Carole King: Simple Things (1977/2012) CD Review

Carole King was initially known for her songwriting partnership with Gerry Goffin. She then released her first solo album in 1970. That and her second record, Tapestry, established her as an excellent singer as well as songwriter. She followed that with several more albums before switching labels in 1977. Her first record for Capitol was Simple Things.

On Simple Things, Carole King is backed by the band Navarro, featuring Robert McEntee and Mark Hallman.

How is it that this album had not previously been released on CD in the United States? There are some incredible songs on this record, particularly "Hold On" and "One." All tracks are originals, of course. Three were co-written by Rick Evers.

"Simple Things"

The album opens with its title track, "Simple Things." This song feels in some ways like a big production number to open a musical. But listen to that wonderful voice holding that note on "skies." Very impressive.

"Simple Things" was written by Carole King and Rick Evers. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "Simple things of the earth don't die/They just grow and change as time goes by/There are no questions without answers/I've found my answer to life is living."

"Hold On"

Carole King's vocals - which are always good - are just incredible on "Hold On." This is an excellent and powerful tune, and is my favorite track on this album. This is no simple pop tune. Written with her husband Rick Evers, this song features lines like, "We need each other now more than ever/Our love is the sun - young lord of the light/It's a shame that one such as you/Should have to walk this cold and lonely night." Carole King plays 12-string guitar on this track.

"In The Name Of Love"

"In The Name Of Love" is a pretty song in which Carole King sings, "Know throughout every season/You are the name of love/And you'll keep on feeling at home/Throughout the coming years/Change is for certain/This we all know/Each day opening the curtain/On a brand new show."

It ends with the line, "Live in the name of love/Forever." Her husband, Rick Evers, would be dead a year after this album was released.

"Labyrinth"

"Labyrinth" has some cheesy lyrics that are made powerful by Carole King's delivery and some interesting music. But really, she works "rainbows" and "butterflies" into one line. This one has a bit of a theatrical feel, like the first track. You can hear it in lines like, "After awhile we will see/The labyrinth isn't anyplace we need to be/Then we can come out from the heart of the darkness/Into a brighter day."

"Hard Rock Cafe"

"Hard Rock Cafe" is a fun and somewhat goofy song. It's one of those songs that creates a party atmosphere by including background noise of people talking and laughing. It's a light, fluffy number that in some ways is in the same ballpark as the Village People's "Y.M.C.A." With lines like, "After a hard day's work I guarantee/There just isn't anywhere better to be/If you're unable to find good company/You can always sit down and watch the color TV/At the hard rock cafe." This song is unlike the rest of the album, except for the one slower part when she sings, "And if you're feelin' just a little bit lonely."

Love Songs

"Time Alone" is a slower, pretty love song with strings. I like these lines: "No sign of the changes we have come through/No mind of the strangers who think they know you."

"To Know That I Love You" is a sweet love song co-written by Rick Evers. Here is a bit of the lyrics: "Over and over again we light the flame/Rediscovering that we are the same and I love you/Ah - it feels so good to know that I love you."

"One"

Simple Things concludes with "One," which is one of its best tracks. It's a thoughtful composition about effecting social change through one's individual energy, and the connections we all make and have. Carole King sings, "Whenever I find injustice being done/And I wonder, what am I gonna do/What can one do except be one/Talking to two, touching three/Growing to four million/Each of us is one - all of us are one." It's actually a truly beautiful and positive song.

CD Track List

1. Simple Things
2. Hold On
3. In The Name Of Love
4. Labyrinth
5. You're The One Who Knows
6. Hard Rock Cafe
7. Time Alone
8. God Only Knows
9. To Know That I Love You
10. One
    

Simple Things is scheduled to be released on February 28, 2012 through Rockingale Records and Concord Music Group. Also to be released that date are three other Carole King CDs: Welcome Home, Touch The Sky (neither of which have been previously available on CD in the United States) and Pearls: Songs Of Goffin And King.

Carole King: "Pearls: Songs Of Goffin And King" (1980/2012 re-issue) CD Review

Gerry Goffin and Carole King are one of pop's best songwriting teams, having composed a lot of great top-ten hits such as "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "Take Good Care Of My Baby," "The Loco-Motion," "One Fine Day" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday." They also wrote some seriously cool tunes which didn't reach the top ten, like "Porpoise Song," which The Monkees recorded for their 1968 film, Head. (Carole King also co-wrote my favorite Monkees song, "As We Go Along.")

