5 comments about Déjà Voodoo.

1. Gov't Mule has been lumped into the jam band category, but their music is hardly just noodling solos, half-a*sed melodies and nonsense lyrics. Their albums are cohesive, SOLID, INTENSE, GREAT SONGS! A little jazz influence, too, of course. And they do like to solo--hey, it's Warren Haynes with the Allman Brothers, after all--but their material is heads and shoulders above ANY hard/southern/blues rock band out there today. For a long time I avoided Gov't Mule because I thought they were just a jam band with long, boring, jazzy songs. Boy, was I wrong! DEAD wrong! Get ALL of Gov't Mule albums if you like Skynyrd, the Allmans, Led Zeppelin, Blackfoot, the Black Crowes....you will be KICKING yourself for not discovering this band years ago!!
   
   The only album of theirs I DON'T recommend is their latest--Mighty High. It's nothing but boring, industrial-ish reggae. If you like that kind of music, then fine, you'll probably like it. For me, it was a waste of money. I just hope their next effort is back to the blues rock that they are best known for.



2. Gov't Mule's first album with new full-time bassist, Andy Hess (replacing the deceased Allen Woody), this album has a different vibe to it than a lot of their previous work. It's a little more rock n' roll, and a little less blues, and the addition of organ on a number of the tracks creates a unique sound to the post-Woody Mule.
   
   This strikes me as being one of the softer Mule releases. A fair number of the tracks are slow paced, though it has its heavier moments, particularly "Slackjaw Jezebel" and "Lola Leave Your Light On." But overall, it's a pretty mellow, melodic, and easy going album. In some ways, this album is much more about atmosphere than their previous efforts, as can be most clearly seen through tracks like "Wine and Blood" and "Silent Scream."
   
   In perfect honesty, if you only like the hard rockin' Mule, then this probably won't be an album you'll fully appreciate. It has its moments, but it's really a more experimental jam than the bluesy, soulful albums they put out prior to this one. But if you appreciate Mule in all its forms, then you'll probably think this one is fantastic, as I do.



3. This is an excellent Mule CD, the best yet since Woody passed. Can anyone help with getting a copy of the companion EP, Mo' Voodoo ?



4. This is an excellent introduction to Govt Mule, if you have not heard of them before, and are looking for some quality guitar rock music. Warren Haynes leads this band, as well as stepping in for Dickie Betts in the Allman Brothers. This is not music in the same southern rock genre as the Allman Brothers, it is blues based rock.
   
   Warren is stellar on slide guitar, the guitar work is framed within excellent song craftsmanship as well. Some of the songs run long, but this is not a jam band.
   
   If you already know Gov' Mule and want more in this vein, check out Cry of Love's "Brother". Cry of Love's Guitarist, Audley Freed, contributes on Mule's Deep End Vol 1 on "Life on the Outside", and went on to play with the Black Crowes.
   
   Highlights:
   About to Rage is a slowburner, Slackjaw Jezebel uptempo funk rocker, as is Lola leave your light on.



5. Man, the more I listen to it, the more I like it! These guys can definitely rock, and their ballads are not just filler (check out "Wine and Blood" and it's sweet, cryin' guitar hooks and clever opening line..."Desiree's in disarray...") They tell stories.
   
   This is blues-based rock with intelligent and original lyrics and unexpected and sophisticated chord changes ("Little Toy Brain.".)
   
   Even...dare I say..a "Zepelin-esque" riff or two. Modern, yet with a big nod to late 60's/early 70's stuff; if a woman were to sing in this band, you could easily picture Janis Joplin or Dale Kranz (of Rossington Collins...damn, she rocked!) belting these out. Guitarist Warren Haynes, I believe, is the singer. And let me just say, he's no slouch in the vocal department. In fact, he's spot-on.
   
   I've seen this tagged as "party rock" and "swamp rock." Huh? Nope. Just damn good music. You'll probably find yourself listening to this alot.

5 comments about Seven Turns.

1. Seven Turns (1990) was the last comeback album from the Allman Brothers Band. It's also the last time they've needed to comeback. They've been going strong ever since. What a comeback this was for us long time ABB fans who had all but lost hope in the desolate 1980s! Now, eighteen years and a few more excellant albums later, Seven Turns has lost a little of it's initial luster. In 1990, it was utterly fantastic. In 2008, it's a very good album that has a couple of great songs.
   
   The title song is an excellant Dickey Betts acoustic/electric guitar ballad that makes ABB magic and has become an Allman Brothers Band classic. Good Clean Fun is a rocking romp with great swagger, mean guitars, a screeching harmonica, and Gregg Allman's gritty and gravelly growl. Those two are great songs, the best on Seven Turns.
   
   Gambler's Roll is an exceptional atmospheric blues-ballad where Allman's golden-throated blues singing is spotlighted. Warren Haynes steps up as the lead singer on his blues-rocker Loaded Dice. Of course, there's the usual ABB instrumental, the jazzy True Gravity, and it's a winner, too. I also like the southern rocker Shine It On. Gregg Allman sings the optimistic Dickey Betts/Warren Haynes lyrics.
   
   I've had my troubles
   I know you've had your troubles, too
   Sometimes when you need a little sunshine
   It keeps raining down on you
   But I'm not gonna let it get me down
   Keep on pullin', things are gonna come around
   Shine It On
   
   The Allman Brothers Band really got back to form with Seven Turns and started what would become their new beginning. It's a good album, one that long-time fans will remember as the rebirth of the ABB. While not quite as good as any of the "Duane Era" albums, it's as close as they had come in a long time. And that's really saying something.



2. The Allman Brothers Band reunited in 1989 to tour and the following year they went into the studio to record this comeback CD. A very welcome return that delights Peachheads! Higlights include Dickey Betts great title track, "Gamblers Roll", "Good Clean Fun",the instrumental "True Gravity", "Loaded Dice" and "It Ain't over yet".
   This CD staked the band's claim to fans both old and new that they are still a major band. The great part is they are still staking that claim all these years later!



3. The Allmans are back. Okay, so they've been "back" for the past 16, 17 years. But what a way to begin the second phase of your career after being broken up for a decade (and losing Duane Allman - that's "God" to you). But yeah, Warren's the best guitarist to pass through the group since Duane. Okay, Dickey's a good guitarist, but he's COMPLETELY outclassed by Warren, as he was outclassed by Duane.
   I think Seven Turns could've used a bit of editing, maybe - the title track is boring, overlong and limp, while Shine it On has all the emotional sincerity of a greeting card (for a sharp contrast, Where It All Begin's Soulshine). Still, more than enough of this is great - the obligatory long instrumental True Gravity is really, really cool; Gambler's Roll sounds like a bluesier Hendrix, and It Ain't Over Yet (Perhaps called so to show the reunion was no fluke?) is a funky blues. Good Clean Fun is just that, and Low Down Dirty Mean is vintage Allmans. This isn't a departure from the group's fusion of rock, blues, R&B and tinges of jazz, Latin and country, but I could care less. They've still got it, man, even to this day... check out their latest release, Hittin' the Note, which is just as good if not better. No, these aren't the Allmans of Eat a Peach and such but they've certainly aged well.



4. This is one of the Allman Brothers Band's best albums. After Brothers and Sisters, the Allmans released the uneven Win, Lose, or Draw, then they broke up. They reunited in 1979, put out the good Enlightened Rogues, but then put out the two worst albums of their career (Reach for the Sky and Brothers of the Road). They disbanded again. When Seven Turns came about, it was more than just a reunion album. The band had found itself again, and they came back with a powerful and moving album. The addition of Warren Haynes was a godsend, as he is the best guitarist they've had since Duane passed away all those years ago. The album has many great songs, like Good Clean Fun, Gambler's Roll, and the exquisite title track. This album was no fluke either. The Allmans went onto make 2 more great albums with this lineup, Shades of Two Worlds and Where It All Begins, and the subsequent tours were excellent, winning over tons of new fans (I saw them on this tour, and they were incredible). Great stuff...



5. The Allman Brothers Band released their comeback album, Seven Turns, in 1990. The band was riding a wave of momentum as old fans were reminded of the band's powers with the release of their 4-CD box set retrospective, Dreams. In addition, a new whole audience discovered the band's greatness on their 1989 tour. Original members Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks, and Jaimoe were joined by guitarist Warren Haynes, keyboardist Johnny Neel, and bassist Allen Woody. The inclusion of both Haynes and Neel indicate an attempt to not only recreate the magic of the two-guitar lineup of Betts and Duane Allman but to also relive their popular Brothers and Sisters album in which Chuck Leavell's piano added another weapon to the band's impressive arsenal. The infusion of new blood is very apparent as the performances on Seven Turns show a classic band regaining their hunger. Allman certainly was feeling the vibe as his vocals on this album are arguably the best of his career. Whether it's on the smoking rocker "Good Clean Fun" or on the bluesy tracks "Low Down Dirty Mean" and "Gambler's Roll", Allman sounds reborn. "Let Me Ride" is a cool country rocker from Dickey Betts while "Shine It On" is a driving slice of southern rock. "True Gravity" is another strong jazz inflicted instrumental to add to their collection and is highlighted by Neel's impressive piano solo. The title track is a modern classic in the country rock vein with a memorable chorus and some cool slide guitar during the outro. The remaining tracks "It Ain't Over Yet" and "Loaded Dice" are also very good. All told, while Seven Turns is not on par with their best work, it's a very strong comeback and easily their best album since Brothers and Sisters.

5 comments about Little Feat.

1. The Little Feat CD arrived in amazing time and
   was in perfect condition. Enjoying the music.



2. Little Feat's self-titled debut album is great, with an incredibly twisted sense of humor. However, if you buy it, don't expect the polished sound of the follow-ups SAILIN' SHOES and DIXIE CHICKEN, and certainly not FEATS DON'T FAIL ME NOW. This is raw, unvarnished, country-blues-rock. In fact, it's so raw as to be underdone at times. However, if you listen enough times, it will eventually grow on you. This is a CD which any Little Feat fan should own.



3. the first step on the road to lowell george perfection (dixie chicken, anyone?) this first feat's album was rough and unrefined and just what it took to blow the socks off a little 16 year old boy who grew up on the beatles. the ground work was laid for the classic feat sound- a little country, a little blues and funk with just a taste of zappa weirdness thrown in (lowell was previously in the mother's with bassist roy estrada). these guys were my favorite band through their first 4 or 5 albums and they still sound fine now that i'm old and grizzled at 53. lowell left us much too soon and is sorely missed.



