I keep wanting to put this artist in the wrong time period. I know the first place I saw one of his video's was on VH1 but I keep on wanting to place when I saw it earlier. I want to put this album in the late 90's around the same time Alica Keys came out but the true release is a little later. Remy Shand had his first and only album in 2001 on Motown records. Soul was making a minor come back and boy is this album soulful.
I saw the video for the first release and it was smooth and easy. The song was Take a Message and I was hooked. I think my first call was to Spencer McGuire who caught the video also and agreed a very good track.
So I bought the CD and was blown away. It is a blend of the best of soulful Prince, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. The first single is a stand out but the groove on the whole cd is just terrific. Best played with a bourbon or a coffee and just groove away.The only problem is that it is the only CD Remy Shand ever did.
I did more digging after awhile and learned about Mr. Shand. Born in 78 he is a Canadian artist who won the Juno for Soul Album. Hey lets be honest, how many Juno's are there for soul albums. I love the Canadians but not the group of people I would say were Soulful. It turns out that Remy Shand does share a lot with Prince. He is very particular is the studio and could never get the right sound again.
Really it is a shame he never did any more CDs but the one he did give us is amazing. I would recommend to all who want some modern soul with a foothold in the past. Til next time- be good to your ears, they deserve it.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
One Off
Hey a quick one here. I normal just do albums but I have recently heard a track that knocked me on my ass. I had to review it.
I listen to Octane. the new hard rock station on XM. The DJ said this track surprised him also. Zac Brown Band had worked with Chris Cornell from Sound Garden on this track. He said he was never making fun of the band for being country again. I loved what I heard down and dirt almost southern rock with a harder edge.
I had Sheryl and James both listen to it and they agree it rocks. Doing some research on the band they have even worked with Dave Grohl on an EP so I will have to give it a listen also.
Hears to being surprised and great musicians can be great in many different styles. Til next time be good to your ears they deserve it.
I listen to Octane. the new hard rock station on XM. The DJ said this track surprised him also. Zac Brown Band had worked with Chris Cornell from Sound Garden on this track. He said he was never making fun of the band for being country again. I loved what I heard down and dirt almost southern rock with a harder edge.
I had Sheryl and James both listen to it and they agree it rocks. Doing some research on the band they have even worked with Dave Grohl on an EP so I will have to give it a listen also.
Hears to being surprised and great musicians can be great in many different styles. Til next time be good to your ears they deserve it.
Little woman large voice
The end of the 20 century and I had met the love of my life. She was into modern country and so I listened too. Hey that's what you do when you are dating someone, you listen to what they do. Honestly the rock scene was dead around this time and pop was dominated by the Boy Bands so I was open to something new.
Most of modern country sounded like 80's pop rock with a twang. So I didn't hate it, in fact some of the artists were quite good. One of the artist that stood out was Martina McBride. Martina is a powerhouse singer and most of her songs had heart and some of them an edge. I mentioned to Sheryl, that after a few listens that she sounded like a country Pat Benatar. My now wife didn't hear it at first, then the two of them did a crossroads on CMT. Then she agreed I was right. I don't know who is the better singer. I have seen Martina twice live, she brought it strongly both times. She tore up Journey and made Steve Perry her bitch. I haven't seen Pat live so it is hard to say who is better.
As I said earlier, modern country sounds mainly like pop rock, so when Martina released Timeless I was very curious. Now I spent 5 years in Tallahassee Florida from about 5-10 years of age. Any one who knows the area knows that it is more south Georgia that South Florida. During this time I heard my share of classic country music, also Hee Haw was very popular. So this is what I first thought of when Sheryl reintroduced me to country music. Classic Country is kind of like modern country some of it is great and some is awful.
Martina's Timeless takes the great of the classic country and proves that her voice can fit wonderfully into either era. The curious part of this release is how modern country treated it, no air play, no videos. But the album was the fastest seller of her career. I really enjoyed the album. It is fun to hear her sing the songs I remember from Hee Haw. I would have loved it if she filmed some videos of the songs on the Hee Haw sets. The stand outs are I Can't Stop Loving You, I Never Promised You A Rose Garden, Make The World Go Away and You Ain't Woman Enough. Although the last one is much better when sung by Dwane The Rock Johnson, from the movie Be Cool.
If you find yourself missing classic country please give this album a listen/ You will enjoy it. Til next time - be good to your ears, they deserve it.