And now re-issues of four Carole King albums are being released, three of which have never been available on CD in the United States. The fourth, Pearls: Songs Of Goffin And King, is an album of tunes written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and made popular by other artists. With one exception, the songs on this album were all recorded by other artists first, before Carole King began her solo career. It's a pleasure to be able to hear her own renditions. This is a really good album of songs you most likely already know, but of versions you might not have heard.

"Dancin' With Tears In My Eyes"

Pearls open with "Dancin' With Tears In My Eyes," a gloriously upbeat disco pop song. This is the only song on this record that wasn't previously recorded by another artist. It's a song about a woman still hitting the dance floor after a breakup.

"The Loco-Motion"

"The Loco-Motion" is one of Goffin and King's most famous songs. It was first recorded by Little Eva in 1962, and also recorded by Grand Funk Railroad, The Chiffons, Dee Dee Sharp, The Ventures, Kylie Minogue and Ringo Starr. Carole King's version features a nice sax solo. It also features Christopher Cross on rhythm guitar.

"One Fine Day"

"One Fine Day" might be the most well known composition by Goffin and King. It was recorded by The Chiffons, as well as Rita Coolidge and Natalie Merchant. And it's been featured in films like Fingers (1978), The Flamingo Kid (1984), The Joy Luck Club (1993), and of course the movie One Fine Day (1996), which was named after this song.

This is a good, brisk version, and has a fun saxophone lead part at the end. This version was also a hit, reaching #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Hey Girl"

Certainly, you've heard The Righteous Brothers' rendition of "Hey Girl." Other artists who have recorded this song include Freddie Scott (who recorded the original version in 1963), Bobby Vee, Donnie Osmond and George Benson. I love Carole's vocals on this one. Here is a bit of the lyrics: "Hey girl, this can't be true/How am I supposed to exist without you/And hey girl, now don't put me on/What's gonna happen to me when you're gone."

"Snow Queen"

"Snow Queen" is the most interesting song on this release. This version has a sometimes jazzy piano that reminds me a bit of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" at the beginning. And halfway through, the guitar too takes on a jazzy vibe. The instrumental section is excellent. And the lyrics are good, with lines like "You may not think you're a loser/But in mid-air you'll be hung while you trip on your tongue/And it'll only amuse her."

"Snow Queen" was recorded by The Association, The Tokens, The City and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

"Chains"

Carole King's version of "Chains" begins with vocals and finger snaps before kicking in with that great rock beat that has a bit of swing. I really love this version. The horns are great. "Chains" was originally recorded by The Cookies, and then a little later by The Beatles (it was included on their first LP, Please Please Me).

"Hi De Ho (That Old Sweet Roll)"

"Hi De Ho (That Old Sweet Roll)" is probably the most fun track on the album, with a great brass section that gives it a bit of a New Orleans feel. Carole King's vocals are just so cool, particularly when she sings, "Once I met the devil - he was mighty slick/Tempted me with worldly goods/Said I could have my pick." This song also features some excellent backing vocals. I absolutely love this song, which was originally recorded by Blood, Sweat & Tears.

"Wasn't Born To Follow"

"Wasn't Born To Follow" is my favorite song from the album - a song I've always loved. This one will be familiar to anyone who has seen Easy Rider (and if you haven't seen it, seriously, what is wrong with you?). The Byrds' rendition was featured in that film. (The backing track for a Monkees version was included on the third disc of the deluxe edition of The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees.)

Carole King's own rendition is phenomenal. It starts with banjo, played by Mark Maniscalco, and also features Betty Whitlock on fiddle. The lyrics are definitely late-1960s, and absolutely wonderful: "And when it's time I'll go and wait/Beside the legendary fountain/Till I see your form reflected/It its clear and jeweled waters/And if you think I'm ready/You may lead me to the chasm/Where the rivers of our visions/Flow into one another." And Carole King really stresses that last line, "I was not born to follow."

Dare I say it? This version is better than that by The Byrds.

