With The Song Of Life: May 2018

Monday, May 28, 2018

Steve Harley - The Cockney Rebel ~ A Steve Harley Anthology (2006)

Glam Rock, Rock'n'Roll | Mp3 320 kbps | 3 CD | 471 Mb

CD 1, 1. Sebastian (6:56), 2. Rock 'N' Roll Parade (2:53), 3. Hideaway (3:48), 4. Loretta's Tale (4:10), 5. Death Trip (9:52), 6. Judy Teen (3:39), 7. Spaced Out (2:58), 8. Psychomodo (4:00), 9. Bed In The Corner (3:34), 10. Ritz (7:12), 11. Mr Soft (3:17), 12. Sling It (2:38), 13. Tumbling Down (5:46), 14. Big Big Deal (4:31)

CD 2, 1. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) (3:53), 2. The Best Years Of Our Lives (5:42), 3. Mr Raffles (Man, It Was Mean) (4:31), 4. Mad, Mad Moonlight (4:24), 5. Red Is A Mean, Mean Colour (4:30), 6. Understand (7:11), 7. All Men Are Hungry (4:43), 8. (I Believe) Love's A Prima Donna (4:07), 9. (Love) Compared With You (4:18), 10. Here Comes The Sun (2:53), 11. Innocence And Guilt (7:13), 12. Roll The Dice (3:23), 13. Living In A Rhapsody (4:19), 14. Riding The Waves (For Virginia Woolf) (4:27)

CD 3, 1. Freedom's Prisoner (3:46), 2. One More Time (4:26), 3. I Can't Even Touch You (3:59), 4. Irresistable (Remix) (5:07), 5. Star For A Week (Dino) (4:31), 6. The Lighthouse (5:55), 7. New Fashioned Way (7:18), 8. All In A Life's Work (4:51), 9. That's My Life In Your Hands (3:43), 10. The Last Time I Saw You (5:06), 11. The Coast Of Amalfi (5:13), 12. Journey's End (A Father's Promise) (4:00), 13. A Friend For Life (4:40), 14. Only You (Live) (5:11)

pass: polarbear

J.J. Cale - Roll On (2009)

Folk, Country, Rock | FLAC | 462 Mb

While songwriter J.J. Cale has established himself as an elusive and even reluctant legend in popular music with his sporadic string of releases over the last 38 years, he's never drastically changed his approach. Cale is a workmanlike songwriter whose roots in blues, Okie folk, and roots rock music have been informing his tales of travel, nocturnal pleasure, and everyday life all the while. Even the acclaimed but spaced out Travel Log (which was Cale's equivalent to Neil Young's Trans) never managed to root his sound that far afield from its wellspring. 2009's Roll On, is more strange, laid-back grooves and road-weary tales of quark strangeness and charm from an inveterate master. Where the erratic but acclaimed Road to Escondido with Eric Clapton reeked of laziness and kitsch, Roll On is steeped deep in slow boogie, slower jump jazz, swampy blues, and minor-key laid-back guitar workouts. Cale not only plays guitar and sings here, but on almost all of these cuts he does double and triple duty on drums, bass, and even Rhodes piano! His guests -- including Dave Teegarden and Jim Keltner on drums on a track each, and Clapton on one number -- only appear on four of these dozen tracks. Check, "Who Knew?," the jazzy shuffle that opens the set. Cale plays everything but the drum kit (Teegarden), and lays down a smoking set of Wes Montgomery-esque chords as well as some funky Rhodes. His syncopated vocals all slip right down the backbone of the blues with lyrics worthy of Louis Jordan. "Where the Sun Don't Shine" commences with some spooky synth loops (that could have come from Travel Log), and beefy guitars, with a rudimentary snare and hi-hat keeping the I-IV-V progression moving and popping. The guitars are pure Cale choogle and the bassline is just off enough from the main rhythmic progression to add a freaky twist. Other standouts include the acoustic electric boogie "Strange Days," with some mutant five-string banjo and mandolin work from the artist; the triple-time, space groove of "Fonda-Lina" that feels like it was taken from a B-movie soundtrack during a motel lounge scene, and the popping roots rock of the title track with Slowhand and Keltner. This is a set that proves that Cale is still a vital artist who has a few interesting tricks up his sleeve, even if he doesn't change his attack all that much. Hell, he doesn't need to, he's got weight, sleight of hand, and the Okie soul in every cell of his being, and it all comes out in the tunes. This one is solid from top to bottom.

