It’s Just Not the Same Without D’Arcy There…

Bap Kennedy – Domestic Blues (1998)

I missed this when it came out…it’s a very good first solo recording. Each song stands on its own as one that I’d really enjoy mixed with other Americana, Blues, Folk and Country Rock on a Sunday morning. Trouble for me is that after a half a dozen songs in row the vocals get a little one dimensional, although the guitar work sprinkled through here is very tasteful. I’m guessing that since it’s a Steve Earle production, he had a hand in that. 3 ½.

Shearwater – Animal Joy (2012)

It’s certainly pleasant enough…mix two parts Okkervil River with one part Richard Thompson (the vocal sound part) and stir…I could have lived without “Insolence”, but to be rude and trash the song after hearing just 10 seconds of it would be, well….insolent.
At the end of the day, this CD could easily be part of a Sunday morning i-Tunes mix, where if you have company, they will ask, “who’s that?” 3

Scissor Sisters – Magic Hour (2012)

I was hoping to write a snappy review based around “F___yeah, but as it turns out, for me, if anyone asks if I liked “Magic Hour, I’ll just say “F___no! I’m sure it’s lovely music for a warm night at a gay dance club, but other than the beat I don’t remember much about it. I guess the good news is that I’ll probably never have to listen to it again (not that there’s anything wrong with that). 1 ½.

Buddy Guy – Damn Right I Got the Blues (1991)

It’s hard to believe this was recorded over 20 years ago, but the blues, in this form are timeless and Buddy Guy is one of the greatest blues guitarists ever. And then he stars to sing. The only other guitar player/singers in this genre that are as good if not better are B.B. King and Eric Clapton, and it took Clapton 30 years to get vocal chops up to this level. This is top shelf Chicago blues. If you enjoy this genre, this is great, though there are better versions of “Five Long Years” and “Mustang Sally” 4.

John Hiatt – GH

I’m a fan of his vocals, though I know they are an acquired taste, and I also think he’s an under rated guitarist and songwriter, so I tried to get a few songs from each of his studio albums to show his evolution. I had to include “Thing Called Love” since Bonnie Raitt made it his most commercially successful song…other than that, I don’t think any of these songs got out of the singer/songwriter niche status. Hope everyone enjoyed this.

Topic: In this political season, I’ve noticed through Facebook, the heated debate between friends and non-friends. I’d like to extend the question specific to music…Do you have any friends who don’t share your taste in music, or don’t even have any common ground? If so, do you discuss music with them? Also, have you ever walked from a friendship or a potential friendship because of someone else’s musical tastes?

I have many friends, but it seems that the friendships that last the longest in my life are with people that have a deeper appreciation than average for music. Interestingly, that appreciation doesn't have to be aligned with my musical preferences, but a passion for music tends to be there. As far as someone else's musical tastes as a harbinger of a potential friendship or relationship, when I was 19, I went on a date with an attractive girl I met in college. While we were driving to a movie,"Brown Sugar" was on the radio. She immediately punched to a different station - some disco song came on - and she said something how this was better than that rock garbage. I pulled into a 7-11 and asked her if she would please get me a Coke. When she was in the store, I left. I've never done that since, but I didn't fell bad about it for a second.