CD Track List

1. Dancin' With Tears In My Eyes
2. The Loco-Motion
3. One Fine Day
4. Hey Girl
5. Snow Queen
6. Chains
7. Oh No, Not My Baby
8. Hi De Ho (That Old Sweet Roll)
9. Wasn't Born To Follow
10. Goin' Back
    

Musicians

Musicians on this release include Carole King on vocals and piano; Mark Hallman on guitar, harmonica, and backing vocals; Steve Meador on drums; Charles Larkey on bass; Reese Wynans on keyboards; Eric Johnson on rhythm and lead guitar; Miguel Rivera on congas and percussion; Richard Hardy on flute and saxophone; Christopher Cross on rhythm guitar; Mark Maniscalco on banjo; Betty Whitlock on fiddle; Ray Crisara on trumpet and cornet; Don Knaub on bass trombone; Bobby Meyer on trumpet and cornet; Tomas Ramirez on tenor sax; and Michael Munday on trombone.

Pearls: Songs Of Goffin And King is scheduled to be re-released on February 28, 2012 through Rockingale Records and Concord Music Group. Also to be released that date are three other Carole King CDs: Simple Things, Welcome Home, and Touch The Sky, none of which have been previously available on CD in the United States.

Tony Bennett: "Isn't It Romantic?" (2012 Compilation) CD Review

Isn't It Romantic? is a compilation album featuring some of the best stuff Tony Bennett ever recorded. It's an album full of what he does best - beautiful, passionate, honest love songs. And he's accompanied by some of the world's best musicans, particularly Bill Evans on piano.

These tracks are taken from five albums: Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, Sings More Great Rodgers And Hart (those two were later released as a single CD titled Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook), Life Is Beautiful (1972), The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (1975), and Together Again (1977). Six of these tracks were also re-issued last summer on The Best Of The Improv Recordings. And if you purchased the four-disc box set, The Complete Improv Recordings, then you already own all but six of these tracks, those six being the ones from The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (because that album was originally released on Fantasy). However, if you don't already own any Tony Bennett, this is a really good place to start.

"Make Someone Happy"

Isn't It Romantic? starts off with "Make Someone Happy," a beautiful, mellow rendition featuring just vocals and piano. Tony Bennett's voice just radiates romance as he sings, "Love is the answer/Someone to love is the answer/Once you've found her/Build your world around her/Make someone happy/Make just one someone happy/And you will be happy too." That's pretty good advice. And Bill Evans' solo is wonderful - it's what really makes this a phenomenal rendition.

"Make Someone Happy" was written by Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jule Styne. This version was originally included on Together Again.

"Isn't It Romantic?"

"Isn't It Romantic?" starts with a sweet bit of horn before the cool bass line and Tony Bennett's vocals come in. Tony's voice is like a wonderful whisper in your ear. This song is so good that it's almost a worthy substitute for actual romance. Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, this is the kind of song that makes you want to dance with a stranger you pass on the street. A definite highlight of this compilation.

"As Time Goes By"

"As Time Goes By" is one of the most famous songs ever written. And there's a good reason for that, and for its continuing appeal. This song will never lose its magic, as "moonlight and love songs are never out of date." This song, like its subject, will always be pertinent, always be welcome (unless we completely lose our humanity). And Tony Bennett's rendition is perfect. "As Time Goes By" was written by Herman Hupfeld.

"My Foolish Heart"

Tony's voice and Bill Evans' piano sound so great together on "My Foolish Heart." This one has a late-night feel. Both Tony and Bill are able to easily evince the kind of experience that makes a song like this one so effective. You can hear it in a line like, "I'm reluctant to start for we've been fooled before." And, "This time it isn't fascination/Or a dream that will fade and fall apart/It's love, this time it's love, my foolish heart." In addition to the experience you hear in his voice, there is also the hope for this new love.

"My Foolish Heart" was written by Ned Washington and Victor Young.

"I Could Write The Book"

"I Could Write The Book" is a cool jazzy tune. Tony Bennett's voice has a great, playful, happy quality on this track. And I love the guitar. "I Could Write The Book" was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for Pal Joey.

"Days Of Wine And Roses"

Bill Evans starts "Days Of Wine And Roses," playing for nearly a minute before Tony begins singing. This is another of those late-night gems. You can imagine the bartender wiping the counter, getting ready to close, and Tony singing this one last song to you, the last remaining patron. It's such a short song, however, seeming to end too soon.

