1 comments about Folkways: The Original Vision.

1. This is yet another amazing time capsule of classic folk recordings put out by the Smithsonian Folkway label. Instead of focusing on many artists singles from the 1940's, this compilation is dedicated to two well respected and influential performers of the day, Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly.
   The songs range from being light hearted stories about failed goose killings to oppression drenched verses on racism. All sung with the optimism and pain that the open lands of the US offered.
   With 26 tracks you might find an uninteresting track yet they all offer a unique view into the "grapes of wrath" era in which folk music was deeply established into the working class of the south and west thus making each track worth your time. After listening to only a few songs you are able to clearly see where the popular folk artists of the late 50's and 60's found their influences.
   This compilation came about after the "Folkways:A Vision Shared" compilation was released in 1988. It focused on songs from the two musicians presented on this release but sung by contemporary musicians of the day. A desire to release the artists original recordings arose and this was the product of that vision. With a comprehensive 28 page booklet this album seems to be a worthy addition to any collection.
   
   I admit that I do not know much classic folk to truly critizise the overall importance of this release. Never the less I feel this to be a timeless collection of songs from an age long since past.

3 comments about Complete Capitol/Black & White Recordings.

1. ...this is essential stuff.
   some of the finest electric blues ever from the father of
   electric blues guitar...



2. this collection is superb.... i alway like to hear out-takes as well as the chosen selection... just to see the different styles... great versions of stormy monday... long skirt baby blues is becoming on of my favorites... 3 discs with 70+ minutes for each disc.. what a deal... too bad there is limited numbers...



3. Too bad it's not available anymore because this is incredible stuff. Some of the finest blues ever recorded. T-Bone was the man.

4 comments about Off Yonder Wall.

1. This is an absolute must have CD. There are no other blues artists out there as unique and as traditional as Jack Johnson, Frank Frost and Sam Carr. The combination is unforgettable! This music is something you will never hear from anyone else, and this CD is the best of the lot from those 3 artists. No soul-less virtuosity or over produced synthesis here. Just down to earth Mississippi Blues driving right at you!



2. This is one of my all-time favorite blues albums (and that's saying a lot). This is the kind of music I put on at the end of a long day at work when I'm tired and cynical but I want to MOVE 'cause I need to get stuff done. The King's music will move you in more ways than one-- everything in the music is infused with rhythm and SOUL. When I try to describe the music, words won't suffice. Listen to it and be awed -- by Big Jack's singing and guitar playing, by Sam Carr's drumming -- etc etc.



3. The first time I heard the Jelly Roll Kings was in Memphis live. I knew right away I had to take some home with me. OFF YONDER WALL does not disappoint the common man with a bent for the real BLUES !



4. This album is gritty, funky and loud. The Jelly Roll Kings are not afraid to get their hands dirty, in fact, they know you've got to spray some dirt around to play the blues right. Lead guitarist and vocalist Big Jack Johnson is creative and quirky on this album. He lets loose falsetto sobs and yodels on two of the tracks and his guitar-work comes in piercing attacks. Frank Frost, who takes one vocal, plays some funky keyboards throughout. Sam Carr's presence is felt on every track as he mans the drums. Many of the tracks that these three pump out are wonderful originals, such as Frank Frost Blues and Fishin' Musicians. And their work with standards like That's Alright (which opens with a fierce progression of amped up guitar notes) and Look Over Yonder Wall is very much done with Jelly Roll Kings stamped all over it. You are not going to get the same old rehashed blues.

   Don't be fooled if some of my descriptions don't sound like the blues albums you envision. This album is possibly the truest to blues tradition that has come out in a long time. This album has the energy and emotion that is the blues' trademark. Off Yonder Wall does not feature some over-produced crooner, with a gaggle of backup singers behind him. Nor is it a musician copying blues originals lick for lick and singing in cheap imitation of the original artist but with half the energy. Yes, you can hear the Kings mumbling, humming and sometimes laughing just below the music. This is not a slick album, but it's got that emotion, that feeling that makes listening to the blues the visceral experience it is. This is something that you can hear. It will come out of your speakers and infect your soul.

2 comments about To Ella.

1. this is a short cd of odetta in concert doing her usual set....if you have her earlier work,this is not needed. I expected a cd of new work related to ella ...it isn't. the concert just happened to take place near when ella died...hence the dedication. This is not a collection of songs made famous by ella and performed by odetta as I thought...very disappointed.



2. Perfect from the first note to the last note she sings. I especially like her selection of songs for the medley that she does. She is such a powerful performer that you feel like you are there at the Kerville Folk Festival back 1996 listening to her. Magnificent.

2 comments about Honeydripper.

1. This is a perfect piano Blues album, featuring the talents of the great Roosevelt Sykes. There is not a weak song on this album. "Yes, Lawd", "Miss Ida B." and "Mislead Mother" are particularly enjoyable. To me, Sykes was better than all the rest; Memphis Slim, Sunnyland Slim, Eddie Boyd, etc. Do yourself a favor and pick this disc up!



2. Fantastic blues. Seminal. Good recording, modern fidelity (a lot of the great classics have poor tonal range.)

2 comments about Cajun Spice.

1. I must totally disagree with Mr. Kline's opinion, not only of this album, but of zydeco music as well. It may not be Bach or Verdi, but it does get your toes tapping. Zydeco, like a good gumbo, is a mixture of many different influences and flavors and so is this album. Everything from slow ballads to swinging dance numbers, this album has it. Nevermind that you can't understand a word being sung, you just can't feel sad when you hear zydeco music. Like the Blues and Jazz it is truly a native form of music indigenous to the US.



2. As a professional music reviewer, I would steer clear of this CD as if were the plague. There are millions upon millions of excellent albums available of all Genres, why waste time with Cajun. This is simply Louisiana swamp muck. If you are not familiar with this type of music, pat yourself on the back and feel lucky, this music is a bad, bad experience for the ears. I cannot stress this enough. This music has no merit and I fear for your taste if you persue the purchase of this stinker. - RC

1 comments about Country Blues Guitar: Rare Archival Recordings 1963-1971.

1. excellent cd for listening to the traditional blues from the 1930's to the modern ears.

2 comments about The Nat King Cole Trio Recordings, Vol. 1.

1. Taken from the MacGregor Studios archives, the intended-for-radio-only transcriptions on JAZZ COLLECTOR EDITION * NAT KING COLE present the earliest professional recordings of the King Cole Trio. Sprinkled throughout this album are some of Cole's first hits. Some tracks include voice-over intros. Audio quality on these sides, as well as performance level is excellent.
   
   PLAYLIST--
   (2:44) Little Joe From Chicago
   (3:05) It's Only A Paper Moon
   (2:02) (What Can I Say) After I Say I'm Sorry?
   (2:32) I Wanna Turn Out My Light
   (2:51) You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love)
   (2:10) If I Had You [instrumental]
   (2:46) Don't Blame Me [instrumental]
   (2:18) Three Little Words [instrumental]
   (2:23) How High the Moon [instrumental]
   (1:55) I Got Rhythm [instrumental]
   (2:38) Sweet Lorraine [instrumental]
   (2:50) Besame Mucho
   (2:45) Please Consider Me
   (2:15) Rhythm Sam
   (2:06) (Back Home Again In) Indiana [instrumental]
   
   TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 37:20



2. I bought this CD many years ago on the Laserlight label. It is quite a time capsule. The recording really sounds like a radio transcription. Having listened to so much Diana Krall in the interim it is interesting to hear the originals of so many songs. If you are a Nat Cole fan and can still get this CD, get it.

2 comments about Slums Of Beverly Hills (1998 Film).

1. Not hard to believe this is out of print. The movie was good, but didn't make much of a splash. It's your typical soundtrack. Some great, some not. The best tracks on this are "I'd Love to Change the World", "Shambala", and "Let Your Love Flow", all recognizable classic rock if you heard them. There's an oldie from "Perry Como" that most people would know too. The rest is ok, or compositions from the film. I'd get this if your a fan of the movie, you like the songs mentioned, and you found it used.



2. What a suprise treat of a show I liked it & now I like the sound Track Fancy that.com

No comments about Virginia Traditions: Western Piedmont Blues.