Does not matter what kind of tunes they thought they liked, cause they like this Ronnie Earl.



5. this cd is great. it has a combination of jazz & blues. ronnie plays a mean guitar. this cd is a must if you like your music played from the soul

5 comments about American Idol Season 2: All Time Classic American Love Songs.

1. Season 2 of american idol (in my opinion) had the best talent. the biggest voices and broke all stereotypes. although some people had there choice to win the finale (i really wanted kimberley locke to win), i thought they ended by pickin the right person. the previous season had there 'best' performances but this season did the opposite and decided to do love songs... honestly they should have did a greatest hits LP because i could name quite a few BRILLIANT performances by at least 5 of the contestants.
   
   hands down the best track on the album is 'superstar' by ruben studdard. he channeled luther vandross sooooo amazingly that luther would be proud. 'killing me softley' my kim caldwell was awesome as well. she defiinatly brought the blue eyed soul on this track.
   
   clay aiken, trenyce, charles grigsby, and carmen did great jobs on there songs as well....
   
   now the bad.... i love kimberley locke and she did an brilliant job on 'somewhere over the rainbow', BUT the cd is called LOVE SONGS and that is not a love song at all. rickey is a great voice but his version of 'back to one' sounded EXACTLY like brian mcknight. josh gracin (was not my favourite) did a HORRIBLE job on this song... they should have gave him a country song to sing.
   
   the class of season 2 will still be my favourite voices but i just wish they picked better songs for this cd.
   
   3 stars out of 5



2. Seriously, this CD is BAD. The only song that I can say is any good is Ruben Studdard's rendition of Superstar. And if you like that song, go buy Ruben's album, because this is not worth your money. The only reason I can see anyone buying this album, is if you are just into collecting AI merch. Other than than, SKIP THIS ONE.



3. This cd is obnoxious. The artists all seem to compete by seeing how many notes they can add into one syllable. I have never heard so many slides on the notes.



4. I really enjoyed this CD.
   They picked good songs to sing and the vocals were good.
   
   God Bless The USA was really good at the end!



5. As a professional singer and Voice Teacher, I am so thrilled to see how American Idol has given the art of singing such a jump start in these last few years.
   
   These American Idol CDs and programs are filled with so much varying talents. From Hard rock to Country, America is becoming interested in identifying true talent. As an Opera Singer myself I can still enjoy the gifts of other genres and am sad to hear when others look down upon the show. Also, as a voice teacher of many styles I can't stress enough the need to my own students for them to develop themselves as a "Complete Unique Package". Finding their own true niche and style including: voice type, genre, best repertoire, to the the right audition outfit. American Idol teaches the same theories. Be true to yourself and your voice to get your best shot at this business of singing. I am an advocat for AI and all shows that encourage the high developement of arts in America. We come from a society that watched sports religiously on telievision (which is great) but there are so many talents to support including singing out there amongst us. American Idol gives artists and viewers a fantastic opportunity.

5 comments about Yo Frankie.

1. 
   It is always best to take albums on their individual merits. Ignoring who Dion was and who he is now -- we have well-written songs that have a Jersey/NYC feel, in line with Bruce Springsteen's more mainstream stuff (not Nebraska). Good, strong voice - he makes the best of his admittedly limited range. The production threatens to go towards a little too much slickness that detracts from the earnest lyrics of "Written on the Subway Wall", so it flows along in a radio-friendly way, but I remember that this album got very limited airplay. It isn't one of the greatest albums of all time, but it is a album that reveals quite a bit of depth and intelligence -- an unexpected treat.



2. This was supposed to be the big "comeback album" from one of the greatest musicians and vocalists of all time. Instead it got overlooked and underplayed as a "1950's hasbeen trying to get back to his glory" What is wrong with these people? Don't they know what got them there in the first place. I must admit that when I heard that Dion was putting out an album back in 1989 I thought to myself "what's with these 1950's guys? Don't they get it?" So for years I just ingored it. I'd see it in the store and pass it. Then one day I saw his video for "Written on Subway Walls" My jaw dropped. The following week I bought it and listened....and listened....and listened and eventually fell asleep because it was getting late. I couldn't put it down. Wow! Dion still has it. Even 17 years later "Yo Frankie" is still one of my favorites. And this is coming from a 35 year old who wasn't even born when Dion was hitting the charts. For those of you out there listening to Britney, Jessica, Justin or Hip Hop you better wake up and realize where it came from. Get this album and listen to some real music for once. Dion...you still rock!!



