Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Island/UniversalRepublic

Amy Winehouse, that British soul/jazz-singing phoneme, is back again--and his time she has captured our hearts! In contrast to her jazzy debut from '03, Back to Black is a nostalgic shift to the soul sisters of the 50's and 60's.
As far as I'm concerned Amy Winehouse is a strong woman with a set of her own, and "Rehab" shows off her sense of self. She wrote this song after firing her management--they had suggested that she go in to a clinic for alcoholism--and going on her merry way.
Amy is hotter than hot, and her music is sophisticated pleasure. Everyone should have this alum in their personal collection.

Kia Shine - Due Season

Universal Motown/UMG

Kia Shine has it right--"You better catch me now while the price is low."
And although that may seem arrogant and risquŽ, I think he's figured out how the American population really work. Think about it, how are you gonna promote yourself these days, especially if you have self respect? Rather than doing the Flava Flav thing--you should tell the people what they need.
Come on now, we all know how it works, all it takes is one person to like your music and they tell their friends and so-on. So that pretty much sums up the Kia Shine debut. Pretty simple--catchy hooks, bumping beats and and clean production. But remember, the trick is--you don't have a choice but to like Kia Shine, he's already told you so.

Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band - Live in Dublin

2 CD/DVD, Columbia/Sony BMG

Bruce Springsteen has already earned his legend as the Garden State's poet laureate and he remains a one-of-a-kind rock star. He is one of the few male rockers who sings about women without turning into a pushy schovanist bastard. He has never passed out into into a toilet (now that's hot), or bought a castle, or announced his tantric sex prowess.
His live shows are still the stuff of legends. This Dublin stop, taped at the end of a seven month long tour is crammed full of great Springsteen hits, Seeger folk songs, Gospel memoirs and all the soul his 12-piece Sessions Band could muster. I love his rusty grit-and-teeth voice, not to mention live music, so it was easy for me to fall in love with this two disc live album. But you'll have to get your own copy to enjoy the DVD!

Various Artists - Ocean's Thirteen: Original Soundtrack feat. Music by David Holmes

Warner Bros.

The film--a casino heist caper starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino--is the third film in Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh's stylish trilogy, which has been a box office success.
The soundtrack was overseen by the composer and musical innovator David Holmes, who also helmed he soundtracks to the previous two blockbusters. Where the last soundtrack had international artists supplementing the soundtrack Thirteen is dominated by Holmes' 70's inspired acid-jazz. Full of playful instrumentals Holmes did a stellar job that matches the innately cool aesthetic of the film.

The Ike Reilly Assasination - We Belong to the Staggering Evening

Rock Ridge

If there is a band that has had to keep their chin up it would be Ike Reilly and his Assasination Band. Their debut album was like totally missed in 2001. But on their fourth album since, The Ike Reilly Assasination makes it clear: They have nothing to loose, and everything to prove!
Reilly's music is refreshingly raw, open and marked with personality. His slightly flawed voice belts out unashamed shinning brightly and holds on reminding me of a young Dylan. His music is passionate, his lyrics are tensely bold--and what a band--with his band mates recklessly giving it their all. It is apparent that IRA have the gusto to make theirs a name worth knowing.

John Anderson - Easy Money

Warner Bros.

Neo-honkytonker John Anderson, grew up listening to rock'n'roll, until he discovered country music at the age fifteen through Merle Haggard. His self-titled debut album appeared in 1980 and helped signal the rise of the new Traditional movement, drawing critical praise as well. His great hits include "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal," "Wild and Blue," "Swinggin'," and in 1992 he released "Simenole Wing," and "Straight Tequila Night," (his strongest hit yet). His albums are full of tangy rubble-raisers and yearning ballads. His ability to bridge the gap between old and new demonstrates his ability to meld the two as he mourns poppification of country. Being able to be faithful to both while fluidly combining him is true artistry and testament to his voice which is so sweet it feels like it came from the middle of the earth.
Easy Money is another great album from the ballad-king, and let me tell ya, Anderson is still on the ball. His voice has only gained colorful character and strength. The songs on this album show that with age you only get better and wiser. Best of all, to close it off John has Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard guest appearing on "Willie's Guitar." ***Shelton's Single of the Week: "I Can't Make Her Cry Anymore,"***

