Australia's Audioscam do Abba PDF Print E-mail
Written by Joe Viglione
Sunday, 05 April 2009 11:58
Reinventing ABBA via the hard-rock road paved by Jimi Hendrix is a novel idea and works better than one would imagine.
Last Updated on Thursday, 16 April 2009 14:24
| Australia's Audioscam do Abba |  |  |  |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Sunday, 05 April 2009 11:58 |
|  | Reinventing ABBA via the hard-rock road paved by Jimi Hendrix is a novel idea and works better than one would imagine. |
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 16 April 2009 14:24 |
| Lunch Special with Vladimir Katz & Hadar Noiberg | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Saturday, 11 July 2009 12:34 |
|  | Review by Robert Barry Francos (originally published in Jersey Beat) It’s not often I get to review something from Israel. HADAR NOIBERG and VLADIMIR KATZ are part of a jazz quartet, who have produced “Lunch Special” (hadarnoiberg.com.com). As the CD begins, it sounds like it’s going the way of avant-garde, but as the music continues (about 1 minute in), what is presented is more freeform (though probably scripted). Excellent material and musicianship throughout the hour-plus presented here. With a pleasant and heavy use of Hadar’s flute followed secondly by Vladimir’s piano, Gon Amir (drums) and Avri Borochov (standup bass) ably keep the rhythm flowing. The one piece with vocals is the haunting “One for Yulia,” which is sung (in Hebrew) by Hadar (it is translated in the liner notes), and one of the few that is heavily klezmer-influenced. This is not a garden party kind of ensemble, but rather a roll up the sleeve and groove, but mostly it is a beautiful collection of material. |
1 Moshowayah Katz 8:30 Composed by: Katz
Performed by: Noiberg, Vladimir Katz,
2 Alone Noiberg 8:56 Composed by: Noiberg
Performed by: Noiberg, Vladimir Katz,
3 Lullabye for Arnie Katz 6:57 Composed by: Katz
Performed by: Noiberg, Vladimir Katz,
4 Upside Down Kind 'O' Life Noiberg 11:22 Composed by: Noiberg
Performed by: Noiberg, Vladimir Katz,
5 One for Yulia Katz 6:40 Composed by: Katz
Performed by: Noiberg, Vladimir Katz,
6 Lo Yadati Noiberg 8:03 Composed by: Noiberg
Performed by: Noiberg, Vladimir Katz,
7 Caravan Ellington, Tizol 9:08 Composed by: Ellington, Tizol
Performed by: Noiberg, Vladimir Katz,
8 Yemen Elleri Traditional, Turk 5:05 Composed by: Traditional, Turk
Performed by: Noiberg, Vladimir Katz,
Order the disc from GEMM.com:
http://www1.gemm.com/item/HADAR--NOIBERG/LUNCH--SPECIAL--WITH--VLADIMIR--KATZ/GML1433472390/
Over sixty-four minutes of music that is housed in a gorgeous package, the piano of Vladimir Katz plays very nicely against the bass of Avri Borochov and drummer Gon Amir. Recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel at Luna Studios in July of 2008 and produced by the vocalist who plays the magnificent flute, Hadar Noiberg. This writer is amazed at how people on the telephone pick up on "what great music" I have playing in the background. "Moshowayah" has intricate accents that combine to create a wonderful mood amidst the cat-and-mouse teasings the players are so good at. The album is a musical adventure that cannot be absorbed in one sitting, and is a pleasure to explore. - Expert Review by Joe Viglione
1.Moshowayah (Vladmir Katz. Arr: the band) 8:31 2.Alone (Hadar Noiberg) 8:56 3.Lullabye For Arnie (Vladimir Katz) 6:58 4.Upside Down Kind 'O' Life (Hadar Noiberg) 11:23 5.One For Yulia (Vladimir Katz) 6:40 6.Lo Yadati (Hadar Noiberg; Lyrics by Hadar) 8:04 7.Caravan (Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington. arr: Vladimir Katz) 8.Yemen Elleri (Turk. traditional) |
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 12 July 2009 15:15 |
| Procol Harum - Critique and Press Release | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Saturday, 23 May 2009 13:01 |
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Expert review by Joe Viglione, Saturday afternoon 4:57 PM May 23, 2009 Heck - when I went to Suffolk University in Boston for film & journalism in 1972 it was easy to score tickets to the Orpheum Theater and up-front seats for West Bruce & Laing, King Crimson with Roger McGuinn as opener, and a splendid show from Procol Harum where they actually performed "Whiter Shade Of Pale" in a time when they had allegedly dropped it from the set. As a long-time P.H. fan with all their early vinyl platters up to Grand Hotel and beyond   OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM CAROL KAYE at KAYOS PROMOTIONS: New York, NY (April 20, 2009)—One of Classic Rock’s most beloved bands, Procol Harum, will have its In Concert With The Danish National Concert Orchestra And Choir released on CD (Eagle Records) and DVD (Eagle Vision) May 26 (pre-book order date May 6).