3. This was Dion's 1989 "comeback" album. It's a solid effort.



4. This was Dion's 1989 "comeback" album. It's a solid effort.



5. I own original LP's and 45's of Dion and the Belmonts but when
   I purchased this I had no idea of how great a piece of work by Dion and all his guests artists this would be. Each song has a
   story (I would love to get the lyrics to this cd), and each
   arrangment is flawless. It makes you want to turn the radio up
   and let the world listen to music like it used to be, dynamic
   and romantic. Ever since I heard "I Wonder Why" by Dion and the Belmonts I knew this man was special. This CD may be the best keep secret in music. Dions music will live forever!

5 comments about Rocket Number 9.

1. Heard Jason Ricci and New Blood for the first time at the 2008 Johnstown Folk Festival (2008) and was amazed. Even my 12 year old daughter was loving the performance (which is great since she's into Jesse McCartney, Taylor Swift, and all those tween bands). I'm a definite fan and this CD is a great introduction to a world class player and band. If you like blues and harmonica in particular this is a must buy.



2. First saw Jason at the Wheeling (WV) Heritage Blues Festival in August 2007 (a fabulous annual festival in an ampitheater on the Ohio River).
   
   Here it was, a 90 degree, sticky, breezeless summer afternoon, and Jason was jamming on that harp with all the energy of a hurricane.
   
   I regretted not getting a CD that day.
   
   A few weeks ago, the band played at a local Parkersburg WV venue, and once again Jason's virtuoso performances, energy, and showmanship just blew everyone away. Guitarist Shawn Starsky was named one of the Top 10 new performers by Guitar Magazine recently, and he truly deserves it.
   
   Jason and New Blood make the songs they cover their own. If you're familiar with LouAnn Barton's "Hip Shake", you'll be amazed by Jason's rendition. "The Sky Is Crying" takes a whole new dimension.
   
   Using an array of harmonicas, Jason mimics a whole orchestra, including guitar, violin and saxophone, all the while rocking hard.
   
   Jason's powerful performances are so consistent, they create a phenomenon: by the second set, you just EXPECT to be wowed, and take it for granted!!
   
   I really like this CD and recommend it to anyone who loves the harp. My only complaint is that the harp is slightly muffled in comparison to the crispness of the guitar on a few of the tracks.
   
   BUY IT! You won't be sorry. Even better, see him live and prepare to be awed!



3. I checked out this CD after reading an interview with Ricci in Blues Revue magazine. All I can write is wow! Great harp playing and a tight band as well.This is not your run of the mill blues, and Ricci and his band really push the envelope on this one - in a good way. In the magazine Ricci talks about his addictions, which he beat, and his coming out and worried what affect it would have on his career. Enlightened, educated people buy music based on whether they like it or not, not if the person is gay, straight, black, white, tall, short, etc, etc,, so Ricci shouldn't worry. He should spend his time making more of this great music.



4. In May 2007 I went to see the legendary Buddy Guy in concert in San Jose. There were probably 6-8 opening acts scheduled that were basically unheard of. My son, and my friend and I, were in the beer garden which was cordoned off about 50-60 yards from the stage having a few "brewskies" in order to get fired up for Buddy, when I heard some musical sounds wafting my way that caught my attention. The first "cooking" sounds I heard were of a wailing "harp" being blown. Before I even focused on the stage I said: "Man! That sounds like the "Paul Butterfield Blues Band"! Then the whole band kicked in and it was vintage Paul Butterfield material. I said who the hell are these guys? Well, the answer to that question was, "Jason Ricci & New Blood". It was early afternoon and Jason shook the crowd out of its mid-day slumber with rocking-bluesy-stomping savagery, with his uninhibited harp shaking the crowd like the Pied Piper shook the rats! With each passing song Jason talked more "smack" to the crowd. I don't know if he had a late night the previous evening, but by the end you couldn't make any sense of what he was proselytizing about, but you sure didn't need an interpreter for his "harp".
   
   I went up to buy a CD but he said they didn't have any, but to look on Amazon. I got home and checked Amazon and they didn't have anything with samples. Then last week I saw the release of this CD and bought it. Wow! 12 songs totaling 74 minutes. His "harp-blowing" on this CD transcends a full spectrum of diversity, from hard rocking blues, to sounds of what can only be described as a harmonica crying. What unbridled talent this young man has, and his band gets to highlight their talents on a number of songs also. On some instrumentals Jason sounds exactly like Paul Butterfield, and on others he sounds like the 13 year old Stevie Wonder blowing "harp" on "Ebb Tide".
   
