Johnny Cash - The Legend of Johnny Cash

(4 CD Set) Columbia/Legacy

How much more does one need to hear? The Legend of Johnny Cash? Of course its great, its a collection of some of his best regarded work, including: "Folsom Prison Blues", "Ring of Fire", "A Boy Named Sue"... dost one need to hear more? Ok, well this collection gives you the best of Cash in a four CD box set with extra notes and pictures of Johnny Cash.
Johnny Cash has one of the most recognizable and beautiful baritone voices in Country music. He has been at the top and forefront of Country music with excellent story telling, comedic, love and religious songs. Johnny Cash is the epitemy of Country. Everyone else is just faking it.
(Editor's Note: The best verse that has ever been written and sung in the history of music: "When I was just a baby/ My Mama told me, Son/ Always be a good boy/ Don't ever play with guns,/But I shot a man in Reno/Just to watch him die" From the "Folsom Prison Blues")

John Cena & Tha Trademarc - You Can't See Me

Columbia

This album is pure crap. Make no mistake about: John Cena is so corporate that his name is trademarked... no really. Following in the footsteps of other Wrestlers who cut albums, such as Macho Man Randy Savage, he does just as well and cuts a ridiculous rap styled album marketed to the WWE (formerly the WWF) core fans. I guess, as the WWE champion, John Cena is entitled to make terrible albums and enormous mistakes. But if you feel as though you want one of those albums that make your ears bleed and turn your stomach inside out, by all means check it out.

The Doors - Live In Philadelphia

Bright Midnight Archives

After a five minute introduction from an unknown person on the first track and a minute and a half of instrument tuning you begin to think that the Doors never actually played this show. But just as you start to lose patience they break out into "Roadhouse Blues". The Doors seem to not only be excellent studio musicians, but also excellent live performers as well, which are two different talents altogether. After "Roadhouse Blues" they go into a stunning rendition of "Break On Through (To The Other Side)". My favorite live rendition on the album is "Light My Fire"; there's just something believable about Jim Morrison trying to get into your pants. But that's not all, the "Light My Fire" cut features about 10 minutes of soloing around the group with teaser crescendos and rockin' keyboard leads.
On the second CD, the concert continues with "Maggie M'Gill" and a different version of "Roadhouse Blues", but its OK cuz I never get tired of the line, "I woke up this morning and got myself a beer"! Live in Philadelphia on May 1, 1970 must have been quite the experience, and it's a shame that Jim Morrison ended the way he did. But the album is a winner, without a doubt better than some of their studio recordings.

Colossus - West Oaktown

Om:hiphop

Colossus is a 6' 8" British to Oakland transplant R&B, funk, and hip hop artist that has worked with the likes of Roy Ayers, Fred Wesley and James Brown. "West Oaktown" is Colossus' first album with Om:hiphop, with an organic feeling that obviously grew right out of Oakland. Tracks such as "Like That" are perfect examples of Colossus' fusion of R&B, funk and hip hop that also reflect Colossus' interest in jazz. For those who enjoy hip hop artists that use bands and not just a D.J., such as the Roots, this album is a good find with actual musicians on keyboards, drums and guitar. Colossus is an excellent up and coming underground hip hop experience. Keep your eyes out for Colossus on tour.

Joe Nichols - III

Universal South

Nichols seems to be the new face in country music, with a Grammy nomination, over one million in sales and two hit singles. Nichols is a poster boy if I ever saw one: pierced ear, shoulder length brown hair and a rich baritone voice. Now he's no Johnny Cash, but his music does seem to come from the past and not the contemporary country scene. Nichols does songs such as "My Old Friend The Blues", written by Steve Earle, that have a rustic acoustic sound that are nostalgically refreshing and vivid. He also has his originals such as "Just A Little More" that are very much in the same vane: acoustic with light strings and a tasteful dose of piano. It's nice to hear an old voice on a new scene.

Switchfoot - Nothing is Sound

Columbia

Switchfoot's songs all have a questioning quality to them. The song "Lonely Nation" asks why every new generation seems to be more and more alienated even in an age of instant messages and cell phones. The song "Easier Than Love" asks why sex is always a driving force in sales and marketing with lyrics such as: "Sex is currency/she sells cars/ she sells magazines". The band has a clean cut alt-rock sound that is saturating today's youth scene.
The band is always genuine and cynical about modern life, which is why I can relate to them. The best message on the album comes through on "Politicians" when lead man Jon Foreman sings, "I pledge allegiance to a country without borders, without politicians". As a progressive mainstream group, Switchfoot has a new message that is important for people to listen to.

