Aerosmith - Rockin' The Joint: Live At the Hardrock Hotel, Las Vegas

(CD/DVD) Columbia/Sony BMG

Steven Tyler and crew are one of those groups that always seem to disappear, then make sudden new albums or hit singles. The latest album is a legendary rock band playing songs that span their career: from "Seasons of Wither" (1974) to "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" (1998 on the Armageddon soundtrack). When Steven Tyler asks the crowd, "Do you like the old shit or the new shit?" the crowd yells back a resounding "OLD!" So for the most part, the show features the old shit like: "Walk This Way", "Same Old Song and Dance" and "Train Kept A Rollin'".
The show, recorded in 2002, sounds as though they could have recorded it 20 years ago, just for the fact that these guys still sound as energetic and together as they were when they started, and Steven Tyler's voice has held up incredibly well for someone who screams as much as he does.
The DVD features "No More No More", "Draw The Line", the knock-out "Dream On" and "Sweet Emotion". Aerosmith has kept it together in excess of 30 years; when bands do that, they are generally pretty burnt out (Crosby, Stills and Nash), but these guys hung in there and are as good now as they were then.

Lydia Pense & Cold Blood - Transfusion

DIG/City Hall

Transfusion features Lydia Pense doing what she does best: cultivating the perfect blend of funk, R&B and the blues with a tight sound and horn-driven melodies. Pense was performing and recording when Janis Joplin was around to recognize Pense's talent. Joplin recommended Pense to Bill Graham, so when Graham opened his own label he signed Pense for six albums until the label fell apart in the late 70's.
Transfusion is the result of the experience of the last 40 plus years, and features Michelle Shocked on "Down To The Bone" and Lenny Williams who does a duet with Pense on "It Could Be Me, It Must Be You". The album is graced with the fine musicians that make up Cold Blood with Steve Dunne on guitar, Rich Armstrong and Rob Zuckerman on horns, Donny Baldwin on Drums, and several other musicians that have added their own flare to Pense's music.
(Editor's Note: Michelle Shocked put out a number of extraordinary albums on Mercury Records. Late in 1995, Shocked began legal action against Mercury saying, "Artists make lousy slaves." Finally she won her case, although she has made her living playing live shows around the world after that. I am not sure what she is doing now, but if she comes to your town, make sure to go see her. She's top of the line, and a real revolutionary.)

Martina McBride - Timeless

RCA Nashville

"Timeless" is a collection of old country classics such as "You Win Again" by Hank Williams, "True Love Ways" by Buddy Holly and "I Still Miss Someone" by Johnny Cash. McBride says that she did this album because these are comfort songs that are simple and eloquent. These songs are a collection of sad songs about love and loss, pain and forgiveness and... and... that's about it really. This album is good, and it is impressive that all these takes are single takes, not edited together. But, on the whole this album seems to be very personal to McBride, which isn't bad, but McBride is capable of making impressive, progressive and yet traditional sounding country music.
Martina does a very good take of "Help Me Make It Through The Night" by Kris Kristofferson, a very sexually charged and melancholy song that McBride takes an entirely new spin on. The song is done from a male perspective and having a beautiful female voice singing adds a new dimension. "Timeless" has a number of truly timeless songs, but to really get to know McBride some suggested listening would be "The Way That I Am" (1993) or "Evolution" (1997)
(Editor's Note: This NYC boy, who grew up listening to Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, R&B and Rock 'n Roll heard Martina McBride sing "Independence Day" and finally, not only began loving country music, but became editor of Country Song Roundup, a fifty year old magazine. Thanks so much, Martina!)

All Shall Perish - Hate.Malice.Revenge

Nuclear Blast

All Shall Perish is just as friendly and relaxing as they sound. They, unlike many death metal bands, can play in syncopation, at least in the studio they can. All Shall Perish has some stunning vocals that resemble a person who has had their leg chewed off by piranhas. The sound of the accompanying band is tightly knit with impressive drum fills, guitar riffs and screaming that would have anyone begging for reconstructive throat surgery.
In short, the tightly knit group is succeeding in being a quality metal band. Most of their songs, especially "Laid to Rest", have a strong Fear Factory influence that has influenced so many double bassists. All Shall Perish, are grim, overly dramatic (humorously so) and are pumping out some excellent speed death metal.

Jason Aldean - Jason Aldean

Broken Bow/ RED

Let's go on a country, cowboy, "hicktown" Walmart journey into the world of contemporary country singers. Aldean, with his debut album, has impressed those at Broken Bow Records. The real test is yet to come. Can he impress the masses? Yes, he can. The self-titled album introduces you to an obviously seasoned songwriter with insightful lyrics and superb compositional structures. I hope to hear more from this talented new voice.

Eugene Edwards - My Favorite Revolution

Tallboy

Eugene Edwards is freakishly happy. I don't know what to think. I can't listen to this album and escape from smiley faced, rainbow, sunshine music. Even on tracks such as "Victim at Bedtime", the catchy melody, upbeat vocals and swing beat all combine into one big happy personality, even when the lyrics are depressing: "And it's always the same as long as she's thinking/That he's so sweet when heÕs not drinking".
To his credit, Edwards is a seasoned songwriter with interesting ideas. His compositions are a mix of 60's flower child pop rock and contemporary alternative artists that, and (although awkwardly upbeat) comes to the scene with a collection of styles that he blends to fit his own style. And the more I listen to it, the more I like it.
(Editors Note: I'm still waiting to find out what his favorite revolution is! The Cuban Revolution? The Vietnamese Revolution? The Chinese Revolution? The Russian Revolution? etc... Or is it just another love song that he snuck the word revolution into because its cool... ?)

Old School Freight Train - Pickin' On Wilco

CMH

Wilco is roots-rock. Wilco is alt-country. Wilco is backwoods-pop. Forget the labels-- Wilco is an original. Through five acclaimed albums, this band from the Midwest, via leader Jeff Tweedy's electric imagination, has shown that music doesn't have to be categorized to be unique. With their easy-strumming guitars and slapping drums, Wilco feels like good ol' country rock; yet they're not afraid to pull sonic surprises out of their toolbox. The songs deal in plainspoken emotions, carried by melodies that are startling and sing-able. Wilco is rock integrity: they just keep on giving us music that's creative and sincere.
Pickin' on Wilco taps into the band's rich musical roots and guides them in new directions. With scorching bluegrass runs and blue highway laments, the hottest banjo and mandolin players in the business take Wilco's music for a spin down unexplored country roads. The hard-driving, homegrown soul of these bluegrass covers proves that when all is said and played, Wilco is simply a great American band.

Twisted Sister - Live At Wacken The Reunion

Rebellion/Eagle Rock/Eagle Vision

Yes, God Bless those people who are willing and happy to wear make up and rock out for our entertainment, they're back! Again! But not really. See it goes like this: Twisted Sister came back with a Reunion Tour in 2003 that they took half of this album from, the rest of the recordings came from the early 80's. The compilation of Twisted Sister recordings are not exactly the finest performances that have done; However, if one has seen Twisted Sister perform they will know that they are incredibly energetic, and that fun atmosphere does seem to translate on this album decently. Just like Frank Zappa, Twisted Sister's leadman, Alice Cooper testified against the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), which aimed to censor our music. He was much more than just a Heavy Metal hero.
The Quintet's latest release is a nice addition to a Twisted fan's collection, but if you want to get to know the band, "Stay Hungry" (Atlantic, 1984) would be a good place to start with songs such as "WeÕre Not Gonna Take It", "Stay Hungry" and "I Wanna Rock".
(Editor's Note: Has Dee Snider sold out to Clear Channel as we have heard? In any case, I will always worship the platinum record that is hanging on my wall, given to me by Twisted Sister.)

Rosanne Cash - Seven Year Ache

Columbia/Legacy

Rosanne Cash has rereleased her masterpiece hit album "Seven Year Ache" that speaks strongly about the hard life she has lived with domestic-violence and disappointment. The album that received rave reviews then, still holds its own today. Rosanne has penned her own timeless style into the history of country music.
"Seven Year Ache" features hits such as "Blue Moon With Heartache", "My Baby Thinks He's A Train", and "What Kinda Girl" that show off the various vocal styles that Cash can perform. Having Johnny Cash for a Father isn't a bad start in the country music career, but Rosanne Cash doesn't rely to heavily on that. The music that runs in her blood manifests itself in her own lyrics and musical style.
(Editor's Note: Legacy sent me three other albums by Rosanne Cash, and I guarantee you that they will all be reviewed in the near future.)

Iarla O'Lionaird - Invisible Fields

Real World/EMI

O'Lionaird has been emersing himself in traditional Irish singing since the age of 5. He studied ethnomusicology at the University of Limerick, and has a reputation for incorporating music of a diverse ethnic varieties, very consistent with his background and training. For this reason he is classified as "World" music, a bullshit term for any type of music from one or many ethnic/cultural backgrounds that is not from the U.S.
In this album, "Invisible Fields", O'Lionard emerses himself in his Celtic heritage with some new age fluff added on top. He has a great voice and for that reason has a sturdy fan base. This album accents the beauty of the Gaelic/Irish language with the traditional styles of singing portrayed on this album known as "sean nos." Overall, this is an interesting find, filled with Irish (not "world") music and culture.