Written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini, this track was originally released on The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

"Lover"

"Lover," a pretty song written by Rodgers and Hart, features the great line, "When you're away, it's awful/And when you are with me, it's worse." There is a section of this rendition that is just so damn cool, in which Tony takes his voice down to a low near-whisper, holding back, over this great groove on bass and guitar. So intimate, as he sings, "Lover, when I'm near you/And I hear you speak my name/Softly in my ear/You breathe a flame." This is my favorite track. It was originally released on Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

"My Romance"

"My Romance" is another seriously cool tune with a great mellow jazzy vibe. Tony sings that his romance needs "no soft guitars" - ah sure, but they don't hurt, as this song proves. He sings, "Wide awake, I can make my most fantastic dreams come true/My romance doesn't need a thing but you." Written by Rodgers and Hart, this songs was originally included on Sings More Great Rodgers And Hart. I love the instrumental section in this rendition.

"Life Is Beautiful"

This compilation concludes with "Life Is Beautiful," a sweet, comforting, uplifting song that somehow manages to avoid being the least bit cheesy. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "Life is beautiful in every way/Life is lovely as a spring bouquet/Since I fell in love with you/Life is like a dream that has come true." The orchestra is perfect, with an arrangement by Torrie Zito. "Life Is Beautiful" was written by Fred Astaire and Tommy Wolf.

CD Track List

1. Make Someone Happy
2. Isn't It Romantic?
3. As Time Goes By
4. My Foolish Heart
5. I Could Write A Book
6. Days Of Wine And Roses
7. Dream Dancing
8. The Touch Of Your Lips
9. Lover
10. But Beautiful
11. Young And Foolish
12. We'll Be Together Again
13. My Romance
14. Lucky To Be Me
15. Life Is Beautiful
    

Isn't It Romantic? was released on February 7, 2012 through Concord Music Group.

Moot Davis: "Man About Town" (2012) CD Review

I don't listen to a lot of new country music because I've been under the impression that it's a lot of posing in cowboy hats. The music doesn't have much to say. So, not having heard Moot Davis before, it was with a certain amount of trepidation that I put the disc in. But right away my fears and notions were dispelled. The first track has a decidedly old-country feel, and so I happily settled in for what turned out to be a really good CD. If this album is representative of what country artists are doing these days, then I need to listen to more country.

There are some excellent songs here, particularly "How Long," "Black & White Picture" and the title track. And yes, it's true that not every track is stellar; there are some rather lame lyrics in a song like "Rust" for example ("There's rust growing on us and I must have left the sprinkler on overnight"), and the first line of "Rocket" is the over-used and never-amusing "I got a rocket in my pocket." But overall, this is a really good album, with pleasing rhythms and wonderful vocals. And Moot Davis mixes in some elements of early rock and roll on a few tracks.

"Rags To Rhinestones"

Man About Town opens with "Rags To Rhinestones," an old-flavored country song that has a fun, playful attitude. Here is a bit of the lyrics: "From rags to rhinestones/Shooting star from the great unknown/Yeah, you should have seen me then/From rags to rhinestones/And back again." This song clearly a sense of humor about itself, with the idea that fake, glass gems are the height of fashion and culture, or at least the most a country singer can hope to achieve. The song seems to be poking a bit of fun at country music, implying that artificial, worthless stones are the country equivalent of real gems and riches. Because obviously rhinestones are a long way from riches, and are much closer to rags.

"Day The World Shook My Hand"

"Day The World Shook My Hand" also has an old-time feel which I appreciate. The simple rhythm on bass and drums, as well as the fiddle, work to create that feel. And the bright vocals (with that great bit of twang) add to it. This is really country at its best, and features lines like, "Hang around here long enough/And all your soft edges just get tough." Nice.

"Queensbury Rules"

I love Moot's vocals when he really lets it rip, like on "Queensbury Rules," a song that definitely has a bit of a rock edge. The guitar is more rock than country. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "But your heart don't play by the Queensbury rules/And you're good at burying fools/Who wind up falling/In love with you/Well, my arrow/Lost sight of its mark." (By the way, Moot needs to fire whoever posted the lyrics on his web page. The lyrics to this song contain many errors, such as "your good at burying fools" and "my arrow lost sight of it's mark.")

"Crazy In Love With You"

"Crazy In Love With You" is a playful duet with Elizabeth Cook. This song reminds me a bit of Buddy Holly actually, in the vocal patterns. It's a sweet tune, one of those songs you find yourself swaying to. I like Elizabeth's voice, and she and Moot sound good together. (But again, the lyrics on his web site contain mistakes like "I think your crazy" and "Your one of those kind of women.")

