Some albums of note that have been reviewed.
ALICE IN CHAINS-Black Gives Way To Blue (Virgin) Further proof that this is more of Jerry Cantrell's band than Layne Staley. Trademark deadpanned vocals, lots of minor chord guitar; as if it's still 1993 all over again. Grade B plus
The Ventures-10th Anniversity Album (One Way) The Ventures attempt to go Muzak and although they do a spirited version of MacArthur Park most of this is elevator music. Bonus tracks are actually better than anything on the original album. At least they're doing guitar rock with a bit more balls. Grade C plus
Chad & Jeremy-I Don't Want To Lose You Baby (Scorpio) Reissue of their 1965 Columbia album, had a hit with the Van McCoy penned titled track, (yes that Van McCoy of Do The Hustle fame). And some credible versions of Baby Don't Go or Mr. Tamborine Man although they pale next to Sonny And Cher or The Byrds (or Dylan for that matter). Critics never cared much for Chad & Jeremy but they do harmonize great together. Sundazed reissued this with a bonus track and better liner notes and at least gave the right credits for songs. Scorpio half assed on the song credits. Grade B
Don Henley-Inside Job (WB) Whine to go with the cheese. Album goes on forever, some good tracks (Taking You Home, For My Wedding) but way too much filler and way too much bitch bitch bitching. No wonder you see this album for a cent at Amazon.com Grade C
Graham Nash-Wild Tales (Atlantic 1973) I think this rocks a bit more than Songs For Beginners although nothing really stands out. But the better moments are provided with David Crosby adding backing vocals. And a "Joe Yankee" adding some keyboard work. Grade B
Mac McAnally-Down By The River (Show Dog 2009) Journeyman singer songwriter latches on Toby Keith's label and makes a pretty good country album. Not as cliche as Jerry Steele or Bob Wiseman countrypolitan corn that you hear on the radio. Which is why you don't hear it on the radio. Grade B plus
Ray Stevens-Cornball (WB 1996) Somebody thought it would be great to start out the beginning and end of this album with chicken clucks to which Mr Funnyman had a minor hit with In The Mood. This was one of the 3 compliations that Warner Brothers stuck out in the mid 90s and taken from Ray's albums recorded for the WB. Very erratic although it gets a point for the bluegrass 1976 minor hit You Are So Beautiful Grade C plus
Johnny Thunders-Too Much Junkie Business (ROIR 1984) So So overview of odds and sods and bootleg recordings and of course the prize of this recording is hearing Johnny zoinked out on drugs doing better song banter. Guess you had to be there for the live performances. Grade B minus
Roots Of Led Zeppelin (Great American Music) A few original songs from the old blues masters and some lesser known live performances from Muddy Waters. I guess it was cost too much to license some of the Chess songs but you actually get to hear the Jake Holmes do Dazed And Confused although I doubt this is the Tower/EMI version. Must hear: Leadbelly's Gallis Pole.
Grade B plus
ON DVD
The TEXAN-My favorite western of all time, we get 10 episodes from the Rory Calhoun TV series for 8 bucks. But there is a 10 DVD set out there with a whopping 70 half hour shows (I guess 9 shows are lost and committed for the ages). The first season was brought to you by Viceroy Cigarettes. The end theme for The Texan sounds like heavy metal. Guest stars include Lon Chaney, Jack Elem and a young Mike Landon. The DVD sound is all over the place.