Procol Harum In Concert With The Danish National Concert Orchestra and Choir is a 21-song DVD (running time: 124 minutes; retail sales price $14.98) which features 15 songs culled from two spectacular nights in August 2006 on the grounds of Denmark’s Ledreborg Castle. The band—pianist/vocalist Gary Brooker, drummer Geoff Dunn, bassist Matt Pegg, organist Josh Phillips and guitarist Geoff Whitehorn—is accompanied throughout by the Danish National Concert Orchestra and Choir. Six more songs (“Bringing Home The Bacon,” “Toujours L’Amour,” “Grand Hotel,” “The Devil Came From Kansas,” “The Idol” and “Butterfly Boys”) from a previously-unreleased 1974 Danish television special serve as a bonus feature.
The CD (retail sales price $13.98) features the following 10 songs: “Grand Hotel,” “Something Magic,” “Homburg,” “Fires (Which Burn Brightly),” “Nothing But The Truth,” “Into The Flood,” “A Salty Dog,” “Sympathy For The Hard Of Hearing,” “A Whiter Shake of Pale” and “Conquistador.” Two of the songs, “Into The Flood” and “Sympathy For The Hard Of Hearing,” have never been released.
Procol Harum is seen as one of the prime progenitors of what ultimately became Progressive Rock or Symphonic Rock. Its 1967 “Whiter Shade Of Pale” has been an FM Radio staple for 42 years. Combining sweeping orchestral flourishes with bluesy minor-key melodic inventions atop mysterioso lyrics that begged different interpretations, the band’s swagger was only exceeded by its virtuoso chops. Brooker started the band in 1967 with non-musician poet Keith Reid, who, like Bernie Taupin with Elton John, plays no instrument nor sings, but has written or co-written every single Procol Harum song that is not a cover since the band’s inception.
DVD Track Listing
1) Grand Hotel
2) Something Magic
3) Butterfly Boys
4) Homburg
5) The VIP Room
6) Fires (Which Burn Brightly)
7) Nothing But The Truth
8) Into The Flood
9) Simple Sister
10) A Salty Dog
11) An Old English Dream
12) Sympathy For The Hard Of Hearing
13) A Whiter Shade Of Pale
14) Whaling Stories
15) Conquistador
Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international media production and distribution company operating across audio visual entertainment programming. Eagle Rock Entertainment works directly alongside talent to produce the highest quality programming output covering film, general entertainment and musical performance. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices based in London, New York, Germany & France.
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 28 May 2009 16:23 |
| ohn Mayall's Fifty-Seventh album T O U G H | | | |
| Written by Official Press Release |
| Thursday, 03 September 2009 08:56 |
| 
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT IS PROUD TO PRESENT
JOHN MAYALL’S TOUGH
New Studio Album By The Blues Master – His 57th To Date
~September 15, 2009~
New York, NY (August 3, 2009)—Over the years, Eagle Rock Entertainment has developed a strong relationship with legendary blues master John Mayall. On September 15, 2009, through their wholly-owned Eagle Records subsidiary, Mayall’s dynamic and masterful new piece of work: Tough (Pre-book order date August 21, MSRP $13.98) will be released.
On this, his self-produced 57th studio album to date, John Mayall once again proves why he is known as “The Godfather of British Blues.” Tough tackles a number of topics, deeply exploring the struggles in human relationships, the pitfalls of temptation, and the difficulties we face in the world’s current state.
However, through the “toughness,” he also touches upon one more prominent theme: the promise of hope. Current, gritty, and strong, these 11 tracks are words of wisdom told from a voice of strength and experience.