"Only You" also has some early rock and roll influence, particularly Buddy Holly again.

"How Long"

"How Long" is one of my favorite tracks from Man About Town. It's more of that great, old-time country - just wonderful. I love that on-the-range rhythm, and the fiddle. This is the kind of country I could listen to all day. Here is a bit of the lyrics: "Well, I ride through these night times/Blue and all alone/And on I ride/'Cause I must find my way home/How long."

"Black & White Picture"

"Black & White Picture" is my vote for the album's best track. The instrumentation of this track is really impressive, particularly the guitar work. And I got caught up in the tale of a man who feels wronged by a woman, and the revenge he embarks on. He begins it with these lines: "I got a black and white picture/Of the man I used to be/Features they all look the same/But I swear it ain't me." An intriguing start, and from there the song just gets better and really pulls you in. This is a pretty amazing tune. After taking his revenge, "I turned my gun on everyone/'Cause I no longer cared." And when out of bullets he "went and sat down next to my love/And waited for my arrest." Everything just works perfectly here. I absolutely love this song.

"Everybody's Gal"

"Everybody's Gal" is more old-time country with a great twang. You can definitely hear Moot's love for Hank Williams in a song like this one, in the vocal delivery. "Everybody's Gal" is a simple, but fun tune. And I love the fiddle.

Here is a taste of the song's lyrics: "Well, I tried so hard to love you/But you just don't understand/You just keep on running, darling/Away from your true lovin' man/Because you're everybody's baby/Yeah, you're everybody's gal."

"Man About Town"

Man About Town concludes with the title track, a song which really features Moot's vocals, bringing them to the fore. This one is more in the folk vein, which helps it become one of my favorite tracks. With just vocals and guitars, this song has a raw and simple power. In this one Moot sings, "And ghost's shoes, they're hard to fill/Took me years to swallow that pill/But I'll keep travelin' this world around/And I'll always be a man about town."

CD Track List

1. Rags To Rhinestones
2. Day The World Shook My Hand
3. Rocket
4. Fade To Gold
5. Queensbury Rules
6. Crazy In Love With You
7. How Long
8. Black & White Picture
9. Rust
10. Only You
11. Memory Lane
12. Everybody's Gal
13. Man About Town
    

Musicians

Musicians appearing with Moot Davis on this release include Kenny Vaughan on electric guitar, Chris Scruggs on pedal and lap steel, Harry Stinson on drums, Paul Martin on bass, Hank Singer on fiddle, and George Bradfute on slide guitar.

Man About Town is scheduled to be released February 21, 2012 on Highway Kind Records, Davis' own record label. This is his third release, the other two being Moot Davis (2004) and Already Moved On (2007).

Los Angeles Gets Bullied Again (Finally!)

Bullied By Strings returned to Los Angeles Saturday night for a show at On The Rox. Formerly based here in L.A., and now based in Chicago, Bullied By Strings is a fantastic, strange, wonderful pop-punk-electronica group consisting of Kristen Rajterowski Rowland on vocals and flute, Gabriel "Front Row" Roland on drums and programming, and newcomer Mike Guidry on bass and saxophone and backing vocals.

Before their set, a DJ was spinning records, and Gabe got behind his kit and began playing along with the songs. This led into a short drum solo as Kristen and Mike joined him on stage.

They went on at 11 p.m., and actually opened with a cover of the Beatles tune "Things We Said Today." It was a great version. They had posted their version of it online, so it didn't come as a surprise, but still came as a delight. They then went into their original material, starting with one of their older songs, "Big Mouth." Always a pleasure to hear that one. They mixed in some newer material too, like "You Lift Me Up So High," "Breathe New Life" and (maybe my favorite) "Oh Boy Oh Boy."

They ended their set with a couple of classics - "What If I Like It" (in a different configuration than before, but still fantastic, and a great song to dance to) and "Reach Out." "Reach Out" always is a high-energy tune, and finds Kristen contorting her body is all sorts of impossible ways. They didn't do the extended ending with the hand percussion in front of the stage like they used to, but it was still an excellent version of the song, and had the crowd dancing and calling out for an encore (which they didn't get).

