The Rolling Stones have released a total of nine live albums, but the one that the others are judged against has just gotten the 3-CD, 1-DVD deluxe treatment. Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out 40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set (ABKCO) was originally released in 1969. Its initial intent was to thwart the bootleg Live’R Than You’ll Ever Be, which was selling like hotcakes.For my money, what makes this album so important is that it arguably captures the best in-concert Stones line up. Just added guitarist Mick Taylor and replacing original member Brian Jones gave the band, and especially Keith Richards, the room to really roam as a lead guitarist.
Included in this set is the original 10-track album, a second CD of five unreleased Stones’ tracks from the same shows, as well as a CD of selections from B.B. King and Ike and Tina Turner, the show’s opening acts, all digitally remastered.
As good as the King and Turner are, it’s the Stones’ stuff that’s the draw here and the five bonus tracks are really strong, especially the acoustic “Prodigal Son” and “You Gotta Move.”
The DVD has the Stones performing those five tracks as well as other footage from the shows, including Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix hangin’ around backstage.
Standouts from the original album include two Chuck Berry classics “Carol” and “Little Queenie” plus “Midnight Rambler” and “Stray Cat Blues.” From the bonus discs, all of which is previously unreleased, check out Turner’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” King’s “How Blue Can You Get” and the Stones “Under My Thumb.”
Also included in the set is a 56-page hard cover book with photos and articles, as well as a mini-poster from the show and a code to download a song for Guitar Hero.
This is a must for this holiday season.
When I think of holiday classics, the last person that comes to mind is Bob Dylan. On Christmas in the Heart (Columbia), Dylan is attempting to change that perception. To hear the man who wrote “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin'” tackling “Winter Wonderland” and “Little Drummer Boy” is pretty trippy.
It’s all good, all the proceeds go to Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. How is this a bad thing?
What makes this so interesting is that Dylan uses his crack, tough-as-nails road band. These guys naturally have a sweet Tex-Mex edge to their sound, not one you usually associate with the holidays. They can wail and do so here accordingly.
Standouts include “Christmas Island,” “Silver Bells,” “The Christmas Song” and the rousing “Must Be Santa.”
Very few British vocalists can cut it as rhythm and blues singers. Sorry, just can’t beat our Americans. One of the lone exceptions is Joss Stone. Here’s a woman that sings from the heart and has a sensibility to her musical approach. Her latest is finally seeing the light of day, Colour Me Free! (EMI).
This, her fourth album recorded early in 2008, has been stuck in corporate purgatory. A huge conglomerate bought out her label, and feeling lost in the shuffle, she has been trying to get out of her deal, to one where she’s appreciated.
That aside, Stone at only 22 years old, carries the emotion and sentiment of a vocalist twice her age. Up to this point, each of her albums has been an improvement over its previous release. This isn’t a disappointment or failure. It’s easily on par, but not better than her previous release, Introducing Joss Stone. That makes this the best female vocalist album of the year.
Standouts include “Free Me,” “4 and 20,” “Big ‘Ol Game,” “Parallel Lines” with a killer Jeff Beck guesting guitar solo and “Could Have Been You.”
A hip little band came smoking through Milwaukee November 11th at The Riverside Theatre promoting their second album, the tight Out of My Hands (EMI). What separates Green River Ordinance from the glut of other bands dragging their way through town is that these guys are a group in every way.
Their gritty, straight forward, guitar-based rock is tight, tight as only a band that knows each other’s strengths can be. They write as a collaborative unit. Lead vocalist Josh Jenkins might get all the attention, but that’s only because his musical mates have his back.
Usually albums with more than one producer lead to differences in philosophy, but Paul Ebersold, Mark Endert and Jordan Critz combine to give the band and album a singular focus. Standouts include “Endlessly,” “Out of My Hands” and “Goodbye L.A.”
Luther Dickinson is the brilliant guitarist of the North Mississippi All-Stars and part-time member of The Black Crowes. His father Jim Dickinson, famed Memphis session musician and producer, died this past August.
Three days after his passing, Luther got together with other musicians to honor the passing of his father. The result is Jim Dickinson and the Sons of Mudboy Onward and Upward (Merless), 12 tracks that replicate almost Depression-era gospel songs and hymns.
The musicianship is stark. Sometimes, simply a washboard or washtub bass is the lone musical instrumentation. Obviously, with such a spontaneous attitude most tracks were achieved in two or three takes which contributes to the album’s low key attitude.
Standouts include “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” “In the Garden,” “Angel Band” and “Back Back Train.” For the participants this album could be nothing more than a way to deal with the death of a loved one and mentor. For the listener it’s an enjoyable reminder of a musical time that has past but never should be forgotten.
(Bob Hanson)
(Bob Hanson)