1. Who Knew (3:30)
2. Former Me (2:48)
3. Where The Sun Don't Shine (3:07)
4. Down To Memphis (3:05)
5. Strange Days (3:10)
6. Cherry Street (3:44)
7. Fonda-Lina (3:21)
8. Leaving In The Morning (2:37)
9. Oh Mary (3:34)
10. Old Friend (3:56)
11. Roll On (4:43)
12. Bring Down The Curtain (2:54)

pass: polarbear

Friday, May 25, 2018

Elvis Presley - The Complete '62 Sessions (2013)

Pop, Rock, Rock'n'Roll | FLAC | 2 CD | 723 Mb

pass: polarbear

J.J. Cale - To Tulsa And Back (2004)

Folk, Country, Rock | FLAC | 530 Mb

On his first studio outing in eight years, the mythical Okie troubadour turns in a solid set of his trademark dusty blues tunes. What is not so typical, as with Travel Log from 1990, is that Cale steeps himself in technology and evokes the moods and frameworks of music that intersect with the blues or stand in opposition to them. The keyboards, drum loops, and horns on this record are as pervasive as the guitars. Needless to say, this requires an attitude adjustment on the part of the listener. This is not to say there aren't plenty of live musicians here; there are. It's just that the sheeny beats and clean synth lines feel odd when juxtaposed against the murky lyrics and Cale's wispy, smoke-weathered voice. His stinging Stratocaster lead lines, spare and razor taut -- especially when ringed with distortion -- are plentiful, as are his tight-knit song constructions. Standouts on this set include the new West funk of "New Lover," the shuffling "New Step," the skittering "The Problem," the delightfully rambling "Fancy Dancer," the burning road-dog rock of "Motormouth," and the jazzy, gypsy swing in "These Blues." There are a couple of ballads on the set that are unconventional, as well, in "Homeless," and in the beautiful "Blues for Mama." There is even a Latin track on "Rio" that feels more like a merengue than a samba. The album closes with Cale playing a lone banjo on "Another Song," a mournful Appalachian ballad that feels like it comes from out of the heart of the Dust Bowl, it's full of ghosts and shadows and aches with the weight and displacement of longing as history. A fine effort.

1. My Gal (4:23)
2. Chains of Love (3:37)
3. New Lover (3:12)
4. One Step (3:20)
5. Stone River (3:42)
6. The Problem (4:31)
7. Homeless (3:25)
8. Fancy Dancer (4:50)
9. Rio (3:46)
10. These Blues (3:49)
11. Motormouth (3:17)
12. Blues for Mama (4:07)
13. Another Song (3:23)

pass: polarbear

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

J.J. Cale - Closer To You (1994)

Folk, Country, Rock | FLAC | 405 Mb

On the two albums that preceded CLOSER TO YOU, TRAVEL LOG and NUMBER 10, J.J. Cale adopted a more basic musical approach. This album continues the trend. Cale plays a few songs alone (though the overdubbed parts sound remarkably spare), including the title track. "Closer to You" finds him electronically treating his vocals, a technique that surprisingly makes him sound as down-to-earth as ever. The set ends with the hypnotically grooving instrumental "Steve's Song." The set is bolstered by two bass players (electric and acoustic), three percussionists (including Jim Keltner), three guitarists (including Cale), two keyboardists (Spooner Oldham and Bill Payne), and three horn players. With the dazzling CLOSER TO YOU, J.J. Cale finds ever-newer surprises in his own remarkable corner of the musical world.

1. Long Way Home (2:56)
2. Sho-Biz Blues (3:46)
3. Slower Baby (5:06)
4. Devil's Nurse (3:50)
5. Like You Used To (3:06)
6. Borrowed Time (4:17)
7. Rose In The Garden (3:05)
8. Brown Dirt (3:32)
9. Hard Love (4:25)
10. Ain't Love Funny (2:50)
11. Closer To You (2:52)
12. Steve's Song (4:02)

pass: polarbear

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Elvis Presley - The On Stage Season (2013)

Rock'n'Roll | Mp3 320 kbps | 2 CD | 299 Mb

CD 1, 1. All Shook Up (2:28), 2. That's All Right (2:37), 3. Proud Mary (3:09), 4. Don't Cry Daddy (2:42), 5. (Let Me Be Your)Teddy Bear-Don't Be Cruel (2:41), 6. Long Tall Sally (1:48), 7. Let It Be Me (4:02), 8. I Can't Stop Loving You (2:47), 9. Walk A Mile In My Shoes (2:59), 10. In The Ghetto (3:18), 11. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (3:17), 12. Sweet Caroline (4:33), 13. Polk Salad Annie (5:36), 14. Introductions (1:59), 15. Kentucky Rain (3:27), 16. Suspicious Minds (6:25), 17. Can't Help Falling In Love (2:04)

CD 2, 1. All Shook Up (2:36), 2. I Got A Woman (2:28), 3. Long Tall Sally (2:49), 4. Don't Cry Daddy (2:44), 5. Hound Dog (3:04), 6. Love Me Tender (2:52), 7. Kentucky Rain (3:10), 8. Let It Be Me (3:16), 9. I Can't Stop Loving You (2:19), 10. See See Rider (2:42), 11. Sweet Caroline (2:30), 12. Polk Salad Annie (6:32), 13. Introductions (2:30), 14. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (2:04), 15. Heartbreak Hotel (2:24), 16. One Night (2:42), 17. It's Now Or Never (2:20), 18. Suspicious Minds (4:48), 19. Dialogue (1:21), 20. Can't Help Falling In Love (2:05)

pass: polarbear

Bobby Wills - In Comes The Night (2018)

Country | FLAC | 214 Mb

1. Ride Out The Rain (3:37)
2. Before I Knew Better (3:43)
3. A New Day (3:23)
4. Spend The Night (3:08)
5. Get While The Gettin's Good (3:29)
6. Out Of Your Mind (3:01)
7. In Comes The Night (3:38)
8. Out Of Your Mind (Radio Edit) (3:05)
9. Out Of Your Mind (Live) (2:57)

pass: polarbear

Saturday, May 19, 2018

VA - Southern Rock Uprising (2008)

Rock | Mp3 320 kbps | 154 Mb

1. Milestone - Ragged Lies (3:20)
2. Nashville Pussy - Nutbush City Limits (3:22)
3. Shooter Jennings - Slow Train (3:41)
4. Black Stone Cherry - Hell And High Water (4:03)
5. Old Union - Deadline (4:00)
6. Pride And Glory - Lovin Woman (3:49)
7. Blackfoot - Good Morning (5:46)
8. Santeria - Come On Baby (3:17)
9. Dixie Witch - Set The Speed (4:34)
10. Black Oak Arkansas - Hold Me Down (4:12)
11. Willie Stradlin - Living For The Weekend (4:00)
12. Down - On March The Saints (4:12)
13. Pig Iron - Golden (7:13)
14. Molly Hatchet - Fall Of The Peacemaker (5:06)
15. Draven - You Wont Taker Me Down Again (4:57)

pass: polarbear

Bob Dylan - Triplicate (2017)

Folk Rock | Mp3 320 kbps | 3 CD | 227 Mb

CD 1, 1. I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans (2:26), 2. September of My Years (3:25), 3. I Could Have Told You (3:39), 4. Once Upon a Time (3:37), 5. Stormy Weather (3:05), 6. This Nearly Was Mine (2:48), 7. That Old Feeling (3:38), 8. It Gets Lonely Early (3:10), 9. My One and Only Love (3:23), 10. Trade Winds (2:36)

CD 2, 1. There's a Flaw in My Flue (2:41), 2. Braggin' (2:44), 3. As Time Goes By (3:22), 4. Imagination (2:34), 5. How Deep is the Ocean (3:23), 6. P.S. I Love You (4:17), 7. The Best Is Yet to Come (2:57), 8. But Beautiful (3:22), 9. Here's That Rainy Day (3:27), 10. Where Is the One (3:14)

CD 3, 1. Why Was I Born (2:49), 2. Day In, Day Out (3:01), 3. I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night (3:15), 4. Sentimental Journey (3:11), 5. Somewhere Along the Way (3:18), 6. When the World Was Young (3:47), 7. These Foolish Things (4:11), 8. You Go to My Head (3:06), 9. Stardust (2:34), 10. It's Funny to Everyone but Me (2:38)

pass: polarbear

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Ray Davies - Americana (2017)

Pop, Rock | FLAC | 688 Mb

Ray Davies published a memoir chronicling his life-long affair with America in 2013. Naturally, it was called Americana, and that's also the title of this 2017 musical adaptation of the book. Davies plays a little fast and loose with his facts, which is perhaps a detriment in an autobiography but suits the condensed nature of songwriting. He doesn't tell a story with Americana -- it's not a song cycle along the lines of Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) -- but rather offers a series of vignettes, some torn from the pages of his book, others expanding upon its themes. Images of highways, cowboys, and movies dance through the songs, as do sly allusions to the Kinks. It's not just that there's an echo of "All Day and All of the Night" on "The Man Upstairs," either: "Poetry" recalls the pastoral jangle of Village Green Preservation Society and "The Great Highway" stomps like a Low Budget outtake. This is the key to understanding Americana. While there are a few nods to classic American music -- "A Place in Your Heart" rambles like an old country & western tune -- Americana is Davies examining how America has changed him, so it fits that his own work is threaded into the album. Backed by the Jayhawks -- an Americana band raised on the British Invasion -- Davies manages to skillfully pull off such subtle shifts in tone. Collaborating with a working band enlivens him -- there's snap and muscle here that were missing on the otherwise fine Working Man's Café -- and for as good as the songs are, what's initially so absorbing about Americana is this limber musicality. What makes it last are the songs, which are wry, moving, and truthful, which wasn't always the case in his book.

1. Americana (4:01)
2. The Deal (5:03)
3. Poetry (5:05)
4. Message from the Road (2:56)
5. A Place in Your Heart (5:03)
6. The Mystery Room (3:51)
7. Silent Movie (1:11)
8. Rock 'N' Roll Cowboys (4:21)
9. Change for Change (3:23)
10. The Man Upstairs (1:36)
11. I've Heard That Beat Before (4:03)
12. A Long Drive Home to Tarzana (4:59)
13. The Great Highway (4:43)
14. The Invaders (3:47)
15. Wings of Fantasy (4:17)

pass: polarbear

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Simon & Garfunkel - At Home 1964 ~ Chez Plus

Folk Rock | Mp3 320 kbps | 146 Mb

1. Anji (2:24), 2. Talking (2:09), 3. Leaves That Are Green (2:40), 4. Instrumental (3:11), 5. Patterns (4:08), 6. Instrumental (2:21), 7. Instrumental (1:09), 8. Instrumental (1:14), 9. Kathy's Song (3:33), 10. Waiting For Art (1:00), 11. Art Arrives (1:14), 12. Benedictus (with Art Garfunkel) (2:59), 13. Intro (0:56), 14. The Sound Of Silence (with Art Garfunkel) (2:05), 15. I Am A Rock (3:29), 16. Art On The Phone (2:55), 17. A Church Is Burning America The Beautiful (with Art Garfunkel) (3:54), 18. Going To The Zoo (with neighbor girl Debbie Epstein) (1:06), 19. Hasheveynu(Traditional) (1:52), 20. You'll Never Walk Alone (1:59), 21. I Believe (2:48), 22. Devoted to You (1:30), 23. Devoted to You (1:55), 24. All I Have To Do Is Dream (1:55), 25. That's My Story (3:16), 26. That's My Story 2 (1:32), 27. You'll Never Walk Alone (1:55)

pass: polarbear

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

The Rolling Stones - Exile On Main St. (1994)

Rock | Mp3 320 kbps | 161 Mb

Greeted with decidedly mixed reviews upon its original release, Exile on Main St. has become generally regarded as the Rolling Stones' finest album. Part of the reason why the record was initially greeted with hesitant reviews is that it takes a while to assimilate. A sprawling, weary double album encompassing rock & roll, blues, soul, and country, Exile doesn't try anything new on the surface, but the substance is new. Taking the bleakness that underpinned Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers to an extreme, Exile is a weary record, and not just lyrically. Jagger's vocals are buried in the mix, and the music is a series of dark, dense jams, with Keith Richards and Mick Taylor spinning off incredible riffs and solos. And the songs continue the breakthroughs of their three previous albums. No longer does their country sound forced or kitschy -- it's lived-in and complex, just like the group's forays into soul and gospel. While the songs, including the masterpieces "Rocks Off," "Tumbling Dice," "Torn and Frayed," "Happy," "Let It Loose," and "Shine a Light," are all terrific, they blend together, with only certain lyrics and guitar lines emerging from the murk. It's the kind of record that's gripping on the very first listen, but each subsequent listen reveals something new. Few other albums, let alone double albums, have been so rich and masterful as Exile on Main St., and it stands not only as one of the Stones' best records, but sets a remarkably high standard for all of hard rock.

1. Rocks Off (4:30), 2. Rip This Joint (2:22), 3. Shake Your Hips (2:57), 4. Casino Boogie (3:31), 5. Tumbling Dice (3:42), 6. Sweet Virginia (4:25), 7. Torn And Frayed (4:16), 8. Sweet Black Angel (2:52), 9. Loving Cup (4:21), 10. Happy (3:02), 11. Turd On The Run (2:34), 12. Ventilator Blues (3:24), 13. I Just Want To See His Face (2:51), 14. Let It Loose (5:16), 15. All Down The Line (3:47), 16. Stop Breaking Down (4:34), 17. Shine A Light (4:14), 18. Soul Survivor (3:47)

pass: polarbear

Pete Haycock - Guitar And Son (1987)

Instrumental Rock | Mp3 320 kbps | 110 Mb

1. Liberty (4:21), 2. Lucienne (3:41), 3. Spikes (3:47), 4. Terry Anne (5:50), 5. Dr. Brown I Presume (3:36), 6. The Claymore (3:39), 7. Down To Bay Six (3:47), 8. Rebecca (4:11), 9. The New York Stakes (5:18), 10. Follow That Frog (3:02)

pass: polarbear