Music CDs Reviews - Page 5

You might not think the mournful Depression-era song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,” James Brown’s punchy 1968 “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” and Alan Jackson’s sobering 2001 hit “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” have much in common. But they’re all songs that address a significant moment in American history. In this collection, these classics join 47 other songs that tell the sweeping story of America, all re-interpreted by contemporary artists from various musical genres, including John Mellencamp, The Del McCoury Band and Janis Ian. In this tuneful, tasteful timeline of our national experience, history rarely has sounded so good.
Neil Pond, American Profile

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Homespun and heartfelt, much like the music Helm spent decades making as a member of rock’s legendary group The Band, this collection of old-time ballads, folkish vignettes and rootsy story songs reverberates with his childhood memories of rural Arkansas and a time when music was one of the primary ways Americans communed, celebrated and chronicled their happiness, toil and sorrow.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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It’s great to hear great new music from an old friend. The leader of the classic band Creedence Clearwater Revival makes a glorious return with a CD that recalls the good-rockin’, swamp-gumbo gusto of his ‘60s Creedence roots, but also comes out swinging at various contemporary issues, including the current administration in the White House and certain unnamed fast-lane celebrities who run their lives into the ground (Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton and Brittney Spears, are you listening?).
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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The musical parodist known for his silly-fied send-ups of hit country songs devotes a whole CD to saluting one of his heroes, Ray Stevens, by respectfully re-doing rib-ticklers from the master funnyman’s catalog. The title comes from a line in one of Stevens’ biggest hits, “The Streak,” which gets a special assist here from Stevens himself. Vince Gill, Wynonna, Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie and other country hitmakers help Judd flex the funnybones of “Guitarzan,” “Ahab the Arab,” “It’s Me Again, Margaret,” “Shriner’s Convention” and “The Mississippi Squirrel Revival,” and spotlight Stevens’ serious side with “Misty” and “Everything is Beautiful.”
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Through the magic of technology, the songs of the late, great Dean Martin get a groovy guest-star gloss with new “duet” tracks by Grammy-winning Joss Stone and Shelby Lynne, country superstar Martina McBride, actor-singer Kevin Spacey and other singers and instrumentalists who sound like they’re having a ball aboard this ultra-cool collaborative bandwagon. You’ll have to continually remind yourself that Martin, who died in 1995, isn’t really sidled up and smiling alongside his partners, who swing, slide and swoon their merry way with Dino through “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Everybody Loves Somebody” and ten other tunes.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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During a 13-year period beginning in 1939, Frank Sinatra recorded more than 100 hit songs, more than any other artist, creating an astounding body of work and becoming America’s first bona fide teen heartthrob. This extensive collection celebrates that remarkable period with 80 of the songs that laid the musical foundation for one of contemporary music’s legendary megastars, including “All of Me,” “If I Didn’t Care,” “Night and Day,” “You’ll Never Know” and dozens of other classics-to-be in the great American songbook.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary midpoint of the group’s phenomenal hot streak in the late 1970s, this commemorative re-issue of the Bee Gee’s double-disc 1979 release will remind you of just what a pop powerhouse—and hit-making machine—the brothers Gibb truly were. Its 26 tracks include all the original chart-toppers (including “Jive Talkin,’ “Too Much Heaven,” “Staying Alive,” “Tragedy” and “Nights On Broadway”), plus bonus tracks and four dance-club remixes that add new thumping twists to the classic ‘70s disco beat of “You Should Be Dancing,” “If I Can’t Have You,” “Night Fever” and “How Deep is Your Love.”
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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On her first solo album apart from the rock duo Heart, lead singer Ann Wilson honors some of her favorite “social-statement” songs from the past four decades, all of which have messages that reverberate just as powerfully today. Guest vocalists Elton John, Wynonna, Gretchen Wilson, Alison Krauss, Deana Carter, Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin and Wilson’s sister and Heart co-partner, Nancy, put their voices to Led Zepplin’s “Immigrant Song,” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” and Bob Dylan’s “Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” and other songs by The Animals, John Lennon, The Youngbloods and Neil Young about war, peace and living in a world that sometimes seems to be spinning out of control.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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Saddle up with the Grammy-winning cowboy quartet Riders in the Sky for this lively, lovely gallop through 16 songs originally made famous by Gene Autry, born 100 years ago Sept. 29. The tumbleweed tribute includes “Back in the Saddle Again,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” and “That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine,” plus a booklet by the Riders’ head honcho, Ranger Doug, that features song-by-song notes and reflections on America’s late, great singing cowboy.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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The durable country duo of brothers David and Howard Bellamy returned to the recording studio for these 12 original tunes (and one gospel standard, “I’ll Fly Away”) that reflect their Southern-fried spirituality and religious roots. But despite the title, it’s not your typical gospel album; the Bellamy’s quirky wit and nimble way with words often tip the communion cup into surprising territory. “Drug Problem” deals with how trendy rehab clinics can’t always clean up the mess created by bigger personal—and spiritual—problems, the title track speculates that Jesus is none too happy about the way the world’s going, and “Lord, Help Me Be the Kind of Person (My Dog Thinks I Am)” looks at life from the ever-forgiving perspective of man’s best friend.
—Neil Pond, American Profile

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