4. Little Feat's classic debut album for Warner Brothers has been lovingly remastered by Shawn Britton (who has done two other recent terrific MoFi releases Linda Ronstandt's "Don't Cry Now" and The Allman Brothers Band's "Idlewind South"). This classic mix of humor, blues-rock (which features Ry Cooder as a guest guitarist on two tracks)sounds terrific. The original album art has been duplicated. There's also an appreciation by Russ Titleman (who met Lowell George in a class to learn how to play sitar during the Summer of Love)as well as the lyrics to all the songs on the album.
   
   If you got into the band with later albums you should be aware that Little Feat's first album (an overlooked masterpiece, while it has the seeds of their later great albums, is probably the least like albums such as their classic live set "Waiting for Columbus" compared to later work. It has a much rougher blues edge to the overall sound but it's still a delight.
   
   This is only available as a limited, numbered edition (don't know how many are being produced however). I'd highly recommend Little Feat's debut. Keep up the great work Shawn!
   
   Also recommended:
   Waiting for Columbus
   Sailin' Shoes
   Feats Don't Fail Me Now



5. Little Feat released their self-titled debut in 1971. With its heavy emphasis on the blues along with splashes of country and spiritual music, the album boasts a different sound than the funky, New Orleans-based sound that they are now identified with. Lowell George's slide guitar and harmonica was more prevalent here and Bill Payne's piano work played a larger role than on their later albums. In a sense, the band was similar to long standing bands like Rush, Judas Priest, and Steely Dan in the fact that their first album sounded quite different from their future releases. However, unlike those bands, Little Feat's debut has become a forgotten gem. Even the band rarely acknowledges this album in their live shows as they only perform "Forty Four Blues" from this release and that's not very often.
   
   But don't let that discourage you from checking this out as every track here is very good. Tracks like the melancholy "Truck Stop Girl", the beautiful "Brides of Jesus", and the story songs "Crazy Captain Gumboat Willie" and "Strawberry Flats" are all top notch while the country sounding "I've Been The One", the ballad "Takin' My Time", and the bluesy "Crack In Your Door" are also very good. The version of their classic "Willin'", is very good and very different than the more popular version on Sailin' Shoes as George sings the vocal faster while the arrangement is straight country. Other strong tracks include the rollicking tracks "Hamburger Midnight" and "Snakes on Everything" and the old-time blues of "Forty-Four Blues/How Many More Years." All told, this is easily one of their best albums and I would rank this is as their third best studio album, behind Sailin' Shoes and Dixie Chicken respectively. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Now That's What I Call Music! 15.

1. Another day, another 'Now!'...and 'Now! 15' sports some decent tracks here, starting with No Doubt's 'It's My Life' which isn't my favorite No Doubt song, not by a long shot, but it's No Doubt and they rarly put out anything you need to avoid. Next up on the plate is 'Toxic' by Britney and I don't really need to say anything more than, whether you love or hate her, 'Toxic' is one of the most infectious songs I've ever heard. I haven't met one person who doesn't like this song. Sarah Connor gives us 'Bounce' which was kind of a sleeper. I mean, I had heard the song a bunch of times but never knew who sang it, and sadly I didn't care to find out. Not that it's a bad song, just not that memerable. Jessica Simpson also shows her face here with one of the most annoying songs ever...'With You'...I don't know I just hate her.
   
   Beyonce also fails to deliver, for 'Me, Myself & I' was one of the only songs off 'Dangerously In Love' that I hated. It kind of floors me that they included Eamon's track, even though it was such a huge hit. It's just one of those songs I think totally loses everything with half the words taken out.
   
   For the most part the rap here is strong...Luda delivering on 'Stand Up' and he also lends his talents to Chingy's 'Holidae In' but it's Westside Connections 'Gangsta Nation' featuring Nate Dogg that takes the crown as best track on the album. It's smooth vocals and tight beats make it a gem amoungst the rest. Nick Cannon and Baby Bash serve up mediocre tracks here, Nick Cannon still outshining Baby Bash (I can't stand this guy), and Black Eyed Peas pull off one of their best tracks ever. 'Shut Up' is perfect.
   
   Sheryl Crow is good if not overplayed BIG time, but it's still a good song. Norah Jones failed to impress me with 'Sunrise' but that's just my opinion....I never really cared to listen to it. Fe Fe Dobson also loses my interest.
   
   The rock set is good, Three Days Grace delivering the best rock song here...LOVE THAT SONG!!! Never really cared for Blink's 'Feelin' This' but Good Charlotte and Fuel deliver good ballad type rock sets, and Five for Fighting give us '100 Years' which is still one of my favorite songs. All in all this is a nice addition to the 'Now!' family and is sure to entertain most people.



2. Not the best Now album but not the worst either. It has 4 awesome songs that make the whole album worthwhile: "It's My Life", "Toxic", "With You", and "Sunrise." I would buy it just for those 4 songs.



3. GOOD SONGS
   ___________
   
   It's My Life
   First Cut Is The Deepest
   I Hate Everything About You
   Falls On Me
   100 Years
   
   ...and that's about it...I guess Beyonce is okay, but I like her better in DC.
   