   Even more important than Jason's music, I'd like to congratulate him on his being "clean and sober" for more than 9 years now! Look forward to seeing you down the road brother!



5. If you ever have the chance to see Jason and the boys live, never, ever miss that opportunity !!! You will see the best show ever put on. A true genius on the harp.

1 comments about In the Mood.

1. Wow, I ordered this CD and realized that I had it shipping to the wrong place. So I contacted Amazon and they got hold of the supplier and he emailed me, all within about ten minutes. He noted the change of address and let me know that my CD would ship the next morning. Two days later, I had it in my hands. Just like new, as promised. Completely satisfied and will try to make it a point to just use this company!
   Thanks again!
   Matt

5 comments about Phantom Blues.

1. From the opning notes this album is great. I've been listening to it for 6+ years and it never bores me. Upbeat tracks, good horns and great guests (Clapton & Raitt) I think this is an essential Taj pick.



2. i'm not a big fan of most contemporary blues singers, prefering that stuff they got goin' on in the mississip; pr'oly at best a 3anahalf-star rating, but seriously, Taj got that deep-from-some-gutter type sputter/growl goin' on and when he sings them love songs of his, it's some real hot stuff. "here in the dark", "fanning the flames" and "love her with a feeling" are THE MOST SENSUALLY HOT BALLADS FROM ANY MALE ARTIST OUT THERE, R-N-B OR OTHERWISE! neo-soul cant e'en come close to the dirt and desire in those cuts! this is the artist that D'angelo will be inspired by 10 years from now.



3. This is a great album,specially enriched with the marvellous participation of Jon Cleary,for me,one of the best piano players of ever.Really a participation of any Louisiana's piano player is a great thing for a good blues album!!!Specially some musicians like Jon Cleary,Dr.John,and Professor Longhair... This is a very true experience of this great bluesman,Taj Mahal,with guest appearances of Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt.I really loved the first track,an original of Taj's style.All of the others are pure Louisiana blues,and i really recomend to the bluesfans all over the world to listen this fantastic, Jon Cleary. He's a bluesman unrecognized,that deserves an accurated listened from those that really loves good music.You must try to listen the other Cleary's works such "Alligator Lips and Dirty Rice" and recently "Moonburn".What we can say is that Taj worked right to choose those great musicians and the results, are all inside this great cd!!!



4. My 3 favorite Taj Mahal albums so far had been his first two (both released in the 60's) and "Dancing the Blues." I now have a 4th! Get down!



5. Taj Mahal's voice is like the sound of the Earth singing. He is authentic, soulful and grounded in the culture of folk and blues. He is a national treasure!

5 comments about Feels Like Rain.

1. Buddy Guy. One of my favorites. Picked up this one and it is fast becoming one of my favorites. I'm not a blues purist. I like the Southern Soul and this fits right in there. Some Kind Of Wonderful. Wow! Change In The Weather. Wow! A little taste of Ray Charles. A little taste of Muddy Waters. That's what the blues is all about. Feels Like Rain!



2. A nice album from the legendary Buddy Guy, Feels Like Rain is about as straight forward as it gets. A strong set of electric blues, served up with a heapin' side of boogie, the album plays out as an old blues man just havin' a great time makin' music.



3. Feels Like Rain was my introduction to Buddy Guy, and what a fine introduction it is! Altho some blues purists will complain that it isn't "pure" blues, and with it's all star cast, a sell-out, but I prefer to look at it as Buddy showing his versatility. From the Stevie Ray Vaughan-sque She's A Superstar, and Feels Like Rain (the smoldering and sensuous cover of the John Hiatt classic), to the red hot finale of Country Man, this to me is a much more consistant album than Damn Right. This CD proves that blues doesn't have to be confined to 12 bar covers of Elmore James and Robert Johnson. And since blues was conceived from slaves easing the pain of their confinement, isn't that what it's all about?



4. More of a mainstream rock record than Guy's first Silvertone album ("Damn Right I've Got The Blues"), and much more so than his third, "Feels Like Rain" is not where you go to listen to Buddy Guy the legendary blues guitarist.
   In fact, this is some of Guy's least blues-oriented material...the only real blues tunes are Muddy Waters's "She's Nineteen Years Old" and John Mayall's "I Could Cry"; the rest of the album is dedicated to rock- and soul covers, blues-rock and pop-rock.
   
