Tuesday, July 30, 2013

NEW RELEASES - FLEETWOOD MAC, THE SHADOW MORTON STORY, KENDRA MORRIS

FLEETWOOD MAC - THEN PLAY ON

There were 2 different versions of this LP, each with slightly different tracks. The CD contains all tracks from both versions. Led by singer-guitarist Peter Green, the first version of Fleetwood Mac was one of England's premier bands and possibly the greatest white blues band ever to emerge from the '60s blues revival.1969's Then Play On is their best album and Green's pinnacle achievement. Musicians include:  Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwin (vocals, guitar); John McVie (bass); Mick Fleetwood (drums), and Christine Perfect (background vocals) Heavily influenced by Otis Rush, Green had an unusually lyrical style for a blues musician, able to draw on flamenco, folk, even classical guitar--all of which make an appearance in the ambitious instrumental coda to his major opus, "Oh Well." Despite the inclusion of superior modern blues songs like "Rattlesnake Shake" and "Show-Biz Blues," Fleetwood Mac's Then Play On is notable for its instrumentals. Standout tracks range from the dream-like voyages "My Dream" and "Underway" to virtuosic three-guitar jams like "Searching For Madge" and "Fighting For Madge," both of which feature Green's inspired guitar work. ~ CD Universe

SOPHISTICATED BOOM BOOM - THE SHADOW MORTON STORY (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

This is a truely amazing  batch of music that ranges from early rockers to glittery glam rock – from a legendary producer who worked with everyone from The Shangri-Las to The New York Dolls! George Shadow Morton was a key figure in changing the sound of the New York scene in the 60s and early 70s – and with roots in novelty rock and early studio tricks for rock music, he was very well poised to bring his own sort of special magic to later famous productions that make Morton as important a production force as Phil Spector, Kim Fowley, and Jack Nitzsche! Included with this collection is a special book that's so rich in detail, it warrants a different sort of package than other titles in this series – a perfect accompaniment to the range of sounds that includes "Only Seventeen" by The Beatle-ettes, "Sophisticated Boom Boom" by The Goodies, "Baby" by Ellie Greenwich, "Past Present & Future" by The Shangri-Las, "So Soft So Warm" by The Nu Luvs, "Stop The Clock" by The Shaggy Boys, "Too Old To Go Way Little Girl" by Janis Ian, "You Keep Me Hangin On" by Vanilla Fudge, "And When It's Over" by The Vagrants, "In A Gadda Da Vida" by Iron Butterfly, "Midnight Lady" by Mott The Hoople, and "Stranded In The Jungle" by New York Dolls.  ~ Dusty Groove

KENDRA MORRIS - MOCKINGBIRD

Kendra Morris is no mockingbird here – no copycat singer or too-retro diva – and instead finds a great space on this album that really has her coming into her own! The album definitely draws on older soul modes – as do the arrangements by Jeremy Page – but the overall presentation is contemporary, in a style that's not Neo Soul, yet not rockish either – a special space that kind of slides in between genres, and which may well help push Morris over the top! The set features a really wonderful choice of tunes – including some tracks that we never would have imagined in a soulful setting – like "Space Oddity", "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", "Black Hole Sun", and "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – plus titles that include "Miss You", "Ride The Lightning", "Walk On The Wild Side", "Walk On By", and "As Long As I've Got You". ~ Dusty Groove

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