Steely Dan - Alive In America (1995)

"Alive In America" is a live album by the American jazz rock group Steely Dan, released in 1995. It is Steely Dan's first live album. Recorded during 1993 and 1994 tours, the concerts from which the album is constructed marked the first live Steely Dan performances since 1974. When Donald Fagen and Walter Becker re-formed Steely Dan in 1994, they didn't put out a new album. They undertook a tour of sports arenas, their first tour since the days of "Countdown To Ecstasy".
Since Steely Dan became stars after they retired from performing, many of their dedicated fans never got a chance to see the group in concert. Given those circumstances, maybe the uniformly positive reviews of the tour were predictable. The tracklist was definitely well chosen, and the songs chosen, for the most part, were well-suited to live performance, and lost little in the transfer. Part of this is because Steely Dan does not overencumber itself in studio effects that cannot be replicated in a live setting.
The vocals were excellent Donald Fagen is someone who handles live performance as well as studio work, and sounds just as good either way. You won't have to worry about being disappointed his voice is just as clear as ever. Mr. Fagen isn't the only good singer with Steely Dan, however.
Walter Becker does a very nice job with "Book of Liars", this song midway through the album serves as a very interesting break. Even though Donald Fagen is the traditional voice of Steely Dan.

 

Track listing
 

01.  "Babylon Sisters"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 6:47

02.  "Green Earrings"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 5:20

03.  "Bodhisattva"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 5:47

04.  "Reelin' In the Years"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 6:24

05.  "Josie"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 6:12

06.  "Book of Liars"  (Walter Becker)  - 4:19

07.  "Peg"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 4:19

08.  "Third World Man"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 6:38

09.  "Kid Charlemagne"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 5:16

10.  "Sign in Stranger"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 6:34

11.  "Aja"  (Becker, Fagen)  - 9:00

Credits

Walter Becker - guitar, vocals

Donald Fagen - vocals, melodica, electric piano

Warren Bernhardt - piano

Georg Wadenius - guitar

Drew Zingg - guitar

Tom Barney - bass

Cornelius Bumpus - tenor saxophone

Chris Potter - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone

Bob Sheppard - soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone

Dennis Chambers - drums

Peter Erskine - drums

Catherine Russell - percussion, background vocals, human whistle

Bill Ware - percussion, vibraphone

Diane Garisto - background vocals

Brenda White-King - background vocals

Notes

Recorded:  August 19, 1993 – September 19, 1994

Genre:  Jazz Rock, Live 

Length:  66:36

Label:  Giant Records

Producer:  Donald Fagen

© 1995

Stiltskin - The Mind´s Eye (1994)

"The Mind's Eye" is the first studio album by the band Stiltskin. The album was driven by the success of the single "Inside".

The one thing that saves Stiltskin's only release from total obscurity is a jeans commercial. The lead track, "Inside," was used in a very successful U.K. ad campaign for Levis. With the help of the ads, along with a strong guitar riff, the song was pushed up the charts in Britain for a brief stay. As far as debut album's go, this was extremely good. A mixture of styles. From the grunge rock of 'Inside', to the mellow 'Sunshine & Butterflies'.  Every track is brilliantly written,with strong emotional lyrics about death of parents and family. It's a great shame they never got the recognition they deserved. Unfortunately, there's nothing else on "The Mind's Eye" to rival this one very good song. The tracks alternate between angst-ridden hard rock and acoustic numbers devoid of life. The best thing about this album is the voice of Ray Wilson, who would go on to replace Phil Collins as the lead singer of Genesis. Wilson has good range, but sings with a detachment that needs to be married to strong melodies to really work. Since such melodies are lacking here, the listener is left with one great song, and one bad song replayed ten different ways.

 

01.  "Intro"(Instrumental)  - 0:36

02.  "Scared of Ghosts" - 4:00

03.  "Horse" - 4:23

04.  "Rest in Peace" - 2:56

05.  "Footsteps" - 3:55

06.  "Sunshine and Butterflies" - 3:52

07.  "Inside" - 5:13

08.  "An Illusion" - 3:48

09.  "America" - 3:17

10.  "When My Ship Comes In" - 3:51

11.  "Prayer Before Birth"(Instrumental) - 4:39

Released:  6 October 1994

Recorded at:  Water Music Studios, London, England

Genre:  Grunge, Indie Rock, Post-Grunge

Length:  40:50

Label:  White Water Records

Producer:  Peter Lawlor

All Songs Written By:  Peter Lawlor

Personnel

Ray Wilson - vocals

Peter Lawlor - acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, bass guitar, drums, Wurlitzer piano, Hammond organ, backing vocals

James Finnigan - bass, Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer Piano

Ross McFarlane - drums, percussion

Sian Bell - Cello

Ambrosian Singers - Choral Opening

Tessa Sturridge - Backing Vocals

Sting - Demolition Man (Soundtrack) (1993)

"Demolition Man" is an EP released on September 21, 1993 in support of the Sylvester Stallone/Wesley Snipes film "Demolition Man". It features Sting's re-recording of The Police track "Demolition Man", a track that originally unveiled itself on The Police's "Ghost In The Machine" album, as well as several live recordings. The live recordings were recorded at Villa Manin, Codroipo, Italy on 25 July 1993. Even though this EP has 6 tracks... the "live" recordings are a must for any Sting fan. The live tracks were mostly recorded during the Ten Summoner's Tales Tour... And if you've ever seen Sting in concert, you know that there is ALOT of music in each song...meaning, you're not getting 6 four minute songs... It's a nice enjoyable lengthy EP. The updated studio version of the Police song "Demolition Man" is also a must have. Live version of the Police's "King of Pain," and an inexplicable and unconvincing lite jazz version of the Beatles' "A Day in the Life." While not an essential purchase, Sting completists will want it, and the whole further substantiates the notion of Sting as a pop music superman.  Sting's performance of "Demolition Man" was nominated for a 1994 Grammy Award as "Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo."

 

01. "Demolition Man"  (Sting)  - 5:27

02. "King of Pain" (Live)  (Sting)  - 7:21

03. "Shape of my Heart" (Live)  (Sting, Dominic Miller)  - 4:32

04. "Love Is Stronger Than Justice" (The Munificent Seven) (Live)  (Sting)  - 7:29

05. "It's Probably Me" (Live)  (Eric Clapton, Michael Kamen, Sting)  - 6:18

06. "A Day in the Life" (Live)  (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)  - 4:06

Released:  September 21, 1993

Recorded live at:  Villa Manin, Cudriopo, Italy on July 25, 1993. "Demolition Man" recorded at Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota and Two Guys From The Valley, North Hollywood, California.

Genre:  Rock

Length:  35:13

Label:  A&M

Producer:  Sting

Personnel

Sting - vocals, guitar

Dominic Miller - guitars

Mark Egan - bass

David Sancious - keyboards

Vinnie Colaiuta - drums

Arik Marshall - guitars

Bush Bushnell - bass guitar

Ann Bennett Nesby - backing vocals and solo ad-libs

Jamecia Bennett - backing vocals

Core Cotton - backing vocals

Shirley Marie Graham - backing vocals

The Lotus Eaters - No Sense Of Sin (1984)

The Lotus Eaters is an English indie pop band formed in 1982 in Liverpool. The Lotus Eaters formed in 1982. Many music enthusiasts regard the group as a part of the New Romantic movement. However, although Peter Coyle (vocals), Jeremy Kelly (guitar), Mike Dempsey (bass guitar), and Stephen Creese (drums) had the elegant attire, and fashionable haircuts of New Romantic bands, their music was more understated and folksy than the synthesized Euro disco of Japan, Visage and Duran Duran.  The glimmering, jangly pop of the Lotus Eaters evokes images of lonely summer afternoons. Peter Coyle's dulcet vocals ache with profound yearning; Morrissey may have won the mope rock mantle in the '80s, but if the Lotus Eaters had become as successful as the Smiths, Coyle would've robbed him of the Sad Sack crown. "No Sense of Sin", the Lotus Eaters' 1984 debut album, is a gorgeously crafted collection of melancholic guitar pop. "Love Still Flows" and "The First Picture of You" caress the ears with haunting piano and twinkling guitars; both songs unreel with a cinematic feel, the music and lyrics drawing sentimental memories from the listener's imagination. On the powerful "It Hurts," Jeremy Kelly's guitar sounds like a heart shrieking in pain as Coyle wallows in his grief. The starry-eyed keyboards and sing-along chorus of "German Girl" and spellbinding violin of "Set Me Apart" deepen the Lotus Eaters' appeal; they further explore Coyle's hankering for affection while lifting the spirits with sharp hooks. "No Sense of Sin" was reissued by BMG Japan in 1998, and that version easily tops the original with ten bonus tracks, including the driving "You Don't Need Someone New", the delicate "Two Virgins Tender." and the superior extended 12" version of "It Hurts".

 

01. "German Girl" - 3:14

02. "Love Still Flows" - 3:56

03. "Can You Keep A Secret" - 3:13

04. "Out On Your Own" - 3:59

05. "Put Your Touch On Love" - 3:55

06. "Set Me Apart" - 4:03

07. "You Fill Me With Need" - 3:45

08. "The First Picture Of You" - 3:41

09. "Alone Of All Her Sex" - 2:52

10. "It Hurts" - 3:08

11. "You Don't Need Someone New" - 3:11

12. "Two Virgins Tender" - 4:06

13. "My Happy Dream" - 2:46

14. "The Evidence" - 3:06

15. "Endless" - 4:32

16. "Soul In Sparks" - 2:39

17. "Church At Llanbadrig" - 3:27

18. "The Lotus Eaters" - 3:00

19. "Out On Your Own (12" Version)" - 5:22

20. "It Hurts - There Must Be A Taste Of Murder In It (12" Version)" - 5:59 

Release:  1984

Label:  Arista

Genre:  New Wave, Indie Pop

Length:  1:14

Producer:  The Lotus Eaters, Nigel Gray, Alan Tarney

Personnel

Peter Coyle - Vocals

Jeremy Kelly - Guitar

Michael Dempsey - Bass

Stephen Creese - Drums

Gerard Quinn

Kid Rock & The Twisted Brown Trucker Band - Live Tucker (2006)

"Live Trucker" is the first live album by Kid Rock released on February 28, 2006.  Like Bob Seger's classic "Live Bullet", paying homage to the artwork right down to the typeface and also choosing to record in his hometown of Detroit, but if Live Bullet caught Seger on the rise, Live Trucker catches Kid on his decline. This isn't a hard-driving, sweaty rock & roll record; this is a Vegas revue, all glam and glitz, with its heart in showbiz. Of course, Kid Rock has always had his tongue planted firmly in his cheek when he went about his self-mythologizing, particularly on his still potent and funny 1998 breakthrough, "Devil Without A Cause", but on this live effort recorded largely in August 2004, his joking has turned into inadvertent self-parody. This wasn't the case on his eponymous 2003 effort, which may not have set the charts on fire, but it did capture him in good form, where his rough and rowdy ways still seemed roguishly charming. Here, it's possible to hear the toll that all the partying has taken on him: he sounds hoarse and winded, and when he trades lines with his keyboardist, it seems as if it's because he doesn't have the energy to finish the song, not because it makes for a better show. And while the Twisted Brown Trucker Band sound tight, they also sound too slick, never really giving this white trash rock & roll the grit that it needs. Of course, the album isn't helped by its ridiculously front-loaded sequencing, where "Bawitadaba," "Cowboy," and "Devil Without a Cause" follow back to back in the first four tracks, and his next biggest hit, "Picture" (here performed with Gretchen Wilson), also appears in the first half of the record; with the exception of "Only God Knows Why," the second half consists largely of new material, or lesser-known hits.  Other highlights are the medley of "Somebody's Gotta Feel This" and "Fist of Rage," bridged together by Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love". "Cowboy" has the Dukes of Hazzard's theme song "Good Ol' Boys" removed from it. Likewise with "Devil Without a Cause" as AC/DC's "Back in Black" was removed from the first chorus. "You Never Met a Motherfucker Quite Like Me" includes a verse of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" in the middle of the song. The album's final track is a rehearsal track from St. Louis 2004 called "Outstanding," a soul/funk cover originally done by The Gap Band.

 

01.  "Son of Detroit"   (R. Brooks, D.A. Coe, T. DeLuca, H.E. Tipton)  - 5:11

02.  "Bawitdaba"   (J. Krause, R.J. Ritchie, M. Shaffer)  - 5:44

03.  "Cowboy Intro"   - 2:56

04.  "Cowboy"   (Ritchie, Shaffer, J. Travis, J. Trombly)  - 5:02

05.  "Devil Without a Cause"   (J. Hutchins, K. Olson, Ritchie, Shaffer, L. Smith, T. Shaw)  - 6:11

06.  "Somebody's Gotta Feel This / Fist of Rage"   (Olson, Ritchie, Shaffer, Travis)  - 5:41

07.  "Picture" (feat. Gretchen Wilson) (Ritchie)  - 6:09

08.  "American Bad Ass"   (J. Hetfield, L. Ulrich, Ritchie)  - 4:10

09.  "Rock N Roll Pain Train"   (Ritchie)  - 4:05

10.  "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp"   (M. Gross, Ritchie)  - 7:11

11.  "You Never Met a Motherfucker Quite Like Me"  (Ritchie, R. Van Zant, A. Collins)  - 5:48

12.  "Cocky"  (F. Beauregard, Ritchie, Shaffer)  - 3:04

13.  "Only God Knows Why"   (Ritchie, Shaffer, Travis)  - 6:33

14.  "Outstanding"  (Ronald Calhoun, Lonnie Simmons, Charlie Wilson)  - 5:33

Released:  February 28, 2006

Genre:  Hard Rock, Rap-Rock

Label:  Atlantic

Length:  73:29

Producer:  Kid Rock

Personnel

Kid Rock - Vocals, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Drums, Percussion

Kenny Olson - Lead Guitar

Jason Krause - Metal Guitar

Aaron Julison - Bass Guitar

Mike Bradford - Bass Guitar

Smith Curry - Dobro, Lap Steel Guitar, Slide Guitar

Jimmie Bones - Piano, Keyboards, Organ, Wurlitzer, Harp

Stephanie Eulinberg - Drums, Percussion, Vocals

Paradime - Turntables, Vocals

Uncle Kracker - Turntables, Vocals

Joe C - Vocals

Gretchen Wilson - Vocals

Lauren Creamer - Background Vocals

Karen Newman - Background Vocals

Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell (1981)

"Speak & Spell" is the debut album from the British electronic group Depeche Mode, recorded and released in 1981. This was the only Depeche Mode album with Vince Clarke as a member of the band. Clarke wrote most of the songs for the band, before departing to form the synthpop duo Yazoo with Alison Moyet and, later, the duo Erasure with Andy Bell. The album is significantly lighter in tone and melody than their later work, a direction which can largely be attributed to Clarke's writing. After he left, Martin Gore took over songwriting duties, writing almost all of the band's material. Later albums written by him would explore darker subjects and melodies. While various synth pioneers had come before, Gary Numan, early Human League, late-'70s Euro-disco, and above all Kraftwerk all had clear influence on "Speak & Spell", Depeche Mode became the undisputed founder of straight-up synth pop with the album's 11 songs, light, hooky, and danceable numbers about love, life, and clubs.  Credit for the album's success has to go to main songwriter Vince Clarke, who would extend and arguably perfect the synth pop formula; the  singles "New Life," "Dreaming of Me," and "Just Can't Get Enough," along with numbers ranging from the slyly homoerotic "Pretty Boy" to the moody thumper "Photographic," keep everything moving throughout. David Gahan undersings about half the album, and Martin Gore's two numbers lack the distinctiveness of his later work, but Speak & Spell remains an undiluted joy.

The album title alludes to the then-popular "Speak & Spell" electronic toy.

Track listing

01.  "New Life"  - 3:43

02.  "I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead"  - 2:14

03.  "Puppets"  - 3:55

04.  "Boys Say Go!"  - 3:03

05.  "Nodisco"  - 4:11

06.  "What's Your Name?"  - 2:41

07.  "Photographic"  - 4:44

08.  "Tora! Tora! Tora!"  - 4:34

09.  "Big Muff"  - 4:20

10.  "Any Second Now (Voices)"  - 2:35

11.  "Just Can't Get Enough"  - 3:40

Released:  6 November 1981

Recorded at:  Blackwing Studios, London

Genre:  Synthpop

Length:  44:58

Label:  Mute

Producer:  Depeche Mode, Daniel Miller

Personnel

Dave Gahan - lead vocals

Martin Gore - keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Any Second Now (Voices)"

Vince Clarke - keyboards, programming, backing vocals, songwriting

Andy Fletcher - keyboards, backing vocals

Alice In Chains - Dirt (1992)

"Dirt" is the second studio album by the American rock band Alice in Chains and was released on September 29, 1992, through Columbia Records. It was the last album to feature bassist Mike Starr before he quit in 1993. The songs on the album focused on depression, anger, anti-social behavior, drug use, war, death, and other emotionally charged topics. "Dirt" is Alice in Chains' major artistic statement and the closest they ever came to recording a flat-out masterpiece. It's a primal, sickening howl from the depths of Layne Staley's heroin addiction, and one of the most harrowing concept albums ever recorded. Not every song on Dirt is explicitly about heroin, but Jerry Cantrell's solo-written contributions (nearly half the album) effectively maintain the thematic coherence nearly every song is imbued with the morbidity, self-disgust, and/or resignation of a self-aware yet powerless addict. Cantrell's technically limited but inventive guitar work is by turns explosive, textured, and queasily disorienting, keeping the listener off balance with atonal riffs and off-kilter time signatures. Staley's stark confessional lyrics are similarly effective, and consistently miserable. Sometimes he's just numb and apathetic, totally desensitized to the outside world; sometimes his self-justifications betray a shockingly casual amorality; his moments of self-recognition are permeated by despair and suicidal self-loathing. Even given its subject matter, Dirt is monstrously bleak, closely resembling the cracked, haunted landscape of its cover art. The album holds out little hope for its protagonists (aside from the much-needed survival story of "Rooster," a tribute to Cantrell's Vietnam-vet father), but in the end, it's redeemed by the honesty of its self-revelation and the sharp focus of its music.

The album spawned five singles: "Would?", "Them Bones", "Angry Chair", "Rooster", and "Down in a Hole".

Track listing

01.  "Them Bones"  (Jerry Cantrell)  - 2:30

02.  "Dam That River"  (Jerry Cantrell)  - 3:09

03.  "Rain When I Die"  (Staley, Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Mike Starr)  - 6:01

04.  "Down in a Hole"  (Jerry Cantrell)  - 5:38

05.  "Sickman"  (Staley)  - 5:30

06.  "Rooster"  (Jerry Cantrell)  - 6:15

07.  "Junkhead"  (Staley)  - 5:09

08.  "Dirt"  (Staley)  - 5:16

09.  "God Smack"  (Staley)  - 3:50

10.  "Intro (Dream Sequence)/Iron Gland (unlisted)"  - 0:43

11.  "Hate to Feel"  (Staley)  - 5:16

12.  "Angry Chair"  (Staley)  - 4:47

13.  "Would?"  (Jerry Cantrell)  - 3:28

Released:  September 29, 1992

Recorded at:  Eldorado Recording Studios in Burbank; London Bridge Studio in Seattle; One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles

Genre:  Grunge

Length:  57:35

Label:  Columbia

Producer:  Dave Jerden, Alice in Chains

Personnel

Layne Staley - lead vocals, guitar

Jerry Cantrell - guitars, co-lead vocals, backing vocals

Mike Starr - bass

Sean Kinney - drums

Tom Araya - vocals on "Iron Gland

Keith Richards - Main Offender (1992)

"Main Offender" is the second studio album by Keith Richards and his last to date, released in 1992 in between The Rolling Stones "Steel Wheels" and "Voodoo Lounge" albums.

Keith Richards didn't mess too much with the formula that made his first outing (and all the "Keith songs" on Stones albums through the years) so great: smoldering, mid-tempo rockers with plenty of sloppy leads, simple rock melodies, and dabs of dub reggae and old-school soul. "Main Offender" songs While it didn't make the commercial splash that his 1988 solo debut did, it is every bit as good. Main Offender album The stripped down production ensures that it will continue to age well amidst changing sonic fashions.  Richards teamed up with "Talk Is Cheap" collaborator Steve Jordan and added Waddy Wachtel to the mix both in composing and producing "Main Offender". Sessions with Richards' group of musician friends known as "The X-Pensive Winos" took place in California and New York City from March to September 1992.

The best songs here are tighter and more focused than the ones on "Talk Is Cheap", and Richards' vocals are some of his best on record...check out the lean, mean riff-rockers "Eileen" and "Runnin' Too Deep", two of his best songs. And the production is excellent, clear and uncluttered without being slick or glossy.

There is a bit of filler here, sure, but fans of the Human Riff will definitely find this album worth their while. Songs like "Words Of Wonder", "Demon" and "999" may not leap right out and grab you by the throat, but Keith Richards sings and plays as well as he ever did, and "Main Offender" will grow on you if you give it half a chance.

Track listing

01.  "999"  (Keith Richards, Steve Jordan, Waddy Wachtel)  - 5:50

02.  "Wicked as It Seems"  (Richards, Jordan, Charley Drayton)  - 4:45

03.  "Eileen"  (Richards, Jordan)  - 4:29

04.  "Words of Wonder"  (Richards, Jordan, Wachtel)  - 6:35

05.  "Yap Yap"  (Richards, Jordan, Watchel)  - 4:43

06.  "Bodytalks"  (Richards, Jordan, Drayton, Sarah Dash)  - 5:20

07.  "Hate It When You Leave"  (Richards, Jordan, Wachtel)  - 4:59

08.  "Runnin' Too Deep"  (Richards, Jordan)  - 3:20

09.  "Will but You Won't"  (Richards, Jordan)  - 5:05

10.  "Demon"  (Richards, Jordan)  - 4:45

Released:  October 20, 1992

Recorded at:  Master Sound Astoria, Studio 900 and Giant Recording Studios, New York; The Site, San Rafael, California

Genre:  Rock

Length:  49:53

Label:  Virgin

Producer:  Keith Richards, Steve Jordan, Waddy Wachtel

Personnel

Keith Richards - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, percussion

Jack Bashkow - woodwind

Crispin Cioe - woodwind

Sarah Dash - vocals, backing vocals on "Bodytalks"

Charley Drayton - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, piano, organ

Babi Floyd - vocals

Bernard Fowler - vocals

Arno Hecht - woodwind

Steve Jordan - vocals, organ, drums, conga, percussion, castanets

Ivan Neville - bass guitar, piano, organ, harpsichord, clavinet, vibes

Waddy Wachtel - vocals, guitar, piano, celesta

Phillip Goodhand-Tait - Oceans Away (1976)

Phillip Goodhand-Tait is an English singer-songwriter, record producer and keyboard player.

Philip Goodhand-Tait has come close to stardom as a performer on a painfully regular basis since the 1960s without ever achieving it, but still finding success. He's an established producer, songwriter, and musician whose work has benefitted artists ranging from Roger Daltrey to the Lords of the New Church, without ever quite becoming a marquee name himself  sort of England's answer to Al Kooper. He was a natural musician and quickly acquired a skill in the same instrument, as well as showing off considerable talent as a singer.  Phillip's first four DJM albums, released during 1971 and '73, were each delayed as DJM Records coped with it's international success. Nevertheless the albums found critical acclaim and individual songs from them such as Buddy Holly's "Everyday", "You Are"  and "Leon" were much played on radio. For Phillip, the time had come to change record company and management. Phillip's first album for Chrysalis was "Oceans Away"  and again, the title single taken from it, was well received. Once again though, Phillip was to find it more lucrative when Roger Daltrey, singer with The Who, recorded "Oceans Away" on his solo album, "Ride A Rock Horse".

Track listing

01.  "Oceans Away"  - 3:48

02.  "On The Waterfront"   - 3:40

03.  "Old Fashioned Love"  - 3:06

04.  "Jewel"  - 2:57

05.  "Loves Like A Song"  - 4:02   

06.  "I Will Glide"  - 4:23

07.  "You Got The Gun"  - 3:31 

08.  "Laundry"   - 3:18

09.  "Gabrielle"   - 2:39

10.  "You Can Demonstrate"  - 3:29  

Release:  1976

Label:  Chrysalis

Genre:  Pop

Length:  34:53

Producer:  John Burgess

Texas Tornados - Zone Of Our Own (1991)

The ultimate Tex-Mex supergroup, Texas Tornados were composed of some of the genre's most legendary figures: Doug Sahm, Augie Meyers (Sahm's bandmate in the groundbreaking Sir Douglas Quintet), Hispanic country star Freddy Fender, and accordion virtuoso Flaco Jimenez. The group's infectious, party-ready sound blended country, early rock & roll, Mexican folk music, Roots Blues, Tex-Mex and whatever other roots music crossed their paths. "Zone Of Our Own", the second album from the all-star quartet of Freddy Fender, Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, and Doug Sahm, isn't quite up to the same level as their superb self-titled debut, but it sure doesn't miss by much. Doug Sahm's "I'm Not That Kat Anymore" and "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone" (which he didn't write, but became closely associated with via the Sir Douglas Quintet) sound fresh, sturdy and exuberant.  Freddie Fender again brings a show-stopping ballad, "Oh Holy One", his vocal swoops can make grown men cry. Flaco Jimenez burns up the squeeze box on "La Mucura," The accordion of Flaco Jimenez is masterful, as he displays his effortless command of everything from melancholy chordal backdrops to pulsing Tex-Mex dance steps. Augie Meyers gets to show off his bluesy side on "Did I Tell You." For all the sonic diversity of the Texas Tornados, "Zone of Our Own" still sounds like it's all of a piece, like the play list of some blessedly eclectic radio station beaming out along the border, as the four frontmen bounce off each other with joyous aplomb. If you're looking for some aural seasoning for your next barbecue, "Zone of Our Own" is just the bottle of hot sauce you need.

Track listing

01.  "(Is Anybody Going To) San Antone"   (Dave Kirby, Glenn Martin)   - 3:11   

02.  "La Mucura"  (Antonio Fuentes, Antonio Mata)  - 2:42   

03.  "Bailando"  (Augie Meyers)  - 3:07   

04.  "I'm Not That Kat Anymore"  (Doug Sahm)  - 2:58   

05.  "Oh Holy One"  (Freddy Fender)  - 4:09   

06.  "He Is a Tejano"  (Doug Sahm)  - 3:27   

07.  "El Pantalon Blue Jean"  - 2:33   

08.  "Just Can't Fake It"  (Doug Sahm)  - 2:47   

09.  "Did I Tell You"  (Augie Meyers, Gavin Povey)  - 3:47   

10.  "Volver" (Miguel Trujillo)  - 2:32

Released:  1991

Label:  Reprise

Genre:  Roots Rock, Tex-Mex

Length:  31:13

Producer:  Bill Halverson, Texas Tornados

Personnel

Freddy Fender

Doug Sahm

Flaco Jiménez

Augie Meyers

Paul Simon - The Rhythm Of The Saints (1990)

"The Rhythm Of The Saints" is the eighth studio album by Paul Simon, released in 1990. Following the success of 1986's "Graceland", on which he worked principally with South African musicians, Simon broadened his interests in diverse forms of music from around the world. He turned to Latin America for the musicians and rhythms which characterize much of this album, partnering with Afro-Brazilian superstars Grupo Cultural Olodum, masters of the heavily percussive sub-style of samba called Batuque or Batucada. The group's drumming is featured on the opening song and first single, "The Obvious Child". Brazilian singer-songwriter Milton Nascimento co-wrote "Spirit Voices" and contributed some vocals. Guest appearances were also made by mandolin- and "guitarra baiana" master Armandinho, another Bahia musician, and by Afro-Cuban drummer Francisco Aguabella, and Puerto Rican-born drummer Giovanni Hidalgo. Another collaborator was jazz percussionist and master of the berimbau, Naná Vasconcelos; jazz guitarist Rafael Rabelo also played on the album, along with many other Brazilian musicians. The musical styles on "The Rhythm of the Saints" are, however, not uniformly Brazilian. US saxophonist Michael Brecker and other horn players contribute as session musicians (for example, on "Proof"), as well as American roots rock guitarist J. J. Cale, Fabulous Thunderbirds vocalist Kim Wilson (contributing harmonica on "The Obvious Child"), R&B keyboards player Greg Phillinganes and jazz drummer Steve Gadd. Art rock guitarist and synth player Adrian Belew, who played on "Graceland", is credited on "Spirit Voices". There are also many backing vocals on "The Rhythm of the Saints", such as "She Moves On", a duet with Charlotte Mbango. Also, Simon was influenced by bikutsi for this album. The album is characterized by impressionistic lyrics (referencing the Chernobyl incident in "Can't Run But" and the state of the world in "The Cool, Cool River"), with slower tempos than "Graceland" and an atmospheric flow. Along with Latin rhythms, the prime influence on the album was West African and Central African music. Cameroonian jazz composer Andre Manga plays bass,and South African guitarist Ray Phiri, who also collaborated on Graceland, plays on much of the album, while famed trumpeter and worldbeat bandleader Hugh Masekela is credited with playing flugelhorn on one song. Although drums for "The Obvious Child" were recorded live at Pelourinho Square in Salvador, Bahia, Simon recorded most of the rhythms for the tracks in Rio de Janeiro studios before returning to The Hit Factory in New York City to record guitar accompaniment and, later, the final arrangements. The Rhythm of the Saints marks Simon's first collaboration with Cameroonian guitarist Vincent Nguini, a member of his band since. Nguini is credited with creating the music and guitar arrangements for "The Coast", although Simon still wrote the lyrics. Nguini also arranged guitar for other songs, such as "She Moves On" and "The Cool, Cool River," and he arranged the horns for "Proof." Together, Simon and Nguini created the melodies, lyrics, and arrangements that changed the bare rhythm and guitar recordings into (due to Simon's studio experience:) the expertly-edited final product.

Track listing

01. "The Obvious Child"  (Paul Simon) - 4:10

02. "Can't Run But"  (Paul Simon) - 3:37

03. "The Coast"  (Simon, Vincent Nguini) - 5:00

04. "Proof" (With Vincent Nguini) Bikutsi (Cameroonian rhythm) - 4:38

05. "Further to Fly"  (Paul Simon) - 5:32

06. "She Moves On"  (Paul Simon) - 5:02

07. "Born at the Right Time"  (Paul Simon) - 3:48

08. "The Cool, Cool River"  (Paul Simon) - 4:33

09. "Spirit Voices"  (Simon, Milton Nascimento) - 3:54

10. "The Rhythm of the Saints"  (Paul Simon) - 4:20

Released:  October 16, 1990

Recorded at:  The Hit Factory in New York City , Rio de Janeiro studios

Genre:  Pop, Worldbeat

Length:  44:34

Label:  Warner Bros.

Producer:  Paul Simon

Personnel

Paul Simon - vocals, guitar

Clifton Chenier - accordion

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - background vocals

Milton Nascimento - vocals

Naná Vasconcelos - percussion, conga, triangle, berimbau, gourd

Adrian Belew - synthesizer

J.J. Cale - guitar

Rigo Star - guitar

Michael Brecker - saxophone

Hugh Masekela - flugelhorn

Steve Gadd - drums

Randy Brecker - piccolo trumpet

The Vaughan Brothers - Family Style (1990)

"Family Style" is a blues-rock album by the Vaughan Brothers, released on September 25, 1990. The album features the brethren guitarists and vocalists, Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, in their only studio collaboration. In his early years, Stevie Ray Vaughan often remarked that he would like to do an album with his brother. He fulfilled that wish in his very last studio performance, which was released nearly a month after his death. The liner notes end with "Thanks Mama V. for letting us play." With slick production from Nile Rodgers and employing neither guitarist's band (Double Trouble nor the Fabulous Thunderbirds), this is bluesy, but far from purist. Jimmie makes his vocal debut on "White Boots" and "Good Texan," and the brothers blur the lines between their expected guitar styles Stevie sometimes going for a less sustainy twang, Jimmie moving into Albert King territory. When standard blues is the order of the day (the slow instro "Brothers"), the key word is "standard" bordering on run-of-the-mill. Instrumentals "D/FW" and "Hillbillies from Outer Space" fare better offering ZZ Top crunch and Santo & Johnny steel, respectively.  From the opening line from Stevie, "Roll, and I'll just feel something," the album is about feeling. Stevie's playing was effortless, and some even called him God's Radio, but his playing was always better when his big brother, Jimmie, was with him. Even though they weren't always in the studio together, laying down individual tracks to be mixed later, the magic is still there, and it shines when the brothers are playing together. Stevie reached the apex of his career with this album and "In Step" turning out the best music of his life, but lurking in the shadow, brother Jimmie came to his own here too. Jimmie voice makes its first appearance on an album as he sings. At times it is nearly impossible to tell which of the brothers is playing, but they each have a distinctive sound, which fit together perfectly as brothers should. Every song on this album is spectacular. From the opening "Hard to Be" with Stevie on lead vocals and a cool theme over Jimmie's rhythm. Upbeat and fun. Next, it's Jimmie's turn to sing on "White Boots", with a slight Country flare. Who knew he had such a great voice? Stevie steps in with his distinctive sound and plays a great solo. They repeat the formula again with "Good Texan". The best song on the album is "Tick Tock". Just perfect playing from the brothers, and Jimmie's spoken intro sets the tone of the song, and Stevie sings it beautifully. A strong message in today's world. The brothers rock out with "Telephone Song" pulling out Wah-Wah solos and excellent rhythm. The album ends with the appropriately named "Brothers", an instrumental played on one guitar being passed back and forth between the two Vaughans. The brothers pass licks back and forth for five minutes. Powerful and haunting.

Track listing

01.  "Hard to Be"  (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Doyle Bramhall)  - 4:43

02.  "White Boots"  (Billy Swan, Jim Leslie, Deborah Hutchenson)  - 3:50

03.  "D/FW"  (Jimmie Vaughan)  - 2:52

04.  "Good Texan"  (J. Vaughan, Nile Rodgers)  - 4:22

05.  "Hillbillies from Outerspace"  (J. Vaughan, S. R. Vaughan)  - 3:42

06.  "Long Way from Home"  (S. R. Vaughan, Bramhall)  - 3:15

07.  "Tick Tock"  (J. Vaughan, Rodgers, Jerry Lynn Williams)  - 4:57

08.  "Telephone Song"  (S. R. Vaughan, Bramhall)  - 3:28

09.  "Baboom/Mama Said"  (J. Vaughan, S. R. Vaughan, Denny Freeman)  - 4:29

10.  "Brothers"  (J. Vaughan, S. R. Vaughan)  - 5:05

Released:  September 25, 1990

Recorded at:  Ardent Sudios, Memphis TN; The Dallas Sound Lab, Dallas TX and Skyline Studios, NY

Genre:  Blues-Rock

Length:  40:47

Label:  Epic

Producer:  Nile Rodgers

Personnel

Jimmie Vaughan - Guitar, lap steel guitar, Vocals, Organ

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Guitar, Vocals

Al Berry - Bass

Larry Aberman - Drums

Doyle Bramhall - Drums

Nile Rodgers - Guitar, Producer

Richard Hilton - Organ

Tawatha Agee - Vocals

Frank Simms - Vocals

George Simms - Vocals

Brenda White-King - Vocals