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American Pie - United Artist Records released in October, 1971 with words and music written by Don McLean and dedicated to Buddy Holly ~ CDP 7 46555 2. 2003 Capitol Records 72435-84279-2-9.

Many music fans have a favorite song or favorite album in which they remember all the lyrics to. They remember when it was first released, where they purchased it from and the impact it made upon them.  For me that song has always been American Pie.

Don McLean had released his first album, Tapestry, in 1970 with little notice.  With a larger record label behind him American Pie (the album) was released in October 1971 and literally shot up the charts based on the strength of the song American Pie.  The song was unique, dealing with loss and years of social upheaval, musical changes, religion and war. (Sounds like current times, doesn't it?) Through the song McLean recalled and honored Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), musicians that McLean looked up to and had passed away. The song struck a nerve with the American public, most of whom were tired of war, social ills and all the other stressful issues of the day.

In 2003 Capitol Records reissued the album in along with two additional songs and a nice booklet in which McLean describes how he came to write the album as well as his concept of the history of the times in which it was written.  It’s a great addition to anyone’s music library.

Interesting American Pie facts:  At 8:32 it is the longest song to reach #1 on the Billboard music charts.  In 2001 American Pie was voted the #5 Most Memorable Song of the Century.  The original vinyl 45 single, due to the song’s length, had the first half of the song on side one, the second half on side two.  The only way to hear the song in its full length was to buy the vinyl album.

Years ago we attended a wedding and to close out the reception the new bride and groom asked everyone to hold hands and to form a circle around the dance floor.  While we all faced each other they closed the reception by asking everyone to sing American Pie in unison…the full eight minute and thirty two second version.  I belted it out as best I could and I admit it brought serious tears to my eyes. The sound of a room full of people singing that song was such a great experience and one I obviously still remember.  It was so cool to hear everyone, younger and older alike, sing it together.

THAT is what music is all about.

And, I still remembered all of the words. Thank you, Don.

Thanks for reading and listening,

Doug

Like many I spent most of 2020 at home. Hunkered down, I listened to more music than ever. Much of that time was spent exploring new music by unfamiliar artists, playing music genres much different from what I would normally listen to. I listened to many of the CDs in my home music library and even delved into those old Boston and Chicago albums that I hadn't heard in ages (seriously, those first six Chicago albums are fantastic). Jazz, classical (I'm a sucker for Mozart) and the Allman Brothers all sounded great. But I wanted, needed something different. I mean really, how many times can one listen to Dark Side Of The Moon? Sacrilege I know but you catch my drift.

Deezer HiFi streaming subscription totally helped my new music needs. Millions of full albums, playlists and EPs at my disposal for the cost of one CD each month. And the sound quality with their HiFi version is full CD quality. If you enjoy finding new and old music I recommend Deezer highly. I can access my Deezer choices through smartphone, tablet, desktop and Sonos at home. Other services such as Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon, Spotify are great ways to enjoy more music than ever before. Choose the one best for your listening needs.

So here are ten recent finds, artists and their albums, that I discovered during Pandemic 2020. Give them a listen and see what you think. Road trip!

Discovered at Stereophile magazine.

Discovered on Facebook.

Discovered on Darko Audio YouTube channel.

This news from Michael Timmins’ Cowboy Junkies!

“Many years ago, in the time before streaming services and back when we'd gather together to make music, Margo ventured down the 401 to Guelph, Ontario and to the home of Jeff Bird. There she spent some time with Jeff and a few of his talented musical friends and recorded songs by some of her favourite artists. This album may have been recorded fifteen years ago, but these songs are timeless.... as is Margo's voice...enjoy.”

This album is only available as a digital download or as a digital stream. It is not available as a CD or on vinyl. You can find it here: 

#Spotify #AppleMusic #AmazonMusic #TIDAL #Deezer #iTunes #Pandora #Napster #music #margotimmins #cowboyjunkies #jeffbird #hearmoremusic 

I’ve been a Doobie Brothers fan since first hearing their third studio album, “The Captain and Me” in 1973.  Their mix of hard-edged guitars with vocal harmonies won me over.  Songs like Natural Thing, Long Train Runnin’, China Grove…well, ALL of them only gave a sneak peak at what was to become a popular hit-making band.

Fast forward to the 2010 edition of the band.  They had their huge hits and concert tours throughout the eighties.  After singer Michael McDonald left the band they continued to tour and record without the success of earlier years.  They brought back their original record producer, friend Ted Templeman, along with original guitarists and vocalists Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston.  After playing a few gigs together they asked former drummer Michael Hossick and master-of-all-stringed-instruments John McFee to reunite for a new Doobies album and tour.

Adding to the fun, Willie Nelson and ex-Doobie Michael McDonald make appearances.  Don’t be fooled however, this is no re-union album with ‘guest artists’ added for filler.  The Doobies of old with their harmonies, timeless rhythms and guitar solos are here.  If you enjoyed this band in the past give them another try here.

A nice twist is the remake of ‘Nobody’ from their first album.  This version has a new guitar solo and spotlights Johnston’s rougher vocal style.   Producer Templeton played up to every band member’s strengths and styles.  The Simmons-Johnston-McFee trio is one of the best front lines in rock while drummer Hossick’s playing is forward and driven.  Templeton did what many of us music purists hope for by not overdriving and overmixing the album.  It sounds equally good on a smaller system or better home audio gear.

Whether you want to relive the Doobie glory years or just want a great rock record give World Gone Crazy a listen. Enjoy.

Thanks for visiting Hear More Music!

Doug

Even though these two CD sets were released two years apart, they share a common theme and compliment each other.  On An Island was released as Gilmour’s third solo studio album in 2006, Live In Gdansk in 2008.

Many know David Gilmour as the lead guitarist, vocalist and writer for seminal rock band Pink Floyd.  Gilmour chose to do more solo projects with his interest in continuing to work as a band waned.  Since fellow band mate Richard Wright passed away in 2008 Gilmour continues in this direction.  As On An Island proves he is playing better than ever.

If Pink Floyd fans are disappointed that the band is no longer a functioning unit (for now), have no fear.  On An Island is as close to a Pink Floyd sound as you can get.  Wright plays on the album and the combination of his keyboards musically complements Gilmour’s vocals and guitar, making for a very enjoyable listen.  Topping it off is hearing David Crosby and Graham Nash add background vocals to the title track.

Gilmour's final 2008 live performance was held at the Gdansk Shipyard in Poland celebrating the anniversary of the Polish Solidarity Movement headed by Lech Walesa in 1980.  In addition to four Pink Floyd songs, On An Island is performed live and included on this two-CD set is the selection of A Great Day For Freedom.  50,000 people attended this show to celebrate their freedoms from non-communist trade unions. The Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra is a nice addition to the overall recording. Richard Wright joined Gilmour on this tour and recording before his death. The recording quality and musicianship here are both superb.

Whites Off Earth Now, Mobile Fidelity Remaster

Canadian band Cowboy Junkies released their first album in 1986.  They had no fat record company deal, only their instruments, a garage named Studio 547, a single microphone with a digital tape machine and Margo's voice.  This re-mastered CD version from Mobile Fidelity’s Original Master Recordings series and has been re-released on a hybrid CD/SACD disc.  The audio quality is outstanding.

The Cowboy Junkies tradition of sparse, blues-based songs is fully evident here.  Margo Timmins vocals are quietly expressive on this collection of covers from blues artists as Lightning Hopkins and Robert Johnson and rocker Bruce Springsteen.  Brothers Mike (lead guitar) and Pete Timmins (drums) along with long time friend Alan Anton (bass) complete the foursome. Sparse guitar, bass and drums support her quiet vocal style perfectly.  Example, the the final song, Robert Johnson’s Crossroads. Its so quiet its almost scary.

Since this album was released the Cowboy Junkies have continued to tour and to release many albums.  Some such as The Trinity Session have been ground-breaking albums.  They moved into a bit more mainstream direction with the top-selling Lay It Down but have never left their preference for slower country and blues based tunes.  As many band have experienced though, the Cowboy Junkies broke true new ground with their first album.  This remastered version is a blues and musical masterpiece. 

Thank you for visiting and reading Hear More Music!
Doug

In 1971 a new jazz-rock band burst on the music scene with the top ten hit.  Get It On spent thirteen weeks on the Billboard charts and became a gold selling album, a rare occurrence by jazz-rock acts in the 1970s.

Bill Chase grew up playing the trumpet in school and became a fan of jazz greats Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson.  He later played for lead trumpet with Ferguson and Kenton as well as with Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd.

In 1970 Chase joined up with three more additional veteran jazz trumpeters.  The uniqueness of this band is that Chase then mixed this jazz-foursome up with a rock ‘n roll rhythm section of guitar, keyboards bass and percussion.  Once this group was assembled the search for a vocalist began and in late ’70 singer Terry Richards was brought on board.  Chase, the band, was born.

Chase were unique for its time.  Groups in the early ‘70s tended to have either a jazz or rock focus, but this band had both.  With the jazz chops of the four horn players and the hard-charging rock rhythm section they chose a decidedly up beat  rock ‘n roll sound.  Richard’s gravely vocalists gave the jazzy group an edgy sound that complemented the horns and rhythm section. Another rock jazz band at the time, Blood, Sweat & Tears, had a similar focus but tended to have an overall smoother and more mellow sound.

This first album was certainly driven by the hit Get It On but the remainder of side one is made up of songs that were more instrumental and showed off the chops of the various horn players.  Side two of the vinyl album is made up of the fourteen-minute opus ‘Invitation To A River’.  Made up of five chapters, ITAR shows off the trumpet skills of the band.  There are parts of side two in which the jazz section ‘echos’ there notes and sound.  You’d swear they were done by remixing but these sounds were all done live.

Ennea

After selling 500,000 copies of their first album, Bill Chase and the band released two more albums, Ennea and Pure Music.  1972s Ennea shifted away from the horn-heavy sound and featured another suite on side two based on Greek Mythology.  While Ennea sold well it did not meet expectations.

Pure Music

Pure Music kept the spotlight on the same horn section but the backup members changed and a more jazz-focused sound emerged.  Pure Music sold well, supported by both jazz and rock audiences.

The life of Chase was brief both as a person and a band.  In 1974, while traveling to a live performance, Bill Chase, band members and some friends were killed in a plane crash in Minnesota. 

As time marches on I find myself revisiting classic artist’s albums.

This first one is classic 1960s British Invasion.  “The British Are Coming” is a nicely packaged 3-CD box set of A and B-side classics from the mid-60s era.  There are some classic hits here by bands such as the Hollies, Kinks and Searchers but the real fun is found in unheard treasures from these less known British garage bands.

Aside from loving the music from this era, I enjoy the ‘sound’ of these songs.  Each recording engineer and studio had a certain vibe to it and that feeling was transmitted into these records, known as ‘that 60s sound’.  Back then many songs were recorded in one take and the immediacy of the moment translates into the music.  A very enjoyable box set complete with background booklets on each band.

"Chicago At Carnegie Hall" was Chicago’s fourth album.  Their first three albums were all two record releases…most bands have nothing to say after their first!  In 1972 Chicago played at Carnegie Hall and released the show as a live four album set.  This set released by Rhino Records in 2005 is on three CDs and contains a bonus CD with eight previously unreleased songs from that concert.  All loving re-mastered and released in original artwork and mastering by the folks at Rhino Records.

Many think of Chicago as Top 40 hit makers.  True, the band did have many hit records but his set helps one to realize just what a talented group of musicians they were.  Chicago was always eager to play extended versions of their songs and this set is full of jam-band cuts.  This set shows Chicago at their absolute live best.  Enjoy.

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

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