The Kalman Olah Trio Jack Dejohnette & Ron McClure - Always

Merless/Memphis International

While Kalman Olah is a new name to American audiences, he;s a seasoned player well known and making waves in the European jazz-fusion. In Always, pianist Olah masterfully combines the elements of jazz, folk and contemporary classical together to brew one enticing concotion. It's soulful and sophisticated, full of brilliant composition and supreme musical talents.

Junior - Are We Famous Yet

Toucan Cove/Universal

Kiley Bland (guitar), Steve Cox (drums) and Adam Hoffoss (bass) are just three southern boys fresh outta the ARK-LA-TX area with gumption to leave all those hoe-downs behind and show us all how to rock out!
Junior's debut album Are We Famous Yet is revved and ready to pack a punch with high voltage songs like "What Was I Thinking," a banging rendition of "Talk Dirty to Me," (a classic Poison hit) and "She's So Amazing,"--co-written and featuring Bowling For Soup's Jaret Riddick--to round things off. Not bad for some "Good Ole Boys."

Gretchen Peters - Burnt Toast & Offerings

Scarlet Letter

Rather than admitting defeat and getting depressed and decrepit, Nashville Grammy Nominated songwriter, Gretchen Peters, has taken the term "mid-life crisis" and turned it into her personal manifesto on Burnt Toast & Offerings.
An album full of epiphanies and transcendence, it kicks off with the frustration and angst of "Ghost," takes a turn towards love's light on "The Way You Move Me," and the album closes with the painful reality of change in "To Say Goodbye."
From the lyrical mastermind of many female-empowering songs like "Independence Day," (Martina McBride) and "The Secret Life," (Faith Hill), Burnt Toast & Offerings proves that it is never to late to make all the right choices in your life.
P.S. Martina McBride has Gretchen Peters to thank for her success as a hit female country artist. If it weren't for Peters' "Independence Day," country music wouldn't be the same.

Truckee Brothers - DoubleHappiness

Populuxe

This is a smack in the face to the stagnant crap that hits the airwaves! Truckee Brothers are "Gritty Pretty"--they are abusively delicious, with sinful lyrics and innuendoes. More in-your-face than The White Stripes, but as brazenly bold with catchy nips like "You Can Kiss My Komono."
And the duets...mmm. I had a flashback that consisted of AIC and Pearl Jam swirling around in a fishbowl of Soundgarden--whatever that means. These guys are beyond the times, right on time--Rock's salvation!

DukedAGod - Dipset: More Than Music Vol. II

Diplomat/Koch

Dipset is slamming us left and right with their trademark street anthems, hard knocking tight-ass production and their cock and balls swagger that has propelled them to sale 3 million plus albums.
The Harlem-bred crew are heralded as a Neo Wu-Tang Clan. Their influence has grown into a movement. Their sounds are fresh and cut deep. If you missed Vol. I do not miss Vol. II!

Todd Fritsch - Sawdust

Diamond/Select-O-Hits

odd Fritsch doesn't let go of much. After breaking onto the country music scene in '05 from the little town of Willow Springs, TX, fans just cannot get too much of his rich baritone voice--not to mention his nuevo-George Straitt looks.
Even after all the touring, recording and publicity inside he's still all country--when he's not on the road he is working 16 hour days on his ranch.
With the release of Sawdust Todd should just face the facts and hang up his spurs and saddle. The 17-song album bursts forth with "What;s Wrong With Me," a radio-friendly amped up hit and keeps the crowd held fast all the way through to "Little Joe The Wrangler,"--a true-to -boot Cowboy campfire song. Any lover of country will love Todd Fritsch!

