I See Hawks In L.A.: "New Kind Of Lonely" (2012) CD Review

Known both to fans of the jam band scene and to country music fans, I See Hawks In L.A. is a Los Angeles-based band that features excellent vocals and songwriting. And what's more, these guys are damned good musicians. Their new CD, New Kind Of Lonely, is an acoustic album. Fans of Wilco and Son Volt should take special notice of this CD, particularly because of the vocals. The acoustic work makes this one feel intimate.

My favorite Grateful Dead records are the acoustic ones - American Beauty, Workingman's Dead and Reckoning. Similarly, this might be I See Hawks In L.A.'s best album. This album, even more than the others, really demonstrates what a great, emotional and wise voice Rob Waller has. Plus, this group has great harmonies, which you can hear on basically every track, but especially in a song like "Mary Austin Sky."

"Bohemian Highway"

New Kind Of Lonely opens with "Bohemian Highway," and right away it's clear how these acoustic arrangements really showcase the band's vocals and lyrics. I love the touch of sadness and weariness in Rob Waller's lead vocals, and the great way the voices blend on the line, "Bohemian highway." There is also some nice work on guitar.

"Dear Flash"

In "Dear Flash" there is an easy-going beauty to the rhythm, and some nice work by Gabe Witcher on fiddle. It begins with a sort of nostalgic yearning, with lines like "Well, I sure do respect your need to fade into the hills" and "I miss those days." In the liner notes it says this song was "inspired by 'Divine Right's trip' by Gurney Norman, 1974 Whole Earth Catalogue."

"The Spirit Of Death"

My favorite part of "The Spirit Of Death" is near the end when they sing, "If you visit my grave, you won't be alone/I'll be dancing on my own gravestone/Bring your pretty women, bring your fruit of the vine/A whole lot of laughing and a little bit of crying." That section is like a sudden barn dance, and it's wonderful. And then the song suddenly speeds up, and that section really features Gabe Witcher on fiddle.

"New Kind Of Lonely"

The album's title track is a good folk tune. It opens by describing a wedding of some friends, then goes right into the line, "Now they feel like they're letting everybody down." Nice. The song describes the relationship, with a sort of melancholy sense of humor which I love. And I like that it ends with the line, "Sometimes it all comes true."

"I Fell In Love With The Grateful Dead"

It was the mid-1980s when I fell in love with the Grateful Dead, and I never tire of hearing other people's Dead stories. And that's what this song is, a collection (and recollection) of this band's personal experiences with that band. It mentions such renowned elements of the Dead scene as the Wall of Sound and the parking lot.

The song's change comes in the section where they sing about getting backstage. This definitely brings back some memories (I managed to get backstage a couple of times). "I Fell In Love With The Grateful Dead" at one point lists off some of the venues where they saw the band, including Winterland, Meadowlands, and Soldier Field (the venue of the band's final show).

By the way, "Your Love Is Going To Kill Me" also has a Grateful Dead reference.

"Mary Austin Sky"

"Mary Austin Sky" is a pretty folk tune. Once again, the song boasts some great vocals (I particularly love the repeated line, "holding back the inevitable"). I also really dig the bass line.

"Highland Park Serenade"

"Highland Park Serenade" is a folk tune about the Highland Park section of Los Angeles. It begins "Slow down, Figueroa, you're breathing too fast/Twenty miles of boulevard in a town that can't last/I wake up at night, hear your Saturday sounds/Helicopter, helicopter missions surround/It's a Highland Park serenade." This song mentions Mr. T's Bowl, which used to be my favorite music venue in L.A., until they changed the way the place was run. (Arlo, the sound guy there, is one of the best sound guys on the planet.)

"Highland Park Serenade" is a great tune, with a wonderful Latin feel (some of it is even sung in Spanish). I love these lines: "We're living at the end of Monte Vista/Where the sun sets down right when I kiss you." (Monte Vista is a street in Highland Park; so is Figueroa, for that matter.)

"Hunger Mountain Breakdown"

"Hunger Mountain Breakdown" is a seriously cool bluegrass tune which features the amazing Cliff Wagner on banjo. I am always happy to hear that guy play. And of course the song also features some great vocals - their voices are perfect for bluegrass. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "You know that if I'm up here on the mountain/My problems will soon be at an end/Well, I traveled all the way across this country/To climb above these pastures once again/See the smoke rising from the chimneys/Like memories scattering in the wind."

"Hunger Mountain Breaksown" was written by Rob Waller, Paul Lacques and Carter Stowell.

"If You Lead I Will Follow"

New Kind Of Lonely concludes with "If You Lead I Will Follow," a wonderful and gorgeous country song. Check out these lyrics: "The angels are singing/And I'm still clinging to the crack at the end of the ledge/You're calling to me/Denying gravity/I close my eyes and step over the edge." I love this song.

On an album full of great songs, "If You Lead I Will Follow is probably my favorite track. The chorus is, "If you lead I will follow/You give me comfort from the world/When my heart is feeling hollow/You fill it up with your diamonds and pearls."

"If You Lead I Will Follow" was written by Rob Waller and Paul Marshall.

CD Track List

1. Bohemian Highway
2. Dear Flash
3. The Spirit Of Death
4. New Kind Of Lonely
5. I Fell In Love With The Grateful Dead
6. Mary Austin Sky
7. Big Old Hypodermic Needle
8. River Run
9. Highland Park Serenade
10. Younger But Wiser
11. Hunger Mountain Breakdown
12. You Love Is Going To Kill Me
13. If You Lead I Will Follow
    

Musicians

I See Hawks In L.A. are Rob Waller on lead vocals and guitar; Paul Lacques on guitar, dobro and vocals; and Paul Marshall on acoustic bass, electric bass and vocals. Joining them on this recording are Gabe Witcher on fiddle, Cliff Wagner on banjo, Richie Lawrence on accordion, and Dave Raven on drums. Bubba Hernandez provides backing vocals on "Highland Park Serenade."

New Kind Of Lonely is scheduled to be released on March 6, 2012. I See Hawks In L.A. have released several other CDs, including Shoulda Been Gold (2010).

March 2012 Concert Calendar

Here is a list of concerts you might be interested in for the month of March. Most of these are bands that I've reviewed, though some are some bands that I haven't yet written about, but really like. If you can, try to check out at least a few of these shows. I will be adding listings throughout the month, so please check back again later.

March 1, 2012 (Thursday)
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - University Of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Gaelic Storm - Kirby Center, Wilkes Barre, PA
Ellis Paul - The Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR
Chris Trapper - Harlows, Sacramento CA
The Watson Twins - Iota Club and Cafe, Arlington, VA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH

March 2, 2012 (Friday)
Anita And The Yanks - Ireland's 32, Van Nuys, CA - 9:30 p.m.
Glen Campbell - Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, WA
The Dunwells - Chandler Center For The Arts, Chandler, AZ
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - North Shore Center For The Performing Arts, Skokie, IL
Mickey Hart Band - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
The Nields - The Kate, Old Saybrook, CT
Ellis Paul - Private show, Seattle, WA
Martin Sexton - Asbury Hall, Buffalo, NY
Chris Trapper - Backstage Lounge At Rio, Santa Cruz, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Madison Theatre, Covington, KY

March 3, 2012 (Saturday)
Glen Campbell - Northern Quest Casino, Spokane, WA
The Dunwells - Santa Fe Brewing Company, Santa Fe, NM
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - North Central College, Naperville, IL
Highway Ghosts - Johnny D's, Somerville, MA
(CD release show)
I See Hawks In L.A. - T. Boyles Tavern, Pasadena, CA
Ellis Paul - Seattle Folklore Society, Seattle, WA
Martin Sexton - The Egg, Albany, NY
Chris Trapper - Lestats, San Diego, CA
The Watson Twins - World Cafe, Philadelphia, PA
The Whooligans - The Auld Dubliner, Long Beach, CA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Orpheum Theatre, Madison, WI

