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Listening: Band Of Joy

Band Of Joy by Robert Plant

Robert Plant’s ‘Band Of Joy’ album is inspired from the name of the first band he played in.  His main goal with this selection of songs was to recreate the musical styles he loved in the mid-60s.  This collection of folk, blues, celtic and rock tunes harkens back to his musical roots very effectively with production values that give it that ‘60s vibe while still sounding current and fresh. The Band Of Joy from the '60s and '70s included John Bonham, later a fellow band member of Led Zepplin, and Dave Pegg who later would be a member of Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull.

In this version of Band Of Joy Plant is joined by Patti Griffin on guitar and backing vocals, Byron House on bass, Darrell Scott plays acoustic guitars along with mandolin, pedal steel guitar. Mark Giovinno on drums and percussion along with Buddy Miller on guitars round out the band.

Band Of Joy starts off with an up-tempo groove and rumbling guitar work on ‘Angel Dance’.  The album is made up of twelve roots-based songs with it’s country-rock, bluesy and lo-fi sound.  Silver Rider is a nice slow rocker and pop rocker You Can't Find My Love could have been written in the 1960s. It all comes together with a cohesive, raw sound.

Since leaving Led Zeppelin, Plant has carved a unique place in music.  He has repeatedly released albums that are unique from one release to the next.  His three albums Mighty ReArranger, Raising Sand (with Alison Krause) and Band Of Joy showcase his versatility as an artist.

What I like about each Robert Plant album is that you never know what you are going to get.  Each release is unique and an adventure.  He easily could have continued his hard-rock career as a rock god but chose a much more interesting path.  His voice has only improved as he has aged and is much more expressive and emotional now than ever before.

Band Of Joy is a worthy addition to any music collection.

#music #hearmoremusic

Listening: Keys To Ascension One & Two

Yes

Keys To Ascension & Keys To Ascension 2

As the liner notes from Keys To Ascension state this is the classic and quintessential Yes line-up playing live.  As many Yes fans unhappily realize, making the seemingly easy task of simply playing music together was nothing short of a miracle for this original group of independent and at times disagreeable band members.

Many only know Yes music from their classic ‘Roundabout’.  Their millions of fans worldwide have longed been plagued with uneven shows, hit-and-miss albums and numerous personnel changes over the years.  Maybe that is what makes recordings like these so special…the entire original band back together again playing early classic songs, live for the fans.

Formed in 1968 London, Yes became the leading progressive rock band ever.  They have had so many band member changes over the years that one needs a spreadsheet to keep everyone’s timeline connected.  In 1996 the original band of Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Alan White reunited to play a live 1996 show in San Luis Obispo, CA for eager fans.  The show was recorded and partially released as the two-CD Keys To Ascension.

In 1997 Keys To Ascension 2 was released as a companion two-disc set.

As confusing as their legendary line-up changes, KTA has seven songs from the concert plus two studio cuts.  KTA2 has the remaining six live cuts plus 5 new studio songs.  Confused?

 However the music is anything but confused, Yes shines when playing live.  Many bands use sound effects to great advantage but Yes showcases their musicianship and talent.  Side One of KTA is especially amazing when you realize everything you hear is being played and song by the six band members on stage.  If you want a live version of the ‘classic’ Yes lineup pick up these two sets double CD sets.

Doug Campbell

Listening: 2010 A Music Odyssey

It's interesting to look back and review what I was listening to ten years ago. Below I have reposted the Hear & Now column published in the January 5 Rockford Register Star newspaper. While I enjoy many other styles and artists ten years later I still listen to these personal gems. 

In addition to the music that I listen to now the way in which I listen has also changed. I listen much more frequently on my two channel stereo system. I also listen to my iTunes library while on the Mac computer. We also now have a full house Sonos system so we can enjoy music in all the rooms of the house. And, in addition to listening to CDs and iTunes as I did in my column ten years ago I also now stream music using high quality services such as Deezer. I store our CD collection on a 2TB hard drive, listen to vinyl on a new turntable from UTurn Audio and even listen to music via YouTube. So many choices. 

All of these choices plus my renewed interest in my two channel stereo in my dedicated music room has enhanced my interest in listening to music and the fun of discovering new music and artists.

Have a read below. I'll have to post my top 10 most listened to from 2020 next January for comparison.

Doug Campbell 

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Hear & Now

January 5, 2011

Most Listened To Albums of 2010

This isn’t a ‘Best Albums of 2010’ list. Instead of listing what I think are the best albums of last year, I thought I would share the albums that I listened to most frequently throughout 2010, regardless of release date. In no particular order...

Margo Timmins – The Ty Tyrfu Sessions.  Why this isn't released as a quality download or on CD and vinyl is beyond me. http://www.jeffbird.com/margotytyrfu.html9.

Mark Knopfler – Screenplaying.  Known as both a solo artist and with Dire Straits, Knopfler is also an accomplished movie soundtrack musician.

Madonna – Confessions On A Dance Floor.  My guilty pleasure.  Great disc for running on the treadmill.

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass – Lost Treasures. An early influence on me. Lost Treasures proves he could have released even more great albums back in their heyday.

The Fireman – Strawberrys Oceans Ships Forest. The cute Beatle and artist Youth remain inventive and experimental together.

Thomas Crown Affair soundtrack – Bill Conti’s soundtrack of this classic movie remake is every bit as enjoyable as the movie itself.

Cheap Trick – The Latest.  As I said in my original RRS review, the band just keeps getting better.  Stay away if you don’t like to rock.

Bourne Supremacy soundtrack – Movie soundtrack by John Powell is every bit as powerful as the movie itself.

The Raveonettes - In And Out Of Control.  Guitar twang and noise along with this duo’s harmonies make this a fun, noisy rocker.

The Orb and David Gilmour Metallic Spheres.  Moody, eclectic and mellow.  Perfect for that snowy Saturday at home.

I enjoy music while on the computer, on my iPod and on the CD player.  Regardless of how you listen to your music try out a few of the albums listed above.  Enjoy!

Listening: New vinyl re-releases from Cowboy Junkies

Cowboy Junkies just announced a limited quantity of the newly released vinyl re-issues of The Caution Horses, Black Eyed Man and Pale Sun, Crescent Moon. These releases are all audiophile quality, remastered by the band and Peter Moore. Each album is spread across two discs for optimum sound quality, pressed on 180gm vinyl, and in gatefold sleeves with enhanced artwork. Also restocked is the audiophile vinyl re-release of The Trinity Session and the Trinity Revisited CD/DVD, as well as The Kennedy Suite. You’ll also find vinyl and CD copies of All That Reckoning. http://https//www.cowboyjunkies.com/new-vinyl-available/