Various Artists - Classic Labor Songs

Smithsonian/Folkways

Songs of the American labor movement over the 20th century called for just wages, dignity and a fair shake. They voiced grievances, affirmed the value of the worker to society and expressed hope for life in a more just world.
Classic Labor Songs is a collage of these voices--champions of the movement, singing songs with a passion and love for their fellow workers that rings just as true today as they did then. Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joe Glazer, The Almanac Singers and many more chronicle the history of the American labor movement.
And these are songs about people who risked their lives--and many men and women did sacrifice their lives--to build America while trying to procure fair workers rights and compensations. People like Joe Hill, who was unlawfully executed because he let his voice ring out. It is so shameful the state of our country. Our own countrymen and women fought vigorously to ensure that we have fair wage and equal employment and what do we do today? We ship our jobs overseas, we still have to beg our government for living wages and our own economy supports our faltering system.
America--quit now! Support your local farmers, small-town shop owners and let's give our jobs back to our fellow men and women here, in our homeland, and let us see the end of minimum wage being obscure! LIVING WAGES FOR ALL!!! (And while we are at it... Universal healthcare for young and old alike!)
Editor's Note: This pro-union album is dedicated to all the miners of the world, who are more organized than any other class of workers. They inspire all of us Union Organizers. "You can't scare me I'm stickin' to the Union till the day I die!"

Birdman & Lil' Wayne - Like Father, Like Son

Cash Money/Universal Motown

Cash Money Records is rolling with their army in tow once again, with Birdman and Lil Wayne--revered masters at working the hip-hop front lines--unleashing their first ever full-length collaborative assault. "Like Father, Like Son," is the exclamation point to a ten year Cash Money reign.
Fresh off the success of Lil Wayne's fifth solo album these two have some serious points to make; silencing the questions as to how strong they are after several soldiers jumped ship.
In many ways the album mirrors the relationship the two rap warriors share both in and out of music. Their chemistry, regardless of whom else may have shared the mic with them, has always been undeniable. They are true trendsetters and I hope they never stop doing what they do.

Brian Scary and The Shredding Tears - The Shredding Tears

black and greene

The debut album from 23 year old pop impresario Brian Scary was recorded only in his apartment. And it earns our illustrious spotlight position over any other debut artist because The Shredding Tears will leave you incapable of calling another record the living end!
Brian Scary and The Shredding Tears bring us psychedelic indie-pop from another dimension. The 15 track concept album shifts genres with encyclopedic aplomb--from 60's psychedelia to chamber pop and prog to glam rock and musical theatre! This is nothing like you've ever heard before, so go check it out.

Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers - Solid Ice

Telarc

For more than three decades, blues guitarist Jimmy Thackery has been a road warrior. He keeps true to the blues tradition, living his life on the road, first as the cofounder and front man for The Nighthawks and then the Drivers.
Solid Ice opens up with an angry ode to those who climb the ladder of success at the expense of all around them. The album continues on rockin and ready to give us all a good time. And he shares his inner-comic with the tongue-in-cheeck take on marital situations with "XXX Wife."

Gary Moore - Close As You Get

Eagle Rock

A lively, energetic guitar player, Gary Moore starred in Thin Lizzy during their peak before following his own path. During the late 1980's Moore got "the blues" and since then, all has been well. He isn't about flash, so you have to pay attention to hear his subtle mix of rhythm and lead combos. He has played with a few incredible guests on each album ranging from Blue's legends B.B. King and Albert Colins to heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne.
Close As You Get is as blue as you can get, filled with the sweet whine of that blues guitar, steady bass lines and mournful vocals. For fans and newcomers alike this is the good stuff.