   UPDATE - 8/3/05: I should also comment that Jhonny Mendez's prediction list for Now 20 is flawless.
   
   1)Beyonce`s Child-Nothin` no more
   2)Britney Spears-My LAST song
   3)N` Sync-Retarted as ever
   4)Natalie Albino-Yes, I splited from nina sky,for the 76th time.
   5)Madonna-American Life pt 2
   6)Snoop Dogg-Strip Down
   7)Hilary Duff-I followed the same steps as Britney Spears and now im a hoe.
   8)Jojo-Im not famous anynore
   9)Bjork-Thonin ahi yah tahdo sas
   10)Ashanti-Oops!I did it over again.



4. I really like Now 15, especially since Eamon is on it.
   
   1. It's My Life - No Doubt: C. It gets too old.
   2. Toxic - Britney Spears: B. I like the groove in it. It could be better.
   3. Stand Up - Ludacris: B+. I like this song.
   4. Holidae Inn - Chingy: C. Right Thurr is a lot better.
   5. Gangsta Nation - Westside Connection: A+ I love this jam. I like it when they say "party like Beyonce, face like Andre.".
   6. Bounce - Sarah Connor: D+. I don't like it. She's trying too hard.
   7. Shut Up - Black Eyed Peas: C. It's ok, I guess.
   8. Gigolo - Nick Cannon: F. No comment.
   9. Me, Myself, and I - Beyonce: A+. I love this song! At first I thought it was okay, now I love it.
   10. Shorty Doowop - Baby Bash: B+. Good, but his voice isn't full.
   11. I Don't Want You Back - Eamon: A+. I LOVE THIS SONG! I LOVE EAMON! HE IS SO GOOD!
   12. With You - Jessica Simpson: B+. Good, but it gets boring sometimes.
   13. Sunrise - Norah Jones: F. Way too slow.
   14. First cut is the deepest-Sheryl Crow: A-. I like this song, and it never gets old for some reason.
   15. Everything - Fefe Dobson: B. Great song, but too generic.
   16. I Hate Everything About You - Three Days Grace: D+. Bland.
   17. Feeling This - Blink-182: D. One of their bad songs.
   18. Hold On - Good Charlotte: B-. It's good, but his voice sounds g@y.
   19. Falls On Me - Fuel: B. It's pretty good, but needs better lyrics. Definitely.
   20. 100 Years - 5 For Fighting: B+. I don't like it that much, but it's good at an end of a CD.
   
   Overall, I gave it 4 stars. I upped the rating because it has Eamon, otherwise I'd probably rate it 3 stars.
   
   LAST WORD: Buy it if you liked pop music from late 2003 and early 2004.



5. This CD is good. This is what I think about each song:
   
   1. It's my life-No doubt: B+. Like the song, and my parents also, since there is an original version that is at least 20 years old. Gwen Stefani had a nice-sounding, less screechy voice, but she sounds kind of like she is crying.
   2. Toxic-Britney Spears: C+. I like it a little bit. I used to hate it when it came out, but after hearing it for the 50th time this summer, I decided "It's okay, but if I have to hear it a thousand times, I go crazy." It is one of my 9-year-old sister's top favorite songs. Britney does not show very much talent when singing this song, but when you hear it in the morning and don't play any other songs, you have it stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
   3. Stand up-Ludacris: D+. I like rap sometimes, but not like that.
   4. Holiday in-Chingy: I hate it. Weird-sounding.
   5. Gangsta nation-Westside connection: Weird-sounding, don't really know it.
   6. Bounce-Sarah Connor: B-. Good song, but again, weird-sounding.
   7. Shut up-Black-eyed peas: C. It's okay, but don't make me listen to it a thousand times.
   8. Gigolo-Nick Cannon: I hate it. I can already tell that it's too rappy for me.
   9. Me, myself, and I-Beyonce: C+. It's okay.
   10. Shortly doowop-Baby bash: Don't really know it.
   11. I don't want you back-Eamon: B-. I like it, but his voice is really high.
   12. With you-Jessica Simpson: A. Very romantic sounding. It sounds like she's singing about paradise.
   13. Sunrise-Norah Jones:C-
   14. First cut is the deepest-Sheryl Crow: C+. Too hokey for me.
   15. Everything-Fefe Dobson: A-. Like the song. She sings nicely.
   16. Everything about you-3 days grace: C. It's okay.
   17. Feeling this-Blink 182: Don't know enough of Blink 182's music.
   18. Hold on-Good Charlotte: Don't really like them. Skip it.
   19. Falls on me-Fuel: Don't really know it.
   20. 100 years-5 for fighting: C-. Don't like it. You can't get away from it. It's in every store you walk into. You can play it once, but not a lot.

5 comments about Live...With a Little Help from Our Friends.

1. Being familiar with GM for some years as I was, imagine my delight, as I shipped my daddy's ashes up north (final road trip for the old man in the Lincoln) after making a stop at Nervous Charlies just north of... uh is it Nashville or Memphis, one of them places. Fahrworks, as we like to say in southern Ohia. Daddio was on the dash, and Afro Blue with C. Leavell came on the radio station. I tell you what, we had the perfect road music. Don't tell me the old man wasn't appreciatin...
   
   We were driving north between Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, did a very nice dodge while on the Gulf...I just didn't trust the ashes to be mailed so I waited until the last minute to get out of dodge...now, I ask you, is there a God? Yup, at least in my final party book. CYA



2. I am not a big Gov't Mule fan. The endless guitar solo can get boring. I bought this becasue it is suppsoed to have a reputation as a superb live cd.
   
   When I first listened to this, it did nothing for me. The interesting cover songs of "30 days in a hole", "war pigs" and "Cortez the Killer" were pretty lame versions, far worse then the originals.
   
   Befroe I gave up on the cd, I decided to just play the cd from start to finish rather then aiming for particular songs. That is hwne the cd came alive and I saw the light!
   
   The best sonsg are the extended jams, songs with organ, horns and a groove. THis stuff can definitely grow on you in a hypnotic way.
   
   I now enjoy this cd for what it is, great musicians interplaying with each other. The music is far better than the songs. This is like mood music rather than focusing on one songs.
   
   The best song is "Mule" which starts out rocking but then goes into a tight groove. "Soulshine" is good (but the shorter studio version is better). "Afro Blue" and "Mr. Big" are also jamming standouts.
   
   I am sure seeing them live, with the extended jams, will add to my appreciate for the band. This is the stereotypical jam band.



3. I know my title is a bit confusing, but it's still a true statement. While this album is excellent, this two cd set doesn't even begin to showcase the awesome show Gov't Mule put on that night. Luckily there is a 4 disc box set of the entire concert that was released some time after this initial release. The box set is double the price of this album, but the content is way more than double in size on the box set.



4. I got turned on to Gov't Mule late in the act, but thank God I did. They are a great group of muscians who obviously enjoy playing together.It is too bad that they lost their great bass player shortly after this CD. This CD repressents a taste of how this band performs live. If you want to hear more pick up the 4 CD set of this same concert. However, the set list on this 2 CD set is excellent. It has a number of great covers including: Black Sabbaths "War Pigs" ( can't help but think of Rumsfield and the situation in N. Korea/Iraq these days), Humble Pie's "30 Days in the Hole" with a tease of "I don't need no doctor" at the end, and a Great version of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer". That being said the two tunes that impressed me the most were Dave Mason's "Sad and Deep as You" and Coltranes "Afro-Blue". Just stellar playing throughout. If you like instrumental interplay and long laid out jams this CD is a must. Also some of the other reviewers mentioned the talking in-between songs on the 4 CD set, you won't find that on this set.If you can't afford the 4 CD set this is a excellent way to ease the pain untill that time.



5. I recently saw a Gov't Mule show and it was fantastic. They closed off the encores with Rockin' in the Free World, and it was an unreal ending to a concert which kept me through the roof the whole way through. This album actually does a very effective job, in my opinion, of capturing the live power of the band. Though no live album has or will ever come close to The Brothers at Fillmore East, this may come as close as any.

   And as for when Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks (who is actually Butch's nephew, not son) play together, I also saw the Allman Brothers this summer, with these two and w/out the kicked out Dickey Betts, and it was probably the best I've ever seen. I don't think its unfair to say that Derek Trucks could be a next Duane Allman, and he and Warren dualing to old Allman Brothers blues classics helped me to truly glimpse what it might've been like in the heyday of TABB. If you are a fan of this type of live musical intensity, this album is a can't miss.

5 comments about Endangered Species.

1. I think this is the best effort I've heard from this band since the terrible crash. It has that "living room" feel to it, very cool. Ed King is here as is Billy Powell on piano....If you're looking for a Skynyrd CD from the "New" band...Look no further.



2. To say that this is the best studio album by the Johnny van Zant-led latter-day version of Lynyrd Skynyrd is perhaps a bit "duh"...most of these songs are from the 70s repertoire, after all, and the reformed band have never truly been able to match albums like "Pronounced" or "Second Helping".
   But it is, even if the recent "Vicious Cycle" comes in a close second. Johnny van Zant, Ed King, Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Leon WIlkeson and Owen Hale perform crisp and melodic versions of songs like "Down South Jukin'", "Things Goin' On", "Poison Whiskey", and "I Ain't The One" which manage to be both tight and mellow at the same time.
   
   Skynyrd's cover of "Heartbreak Hotel" is flat and uninteresting, but most of these songs take very well to the acoustic treatment. Only really good songs work in such a bare-bones arrangement, and apparently Ronnie van Zant and co. wrote really songs. In case you didn't know that.
   A couple of numbers, "Saturday Night Special" in particular, lack a little punch, and some more piano would have been very welcome, but it's very hard to complain about this gently swinging "Sweet Home Alabama" or the organic, almost folkish "Am I Losin'" with its bright mandolin and dobro fills. Great performance by Johnny van Zant as well, and better, in my opinion, than the original 1975 version. And the latter-day originals "Good Luck, Bad Luck" and "The Last Rebel" are definitely worth a listen as well.
   
   Some listeners may find this album too laid-back, and there is obviously a noticeable lack of electric guitar solos and power chords. Guitar solos in general, actually. But if you enjoy mellow acoustic rock with a pinch of folkish-ness, good melodies, and a generous helping of Ronnie van Zant-material, you really can't go wrong with this one.



