Friday, 15 February 2008

Taurus - See You Again (1993 Symph Neo Prog from Kayak Family)

Formed in 1976, it took Taurus until 1981 to release their first album, Illusions of a Night, although it was apparently fatally compromised by their record company, who demanded that they record several potential singles. However, the end result is far better than that sounds, with only a couple of more 'commercial' tracks (notably Nickname) amongst their late-'70s Genesis/Yes/Kayak-influenced prog. Martin Scheffer's Hackettesque guitar work and Theo de Jong (ex-Kayak)'s Taurus pedals add to the album's Wind & Wuthering feel, as do full-on symphonic tracks like The Gurus or Kaboom. Rob Spierenburg's Mellotron work, despite being heard on most tracks, is pretty restrained here, often with only a single choir swell towards the end of the song, although the odd bit of strings crops up here and there, too. Sadly, at no point does the instrument take centre-stage, and the album's overall poor production doesn't help, either; possibly the band wanted it higher in the mix?

Taurus released a live album, Tapes Live, in 1983, and a studio effort called Works 1976-1981 in '90 (new recordings, I believe), before a live CD in '93, See You Again. While there's no Mellotron visible in any of the booklet pics, it can be heard here and there, and is credited. Various factors lead me to believe it was recorded at a variety of locations, possibly over several years, not least the crudely overdubbed applause that actually intrudes into some of the quiet sections. There's a small overlap with Illusions of a Night, although most of the material was presumably written subsequently, and I'm afraid to say that most of it is rather dull, like Genesis after they'd had their brains sucked out (er, isn't that '80s Genesis?). Some nice moments here and there, but it's generally rather overlong and turgid, ending up doing the band few favours. Spierenburg uses the 'Tron for choir only (again), with rather murky and inessential parts on several tracks, although the particularly Banksian use on Mountaineer is worth hearing.

Illusions of a Night is actually very good; a bit of a hidden gem at a bad time for progressive rock. The Mellotron work isn't anything to write home about, but the album's worth picking up should you run into a copy. See You Again is just about worth hearing if you like their debut, but expect to be disappointed by much of it.


http://www.planetmellotron.com/images/taurus-seeyou.jpg


La Croze
Robot Romance
The Boatman
The Gurus
Lucia
Meadow
One for the Kingdom
My Will
Mountaineer
The Ancient Mariner
The Three Brothers
Man in the Mirror
Voodoo

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Le Match - Légendes (1974 Quebec Symphonic Rock)

LE MATCH was born in 1974 from the ashes of LA NOUVELLE FRONTIÈRE, a 7-piece folk band who comprised, among others, the famous Québécois twins Marie-Claire and Richard Séguin. The twins were heavily into folk whereas their keyboard player, Normand Théroux, decided he wanted a heavier sound. LA NOUVELLE FRONIÈRE thus split up into two camps: the twins carrying on as a duo called LES SÉGUIN, and Théroux forming LE MATCH alongwith fellow musicians Pierre-Yves Migneron on guitar and vocals, Gaston Rousseau on bass, Jacques Lauzon on drums and Francis Leduc on violin and flute.

Their sole album “Légendes”, released in 1974, is strongly influenced by traditional Québec folk but also has definite progressive moments, lots of keyboards, violin and flute. At the time, it was best known for a track called “Le soleil des plants d’huile”, a song about Montreal’s east-end oil refineries. It is quite a straightforward folk-prog album, a bit “quaint” at heart – the way bands such as TEMPEST or HORSLIPS are – and quite melodic overall.

Not absolutely essential but certainly of interest if you like to explore French Canadian prog-folk bands of the early 70’s.

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Studio Album, released in 1974

Track Listings

1. Marchand de nuages (2:13)
2. Le soleil des plants d'huile (3:59)
3. Pensez-y donc (3:47)
4. Instrumental - Troubadour (2:55)
5. Instrumental - Lucifer (5:57)
6. Épilogue de M. Germain Content (5:10)
7. Le vieux sorcier (4:09)
8. Le fou du roi (3:02)
9. Pour communiquer (3:54)
10. Les Plaines d'Abraham (2:20)
11. Espace (4:31)
12. La clôture (4:45)

Total time: 46:42

Line-up/Musicians

- Jacques Lauzon / drums
- Francis Leduc / violin, flute
- Pierre-Yves Migneron / guitar, vocals
- Gaétan Rousseau / bass
- Normand Théroux / keyboards, vocals

