12 November 2009

Ry Cooder - Paris, Texas (1985)

Ry Cooder has done some of the best soundtracks in the last 20 years or so --most of them superior to the movies. His lonesome, steel-guitar music for Wim Wenders' Paris, Texas is one of those cases where the movie and its music are equally great. I can't imagine one without the other. Every time I hear Cooder's opening theme, I see those wide western spaces and Travis (Harry Dean Stanton) wandering through them; and every time I see a still from the movie, I can hear Cooder's music playing in my head. --Jim Emerson




1. Paris, Texas (2:57)
2. Brothers (2:07)
3. Nothing Out There (1:35)
4. Cancion Mixteca (4:17)
5. No Safety Zone (1:55)
6. Houston In Two Seconds (2:07)
7. She's Leaving The Bank (6:02)
8. On The Couch (1:32)
9. I Knew These People (8:43)
10. Dark Was The Night (2:52)

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Ry Cooder - Get Rhythm (1987)

'The Musician's Musician.' 'The Master of the Eclectic.' There are probably a dozen more titles by which this 'guitar player' is known. To even refer to him as a guitar player is probably a gross mislabeling of this musician. He defies any sort of categorization; this is his greatest strength and for some his weakness. The theme for these nine cuts is rhythm of all different ilk. I won't even give the parameters because he seems to have none. I wondered how many different instruments he played on this album (I thought I counted five different types of guitar). Listen to his version of 'All Shook Up,' more bop and rhythm than Elvis could put into four of his songs. It seems musicians line up to play with him, and they feel he did them a favor by letting them play on his albums. He always gives them plenty of space to do what they do. This album will make the dead start tapping their toes. ~ Bob Gottlieb, All Music Guide

Arnold McCuller - Vocals
Bobby King - Bass, Vocals
Buell Niedlinger - Bass
Flaco Jimenez - Accordion
Harry Dean Stanton - Vocals
Jim Keltner - Drums
Jorge Calderon - Bass
Larry Blackmon - Vocals
Miguel Cruz - Percussion
Ry Cooder - Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Steve Douglas - Saxophone
Terry Evans - Vocals
Van Dyke Parks - Keyboards
William 'Bill' Greene - Vocals
Willie Green, Jr. - Vocals

Get Rhythm - 3:16
Low Commotion - 3:09
Going Back to Okinawa - 4:41
13 Question Method - 3:37
Women Will Rule the World - 5:50
All Shook Up - 3:31
I Can Tell by the Way You Smell - 4:31
Across the Borderline - 6:16
Let's Have a Ball - 5:52

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11 November 2009

Steve Howe - The Grand Scheme of Things (1993)

The Grand Scheme of Things is a 1993 solo album by Yes guitarist Steve Howe. The album features seven vocal tracks and nine instrumental tracks using instruments including dobro, steel guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, keyboards, organ, spanish guitar and anvil.








Steve Howe - Vocals, guitars (acoustic, electric, steel, pedal steel, bass), mandolin, koto, flute, keyboards & percussion
Nick Beggs - Bass & Stick
Dylan Howe - Drums & Percussion
Keith West - Harmony Vocals & Harmonica
Virgil Howe - Keyboards & Piano
Anna Palm - Violin & Vocals

1.The Grand Scheme of Things (5:09)
2.Desire Comes First (3:36)
3.Blinded by Science (3:28)
4.Beautiful Ideas (3:58)
5.The Valley of Rocks (3:07)
6.At the Gates of the New World (3:57)
7.Wayward Course (4:13)
8.Reaching the Point (3:52)
9.Common Ground (2:15)
10.Luck of the Draw (1:40)
11.The Fall of Civilisation (4:06)
12.Passing Phase (3:28)
13.Georgia's Theme (2:44)
14.Too Much is Taken and Not Enough Given (5:32)
15.Maiden Voyage (4:20)
16.Road to One's Self (2:38)

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Steve Howe - The Steve Howe Album (1979)

Stephen James "Steve" Howe (born April 8, 1947 in Holloway, North London, England) is a guitarist best known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes. He has also been a member of The Syndicats, Bodast, Tomorrow, Asia and GTR, as well as releasing 13 solo albums as of June 2005.