Kelly Willis - Translated From Love

Ryko/Rykodisc

Although the new Traditionalist singer/songwriter Kelly Willis earned widespread critical acclaim, she found little in the way of comperable commercial success; her sound, a smart hybrid of country and rock simply assimilated both musical styles too well to gain acceptance in either camp. She has class and chooses to be so rather than being negative and trashy. Willis' idea of country comes from female rockabillies and the blues-influenced crowed she ran with in Austin, TX.
National Public Radio sweetheart Kelly Willis has returned from a five year hiatus with the highly awaited Translated From Love. Her voice has a rich expressive ache and she incorporates the best of country and bluegrass music into this album, earning her the praise she deserves.
The album's 12 tracks are comprised of originals, covers and collaborations. Her songs are organic and sassy, full of her confidence and shine.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

George Gee & The Jump, Jivin' Wailers - If Dreams Come True

GJazz/CityHall

After nearly three decades as an established swing bandleader in the big band industry, George Gee realizes that this is "A Dream Come True!" But little did he know that when he started his first big band on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1980, that it would lead to a continuing lifetime fulfillment of his passion for the big band art form and that style of music.
Fueled by the recent comeback of Big Band Swing, George Gee has taken advantage of the climate by presenting a fun and high energy of the Big Band style and ideology.
If Dreams Come True, features dance floor proven savvy classics. This album is full of big band jazzy swing that is designed for both the dancer and the listener. And there is a guest appearance by Grammy nominee vocalist John Dokes and clarinetist Dan Bock.

Moon Maan - Moon Maan

Catlick

This is the maddening brainchild of former Afghan Whigs guitarist Rick McCollum. This Zeppelin-inspired debut is saturated in soul fusion. Groovy backgrounds set the stage for the powerful rock-n-roll zeal of this unique band. Their album is layered with many elements from all genre's--soul, funk, rock, alt, reggae, jazz, blues--you name it, they play it. Moon Maan is definitely one of those bands you don't want to be the last to know about.

Art Pepper - Unreleased Art, Vol. II: The Last Concert May 30, 1982

Widow's Taste

Despite a remarkable difficult and colorful life, Art Pepper was quite consistent in the recording studios; virtually every recording he made is well worth getting. In the 50's he was one of the few Alto Sax players able to develop his own sound despite the dominant influence of Charlie Parker.
During his last years Pepper put all of his life's experiences into his music, and he played with startling emotional intensity. Pepper began his career playing with black groups on Central Ave in LA. However, his happiest days were during his years with Stan Kenton (1947-52), although he became a heroin addict during that period. Under the guidance and inspiration of his wife, Laurie, Pepper not only recovered his greatest form, but topped himself with intense solos that were unique which are showcased on this album.
Art Pepper's stunning last concert took place on May 30, 1982 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. No more than ten days later he was hospitalized for what turned out to be cerebral hemorrhaging. He died on June 15, 1982 at the age of 56. This is an extraordinary live recording that no jazz admirer or musician should have to miss.

Why don't we liberate these United States
We're the ones who need it the worst
Let the rest of the world help us for a change
And let's rebuild America first

Our highways and bridges are falling apart
Who's blessed and who has been cursed
There's things to be done all over the world
But let's rebuild America first

Who's on the hill and who's watching the valley
Who's in charge of it all
God bless the Army and God bless our liberty
Dadgum the rest of it all

Yea, men in position but backing away
Freedom is stuck in reverse
Let's get out of Iraq and get back on the track
And let's rebuild America first

Why don't we liberate these United States
We're the ones who need it the most
You think I'm blowing smoke
Boys it ain't no joke
I make twenty trips a year from coast to coast
Ê let's rebuild America first

Editor's Note: This is a song written by the man who sang "The Fightin' Side of Me," and other right-wing classics. I agree with Merle, let us rebuild America first.