Neil Diamond - 12 Songs

American

Neil Diamond has returned from a brief retirement with a new and surprising album. "12 Songs" is just that, penned by Diamond, inspired and produced by the "producer extrodinaire": Rick Rubin. Rick Rubin did the same sort of project for Johnny Cash just before he died. Neil Diamond's new album is refreshing; it is a step back from the showy bravado crap that he got himself into, and instead, it is a return to acoustic folk styled songs with personality that established Diamond's name in the first place. "12 Songs" was recorded in a very straight forward manner, focusing on Diamonds voice and guitar with an emphasis on lyrical content. Perhaps with the exception of "Evermore", which went overboard with the string section, this album is Neil Diamond stripped to his essential songwriting core.

Gentle Giant - The Missing Piece: 35th Anniversary Edition

DRT/Navarre

Gentle Giant was something of a working man's progressive rock group. It wasn't as flashy as Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, as literary as Genesis, as pop-oriented as the Move or 10cc, as psychedelic as Pink Floyd, or as AM-friendly as Styx or Kansas. However, Gentle Giant brought a lighthearted twist to even the most complex material, deftly avoiding the artistic pretensions that dogged its contemporaries.
The band was also intensely prolific and creatively diverse, able to meld many variants of hard rock into its distinctive, almost personal style. Initially a psychedelic, R&B-based band called Simon Dupree & Big Sound, the group changed both name and styles just as the progressive rock movement began to take hold in Great Britain. This album "The Missing Piece" is the long history of this band that has changed so much and stayed around so long.

Charlie Sexton - Cruel and Gentle Things

Back Porch/ Virgin/ EMI

Charlie Sexton has come a long way since his debut album in 1985 at the age of 17. Since then he has worked with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Dylan and several others. His latest album "Cruel and Gentle Things" puts more emphasis on his guitar prowess, which he has not done extensively in the past. This album seems to be more of a personal project in comparison with the glam rock albums he produced when he was younger.
"Cruel and Gentle Things" is a rock and country-esque silhouette of a musician matured, with lyrics that speak to everyone about living life day in and day out. With songs like "I Do The Same For You", "Once In A While" and "Regular Grind": "Cruel and Gentle Things" is a winner.

Soundtrack/Various Artists - The Squid and The Whale

Ultra

"The Squid and The Whale" soundtrack is filled with excellent musicians such as Louden Wainwright III, Lou Reed and The Cars. The overall mood of the soundtrack is that of a slow paced, melodic and existential crisis. Louden Wainwright III is featured twice with "Lullaby" and "The Swimming Song". Lou Reed contributes his 10 minute version of "Street Hassle" with lyrics such as,"He entered her slowly and showed her where he was coming from/And then sha la la la la he made love to her gently/It was like she never ever come/And then sha la la la la when the sun rose and he made to leave/You know sha la la la la, sha la la la la/Neither one regretted a thing". "The Cars" track is the only track that doesn't feature Ric Ocasek on vocals, and it is also one of their best tracks.
This album features many more talents such as Bert Jansch, Blossom Dearie and Dean Wareham covering "Hey You" by Pink Floyd. "The Squid and The Whale" is one of best soundtracks to be released this year.
(Editor's Note: Despite the fact that other reviewers consider much bigger stars to be artistically superb; there is nobody more extraordinary than Lou Reed... "Sha la la la, man")

Dean Evenson and Soundings Ensemble - Eagle River

Soundings of The Planet

Dean Evenson strives, in this album, to create a natural combination of recordings of the wild Northwest and the melodic music of the guitar and native flute. The product is a seamless collection of the sounds and melodies of nature that is very Native sounding and meditative. Where people have attempted to make natural meditation music and failed, Dean Evenson has succeeded. Evenson focuses on streams and sounds of the Eagle, which for one reason or another, blend perfectly with his choice of instruments and melodies. Nature enthusiasts will be delighted in the choice of clips and instrumentals that are portrayed on this album.

Pete Schlegel - Strong Stuff

Wildfire

I'm really tired of every country fan who got a guitar as a child and learned about country music from their dad making a country album with some bullshit title like "Strong Stuff" or "Blue Eyed Bad Boy" or some other macho crap like that. Now, that, that is out of the way, Pete Schlegel doesn't really sound different from any other country singer that falls right into the manufactured country sound. With lyrics such as ,"There's always thunder in the distance/let it roll/as long as we're together our love can never grow old" it gets old, really quick.

Utah Phillips - Starlight on the Rails: A Songbook

(Disc 4) AK Press/Daemon

Phillips, as you should know by now, is a great songwriter and story teller, which is what this album is all about. The final CD starts out with "Going Away", which he wrote about his dear friend Ammon Hennacy who had just passed away when he wrote the song. The second song follows up with a story about discovering a fellow rail rider dead from exposure, the song is called "Old Buddy, Goodnight". Phillips has a most uncanny way of expressing his thoughts, feelings and views verbally even his views on anarchy are exquisitely explained, "... an anarchist is somebody who doesn't need a cop to tell him what to do" or "Anarchy is the struggle between moral autonomy and political authority." Now doesn't that make sense?
Utah Phillips has a genuine personality and down-to-earth view on life which is expressed through his political, love and folk songs. Phillips is one of the strongest voices of the people to grace the earth. Utah Phillips speaks to the soul of the poor with songs such as "Room For the Poor", "Pig Hollow" and "Old Buddy, Goodnight". He also speaks out against political authorities with songs such as "Enola Gay", "I Will Not Obey" and "Trooper's Lament".
We, the people, are lucky to have the voice of Utah Phillips still with us to tell stories, explain ideas and sing us songs. Utah Phillips is overflowing with wisdom and experience that you can get just a glimpse of throughout this four CD set.

Lisa Bell - It's All About Love

Hapi Skratch

So, you know when you go out to eat dinner at a fairly respectable restaurant that has a piano on hand? And then when you get your appetizer and some lady comes up with a microphone and a guitarist? Right... you pretty much know what to expect after that. You eat your meal, and you forget that there is a musician trying to drown out your conversation. After desert, the singer has resorted to singing "Do You Know The Way To San Jose". You run out of the restaurant vowing never to return on "Jazzy Tuesday"... at least until next week. That's the way it goes. But, if you want to microwave your dinner instead, you can buy this album as well, and the whole experience will be a lot less inexpensive.
(Editor's Note: As the editor I would like to give a second opinion. I would love to eat in any restaurant that Lisa Bell plays in... let the food get cold... and let my date get jealous. Lisa Bell is top of the line with her gentle, smooth and soft style. I know that she would only sing in the classiest New York City restaurant... perhaps, the Russian Tea Room, right next to Carnegie Hall, which will be her next stop.)

Dave's True Story - Simple Twist of Fate

BEPOP/City Hall

Bob Dylan is a Legend, and Kelly Flint, the singer of DTS, makes him a greater legend. Not only does Kelly Flint do Dylan songs such as "Simple Twist of Fate", "Just Like A Woman" and "You're A Big Girl Now" justice, she takes the songs and sings a new passion into them with her breathy soulful voice of hers. When I listen to this album I can tell that Flint really understands the music and lyrics with her whole being. The group composed of Dave Cantor on guitar, Jeff Eyrich on upright bass, Rich Zukor on drums and Michael Ross on organ arrange Dylan's songs into vibrant jazz compositions. From Track 1 to 12 the album is a masterful rendition of some of the greatest revolutionary folk songs created.
(Editor's Note: I have listened to at least 10,000 albums in my 30 plus years in this business. This album is so extraordinary, that I will play it first every night and then see if any other album can come close. Unfortunately for them, I know they can't.)
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Augustana - All The Stars and Boulevards

Righteous Babe

Influenced by modern rock bands such as Radiohead and Counting Crows, Augustana has created their first album that belongs on the forefront of the alt-rock scene. The members within a very short time, have come together to make a tight fluid sound that is well deserved of the attention that is coming their way. Augustana has an interesting mix of songs, some, like "Bullets", have a certain floaty and light atmosphere to them, while others like "Stars and Boulevards" have more edge and passion. This album has no "filler" songs; the entire album is full of songs that grab you by the heart strings and pluck like there's no tomorrow.

Various Artists - The Makoche Masters

(2 CD set) Makoche

The music of Makoche is inspired by traditional music as well as contemporary. The album opens up with Native American flute played over sounds of nature. The rest of the album contains spoken word, solo vocalists, Native drumming and singing as well as contemporary songs that incorporate traditional styles like "Spirit Mountain" by Andrew Vasquez. "Spirit Mountain" features bass, drum kit and synthetic noises with traditional singing.
The second CD is full of videos of musicians that are featured on the album, including Kevin Locke, Annie Humphrey, John Trudell and Joseph Marshall. The videos offer an interesting view into modern Native American life, especially the Native American music and storytelling. The Makoche Masters offers a glimpse into cultures that are all around us that most people do not see.
(Editor's Note: Shortly after arriving in the nation that was the nation of the American Indian, we started slaughtering our so called "friends". Now, after hundreds of years, we can't even hear their music or understand the horrible tales the European invasion. We have done our best and we will continue to ignore the atrocities for as long as we can. It is in our interest to bring the history to light.)

The Pussycat Dolls - PCD

A&M/Universal

The Pussycat Dolls try and market themselves as "girl empowerment". This sounds familiar... girl power? Spice Girls? PCD is the Spice Girls revisited. The hit track "Don't Cha" obviously empowers women with truly revolutionary lyrics like, "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me" or "don't cha wish your girlfriend was wrong like me". I can't believe that people would buy this crap, or buy the fact that people found 6 hot women, took off half their clothes, got them to dance and sing, then got them to sing lyrics such as "I don't give a *$*# if you lookin' at my *#$#/cause it don't mean a thing if your lookin' at my @#$%". This shit pisses me off, I can't talk about it any more.
(Editor's Note: Any album with a cover where there is six beautiful women, and from left to right, they get more beautiful every second of the way, is fine with me. Being from the wrong side of Broadway in NYC, I'm not always a self righteous dude. It's just another version of capitalism, it's just profit!)

Brian McDade - Love Bayou

OTN

"I write about people, places, peace, war, justice, injustice, love, beer, good, bad, the spiritual, circus clowns, stevedores, vaudeville, cars, roads, steel men, good-time girls, cutthroats, pimps, trannies, police, life..." says McDade. And its true; his songs are set in all sorts of places, environments and focus on many different situations. The song "Blood On A Desert Rose" is his story of a soldier and takes a different slant on a soldier's struggle, "Stand by me guardian angel/ Before this day is done/ I have to tell my brother/ I may fall in the heat of the battle/If I make it back home have I won."
McDade's musical style tends to be classifiable as country rock or modern blues/rock, but McDade prefers to call himself "scotiana". However, McDade has created/produced an album, full of what I would call just Americana. It has elements of all kinds of American music: country, blues, rock, etc, etc... But "Love Bayou" is Brian McDade's fourth release, and he still sounds fresh.

JamisonParker - Sleepwalker

Interscope/UMG

JamisonParker is not too surprisingly, two guys: Jamison Covington and Parker Case. The duo have a pretty derivative style reminiscent of so many alt-emo-rockers. The album is very well put together, the music isn't bad (not particularly inventive), the lyrics are boring and the vocals are... well... emo, with lyrics such as, "ItÕs the love of guilt that forms the habit/ Of being dramatically overdramatic". The group has just broken up, so there is not much chance for the duo to mature as musicians together. But, they say they will continue to play and make music seperately.

Kate Bush - Aerial

(Double CD) Columbia/Sony BMG

Kate Bush started female art rock before people knew what it was, before Tori Amos and before Sarah McLachlan. Kate Bush is back after a 12 year break from the recording studio. The first CD is titled, "A Sea Of Honey" which features seven low key songs that focus on Elvis, Infinity and her Son. The songs are a melodic whispering collage of emotion.
The second CD is called "A Sky Of Honey". This CD has a continuing motif of chirping birds, as well as having an almost abstract musical structure. The music has an impressionistic feel and follows the path of a day, from dawn to dusk. The album art is also a piece of work, with some very interesting ideas, like the front cover: A soundwave meant to look like a silhouette of rocks against a honey sky and reflecting against a honey sea. I could listen to this album in my sleep.