Steve Howe- guitars, bass, steel, vocals
Additional Musicians:
Alan White- drums (1, 5)
Ronnie Leahy- synthesizers, organ (1, 5)
Clive Bunker- percussion (2)
Patrick Moraz- piano (3)
Bill Bruford- drums (3)
Clair Hamill- vocals (5)
Graham Presket- violin (7)
59 Piece Orchestra conducted by Andrew Jackman (9)
String Enseble (10)

1. Pennants 4:34
2. Cactus Boogie 2:05
3. All's A Chord 4:57
4. Diary Of A Man Who Vanished 2:35
5. Look Over Your Shoulder 5:04
6. Meadow Rag 2:42
7.The Continental 2:54
8. Surface Tension 3:31
9. Double Rondo 8:15
10. Concerto In D (2nd Movement) 4:50

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10 November 2009

Talk Talk - The Colour Of Spring (1986)

During the course of their lifetime (1981-1991), Talk Talk somehow managed to transform themselves from a synthy-pop band to a navel staring new age outfit. It is "The Colour Of Spring", the transition album, if you will, between these two extremes that makes for a fascinating listening experience.







Mark Hollis - organ, guitar, piano, vocals, Melodica, Mellotron
Lee Harris - percussion, drums,
Paul Webb - bass, vocals, backing vocals
Tim Friese-Greene - piano, keyboards, Mellotron, Kurzweil synthesizer
with:
Ian Curnow - keyboards
Martin Ditcham - percussion
Mark Feltham - harmonica, horn
Alan Gorrie - bass
Robbie McIntosh - guitar, dobro guitar
Morris Pert - percussion
Phil Reis - percussion
David Rhodes - guitar
David Roach - saxophone
Gaynor Sadler - harp, horn
Danny Thompson - bass
Steve Winwood - organ, keyboards

1."Happiness Is Easy" – 6:30
2."I Don't Believe in You" – 5:02
3."Life's What You Make It" – 4:28
4."April 5th" – 5:51
5."Living in Another World" – 6:58
6."Give It Up" – 5:17
7."Chameleon Day" – 3:20
8."Time It's Time" – 8:14

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9 November 2009

Pat Metheny Group - We Live Here (1995)

We Live Here is an album by the Pat Metheny Group, released in 1995. This album shows a high level of collaboration between Lyle Mays and Pat Metheny having composed almost all the songs together except "Episode D'Azur".








Pat Metheny - guitars
Lyle Mays - piano, keyboards
Steve Rodby - bass, cello
Paul Wertico - drums
David Blamires - vocals
Mark Ledford - vocals, trumpet
Luis Conte - percussion

1."Here to Stay" – 7:39
2."And Then I Knew" – 7:53
3."The Girls Next Door" – 5:30
4."To the End of the World" – 12:15
5."We Live Here" – 4:12
6."Episode D'Azur" – 8:45
7."Something to Remind You" – 7:04
8."Red Sky" – 7:36
9."Stranger in Town" – 6:11

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Pat Metheny Group - The Road To You (1993)

The Road to You is the Pat Metheny Group's second live album, released in 1993, ten years after their first live release, Travels. All of the pieces were recorded live in Bari, Pascara; Jesi and Naples, Italy; Marseilles, Paris; and Besançon, France, with the exception of the last track, which is a studio recording.







