Record Reviews

JOHN MAYALL ~ STORIES EAR MUSIC 4029759148647 (Barcode: 4029759148647) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2002 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of an album recorded by the Godfather of British Blues guitarist / keyboardist / vocalist / songwriter / bandleader John MayallFind albums by this artist, which was his second album in the new Millennium. The lineup of the BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist on this album includes seasoned American Blues musicians: guitarist Buddy WhittingtonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tom CanningFind albums by this artist, bassist Hank Van SickleFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe YueleFind albums by this artist. Percussionist Lenny CastroFind albums by this artist guests on several tracks. The album presents fourteen songs, six of which are originals by Mayall and the rest are written by the members of the band or Blues classics. Mayall stepped boldly into the new Millennium as if time has absolutely no meaning for him and the first two decades saw him releasing nine new studio albums (and a plethora of live albums, mostly archival), which for a person in their seventies, eighties and nineties is quite astounding. No less amazing is the fact that his music stays as young, vigorous and kicking as it was in the early days of his career. Despite the limitations of the Blues idiom, Mayall seems to be able to reinvent himself on every new album and his superb sense of melody and the Blues of course are simply unparalleled. On this album the tunes flow smoothly one after another, featuring Mayall´s wonderfully idiosyncratic vocals and superb playing by his band, which are undisputed Blues / Blues-Rock heaven. God bless you John for the sixty years of great music you shared with all of us!

Updated: 30/04/2021Posted: 14/01/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ SONGS FOR SURVIVORS ARTEMIS 5099750850022 (Barcode: 5099750850022) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2000 Released: 2002 This is the fifth solo album by British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest Classic Rock icons of all times. Nash maintained a more or less steady solo career in parallel to his activity as a member of Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist, Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist and with this album, released after sixteen long years of silence, he enters the new Millennium with rejuvenated powers. The album presents ten original songs, most written (music and lyrics) by him or co-written with long time collaborators like drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist (who also plays on the album and co-produced it), Joe VitaleFind albums by this artist and others. Other players include keyboardist Matt RollingFind albums by this artist, bassist Viktor KraussFind albums by this artist, guitarists Dan DugmoreFind albums by this artist, Steve FarrisFind albums by this artist and Dean ParksFind albums by this artist and percussionist Lenny CastroFind albums by this artist. David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Sydney ForestFind albums by this artist sing vocal harmonies. The songs are all absolutely exquisite and mark a glorious return of Nash´s personal songwriting style as defined three decades earlier. Combined with superb instrumental work and excellent production and sound, this album is an instant classic, as was his debut album. Nash proves again that his "Englishness" prevails and his unique song weaving talent remains as strong as ever, paralleled but just a few of his peers. The songs are mostly very introspective, lyrical and melancholic, with elegant and refined acoustic accompaniment, which is his natural habitat. The fact that the release of this album slipped almost completely under the radar, unnoticed by the critics and the fans alike, is nothing short of criminal and as usually completely tasteless. Nash and his troubadour friends still manage to produce some of the best Classic Rock the human race is capable of, and the fact that our generation is slowly dying off is of course part of the natural process of Culture disappearing, but as long as we still are able to hear great music, we should definitely let others know about it. For all the numerous fans of Nash and his music, which missed this album at the time of its release, please do yourself a favor and grab a copy, although these are not easily available any more. You are in for a huge and delightful surprise and are about to hear Nash at his very best. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 18/11/2018Posted: 18/11/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend