Genya Ravan – They Love Me 1973 Dunhill/ABC Records

Band/Artist: Genya Ravan
Album: They Love Me
Label: Dunhill/ABC Records
Catalog#: DSX-50143
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: Rock, R&B/Pop
Duration: 00:38:32

• When the late Jimmy Miller was on the top of the world with the Rolling Stones, he was given a ten-album deal with ABC Records resulting in various releases, including a B.B. King album produced by the late Joe Zagarino, material by Bobby Whitlock, and this extraordinary record by the lead singer of Ten Wheel Drive, Genya Ravan. Jim Price and Joe Zagarino produced the album for Jimmy Miller Productions, with Miller producing only two of the 12 titles, the Stones-ish "Southern Celebration" and Eric Clapton/Bobby Whitlock's "Keep on Growing." This is a great setting for Ravan, her impeccable vocals a perfect fit for an album rife with pop and Southern rock. Jimmy Miller produced Delaney & Bonnie & Friends on Tour With Eric Clapton (and George Harrison incognito), and the legendary status garnered by that classic and the Blind Faith album should've insured this disc a better fate. Ravan was disappointed that Miller did not produce the entire project, and she has a valid point. Jimmy Miller certainly had supreme intuition, but as with many artists, he lost sight of the business end of things. In retrospect, Zagarino, one of Miller's engineers with the Rolling Stones, and Jim Price do a phenomenal job -- the Pat & Lolly Vegas tune "When You Got Trouble" is a standout, coming in between the Vegas brothers' hits with their band Redbone. Van McCoy's "Gotta Tell Somebody ('Bout My Baby," Richard Carpenter and King Pleasure's "Swan Blues," and two Genya Ravan co-writes with Jim Price, "Don't Press Me" and "I'll Be With You," all present a side of Ravan that is far removed from the jazz/rock of Ten Wheel Drive, except for two tracks. "Under Control" is exhilarating, with Jim Horn's flutes actually throwing a little tease of the Ten Wheel Drive sound into the mix; the tune starts funky and slips into stunning pop. "I'll Be With You" is like a ballad from Ten Wheel Drive, and it is nice that her past is addressed. The majority of this album, though, is a testament to Ravan's vocal genius. She would reunite with Jimmy Miller 13 years later in 1986 for the Buddy Guy project, the unreleased album before his breakthrough Damn Right I Got the Blues. The album cover is a trip, with Ravan decked out as a Southern belle, with mimes surrounding her. The inside cover photo and lyric spread is familiar, looking very much like the cover of her And I Mean It album for 20th Century. This is brilliant work from a woman who deserves a bigger piece of the rock & roll pie.

- Review by Joe Viglione (allmusic.com)

 • Side One:
A1. Gotta Tell Somebody ('Bout My Baby) 02:42
A2. When You Got Trouble 03:24
A3. You Got The Blue 00:43
A4. Under Control 02:53
A5. I'll Be With You 04:10
A6. Southern Celebration 04:11
 • Side Two:
B1. Missy (Mister) 03:46
B2. That Cryin' Rain 04:00
B3. Keep On Growing 03:52
B4. Don't Press Me 03:17
B5. Roll And Roll And Roll 02:24
B6. Swan Blues 03:10

Members:

Jay Graydon - Guitar
Rick Allen - Keyboards
Genya Ravan - Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals
Brian Keenan - Drums

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Genya Ravan - Live at CBGB 2006 ItsAboutMusic

Artist: Genya Ravan
Album: Live at CBGB
Label: ® ItsAboutMusic
Catalog#: IAM9777
Released: 26 Jun 2006.
Country: US
Genres: Rock, R&B/Soul
Total Time: 01:06:51

• Recorded at CBGB and The Cutting Room in NY on May 20, 2005 this absolutely rockin' record is now ready for sale. Genya takes it to the streets with all the coolest tunes she has recorded in the studio and now they all appear on this one LIVE album. Way to go Genya!  

