Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise / RCA 07863 66919-2
This 1's a T-Bone w/ alotta meat on it.. Good use of R&B & Funk grooves combined w/ a feelin' of Otis Redding style...It came out late last year, but in my opinion it's still the best buy out there...If ya don't have it already...get it soon!!
Dave Matthews Band-Before These Crowded Streets /
RCA/BMG 07863 67660-2
T-Bone....If ya've got the last 2 by these guys & ya like them, this 1's a no brainer...You'll love it!!
garbage-Version 2.0 / ALMO SOUNDS...AMSD-80018
T-Bone.....This 1's a keeper...A Techno/Alt-Rock masterpiece...This has great flow from song 2 song...The use of The Beach Boys "Don't Worry Baby" in "Push it" is great....This 1's gonna be played all Summer....
Izzy Stradlin-117(degrees) /GEFFEN....GEFD-25202
T-Bone....Ex GnR Guitarist releases another strong solo effort....good flow from song 2 song...where the types of tempo shifts from slow accoustic based, to hard guitar driven rockers...the instrumental song "Grunt" is a brilliant peice of work!!
Buddy Guy-Heavy Love / Silvertone Records 0 1241-41632-2 T-Bone....David Z loans his talents 2 this cd, by producing & mixing....his addition gives this release a "Funky" sound that is quite enjoyable throughout...4 any fan of the Blues, this 1's a must!! Buddy hook's up & jams w/ Jonny Lang on "Midnight Train" ....oh, ya gotta hear it!!
Delbert McClinton-One Of The Fortunate Few / Rising Tide rtd-53042 T-Bone....This has been out 4 a few months...I don't know how I overlooked it on my 1st page of reviews....It's hard 2 forget!! Delbert enlists alot of the best musicians in the "bidness" 2 play w/ him on this; B.B. King, Bekka Bramlett, Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill, Mavis Staples...the list goes on & on....This 2 is a Blues cd, w/ a 'lil Country thrown in 4 flavor...It's a good 1...Highly recommended!!
Etta James-Life, Love & the Blues.....Private Music 01005-82162-2 T-Bone....This Lady's voice is as good as gold...Lordy, she's got a set of pipes....This Blues legend returns with a CD of mainly cover songs...but don't let that fool ya....she takes Marvin Gaye's classic "Inner City Blues" 2 a new level....If yer a fan of The Blues...This 1's a MUST!!!
Jonny Lang-Wander This World / A&M Records 31454 0984 2 T-Bone ---- Have Mercy!! This is a phenomenal release....Sophmore Jinx?? Not w/ this guy....I truly believe that this 1's better than his 1st album "Lie To Me"....the song "Breakin' Me" is a beautiful mix which reminded me that The Blues can sound pretty too.....David Z, who produced, engineered & mixed this 1, gets an early nod 4 the coveted "Doghouse Producer of The Year" .....stuff some stockin's w/ this 1....They'll Love It!!!
Keb' Mo' - Slow Down / Okeh-550 Music BK 69376 T-Bone ---- Hot off this summer's concert tour with Bonnie Raitt & Jackson Browne, this So. California Bluesman put 2gether another great album....4 those of U out there who hasn't heard Keb' puttin' his stuff down yet...this release is a great 1 2 start out with....Some inspirational songs on here, some great blues.....a great cover of Robert Johnson's "Love In Vain"....Definately check this 1 out!!
Bryan Adams - On A Day Like Today / A&M Records 31454 1014 2 T-Bone ---- I know, I know....Bryan Adams...yeah, I'm an abandoned child of the 80's...I've got "Reckless" & "Cuts Like A Knife"...There, I feel better...I'm out of the closet!!....but this 1 doesn't sound anything like those...in an odd way it sounds kinda "Beatles-ish" ....I've grown up...so, I guess Bryan can 2....I really dig this 1...Lyrically it's great...Musically it's awesome....I'm also glad that he's gotten over the Acadamy Award Ballad funk that he was in 4 awhile....If ya ever dug any of his ol' stuff...get this 1...you'll dig it 2....
The Rest of The Pack....
Lenny Kravitz-5 / Virgin American 7243 8 45605 2 2
T-Bone/Ham Bone....I personally dig this 1....But I'm a fan, so I consider myself biased....it's funkier than his last release "Circus"...This time Lenny's looking 4ward 2 the Millenium w/ his feet planted back in the '70's....& He pulls it off rather well...I absolutely love the horns on "Straight Cold Player"!!....
Cracker - Gentleman's Blues / Virgin Recs. 7243 8 46263 2 7 T-Bone\ Ham Bone ----- this 1 almost made the grade....it's got like 17 songs on it & Lord knows it's hard 2 put 17 great songs on a cd....but hey they came close......@ least I think so...this cd embraces alot of different styles of music & yet it flows really well from song 2 song .....a few of these remind me of The Stones classic "Exile On Main Street"...they have that "feel" 2 'em...great stuff...check this 1 out....I bet you'll enjoy it as much as I do...WOOF!!
Eric Clapton-Pilgrim / Reprise 9 46577-2
Ham Bone.....This 1's not gonna win over any new fans for him...
but those of us who call ourselves fans won't be disappointed...
E.C. grows a bit w/ this one & takes the Blues to an R&B level w/ some accoustic flavor....
Sheryl Crow - The Globe Sessions / A&M Records 31454 0959 2
Ham Bone ----- This 1 almost made a T-Bone... It's very good...She get's rockin' right from the start...The opening riffs 2 "My Favorite Mistake" sound like the Almighty Keith's playin' them...This 1 deals w/ her past relationships & @ 1st listen it wans't that good, but the more I played it the better it became...The bonus track's a great obsevation of the recent scandel in the US Capitol....this album has alot of Tchad Blake's influence in it...most of it was mixed by him...He really give's Sheryl a great sound....
Marc Cohn-Burning The Daze / Atlantic 82909-2
Ham Bone.....Nice music to put on when yer cleanin' up yer place on Sunday afternoon....mellow-busy work songs w/ a few catchy melodies here & there...
SOUL ASYLUM-Candy from A Stranger/ Columbia CK67618
Ham Bone....A good cd that would be a Classic if it had more "punch"...which I blame producer Chris Kimsey 4 the lack of....great songs, nice mix, nice mesh...but is sounds "watered-down"....ya should still get it...it's very good, but it could be alot better...I love "Cradle Chain", it pieces it all 2gether...
Todd Snider-Viva Satellite / MCA MCAD-11726
Ham Bone...This CD's got a lot 2 choose from...15 songs, 1 of 'ems not listed on the back...a few songs have some great lryics....a few w/ a Bob Dylan flavor...and 1 that sounds like he ripped it off of Neil Young...This has an excellent cover of Steve Miller's Classic "The Joker"....
Natalie Merchant-OPHELIA / Elektra 62196-2
Ham Bone....I just got this 2day...so, I haven't had a chance to let it fully "sink in" yet....But it's cut along the same vein as her last "Tigerlilly", no radical departures 'er anything...There's a few good songs on this 1....It starts out good & then tapers off....If ya liked her last CD...you'll probably like this 1 too....
The Smashing Pumpkins-Adore / Virgin Recs. America, Inc 7 23438-45879-2 5 Ham Bone....This 1 almost rates a T-Bone...It starts off great, then gets into some "moody stuff"...The song "Perfect" reminds me of a song from The Cure....This is a good cd, don't get me wrong...just not T-Bone material....
Rod Stewart-When We Were The New Boys / Warner Bros. 9 46792-2 Ham Bone....This 1, Like The Pumpkins' cd, is good....but it doesn't quite measure up 2 T-Bone status.....Reminds me alot of his '91 release "Vagabond Heart" so, if ya liked that 1...this is alot like that, get it....a few rockers, a few ballads....good cd...
The Jimi Hendrix Experience-BBC Sessions / MCA MCAD2-11742 Ham Bone...Most of Jimi's greatest songs are on this 2 cd set...These were recorded back in the late '60s off of various BBC programs, so in some cases the quality isn't the best...but it's alot better than The Beatles BBC set released a few yrs back...I usually don't review Greatest Hits releases...but this doesn't fall in that category...There's alot of material on this that's "new"....The instrumental version of Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made To Love Her" w/ Stevie on drums is phenominal !!
John Mellencamp - John Mellencamp / Columbia CK 69602
Ham Bone ----- Indiana's favorite son is back w/ his 1st release on his new record label & it's his best in years!!! Reminiscent of "Scarecrow" & "Lonesome Jubilee" this self-titled release is John looking around @ the world & singing about what he see's & how he fits in it....he get serious w/ "Your Life Is Now" & "It All Comes True" & shows us he can still have fun w/ "Miss Missy" & "I'm Not Running Anymore"....He get's a lil' funky w/ "Break Me Off Some" & he throws us all a bone & finally concludes the Jack & Dianne song of old w/ "Eden Is Burning"
Scott Thomas Band - California / Elektra 62197 - 2
Ham Bone ----- This 1 was great find...I was in the local record store & saw this & thought the cover looked cool, so I picked it up...I never heard of 'em & when I put it on I was pleasantly suprised....good song writing....it has an accoustic flavor 2 it....I really dig "Black Valentine" it's a good song....& the whole cd flows really well...they did a great job...if ya've got the extra cash...check this 1 out.... The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - ACME / Matador Records 7243 4 95566 2 1 Ham Bone ---- I really like this 1 also....the sound of this band is very hard 2 describe, if ya haven't heard anything by them, I wouldn't recommend it.....unless ya wanna take a chance on something new & different...If ya like what ya've heard by this band on MTV or the Radio...this CD sounds like that all the way thru...I love the melody of "Torture"...good stuff!!
Storyville-Dog Years....Atlantic 83111-2 Ham Bone....These guys have put 2gether a great follow-up 2 their '96 CD, "Piece Of Your Soul"...basically this has same feel as it did...so if you enjoyed that 1...you'll dig this 1 also...."Born Without You", "Talk To Me" & the SRV tribute "There's A Light" are the highlights...but it's quite enjoyable to listen to straight thru...give this 1 a shot...
Chris Knight-Chris Knight / Decca Records DRND - 70007
Ham Bone.....4 all the Country Music fans out there, this 1's pretty good...I absolutely love the song " It Ain't Easy Being Me"
and the rest of the cd is good also....I've never heard of this guy B4, but he's good....I hope to hear alot more from him in the future....This reminds me of Steve Earle's 1st MCA cd "Guitar Town"...good stuff!!
Creed-My Own Prison / Wind-up 60150-13049-2 Ham Bone....Since I reviewed a Country cd...I think I'm obligated to review a Metal 1 also....it's a balance sorta thing....This 1's been out 4 a few months also....it has good flow from song 2 song & some great licks & lryrics...but it's not 4 everyone....If yer a fan of metal you'll dig this 1.....
Seven Mary Three-Orange Ave. ......Atlantic 83114-2
Ham Bone....This 1's a pretty good release..."Over Your Shoulder"'s a very good song...There a few good 1's on this....I think "Flagship Eleanor" has an ol' R.E.M. feel 2 it...but it doesn't flow well from song 2 song....which is why it's doesn't get a full-fledged T-Bone...Sorry guys...
Soul Coughing - El Oso / Slash - Warner Bros. 9 46800 - 2
Ham Bone\ No. 3 Bone ----- Here's another band on the cuttin' edge of R&R.....they've got some great grooves on this 1....it reminds me of their "Ruby Vroom" release of a few years ago....
yet another release w/ Tchad Blake's touches on it, on this 1 he produces the majority of the tracks along w/ the band..."Circles" has been in heavy rotation on my local Radio station..it's a great song...woof!!New Power Generation - New Power Soul / NPG Records 85337 98722 3 Ham Bone \ No. 3 Bone ----- Prince's band....I know, I'm not PC enuff....The Artist....naw..He'll always be Prince here in the Dog House!! (Remember, I'm stuck in the 80's..) This is Prince's band's cd...he ,of course, helps them out by singin' on all the trax & playin' guitar....Regardless of how lame I feel he is...he always puts out good R&B.....& this is no exception...."Freaks On This Side" is a great party song....most of this gets ya groovin'....so it ain't that bad....Beck - Mutations / DGC Records DGCD- 25309 Ham Bone \ No. 3 Bone ----- This 1's what a call a "mood record"...it's great 2 listen 2 when yer in the mood 4 some mellow stuff....Sunday mornings...when yer doin' the dishes....it's great background music....it has an "Indian sound" (that's music from India 4 U slooooowww visitors & not tribal stuff) although the last few #'s R throwbacks 2 days gone by.....sometimes ya can make something old new again, & Beck accomplishes that w/ a few songs on here....it's good, just not that good....woof?Dwight Yoakam - A Long Way Home / Reprise 9 46918-2 Ham Bone \ No. 3 Bone ----- The Pride of Bakersfield returns again w/ a solid release...there's some great stuff on this 1....although it's not as good as his last 2 cds "Gone" & "This Time" it's very solid...He's still pushin' the boundries of Country music...nothin' new there & he does a great impression of the Cartoon Network character "Johnny Bravo" in the intro of "Maybe You Like It, Maybe You Don't"....hehehehe....it cracks me up!! (& I don't think it was intentional....hehehehe)
Richie Sambora-Undiscovered Soul......Mercury 314 536 972-2
No. 3 Bone.....this has been out since like Feb?? I keep 4gettin' 2 post it...but ya haven't missed out on much, due 2 my lack of memory...Bon Jovi's Lead Guitarist ventures out solo again and shows some promise as a solo act..."Hard Times Come Easy" is a great song...& there are a few other good #'s on this ....just not T-Bone caliber stuff..
Max Carl & The Big Dance / Mission 2001-2
No. 3 Bone.....This 1's got a few good songs outta the 16 songs that are on it...a few good covers...Glenn Frey helped out producin' this 1....this 1 deserves a shot, if ya've got the $ to spare.....don't go outta yer way 2 get it tho...it's good, but not that good....
J. Page & R. Plant-Walking Into Clarksdale /Atlantic 83092-2
No. 3 Bone...My 1st impression upon hearing it was....."Ya made us wait all these years 4 THIS!!"....don't get me wrong, there is some good stuff on here..the 4 I like are "Shining In The Light", "Most High", "When I Was A Child", & "House Of Love".....But 4 outta 12 isn't worth a whole lot here in The Dog House...It would probably get a sympathy song here & there if the 2 together had released something new since '79...but that isn't the case....If ya must have it...get it used, or wait a few months & use it as 1 of free choices from the Music Clubs when ya sign up...
Alanis Morissette - Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie / Maverick - Reprise 9 47094-2 No. 3 Bone ----- this 1's a "mood record" also...it's just that I'm rarely in the mood 4 it....I think I've listened 2 it twice...other than that it hasn't seen the light of day....it's just not my bag....ya know?? "Thank U" & "UR" R pretty good....if memory serves me correct....but I've had a few beers since then.....watch out on this 1....ya might get bitten...Phish - The Story Of The Ghost / Elektra 62297-2 No. 3 Bone ------ This 1's better than the Alanis 1....there's a few good grooves & melodies 4 the offering.... "Meat" has a tropical sound 2 it that's quite enjoyable....but if yer not a fan of these guys stay away from it.....it'll bite ya R.E.M. - UP / Warner Bros. 9 47112-2 No. 3 Bone ----- alright I'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt, in that this is their 1st w/o their drummer....but the sympathy ends there....this 1 bites!! it's worse than the last 1...."Low Adventures In HI-FI" 'er somethin' like that..hehehehe...don't get me wrong..I'm an REM fan of old...it's just that their releases haven't done anything 4 me in the past few years....and I don't think that I'm the only 1 feelin' like that either....but put all that aside & this cd has a couple of good songs "Hope" & "Daysleeper"...but overall...this 1 put me 2 sleep....& I hope that these guys wake up B4 they lose us all.....Duncan Sheik - Humming / Atlantic 83138-2 No. 3 Bone ------ I bought this 1 'cuz I really like the song "Bite Your Tongue"....so I gave it a shot....well that's the only reason 2 buy this dud.....I must have "Sucker" tattooed on my 4head 'er somethin'....watch out on this baby....ouch, man that still hurts...
Jeff Finlin-Highway Diaries / Mercury-Little Dog Records 314-534 639-2 No. 3 Bone...Great Songs & Lyrics...very "Dylanish" ....But it takes awhile 2 get used to this guys voice....."Dylanish"..hehehehe..this is good stuff tho...if yer wantin' to hear somethin' out of the norm...this 1's 4 ya...but it's not 4 everyone....
Jeffrey Gaines-Galore......Rykodisc RCD 10400 No. 3 Bone....I got lucky & got a promo copy of this when I purchased it...it's a 2 CD set...1 is the original release & the other's an EP of stuff...The EP's got his renditions of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" & Elvis Costello's "Riot Act"...which in my opinion, makes it more marketable...'cuz there's only like 3 songs on the real CD that are worth listening 2.....the 1st 3 trax......It just has too many run-of-the-mill ballads, that make this 1, one that you could do without.....
Phoebe Snow-I Can't Complain.....House Of Blues Music Company 51416 1352 2 No. 3 Bone....Another lady with a voice that makes me melt.....The 2 duet songs w/ Michael McDonald are good...and there's a few others that rate good....but overall, it's not that good of a CD...ya might get bitten.....
Steve Poltz-One Left Shoe / Mercury 314 536 941-2
No. 3 Bone /ABC Bone.....This one's almost all accoustic songs...not that that's bad 'er anything....just not my cuppa tea, ya know?? I really like the song "Silver Lining" that's why I bought it...but after that, it's all downhill, in my opinion...
The Artist-Crystal Ball / NPG ?? (it's got no #'s on it!!)
No. 3 Bone/ABC Bone.....well, if yer a fan....get it...there's alot of good stuff on this 4 cd release....It might be hard 2 find though....The Artist apparently decided to only ship this out 2 certain national chain stores....ya might be able to get it @ his web page...If ya must have it....I got my copy @ Sam Goody, if that helps ya
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy-Self Titled......EMI/Capitol CDP 7243 4 93338 2 6
No. 3 Bone/ABC Bone....When I got this I thought this band would sound like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones...well, they don't...which is why I'm not giving them a favorable Bone...They failed to live up 2 my expectations of them...Oh well...ya win some & ya lose some...Not that this is a awful CD...Oh contrair(sp?)...they're a good "swing" band & some people like that stuff...if ya do...get this CD..you'll prob'ly like it.....but I don't...
The Runts.....
Van Halen-3 / Warner Bros. 9 46662-2
ABC Bone......I took this out back & burried it.....AWFUL...
I admit, I've got a personal feeling about how they handled the Sammy/ David Lee thing a few months ago....but I seriously gave this band an open-mind when I listened to it....there are a few times when Eddie plays good...but that doesn't warrant it's purchase....wait a month 'er 2....you'll find it in The Used Bin in yer local record store.....If ya must have it & you don't have it already....don't pay full price 4 it....this 1 Bites!!!
Ben Folds Five-Naked Baby Photos / Caroline Records CAR 7554
ABC Bone...This 1's basically a CD of Live versions & Alternate takes...Unless yer a BIG FAN of these guys...use extreme caution...this 1'll bite ya!!
Jeff Buckley-Sketches for My Sweetheart The Drunk / Columbia C2K 67228
ABC Bone......I totally understand the need to release this material...but unless yer a fan of his.....steer clear of this..It could bite ya....but there are a few moments on this when you can tell that Jeff was on the verge of a great song.....it's truly a shame that he couldn't finish them....(and I'm not meaning that in a bad way)
I have absolutely no idea how that last review got 2 be a different color!! I typed it in exactly like the others....kinda creepy 'eh??
Squirrel Nut Zippers - Perennial Favorites / Mammoth Records 354 980 169-2 ABC Bone ----- this 1 just isn't my bag either.....stay away from this 1....unless ya wanna really get "out there" in some wild stuff....( hey somebody has 2 like it...they got a record deal !?!? )