Taking on multiple instruments (piano, organ, six and twelve string guitar, and harmonica, along with his signature vocals) Mayall is backed by his touring band–guitar phenomenon Rocky Athas, bassist Greg Rzab, drummer Jay Davenport, and organist/pianist Tom Canning.
76 years young, Mayall has spent 44 years cultivating his brand of blues and has helped launch the careers of some of the greatest contemporary blues musicians, including Eric Clapton, Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, and Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, and Peter Green. He has enjoyed many deserved accolades for his extraordinary contributions to blues music, including an honor from the Queen of England herself. In 2005, she named him an officer of the Order of the British Empire. He accepted this prestigious honor alongside Brian May (Queen) and Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin).
Tough promises to be another great addition to this incomparable musician’s body of work. Other Eagle Rock Entertainment releases, include In The Palace Of The King (April 2007), The 70th Birthday Concert (2CD, DVD, and Blu-ray), Road Dogs CD (June 2005), and Along For The Ride CD (May 2001).
Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international media production and distribution company operating across audiovisual entertainment programming. Eagle Rock Entertainment works directly alongside talent to produce the highest quality programming output covering film, general entertainment and musical performance. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices based in London, New York, Germany, France & Toronto.
Track Listing:
1.) Nothing To Do With Love
2.) Just What You’re Looking For
3.) Playing With A Losing Hand
4.) An Eye For An Eye
5.) How Far Down
6.) Train To My Heart
7.) Slow Train To Nowhere
8.) Number’s Down
9.) That Good Old Rockin’ Blues
10.) Tough Times Ahead
11.) The Sum Of Something
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 03 September 2009 19:55 |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Saturday, 06 June 2009 12:24 |
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| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Tuesday, 26 May 2009 03:48 |
|  | Live In New York 1972 Lou Reed's dark past comes back to serve him |
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| Last Updated on Monday, 01 June 2009 17:15 |
| Raven Records: Tanya Tucker: The Upper 48 Hits 1972-1997 | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Sunday, 13 September 2009 15:29 |
| Remember to click on the CD covers to find tons and tons of Tanya Tucker CDs and rarities in Gemm.com itself.
TANYA TUCKER - The Upper 48 Hits 1972-1997 25 years of hit recordings on Raven Records, Australia Over 150 minutes of music from Tanya Tucker appears on this exquisite double disc from Australia's Raven Records, The Upper 48 Hits 1972-1997 opens with her terrific "Delta Dawn" and closes with "Little Things" while vocal performances and/or duets with Vince Gill, Paul Davis and Paul Overstreet, Beth Nielsen Chapman, T. Graham Brown and Delbert McClinton are found in between. Though Raven Records has established itself with a diverse catalog ranging from The Velvet Underground to Ronnie Spector, Joe Perry Project, Captain & Tenille and so many others, their country catalog contains releases from Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, Hoyt Axton, Gram Parsons and more, so this beautiful double CD set is no fluke or one-off. Tucker's pop leanings come through loud and clear, and liner notes author Keith Glass makes a keen observation regarding "this powerful recording" of "Delta Dawn" getting passed over by Top 40 radio for "the less atmospheric Helen Reddy recording that reached number one..." Indeed, only "Lizzie And The Rainman"} reached the Top 40, and that just barely in the middle of 1975. This compilation is proof of how this artist's bright and bouncy pop could very well have livened up '70's and '80's hit radio but was strangely relegated to the genre Tanya is most associated with. There's a reproduction of her appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and that famous pose of the singer holding sticks of dynamite in the sixteen page booklet, but it's the well crafted music which is a revelation for those who never listened to country radio and have this compilation as their introduction to Tucker. "Don't Believe My Heart Can Stand Another You" is a standout on disc one, "(Without You) What Do I Do With Me?" the same on disc two, both surrounded by a boatload of great songs. It's staggering to think she had 10 Country #1 hits and 21 Top 5's, so Raven accurately touts this as the "ultimage multi-label double CD hits collection." With licensing more popular in the new millennium - major labels being more willing to share their music and imprints like www.ravenrecords.com.au interested in going that extra mile to satisfy the fans - a project like The Upper 48 Hits 1972-1997 becomes all the more vital in putting a career into perspective. Surprisingly accessible music for people not familiar with Tanya Tucker's work.
Remember to click on the CD covers to find tons and tons of Tanya Tucker CDs and rarities in Gemm.com itself.