March 4, 2012 (Sunday)
Anita And The Yanks - Muldoons, Newport Beach, CA - 2:00 p.m.
Glen Campbell - Clearwater River Casino Event Center, Lewiston, ID
Dave Coffin - The Burren, Somerville, MA - 11:30 a.m.
Ellis Paul - Sam Bond's Garage, Eugene, OR
The Watson Twins - The Southern, Charlottesville, VA
Yonder Mountain String Band - Canopy Club, Urbana, IL

March 5, 2012 (Monday)
Chris Trapper - The Mint, Los Angeles, CA

March 6, 2012 (Tuesday)
Anita And The Yanks - Finn McCool's Irish Pub, Santa Monica, CA
The Dunwells - The Saint, Asbury, NJ
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Sunset Center Theater, Carmel, CA
Ruthie Foster - Ramshead, Annapolis, MD
(with Paul Thorn)
Chris Trapper - Livy Lou's, Prescott, AZ
The Watson Twins - Smith's Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA

March 7, 2012 (Wednesday)
Peter Case and Paul Collins - The Echo, Echo Park, CA
The Dunwells - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Flogging Molly - House Of Blues, West Hollywood, CA
Ruthie Foster - Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
(with Paul Thorn)

March 8, 2012 (Thursday)
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
Ruthie Foster - WCL, Philadelphia, PA
(with Paul Thorn)
The Nields - Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME

March 9, 2012 (Friday)
The Dunwells - Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - The Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Ruthie Foster - City Winery, New York, NY
(with Paul Thorn)
I See Hawks In L.A. - Yolie's, Ventura, CA
Ellis Paul - Faith Community, Baltimore, MD
Martin Sexton - 20th Century Theatre, Cincinnati, OH

March 10, 2012 (Saturday)
Moot Davis - Layla's Bluegrass Inn, Nashville, TN - 4:00 p.m.
The Dunwells - Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - John Ascuaga's Nugget, Sparks, NV
Ruthie Foster - The Sanctuary Concerts, Chatham, NJ
(with Paul Thorn)
I See Hawks In L.A. - Pappy And Harriet's, Pioneertown, CA
Ellis Paul - Shady Grove Coffee House, Glen Allen, VA - 8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton - Busters, Lexington, KY
Chris Trapper - Jammin' Jules, Swedesboro, NJ

March 11, 2012 (Sunday)
Ellis Paul - Coffee Works, Voorhees, NJ
Chris Trapper - In The Vogue Theatre, Indianapolis, IN

March 12, 2012 (Monday)
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Smith Center For The Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV
Chris Trapper - 4th Street Theatre, Des Moines, IA

March 13, 2012 (Tuesday)
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Anthology, San Diego, CA
Chris Trapper - The Rudyard Kipling, Louisville, KY

March 14, 2012 (Wednesday)
The Dunwells - SXSW Hilton, Austin, TX
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Anthology, San Diego, CA
Chris Trapper - 3rd And Lindsley, Nashville, TN

March 15, 2012 (Thursday)
The Dunwells - SXSW Whole Foods, Austin, TX
Chris Trapper - Windjammer, Charleston, SC

March 16, 2012 (Friday)
The Dunwells - SXSW Maggie Mae's, Austin, TX
Ellis Paul - S.P.A.C.E., Evanston, IL
Martin Sexton - The Orange Peel, Ashville, NC
Chris Trapper - Smiths Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA
Umphrey's McGee - House Of Blues, West Hollywood, CA
The Whooligans - Dublin Square Irish Pub, San Diego, CA

March 17, 2012 (Saturday)
Anita And The Yanks - Tilted Kilt, Long Beach, CA - 2:00 p.m.
Anita And The Yanks - Irish Times, Los Angeles, CA - 9:30 p.m.
Ruthie Foster - Kessler Theater, Dallas, TX
Ellis Paul - S.P.A.C.E., Evanston, IL - 1:00 p.m.
(Special Family show)
Ellis Paul - Wheeler Arts Building, Indianapolis, IN - 8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton - Visulite Theatre, Charlotte, NC
Chris Trapper - Workplay Theatre, Birmingham, AL
The Whooligans - Nadine's Irish Mist, Sunset Beach, CA

March 18, 2012 (Sunday)
Glen Campbell - Travis County Expo Center, Austin, TX
Ellis Paul - Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
Martin Sexton - 3rd and Lindsley, Nashville, TN
Chris Trapper - Mountain Spirit, Asheville, NC