Pat Metheny - Guitar, Guitar synthesizer
Lyle Mays - Piano, keyboards
Steve Rodby - Acoustic and Electric Bass
Paul Wertico - drums
Armando Marçal - percussion, Timbales, Congas, Voice
Pedro Aznar - Voice, acoustic guitar, percussion, saxophone, steel drums, vibraphone, Marimba, Melodica

1."Have You Heard" (Metheny) – 6:48
2."First Circle" (Metheny, Mays) – 9:03
3."The Road to You" (Metheny) – 5:45
4."Half Life of Absolution" (Metheny, Mays) - 15:19
5."Last Train Home" (Metheny) - 5:10
6."Better Days Ahead" (Metheny) – 5:12
7."Naked Moon" (Metheny) - 5:30
8."Beat 70" (Metheny, Mays) - 5:06
9."Letter From Home" (Metheny) - 2:33
10."Third Wind" (Metheny, Mays) - 9:50
11."Solo from 'More Travels'" (Metheny) - 3:40

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Pat Metheny - Secret Story (1992)

Secret Story is an album by Pat Metheny released in 1992. The music is all composed by Metheny (shared credit on one track) and it is one of his most ambitious and successful studio ventures, integrating elements of rock, jazz, neo-folk and "world music". On the performing side it includes collaborations with the Pinpeat Orchestra of the Royal Ballet, the London Symphony Orchestra and its conductor Jeremy Lubbock, the Choir of the Cambodian Royal Palace, Lyle Mays and many earlier members of Metheny's group.



1."Above the Treetops" – 2:43
2."Facing West" – 6:05
3."Cathedral in a Suitcase" – 4:52
4."Finding and Believing" – 10:00
5."The Longest Summer" – 6:34
6."Sunlight" – 3:53
7."Rain River" – 7:09
8."Always and Forever" – 5:26
9."See the World" – 4:48
10."As a Flower Blossoms (I Am Running to You)*" – 1:53
11."Antonia" – 6:11
12."The Truth Will Always Be" – 9:15
13."Tell Her You Saw Me" – 5:11
14."Not to be Forgotten [Our Final Hour]" – 2:22

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8 November 2009

Pat Metheny - Question And Answer (1990)

Another fantastic jazz trio album, this time with Dave Holland on bass and Roy Haynes on drums.










1."Solar" (Davis) – 8:27
2."Question and Answer" (Metheny) – 7:07
3."H&H" (Metheny) – 6:51
4."Never Too Far Away" (Metheny) – 5:52
5."Law Years" (Coleman) – 6:51
6."Change Of Heart" (Metheny) – 6:14
7."All the Things You Are" (Kern, Hammerstein) – 8:26
8."Old Folks" (Hill, Robison) – 6:38
9."Three Flights Up" (Metheny) – 6:10

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Pat Metheny Group - Still Life (Talking) (1987)

Still Life (Talking) is an album by the Pat Metheny Group, released in 1987. It typifies fusion and crossover jazz, combining Brazilian jazz-influenced harmonies with jazz, folk, and pop elements. Particularly noteworthy is Pat's solo on "Third Wind" which sets in after a long build-up note by the vocalists.





Pat Metheny – guitar/synth guitar, acoustic guitars, electric guitars
Mark Ledford – vocals
David Blamires – vocals
Lyle Mays – piano, keyboards
Steve Rodby – acoustic bass, electric bass
Paul Wertico – drums
Armando Marcal – percussion, background vocals

1."Minuano (Six Eight)" – 9:27
2."So May It Secretly Begin" – 6:26
3."Last Train Home" – 5:41
4."(It's Just) Talk" – 6:17
5."Third Wind" – 8:37
6."Distance" – 2:45
7."In Her Family" – 3:18

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Pat Metheny - New Chautauqua (1979)

Early solo acoustic venture.











1."New Chautauqua"
2."Country Poem"
3."Long Ago Child/Fallen Star"
4."Hermitage"
5."Sueño con Mexico"
6."Daybreak"

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Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life (1976)

Pat Metheny's and Jaco Pastorius' debut albums arrived the same year, 1976. This album, featuring the trio of Metheny, Jaco and drummer Bob Moses, was not only Metheny's debut, it is also one of Jaco's earliest recordings released to date (recorded in 1975).