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 13 September 2009 21:46 |
| Back Home Americana Vol. 1 / SPANKY & OUR GANG | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Saturday, 06 June 2009 13:04 |
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| Last Updated on Saturday, 06 June 2009 13:20 |
| Written by Courtesy Content from Publicist |
| Saturday, 04 April 2009 06:12 |
| CMJ
Peggy Lee Reissue Fever
Apr 10, 2008
Story by: Eric Davidson On May 27, the classic crooning powerhouse Peggy Lee is getting a hefty hat-tip on the 50th anniversary of her biggest hit, "Fever." Collector's Choice is unleashing four different collections of album reissues and rarities from her Capitol catalog, nearly all unavailable on CD before, that span the 1940s-'70s. Though mostly remembered for that sultry, oft-covered standard, Lee could belt out brassy and bawdy big banders, quiet weepers and everything in between. The reissues--released a day after what would have been Lee's 88th birthday--include All Aglow Again, Make It With You/Where Did They Go? and Then Was Then, Now Is Now/Bridge Over Troubled Water. All contain the original albums remastered, numerous rare extras and new liner notes, and vintage photos straight from Lee's estate. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect for Lee aficionados is the rarities disc, The Lost '40s And '50s Capitol Masters, containing 39 tracks, none of which have ever been on CD, with 13 previously unreleased. "Peggy Lee's estate really wanted to do something with us after seeing the job we did on the Nat King Cole stuff," says Collector's Choice Senior VP Gordon Anderson. Concerning the The Lost rarities, Anderson remarks, "It took awhile, and went from 36 to 40 to 39 tracks, because the producer of this project, Jim Pearson, kept finding more and more tracks in the vaults, but had to keep checking all the studio logs to see what had been released or not." Among the finds was another possible future unveiling of a "legendary unreleased" Lee album, which ought to raise the "fever" of fans. Collectors' Choice: www.ccmusic.com
The official Peggy Lee website: www.PeggyLee.com |
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 23 April 2009 01:42 |
| an Gillan One Eye To Morocco | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Thursday, 26 March 2009 11:24 |
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 16 April 2009 15:09 |
| The Legendary Christine Perfect of Fleetwood Mac | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Monday, 14 September 2009 20:09 |
| Direct link: http://tinyurl.com/thelegendarychristineperfect
Christine Perfect is a British-born singer who worked with Spencer Davis in the early '60s and later fronted Chicken Shack before going off on her own with this solo album in 1970. By then she had also contributed to recordings by Fleetwood Mac and become romantically involved with the group's bassist, John McVie. She then married McVie and officially joined the group, for which she served as vocalist / keyboardist / songwriter, contributing some of Fleetwood Mac's biggest hits. Read More: Track listing Side A: "Crazy About You Baby" (Little Walter) – 3:03
"I'm on My Way" (Deadric Malone) – 3:10
"Let Me Go (Leave Me Alone)" (McVie) – 3:35
"Wait and See" (McVie) – 3:14
"Close to Me" (McVie, Haywood) – 2:40
"I'd Rather Go Blind" (Jordan, Foster) – 3:52
Side B:
"When You Say" (Kirwan) – 3:14
"And That's Saying a Lot" (Jackson, Godfrey) – 2:58
"No Road Is the Right Road" (McVie) – 2:49
"For You" (McVie) – 2:46
"I'm Too Far Gone (To Turn Around)" (Hendricks, Otis) – 3:26
"I Want You" (White) – 2:23
Personnel:
Chris Harding, drums and percussion
Martin Dunsford, bass-guitar
Rick Hayward and Top Topham alternating rhythm and lead guitars
Danny Kirwan on guitar and John McVie on bass featured on “When You Say”
Chicken Shack form the line-up for “I’d Rather Go Blind”
Andy Sylvester plays bass on “Close to Me”
Christine Perfect featured on all keyboard instruments
Produced by Mike Vernon and Christine Perfect
Recording engineer: Mike Ross
Recorded in August & December 1969 at CBS Recording Studios, 28/30 Theobalds Road, London
Direct link: http://tinyurl.com/thelegendarychristineperfect |
| Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 September 2009 14:05 |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Sunday, 30 August 2009 12:59 |
| 