Lori McKenna - Bittertown

Signature Sounds/Warner Bros

Lori McKenna has just been picked up on Warner Bros. Faith Hill, Warner's collosal female star, has recorded and now made McKenna's music easily available. But we have been familiar with Lori McKenna for 7 years through independently released records such as "Paper Wings and Halo" and "The Kitchen Tapes" (recorded in her own kitchen).
McKenna's new album focuses on blue collar values, small home town issues and, like any country singer, love songs. Songs such as "One Man" speak to all of these issues with lyrics such as: "We laid in the dirt and took off our shirts/while the lucky ones would fly away/ on planes to other cities other towns/ Now they're building up houses/ big enough to lose your love". McKenna is one of the most exciting female country voices today joining other treasures like Dar Williams and Joan Baez.
(Editor's Note: The nerve! The fuckin' nerve, that a star (such as Faith Hill, who could never come close to the feeling that Lori has in her soul) would have to "discover" her in order for her to become signed to Warner Bros, so that perhaps now she can get played on the radio)

El Pus - Hoodlum Rock: Vol 1

Virgin

El Pus is one band that can mix rap and rock genres and get away with it. They say of bands such as Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit, "They're rock bands that found rap... That's not us. We went the other way." El Pus gets away because they are really having fun with the music and lyrics and they always have a sense of humor and intelligent lyrics such as: "Man you really think you're tough to def/ talking to your girl, Nokia in your right hand/ Steering momma's Benz with the left/ You ain't really never seen no gangsta shit/ cause if you did, you would piss on yourself." El Pus have a down to earth sensibility and don't say stupid gangster crap. They have soul that is incredibly uncommon to find in the rap/rock scene.

Utah Phillips - Starlight on the Rails: A Songbook

(Disc 3) AK Press/Daemon

The third CD on this compilation is a very special CD. This is a CD full of other people (Rosalie Sorrels, Kate Wolfe, Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin) doing Utah Phillips songs. Most of the songs on this album haven't been recorded by Utah Phillips, or are not released. As Utah Phillips says throughout this entire "Songbook", "You breathe a song into the air, it has a life of its own. You just let it go." Phillips really lives what he speaks. Many songs that he has written have been redone and reborn in many different places. Some of the most striking songs on the album are "Orphan Train", "Collie Wilkins" and "Aces, Straights and Flushes".
Kate Wolfe, who does "Aces, Straights and Flushes", does a fantastic job. She saw, learned, performed and recorded this track all in one night. Utah Phillips now organizes and performs at the annual Kate Wolfe Memorial Festival in Laytonville, Ca.
Rosalie Sorrels seems to be a driving force in Utah's creative life. She picks up, remembers and records many of Utah's songs. He has many good things to say about her, and she recorded a jovial track called, "Wolverine 14 Talking Blues". The "Wolverine 14 Talking Blues" is a song about being pissed off at the modern day train systems: the disorganization, tardiness, and lack of trains today.
All songs on the album are of course introduced by Utah Phillips, who generally does humorous or very strongly felt introductions to his songs. For the reviews of CDs one and two, see previous week's reviews. For the review of CD four of four, check in next week.
(Editor's Note: We used the title "Political Album of The Week" when describing Utah Phillips. What we really mean, is that nobody has ever sang and written so touchingly about common folks, except for, perhaps, Woody Guthrie. Utah doesn't waste his time on love songs, just on poverty, abuse, friendship, joy... he sings for the folk, he makes us laugh and he makes us cry)

Bill Evans Trio - At Shelly's Manne-Hole

Riverside/Fantasy/Concord

Bill Evans was the most influential pianist in jazz during the 60's and 70's, and since his death in 1980 his influence has exceeded Tyner's. Evans, who was the next step beyond Bud Powell, had a sophisticated way of voicing chords that has been adopted by a countless number of pianists. Very popular even among non-jazz audiences to his sensitive interpretations of ballads, Evans could always swing as hard as anyone when he was inspired.
This album is just one live show recorded in Hollywood from Riverside whom he recorded for, for 7 years. During his life he played with some of the greats of jazz including Marc Johnson, Elliot Zigmund and Miles Davis. His sounds helped inspire artists such as Herbie Hancock. Evans has a masterful hand on the piano and the drummer is some hot shit too, listen to Swedish Pastry. Evans and crew play an excellent jazz set full of delightful intricacies and excellent improv.