Pat Metheny: Guitar
Jaco Pastorius: Bass
Bob Moses: Drums

1. Bright Size Life
2. Sirabhorn
3. Unity Village
4. Missouri Uncompromised
5. Midwestern Nights Dream
6. Unquity Road
7. Omaha Celebration
8. Round Trip / Broadway Blues

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5 November 2009

Dixie Dregs - Dregs Of The Earth (1980)

"Dregs Of The Earth" feature the Dixie Dregs at their best. Their unique brand of Rock/Country/Jazz/Classical/Blues fusion entertains musicians and general music lovers alike. From the opening rock burner "Road Expense" through the minstral-like closing tune "Old World", guitarist Steve Morse's tightly interwoven melodies are cleanly executed and entertaining. You'll enjoy the country hoedown flavor and humor of "Pride O' The Farm", and the classically balanced "Hereafter" - all driven by the miraculous guitar work of Morse, where every note is picked (no hammer-on's or pull-off's here). "I'm Freaking Out" is another standout, where Morse's guitar and T Lavitz' keyboards push, shove and vie for attention for nine minutes in one of the Dixie Dregs finest moments on record.

* Steve Morse - acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, pedal steel
* Andy West - fretted and fretless bass
* Allen Sloan - acoustic and electric violins, viola
* Rod Morgenstein - drums and percussion
* T Lavitz - acoustic and electric piano, organ, synthesizer, clavinet

1. "Road Expense" – 3:24
2. "Pride O' the Farm" – 3:40
3. "Twiggs Approved" – 4:29
4. "Hereafter" – 6:21
5. "The Great Spectacular" – 3:20
6. "Broad Street Strut" – 3:54
7. "I'm Freaking Out" – 9:06
8. "Old World" – 2:00

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Adrian Legg - Mrs. Crowe's Blue Waltz (1992)

Adrian Legg is a unique and engaging artist who has steadily built a solid reputation among musicians, fans and the press as one of the most talented guitar instrumentalists and undeniably one of Britain's wittiest imports. "Mrs. Crowe's Blue Waltz", Legg's 1992 effort, features some of his trademark solo guitar pieces, including "Green Ballet II" (about a sick betrayal of masculinity), "Sour Grapes" (the secondary motivating force in English conversation), and "Paddy Goes To Nashville". A few guests appear on the album, including bassist Stuart Hamm (on "Norah Handley's Waltz") and bassist Horst Schadenfreude (on "Lunch-Time At Rosie's). From his use of creative alternate tunings to his prodigious fingerstyle technique, Legg astounds his happily diverse audience with another stellar recording.

1. Kinvarra's Child
2. Frank the Part Time Clown
3. Mrs. Crowe's Blue Waltz
4. Gebrauchmusik II
5. Brooklyn Blossom
6. Sour Grapes
7. Norah Handley's Waltz
8. Kiss Curl
9. Lunch Time at Rosie's
10. Paddy Goes to Nashville
11. Green Ballet II
12. Last Track

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1 November 2009

Wishbone Ash - Locked In (1976)

"English rock group, Wishbone Ash, originally released LOCKED IN in 1976.
Reissued 1976 album. A fine example of the well liked British guitar rock band from their middle period, when they lived and worked mainly in America. This is their eighth albums, produced by Tom Dowd, and features seven power packed tracks." - CdUniverse







- Andy Powel / electric & acoustic guitars, vocals
- Laurie Wisefield / electric & acoustic guitars, slide guitar, vocals
- Martin Turner / bass, vocals
- Steve Upton / drums, percussion

Guest musicians:
- Pete Wood / keyboards
- Cissy Houston/ backing vocals (4 & 5)
- Sylvia Shemwell / backing vocals (4 & 5)
- Eunice Peterson / backing vocals (4 & 5)

1. Rest In Peace (6:44)
2. No Water In the Well (3:47)
3. Moonshine (3:35)
4. She Was My Best Friend (3:52)
5. It Started In Heaven (3:22)
5. Half Past Lovin' (5:32)
6. Trust In You (5:06)
7. Say Goodbye (5:00)

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