he effervescent enthusiasm that pervades Tommy Keene’s new album, Behind the Parade, belies the artist’s nearly thirty-year career as a cult figure. Sample the previous high points of his discography– Places that Are Gone or Based on Happy Times– and listen for a discernible difference in energy.
Five new jazz albums you need to hear
The three remaining members of the original R.E.M. lineup have been more than just dutifully loyal to their legacy since the departure of drummer Bill Berry in 1997 following New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Their respectful attitude–as much as an implicit acknowledgment of their chemistry –compels recognition of their history in the 25th Anniversary packages such as this one devoted to Life’s Rich Pageant.
An unsung member of the late 60's guitar gods including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher’s profile has risen dramatically in the years following his untimely death in 1995. His stubborn integrity, combined with the furious immersion in his live performances, won him a staunch following that has compelled the remaster of his entire original catalog. Uniformly excellent, even if a bit similar from album to album, these recordings capture the essence of what blues-rock was intended to be, a genre unto itself honestly derived from its roots.
If the phenomenon of “The Next Big Thing” remained in our age of Internet ephemera, Dawes would be the most likely candidate.
Peter Case takes nothing for granted, no doubt why he keeps so busy with touring (solo and in collaboration with assorted like-minded musicians), his songwriters workshops, recurring reunions with The Plimsouls and since his recuperation period, the researching of his archives; the first fruits of which are The Case Files collection just out in May. He qualifies as a renaissance man.
While this initial edition of Peter Case’s archival efforts contains its share of the sharp contemporary folk (“Steel Strings #1”) and blues (“(Give Me) One More Mile”) that dominate his live shows these days, the greater portion of The Case Files demonstrates the genuine rock and roll swagger that Case first displayed with The Plimsouls (and still does when they reunite).
Astutely produced by David Lemieux and Blair Jackson, the only material duplicated within the three disc set is the venerable “Truckin’”, which should placate those music lovers who rue the availability of bonus discs with such packages
Dawes were mighty impressive opening up for Brett Dennen at Higher Ground, so much so that the headliner must’ve been more than a little intimidated at the prospect of following them on stage.
One of the most anticipated albums of 2011 thus far, My Morning Jacket’s Circuital is one of those ever-so-rare instances where inspiration meets expectation.
