The Music Jockey

 

 

 

1	Liz Pineapple Wonderful	Harris	7:53
2	Sugarcane's Got the Blues	Harris	14:38
3	Song for My Father	Silver	10:23
4	Where's My Sunshine	Harris	11:25

 

 

by Eugene Chadbourne

The period when this music veteran became an in-demand artist for this kind of solo appearance at a European festival brought out a great blossoming of his talents, not always captured that well on record. This live recording has its rough spots and at times sounds as if it was mixed insensitively, but despite all quibbling is one of the finest documentations of Don "Sugarcane" Harris at work in a setting that should please anybody with an interest in this violinist's work. He really shines in a blues context, but this comes across here in the context of exciting, extended jams rather than the often boring straight rhythm & blues material he started out recording with Johnny Otis. The jazz-rock side of his personality gets pushed forward here by the all-Euro backup action, and the passing of time has made this particular gathering seem historic, the drum seat filled expertly by Robert Wyatt and Terje Rypdal coming on-stage to join in a lovely exploration of roots jazz, the ballad "Song for My Father" by Horace Silver. This piece, with its slight Latin inflection, ever-present blues feel, and sincere emotions, is perfect material for Harris, and it is a shame the violinist never forged an all-Silver project. "Sugarcane's Got the Blues" is a real tour de force, nearly 15 minutes of electric violin sizzle.

Volker Kriegel: guitar (except "Song For My Father"), Terje Rypdal: guitar ('Song for...'), Wolfgang Dauner: keyboards, Neville Whitehead: bass, Robert Wyatt: drums
 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Vocal Singer | mp3 320 Kbps | 158 MB
EMI Japan Edition

01. Not I
02. Whee Baby
03. Why Do You Have To Go Home
04. You're Making Me Crazy
05. Something Cool
06. Magazines
07. Midnight Sun.
08. Lonely House
09. I Should Care
10. It Could Happen To You
11. The First Thing You Know, You're In Love
12. A Stranger Called The Blues
13. I'll Take Romance
14. Look Out Up There
15. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
16. Out Of Somewhere
17. Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore
18. I'm Thrilled
19. This Time The Dream's On Me
20. The Night We Called It A Day
21. Kicks
22. Pete Kelly's Blues
23. Until The Real Thing Comes Along
24. I Never Want To Look Into Those Eyes Again

 

 

 

1 Diamond Ring
    2 Rattle Snake Shake
    3 Nine
    4 Drifting Haze
    5 Far From Reality
    6 Black Sea Star
    7 The Kara-Dag
    8 Loser
    9 Mortisha
    10 Falling
    11 The Truth
 

CD Review: Jimmy Bowskill - Jimmy Bowskill

The opener, "Diamond Ring," brings to mind Gordie "Grady" Johnson and Big Sugar, although Jimmy's guitar tones aren't quite as monsterous as Gordie's (but whose are?). It's a great opener that sets the tone for the rest of the record.
"Rattle Snake Shake" is Jimmy's take on legendary Peter Green's (Fleetwood Mac) blues rock anthem. The lead break is a thing of beauty and I love Wayne DeAdder's baseline just hanging out in the back.
I was introduced to "Nine" at one of Jimmy's shows in fall 2006 (at that time called "Nine String Thing"). This is Jimmy on one of the mad scientist guitars he builds in his workshop, a flat top accoustic with three extra strings shoehorned onto it. "Nine" is a hybrid bluegrass, folk, blues, with drones a la Indian classical music. The Tabla accompaniment further ads to the Indian feel. I dug it last fall and I really dig it now!
"Drifting Haze" isn't necessarily my cup of tea. At a length of 6:04 it's Zepplin-meets-Stonerrock that goes on for a few more minutes more than I would have liked. If I recall correctly, the lead breaks are performed on an electric twelve string which in itself is pretty cool. If you're into moody Zepplinesque jams then this may be your cup of tea.
In "Far From Reality," Jimmy definately has a Page/Plant vibe going on. I also had flashes of early Aerosmith. I like this song and its tastey single note riffing, chord inversions, and the always dissonant 7#9 chord. The guitar tone is stellar on this as well. Sounds like a little 'Class A' sleeper cranked until it is begging for mercy.
"Black Sea Star" a is shining four and a half minutes. I love the way Jimmy used the ambient room sound of the guitar and drums to create an intimate lo-fi reggae sound. I feel like I'm right in the room, and sipping a tropical drink.
Hmmm, was "The Kara-Dag" co-written with the drummer? The two minute drum solo at 00:50 may have tipped me to that. Just call me Sherlock.
"Loser" is from the same ballpark as "Drifting Haze", but with some moody and fitting slide lines. Jimmy's vocals also take the wheel and we get to hear his chops now that his voice has changed.
A great groove from the get-go is what "Mortisha" offers. Fun lyrics too.
The album's only ballad is "Falling." This is a beautiful song hindered only by the heavy-handed drumming which seems to come from left field.
Rounding out Jimmy's effort is the masterpiece "The Truth," A minor blues which is just pumped full of emotions, from the heartfelt vocal to the lead breaks which squeeze a story from a recurring four or so notes and a wha pedal.
With this self titled disc, Jimmy has moved away from the more traditional blues found on his two previous recordings. Overall the album has a classic stadium rock vibe. Earth shaking drums and big guitars are found throughout. This is an evolution I for one am happy to witness. Will this alienate some of the more conservative fans? Probably. Will this bring new fans into the fold. For sure!

 

 

 

I'm Glad There Is You
What Is This Thing Called Love?
The Morning Aftre
I Concentrate On You
Take The "A" Train
Miss Otis Regrets
Thank You For Everything (Lotus Blossom)
Anything Goes
Lush Life
You Better Know It
Easy To Love
Warm Valley (Lyric Version 1)
Warm Valley (Lyric Version 2)
Just One of Those Things
My Little Brown Book
Let's Do It
While We're Young
I've Got You Under My Skin
Satin Doll
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

with The Loonis McGlohon Trio --
Loonis McGlohon (piano/leader/arranger)
Terry Lassiter (bass) James Lackey (drums)

originally featured on NPR's American Popular Song series presenting a program focusing on Cole Porter and Billy Strayhorn (plus 3 odds 'n' ends) -- recorded in 1978

 

 

 

1. American Pie

2. Till Tomorrow

3. Vincent

4. Crossroads

5. Winterwood

6. Empty Chairs

7. Everybody Loves Me, Baby

8. Sister Fatima

9. The Grave

10. Babylon

11. Mother Nature

12. Aftermath

 

 

 

1. Extravagances
2. Symptones
3. Quiproquos
4. Escarmouches
5. Touchstone
6. Provocations