Political Article: From Sniper To War Resister: My Journey By: Army National Guard Spc. Eleonai "Eli" Israel Back To Top Two months ago, I took a stand that changed my life forever. As a Soldier, a JVB Protective Service Agent, and a Sniper with the Army who had been in Iraq for a year (running over 250 combat missions), I refused to continue to be a part of the occupation. I regret nothing. This is my story. Currently, as I write this I am sitting in Kuwait, on "stand-by" to return to the States sometime hopefully this week. After getting out of the brig last week, I'm now scheduled to be discharged from the Army within the month. I'm looking forward to joining forces with anti-Iraq-War movements, such as Courage to Resist and Iraq Veterans Against the War. What led me to this place in my life? Joining up, the first time I joined the U.S. Marine Corps in the spring of 1999, the month of my 18th birthday. I grew up in the custody of the state of Kentucky with little contact with my biological parents since I was 13. I had no family support system and ended up on the streets, doing what street kids do. By 16, I had eased into hard drugs. I had not been to school since the first part of 9th grade, and I was short on about everything but street smarts, an untapped sense of ambition, and a tough guy attitude. When I walked into the recruiting station I learned that in order to join the Corps, I would need either a high school diploma or a GED with a waiver-unless I also had certain college credits. When I told them that I was 16 and had only completed 8th grade, they quickly dismissed me, not expecting to see me again. They were wrong. Not only did I earn my GED, I also did a semester at the local college. A year and a half later the month I turned 18, March 1999, I walked back into the same recruiting station, spoke to the same recruiter, showed him my GED and my college transcripts and felt my first real sense of pride. Thirteen weeks after arriving at Parris Island, I was changed forever. I graduated as the leader of a platoon squad with a meritorious promotion, and was now well on my way to a shining career as a Marine. Then came September 11, 2001. Re-enlisting for my country Like many after September 11th I wanted to serve, again. I felt I owed something more to my country after my years of training. I trusted my president and my leadership to tell me the truth. I also trusted my own integrity. I knew that I would never willingly do anything that I knew to be immoral or wrong. I re-enlisted in 2004-this time in the Army National Guard. At the time I believed that those serving in the 'global war on terror' were doing so because they believed in what they were doing-not because they were under compulsion by a contract or retained by stop-loss. After having seen the situation on the ground, I now believe I was wrong. In 2006, I shipped out to Iraq. In Iraq I was as a JVB Agent-the JVB (Joint Visitors Bureau) served as the protective service for "three star generals and above" and their "civilian equivalents". This included the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, their equivalents in a number of our "allied nations", and others. I trained for my job as part of this "special unit" prior to deployment, and I spent the majority of my tour in the company of the most powerful people connected to the "global war on terror". Even as a JVB agent, my primary job was still infantry. On days when we didn't have any JVB missions, we would be called on for "search and cordon" operations and other infantry assignments. So, although I worked at the JVB, I was still on the roster of a sniper platoon tasked with various missions "outside the wire"-either as "sniper overwatch" or house raids. I reasoned that my actions during these missions were justified in the name of "self-defense." However, I came to realize my perception was wrong. I was in a country that I had no right to be in, violating the lives of people, and doing so without regard to the same standards of dignity and respect that we as Americans hold our own homes and our own lives to. Destroying lives I have taken and/or destroyed the lives of people who were defending their families from being the "collateral damage" of the day. Iraqi boys are joining groups like "Al Qaeda" for the same reason street kids in the U.S. join the "Cribs" and the "Bloods". It's about self protection, a sense of dignity, and making a stand. The young man whose father and cousin we "accidentally" killed, and whose mother and siblings cry every time the tank rolls through the neighborhood, doesn't care who Osama Bin Laden is. The "militants" we attacked were usually no different than an armed neighborhood watch group who didn't trust their government. We didn't trust the government either, and we put them in power! Our own sacrifices, as tragic as they are (and they are tragic), are dwarfed in comparison to the carnage that has been brought on the Iraqi people. "Success" in Iraq is not a matter of the number of coalition deaths "declining". Success would be an end of the catastrophe we have inflicted on a entire society, and restoration of dignity and sovereignty. Iraqis continue to die at a rate 10 to 20 times that of the coalition forces. In Baghdad alone, five years and $950 billion later, the population suffers power and water outages that last for weeks at a time. Meanwhile, we often impose martial law so that no one can leave. The day I saw myself in the hateful eyes