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  | DELANEY & BONNIE ~ THE ORIGINAL DELANEY & BONNIE: ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTE
ELEKTRA 4943674139804 (Barcode: 4943674139804) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2013
This is the second album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their only release on ElektraFind albums on this label Records (founded and run by Jac HolzmanFind albums by this artist), took them away from the image associated with Afro-American music which their previous label, StaxFind albums on this label Records, symbolized. The album was recorded by a dream team of top American musicians, which included pianist Leon RussellFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jerry McGeeFind albums by this artist, bassist Carl RadleFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Bobby WhitlockFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Bobby KeysFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jim PriceFind albums by this artist, drummers Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist and Jim GordonFind albums by this artist and the incredible vocalist Rita CoolidgeFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, most of which were penned by the Bramletts.
Musically the album continues the direction put forward by the debut album, which amalgamates Rhythm And Blues, Soul, Gospel and Blues with Pop and Rock, adding this time some American Southern Rock accents. The resulting fusion produced some of the most perfect American Rock music ever. With the Bramletts´ writing talents, Bonnie´s incredible husky vocals, which at their best rival Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist, superb arrangements and perfect, soulful and inspired instrumental work, production and sound quality, the album is a timeless gem.
The album was not very commercially successful at the time of its release, but fellow musicians and music industry figures recognized its sublime qualities. George HarrisonFind albums by this artist offered Delaney & Bonnie a contract with AppleFind albums on this label Records, which was even signed, but subsequently voided of course in view of the already signed Elektra contract. Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist loved the album, which led Delaney & Bonnie and the crew (to be called together Delaney & Bonnie & Friends) to play as an opening act on the Blind FaithFind albums by this artist American 1969 tour and later on to participate in the recording of his debut eponymous solo album "Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title".
In order to get a full view of the talents of the musicians playing on this album, it is worth to remember that they were involved in making the following milestone recordings, all recorded in 1970: Joe CockerFind albums by this artist´s "Mad Dogs & EnglishmenFind albums with this title", Eric Clapton´s (as Derek And The DominosFind albums by this artist) "Layla And Other Assorted Love SongsFind albums with this title" and George Harrison´s "All Things Must PassFind albums with this title" – all this and more in just one incredible year!
In retrospect this is a milestone recording in American music, which eradicated the racial discrimination between American Country and Folk music and the Afro-American Rhythm And Blues, Soul and Gospel traditions, creating, perhaps for the first time, a true all-American music. This album is an absolute must have in any serious Rock music collection and its everlasting values are still in full bloom five decades later. Essential!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 01/06/2018 | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS ~ MOTEL SHOT (EXPANDED EDITION)
REAL GONE MUSIC 0516 (Barcode: 848064005162) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2017
This is fifth album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their third and last release on AtcoFind albums on this label Records, was recorded in 1970 and released in 1971 with a new version of "Friends", which includes, keyboardist Bobby WhitlockFind albums by this artist, bassist Carl RadleFind albums by this artist, drummer Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist and guests like pianist Leon RussellFind albums by this artist, guitarists Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist and Dave MasonFind albums by this artist, vocalists Gram ParsonsFind albums by this artist and Joe CockerFind albums by this artist and others. The original album presents twelve songs, which are the usual mixture of Bramletts´ originals and Rock / Rhythm And Blues classics. This expanded and remastered version adds eight bonus tracks, taken from the earlier recording session of the same material, done during the couple´s short lived ElektraFind albums on this label days.
Musically the album presents the already established Delaney & Bonnie formula, mixing Rhythm And Blues, Soul and Country music with Rock instrumentation and featuring the duo´s vocal harmonies and Bonnie´s heartwrenching vocal pyrotechnics. Combined with superb instrumental work by the "Friends", the music is full of energy and genuine enthusiasm spiced with talent and good taste, which at that time was still around. The concept of this album being almost entirely acoustic and "informal", recorded during impromptu jam sessions in motel rooms, is nor really reflecting the reality.
In spite of the success of a couple of singles taken out of this album it did not sell well and remained highly regarded by some critics and Delaney & Bonnie devotees, but in retrospect disappeared into oblivion, which is a great pity as the music it offered was excellent all through and certainly worth being remembered. On the other hand considering the quality of music that was being produced at an incredible rate at the time, many classic Rock albums shared the faith of this one.
It is great to see that the album is available on CD thanks to the outstanding work by the Real Gone MusicFind albums on this label reissue label, which means it can be enjoyed by people who still remember it when it happened in real time as well as being (hopefully) discovered by some younger listeners. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 13/07/2018 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | INCREDIBLE STRING BAND ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES
RHINO 081227972530 (Barcode: 081227972530) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1966 - 1968 Released: 2012
This Box Set collects the first five (or rather four, since the fourth album was a double LP which was also released as two separate LPs in the US) albums recorded by the British Folk-Rock ensemble Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist and released between 1966 and 1968 on the ElektraFind albums on this label label. Originating from Glasgow, Scotland the band started as a trio playing acoustic Folk music and consisted of Robin WilliamsonFind albums by this artist, Clive PalmerFind albums by this artist and Mike HeronFind albums by this artist. Following the release of the first album Palmer left and the rest of the albums were recorded by the duo of Williamson and Heron. Legendary bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist guests on the second album which also features Williamson´s girlfriend at the time Licorice McCechnieFind albums by this artist. Licorice and Rose SimpsonFind albums by this artist, Heron´s girlfriend at the time, take part in the recording of the fourth (double) album.
The band recorded three more (one of them another double) albums for Elektra and then switched to IslandFind albums on this label Records, recording five more albums for the label before calling it a day in 1974. In total they recorded twelve incredible albums (two of them double) in the span of just eight years, a remarkable achievement by any standard. They also appeared extensively on the BBC, which produced several radio session compilations released later on CDs.
The albums included in this Box Set are a wonderful testimony of the rapid and wondrous development the Incredible String Band from a rather straightforward Folk trio to a Psychedelic, almost Avant-Garde Progressive Fork-Rock ensemble of incredible quality, almost unparalleled by any other act on both sides of the pond. The increasingly complex musical ideas and poetic lyrics are some of the finest examples of the great British Folk-Rock renaissance, which swept the Isles during the Golden Decade.
Folk-Rock fans, who don´t have these albums in their collection, will find this Box Set as absolutely essential, especially the younger music lovers, who missed listening to this superb music while it was happening in real time. The older ones might want to renew these experiences by giving the Incredible String Band another chance, as they were indeed incredible.
Side Note
The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty.
The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations.
In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!
| | Updated: 05/04/2024Posted: | CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN KLEMMER ~ FINESSE / MAGNIFICENT MADNESS
WOUNDED BIRD 0197 (Barcode: 664140019720) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1980 - 1983 Released: 2005
Brilliant American saxophonist John KlemmerFind albums by this artist is one of the most versatile and talented Jazz players in the last few decades. His initial influence was the saxophone legacy of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and to this date he is one of the best post-Coltrane players around, but his career found him playing in many different settings ranging from Free-Jazz to Smooth-Jazz. However, regardless of the musical environment, Klemmer´s saxophone playing is always beyond reproach and his improvisational skills are breathtaking, as is his amazing tone on tenor saxophone and the echoplex electric saxophone, which he introduced into Jazz. He is also a brilliant composer and his lyrical melodies are among the finest out there. "FinesseFind albums with this title" was Klemmer´s 4th and last album for the ElektraFind albums on this label label and it comprises of his original compositions, played by a wonderful quintet with keyboardist Russell FerranteFind albums by this artist, bassist Bob MagnussonFind albums by this artist, drummer Roy McCurdyFind albums by this artist and percussionist Steve FormanFind albums by this artist. "Magnificent MadnessFind albums with this title" was his 1st album on Elektra and includes covers as well as his original compositions. Although on the lighter side of Jazz, these two albums include quite amazing musicianship and Klemmer´s saxophone sound can melt ice any time. Recommended to listeners, who enjoy good melodic Jazz, which does not compromise the music quality and does not cross over to elevator music.
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