   The production is rather slick and lacks muscle, and a little bit of grit would have been nice, but Guy himself comes off quite well. His guitar playing is not the best you'll ever hear from him, but his voice is excellent, strong and expressive, and while some of these covers are superflous at best, Guy's rendition of John Hiatt's "Feels Like Rain", Ray Charles' "Mary Ann", and the soul classic "Some Kind Of Wonderful" are really enjoyable (the latter is a duet featuring Paul Rodgers of Bad Company).
   Bonnie Raitt guests on "Feels Like Rain", playing bell-clear slide guitar, and the band includes a great pianist, Bill Payne from Little Feat.
   
   If you want to hear Buddy Guy play the blues, pick up "Buddy's Blues" from MCA/Chess, and Rhino's "The Very Best Of Buddy Guy". If you just want a regular feel-good rock record played by a number of better-than-average musicians, well, you'll probably like this just fine. After all, you can't keep a real professional down.



5. First off I love this CD and listen to it all the time. The only reason I gave this CD 4 stars is that this album is very Heavily produced and at times get a little to slickish for my liking. Listen to "Sufferin' Mind" to see what I mean. But still the production doesn't alter the fact that this is a good album.

5 comments about The Real Thing.

1. Back in 1971 I was already a fan...based on the LP, "Natch'l Blues"...this LP saw Taj take a slightly different path albeit to the same destination...But what I remember most was the naturalness and ease of his performance, the haunting horns of Howard Johnson...and the lilting guitar work of John Hall (of the band, Orleans)...his solo on the tune "Ain't Gwine To Whistle Dixie No More"...stays with me still...I can still see them up there on the old Fillmore East stage...a temple to me and others like me from my generation....a brilliant set, by a brilliant artist and a pack of excellent musicians. I was there with my bud, Steve and we both were captivated by the sounds and the spirit of the night...I was also there when John Mayall recorded the genre-defining lp, the "Turning Point"...and both of these concerts remain to be highpoints of my musical youth. Buy it....you will not be disappointed...unless you are soul-less.
   Vince DeLucia



2. An epic, sprawling, roots music masterpiece. This is an artistic statement on the level of Tom Sawyer or The Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison). The power in this music is the way it captures the chaos and tenderness of life in an utterly transcendent and inexplicable way. May sound strange to modern ears, so used to the polished and predictable tropes of the likes of *ahem* lyle lovett, or lucinda williams. This ain't no lucinda williams. This is one of the most slept on albums of all time (IMHO)- if you're one of the millions who bought the Oh Brother soundtrack (not knocking it, I happen to like the album) take it to the next level and check out this wonderful album.
   
   Favorite track: You Ain't No Streetwalker Mama, But I Sure Do Love the Way You Strut Your Stuff.
   
   Epic



3. Look-
   Live albums are raw- there are mistakes/missed notes- but at their best- there's a fire/spirit that takes tunes you know to a whole new level.
   This is such an album/experience.
   Couple that with the brilliant TUBA section- a stellar rhythm section and (Congressman) John Hall on guitar- as well as the legendary John Simon on piano- and this is well worth your time and money.....



4. Taj Mahal is an excellent musician.I've seen him in concert, by himself and with his band.This is I think one of his best.If you need a pick me up,or you're feeling blue listen to "Ain't Gwine To Whistle Dixie(Any Mo")
   Excellent choice



5. Yeah, man, the "official" reviewer just doesn't get it AT ALL. This is one of the best ROOTS recordings EVER - and I don't say that lightly. Remember...this is 1971...LIVE, a 2 LP recording, at the Fillmore...I mean, the Allman Brothers - WITH DUANE - did their recording that same year. Now, how many acts could have gotten away with playing a tune with nothing but a banjo and a TUBA, for cryin' out loud! ("Tom And Sally Drake")? Taj Mahal, that's who. Taj engages the audience as well as anyone ("Gimme some help...GIMME SOME! - You can do it...if you're jacked up to it...) and standouts here are the norm. "You're Goin' To Need Somebody On Your Bond" is the groover, with Taj 'gettin spiritual' with the blues, and doing the back and forth with the crowd. Also a highlight is "Ain't Gwine Whistle Dixie No Mo'", where every band member gets a piece of the action, and my spine tingles at the thought of John Simon groovin' on the piano, and John Hall doing a GREAT guitar solo, and ending, with Taj whistling over the many horns. No, if you don't get it, you don't get it...but I was 15...and I got it. This is Taj's moment in Time, Live - History, I believe it's called - and he grabs on and holds tight. Any fan of blues, jazz, roots, gospel, or African-American music History has to consider this a MUST HAVE CD. Period.

