JOHN EMMS MUSIC REVIEWS

Some music fans complain that every classic artist in the entire history of the genre continues to have their catologue re-issued every few years.

 The fans have their right to say WTF. In so many instances a lot of these fans have voiced that this idea is pure shite

Eagle Records has acquired the rights to release the entire Rory Gallagher album catologue and if this double cd is any indication, you will be very happy

The album Notes From San Francisco Rory Gallagher’s  1977 opus has never saw the light of day.

Since the first day I cranked Notes from SF in my vehicle it has not left it. Produced by Elliot Mazer (yep that guy) this album just sparkles with clarity and smack centre rock n’ blues credibility.

It makes you wonder, how come this cd did not come sooner?

Apparently Gallagher did not like the mix.  Check out the grit of Overnight Bag, Rue The Day, B Girl and the ballad Wheels Within Wheels.

Folks this is CLASSIC ROCK of the highest order.  

Cd 2 consists of  a live show recorded at The Old Wardorf in San Francisco with bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Ted McKenna. It’s a  blistering set that again proves that on their mark the trio was simply hard to beat

Christopher Cross-Doctor Faith-Putting it simply Cross’s Doctor Faith is quality pop music played by real musicians. The album is also going to surprise a lot of people with it’s lyrical depth.

The first 3 songs Hey Kid, I’m Too Old For This and When You Come Home set the tone. Cross’s high melodic voice rings true in a gorgeous organic mix.

Wthout a doubt  many fans will wish there were a few more up tempo tracks over the album’s 13 songs.

The title track is a tour de force of emotion with vocalist Michael McDonald sitting in on harmony vocals  John Mayer would kill to have written a track this soulful.

Many fans don’t realize Cross is  a superb guitarist. Cross does get some quality chops in but he should have allowed himself more.  Peaceful and redeeming over 53 minutes.

JOHN EMMS is a veteran music journalist, musician, and host of a popular blues/roots radio show http://emms.podbean.com/

JOHN has some fun on the side playing some hip blues rock www.theshaftmen.com

Hands down this may be one of the most important rock recordings of 2011.  By any artist

This is the way John Lennon, Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix made records. Now add Ben Harper.

Harper may be embarrrased by this comparison, but on this cd it holds water.

The title of the album Give Till It’s Gone says it all.  Take every emotion you have been feeling in the last 2 years, write about it, work the groove with your bandmates and friends,  cook it up, stand back and watch that emotion explode.

On the disc’s second song “I Will Not Be Broken” Ben Harper wails as his voice gives way to a massive slide guitar onslaught.

Couple that with the gentle voice singing “We stood in the dark, with our hand’s over each other hearts on Feel Love or the jammming on Spilling Faith with Ringo Starr behind the kit, and even the funky groove of Waiting on a Sign and you have musical and personal revelation.

Oh yeah you remember don’t you?

That’s what musicians used to before all the crap started raining down on us 10 or so years ago.

It’s also a  testament to the fact that the  last 2 years of Harper’s life  have been full of turmoil, and he writes about it.

It should be noted that the groove and attention to detail in the guitar work of Jason Mozersky, and the tandem of Jordan Richardson and Jesse Ingalls (bass and drums) will blow you out of the room.

The new single Rock N Roll Is Free inspired by Neil Young  just kills anytime you play it.

Add to this Danny Kalb’s potent mix (not the Blues Project icon) and yes this cd  is a must have.

JOHN EMMS is a verteran music journalist who hosts a great roots/blues radio show   http://emms.podbean.com/ and rocks out from time to time with www.theshaftmen.com