 • Tracklist:

01. Back In My Arms Again 04:45
02. Pedal To the Metal 04:10
03. Sweetest One 04:43
04. Wet Spot 04:11
05. Aye Colorado 02:59
06. Love Is A Fire 03:31
07. Flying 05:09
08. Eye Of The Needle 03:52
09. Do It Just For Me 04:02
10. Are You Lonely For Me Baby 03:41
11. Knight Ain't Long Enough 04:15
12. Shadowboxing 06:48
13. Jerry's Pigeons 06:53
14. When I'm Not At Home 07:45
 

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Van Gordon Martin Band - Take The High Road 2013

Artist: Van Gordon Martin Band
Album: Take The High Road
Label: Uptown Records
Released: 22 March 2013
Country: USA
Location: Brighton, MA
Genre: Funk, Reggae, Blues, Dub
Total Time: 00:43:44

• Van Gordon Martin по праву считается виртуозом гитары. Критики неизменно отмечают "чикагскую школу" мастера струнного инструмента, а один журналист даже высказал мнение о том, что у него создалось впечатление, что Мартин "пытается на бас-гитаре играть все сольные партии, предназначенные для шестиструнки...". При этом исполняет наш герой всё: от островного саунда реггэй до мастерского соула, блюза и ритм-энд-блюза. Интересно, что в молодости Мартин получил образование по классу джазовой гитары. В 19 лет он уже выступал на своём первом шоу с легендарным клавишником Talking Heads и музыкальным директором Parliament Funkadelic Берни Уорреллом (Bernie Worrell). Как ведущий гитарист и сонграйтер бостонского комбо Spiritual Rez, Ван делил сцену с такими известными музыкантами, как George Clinton и PFunk, Toots и Тhe Maytals, Steel Pulse, Barrington Levy и Gregory Issacs. После 8 лет священнодействий в составе Spiritual Rez, мистер Мартин решил создать что-нибудь собственное. Так появился на свет коллектив профессионалов Van Gordon Martin Band или сокращённо "VGMB". Коллектив был новым, но своим стилистическим предпочтеням Ван не изменил. Но если вы подумали, что он целиком отдался своему детищу, то глубоко заблуждаетесь. Маэстро успевал ещё играть в Club D'elf, Dub Apocalypse, The Dub Down Crew & Scotch Bonnet Band, Sparkplug Tribute, Melvin Sparks (куда вошли бывшие музыканты Max Creek и Alan Evans Trio) и The Nephrok! All-Stars. Насколько нам известно, до 2002 г. он ещё выступал, и нередко вместе со своим старым приятелем Берни Уорреллом.

• Van Gordon Martin is a dynamic virtuoso of the Guitar. From slapping it like a bass to playing mind bending solo's, he derives textures as diverse as his Chicago roots. From the island sounds of Reggae to gritty Soul, Blues, and R&B. VGM covers all the bases. As a youth, he was a National Merritt scholar in jazz guitar. He studied for a short time at Berklee College of music in Boston. At age 19, he played his first show with legendary Parliament Funkadelic keyboardist and musical director, Bernie Worrell. As former Lead Guitarist and song writer for Boston based band Spiritual Rez, Van has shared stages with the likes of George Clinton and PFunk, Toots and the Maytals, Steel Pulse, Barrington Levy, and Gregory Issacs.  

 • Tracklist:

01. Home 05:06
02. Dreams 04:34
03. Take The High Road 04:11
04. Surrender 03:47
05. Glorious Soul 03:44
06. Another World 04:02
07. She's a Miracle 04:01
08. I Never Knew 03:50
09. Swirling Colors 03:52
10. Hard Decision 06:03

Members:

Van Gordon Martin - Guitar, Vox
Nathan Sabanayagam - Drums
Marc Friedman - Bass
Sam Gilman - Organ, Keys
Derrick Ramos - Alto Sax
Gershon Rosen - Trumpet

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Beckmeier Brothers - Self Titled (1979 Casablanca Records)

Artist: Beckmeier Brothers
Album: Self Titled
Label: Casablanca Records
Catalog No: NBLP 7147
Country: USA
Released: 1979
Genre: Pop/Rock, Blues Rock
Playing Time: 00:34:51

• The Beckmeier Brothers - фанк группа, возглавляемая братьями Freddie (бывший участник Paul Butterfield Blues Band) и Stevie Beckmeier, которая в 1979 году добралась до 53 места в чартах со своим поп-хитом "Rock and Roll Dancin'". Все остальные участники группы, задействованные при записи этого единственного альбома, являются приглашёнными сессионными музыкантами. Помимо этого, разового проекта, братья Beckmeier весьма плодотворно и довольно продолжительное время работали с различными популярными исполнителями и коллективами в США и за её пределами, причём, как в качестве инструменталистов (бас-гитара, гитара), вокалистов, так и авторов музыки.

• The Beckmeier Brothers - funk band led by brothers Freddie (formerly of Paul Butterfield Blues Band) and Stevie Beckmeier, which in 1979 reached 53 in the charts with his pop hit "Rock and Roll Dancin '". All other members of the group involved in the writing of this one album, session musicians are invited. In addition, one-time project, the brothers Beckmeier been effective for quite some time working with a variety of popular artists and groups in the U.S. and abroad, and, as both instrumentalists (bass, guitar), singers and authors of music.

Produced by Chris Brunt
Co-Produced by Freddie Beckmeier & Stevie Beckmeier
for The Robert J. Ivie Organization, Inc.
Executive Producers : Robert Ivie & Bruce Bird
Engineered by Chris Brunt
Assisted by Dennis Hansen (except "Rock And Roll Dancin'")
Recorded by Dan Morehouse
Vocal Recorded by Chris Brunt
All Selection Mixed by Chris Brunt
Recorded & Mixed at Indigo Ranch, Malibu
except "Rock And Roll Dancin'" & "Fly Bird"
which were Recorded at Clover Studio, Los Angeles

 • Side One:
A1. Fly Bird (03:46)
(Stevie Beckmeier)
A2. Rock And Roll Dancin' (04:15)
(Freddie Beckmeier/Stevie Beckmeier)
A3. Snakes In The Grass (03:33)
(Susan Antone/Freddie Beckmeier/David Kalish)
A4. That's What I Like About My Baby (04:32)
(Freddie Beckmeier/Stevie Beckmeier/Steve Berlin)
• Side Two:
B1. You Can Love (03:52) 
(Freddie Beckmeier/Stevie Beckmeier/Steve Berlin)
B2. Rosie (03:23)
(Stevie Beckmeier)
B3. How Could I Let You Leave Me (04:23)
(S. Antone/Freddie Beckmeier)
B4. Cryin' Shame (03:46)
(Freddie Beckmeier/Stevie Beckmeier/Steve Berlin/David Kalish)
B5. All Of Me (03:21)
(Freddie Beckmeier)

Personnel:

Fred Beckmeier - Bass, Vocals
Steve Beckmeier, David Kalish - Guitar
Steve Berlin - Saxophone
Gary Ferguson, Richie Hayward - Drums
Neil Larsen - Keyboards
R.A. Martin - Horn, Keyboards
David "Daoud" Shaw - Drums

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Richard Clapton - Hearts on the Nightline 1979 (1992) Festival Records

Artist: Richard Clapton
Album: Hearts On The Nightline
Original LP: Ⓟ 1979 Festival Records
 ©  1992 Festival Records Pty. ltd.
Catalog#: D19586
Made in Australia
Genre: Rock, Pop-rock
Total Time: 00:43:51

 

Composed by Richard Clapton, Australian Compositions.
All songs published by Warner/Chappell except Throw Me Down
A Line published by Festival Music Pty. Ltd.
Recorded 12 Feb - 1 April 1979
Basic tracks recorded at Soundcastle Recording Studios,
Los Angeles, Additional recording and mixing at Chateau Studious,
Los Angeles Cover art and Design
Graeme Webber Returb Studios, Melbourne.

 • Tracklist:

01. Hearts On The Nightline 03:43
02. Passing Trains 06:33
03. Ace Of Hearts 04:38
04. Down The Tracks 06:46
05. Sometimes The Fire 07:26
06. Mainstreet Hustle 03:12
07. Out On The Island 03:41
08. Throw Me Down A Line 03:20
09. Thorn In My Saddle 04:28

Personnel:

Jerry Wemrns - Guitar
Bill Cuomo - Keyboards
Garry Mallaber - Drums (Hearts On The Night line/Ace Of Hearts)
Marty Walsh - Guitar (Ace Of Hearts)
Chris Pennick - Guitar (Throw Me Down a Line)
Joel Peskin - Saxophone (Sometimes The Fire)
Rafael Griffin Ravenscroft - Saxophone (Out On The Island)
Chas Higgins, Bobby Gibraltar, Bill
Bowersock, Diane McLennan - Backing Vocals
Renee Geyer - Vocal (Hearts On The Nightline)
Ralph Humphrey - Drums
Denis Belfield - Bass

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Genya Ravan - ...And I Mean It! 1979 20th Century Fox Records

Band/Artist: Genya Ravan
Album: ...And I Mean It!
Label: 20th Century Fox Records
Catalog#: T-595
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Rock, Blues Rock, New Wave
Total Time: 00:41:06

• ...And I Mean It is an amalgam of girl group, new wave, blues, pop, and folk-rock by Genya Ravan. To hear her exquisite voice on "Night Owl" soaring above her own backing vocals is intense, imagine Etta James backed by The Sex Pistols doing a rock version of "Earth Angel." Of all Ravan's work, ...And I Mean It is possibly the most concise and picture-perfect statement of what the woman is musically about. A girl group pioneer who worked with Richard Perry prior to his finding The Pointer Sisters groove, there is no doubt Ravan influenced that major producer, and his work did the same for her. "Pedal to the Medal" is high-end treble rock before it came into vogue. This is the other side of Siren, the album Genya produced for Ronnie Spector, with more emphasis on a good-time rocking party. "I'm Wired, Wired, Wired" is a rock & roll anthem for people who burn the candle at both ends, while "I Won't Sleep on the Wet Spot" embodies the unbridled sexuality of this album. The music crunches while Ravan uses her voice, her production skills, and her legacy to create something far removed from her days in Ten Wheel Drive. The horns are replaced by searing guitars and Charlie Giordano's magical piano work. The sound of the keyboard and its erratic splashes really are key to "I Won't Sleep on the Wet Spot," while the guitar and bass battle it out. "Steve...," on the other hand, is Goldie & the Gingerbreads ten years after. This Ravan/Conrad Taylor composition was the 45 from the album, and it has "hit" written all over it. 20th Century just didn't have the right mechanisms in place to get some of the great music they put out on radio, such a pity as Harriet Schock, Randy Edelman, and the fake soundtrack for All This and World War II (a Beatles tribute album) contained songs that should have been big hits. What did hit off this album, on FM radio as an album track, is the brilliant duet by Ian Hunter and Ravan, the subtle and folky "Junkman." Released on Hunter's excellent Once Bitten Twice Shy CD on Legacy in 2000, the song and the performance are timeless. Ravan once said: "I was asleep with the tv on, and was saying to myself...that's my voice...that's my song...that's me! I woke up to find "Junkman" on TV in a film." The song got placed in a cable movie without the producer's knowledge! "Junkman" was a sound not heard on FM radio prior to its release, much like MTV's "unplugged" versions of songs, but it is more unplugged than most of this material -- take the rocked-out version of Motown that is the cover of Marvin Gaye's "Stubborn Kinda Girl," or the Springsteen-style blast that is "It's Me," a tune Springsteen should cover. ...And I Mean It is the work of a gifted woman making a rock & roll statement on her terms. The world has yet to realize what a truly polished diamond this album is.
                                                                                  - Review by Joe Viglione (allmusic.com)

 • Side One:
A1. Pedal To The Metal 04:01
A2. I Won't Sleep On The Wet Spot No More 04:18
A3. Steve.... 03:30
A4. Stubborn Kinda Girl 03:58
A5. It's Me 03:35
 • Side Two:
B1. Junkman 05:51
B2. Love Isn't Love 03:41
B3. I'm Wired, Wired, Wired 05:57
B4. Roto Root Her 03:22
B5. Night Owl 02:20

Credits:

Mike Lombardi - Bass
Conrad Taylor - Guitar
Genya Ravan - Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Percussion
Lars Hanson - Guitar, Mandolin
Charlie Giordano - Keyboards
Producer – Genya Ravan
Bobby Chen - Drums

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Genya Ravan - Urban Desire 1978 20th Century Fox Records

Band/Artist: Genya Ravan
Album: Urban Desire
Label: 20th Century Fox Records
Catalog#: T-562
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Rock, New Wave
Total Time: 00:43:42

• Urban Desire is Genya Ravan creating music on her terms after artistically successful work with producers Richard Perry, Jimmy Miller, and Jim Price, along with the three strong albums she recorded with Ten Wheel Drive. As producer of the prototypical punk band the Dead Boys and their classic single "Sonic Reducer," Ravan was an essential part of the new wave explosion of the '70s, which was a blend of punk rock and power pop. Urban Desire is the quintessential new wave album, and though it caused a stir, it has never fully been recognized as the groundbreaking work it is. A driving cover of The Supremes hit "Back in My Arms Again" has guitarists Conrad Taylor and Ritchie Fliegler fragmenting Deep Purple's "My Woman from Tokyo" riff under Ravan's brilliant New York party atmosphere. That comes right after her duet with Lou Reed, a tune called "Aye Co'lorado," one of the album's highlights written by Ravan and keyboard player Charlie Giordano. Classic girl group vocals, blues sensibilities, and the hard edge of underground rock & roll are the ingredients that propel "Jerry's Pigeons" and "Cornered," while a John Cale signature tune, "Darling, I Need You," becomes a barroom brawl -- and that's thanks to the band assembled for this: Bobby Chen on drums, Don Nossov on bass, along with the aforementioned Fliegler, Taylor, and Giordano. Ravan's harp playing pushes "Messin Around," which keeps up the intensity -- and volume. Joe Droukas, who would author the successful "Junkman" duet with Ian Hunter on Ravan's next outing, ...And I Mean It, brings the disc to a close with his third composition on Urban Desire, a tune called "Shadowboxing." Genya gets mellow with this performance, which feels like Ten Wheel Drive meets the Rolling Stones at the "Memory Motel." A bit of a different groove from the equally profound ...And I Mean It, which was released a year later. Both recordings would make a fine combination on CD.
                                                                                  - Review by Joe Viglione (allmusic.com)

 • Side One:
A1. Jerry's Pigeons 04:15
A2. The Knight Ain't Long Enough 03:46
A3. Do It Just Fot Mw 03:53
A4. Shot In The Heart 02:46
A5. Aye Co'lorado 03:00
A6. Back In The Arms Again 04:06
 • Side Two:
B1. Cornered 04:10
B2. The Sweetest One 02:57
B3. Darling, I Need You 03:33
B4. Messin Around 03:36
B5. Shadowboxing 07:02

Credits:

Backing Vocals – Joey "Lola" Ribaudo (tracks: A1, A2, B5)
Bass – Don Nossov*, Paul Opalach (tracks: A3, A5, B2)
Drums, Percussion – Bobby Chen
Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Conrad Taylor
Guitar, Guitar [Acoustic Slide], Mandolin – Ritchie Fliegler
Keyboards – Charlie Giordano
Mastered By – Ted Jensen
Producer – Genya Ravan
Written By – Joe Droukas (tracks: A2, B2, B5)

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Genya Ravan - Genya Ravan (1972 CBS/Columbia Records)

Band/Artist: Genya Ravan
Album: Self Titled
Label: CBS / Columbia Records
Catalog#: C 31001
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: Funk, Soul-Jazz
Total Time: 00:42:58

• Genya Ravan, her first solo disc which Columbia released after she left Ten Wheel Drive, was the catalyst for Ravan producing herself. Perhaps the most shocking thing about the record is that it is the only one she recorded for Columbia, a place that seemed like the perfect home for a woman with so many talents. Clive Davis originally wanted Richard Perry to produce, and it wasn't the fact that he was Ravan's first boyfriend that the idea was nixed, his pop work with Carly Simon was not what this artist is about.
• Larry Fallon former partner of producer Jimmy Miller and the guy behind "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)"for The Looking Glass (he had also put strings on an unreleased version of "Wild Horses" for Jimmy Miller and the Rolling Stones ) was brought in. But "Brandy" was more pop than "You're So Vain" if you think about it. To feel comfortable, Ravan asked for, and got, her original partners in Ten Wheel Drive, Aram Schefrin, and Michael Zager, and with the band Baby behind her, Goldie Zelkowitz made the first album of her career beyond Goldie & the Gingerbreads and Ten Wheel Drive. It is a pure document of her transition.