5 comments about Do You Wanna Ride?.

1. Circa 1995, there was a song that had many people singing, dancing and wondering who the chanteuse was. The song was "Freak Like Me" and the artist? Adina Howard. This song was very successful after the public got a dose of it. It could be because of the explicit nature of the song, the catchy chorus, and/or the nice beat. This song is featured on her debut album entitled "Do You Wanna Ride?" Adina Howard went on to release another album and single, but the single was not nearly as successful and "Freak Like Me."
   
   Although this entire album is inundated with sexual overtones, Adina Howard actually has a very nice singing voice. She hit some impressive high notes and is able to stay on key quite well. I, for one, was taken in by her vocals. On "Horny For Your Love", Adina uses her upper register and does a nice job. On this ballad, she croons, "I'll do anything you want me to." She did deliver this song well, but it is obvious that she held back some of her vocals because this song is geared more so toward getting a couple in the mood rather than impressing them with soprano vocals. I wish she would have given me just a few more of those high notes, though. Like "Horny For Your Love", "My Up and Down" is a very raunchy ballad. The melody and lyrics are good and the beat has a sexy aura. "You Got Me Humpin'" has that 1990s R&B sound to it. This is the song that opens the album, and, thought I feel she could have opted for a better album starter, this song is alright. The rap included is decent, but the hook is on the weak side.
   
   This is in no way intended to downgrade Adina Howard as an artist, but you can find this album for next to nothing, even if you purchase it new. Therefore, go ahead and purchase it because it is a decent offering by a more than decent chanteuse.
   
   Mikeisha's Top 5
   
   1. "Freak Like Me"
   2. "Baby Come Over"
   3. "Do You Wanna Ride?"
   4. "My Up and Down"
   5. "Horny For Your Love"



2. I think Adina Howard is great
   I love her song.....It's ok for the guys to sing sexual but when a women do it she have to be a HO. Yeah right...People don't be disrespectful or hate....appreciate.
   
   Adina keep your head up.



3. This CD is a bit sexual but it has not good songs on it and can be played over and over.



4. Adina Howard's 1995 debut album featued the #2 Platinum single "Freak Like Me". It also featured several other minor hits "My Up & Down" and "It's All About You". A remixed version of "It's All About You" was released to radio although the album version is much better in my opinion. Sex sells, yes it's cliche but apparently Adina wasn't sexy enough to be considered more than a one hit wonder. Although the album went gold and to date sold 1.3 million copies that still wasn't enough to keep Adina on the billboard charts. After being dropped from her record lable in 1997 she finally retured in 2004 with a very underrated and unpromoted album "The Second Coming". Now in 2006 Adina is set to release a new album "Private Show". I just hope that she will have another hit because it's obvious that fans love Adina but critics will always refer to her as a one hit wonder unless she comes back strong.
   
   1. You Got Me Humpin' ****
   2. Freak Like Me *****
   3. If We Make Love Tonight *
   4. I Wants Ta Eat (Interlude) **
   5. You Can Be My Nigga ****
   6. It's All About You *****
   7. Let's Go To Da Sugar Shack (Interlude) *
   8. Do You Wanna Ride? ***
   9. You Don't Have To Cry ***
   10. My Up And Down *****
   11. Horny For Your Love *
   12. Coolin' In The Studio (Interlude)*
   13. Baby Come Over ****



5. I give this album 3.5 stars because of all the house party's that was left smokin back in the day. Its still kinda good now when you got the feel for those old school type beats before you hit the clubs. But if your lookin for some lyrical talent or sometype of conscious level music, this is not for you. The cover picture sums up this whole album. So don't be surprised when you hear re-hashed freaky raunchy lyrics.

1 comments about True Audiophile: Best of Groove Note.

1. Compilation albums are not my favourite ways of buying music. I took a chance with this album for the hell of it as I did not know too many of the artists or tracks. What a joy it is. Beautifully recorded and smooth as silk. I now have music by some of the individuals on this album and am so greatful that I did take the chance. Give it a go yourself.