Releases information LP Sonogram LSG-72007

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Tuesday, 12 February 2008

VA - Last of The Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen Live in Dallas


1 King Biscuit Time
2 Chicken Shack
3 It's Got To End Somewhere
4 Catfish Blues
5 Down in Mississippi
6 Hangin' On
7 All My Money's Gone
8 Sweet Home Chicago
9 Kansas City
10 If I Asked You
11 Got To Find Me A Woman
12 Country Boy
13 Got My Mojo Workin'
14 If You Don't Want Me
15 For You My Love
16 Apron Strings
17 Blind Girl Blues
18 CC Rider

* 2007 GRAMMY NOMINATED BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR



* 2007 Independent Music Awards Finalist - "Best Live Album"



* 2007 Nominated Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year - Blues Music Awards



* Featuring performances by Blues Legends: Henry James Townsend, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, and David "Honeyboy" Edwards



* One night, Four of the Greatest American Blues Legends, 18 unforgettable songs



HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Once in a lifetime you may experience a brief moment when the stars align and something truly extraordinary happens. This was the case in October 2004, when four of the greatest living blues legends were assembled in Dallas, Texas for one incomparable night of music. At the time they ranged in age from 89 to 94 and all had received the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship Award, the highest honor in the USA for traditional arts. These musicians have devoted their entire life to playing the blues, and staging such an epic event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once reunited, the old magic reemerged. It was if they were long lost school buddies. There was a time when Dallas was viewed as an epicenter for the blues. It was home to such legends as Blind Lemon Jefferson, Huddie “Ledbelly” Ledbetter, T-Bone Walker, Freddie King and others. The Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas and the Magnolia in Fort Worth catered to well-dressed audiences who were transfixed by the soulful shouts of Johnny Taylor, the screaming Telecaster of Albert Collins and the eerie cry of Albert King’s Flying V. On October 16th, 2004, Dallas once again reclaimed its place as a blues capitol when the four remaining elders of the blues reunited on the stage of the historic Majestic Theater for a grand performance. It was a night that was 90 years in the making, but will live on for eternity.





HENRY JAMES TOWNSEND

He goes by the name of Henry James Townsend but his friends call him “The Mule”. Though the nickname’s origin is a mystery, it could refer to his stubborn will to keep playing. At the time of this recording, the dean of St. Louis blues and reigning patriarch of the blues, Henry James never had played Dallas in his 94 years. He is the only American recording artist to have recorded in every decade since the 1920’s. Henry’s music is a unique combination of country and city blues, tempered with just the right amount of influences from Lonnie Johnson and Roosevelt Sykes. The best part about Henry is the wisdom he shares with the audience about his life and his music. It’s insightful, provocative and timeless.



JOE WILLIE "PINETOP" PERKINS

Born July 7, 1913 in Belzoni, Mississippi, Grammy Award

winner Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins took up piano mid-career after he was stabbed in the arm. Early on, Perkins

accompanied such blues legends as Big Joe Williams and

Sonny Boy Williamson. By 1953, he was well known as both a

back-up player and solo act. This was also the year he made his first solo recording with Sun Records. Now living in Austin, Perkins used to visit Texas regularly when he played piano for the legendary Muddy Waters Band. Today, “Pinetop” Perkins is regarded as one of the world’s greatest blues and boogiewoogie piano players.



DAVID “HONEYBOY” EDWARDS

David "Honeyboy" Edwards was born June 28, 1915 in Shaw,

Mississippi. To listen to Mr. Edwards and his skilled slide

guitar playing is to journey back in time to the Mississippi Delta and the street corners of Clarksdale, Mississippi. There, Honeyboy played a pivotal role in shaping the seminal moments of blues history. He is sought after by documentary filmmakers for his detailed accounts of blues folklore, especially his recollections of the day Robert Johnson died. He describes Deep Ellum, east of downtown Dallas, as if it were yesterday. He recounts with incredible accuracy his escapades near the “Central Track” (now Central Expressway) that bordered the west side of this area known for its colorful nightlife in the 30’s and 40’s.



ROBERT LOCKWOOD, JR.

Ninety-year-old Robert Lockwood, Jr. or “Robert Jr.” to his friends used to “play” one-month gigs in Fort Worth during the 50’s and 60’s. He learned to play guitar from the legendary Robert Johnson, who lived with Lockwood’s mother during his formative years. He learned his first song, “Sweet Home Chicago”, in about three weeks under Johnson’s tutelage. Robert is also one of the original King Biscuit Boys who once opened for King Biscuit Time, now the longest running live radio show in America. Today, Mr. Lockwood is recognized as one of the most prolific guitar players in the world. His unique chord progressions have earned him two honorary doctorate degrees for music theory.



THE BLUE SHOE PROJECT

The legends of the blues and those influenced by it are aging or passing and with it their rich history and culture. These legendary figures made a profound impact on American music and our society. Students at all levels should know it, be proud of it and experience it. The blues is America’s gift to the world, idolized around the globe, and no other culture can lay claim to its mighty influence. As a learning organization, our mission is to educate students on the blues and their heritage. Texas played a pivotal role in that heritage. Texas blues legends such as Blind Lemon Jefferson, T-Bone Walker, Sippie Wallace, Victoria Spivey, Lightnin' Hopkins, Albert Collins, Freddie King, Johnnie Taylor and Stevie Ray Vaughan all left an indelible mark on Texas and the world. Every opportunity should be taken to promote this rich history for the benefit of our youth and our community. www.BlueShoeProject.org


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Missing 13th Track
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The Robert Charels Blues Band - Deception In Your Eyes (1997 Blues)

Deception In Your Eyes - Charels, Robert (CD 1998)


1. I Wish You Could See Me Now
2. Every Mother's Son
3. All You Ever Give Me Is The Blues
4. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water
5. Faith Healer
6. Deep Red Days
7. Babe & A Half
8. Death Letter
9. It Might Be Over
10. Ain't Gonna Wait Anymore
11. Kattskill Home (Long Drive)
12. Until I'm Dead And Cold

Details
Producer:Rhett Tyler, Robert Charels
Distributor:City Hall

Album Notes
The Robert Charels Blues Band: Robert Charels (vocals); Jim Moran (guitar); Michael Johnn Aloia (keyboards); Gerard Sorrentino (bass); Mario Richard Staiano (drums).
Additional personnel: Rhett Tyler (guitar).

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The Robert Charels Blues Band - Metropolitan Blue (1998 Blues)

Robert Charels (born October 26, 1958, Catskill, New York) is a blues singer in the vein of B. B. King, Duke Robillard, and other artists of the genre. He has recorded three albums under his name: Deception In Your Eyes (1997), Metropolitan Blue (2000, produced by Robillard), and Three Leg Dogs & Old Skool Cats

(2007, produced by Michael Hill).

In 2005, Charels took part in a memorable jam at the B.B. King Blues Club in Nashville, as he performed onstage with B.B. King, Coco Montoya, Gary Tallent of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, and other top musicians.



1. Fannie Mae
2. Eagle Rock Me Baby
3. Mr. Losing Streak
4. Metropolitan Blue
5. Whatcha Tryin' To Hand Me
6. Got Away
7. Tend To Your Own Business
8. Troubles, Troubles, Troubles
9. Gypsy Good Time
10. Can't Stop My Heart
11. Who'll Be There
12. Bop All Night Long
13. You Can Suit Yourself

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Ben Andrews (The Blue Rider Trio) - Gallows Pole (Blues)

ANDREWS, BEN - Gallows Pole

1. C.C Rider
2. How Many More Years
3. One Kind Favour
4. Salty Dog
5. Broke Down Engine
6. Last Fair Deal
7. Butterfly
8. Death Have No Mercy
9. Stagolee
10. Cocaine
11. Mad With You Baby
12. Gallows Pole

This is Andrews' second album on the Powerhouse label, the first "Journey" was rated as a masterpiece of fine contemporary interpretations of Delta & Chicago classics & a hard one to beat. Well if he hasn't beaten it he's certainly matched it with "Gallows Pole". Once again Ben Andrews shows, with effortless virtuosity his total command of early American Blues & Folk music. His playing is beyond comparison & his voice a perfect match to his intricate picking. This album has already received rave reviews in The Times, Guitar Magazine, Blues on Stage, Rhythm & Blues & Blueprint to name just a few. Anybody into Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Eric Bibb or Kelly Joe Phelps will want this CD.


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