Set List: 2-11-12 On The Rox, West Hollywood, CA

1. Things We Said Today
2. Big Mouth
3. You Lift Me Up So High
4. Sweet Surrender
5. Line Of Fire
6. Breathe New Life
7. Oh Boy Oh Boy
8. What If I Like It
9. Reach Out
   

I love this band, and I hope they move back to Los Angeles at some point. For those who are unfamiliar with Bullied By Strings, you might remember Salon K, the band Gabe and Kristen were in prior to this one. And of course Gabe was in one of the greatest bands of all time, The Peak Show.

The Dunwells: "Blind Sighted Faith" (2012) CD Review

The Dunwells are a relatively new British band featuring two brothers on guitars and vocals. In fact, in October of last year, they changed their name from The Dunwell Brothers Band to The Dunwells. Blind Sighted Faith is the band's debut CD.

Their sound has clear Celtic influences (at times they remind me a bit of Flynn). But a heavier influence on this band seems to be the 1970s soft rock groups, the ones that focused on harmonies like Crosby, Stills & Nash, Poco, Little River Band and Seals And Croft (You can really hear that influence on a track like "In The Moment").

Of course it's not enough to just have excellent vocals - there needs to be something worth singing. The Dunwells seem to spend just as much time and energy on their lyrics as they do perfecting their vocal chops. Take the first line of "Hand That Feeds" for example: "I'm not afraid of falling, I just don't want to hit the ground." Deceptively simple, these lyrics work like the best lyrics, by being non-specific enough to feel applicable to everyone who listens. Thus, it's a song that a listener can internalize and make his or her own. And yes, there is the occasional clunky line, like "Blind sighted faith - feel the feeling" in the album's title track. But the music is good enough that we can overlook those lines.

"I Could Be A King"

Blind Sighted Faith opens with "I Could Be A King," which was released earlier as a single. The song begins as a sweet upbeat folk tune, and then the drums come in taking the song to another level. It's a brilliant combination of folk and pop with a Celtic influence. This song transcends genre, and it is the song that made me interested in this band. It has a great, positive vibe. And I really dig the backing vocals two and half minutes in, which remind me of the joyous vocals of the Afternoons (now called Shadow Shadow Shade).

The chorus is: "I could be a king/I could be anything I want/I could be a poem/I could be some writing on the wall/I could be a super hero - staring down the barrel of a gun/I could be a piece of artwork fading in the sun." I absolutely love this song.

"Blind Sighted Faith"

The CD's title track has one of those perfect steady drum beats which always make me smile. This song features the line, "They say time's a healer, but I can't forget because I live my life full of regret." The harmonies definitely remind me of CSN, particularly their 1970s work.

"Only Me"

"Only Me" is a pretty acoustic song with some good lyrics, such as these lines: "I’d rather be escaping from the truth/It’s only me I’m blaming/It’s me who changed the lanes and crashed down hard." When the harmonies come in, the song really reminds me of CSN in the 1970s. It's nearly three minutes in before the electric guitar and drums come in, and they don't break up the natural flow of the song at all. This track is one of my favorites.

"Elizabeth"

Another of the album's highlights is "Elizabeth." I've always loved that name, and I love this song. It's wonderful acoustic pop, with lines like "And oh my lonely heart stopped beating/And oh my lonely eyes deceive me."

"Follow The Road"

It's strange: "Follow The Road" has a few lines that border on cliches ("life is up to you," "time heals everything"), and yet still feels fresh, and is actually my favorite track on this CD. It has this impassioned intensity, some nice guitar work and a good beat that I can imagine really getting lost in during a live performance. Yes, you can dance to it. I particularly love the music during the repeated line, "Follow the road." This is a very cool tune.

"I Want To Be"

"I Want To Be" is a sweet love song. It's simple, but completely effective. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "I’m sure we’ll have our ups and downs/But I’ll tell you now I’m not going anywhere/Oh girl you’ve got me lying here on the floor."

"Oh Lord"

The album concludes with "Oh Lord," which feels like a slow, low fire. It's a song about the end of a relationship. You get caught up in its rhythm and momentum, and then it breaks through with an electric guitar part a few minutes in that seems to say things the voice is unable to, to express this hurt and longing. And then the vocals become louder, more emotional and plaintive, more energized and desperate.