The solitary smooth stone against a dark, soft background is a nice reflection of the music inside Cocoon, Jeff Tuohy's follow-up to Breaking Down The Silence, his fine 2005 outing. The four years in between releases was well worth it as the funky/jazz/pop on this second CD is mature, innovative and compelling. What isn't very compelling is the ink used for the liner notes, virtually impossible to read against a black background inside the eco-friendly slick packaging, but I guess that's why God let man create the world wide web. Second track "Monogamy" has nifty sounds drifting in and out of the modern-day Gino Vannelli-styled musings, very well produced by Tuohy and Danny Bernini...it sounds like a man caught up in temptations when he sings "I gotta let it rip a little"..."lose my grip, then I slip...". Tuohy is a musician who speaks volumes through the layered production and the well thought out placement of sounds. "Real Love" (not The Beatles title of the same name) comes back at you with pure pop, a complete turnaround from the heavily jazzed first two tracks, opening number "44 Linden" in the same vein as "Monogamy"...and track two or track three may have made for a better opening song, "Real Love" very inviting with its descending guitarlines, a beautiful counterpoint to the vocals which nick a few riffs from 1999's "You Get What You Give" by New Radicals (certainly a sound worth recycling) or, dare I say it, Reunion's 1974 single, "Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)"...but in subtle ways, just as it is hard to place the guitar riff from "Monogamy" disguised enough to sound more "innovative" (as stated above) than recycled...and then Tuohy hits you with a Country influenced "Driving Her Away", his warm and friendly voice gliding nicely into each genre he decides to touch upon. 
From the artist's website: Product Description Cocoon is Jeff Tuohy’s new, sophomore album containing 12 eclectic tracks. Produced by Danny Bernini and the artist, it features performances from Lenny Pickett (SNL/Tower of Power), Terry Adams (NRBQ), and Jon Graboff (Ryan Adams and the Cardinals), among others.
From South Beach to Bourbon Street and dance clubs to arenas, Cocoon takes its audience on an audible road trip through a spectrum of human experience. After one pass, the listener realizes why fans and industry alike refer to Jeff Tuohy as “a musical chameleon.” 1.44 Linden
2.Monogamy 3. Real Love
4. Driving Her Away
5. SampleTrain
6. Sit Tight
7. I Am A Fool
8. Crucify
9. Palm Trees, Latin Radio
10. Light My Heart
11. Slow Down, Isabella
12. Bourbon Street
BREAKING DOWN THE SILENCE 
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 30 August 2009 13:18 |
| Rare Joplin from LOVE JANIS | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Saturday, 06 June 2009 21:23 |
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| Last Updated on Monday, 05 October 2009 03:02 |
| An Appreciation of Dean Martin | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Sunday, 10 May 2009 14:45 |
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| Last Updated on Monday, 11 May 2009 15:28 |
| Make Your Own Beatles Tribute Album! | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Monday, 14 September 2009 15:41 |
| 1. Joan Jett - "The Word" from MUSIC FOR THE CURE: It's About Eve 3:26 2. Mr. Curt: "It's Only Love" from The Prodigal Muse 3:12 3. Jimi Hendrix "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" 1:16 from Hendrix In The West  Joan Jett opens the Music for the Cure: It's About Eve compilation with a terrific rendition of the Beatles' "The Word." Density, drive, and experimental sounds lift this all-girl version (27 backing vocalists!) to a special place. This one song is worth the price of admission, but there's a lot more on the other 13 tracks. Deena Miller, daughter of Rolling Stones producer Jimmy Miller, is part of the chorus/choir on "The Word" and follows that tune with the title track from her long-awaited debut CD, A Thousand Words. Read more from my AMG review:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hjftxql0ldde
 "It's Only Love" by Mr. Curt
http://tinyurl.com/theprodigalmuse
 Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band 1:16 http://tinyurl.com/hendrixinthewest |
| Last Updated on Monday, 14 September 2009 15:49 |
| Going Track By Track with Rosetta Swain | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Friday, 21 August 2009 12:10 |
| Fans have been asking the composer of "Sunny" to perform "When Sunny Gets Blue", and GEMMZine hears that Bobby Hebb is about to record that classic as well as, possibly, "On The Sunny Side Of The Street". But simultaneous with this historic happening his cousin, Pastor Rosetta Swain, recently recorded a Gospel version of "Sunny" which Bobby let her re-title "Jesus". What is extraordinary about this - along with the new Gospel production being absolute dynamite, is that another spiritual person, Pat Watson, has recorded a new version of "Sunny" - Gospel Sunny, on her forthcoming release - FEELING GOOD. So look on Gemm.com for Rosetta Swain's From Me To You and Pat Watson's Feeling Good
Interview with Pastor Rosetta Swain September 7, 2009 ANSWERS: FOR INTERVIEW
1, at the beginning of the project there was not a set number of songs designated. When we got to song (11) we were simply finished with selected songs.
