CD REVIEWS In order to be considered for review in the CD Reviews section, you must have a record deal with a major label or an independent label with an established distributor. If you do not, please see our New Music Critiques section. Ian Hunter When I’m President Slimstyle Producer: The Prongs Just when you’d think a rock legend should retire, they don’t. It isn’t always a good move, but in the case of Ian Hunter, he keeps coming back with great songs, great vocals and great recordings. Although an ex-pat, he addresses US politics eloquently and with his trademark approach to rhythm and rock, it keeps the listener, or dancer, hanging on. This is his best solo release in several years, and he does keep it rocking with “What For,” and “Wild Bunch,” while his emotional side is evident on “Fatally Flawed.” Some dudes can still keep it going after decades in the game, and Ian Hunter is one of them. The title track is a great rocker, and the entire release is a joy. ——Fuchsia Black Abandoned Pools Sublime Currency Tooth & Nail Records Producer: Tommy Walter Sublime Currency marks the third release for Tommy Walter’s solo project. As a cofounder of underground favorite the eels, Walter created Abandoned Pools in 2001. Between releasing Pools records, he also worked on songwriting and producing for artists like Sara Bareilles and Better Than Ezra. In his formidable return, Walter takes away the heavier rock subtleties once apparent in the Abandoned Pools thumbprint, and replaces it with mellow songwriting focused on story and vocal melody (noted exception: “9 Billion”). “Hype Is The Enemy” and “Marigolds” both provide an energy longed for by the Walter faithful, while the duet with singersongwriter Paris Carney in “From Long Sleep” showcases the growth in writing by this SoCal native. ——Andy Mesecher Maia Sharp Change the Ending Blix Street/Crooked Crown Records Producer: Maia Sharp As a songwriter of the first order, Maia Sharp has penned songs for an illustrious roster of artists from Bonnie Raitt to Dixie Chicks. With her latest release, Sharp expands on her variegated musical palette. The introspective “Sober” finds her “…nursing and cursing my clarity hangover,” while the joyous “I See Cecelia,” embellished by bluesy horns, is a charming showcase for Sharp’s conversational lyrics and keen melodic instincts. “Buy My Love,” is delivered in a conventional narrative and This is the debut recording by singersongwriter / multi-instrumentalist Jay Shepard. But the South Carolina native is hardly a newbie to the music biz. He’s provided live support for Derek Trucks, Bernie Worrell and Natasha Bedingfield and brings that experience to the fore on tracks like “Come Back Home” and “Love on Lend.” His synth prowess is also evident on “Truth” and “All You Got.” He even goes into greater depth on ballads “The City” and “So It Goes.” Shepard handles the entire vocal, guitar, bass and keyboard duties, with an instrumental remix with Sharp on sax, a stylistic about face that may indicate fascinating future directions. Self- Harsh Mistress live and programmed drums. While this Jay Shepard co-producer Matty Amendola covering producing in her home studio, Sharp 825 Records release has commercial appeal, there continues to raise the bar for smart, Producers: Various is an endearing personal and eclectic evolved song craft. ——Dan Kimpel feel as well. ——Eric A. Harabadian Deanna Bogart Pianoland Blind Pig Records Producer: Deanna Bogart Circa Survive Violent Waves Self Released Producers: Circa Survive On this, her third disc for Blind Pig, Bogart continues her journey into the blues via a vintage boogie-based theme with a jazzy feel. She sings in a smoky and relaxed style, not unlike Carole King or Laura Nyro, on ballads such as “Couldn’t Love You More” or “Where the Well Never Runs Dry.” But she also lays down some mean scat-singing and playful chord comping on the spirited “In the Rain.” There is a natural and organic approach to the way she addresses the ivories that is sophisticated but down home and accessible at the same time. This is most evident with her engaging and soulful take on “Over the Rainbow” and her sassy and swinging cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Love the Life I Live.” ——Eric A. Harabadian “You get what you pay for and we can’t sell our goddamned souls anymore,” this record’s first hook, speaks volumes on Circa’s view on “the system” and their newest release. Kicking all labels to the curb, they decided to self-release this 11-track gem for $5. So that’s gravy, but with no label or producers (except the band), does the music stand its ground? Yup. Check “Sharp Practice,” it picks up directly where Blue Sky Noise left off—minus over-production. Fans will likely contest that the songwriting is traveling further from their debut Juturna, but isn’t it human nature to evolve? Violent Waves has all the ingredients for your Circa craving: spacey guitars, clever drums and the sweet, sweet Anthony Green. ——Andy Mesecher Chuck Leavell Back To The Woods Evergreen Arts Producer: Various Nirvana Cult Global Recording Artists Producers: Various First-call session keyboardist and Allman Brothers/Rolling Stone alumnus Chuck Leavell takes us back to the roots of blues piano. Back To The Woods is an homage to the nearly forgotten masters of the 88s Otis Spann, Skip James, and Memphis Slim to name a few. It’s a project close to Leavell’s heart as he shares the love, interprets the music, and gets help from special guests Keith Richards, John Mayer, and Col. Bruce Hampton. Leavell feels every note, particularly on “Wish Me Well,” while John Mayer and Keith Richards add some gut-bucket blues guitar to “Boots and Shoes.” Candi Staton sings on Leola Manning’s “The Blues Is All Wrong” and it really hits you where you live. ——Oscar Jordan Long before there was that famous trio from Seattle there was a British group in the late ‘60s who first laid claim to the name. The English duo Nirvana were comprised of singer-songwriter/instrumentalists Campbell-Lyons and Spyropoulos. Although, historically, they never really cracked the US charts they did have a modicum of success in Europe with their mix of chamber pop, folk, psychedelic rock and lyrical ballads. This is a compilation of previously released singles and album tracks culled from a catalog of well-crafted songs and meticulous harmonies. Combine the likes of Peter and Gordon with the Moody Blues and the Zombies for a sound that bears a timeless quality. ——Eric A. Harabadian 46 September 2012 www.musicconnection.com
September 2012 www.musicconnection.com 47
Change language