 • Side One:
A1. What Kind Of Man Are You 03:26 
A2. Sit Yourself Down 02:30
A3. I Hate Myself (For Loving You) 05:05
A4. I'm In The Mood For Love 3:49
A5. Takuta Kalaba / Turn On Your Love Lights 06:30
 • Side Two:
B1. Lonely, Lonely 03:45
B2. Flying 06:01
B3. Every Little Bit Hurts 03:39
B4. Bird On The Wire 04:49
B5. I Can't Stand It 03:20

   James Moody - Saxophone (Track A4)
   Michael Olatunji - Directed By African Drums (Track A5)
   Arnie Lawrence - Saxophone (Track B3)

Personnel:

Percussion – Bernard Williams
Bass – Peter Hodgson
Drums – Bian Keenan
Engineer – James Greene*
Guitar – John Platania, Mitch Styles
Keyboards – Nick Oliva

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Genya Ravan - Goldie Zelkowitz (1974 Janus Records)

Band/Artist: Genya Ravan
Album: Goldie Zelkowitz
Label: Janus Records
Catalog#: JLS 3060
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: Pop/Rock, Soul, Classic Rock
Format/Bitrate: MP3/320 kbps
Total Time: 00:33:11

• When you hear the great blues singer Genya Ravan totally capture Gregg Allman's "Whipping Post," you realize that his melody needed a vocal that could bring the song way over the bar. Ravan's voice does just that, hits the home run while gliding through the dense production of Gabriel Mekler, the man who produced Janis Joplin's I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama. It's the combination of Mekler's guidance and Ravan's musical instincts that give immense power to this 1974 release titled after Ravan's birth name, Goldie Zelkowitz. The version of the Allman Brothers' classic is a total reinterpretation, but it is only one of ten selections that are arguably the best setting for this pioneer vocalist. "Get It Back" is funky and hip with dance rhythms that are adventurous and futuristic; the song has pull like an undertow, and the production is so polished it will amaze. Mekler was one of the most underrated producers of his day, and the Kozmic Blues album was a masterpiece overshadowed by Cheap Thrills and Pearl. It seems like Mekler had something to prove and, with co-producer Trevor Lawrence, he augments Ravan's vocal prowess, the band aiding and abetting her as she takes "Hold On I'm Coming" and makes it her own. A dazzling recording that sounds like Quicksilver Messenger Service doing Big Mama Thornton's "Ball and Chain" with drums out of Charlie Watts on "Let It Bleed" -- this makeover of the Sam & Dave hit is a monster track. "Whipping Post" was great but this "Hold On I'm Coming" just obliterates everything in its path.
• While Ten Wheel Drive experimented with various styles, their former lead singer has the opportunity here to focus and to strut her stuff away from the confines of a big, big rock band, giving listeners a side of Ravan that is only hinted at on Urban Desire, one of her most popular solo albums, which arrived a few years after this. "Letter" is like a subdued "Stay With Me" from the TWD days, while "Breadline" takes the disc even deeper into the blues. "Walkin' Walkin'" is snappy, intimate dance-pop that gives good balance to an album boasting Danny Kortchmar on guitar and Bobby Keyes on horns. "Need Your Lovin'" segues into a mini-medley with "Peeping and Hiding" finding Ravan's voice in complete control, and boy can she play the harmonica. Her catalog remains one of the most unmined vaults of treasures in rock/blues history, and this album needs to be the centerpiece of a boxed-set appreciation of Genya Ravan. It is so overwhelmingly good that, with a push to the blues market, it can find a new audience for this major and underrated talent. The singer's legacy is intact at www.genyaravan.com and Goldie Zelkowitz is an often overlooked chestnut in her impressive catalog, an album that needs to get serious attention from those who understand this art form and who want another album to cherish.
                                                                                                          - Review by Joe Viglione

 • Side One:
A1. My Oh My My Mama 04:08
A2. Whipping Post 04:25
A3. Get It Back 03:10
A4. Hold On I'm Coming 04:22
 • Side Two:
B1. Little By Little 03:33
B2. Letter 04:38
B3. Breadline 03:40
B4. Walkin' 02:36
B5. Need Your Lovin, Peeping & Hiding 02:39

Personnel:

Fred Beckmeier - Bass
Danny Kortchmar, Ken Marco, Steve Beckmeier - Guitar
Mailto Correa - Percussion
Gwen Edwards, Abigale Haness, C. C. Williamson - Backing Vocals
Genya Ravan - Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals
Bobby Keys - Saxophone
Trevor Lawrence - Horn, Keyboards
Gabriel Mekler, Larry Nash, William D. "Smitty" Smith - Keyboards
Kenneth "Spider Webb" Rice - Drums
Steve Madaio - Horn

