November Reviews 2005 KB

Music Club
November 2005

BB King- 80
I have always felt that BB King was slightly overrated, given praise more due to his longevity than actual contribution. There is nothing wrong with his style of blues but to me he doesn’t hold up as well as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Big Momma Thorton or Elmore James. He started receiving acclaim as the other elder statesmen of blues were no longer of this Earth. This sounds harsher than meant. I like some of BB’s work. “Thrill is Gone” is an exceptional song. So popping in 80 I was expecting to say that it wasn’t bad and then move on. To my surprise, I liked it. Quite a bit. I even liked it with John Mayer, Elton John and Glenn Frey on it. Oddly, the only song I didn’t like was the one with Roger Daltrey. Roger should really not do blues. The disc had a comfortable, nice feel and sound – and I mean that in a nice way. The songs gently grooved. The accompaniers complimented BB well especially Billy Gibbons, Clapton, Elton (yes Elton actually rocked), Bobby Bland (great song) and Van (maybe even better). I’ve gone out of my way to play this one and I’ve copied it for others. Nice surprise, in it’s genre- but not rated based on it….(4)

Linda Perry- In Flight
I saw 4 Non Blondes years ago on their Bigger, Better, Faster, More tour. They were truly powerful, due to Linda Perry’s strong voice and presence. I bought the disc. A year later I stopped listening to it. I know why. Linda Perry writes some great songs. She is a good producer. She knows how to get the “girl power” out of the girl (Pink, Liz Phair, Christine Aguliera), but I‘ve decided that I like her songs when others do them. Her voice is strong but it gets under my craw and in between my teeth. Too forced and over dramatic. In Flight didn’t have anything special when I tried to elude Linda’s voice. For me it didn’t have too many standout songs. Strongest song to me was “In My Dreams”. I will continue to give her credit when due but on this album I couldn’t……(1)

Tiger Mountain- Get Along like a House in Fire
First song, “Shouldn’t Be Long” smacked me like beer from a nose. Nice start to the disc. The rest didn’t live up to that song, but they didn’t suck. Good decent hooks that if this band grows and develops could become great hooks. “Now That You’re on TV”, “Century’s Gone” and “The Occasion” are well crafted songs. If this band continues to create music I can see them becoming a pretty good, solid band. Good influences heard; Replacements, Soul Asylum and the Del Fuegos. This disc will get future listens… (3)

Jimmy James and the Vagabonds- Come Softly To Me
I pulled this out of my vinyl coffers because I agreed with Jen, we do tend to stay in a certain “area”. So I pulled out Britain’s first response to the US’s R&B explosion (not the garbage that’s called R&B now). He made a fairly big splash in the UK and still has a following. There is nothing new here. Jimmy J uses all the R&B clichés. Isley Brother’s “Shout” fade then crescendo, Temptations suave on “I’m a Fool for You Girl” and the Four Tops motown on “Hi-Diddly Dee Dum Dum”. Traditional renderings of “People Get Ready”, “I Gotta Dance to Keep From Crying” and “This Heart of Mine”. Still, it sounded light, fun and entertaining. It sounded familiar, but in a nostalgic way. Something that could be put on at an outdoor BBQ where your guests would say “Gee, I haven’t heard that in years”, when in actuality they probably have never heard it. I’m sure this one may get pelted by the group, but compared to what is called R&B now, this was welcome relief….. (3)

HotRod Circuit- Ghits
I heard a lot of bands in this disc- while it actually would play for me. Mission of Burma, Sebadoh, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and even solo Paul Westerberg. This is not rock I will normally turn to. The hooks weren’t too bad but I like my guitars less nondescript. Vocals were difficult to decipher being too layered or at times flat. I heard repetition but I think it’s due to my tastes. It’s like eating at Friendly’s, it’s better than McD but it’s not Tavern on the Green.


Topic
I know I’m missing some. I kept the staples to those songs that are true rockers, probably easy to learn. Songs that most in an audience would know and not be disappointed when played. I have honorable mentions of oddball songs that just jumped at me that would be a hoot to hear certain bands/artists play. These are songs WE could perform probably. As for favorites here I’m sure I am missing some, especially concert ones so D’Arcy I am expecting you to be able fill in where I left off (live denotes I saw it live)…

Five Musts for Covers
F@*!ng Up- Neil Young
Fight for Your Right to Party- Beasties
Ring of Fire- Johnny Cash
London Calling – Clash
Ball and Chain- Social Distortion
25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

Fun Honorable mentions (we know the words people…)
All Out of Love- Air Supply
Ring My Bell- Anita Ward
Sweet Caroline- the other Neil
Close to You- Carpenters
Walk Away Renee- Left Banke
Sundown- Gordon Lightfoot
Never my Love- Association

Favorite Covers
Luna – Sweet Child o’ Mine
Dylan- Brown Sugar (live)
Soul Asylum- To Sir with Love (Live)
Blues Traveler- Imagine (Live)
Cash- Hurt
Sonic Youth- Close to You
Cure – Hello, I Love You
Hendrix- Wild Thing
Smashmouth- I’m a believer
Pearl Jam- Last Kiss
Scout- Anyway You Want it
Hindu Love Gods- Raspberry Beret and Battleship Chains
Todd Snider- Margaritaville
N. Young- Farmer John
Uncle Tupelo- Suzi Q
Zappa- Stairway to Heaven (Live)
Andy Kaufman- Feelings