Opeth: Pale Communion
Haven't had a chance to have a proper listen but I'm enjoying it so far. I for one am not disappointed that they didn't feel they had to stick with death metal just because they started there.
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I was familiar with Septic Flesh's older work.
After hearing that they will be visiting SA next year I had a look at their newer stuff.
Man this is good ?
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Well I now work in Centurion and so I get to commute on the Gautrain and that gives me more travelling time in the day but also more time to really listen to music. I put a 16 gig card in my phone and bought a pair of Sennheiser earbuds. And you know I've a "must listen" list but I'm still in Andy Statman mode.
He's a ferociously skilled player with a really joyous and infectious vibe to his playing.
Oh... and he seems to be able to attract any number of fab collaborators to play on his albums. The banjo player on the above is Bela Fleck - so there's a double helping of monster chops here.
I've got three Statman albums in the last couple of months and I'm going to get a couple more.
Her 1979 debut, and very assured it is too. Backed by crack LA session players (sounding like a very tight, slightly laid back band) she pulls off sophisticated compositions that don't always stick to regular pop forms (the hit single "Chuck E's In Love slows down in the middle and then pauses completely) and her vocals convey character, emotion and, behind the jazzy slur, technique. When she's not nodding back to 50's jazz ballads she and the band cook up great grooves.
I haven't listened to this in years, or even thought of it. But it's at a bargain basement price on iTunes so what the heck. I'm glad I did, and now I'd happily pay full price.
There are two very different products with near identical names. The one I'm listening to was recorded by the short-lived three guitar line up of Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer and Danny Kirwan in 1970. It is totally fab and reminds me why I fell in love with the blues in the first place.
Unlike many of his contemporaries Plant manages to stay vital and keep moving forwards - remaining true to his roots without getting bogged down in the past. He doesn't even stick to his successful recent formula. This time he goes for a blend of... well there's so much chucked into the pot here. Listing all the obvious ingredients doesn't help as much as observing that it works, it all comes together in a very satisfying way. It's a more English record than it's immediate predecessors.
This far into a long career Plant's creative flame still burns bright.
Jack Russell / lead vocals
Michael Romeo / lead guitar
Mike Pinnella / keyboards
Mike Portnoy / drums
Billy Sheehan / bass
Brendt Allman / rhythm guitar
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And on this track
James Murphy / lead and rhythm guitar
Matt Guillory /keyboards
Deen Castronovo / drums
Stuart Hamm / bass
Martin Taylor and David Grisman - I'm Beginning To See The Light
Taylor is a marvellous guitarist and I've been wanting to get something of his for a while now. This album also allows me to indulge my recent appetite for hot mandolin players.
The musicianship here is top notch - not just the chops (and there are many) but the sympathy with which everybody plays. Taylor's in quite a bluesy mode here, and whilst the first impression is that this is a pretty laid back affair some of the solos really smoke. And when one is soloing the other is usually playing an inventive yet supportive rhythm role.
There's a really good rhythm section as well. Not particularly well known, but very good. The world is full of fab players. And this is a fine album.