March 19, 2012 (Monday)
The Nields - Straz Center For The Arts, Tampa, FL

March 20, 2012 (Tuesday)
Chris Trapper - Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY

March 21, 2012 (Wednesday)
The Dunwells - Belly Up, Aspen, CO
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

March 22, 2012 (Thursday)
Glen Campbell - Capitol Theatre, Clearwater, FL
Ellis Paul - Concerts For Charity At Toscani, West Lawn, PA

March 23, 2012 (Friday)
7 Walkers - Slim's, San Francisco, CA
Anita And The Yanks - Tam O'Shanter, Los Angeles, CA
Glen Campbell - King Center For the Performing Arts, Melbourne, FL
The Dunwells - Swallow Hill, Denver, CO
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Weinberg Center For The Arts, Frederick, MD
Ruthie Foster - Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA
Ellis Paul - 6 On The Square, Oxford, NY - 7:30 p.m.
Chris Trapper - The Towne Crier, Pawling, NY
The Whooligans - The Auld Dubliner, Long Beach, CA

March 24, 2012 (Saturday)
7 Walkers - Van Duzen River Grange, Carlotta, CA
Glen Campbell - Twin Oaks Amphitheater, Silver Springs, FL
Moot Davis - private show
Ani Difranco - The Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
The Dunwells - Warren Station, Keystone, CO
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - University Of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
The Nields - Common Ground Coffeehouse, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY
Ellis Paul - Concerts At The Crossing, Titusville, NJ
Martin Sexton - House Of Blues, Boston, MA
Chris Trapper - Jazz Central, Syracuse, NY

March 25, 2012 (Sunday)
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Berks Jazz Festival, Reading, PA
The Whooligans - Nadine's Irish Mist, Sunset Beach, CA - 4:00 p.m.

March 26, 2012 (Monday)
7 Walkers - Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Carnegie Library Music Hall, Munhall, PA

March 27, 2012 (Tuesday)
Glen Campbell - Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino Event Center, Tulsa, OK

March 28, 2012 (Wednesday)
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Martin Sexton - Bourbon Theatre, Lincoln, NE

March 29, 2012 (Thursday)
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Sheldon Concert Hall, St. Louis, MO
Martin Sexton - Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO

March 30, 2012 (Friday)
The Dunwells - Firehouse Arts Center, Pleasanton, CA
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Ellis Paul - Private show, Seekonk, MA
Martin Sexton - Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, CO
Chris Trapper - Cafe At Arts Collinwood, Cleveland, OH

March 31, 2012 (Saturday)
Moot Davis - Layla's Bluegrass Inn, Nashville, TN - 4:00 p.m.
The Dunwells - Hotel Utah, San Francisco, CA
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - University Of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Ellis Paul - The Strand Theatre, Rockland, ME
Martin Sexton - Canyons Ski Resort, Park City, UT
Chris Trapper - Rumba Cafe, Columbus, OH

March 2012 Update (With Links To All Reviews)

Howdy, everybody. At the beginning of each month, I'll include a link to the blog entry that lists all of my articles, arranged by subject, so that they're easy to find. That link is this:

List Of All My Music Articles

I add to that blog each time I post a new review.

It's been my intention with this blog to let people know about all the great music that's out there. So I tend to write about CDs and bands that I like. Sure, there might be an exception now and again. But I have no desire to tear apart some new band that's out there struggling to find a fan base. What I want to do is let people know about new bands they might not have heard of yet, and to remind them of some bands they might have forgotten. And to keep people up-to-date with all the great new releases, as well as concert listings. Basically, to share my love of music with anyone who cares to read this.

This blog was originally called "Michael Doherty's Music Log Blog," mostly because the awkward name sounded funny to me. But of course the word "blog" was unnecessary, like the word "book" at the end of a title of a book. And this blog has sort of functioned as a log, an account of the music I've been listening to and enjoying, new bands I've been turned onto, concerts I've attended, and so on. My experience with music. Is it a bit self-indulgent? Of course. But such is the very nature of blogs. And I hope I'm providing more than just the usual rants.

