Odds and Ends

      

Today we catch up with all the junk cluttering our in-box.  First, a couple of reissues: Blondie‘s Parallel Lines 30th anniversary set, and War from U2.  Blondie was one of the first American punk bands to make an impact at New York’s club CBGB, and they were probably the first to top the charts.  When Parallel Lines came out in 1978, Blondie was a slightly different band with a few more musicians but the spotlight remained on lead singer Deborah Harry.  And rightly so – Harry was an ultra-hot ex-model who put a beautiful face and a not-bad voice on these polished not-so-punk tunes.  “Heart Of Glass,” with its thumping disco beat, hit No. 1 on the charts.  And rockers “Hanging On The Telephone” and “One Way Or Another” were worthy follow-ups.  Anyhow, the 30th anniversary reissue of Parallel Lines includes extra oddities like a French-language version of “Sunday Girl” and remixes of some of the other songs on the album.  Oddly, they didn’t include the original (non-disco) version of “Heart Of Glass,” which appeared on previous CD reissues of the album.  Toss in a DVD of videos and you have a so-so package.  Unless you don’t already own the album that kicked off American New Wave, you can pass this one up.

MP3: “One Way Or Another” by Blondie

Review: Texas Music

 

 

 

Of course you know that the best music in the world comes from Texas, or at least that’s what we Texans believe.  OK … just kidding, but you gotta admit some pretty good stuff comes out of the Lone Star State pretty regularly.  Here is the evidence, judge for yourself:

 

Peace, Love & BBQ is the latest from Texas blues and piano gal Marcia Ball, and although it’s a party from the opening track she’s not afraid to slow it down.  Guests include Dr. John, Tracy Nelson and Terrance Simien.

 

Lovers comes from Bobby Whitlock, former member of Derek and the Dominos, but he and wife CoCo Carmel make their home in Austin now.  This is his first studio album and it’s a blue-eyed-soul extravaganza, with a few cameo appearances by that Willie Nelson guy.

 

Live Cactus! Along with Lone Star Beer, Joe Ely is our other great national resource.  Here he’s mostly acoustic with accordionist Joel Guzman; just close your eyes and imagine you’re in a border town cantina.

 

Kashmere Gardens Mud is the autobiographical track that kicks off Johnny Bush’s album of the same name.  Bush is an acclaimed country writer (“Whiskey River”) and that Willie Nelson guy pops up on a couple of tunes here, too. 

 

Moment Of Forever is a new one by that Willie Nelson guy (man, he’s everywhere!), who is celebrating his 75^th birthday this year.  Title song is a Kris Kristofferson tune and while the album is uneven it has its, ah, moments.

 

Troubadour goes down nice and easy, because it’s by long-time country great George Strait.  In his 28^th year of making music, Strait keeps crankin’ them out.

 

Living For The Sunshine by Jack Saunders is the work of another tried-and-troubadour from our great state.  We blogged on this one last week (April 10) but we like it so much we are sharing another cut from this excellent album.  Thanks, Jack!

 

Come and Take It is an ancient Texas battle cry, and it’s also the newest album from Orange Is In, our little blog’s house band.  Catch them live, they’re playing at a fine establishment near you … that is, if you’re in Texas.  If you’re not, take a listen of our finest new music and we’ll leave the light on for ya’ll.

 

MP3: Party Town by Marcia Ball

MP3: Dice Of God by Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel

MP3: Where Is My Love? by Joe Ely & Joel Guzman

MP3: Kashmere Gardens Mud by Johnny Bush

MP3: Moment Of Forever by Willie Nelson

MP3: When You’re In Love by George Strait

MP3: Nothing At All by Jack Saunders

MP3: House Where You Go by Orange Is In

Review: Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel – “Lovers”

 

 

Keyboardist Bobby Whitlock was hardly the biggest name in the legendary Derek and the Dominos, but he was probably the group’s mother lode of Southern soul.  That becomes evident on his latest, Lovers, the first studio album he has recorded since setting up shop in Austin, Texas, with wife and bandmate CoCo Carmel.  Whitlock’s voice resembles a rougher Michael McDonald and Carmel serves as the band saxophonist and background singer.  “Dice Of God,” “Best Days Of Our Lives” and the title tune are generous helpings of Dixie-fried, blue-eyed soul.  “Dear Veronica” is a stately ballad — a co-write with Eric Clapton originally slated for the Dominos’ second LP — that picks up steam thanks to a fluid guitar solo from guest picker Willie Nelson.  The pickin’ only gets better on the closer “Layla,” courtesy of Austin’s best guitarists: Stephen Bruton, Eric Johnson and David Grissom. This exciting cover version forever locks away Clapton’s unplugged lite-jazz remake — hopefully.  After a few listens, Lovers will grow on you.  This is what drivin’ around music used to sound like.

 

   

MP3: Layla

 

 

Bobby Whitlock and CoCo Carmel official website