-----  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ----- 

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Michael Stanley - Shadowland 2010 IAM ItsAboutMusic

Band/Artist: Michael Stanley
Album: Shadowland
Label: ItsAboutMusic
Catalog#: IAM 0258
Release: Nov.16, 2010
Genre: Pop/Rock
Format: FLAC (tracks+.cue+log)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 01:00:36

• "Shadowland": Возможно вас это удивит, но именно последнее перед выпуском этого альбома десятилетие (2000-2009) стало самой плодовитой декадой в карьере Майкла Стэнли. Именно таким его сделал выпуск "Shadowland", последовавший за Рождеством, и Стэнли, вероятно, припас самое лучшее для этого издания. Альбом словно вырвался на волю из ворот с лозунгом первого трека "It's All About Tonight", наполненным темпом рокера, который уже сам живой классик. Третий куплет этой открывающей вещицы начинается со строки «Вот я снова на сцене... и можно подумать, что я знаю больше, чем обычно человек моего возраста". Давайте все согласимся с тем, что мы рады, что Майкл этого не делает.
• Баллада "I Am You" вдохновлена принципом "мы все в этом вместе", а "My Brand New Day" выглядит как именно та романтическая лирика, какую вы могли пожелать.
• Уникальный аспект альбома - возвращение Стэнли к сочинению, не побоимся этого слова, "синглов" (помните о таких?) "When she falls", "I'm not finished loving you", "Maybe" и "Elegant mess" - все продолжительностью менее 4 минут, зрелые "поп" песни, которые были бы хороши на радио, если бы была нормальная радиостанция для их ротации.
• А теперь Стэнли снова влез в свои "узкие джинсы" и продолжил свою прежнюю работу. Альбом завершается мелодичной "Nice While it Lasted" - песней, на самом деле написанной 22 года назад, сразу после кончины MSB. Она звучит так, как буд-то слушаешь последние треки альбома "Inside moves", но вполне возможно, что песня была написана вчера. Песня может напомнить многолетним поклонникам Майкла тему, впервые представленную в "Midwest Midnight" - юноша мечтает играть в группе, но вскоре оказывается разочарован реалиями музыкального "бизнеса". "Но это было хорошо, пока оно продолжалось. И всё труднее найти кого-то; того, кто бы поверил... . и это было хорошо, пока оно продолжалось. Он может попробовать, но он не сможет забыть это, потому что у него фонографическая память"... ну, и т.д.

• Shadowland: Would it surprise you to read that this past decade (2000 -2009) was the most prolific decade in Michael Stanley's career ? Shadowland's release right after Christmas made it so, and Stanley just might have saved the best for last. The Album slams out of the gate with 'It's all about tonight", an up tempo rocker that is already a live classic. The third verse starts with the line "Here I am again up on the stage...you'd think I'd know better, a man my age". Let's all agree we're glad he doesn't.
"I am you" is an inspiring "we're all in this together" ballad, and "my brand new day" is as romantic a lyric as you could ask for.
• A Unique aspect of this album is Stanley's return to writing, dare we say it, "singles" (remember those?) "When she falls", "I'm not finished loving you", "Maybe", and "Elegant mess" are all sub 4 minute, mature "pop" songs that would be great on radio, if there was a great radio station to play them.
• With "skinny jeans", Stanley again references his previous work. "Then I saw her standing there, through the smoke and through the haze....a living breathing memory, that's never gone away". A dialog about the past ensues, then she asks him to "play that one about those 'highway lines' it always takes me back to better times."
• The album finishes with a tune called "Nice while it lasted", a song actually written more than 22 years ago, right after the demise of MSB. It does sound like it would have been at home at the end of the "Inside moves' album, or it could have been written yesterday.
• The song might remind long time fans of the themes first presented in "Midwest Midnight, a young guy dreaming of being in a band, and the disillusionment of discovering the realities of the music "business"
"But it was nice while it lasted. it's getting kinda hard to find someone, someone to believe....and it was nice while it lasted. He can try but he can't forget it, 'cause he's got a phonographic memory"........don't we all.
                                                                                                     www.michaelstanley.com