Bette Midler - Sings The Peggy Lee Songbook

Columbia

Midler has an established career that includes not only singing but a fair share of acting as well. She had many hits on screen and from the recording studio. "The Rose" is the one that many people love and remember her for; released in 1979 as a soundtrack to Midler's film about Janis Joplin. Many say that Midler's stage presence and energy doesn't translate to albums well, at least when it comes to uptempo songs. This album may be a good example of that.
But when you dare to cover Peggy Lee, you have a massive undertaking. Midler does classic Peggy Lee with "Fever", "Is That All There Is?" and "Mr. Wonderful". Peggy Lee, called "The Queen" by Duke Ellington, was a sensational singer and teen heartthrob in the fifties and produced two records for Decca then Capitol. Midler does a good job in her own style without detracting from the original soulfulness of the songs.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Toshi Reagon - Have You Heard

Righteous Babe

"Have You Heard" is strewn through with soulful, funky, folk and bluesy tunes. Toshi Reagon has had a long slow career with two independently released and two Razor and Tie released records. Her latest, on Righteous Babe, illustrates her songwriting abilities; with repetitive gospels sounds on the title track "Have You Heard", Blues and Soul with "Building Blues" and R&B with Funk on "Ooh Wee". Reagon also does a cover of "Heartbreak Hotel" from Elvis Presley in a stunning, mellow acoustic session. The title track lacks the impressive lyrical talents that Reagon expresses excellently throughout the rest of the album, but the album as a whole is extraordinary.

Soundtrack - Constant Gardener

Higher Octave/Virgin/EMI

The soundtrack to Constant Gardener is by Alberto Iglesias who also did the soundtracks for "Talk To Her" and "The Dancer Upstairs". Iglesias incorporates many different instruments and styles in this political thriller based in Africa, including the marimba, cello, and some instruments I don't know how to pronounce much less what they are: the kawala, zumara and ronrocco.
The soundtrack also features some more ambient sounds for mood setting and all that jazz like most movie soundtracks. The best part of this album is the percussive section on "To Airport", with a beat that slowly adds instruments and drums that build on each other until the final crescendo, and then silence: perfect.

Program The Dead - Program The Dead

Low Altitude

This is the first album for the Orange County group, with high hopes of trying to awaken the American people's social conscience. Koruba, the lead singer, says "We're a disposable society. Nothing is real... We're afraid of living our lives, because television has damaged us. Americans are intellectually broken. It's my goal to try and wake people up. Wake the fuck up, people. The mainstream media is poisoning you." Program The Dead are trying to debug the American people from the mainstream media. Whether they succeed, or not, is yet to be seen, but it is a hefty undertaking.
Their music is dissonant rock'n'roll with undertones reminiscent of funk, rap/metal and even Motown (if you listen closely to "Swimming In A Sea Of Media") . PTD have talent and ingenuity that is rarely seen in debuting bands. They are obviously not afraid to experiment with different sounds and styles.

Norman & Nancy Blake - Back Home in Sulphur Springs

Plectrafone/Western Jubilee/Dualtone

Norman and Nancy Blake create a great duet, a seamlessly blended mix of traditional folk music and harmonizing vocals. Norman Blake seems to be an easy going fellow recording most of the songs on one take, and adding only minimal instruments afterwards and leaving them in the same order on the album as when they recorded them. He says, "Just leave them in the order we recorded them... plays pretty well." And it does play well.
The Blakes understand traditional folk music very well, all their songs speak of stories. The entire album is a series of vignettes of different people and situations. "He's Coming To Us Dead" is a tale that speaks to all of the families that have family in the service who don't make it back alive. The song takes place as a conversation between an old man and a station clerk about the old man's son coming home, but not in the manner most come home, "This is the way that he'll come back/ when he joins the boys in blue."

Chris Cagle - Anywhere But Here

Capitol/EMI

This album is the product of Cagle almost losing his vocal abilities. In 2004 he was ordered by his doctor to take an extended vocal rest. Finally Chris Cagle decided that he wanted to sing more than he wanted to smoke a cigarette. He quit smoking and wrote this album. In the past Chris Cagle has been known more in rock circles for resembling something like Lynyrd Skynyrd. On his last album, "Anywhere But Here", Cagle turns to country for inspiration, now resembling something closer to Garth Brooks than Skynyrd.

Destiny's Child - #1's

Columbia

Trying to keep track of who's in Destiny's Child is almost as hard as trying to get "Say My Name" out of your head. The Houston R&B gals aren't just a pop group, they're a soap opera: each hit single another chapter in their ongoing saga of lineup changes, lawsuits, sex, shopping and gossip. The star is Beyonce Knowles. Her father is the manager, and her mother is the stylist. With her oft-nervous-looking band mates, Michelle (formerly Tenetria) Williams and Kelly (formerly Kelendria) Rowland, she rules the radio with fluid R&B harmonies and skitter-skatter beats. Their message to the world is a simple one: Bounce, baby, bounce! Shake, baby, shake! Twist, baby, twist! Oh, and stay in school!
Their new album is just a collection of all their huge songs, such as: "Survivor", "Say My Name" and "Independent Women Part 1". Destiny's Child has had a good run, but all good things must come to an end.