All songs were recorded in Buffalo, NY at Audio Magic Studio 71 Military Rd.
The Mixing and Masters were done at Hot TT Mol’e Studio 7210 Carmel Rd. Charlotte, NC
Inspiration for project begin in 2004 with doing gospel rendition of 1967 Hit “Sonny” but title “Jesus” original music by Bobby Hebb of Nashville, Tn. I went to Nashville and laid the original track along with Bobby an all day session in one of Nashville’s Studio.
All tracks are with same musicians: Not a group, all individual friends of mine and producer De'Juiane Motley.
Public Dominion
Rosetta Swain
Public Dominion
Public Dominion/re-arranged R>Swain
Kathy Bowman
Arranged Rosetta Swain
Rosetta Swain
Public Dominion re-arranged R. Swain
Arranged Rosetta Swain
Richard Kay
Min. Nathan Salter : Tag R. Swain
Yes
This song no problem, near completion Track #10
Wouldn’t change a thing very satisfied.
The quickest, smoothest, no problems, not time consuming, very few repeats, this was extra ordinary recording session for all involved. No complications at all.
NO! It was important and was turned over to experience capable hands. A well know person in the gospel music industry.
11 #2 Jesus – That “Jesus” is the same today, yesterday and forevermore. That He is true and I love Him and thank Him for Life.
#10. The words to this song supplies a love that all want too exper4ienceeee and know, no matter what it should be an everyday journey. Song has been begging to come out for some 10 years. The music is simply beautiful such feeling.
#11 this song sums up how I feel in my spiritual walk. When I can’t say a lot I can simply say “Thank you Lord”. I’ve come to realize you we, must learn to thank Him for everything and be glad for nothing is promised but God’s love! |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 September 2009 18:31 |
| Latin Pianos in your Space Ferrante & Teicher, Part II Latin Pianos in your Space Age Bachelor Pad | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Thursday, 24 September 2009 17:08 |
|  | Ferrante & Teicher's Latin Pianos, with an orchestra conducted by Don Costa, is not your standard 1960s middle-of-the-road fare, though the duo was undeservedly lumped in with Ray Conniff and other purveyors of soft music from that era. Yes, this is adult contemporary, but in the same vein as Esquivel, the Latin Pianos album taking sounds from south of the border and mixing them up with percussion and well-timed piano attacks, maneuvers Billy Joel and Elton John should study for their performances together. The "twenty most talented fingers now covering the twin keyboards," as the uncredited liner notes describe Arthur Ferrante and Louis Teicher, dance in a quasi-jazz mix that could fit on The Lawrence Welk Show as easily as it could slide into the bachelor pad. Read more here: |
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| Last Updated on Saturday, 26 September 2009 20:00 |
| "Sunny" from Johnny Mathis on People/Impossible Dream re-release | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Thursday, 04 June 2009 10:50 |
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The classic "Sunny" leads off this double disc on Collectors Choice Music, re-releasing these Columbia albums which were re-releases themselves from the time when Johnny Mathis was a prodigal son and left Columbia for Mercury Records. Keep in mind that Mathis owned his own Global Records which put the material out via his deal with Mercury, circa 1963-1966, the red album, Johnny Mathis Sings, the final of those ten or so albums on Mercury. Bobby Hebb, the author of "Sunny", recorded for the Mercury subsidiary, Philips Records, and the soulfully slow Mathis rendition of the pop masterpiece could be found on the aforementioned 1967 Mercury issued Johnny Mathis Sings.  "Eleanor Rigby", "Somewhere My Love (Lara's Theme)", "Strangers in The Night", also from that "red" album, appear on The Impossible Dream album. Back on Columbia Johnny called his production company Jon Mat Records, Inc. (Jonny/Mathis condensed, of course). This was way before David Bowie and The Rolling Stones would make their masters "portable", Mathis setting a kind of model, if you will. 
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 04 June 2009 11:09 |
| Bobby Hebb's "SUNNY" album | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Tuesday, 17 November 2009 23:34 |
|  | Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" (Philips 40365) has captivated generations with its immaculate melody and philosophy to always look at the bright side. Though many have speculated that Hebb wrote the song for God or for his brother and mentor, Hal Hebb, the singer has stated many times the tune is about a "sunny disposition." And though this one title loved by millions led to Bobby touring with The Beatles in 1966 and brought the Hebb name to prominence, the eleven other performances on the album are also of great substance and filled with entertainment value. "Sunny" became a #1 hit in Cashbox Magazine and #2 in Billboard the week of Bobby Hebb's 28th birthday, July 26, 1966. Less than four months later track #7, "A Satisfied Mind", would break the Billboard Top 40. The song was a #1 Country hit for Porter Wagoner eleven years earlier, but more important to Bobby, it was in the repertoire of Roy Acuff, the man called "the king of the hillbillies." It was as a member of Acuff's band that Hebb appeared on the Grand Ole Opry A third hit from the album, "Love Love Love", was co-written by the album's producer, Jerry Ross along with Joe Renzetti, the album's arranger. | "Love, Love, Love" (the flip side of "A Satisfied Mind) became a hit recording in England in 1972, six years after its initial release. The "Northern Soul" phenomenon started in Europe has also brought attention to this important work. "Crazy Baby" (Philips 40421) became a third release from the album with a brilliant non-lp B side co-written by the great Kenny Gamble and Jerry Ross, a song entitled "Love Me" which is a kind of second-cousin to "Sunny", if you will. Kenny Gamble composed "You Don't Know What You Got Until You Lose It" with producer Jerry Ross, as essential as Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil's contribution on the album's shortest track, "Good Good Lovin' ", as vital as the legendary Van McCoy's album closer, the elegant and Drifter's-styled "For You." Though in the new millenium Mr. Hebb is still the "song a day man", his vast repertoire was not tapped for the dozen tunes that appeared on his debut lp, in fact only "Crazy Baby" along with "Yes Or No Or Maybe Not" joined the classic "Sunny" as ideas from the singer's fountain pen. And though "Love Love Love" and "A Satisfied Mind" have shown up on various compilations and continue to get attention, it is "Sunny" that has maintained classic status being awarded the #25 position on BMI's Top 100 Songs of The Century. That organization credits "Sunny" with at least 5 million performances, wonderful acknowledgment for a composition that crosses genres and keeps finding chart action decade after decade. Cher and Georgie Fame had British hits with "Sunny", while Mieko Hiroto actually charted in Japan with a version prior to Bobby Hebb's rendition. Yambu found fame on the 1970s dance floors with this melody, as did Boney M. who hit #1 in Germany with "Sunny" in 1977. The Boogie Pimps sampled the Boney M. version in 2003 and hit with it in 2004.. Recorded by hundreds of artists from Vibraphonist Dave Pike to Frank Sinatra & Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Pat Martino, Stan Kenton, Herbie Mann, Frankie Valli, Roger Williams and so many others, the song and this album have a secure place in popular culture. Hearing the composition as interpreted by others is fascinating and a treat, but it is Bobby Hebb's original "Sunny" with backing vocals by his friends Melba Moore, Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson that endures. Thirty eight years after the world first discovered "Sunny", Hip-O Select is releasing it the week of the birthday of the creator of this great song (coincidentally, a man born in 1938). Thirty Eight years to the week when Sunny hit #1 in Cashbox.
(C)2004 Joe Viglione. |
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 November 2009 18:58 |
| Hurricane OVER THE EDGE Alice Cooper/Foreigner Related | | | |
| Written by Joe Viglione |
| Sunday, 11 October 2009 10:05 |
| Having reviewed a Foreigner DVD featuring lead singer Kelly Hansen in place of Lou Gramm, I found this CD doing research and decided to get a copy. It's super - especially the Bob Ezrin connection and the cover of Alice Cooper's "I'm 18". I also wrote a full review for this disc - very impressed with it...and while at a taping of the Boston band MASS on St Patrick's Day they told me they toured with Hurricane...they were both on the Enigma label.
Small world. Was very impressed with Hurricane's Over The Edge - it is a metal album with staying power, lots of hooks and great production values thanks to the producer of Guns 'n' Roses, Mike Clink, and the aforementioned supervision from Ezrin
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 11 October 2009 15:52 |
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