Davy Jones (1945 - 2012)

I love The Monkees. They were my first favorite band, as well as my first favorite television show. In 1976, re-runs of the show played on channel 56 in Massachusetts every afternoon. I watched them over and over, had every episode and every song memorized. I'm not sure if I've ever really had role models, but if I did, The Monkees were them. I wanted my life to be one long Monkees romp. And I still don't understand why it can't be.

In 1986, the albums were re-issued, and the band did a tour (minus Michael Nesmith). My parents took my brother and me to Foxboro to see them, and it was incredible. I can't even begin to describe what a thrill it was to see them that year. I got a couple of T-shirts (which of course I still have). And the following year I saw them again, that time at the Centrum in Worcester with friends. We had good seats for that show, and I remember dancing my ass off to "Goin' Down."

Soon after I moved to Los Angeles, the Monkees did a show at the Universal Amphitheatre. The highlight of the show - the one song that completely blew me away - was Davy's "Daddy's Song" from the film Head. I never expected to see them perform that one. It's a fantastic song, and that sequence in the film is one of my favorite moments in any film ever. When Davy started the song, you could tell which people in the audience were serious Monkees fans. They were the ones that completely lost their shit, and I was one of them. After the show, some kind angel handed me a backstage pass. This was in the days before I started taking my camera to concerts, so I had nothing to document the experience. But I did get a chance to say hi to the band members (and also made use of the open bar).

As great as that show was, it was completely surpassed by last year's show in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Monkees seemed to have more energy last year than ever before, and the song choices were unusual and inspired. (I finally got to see them perform my favorite Monkees song, "As We Go Along.") I included that show in my list of the best five concerts of 2011. So it came as a total shock to learn this morning that Davy Jones was gone. How could that be? One of the threads connecting me to my childhood is cut. This band is one of the few things that I have loved my entire life, my enthusiasm for them never abating. (Actually, the only other thing that I can say that about is the Red Sox.)

I consider myself fortunate to have been able to see Davy perform several times, and to have met him a couple of times. I finally did get a photo with him at a special screening of Head at the Egyptian (he was seated two seats to my left, and Peter Tork was seated directly behind me). He was incredibly kind, and wonderfully talented. He is going to be missed.

(The photos are: 1. The Monkees performing "It's Nice To Be With You," June 15, 2011; 2. The Monkees performing "Shades Of Grey," June 15, 2011; 3. The Monkees performing "Goin' Down," June 15, 2011; 4. Davy Jones during "I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone," June 15, 2011; 5. Davy and Peter at The Egyptian, November 12, 2008; and 6. Me with Davy Jones at The Egyptian, November 12, 2008.)

The Dunwells at The Hotel Cafe 2-27-12 Concert Review

British band The Dunwells performed their first Los Angeles show last night at The Hotel Cafe. They took the stage at 8:13 p.m., and went right into their first tune. No introductions, no stage banter. They got up there and played, opening their set with the title track from their debut album, Blind Sighted Faith . This band is really about the vocals. Five guys who can all sing the hell out of a tune. Individually they sound great, and together their harmonies are basically perfect.

The set consisted almost entirely of songs from Blind Sighted Faith. During their third song, "Oh Lord," I noticed that the crowd was completely silent, something almost unheard of from a Los Angeles audience. This band managed to hold the attention of everyone in the room, even the folks in the back at the bar. There were no conversations. I can't stress enough how rare this is in this city, and I doubt the band comprehended the power they had. By the way, the word is out on this band. The venue was crowded, and this was a Monday night. This was the first and probably the last time I'd get to see The Dunwells at a small venue.

Anyway, I was thrilled that they played all of my favorites from the album, including the sweet "I Want To Be," which they said was one of the first songs they ever wrote.

"Borrow Me" was the only song they played that was not from the album. And I totally dug it. In this one they sing, "You're not supposed to miss what was never yours."

Before playing the album's single, "I Could Be A King," they joked, "Do you know how much stress it was to get that banjo from England to here for one song?" Totally worth it, from my standpoint, of course. I love the banjo, and "I Could Be A King" is a really good song. They ended their set with another of my favorites, "Follow The Road."

