I never thought of the Van Morrison connection before, but now that you mention it, I totally hear it. I don't know if I have a favorite track on this album yet, but that one is definitely a contender (along with Country Girl and Ebury Down).
"Is all you do is listen to music?!" The question of a thousands years, the answer that lives in a thousand dreams. A question I certainly got a lot, made me into the note-head I am today. Good story on Lou, lots of times I go through a certain music pile, I come upon Take No Prisoners, the cover glaring me down like a 'dare you to play me' bullet into the ear. One day soon. The jazz vibe has been heavy on here, almost nabbed me, but I pulled away to give Los Lobos a spin while I cook. This is a great record and sounds so good, a perfect mix with air under all instruments, though very pronounced, including the vocals. Did some '72 Dead earlier for another kind of vibe...
Oh man, Los Lobos is another act right at the top of my "you've heard the name 10 million times but not any of their music" pile. Any reccommendations for an open book listener?
How Will the Wolf Survive was their first full-length album, and a good starting point. You'll recognize at least one song. I just listened to it earlier tonight. They're also very much worth seeing in concert (although stupidly, I haven't done so since the 90s).
Fleetwood Mac Penguin. Danny Kirwan was out, Bob Weston and Dave Walker were in. This album doesn’t grab me so much but I like the Christine McVie songs. Revelation is good too. (I’m A) Roadrunner should be a cool cover but the vocals hold it back.
I'll second Will The Wolf Survive as a recommendation. I haven't stayed current on them, but that's a great record.
Ambrose Akinmusire's new album "On The Tender Spot Of Every Calloused Moment" A very bracing and engaged record by Ambrose and his working combo including a touching tribute to Roy Hargrove.
Fleetwood Mac Mystery To Me. A nice step up from Penguin. Hypnotized is a good track as is Forever and The City. As usual I like the Christine McVie songs although Keep On Going (which she sings but did not write) feels kind of disco. The Way I Feel and Why are lovely.
Agreed... I went to see Clapton a few years back because some friends wanted to see him. Los Lobos opened the show and blew his doors off.
Not surprised. They are amazing musicians with high energy. Also they've been around forever and I don't think they've released a bad album.
Clapton is a bore in concert. Saw him in the 90s and again last year. Nearly bored me to tears both times.
I saw him a couple of times on the Journeyman tour. While I was psyched to see a legend in concert at the time, a lot of it was slicked up AOR with a few really good guitar solos and not much else.
Getting back to this one early in the AM on an off day from work (but of course silly me already checked my e-mails and even sent a couple - help me please?!?!) THIS might be THE recording to really hear Rafal Mazur. What a sound he gets from that unique hand built bass of his.