CD Track List

1. I Could Be A King
2. Blind Sighted Faith
3. Hand That Feeds
4. Only Me
5. Elizabeth
6. Follow The Road
7. In The Moment
8. Goodnight My City
9. I Want To Be
10. Perfect Timing
11. Oh Lord
    

Musicians

The Dunwells are Joseph Dunwell on guitar and vocals; David Dunwell on guitar, banjo and vocals; Jonny Lamb on drums; Dave Hanson on guitar; and Rob Clayton on bass.

Blind Sighted Faith is scheduled to be released on February 14, 2012 through Playing In Traffic Records (and distributed by RED Distribution/Sony Music Entertainment).

Frank Sinatra: "The Concert Sinatra" (1963/2012 re-issue) CD Review

The title of this record might seem a bit misleading, at least to us nowadays who think of a "concert" as a live performance. This is not a live album; that is, there is no audience. It was recorded with a large orchestra in a soundstage at Samuel Goldwyn Studios in February of 1963. This album is made almost entirely of compositions by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, and Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. This special re-issue contains two bonus tracks.

This album is not the type of Sinatra record I usually listen to - it's not Sinatra with a big band. This is him with an orchestra, and so it's a very different sound. But of course it's really about his vocal performance. These songs were arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.

This edition of the album was produced from the original recordings, which had been stored in film canisters for approximately fifty years. The recordings went through a digital restoration process, and the results sound pristine.

"I Have Dreamed"

The Concert Sinatra opens with "I Have Dreamed," a love song written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein for The King And I (1951). This recording really highlights Frank Sinatra's great voice, which sounds so comforting in this configuration, backed by an orchestra. His voice really stands out, although perhaps the orchestra gets a bit too powerful at the end - it's better backing him than competing with him.

"My Heart Stood Still"

"My Heart Stood Still," written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, features the perfect lines, "I took one look at you/That's all I meant to do/And then my heart stood still." This song really needs no other lyrics than those (though the rest are wonderful). Originally written for A Connecticut Yankee, Nelson Riddle's arrangement on this version is beautiful.

"Ol' Man River"

Frank Sinatra gives us an excellent, slow version of "Ol' Man River," the famous song written by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern for the musical Show Boat. Though it is a bit odd hearing Frank Sinatra sing, "Let me go away from the white man boss," I really love this rendition. My favorite moment is when the orchestra disappears entirely and Sinatra holds onto one word on the line, "You get a little drunk and you lands in jail" - just the way he sings the word "jail" and holds onto it. It's a fantastic moment, probably my favorite bit on this record. The song then builds again, becoming gloriously intense. And boy, what a vocal performance. This is a definite stand-out track - so powerful that I'm surprised when the album continues. It feel it should be over after that.

"Bewitched"

As great as "Ol' Man River" is, by far my favorite tune on this album is "Bewitched." It's fun, playful, and yet also beautiful. And Sinatra's vocal performance is absolutely wonderful and moving. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote this one for Pal Joey in 1941 (on the soundtrack, its title is "Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered"). Here is a taste of the lyrics: "I'm wild again/Beguiled again/A simpering, whimpering child again/Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I."

"Soliloquy"

The original album concluded with "Soliloquy," a strange rumination about fatherhood. This song finds Sinatra carrying on about the son he's expecting and what sort of person he'll be. And then nearly five minutes in, it occurs to him, "What if he is a girl?" The song changes then, and he creates the child all over again, this time as female. According to the CD's liner notes, when Sinatra first heard this song, he had recently become a father, and the song really stood out for him. "Soliloquy" was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for Carousel.

Bonus Tracks

This special re-issue contains two tracks not included on the original release. The first is "California," written by James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, a love song to the state. According to the liner notes, this song was written for a Sacramento gala, and was issued on a 45 and given to those who attended. Wow, what a great bit of swag! It would have been worth sitting through whatever political speeches were given in order to get a copy of it. But here it is now, for everyone to enjoy.

The second bonus track is "America, The Beautiful," a song I've never cared much for. I'm among the least patriotic people you'll ever meet. Still, this is a good rendition, with a choir and everything. And of course this is a much better song than the National Anthem.

CD Track List

1. I Have Dreamed
2. My Heart Stood Still
3. Lost In The Stars
4. Ol' Man River
5. You'll Never Walk Alone
6. Bewitched
7. This Nearly Was Mine
8. Soliloquy
9. California
10. America, The Beautiful
    

This special re-issue of The Concert Sinatra was released on January 17, 2012 through Concord Music Group.