 • Tracklist:

01. It's All About Tonight 04:45  
02. I Am You 05:41
03. My Brand New Day 05:31
04. Come On Down 0 4:11
05. Shadowland 04:43
06. Good Idea at the Time 04:55
07. When She Falls 03:28
08. Skinny Jeans 05:28
09. I'm Not Finished Loving You 03:31
10. Maybe 03:58
11. How's That Workin' Out for You 04:19
12. Elegant Mess 03:55
13. Nice While it Lasted 06:11

Personnel:

Michael Stanley - Guitar, Bas, Lead Vocal
Danny Powers, Marc Lee Shannon, Bobby Latina - Guitar
Michael Gismondi, Eric "Eroc" Sosinski - Bass
Tommy Dobeck - Drums
Rodney Psyka - Percussion
Paul Christensen - Saxophone
Al Moss - Pedal Steel
Jennifer Lee - Backing Vocal

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Michael Stanley - The Hand (2012 Line Level Music)

Band/Artist: Michael Stanley
Album: The Hand
Label: Line Level Music, ltd.
Catalog#: LL 207
Release: 2012
Country: US
Genre: Rock, Pop-Rock
Duration: 01:11:15

• One cannot help but be in awe of the ease with which Michael Stanley dishes out reflective musical statements every time he puts out a record. As with most of his albums, “The Hang” offers a captivating stroll through heartfelt tunes accompanied by some of the best song-writing he has done in years.
• Top filled with brawny heartland rockers, “The Hang” has plenty to offer. When one manages through the somewhat flat opener “From Somewhere Else” there’s a healthy dose of heart driven, impeccably crafted music to tuck into. Indeed, Michael Stanley sounds a wise and settled man, although still evidently flustered when pouring his heart out on numbers like the yearning “The Last Great Illusion”. Accordingly, “The Hang” feels natural and unforced in every way, offering a perfect balance between well constructed rockers and introspective ballads, speaking of which, they as usual fit Michael’s voice and interpretation perfectly. Almost effortlessly he draws emotion filled landscapes with “Another New Years Eve” and “Fait Accompli”, whereas on “When It Don’t Come Easy” he adds extra weight with down to earth lyrics channelled through true to life singing. In any case he’s a master story teller, blessed with a comforting effect of incalculable value. He turns out to be particularly effective when tackling Dire Straits’ “Romeo & Juliet”, which he serves beautifully wrapped in silky country rock sheets. A true knockout.
• “The Hang” starts cranking up the boost with “A Damn Fine Way To Go”, instantly uncovering the long known fact that Michael Stanley handles like Maradona with gritty rock settings. The change of mood is further emphasised with “Down In The Suck”, a sturdy effort highlighted by a searing guitar solo. Stanley turns out some extra candy for the punters when “Back in the Day” rips through like a long forgotten Bruce Springsteen anthem, just begging to be crammed into some sort of spectacular stadium rock repertoire.
• Upgrading simple yet highly contagious tunes and arrangements with a broad, populist appeal, “The Hang” is another Michael Stanley lesson in presenting accessible music perched on an easily reflective human touch. Although this might seem to have little effect on “The Hang” eventually selling in millions (which undoubtedly it would deserve), there is no mistaking the fact that this is another seminal piece of work from Michael Stanley.
                                                                                                          - Review by Daniel Pavlica

 • Tracklist:

01. From Somewhere Else 04:05
02. The Last Great Illusion 04:40
03. How Many Guitars Do You Need 05:18
04. Breaking Down 04:54
05. When It Don't Come Easy 04:38
06. Fait Accompli 04:58
07. A Damn Fine Way To Go 04:48
08. Wonder Wheel 05:00
09. Down In the Day 05:22
10. Back In the Day 04:32
11. Martha 05:11
12. Romeo & Juliet 06:52
13. Another New Years Eve 05:33
14. The Hang 04:04

Personnel:

Michael Stanley - Vocals, Guitar
Bob Pelander - Keyboards
Bobby Latina, Rodney Psyka - Percussion
Marc Lee Shannon, Paul Christensen - Saxophone
Tommy Dobeck - Drums
Jennifer Lee - Vocals
Danny Powers - Guitar

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