3. The songs are great, the singer is awesome, and the lack of amps just makes it all better.



4. Although the new line-up struggles to live up to the original line-up (regardless of member changes), this album is by far one of the greatest sounds to come from Lynyrd Skynyrd. Getting away from the Arena Rock style of Southern Rock they play so well, this album removes the loud and inserts the calm. The all acoustic album recreates some of the better songs released by the original Lynyrd Skynyrd and brings forth a few new ones as well. Songs like "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Saturday Night Special" sound better arena style, but "Things Goin' On" and "Am I Losin'" sound so much sweeter acoustic. A definite must for true Lynyrd Skynyrd fans, and a recommended album for those interested in what the new line-up has to offer.



5. Released in 1994, Endangered Species is Lynyrd Skynyrd's response to the "unplugged" phenomenon, featuring all acoustic instruments. Typically, Skynyrd delivers the goods, and this is a great disc!! While it has a couple of their hits ("Sweet Home Alabama", "Saturday Night Special" & "I Ain't The One"), it also has a strong collection of lesser known songs ("Down South Jukin", "Things Goin' On", "Am I Losin'", "Poison Whiskey"), as well as "The Last Rebel", from the post-crash version of the band. All of these are great, especially Sweet Home Alabama. The acoustic versions have a wonderful "laid back" feel, like your hanging out while the guys jam. The guitar playing is predictably strong, there's some great slide guitar or dobro on a couple of songs.

   The best part, though, is the 5 new songs. "Devil In The Bottle", is worth the price of the CD, up there among my favorite Skynyrd songs. "All I have is a Song", "Good Luck, Bad Luck" and "Hillbilly Blues" are all top-notch. There's also a cover of "Heatbreak Hotel", with a bluesy feel.

   From a personel standpoint, there's 4 of the original members: guitarists Gary Rossington and Ed King, bassist Leon Wilkerson, and, of course, Billy Powell on the piano. Johnny Van Zant continues to fill brother Ronnie's shoes as vocalist, as he has on all of the post-crash Skynyrd efforts. Also on guitar is Mike Estes, and Owen Hale plays drums.

   This disc is a must-have for any Skynyrd fan!!

5 comments about Green River (20 Bit Mastering).

1. The first really great CCR album, even though Cosmo's Factory still has it beat. But man, this is a hell of an album. It also seems like the group drank a can of "instant maturity!" after the half-psychedelic debut and the weeeeeeird ramblin's of Bayou Country. The title track is the authority in "swamp-pop", with the deep in the Bayou guitars, church basement revival rhythm, and especially Fogerty's vocals, which just about define swampy. And did you know that he was born in California, which is about as "country" as Chevy Chase, Maryland, the city with the most obnoxious people in America? Oh, right, you did. Anyway, "Commotion" is a bitter criticism of the state of the world circa 1969, and it's a solid percolating blues-rocker; "Bad Moon Rising" is a bouncy boogie-rocker with apocalyptic lyrics and a fun barroom piano part (You have not lived until you've heard Fogerty intoning "Hope you're quite prepared to die!" while the group goes all happy blues dance track; "Lodi" is all-out catharsis with arguably Fogerty's best vocal ever. And that's just what you'll find on Chronicle - there are five other tracks here. Two of them are amongst my CCR favorites - "Wrote a Song for Everyone" is an amazingly resonant, beautifully poetic, slightly lengthy ballad that may be Fogerty's masterpiece; and "Tombstone Shadow" is tough, frightening blues-rock. The other three songs range from decent to forgettable, though, which is kind of sad since this really had a lot of potential. I have nothing against "Cross-Tie Walker" per se, but it's pretty far from prime Creedence; "Sinister Purpose" is a weak "evil" boogie song; and "Night Time is the Right Time" is probably the weakest Creedence song not found on Mardi Gras. Ray Charles' hit version rules, and it's annoying to see it remade as a standard-issue CCR blues-rocker - even more irritating is the harmony track, which is out-of-character and humiliating all at once. So it's two songs at the end marring this from being a classic like Cosmo's.



2. I'm still buzzing after having seen Mr. Fogerty's performance at the Beacon Theater in NYC just a day or so ago. He still has the chops, still has the fire. He performed a number or three from this album and all was well with the world.
   
   If you want a genuine rock 'n' roll album then look not further. Guitars, bass, drums. That's it. That's all you need. The roots. Think you can handle it?
   
   I've owned Green River in one form or another since it came out back in '69 and I'll carry it around till that tombstone casts its shadow on me.
   
   Ya'll ought to check it out.



3. Creeedence Clearwater Revival produced 4 outstanding albums. Their best, from my personal perspective, was 'Bayou Country', released early in 1969. 'Green River' is their third best, released in the midst of the Woodstock Festival in August of 1969. Amazingly, before the curtain set on 1969, the band produced 'Willy and the Poor Boys', their fourth best effort. In 1970 'Cosmo's Factory', the album many would claim to be their greatest, but which I would place number two, hit the shelves.

