Record Reviews

TAJ MAHAL ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979234420 (Barcode: 886979234420) ~ USA ~ Blues Recorded: 1964 - 1976 Released: 2012 This wonderful Box Set compiles all the material recorded for the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label by the legendary Blues singer / songwriter Taj MahalFind albums by this artist. His stint with the label lasted for about 12 years between 1964 and 1976 and covers the initial phases of his career, which resulted in eleven albums released on Columbia. His early album with the group Rising SonsFind albums by this artist, which also included guitarist Ry CooderFind albums by this artist, remained unreleased until 1992 and is also included in this Box Set as is a double album of previously unreleased studio and concert material. Mahal´s music goes through several significant changes during the period covered by these recordings: Rising Sons was one of the first American bands mixing Country, Blues and Rock and in retrospect their album is a revolutionary step in the formation of American Rock music. By the late 1960s Mahal entered the electric Blues period, which paired him with the superb guitarist Jesse Ed DavisFind albums by this artist and produced three brilliant Blues-Rock albums. In early 1970s he ventured into a short love affair with Jazz, producing a couple of excellent albums with a large brass ensemble. Finally the rest of the 1970s Mahal spent exploring various World Music influences like Reggae, Calypso, Zydeco and others, mixing them with his Blues heritage and producing some extraordinary music in the process. In retrospect this Box Set presents a diverse and fascinating body of music, which unfortunately never truly achieved the recognition it deserves. Mahal surely deserves credit for his constant explorations and his open-mindedness, which is quite extraordinary. Remastered and mini-sleeved, with bonus material and an informative booklet this Box Set is a treasure chest, which music connoisseurs should really enjoy, all this in addition to its intrinsic value as an important puzzle in the history of music. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 15 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

WYNTON MARSALIS / ERIC CLAPTON ~ PLAY THE BLUES REPRISE 081227975913 (Barcode: 081227975913) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is a live album by two music superstars: American Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Wynton MarsalisFind albums by this artist and British Rock / Blues guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist. They are accompanied by a Jazz combo and perform nine classic Blues standards and one song written by Clapton. Legendary vocalist / guitarist Taj MahalFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The music was recorded at Jazz At Lincoln Center, NYC. All the orchestral arrangements are by Marsalis. The idea behind the album is to show the symbiosis between the Blues and Jazz, or at least the early form of Traditional Jazz, which is sort of “convincing the convinced”, as the relationship is completely obvious to anybody who knows his right from his left in music. Nevertheless, the idea works well and the music is performed my excellent musicians, with Clapton fitting the bill perfectly. The arrangements are all in the spirit of early Traditional Jazz, capturing the sound of the 1920s and 1930s, which Marsalis specializes in, and they are truly faithful to the period. Clapton, although playing electric guitar, keeps his soloing to bare necessity, which is exactly what is expected of him. Overall, this is a wonderful, highly entertaining album, which offers a nostalgic trip to the early days, when Jazz and Blues were completely intertwined. The sound quality is excellent and this is pure fun from start to finish, with educational value for the listeners not familiar with Jazz history.

Updated: 17/01/2025Posted: 17/01/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

VAN MORRISON ~ DUETS: RE-WORKING THE CATALOGUE RCA 888750684424 (Barcode: 8887506844242) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the 35th studio album by Iconic Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, recorded with an extended band, which includes a brass section. The album presents sixteen tracks and on each of the tracks Morrison sings a duet with a different vocalist. All the songs were written by Morrison and span his entire five decades long career up to the date of the recording. The songs cover mostly the lesser known material from his extensive catalogue and the invited guests are amongst the most famous vocalist / musicians on the planet, including George BensonFind albums by this artist, Gregory PorterFind albums by this artist, Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, Mark KnopflerFind albums by this artist, Taj MahalFind albums by this artist and others. As the list of the guests shows, the music covers many genres: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Soul and others. Morrison’s vocals are every bit as strong as always and his duets with all the invitees work out perfectly. The rich orchestral arrangements are also perfect and the album is a great opportunity to get familiar with some of the finest, but forgotten songs in his catalogue. Overall, this is another wonderful album by one of the greatest singers / songwriters of all time, enhanced by the vocals of other iconic vocalists / musicians, which offers an excellent collection of songs, which is a great fun to listen to.

Updated: 05/11/2023Posted: 05/11/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ROLLING STONES ~ ROCK AND ROLL CIRCUS (EXPANDED EDITION) ABKCO 824899 (Barcode: 602498248997) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 This one brings on waves of acute nostalgia! Filmed in late 1968 and intended for TV broadcast during Christmas of that year, the project was allegedly shelved and screened only years later. The entire concept looks pretty weird at first glance, but fits perfectly in the Psychedelic swinging London milieu of the time. A series of top UK rock acts perform in a circus tent, with typical circus acts filling the space between songs. It is all enormous fan and the rare opportunity to see live artists like Jethro TullFind albums by this artist, The WhoFind albums by this artist, John LennonFind albums by this artist, Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, Taj MahalFind albums by this artist, Marianne FaithfullFind albums by this artist and of course the Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist is something no one should miss. To make matters perfectly clear – although the entire show if full of silly little (typical British) jokes, there is more than plenty superb music here, especially the performance by The Who and the Lennon / Clapton group, as well as the Stones of course. This is a rare and exquisite document of the era and a must for all lovers of late 1960’s music. This version of the DVD includes bonus material never previously available. 5.1 Surround Sound, 63 minutes.

DVD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend