Sunday, November 25, 2007

SKY KING / SECRET SAUCE

Digitized from the original vinyl recording released in 1975 on Columbia records.
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Martyn Ford
Engineered By: Stan Tonkel, Low Waxman, Don Meehan
Recorded At: CBS Studio B, New York City
Cover Art: Roger Huyssen
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 192 kbps
TRACK LISTING:
Secret Sauce
People, People, People
Looking Forward
Makes Me Feel So Good
Don't Be Afraid (Of What You Don't Understand)
Hot Mustard
Still In Love
Why Don't You Take Us
Pedro
Special Place
THE BAND:
Chris Brubeck (Dave Brubeck, the jazz great's, son) - Bass, Trombone, Piano, Vocals
David Ross Mason - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Rick (R.J.) Jacobi - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Richie Morales - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Chris Coan - Lead Vocals
Guests:
Peter (Madcat) Ruth - Harp, Jews Harp, Vocals
Lee Pastora - Congas, Bongos
Jerry Bergozi - Saxes
Perry Robinson - Clarinet
Lenny Pickett - Sax, Flute
Emillo Castillo - Sax
Stephen Kupka - Sax
Greg Adams - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Joshie Armstead, Maretha Stewart, Cissy Houston - Vocals
WEBSITE(S):
http://www.brubeckmusic.com/index.html

REVIEW:
I don't really remember after all these years how I came to find this album but I'm glad I did. It was a big favorite back in the day and it still sounds great tonight. Dave Brubecks Son, Chris, is the leader of the band, but he's just one of a myriad of very talented musicians that grace these vinyl grooves. I defy you to still still in your chair for the duration of all 10 tracks. Take off your shoes and bop around to all the great funky Tower Of Power horns and soulful Madcat harp. Being a drummer and bassist of sorts, a rhythm section like this band posseses is a stone gas to listen to. To the best of my knowledge they only put out this one disc and then disappeared. If you love music that gives you happy feet then I'd be willing to bet you'll enjoy this one. I've included a cover pic. I hope you'll take the time to take a listen.
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

ZEPHYR / SUNSET RIDE

Digitized from the original vinyl recording released in 1972 on Warner Bros. records
Bit Rate: 192 kbps
Format: Mp3
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: David Givens & Zephyr
Engineered By: Preston Smith at Summit Sound Studios, Denver; Malcolm Addley at Gotham Recording Corp. New York & Ken at Wally Heider Studios, San Francisco
Mixed By: David & Candy Givens
Cover Art: David Willardson
TRACK LISTING:
I'm Not Surprised
Someone To Chew
High Flying Bird
No Time Lonesome
Moving Too Fast
Sold My Heart
Sierra Cowgirl
Chasing Clouds
Sunset Ride
Winter Always Finds Me
THE BAND:
P.M. Wooten - Drums, Percussion
John Alfonse - Congas
Dan Smyth - Keyboards
Candy Givens - Vocals, Harp, Piano
David Givens - Bass, Vocals, Guitar
Jock Bartley - Guitar, Vocals
WEBSITE(S):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zephyr_(band)
REVIEW:
This is the 3rd and as far as I know final Zephyr album. This one however is a completely dfferent band than the group that made up the first two album and the music on this Lp is also completely differently than the hard rocking, bluesy sound that Tommy Bolin contributed to the band originally. However, that's not to say different is bad.....this is a very soothing and moody album, perfect for late night or sitting around the campfire or anytime when you'd rather be stroked than rocked. Jock Bartley, who later went on to join Firefall, plays some tasty guitar throughout. I hope you'll take the time to take a listen.
CONTACT:
READ THIS for more information on this album.

Tom

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Newly Revamped and Rejuvenated Music Review

Well, it's been quite awhile since I've done anything with this blog but it's not like I've quit listening to music, on the contrary since I got the Ipod last christmas I've been busy trying to fill the thing full of music.....and in the process I discovered the world of music blogs. I've been able to save myself tons of time and effort by searching the music blogs of the planet to download stuff that I already own rather than take the time and effort to rip it on my own equipment. I've also discovered quite a bit of new music this way also, including bands like The Bottle Rockets, Cross Canadian Ragweed & The Boomers just to name a few of the ones who've really impressed me with their great music.

While the perception of these blogs by the music industry is that people are stealing music the real fact of the matter is that I've bought more CD's this year than in the last several years for the simple reason I've had the opportunity to hear new stuff via the music blogs that I never would've had the chance to hear otherwise. It's not like the radio plays anything but drivel nowadays so for those of us who love good music and like to hear new stuff the music blog world community is really a godsend.

The plan at the moment for the weeks and months ahead is to make this blog a bit more interactive by putting up some of my old stuff for download that's fairly rare and out of print so that a new generation of music listeners can hear some of the stuff that came before they arrived on the planet and is no longer available via the "normal" channels. I'll be posting full albums of old stuff, but when it comes to new stuff I'll post a song or two from the album that I think is great in the hopes that it'll get the listener to seek out more info.

There's a part of me that always wanted to be a D.J. for the simple reason I like sharing the music that I find exciting and inspiring. So trying my hand at a music blog for awhile sounds like a good way to kill some downtime, at least for the coming cold weather months. We'll see how it goes. Stay tuned for the first post.

TC