   There are two classics offered on 'Green River', the nostalgic title track which hit number two on the national charts, and the ominous yet vibrant 'Bad Moon Rising', which also ascended to number two several months before the 'Green River' disc was released. Two other songs from 'Green River' were promoted as singles, the frentic 'Commotion' (with lyrics even more applicable to today than the late 1960's) which hit number 30, and 'Lodi', a curious laid-back favorite among many of CCR's loyalists, which rose to number 52. 'Green River' and 'Commotion' open the disc in what might be one of the best "one-two punches" ever to open a side of an album, and on the original vinyl, side two opened with 'Bad Moon Rising' and 'Lodi', a sterling complement to side one's intro.

   The remaining 5 songs, while not Top-40 material, round out what had become a typical mix for Creedence albums. Creedence is a great cover band, and their rendition of Ray Charles' 'The Night Time Is the Right Time', while not their best cover, is intense and inspired as the album's closer. 'Tombstone Shadow' and 'Sinister Purpose' are the purest blues-rock numbers offered, while 'Wrote a Song For Everyone', lamenting the failure of the wordsmith to communicate with the woman he loves, sounds more like a traditonal country ballad. 'Cross-Tie Walker' effectively plays up the swamp-rock sound parlayed on Creedence hits such as 'Green River' and 'Bad Moon Rising', but with a less catchy melody, yet interesting lyrics.

   John Fogerty and his bandmates had the capacity to sing songs that dealt with difficult and desperate themes, yet still maintain a postive, inviting, "down-home" atmosphere. As with 'Bayou Country', 'Green River' is brief in length, but lacking Fogarty's extended guitar solo's that appeal to many CCR fans, and alienate others. While 'Bayou Country' felt underground and radical, 'Greeen River' feels commercial.

   My version of this disc is "mastered in analog utilizing the 20-bit K2 Super Coding System" developed by JVC. I don't know what all that means, but I can tell you this: the sound is exceptional, and I personally will make every effort to obtain recordings using this technology in the future. The jewel case is enveloped in a decorative cardboard sleeve, and the superfluous liner notes make the consumer's desire for a lyrics sheet even more compelling.




4. It remains on my mind that rainy evening when I listenes for first time that album. Those days on the vinyl sound and the experience was worthy. I had that feeling that I was in presence of one of the honest and expressive album in that momet and believe me. 1969 was a huge year. Cream, The doors, Steppenwolf, Traffic, Jimmy Hendrix, The who were bands beyond the standard. Something inside me told me that Green river, Conmotion, Bad moon , Lodi Write a song for everyone were songs made with the inspired touch of the genius. It's not a mere casuality that Win Weneders used this album in one of his trilogy road movie "Wrong movement". Because the whole work sounds so fresh like a summer breeze and a meeting among great friends. May be you find Born on the payou the most genial song of CCR ,or the amazing version of Suzie Q or even his eternal Proud Mary . All of them even establish one step ahead in the long trip of this quartet. I have them all (in LP and CD) , but there is something you'll never find in the other two. And I think it's the deep unity, the cohesion expresiveness that seems exist in all the songs as a set. In fact , you listen the music and constitutes a delightful trip. This album contains like no one else the essential nervous that always surrounded that band in the last sixties.
   Forever Credence.



5. GREEN RIVER is the start of the 'classic albums' run for Creedence Clearwater Revival. For me, BAYOU COUNTRY and CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL hold too much filler to be truly classic. Not only do you have hits represented here, you've got enough swamp rock to fill up the Lousiana Bayou! John Fogerty and co reign supreme in late sixties/early seventies rock . . . sit back,relax, and let GREEN RIVER back up my claim!

   GREEN RIVER - An instantly recognisable guitar riff starts us on our musical journey. Written from memories of early childhood vacations and a soda pop bottle label, John Fogerty invites us to a place where things are much simpler and relaxed. The guitar work by John and Tom Fogerty is both basic and spellbinding at the same time; a great example of country rock. It's great we have places like Green River to go to, because just around the corner . . .

   COMMOTION - Fast paced rocker describing how we run ourselves into the ground trying to compete in the rat race; not getting anything out of it at all. John's harpwork matches the frantic pace of the song.

   TOMBSTONE SHADOW - Amusing tale of an visit to a pessimistic fortune teller. Fogerty's lead work rings like a bell and darts in and out of the backup provided by Tom Fogerty, Doug 'Cosmo' Clifford and Stu Cook.

   WROTE A SONG FOR EVEYONE - Song about the inabilty to comunicate
   and working things out for ourselves. Contains some poignant digs at the Vietnam war and shady politicians.

   BAD MOON RISING - Another attack on the Vietnam Crisis, with John
   playing prophet of doom over a bouncy beat. Did you know for years some people thought Fogerty sang, "There's a bathroom on the right"! He even jokingly sings it when he performs this classic live nowadays!

   LODI - Here's a classic country rock song dedicated to all those bands forced to play in dives for lousy audiences and even lousier pay. Creedence paid their dues big time before hitting it big in 1969; playing many gigs like Lodi's over and over again
   .

   CROSS TIE WALKER - A murky swamp swinger that fits to choogle your brains out to.

   SINISTER PURPOSE - This guitar rock track has something evil crawling up on you. Fogerty's axework is howling and spooky and his voice is double tracked for maximum effect. best played on a
   cloudy night with a hazy moon.

   NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME - Vintage blues rocker is a spectacular way to end off a short, but great release by the swamp rock kings from California. Love the call and response vocals throughout the song.

5 comments about Space Wrangler.

1. I recently crushed my foot(broken in several places) and have been recooperating with the help of W.P. Although I have been heavily medicated most of the time this is still some of the greatest music I have ever heard. I've been a Widespread fan for a while, but until recently I have only owned 3 of their CD's. In the last month I've purchased every CD they have. They just get better and better. I can't wait til I break something else!



2. This album was originally sold as cassette tapes at concerts. It finally came out as a CD around the same time as the second CD in 1991. Two bonus tracks were added to the CD. It is now 64 minutes long.
   
   The sound quality on this CD is very good. It is hard to believe that this was originally a low budget, independent recording.
   
   This is just a fantastic collection of hard driving, Southern rock songs. It is hard to describe and is not like other southern rock music.
   
   The band plays with remarkable maturity and confidence. They establish a new sound and proudly play it.
   
   This CD, and their second CD (simply called Widespread Panic) are both jaw-dropping, fantastic albums. On both CD's the band is a quartet that has a complex, but stripped down sound. It is the perfect sound for their hard driving style and songwriting.
   
   After this album, the band would add a permanent percussionist and keyboardist. While they may be necessary for a live show, these additions really hurt the band on their studio albums. None of the following studio albums would even come close to the greatest of the first two albums.



3. This is by far my favorite WSP album. The only song I don't really care for is "Contentment Blues".
   
   The additions to the album "Me And The Devil Blues/ Heaven" is a great addition. They're one of the best tracks on the album.
   
   If you've heard Widespread Panic and like what you've heard so far you need to get this album.



4. I am a big fan of rootsy, acoustic rock with some jam band style, but not too much jam band style. This album is a fantastic treat that consistently delivers great music, song after song. If you enjoy this album and are looking for some similar albums then I recommend the following:
   1) Beneath These Fireworks by Matt Nathanson
   2) Good To Be Here by Ernest Goodlife Band
   3) 1972 by Josh Rouse



5. Space Wrangler is easily one of the best studio album from a jam band, ever. How this has gone under the radar for so long is beyond me. I borrowed this sucker and went out and bought a copy immediately. Space Wrangler is an album you'll want for summer nights. It has splashes of blues, jam, rock, and these really cool guitar and bass parts that are a trademark of Widespread Panic. There is a ton of variety in the songs too. Songs like Coconut remind me of Jack Johnson, although a bit jammier, and Porch Song remains one of my favorite songs ever. The song lengths are nice and average, which makes sense as this is a studio album.
   
   
   The live renditions of these songs are good too, so check out some of the band's earlier live albums

No comments about Graffiti the World.

5 comments about Highway Call.

1. This is a glorious fusion of country, rock, bluegrass, swing, jazz, and everything in between -- done by a bunch of master musicians, smiling and groovin' as they make themselves and everyone around them feel good.
   
   It is a mystery why this record is little-known and unheralded -- Dickie's fluid, sophisticated guitar runs are sublime, the bass is rollicking and in the pocket, the piano superior -- and it is wrapped by fiddles, background singers, and -- occasionally -- good time rock 'n roll.
   
   You cannot go wrong with this one, whether you are an ABB fan or not.



2. Stellar playing from veterans Vassar Clemens (fiddle) and John Hughey (steel guitar) make this country outing for Dickie Betts a keeper.
   
   The 14 minute Hand Picked is worth the price of the cd alone.



3. This was well thought out, you will like it.



4. This is the album that bridged the boundaries between country, rock, blue-grass and jazz in the most perfectly realized way possible. In the final analysis, it's the special vibe of this album that sets it apart from other blue-grass/rock fusion albums. What Betts and gang seem to be wordlessly communicating as a subtext to all the music is a bond between different generations of musicians from the South that's created solely from their dedication to being free spirits no matter what different paths they might have taken to get there. This is not just a foot-stomping backwoods party album. There's a completely laid-back lack of rigidity, a beautiful melodicism and deep romanticism that could only come from Betts' leadership and the hippie legacy he brings from the Allman Brothers Band. There's philosophy and deep meditation behind this music that communicates very intensely even if it was only 'the spirit of the times' that was subconsciously affecting the proceedings.
   
   The remastered album sounds fantastic. I played this one back to back with Greg Allman's classic "Laid Back" (remastered by the same people and released at the same time as the "Highway Call" remaster here) and the recording quality and production and the way the remastering brings it out on both just blew me away. I wonder if the musicians heard themselves sound so good on the studio playback monitors back then! If you want to be even more impressed, put some mikro-smooth polish from mapleshade audio products on the CD to eliminate laser jitter and you will be knocked out of your seat at how great the tones created by these master musicians 33 years ago sound today.



5. Highway Call is the album that set the table for generations of songwriters and players. Dickey took six songs and set them up with electric and acoustic instruments so the balance was a little on the country/bluegrass side. This album doesn't need a review. Dickey heard The Band and figured he knew what was up. Just listen to it and see how so many other albums found their sound. Within three years the balance swung a little back to rock, and then the whole country was into it. Every song on this album cooks. Vassar Clemmons comes into the light. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was listening. No one ever heard this album, but every one knows it.