Record Reviews

EVERLY BROTHERS ~ DOWN IN THE BOTTOM: THE COUNTRY ROCK SESSIONS 1966-1968 RPM 550 (Barcode: 5013929555020) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1966 - 1968 Released: 2020 This is a 3CD set reissue of the entire late-1960s studio recording legacy by the American vocal duo The Everly BrothersFind albums by this artist – Don EverlyFind albums by this artist and Phil EverlyFind albums by this artist. The set includes the three albums: “The Hit Sound Of The Everly BrothersFind albums with this title”, “The Everly Brothers SingFind albums with this title” and “RootsFind albums with this title”, which were their last studio albums released by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label in 1967 and 1968. The original albums are expanded with a plethora of outtakes, singles and other material recorded at the sessions that produced these albums. The booklet included in the set is highly detailed and informative and the remastered sound is superb. Although deeply rooted in American Country music, in retrospect the Everly Brothers were one of the most influential outfits that shaped the Pop / Rock explosion on both sides of the Atlantic. They basically invented and defined the brilliant use of vocal harmonies, which were the core of Pop / Rock and almost every major figure in these genres identified them as a decisive influence, including the BeatlesFind albums by this artist, Beach BoysFind albums by this artist, Simon & GarfunkelFind albums by this artist and countless others. By the time these three albums were recorded, American Rock was being forged by electrifying the Folk and Country tradition with new influences, creating the electric Folk Rock and Country Rock, and The Everly Brothers followed suit, producing some of the finest examples of the genre, which can be found on the albums included herein. The level of the songs, the legendary vocal harmonies and the Rocky instrumental work is all exemplary and sounds absolutely fresh today, despite the time that passed by. Good music apparently ages well. Wholeheartedly recommended.

Updated: 18/08/2021Posted: 18/08/2021

CD 3 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JAMES TAYLOR ~ THE WARNER BROS. ALBUMS 1970-1976 RHINO 603497852390 (Barcode: 603497852390) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1978 Released: 2019 This Box Set offers a reissue of the six albums recorded by the iconic American singer / songwriter / guitarist James TaylorFind albums by this artist, released on the Warner Bros.Find albums on this label label. Following the recording of his debut album on the BeatlesFind albums by this artist´ owned AppleFind albums on this label Records, Taylor signed with Warner Bros. and released his second to seventh album on that label, which were hugely successful and established him as one of the voices of the Woodstock Generation. The albums were carefully remastered under the supervision of the Peter AsherFind albums by this artist, who was Taylor´s manager and produced the first three albums in this Box Set, which is carefully designed and includes detailed information about recording dates and personnel, which sadly is not always the case with Box Sets of this kind. This Box Set includes some of the most beautiful songs written by American music makers over time. Most of the songs were written by Taylor, but he also used a few songs by other songwriters. His idiosyncratic voice knows no equals to this date and his heartfelt singing lost nothing of its magic touch. He was accompanied by the absolute crème de la crème of instrumentalists and his albums were carefully arranged and produced. In retrospect these six albums are all absolute gems, which lost nothing of their power of expression and intrinsic delicate beauty during the years that passed since they were recorded. Taylor´s music impersonates American Classic Rock at its best, incorporating, mostly subconsciously, elements of Country & Western, Blues, Jazz and other indigenous American music sources with Pop and Rock, creating a unique style of his own, but one that corresponded to the music made in America at the time by many other Artists like Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist, Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, Carole KingFind albums by this artist, Carly SimonFind albums by this artist (to whom he was married at the time), Simon & GarfunkelFind albums by this artist, Stevie WonderFind albums by this artist and others. Many of these artists made appearances on the albums included here, the most surprising being probably Jazz guitar virtuoso John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, who contributed one of the songs and played guitar on it. Overall this Box Set is a true treasure chest of superb music, which deserves a proud place in any serious music collection. For me this is of course a voice of my Generation, but the music is absolutely relevant also today and hopefully some young listeners will discover this timeless piece of Art. Beyond essential!

Updated: 10/08/2019Posted: 10/08/2019

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend