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Basement Discs Recommend...

 
Some of last month's New Releases that we have had on high rotation include RY COODER 'I, Flathead' which Rod believes to be his best since 'Get Rhythm'...no doubt there'll be some debate over that...but it is excellent, and the deluxe edition with book is pretty special! This is the third part of his trilogy of concept albums commencing with Chavez Ravine & followed by My Name Is Buddy...each of which have been accompanied by extensive books/booklets & particularly lavish packaging...the perfect antidote to the soul-less & tactile free zone that downloading individual tracks inhabits! Ry's also been busy producing again (following his stunning collaboration with MAVIS STAPLES 'We'll Never Turn Back' of a few years ago), this time around he's working with ERSI ARVIZU producing her first solo album, 'Friend For Life',
and that is probably how she will regard Mr. Cooder & the wonderful ANTI label that released this album...it's extraordinary...timeless & ancient at the same time. Ersi featured prominently & provided wonderful vocals on Chavez Ravine & apparently this was her reward...Ry returning the favour & producing her debut.
We are also loving the new album from JOAN WASSER aka JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN. The 3rd album from this incredibly talented violinist/vocalist/songwriter...it's a glorious, melodic, intimate record with guest appearances from RUFUS WAINWRIGHT and DAVID SYLVIAN.
Both CASSANDRA WILSON and The Rev. AL GREEN have superb new albums out on the wonderful BLUE NOTE label. Cassandra's newie is a beautifully chosen & interpreted selection from 'The Great American Songbook' titled 'LOVERLY' . With her signature "smoky" vocals, highly distinctive phrasing & really interesting arrangements of "classic" songs...this is No. 17 (roughly) in her incredibly productive 23yr.
recording career...and it's a stellar release! AL GREEN's newie is his third for BLUE NOTE and revisits the territory he inhabited back in the classic HI days of the 70's, but with a very now & contemporary take on things. These last 3 albums have been terrific...with Al doing what he does best...great soul music!
And we're still groovin' to BARRY ADAMSON's latest, & possibly greatest, 'Back to the Cat'. Those who were lucky enough to catch Barry live during his recent Australian tour would agree...this man is "at the top of his game"...great songs, great players, vocals & he sure does put on a great show. His in-store performance was fantastic & by all reports the full-blown live experience (with 8 piece band) was something else!

STEVE WINWOOD's newie, '9 Lives' is outstanding, with Steve playing loads of Hammond B-3 & guitar, with afro-latin grooves, bluesy, funky & infectious percussion. ERIC CLAPTON guests....this is perfect Pop music with real Soul!

Again, speaking of Soul....whilst we all know & love AMY WINEHOUSE, DUFFY, and ADELE....add & insert at the top of the list, the name MELODY GARDOT! This 23yr old American singer/songwriter was a 19yr old student out riding her bike when she was mowed down by a 'hit & run' jeep making an illegal turn. She was hospitalised for many months with multiple head injuries & body fractures & despite often negative prognosis, spent her time in rehab (a different kind of rehab to the one Amy sings of!) optimistically writing & planning the recording of this, her debut album. Feel empathy for her...and her inspiring story...but ENJOY & appreciate this album for it's high musical merit. An awesome debut from a major young talent who is making great music almost "against the odds" rather than "despite herself"!

And another "must have" and much played set currently is Volume 7 in the BLUE NOTE TRIP 2CD series. This fab series of remixed classic Blue Note tracks, both well known & rare, are very cool albums indeed (incredibly consistent in their standard...well hey, they certainly have amazing "source" material to work with!). Great to play at any time of day, though each of these 2CD sets come loosely themed as Disc 1= a.m./Disc 2= p.m. They're all great...and this one upholds the standard well & truly!

And nearly forgot to mention the fantastic new release from WALTER BECKER titled 'Circus Money' - this album is such a funky, cool "grower".. I think it's very reminiscent of 'Can't Buy a Thrill' with fabulous characters/story lines running through it...however, Rod say's it's more like 'Gaucho'...so give it a listen & you decide...whichever...it's a great CD with a stellar cast of musicians/vocalists adding to the mix, in typical STEELY DAN form!
EILEN JEWELL
'Letters from Sinners & Strangers'
Country flavoured, blues-infused, jazzy swagger...it's a little Lucinda, a touch of Jolie Holland & a smattering of Bessie Smith & Billie Holiday...all fine influences, to be sure! Another great signing to the SIGNATURE SOUNDS label, this is a fab. album that really swings along.
Released stateside last year, it now has local release...so news of this great CD should spread quickly. Buy 1 for yourself & 1 for a friend...you won't regret the investment!

JENNY SCHEINMAN
Self-titled
Violinist, Composer, & now, Vocalist...she is quite the musical chameleon. Jenny's background includes composing & performing in avant jazz outfits along with playing fiddle/violin with & for artists as diverse in style as NORAH JONES, BILL FRISELL, LUCINDA WILLIAMS & MADELEINE PEYROUX. On this glorious CD, she steps up to the vocal mic & presents stunning renditions of songs penned by DYLAN, LUCINDA, TOM WAITS & others, as well as 4 original tunes.
This will more than satisfy until the next GILLIAN WELCH CD comes along! A stunning vocal debut!

THE FELICE BROTHERS
Self-titled
Hailing from the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, the Felice Brothers blend folk, Americana, and revivalist roots rock, into a uniquely earthy & at times other-worldly sound. The 3 brothers & one adoptee, have paid their dues busking in subways & at markets...living in a converted bus (in which they still tour & travel apparently!). Last year we reviewed & highly
recommended their 2007 release 'Tonight at the Arizona', & this latest album of homegrown & gritty Americana is being hailed by many as 2008's 'Album of The Year'! Whilst we think it's too early to call...(hell..there are 6 months worth of New Releases yet to be heard!)...it will definitely be a major contender for the title!

DR. JOHN & THE LOWER 911
'City That Care Forgot'
What can we say?...he's been consistently putting out albums of deeply funky, New Orleans, R & B, blues, & jazz grooves & just keeps "nailing it"...this time around not surprisingly, we are treated to some very socially conscious & topical lyrics post Katrina & pre election. Guests include ERIC CLAPTON (does that man ever sleep?), ANI DiFRANCO, TERENCE BLANCHARD, TERRANCE
SIMIEN & WILLIE NELSON (another man who could quite possibly "give someone else a go"!?) It's another superb platter of pure Dr. John doing everything he does best! And don't we love it?! Well yessiree we surely do!

CROOKED STILL
'Still Crooked'
The second release from this fine young Boston bluegrass quartet who combine traditional American folk forms with virtuosic playing and a
fresh youthful approach. Lead singer Aoife O'Donovan is often compared to Alison Krauss, and banjo player Gregory Liszt was chosen to perform with Bruce Springsteen's Seeger Sessions Band...high praise on both counts! This is a lovely album presenting legacy material brilliantly performed.

PETE MOLINARI
'A Virtual Landslide'
Pete is a young country blues artist hailing from the unlikely background of a Maltese/Italian/Egyptian family. Raised in Chatham, Kent UK, he grew up listening to his older siblings record collection & developed a great love of Billie Holiday, Coltrane, Leadbelly, Dylan etc.
For his second album, Pete recorded in the legendary TOE RAG STUDIOS (JAMES HUNTER's wonderful CD's have also been recorded in this great studio) capturing a defiantly retro sound & a set of songs made utterly compelling by his remarkable & somewhat androgynous voice...think Dylan, Roy Orbison, part Billie Holiday, even a hint of Patsy Cline! This really is an incredibly seductive & extraordinary album...highly recommended!

DAN TYMINSKI
'Wheels'
His long-awaited second solo album features a powerful set of songs delivered with soul, from one of the great voices of contemporary bluegrass. He of course fits his solo career around his commitments as vocalist & multi-instrumentalist in ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION, and was the voice that provided the incredible version of 'I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow' on the soundtrack to 'O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?'. Guests include VINCE GILL & RON BLOCK.

ISOBEL CAMPBELL & MARK LANEGAN
'Sunday at Devil Dirt'
These 2 artists complement one another so beautifully...on this, their 2nd collaboration, they continue in the alt-country, folk & blues vein, while a sultry, jazzy feel is evident on a number of tracks. As with their debut, the album has been written, produced & arranged by Isobel, with Mark providing lead vocal duties.

KRIS DELMHORST
'Shotgun Singer'
Her 3rd album on SIGNATURE SOUNDS (early "home" of MARY GAUTHIER, & current home of such talents as EILEEN JEWEL, CAROLINE HERRING, THE MAMMALS...etc.) Kris has co-produced an exquisite album that transcends genre, somewhere between indie-rock & folk, that nameless territory inhabited by such hard-to-classify artists as FEIST, IRON & WINE, LAURA VEIRS, to name a few.
The songs were originally recorded solo with minimal recording gear & a houseful of instruments (she is a multi-instumentalist!), then embellished in the studio by a diverse cast of players adding sparse backing lines of drums, keys, guitar & even some vinyl-based samples. The result is a tour de force of singing, writing & production.
JOHN HIATT
'Same Old Man'
Now Available in a Ltd Deluxe Edition CD/DVD

Yes...we talked about John's new album in last month's RHYTHMS...but we forgot to mention that apart from the standard issue CD, there will be - for a limited time - a Deluxe Edition CD/DVD. The DVD component features 6 songs, recorded live at different stages throughout his career, none of which have been available on DVD before.
The followup to 2005's much acclaimed "Master of Disaster", his new album "Same Old Man" again features LUTHER DICKINSON of NORTH-MISSISSIPPI ALL STAR fame plus John's daughter Lily singing harmony. One of America's finest songwriters, if you caught John's recent tour where he previewed much of this new album,
you will know that he has produced a supreme collection of songs - humorous, poignant, gutsy and beautiful, the whole enchilada!

SONNY LANDRETH
'From The Reach
Louisiana based, Sonny has made several truly great albums. This time he is collaborating with an extraordinary line-up of artists (ERIC CLAPTON, MARK KNOPFLER, ROBBEN FORD, ERIC JOHNSON & VINCE GILL with DR.JOHN & JIMMY BUFFETT also "dropping by"!!) on what is definitely not your standard clichéd "duets" album.
Each song was specifically written for each artist in the hope of capturing each of their individual "voices" on guitar. This WILL be the album to take Sonny to a HUGE audience & not before time!

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT
'I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too'
Following the phenomenally successful s/t CD
of 2005, Martha has been touring the world solidly both solo, with her band, & with her famous family. Amongst new original material, Martha puts her distinctive stamp on PINK FLOYD's 'See Emily Play' & 'Love Is A Stranger' by THE EURYTHMICS...both inspired choices
& great versions!
Illustrious contributors include Pete Townshend, Garth Hudson & of course, her brother Rufus. Her albums are real "growers" & this is no exception.

STEVE EARLE
'Live fr. Austin Texas' CD & DVD

Recorded live in Nov. 2000, the Austin City Limits Festival welcomes the hardcore troubadour back to their stage for the first time in 14 yrs. Recorded around the time of his masterful 'Transcendental Blues' album, it captures a stunning display from an artist and his band at their mercurial best.


DVD
DANIEL LANOIS
'Here Is What Is'
A companion to last month's CD release on his own label, this amazing film follows the last 18 months or so of Daniel's creative life. Feat. conversations, travel, studio time & guest appearances from GARTH HUDSON, ENO, U2, WILLIE NELSON, EMMYLOU...it is a fascinating insight into the creative process of both making his own music & producing other's work.

SPECTRUM
Milesago & Breathing Space
On March 28 we were extremely honoured to welcome the legendary Australian rockers back onto our stage to launch the much anticipated, deluxe 2CD re-issue of one of the all time classic Australian albums 'MILESAGO'. Remastered & repackaged with bonus material & extensive booklet courtesy of the exemplary AZTEC label's maestro, GIL MATTHEWS.

Also available is their brand new EP 'BREATHING SPACE' containing all new material.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
The Good Life
With his pedigree come mixed blessings. Son of STEVE EARLE & named in honour of his father's dear friend TOWNES VAN ZANDT...high expectations are the name of the game! After a mis-spent youth (he apparently was fired from his Dad's band...quite the accomplishment one would think!) he has settled into his "own skin" &
songwriting strength. He crafts stark portraits & narrative tales with elements of blues, classic country & rock'n'roll. A stunning debut from a major young talent!

DANIEL LANOIS
Here Is What Is
The 6th solo release from acclaimed singer songwriter/guitarist/producer (apart from his own fine albums, he has of course produced some of the greatest albums of the last 2 decades..for DYLAN, EMMYLOU, THE NEVILLE
BROS, U2 etc.etc.). On this gorgeous record he is accompanied by drummer BRIAN BLADE &
pianist GARTH HUDSON, capturing the signature Lanois musical sensibilities & virtuosity.

PATTY LARKIN
Watch The Sky
This is a solo album in the true sense of the word...on this fantastic CD Patty handles ALL vocals, instumentation, songwriting & production.
She uses nearly a dozen instruments (guitars, banjo, bouzouki, toy organ....) to create a landscape of layered sound that goes way beyond
the alt.country norm. Her approach to music & lyric recall the creative manipulation of latter-day

TOM WAITS..JIM WHITE..PLANT/KRAUSS...that indefinable "something" that gives an album that "other worldly" sound. Definitely give this one a listen!
**Another glorious female singer/songwriter release this month from SHOCK is by CAROLINE HERRING. Her album 'Lantana' embraces the more traditional side of country feat. more conventional instrumentation & very,
very fine songwriting/storytelling skill...really beautiful stuff!


NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS
Hernando
Guitarist/vocalist Luther Dickinson, brother Cody on drums & Chris Chew on bass...produced by their Dad, the legendary JIM DICKINSON..this one
is their 5th & strongest studio album..natural, organic, honest blues-rock. Aiming for a nuevo-retro sound with mostly original material...these guys can play Southern Rock, power-trio blues, swamp blues & even old-time rock'n'roll with equal dexterity, musical energy and soul.

KATHLEEN EDWARDS
Asking For Flowers
It's been three years since acclaimed Canadian singer songwriter Kathleen Edwards released an album. Asking for Flowers is her sparkling follow up to 2005's Back To Me and is sure to win her new fans. Co-produced by Edwards & Jim Scott (Whiskeytown, Tom Petty) this album is the result of three years on and off the road channelling life in all its ups and downs
A stellar band comprising keyboardist Benmont Tench (Heartbreakers), drummer Don Heffington (Bob Dylan, Wallflowers) bassist Bob Glaub ( Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, Leonard Cohen) guitarist Colin Cripps (Sarah McLachlan, Bryan Adams) and pedal steel player Greg Leisz (Sheryl Crow, Wilco, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss), combine to produce a layered recording of scintillating rock 'n roll interspersed with more introspective tracks, demonstrating once more the remarkable song writing talents of Kathleen Edwards. Asking for Flowers is a winner on all counts and a must for those who loved her previous two albums and those who like edgy singer songwriters.

DVD
ANI DIFRANCO
Live at Babeville

Buffalo based singer-songwriter Ani Difranco is known for her staunchly independent stance & thoughtful lyrics. Difranco has released records
on her own label, Righteous Babe Records, for a number of years, and in 2007 she took the next logical step by opening her own venue in downtown Buffalo. 'Live at Babeville' captures the first two shows at the venue, on Sept.11 & 12 & feat. 17 songs by the charismatic singer.
Currently on high rotation In-store: we are absolutely loving the new SHELBY LYNNE 'Just a Little Lovin' - fresh renditions of classics made famous by the fabulous Dusty Springfield (along with one original). Shelby's done a sterling job & gone against the obvious lush arrangements, choosing elegant stripped down backing...it's one of those gorgeous albums that unveils itself gradually & just gets better & better with each listen. We're also loving the first solo release from founding member of THE JAYHAWKS, GARY LOURIS, titled 'Vagabonds'. The Jayhawks were of course one of the "founding fathers" of Alt. Country, along with WILCO, SON VOLT et al..and made two absolutely superb albums feat. their original line-up ('Hollywood Town Hall' & 'Tomorrow the Green Grass' both of which featured the sublime vocal harmonies &
 
songwritingabilities of both Gary Louris & Mark Olson). Gary's newie is reminiscent of those 2 great albums, whilst being totally new & fresh...alt country at it's best, we would say!
And there have been some incredible Blues releases in last week or so, firstly an amazing album from Canadian Blues Vocalist, Guitarist/ Harmonica player, RAY BONNEVILLE titled 'Goin' By Feel'. Produced by GURF MORLIX with a loose, darkly funky vibe, Ray has been writing & making fine albums since '93, but this is his finest "hour"
to date! A fabulous listen...bluesy, soulful, with a touch of rockin'/dirty country thrown in to the mix (think Delbert McClinton, James McMurtry, Ray Whylie Hubbard & you're on the right track!).
Also, a great CD/DVD package (& very nicely priced too!) is ARLEN ROTH's newie 'Toolin' Around Woodstock' feat. a swag of esteemed guests includ. SONNY LANDRETH & LEVON HELM....this one's a killer album...from a guitarist extraordinaire...and sounds like a very good time was had by all involved in this recording!
And we've just listened to some pre-release copies of CARLENE CARTER's newie (due any minute) & DANIEL LANOIS...both sound great...so along with our Reviews below, and all the great new things that will be arriving in March...there should be an absolute feast of fab music, both recorded & live, for you to explore & enjoy...so please come on down...or phone or email us your requirements!

HARRY MANX & FRIENDS
Live At The Glenn Gould Studio
Combining the earthiness of traditional blues with transcendent Eastern sounds has long been Harry Manx's trademark. Serving up a distinctive and hypnotic brew on this new live recording, he's assembled a unique and dazzling array of usicians enabling Manx to further explore his eclectic map of the musical world.
It's a one of a kind collaboration, adding new dimensions to previously recorded material that produce startling revelations with each listen.

JACKSON BROWNE
Solo Acoustic Vol 2
This second in a series of live albums was Recorded in the US, UK and Australia, continuing on from 2005's Grammy nominated solo acoustic
recordings and containing twelve career spanning songs. Ranging from "Something Fine" off his 1972 self-titled debut to "In the Shape of the
Heart" from 1987's In the Balance to "Alive In This World" from 1996's Looking East.
The album contains a compelling, highly charged atmosphere throughout and the lively stage banter from Browne is a highlight

BILLY BRAGG
Mr Love and Justice
The Bard from Barking is back. It's been nearly six years since Bragg's last album, time enough to write an acclaimed book, jot down some new lyrics for Beethoven's Ninth, tour Britain and America twice and most recently Australia, but here he is with a new album 'Mr Love and Justice'. Recorded with his band The Blokes featuring the celebrated Ian McLagan of Small Faces/Faces fame plus the
legendary Robert Wyatt (Soft Machine) lends his vocal chords on the opening track 'I Keep Faith'. 12 new tracks produced by long time cohort Grant Showbiz. It's been a long time, but he's been very busy and 'Mr Love and Justice' is well worth the wait!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Theme Time Radio Hour with your host Bob Dylan
A 2cd set comprising a whopping 50 tracks, representing the first 50 shows of the first series of Dylan's much acclaimed Theme Time Radio
Hour. The tracklisting reflects Dylan's wide taste and ranges from Billie Holiday and George Jones, through Aretha Franklin to the Clash, from Bobby Darin to Mary Gauthier to the White Stripes.
This deluxe package includes a 48 page full colour book, stacked with photos and with track by track commentary by some of the world's great music writers including Barney Hoskins and Fred Dellar.

CHRIS SMITHER
One More Night DVD

A firm favourite of Basement Discs, a man who's graced us with his presence on many an occasion, and a man whose songs have been recorded
by such luminaries as Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall and Emmylou Harris. This first ever concert DVD from Smithers combines an intimate performance in
spring 2007 in Lynee, Connecticut with a full band performance in Boston 2006, highlighting his dazzling guitar work, his glorious gravelly voice
and sophisticated songwriting.
The concert footage is enhanced with a never-before released personal interview providing the viewer with additional insights into Chris' performing techniques and influences. This fabulous concert DVD is the next best thing to being...here! We love him, but you already knew that.

PHILIPPE COHEN SOLAL
The Moonshine Sessions
Though Philippe's main gig with GOTAN PROJECT embraces electronica, a very modern take on tango, acoustic & stringed instruments, vocalists, DJ's & multi-media live shows...he apparently has had a long love affair with American Country music, even booking himself into a US bluegrass music school during breaks from the GOTAN PROJECT's world touring schedule.
He longed to make a Country album & after hooking up with Nashville musician Bucky Baxter he has come up with something really, really interesting & new. During recording in Nashville, word quickly spread of Solal's enthusiasm & unique approach to Country music, and soon a cast of stellar muso's joined to contribute vocals (Jim Lauderdale, Sam Bush, Melonie Cannon, etc.etc.) on Solal's originals, alongside a couple of inspired covers (ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' and SEX PISTOLS 'Pretty Vacant' no less!!). This is an incredible album well worth your consideration!

TRACY McNEIL
Room Where She Lives

Tracy is Canadian born & has just recently re-located to Melbourne...and what a gift she is to our local music scene! She is a good friend of Melbourne's JORDIE LANE & popped into the Store to ask if we'd like to stock her CD...which we did & have since sold out & re-stocked several times in the last week!! 'Room Where She Lives' was recorded in Canada with an incredible band
(sadly they have not re-located!) & features all original material... great country tinged songs beautifully written, played, recorded & sung in a gorgeous voice reminiscent of Natalie Merchant (of 10,000 Maniacs) but perhaps very much of the distinctive vocal style we have become familiar with from Canadian artists...must be something very special in the water!! Check this one out...it's a corker!

We're still digging the 2CD soundtrack to the Dylanesque 'I'M NOT THERE' ... of course it's all Dylan songs performed by an incredible selection of folk including ROGER McGUINN w. CALEXICO, WILLIE NELSON, CAT POWER, RICHIE HAVENS, IRON & WINE...etc.etc. This is a great set with really inspired couplings & performances from all involved...the ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS version of 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' is worth the purchase price alone...heartbreakingly beautiful!!

And of course, GOIN' HOME: The Tribute to Fats Domino is still getting lot's of in-store play...definitely one of the very best Tribute albums we've ever heard...every track's a winner on this 2CD set! CAT POWER's new album of covers is fabulous, and we're also giving JOOLS HOLLAND's latest collection 'Best of Friends' CD/DVD (a Best of with 2 new tracks, including George Harrison's final recording) quite the hiding! It's an "instant party" and we can't wait to see Jools with his Big Band in town March 24th...not sure if it hasn't already sold out, but if not...don't miss out..it will be an incredible show!

Oh & don't forget we have Weekend Tickets for the fabulous WOMAD Festival (March 7-9). If you've not been, consider it...this would have to be the most chilled, inspirational, user-friendly Music Festival ever...held in Adelaide's Botanical Gardens. It's an amazing weekend of fantastic music, great food & wine (all at very reasonable prices), in a lovely environment...and will restore your faith in outdoor/big Festivals, we promise!

Until next time...remember "music truly is food for the soul"...so eat up!

Click here for Best of 2007 (pdf 76kb)

 
 
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