"Before the Amplifiers: Live Acoustic," Sister Hazel (Rock Ridge Music,
****
)
This June 17 release is a first for Gainesville's Sister Hazel: a 16-track live record featuring band hits, fan favorites and concert staples in a stripped-down acoustic format. It was recorded in front of 100 lucky fans that were chosen from more than 5,000 entries, along with band families and friends. Though I'm not a dedicated Hazelnut, I've enjoyed the last few Hazel releases that have come my way, including their Christmas album, which is on heavy holiday rotation.
Though I'm not a fan of champagne, one of my favorites here is the opener, "Champagne High," with its soulful vocals and crisp harmonies. Other favorites include the bluegrassy "Starfish," the Band-like "Your Winter," and the audience-pleasing "Swan Dive." Add a couple of hits like "All for You" and "Mandolin Moon," and Hazel fans old and new will go nuts for this one.
Get your copy of this great CD at local stores or online at www.rockridgemusic.com
"Down The Tracks: The Music That Influenced Bob Dylan," Various Artists
(Eagle Vision,
****
)
This July 15 DVD release features legendary artists from blues, folk, country, and other genres that influenced the young mind of Robert Zimmerman, who would become Bob Dylan at age 20. His Columbia Records debut contained only two original compositions from the man who would become the lyrical voice of the Sixties counterculture. His encyclopedic knowledge of artists and songs, from Woody Guthrie to Hank Williams to Jimmie Rodgers to Blind Willie McTell, informed both his cover song choices and his original material to come.
Dylan fans may be bummed to discover that there's very little Dylan performance film here; but those who admire him and wonder about his influences will love the archival film of Reverend Gary Davis, Hank Williams, Pete Seeger, and many others. Ask for this one at local music/video stores, shop online at www.eaglerockent.com
"Times Like These," Rick Danko (MVDaudio, ***
1/2
)
"The Sea to the North," Garth Hudson (MVDaudio, ***
1/2
)
"The Spirit of Woodstock," Professor Louie & The Crowmatix (MVDaudio,
****
)
Drummer Levon Helm was The Band's best singer, and his Dirt Farmer won The 2008 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. Rick Danko's harmonies and occasional leads were also special. Times Like These is his final studio effort. The Web site for these recordings is www.mvd2b.com
The album starts with the title song's cloying background vocals and lounge-like instrumental section. It improves from there; but many songs, including "This Wheel's on Fire" and "Chain Gang," suffer from somnambulant tempos. Lots of The Band's cool songs are mid-to-slow-speeders, but they had a bit more swing. My favorite song is a Cajun-flavored cover of Fats Domino's "Let the Four Winds Blow."
Garth Hudson was a scholarly musician who joined The Hawks (who later became The Band) under the pretense of giving them music lessons! His album features lengthier instrumental compositions blending musical genres, similar to his concert solo, "Chest Fever."
The Sea's opener "The Saga of Cyrus and Mulgrew," features Garth's sonorous saxophone and piano while traveling through funk, noise, smooth jazz and more. Some of the compositions sound like excellent film or television soundtrack material. My other faves are the drum/percussion fest "Third Order" and Garth's beautiful solo piano piece, "Little Island."
The Spirit of Woodstock was recorded live at the New York State Museum in conjunction with their exhibit/concert series "Spirit of the Woodstock Generation."
Professor Louie & The Crowmatix plus the Rock of Ages Horns manage to replicate the sound of timeless Band concert staples like "Ophelia," "Life is a Carnival," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "It Makes No Difference," and "Shape I'm In," plus Dylan classics like "Blind Willie McTell" and "Forever Young."
Very enthusiastic performances, plus other cool tunes, transcend the regular-guy vocals to make this the most consistent listening experience out of these three.
Ricky Flake is a former punk rocker, and music fan who lives in Biloxi. Reach him at lobotomy3857@bellsouth.net
See Flake on page 29
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