The audience wanted an encore, but didn't get one. This venue is incredibly strict as far as the time allotted for a set. That's a shame, but what I love about The Hotel Cafe is that it's a venue that cares about the sound, and to me that's one of the most important considerations when going to a concert. The sound has to be good, and at every one of my experiences at this venue, the sound has been spot-on. That's particularly important with a band like The Dunwells, whose vocals really drive the songs.

Set List

1. Blind Sighted Faith
2. Elizabeth
3. Oh Lord
4. Only Me
5. I Want To Be
6. Goodnight My City
7. Borrow Me
8. I Could Be A King
9. Follow The Road
   

Carole King: "Touch The Sky" (1979/2012) CD Review

Carole King's 1979 release, Touch The Sky, has quite a different sound from her previous release, 1978's Welcome Home . This one features an obvious country influence, particularly in a song like "Passing Of The Days." Her band for this album was made up of members of Navarro and members of Jerry Jeff Walker's band. Like Welcome Home, this album has not previously been available on CD in the United States except as expensive import (which is completely crazy). My favorite tracks are "Move Lightly" and "Dreamlike I Wander."

"Time Gone By"

There is no title track, but the opening track, "Time Gone By," comes close with the line, "We followed inner visions and touched the sky." "Time Gone By" is a good tune that recalls the days when people were guided by dreams and lofty goals, and is a song for those who haven't lost that drive. In 1979, that longing for those heady days of a decade earlier must have been pretty strong. And things were only going to get worse, as we moved into the Reagan years. (Geez, why am I thinking about that bastard now, especially while listening to Carole King?) Carole King plays piano on this track.

"Move Lightly"

"Move Lightly" has a bit of a funky thing in the bass line and a simple drum beat. It's like a dance song slowed down. It's actually a seriously cool tune, one of my favorites from this release. Here is a bit of the lyrics: "That's a hard and heavy foot/You've been usin' to put yourself down/Why don't you walk softly/If you win the world and lose your soul/What good will it do you - love don't come from gold." I love Carole King's vocals. There is a certain rough quality that sneaks in at times that is just perfect.

"Dreamlike I Wander"

"Dreamlike I Wander" is a wonderfully sad song of longing and loneliness. Her husband, Rick Evers, had died the year before this album was recorded, and it's impossible not to think of that when hearing Carole King sing lines like, "Dreamlike I wander through my life without you." And, "All I know is another night is over/And my bed is empty and cold/I can't forget you/Can't set myself free/I hope you find peace of mind/It's too late for me." This is a beautiful tune, with something of a country feel, particularly in the guitar. It's another of this CD's highlights.

"Good Mountain People"

"Good Mountain People" has an upbeat country bar feel, which fits the lyrics - "Good mountain people - they sure know how to have a rockin' good time." This song features some wonderful work on keys by Reese Wynans (though that lead section is too brief).

"You Still Want Her"

"You Still Want Her" is an interesting song about being in love (against one's better judgment) with a woman who is a bit of a wreck. Carole sings, "You don't think she's gonna last another winter/With all the snow she's rakin' in." And the song has a decidedly female perspective in the lines, "But you've always thought your love for her could save her/And that's how you get taken in." Carole King plays piano on this one.

"Crazy"

"Crazy" is a pretty fun country rock tune. Mostly I like it for the lines, "I may be crazy/But I've been crazy for a long, long time." Okay, then. Carole King is on piano, and there is also saxophone, which comes a surprise in this song.

"Seeing Red"

Touch The Sky concludes with "Seeing Red," a mellow tune. Carole's vocals have a raw power that at times approaches Kim Carnes territory. This song also features some nice work on guitar.

