Album of the Week - Opinion/Samples
I just bought Rainy Day last week after hearing the Jayhawks on NPR. I have only been listening in my truck where I have been having a ball with it and think others might, as well. Maybe you should have saved it as a road listen. A quick listen on the big rig suggests a typical sibilant mike was used, which I can tame with my eq, thank goodness. Ben, what discs do you recommend from the Jayhawks? |
Charlie-I'm a really big fan of Sound Of Lies although most purists enjoy Hollywood Town Hall and Tomorrow The Green Grass before Olsen left. These are probably closer in tone to Rany Day Music with their Alt-country sound (but not as like The Byrds) but imho much better written,varied and with a deftness of touch missing from their last album. Sound Of Lies is both rockier and a bit more out there but the key songs really are excellent and feature really great guitar lines. This was also a break up album and as such appeared to be written from the heart (Louris was on the verge of divorce from his wife). I think the new one song's are a bit lame lyrically as well. |
RE - The Jayhawks. Danvetc, if you like the CSN(Y) sound of Rainy Day Music, you'd like The Thorns debut (Matthew Sweet - who also appars on RDM; Pete Droge; Sean Mullins). The album nails vocal harmony/instrumentation of CSNY and their wide-open spaces Americana sound. I haven't listened to it that much - but it's pretty impressive as a stylistic recreation. See http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=2902676 for samples. |
Regiolanthe- your effort to keep this alive is commendable. Following on the heels of the deafening applause for my first suggestion... http://www.johnnemethblues.com No samples, but go buy Jack of Harps anyhow, on my word that it kicks butt. The album starts with John blowing harp in a Little Walter mode, moves to a shuffle, simmers, then boils on a couple of originals, suprises you with a way off-beat Sonny Boy Williamson tune (where john shows his huge vocal range singing male and female parts of the song) and mixes in some great original material like Love Zombie. The album sounds very retro, and there's no overdubbing or BS- the "tricks" are limited to John occasionally singing into his harp mic for effect. It was recorded in John's living room, but you will not care. Trust me. John is a hell of a nice guy, and has honed his harp skills and vocals playing a ton of live gigs the last 15 years. I've watched him since his band was too young to play in bars. If you ever find his first album, Harmonica Frenzy- buy it-- Some Junior Wells covers, but he makes them his own and adds some great other tunes on that as well. DO NOT buy the album with the blue chicken foot on it- it was a jazz experimental thing John did and it's lousy. He even admits he doesn't like it now. And in keeping with the thread's original intent, stuff that you can go hear samples of... http://www.michaelpickett.com/ Michael Pickett is a white guy from Canada, but he has the blues. For real. "Blues Money" and "Conversation with the Blues" are my favorites, his site has samples of these two albums and more. Great harp work, tight arrangements, very listenable. The recording is pretty good - it's not a standout recording, but it's not a lousy recording. This isn't an "audiophile approved recordings of crap music" thread, right? It's about the music. |