of a young Iraqi boy who stared at me was the day I realized I could no longer justify my role in the occupation. I envy the soldier who is able to see the injustice of this war from afar, and has the courage and conviction to take the stand against it. There will be those who criticize soldiers for being willing to weigh moral convictions against political ambition. What matters is making the stand. Whether you chose not to join the military in the first place, or you realized after joining that it fell short of the requisite levels of integrity, the moment you realize the truth is the moment to take a stand. My moment came with only three weeks of combat missions remaining during my one year in Iraq. Moral conviction has no timing. Taking a stand I informed my chain of command of my beliefs. I could tell from that first conversation that things were not going to go well. I told them that I believed our presence in Iraq was unlawful. I explained that I no longer believed in a policy of war and that I would file as a conscientious objector. Simply put, I could no longer in good conscience participate in a combat role against the Iraqi people. Seconds after the words left my mouth, my life changed. Inside I had more peace than I had felt in over a year. I knew immediately that I had done the right thing. However, I was aggressively disarmed, confined, and shut off from contacting anyone, including family or an attorney. I was illegally confined to a cot in an operations room, placed under 24 hour guard, and escorted to the bathroom before I was formally charged with refusal to follow an order two weeks later. I remained confined until I pled guilty (with little choice) less than a week after that. I was immediately sent to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait to serve 30 days in a military prison. I was just released from the brig the other day and I'm now in the process of being "kicked out" with an "Other Than Honorable" discharge. I regret nothing. After I told my command my beliefs, and once they realized they couldn't intimidate me and that I was serious, they decided that it was going to become an "information war". I had many anti-war friends from MySpace and other online networks that got wind that I was being mistreated and it circulated around the world, literally overnight. Before I knew it, I was dragged into the First Sergeant's office and they began yelling and screaming about how their names were "all over the internet". They didn't try to deny what was being said about them-that I was being treated unfairly and that they refused to acknowledge my claim as a conscientious objector-they were simply mad about the exposure. Military strikes back The next day I was told that I had been "flagged" as an OPSEC (operational security) "concern". No reason given. They were hostile and consumed with the task of making "an example" out of me, and they were looking for ways to ruin my reputation and credibility. They spent days typing up pages of fabricated "counseling statements" to retroactively discredit my military record. The fact that there were no prior record of statements made these accusations obviously fake, and they knew it. They "needed more". They demanded repeatedly all of my Internet user names and pass words-MySpace, personal email, everything. All under the threat that "more charges" would be brought against me if I refused. They wanted to read my emails, all my blogs, everything, in an attempt to find something. Anything they could use to make it look like I had been giving out classified information. They wanted to charge me and ruin my credibility as much as possible, and they desperately needed to be able to justify my illegal confinement. Two weeks later, when they finally realized that they were not going to be able to charge me with "divulging intel", they finally charged me with a series of "not following orders". Not only did these include my refusal to continue combat missions, but ridiculous stuff like "not standing at parade rest" and "being late for work". You get the picture. My command eventually offered to "chapter me out" if I would immediately plead guilty to everything and accept a summary court martial. My options were clear. I could play ball, spend 30 days in a brig, and get my life back. Or I could let them put me back on a fully confined restriction for the next two months, while they took every opportunity to make an example of me-to show everyone in the battalion, "this is what happens if you oppose the war." I'll let them think they won, for now. Freedom The truth will come out, and there is nothing they can do to hide it. The occupation is a disaster. I'm convinced that every day it continues that it makes America, and the Iraqis less safe. Objecting to the war and standing up to the military was without question, one of the best decisions I have ever made. I made a stand that was the right one, and I have my freedom back as a bonus. Maybe ten years from now those of us resisting from within the military today will be seen as some of the first few to speak the truth and to follow up with action. Even now I have many to remind me that I'm not alone in my thinking, even a majority of Americans who know that all the pieces of this conflict simply don't add up. Seek the truth. Make the stand. Courage to Resist - http://www.couragetoresist.org Iraq Veterans Against the War - http://www.ivaw.org

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