CD Track List

1. Time Gone By
2. Move Lightly
3. Dreamlike I Wander
4. Walk With Me (I'll Be Your Companion)
5. Good Mountain People
6. You Still Want Her
7. Passing Of The Days
8. Crazy
9. Eagle
10. Seeing Red
    

Musicians

Musicians appearing on this album include Carole King on vocals, acoustic guitar and piano; Reese Wynans on keyboards and piano; Dave Perkins on electric guitar and acoustic guitar; Bobby Rambo on acoustic guitar and electric rhythm guitar; Leo LeBlanc on pedal steel guitar; Tomas Ramirez on saxophone, flute and recorder; Rob Cobb on bass, saxophone and flute; Richard Hardy on saxophone; Fred Krc on drums and tambourine; Miguel Rivera on congas and percussion; Mark Hallman on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, synthesizer, and backing vocals.

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

Carole King: "Welcome Home" (1978/2012) CD Review

Welcome Home is the second and final album to feature collaborations with Carole King's husband, Rick Evers. (The first, Simple Things, was released the previous year.) Rick died between the time this album was recorded and when it was released. (There is a short eulogy in the liner notes that Carole King wrote.)

All the songs on this album are originals. As on Simple Things, Rick Evers co-wrote three of the tracks. And also like 1977's Simple Things, Welcome Home features the band Navarro. However, this is an unusual album for Carole King, for it features several musical genres, including rock and disco.

This album has been available on CD in the U.S. only as an expensive import. It's great that it's finally getting a proper release. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite Carole King albums.

"Main Street Saturday Night"

Welcome Home opens with "Main Street Saturday Night," one of those 1970s rock songs about having a good time on a Saturday night, cruising the streets. The guitar even does that "woo-hoo" thing during the line about the "blonde-haired beauties, givin' it all they got." It's a fun song.

Here is a taste of the lyrics from the end of the song: "Here comes Little Willie - higher than a kite/He's been doin' some heavy duty hangin' out/If Willie's got a line on some of the best - it's got to be Dynamite/You know you can trust him/If the Law don't bust him." Nice. And are those lines a reference to Sweet's 1973 tune "Little Willy"?

"Sunbird"

"Sunbird" is a pretty tune that features Bob Harrington on hammer dulcimer. Co-written by Rick Evers, "Sunbird" features lines like, "Why can't we just be/And let the time of Spring to Fall not be a distance."

"Venusian Diamond"

"Venusian Diamond" is a strange and wonderful tune. It begins with a slightly trippy effect to Carole's vocals for the first section, as she sings, "On the thirty-first day of the summer moon/In the marketplace/Somebody touched my hand and said/I was a woman of taste." And then the next section of the song is one of those great, upbeat '70s rock vocal bursts (that makes me think of Kansas or Yes).

And yes, the trippy section sounds like something off The Beatles' Revolver. In the liner notes, Carole King admitted, "we added every Beatle lick we could think of." You'll certainly hear that in the guitar of the instrumental section a few minutes into the song. I can't help but completely love this song.

Anne Golia plays tamboura on this track. Georgia Kelly plays harp. And that's Rick Evers on cowbell.

"Changes"

"Changes" is a sweet, mellow pop song that's totally effective. It's a song about friendships ending, and not understanding why. (I can't help but wonder if this means anything to the Facebook generation, for whom "friend" means merely someone you bumped into once at a party.) I love these lines: "There's no wrong or right/It's just changes."

"Disco Tech"

Yes, Carole King does a full-on disco dance number, and it's great. The song's title comes from the idea that a discotheque is actually a school of sorts; thus, Disco Tech, where you "meet the Dean of Boogaloo" and "The only school records are the ones we play." Sure, it's a bit silly. But it's also a whole lot of fun. It even features a sax solo by Ernie Watts.

"Welcome Home"

The album concludes with its title track, "Welcome Home" which was written about the land in the mountains where Carole and Rick were living. This is a sweet and moving song, that has such a good feeling about it. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "In the waters I can see a clear reflection/Of the force that's all around/There's a harmony of season and direction/This is surely sacred ground."

"Welcome Home" features some wonderful backing vocals by Mark Hallman, Robert McEntee, Richard Hardy, Stephanie Spruill, Alexandra Brown and Ann White.

CD Track List

1. Main Street Saturday Night
2. Sunbird
3. Venusian Diamond
4. Changes
5. Morning Sun
6. Disco Tech
7. Wings Of Love
8. Ride The Music
9. Everybody's Got The Spirit
10. Welcome Home
    

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