Most of modern country sounded like 80's pop rock with a twang. So I didn't hate it, in fact some of the artists were quite good. One of the artist that stood out was Martina McBride. Martina is a powerhouse singer and most of her songs had heart and some of them an edge. I mentioned to Sheryl, that after a few listens that she sounded like a country Pat Benatar. My now wife didn't hear it at first, then the two of them did a crossroads on CMT. Then she agreed I was right. I don't know who is the better singer. I have seen Martina twice live, she brought it strongly both times. She tore up Journey and made Steve Perry her bitch. I haven't seen Pat live so it is hard to say who is better.
As I said earlier, modern country sounds mainly like pop rock, so when Martina released Timeless I was very curious. Now I spent 5 years in Tallahassee Florida from about 5-10 years of age. Any one who knows the area knows that it is more south Georgia that South Florida. During this time I heard my share of classic country music, also Hee Haw was very popular. So this is what I first thought of when Sheryl reintroduced me to country music. Classic Country is kind of like modern country some of it is great and some is awful.
Martina's Timeless takes the great of the classic country and proves that her voice can fit wonderfully into either era. The curious part of this release is how modern country treated it, no air play, no videos. But the album was the fastest seller of her career. I really enjoyed the album. It is fun to hear her sing the songs I remember from Hee Haw. I would have loved it if she filmed some videos of the songs on the Hee Haw sets. The stand outs are I Can't Stop Loving You, I Never Promised You A Rose Garden, Make The World Go Away and You Ain't Woman Enough. Although the last one is much better when sung by Dwane The Rock Johnson, from the movie Be Cool.
If you find yourself missing classic country please give this album a listen/ You will enjoy it. Til next time - be good to your ears, they deserve it.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Like a fine wine better with age
I missed the Police. I was a hair too young, but I got Sting in his prime. Boy was he great, he still is but just go with me here. He was a invigorating blend of pop, jazz, and new wave. As a teenager I ate it up. Between my dad and Sting it was a great way to get into traditional Jazz.
Then there was a four year break. I saw him on tour during this break and was surprised. He switched back to bass guitar and changed the band. Still a great concert and I got to yell Roxanne, ala Eddie Murphy, in my date's ear.
The Soul Cages came out. I didn't get it. I loved the single All This Time, but the rest of the album was too dense. I learned more about the Album as time went on. Sting lost his father before this album and suffered from writers block. The album was a way to move through the grief and the block. The songs tell a story about a young man who loses his father who is a ship builder and his quest to bury and save his father's soul. The songs are also a reflection of his feelings for his father.
Pretty dense eh. As a 22 year old kid no way I got it. But it still left an impression on me I knew there was something here. I continued loving Sting but this album hung around as one I needed to relisten to. As a 45 year old man I get it. It is dense like a fruit cake but also like a fruit cake it gets better with age. All This Time still stands out but other songs are great tonal poems. This is not an album for singles or for background music but made for head phones
Till next time listen to the best your ears deserve it.
Then there was a four year break. I saw him on tour during this break and was surprised. He switched back to bass guitar and changed the band. Still a great concert and I got to yell Roxanne, ala Eddie Murphy, in my date's ear.
The Soul Cages came out. I didn't get it. I loved the single All This Time, but the rest of the album was too dense. I learned more about the Album as time went on. Sting lost his father before this album and suffered from writers block. The album was a way to move through the grief and the block. The songs tell a story about a young man who loses his father who is a ship builder and his quest to bury and save his father's soul. The songs are also a reflection of his feelings for his father.
Pretty dense eh. As a 22 year old kid no way I got it. But it still left an impression on me I knew there was something here. I continued loving Sting but this album hung around as one I needed to relisten to. As a 45 year old man I get it. It is dense like a fruit cake but also like a fruit cake it gets better with age. All This Time still stands out but other songs are great tonal poems. This is not an album for singles or for background music but made for head phones
Till next time listen to the best your ears deserve it.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Guilty Confession
I have to confess something. The summer of 1988, I saw Richard Marx in concert three times. His first album was great. It was the soundtrack to that year. I rediscovered it in adding CDs to the cloud. On relistening, I really enjoyed it all over again.
Before you go hating on Richard Marx and yes almost everything he did after this- save for the single Hazard- is a rehash of this album. But if he had to rehash anything this album is great. Anyone of my age remembers slow dancing to Endless Summer Nights or Hold On To The Nights. Hum lots of love songs about nights on this album??
The album starts with Should've Known Better, a great love gone wrong track, once again lots of love songs on this album. The first single, Don't Mean Nothing, is great rock song and wonderful take on California and the entertainment industry. This track was special with Richard Marx's background. In writing songs and trying to break into the music industry he must have really felt the lyrics.
Reviewing the tracks on the album, I noticed something that happened a lot in the days of cassettes, the first side is all the hits. Why this happened I don't know. I know Journey's Frontiers and some Billy Joel albums from the 80s are this way. I am not saying the 2nd side of this album is bad just not the hits.
The first Richard Marx album is so worth a listen, most of the tracks stand the test of time and the ones that don't are nostalgic. Till next time, be good to your ears- they are worth it.
Before you go hating on Richard Marx and yes almost everything he did after this- save for the single Hazard- is a rehash of this album. But if he had to rehash anything this album is great. Anyone of my age remembers slow dancing to Endless Summer Nights or Hold On To The Nights. Hum lots of love songs about nights on this album??
The album starts with Should've Known Better, a great love gone wrong track, once again lots of love songs on this album. The first single, Don't Mean Nothing, is great rock song and wonderful take on California and the entertainment industry. This track was special with Richard Marx's background. In writing songs and trying to break into the music industry he must have really felt the lyrics.
Reviewing the tracks on the album, I noticed something that happened a lot in the days of cassettes, the first side is all the hits. Why this happened I don't know. I know Journey's Frontiers and some Billy Joel albums from the 80s are this way. I am not saying the 2nd side of this album is bad just not the hits.
The first Richard Marx album is so worth a listen, most of the tracks stand the test of time and the ones that don't are nostalgic. Till next time, be good to your ears- they are worth it.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
The too Dangerous to be released Prince
Once again, back in 80 something, Prince was the very talented Bad Boy. I loved and still love him. He always pushed the envelope in the sexual areas and, if not double meaning in his lyrics, he out an out talked about sex. He was very taboo back then.
The Black Album from his Royal Purpleness was to follow up Sign of the Times, an album I have reviewed earlier and still consider his best, The Black album was pulled before release. Many different rumors on why the pull but mainly I heard Warner Brothers thought it was too dirty. I never fully believed that one because if you have seen the album cover to LoveSexy, the album that came out instead The Black Album is the one with a naked Prince on the cover so that rumor makes no sense. Any how, I heard a few bootleg tracks here and there. On a side note, one of the bootlegs I heard during this time period was Prince and Miles Davis. Those bootleg tracks weren't of great quality but wow the music was awesome!
94 comes along and Warner Brothers finally releases the album. Of course, I buy it! Ah I won't say disappointed in what I heard - more underwhelmed at the lack of the Dirtiness. That being said the dirtiness was probably there in 87 but no longer as shocking in 94. Funny how much had changed in music over that time period. With Hip Hop coming along and dominating in those years the words used and terms used to describe women and sex really changed. Prince seemed checky, erotic and fun, Hip Hop just was too blunt at that time.
That being said the music is as awesome ever for a Prince album and some of the tracks should have been classics on this album. The first working title of the album was The Funk Bible and it would have really fit. The tracks are very early Prince funky. It starts with Le Grind and the dance tracks continue from there. Cindy C is dedicated to Supermodel Cindy Crawford and is another solid track. Dead On It is a song that came too late, a wonderful swipe at Hip Hop of the time. Rock Hard in a Funky place is classic dirty Prince. It is a funny track about being rock hard at an inappropriate place, if you know what we mean.
The stand out track - and I could write a whole blog on - is Bob George. A song about a man who isn't very likable and doesn't like Prince, "The Skinner MF'er with the high pitch voice." The song is so different and out there it is one of my favorites and quoted often by me and my friends.
I wish the album had been released when it was supposed to be, but it is a classic. Maybe the long mystery of the album helped but I don't think so. As for the genius of Prince, it showed that the naughtiness wasn't what made him it was the music.
Til the next time, be good to your ears - they deserve it.
The Black Album from his Royal Purpleness was to follow up Sign of the Times, an album I have reviewed earlier and still consider his best, The Black album was pulled before release. Many different rumors on why the pull but mainly I heard Warner Brothers thought it was too dirty. I never fully believed that one because if you have seen the album cover to LoveSexy, the album that came out instead The Black Album is the one with a naked Prince on the cover so that rumor makes no sense. Any how, I heard a few bootleg tracks here and there. On a side note, one of the bootlegs I heard during this time period was Prince and Miles Davis. Those bootleg tracks weren't of great quality but wow the music was awesome!
94 comes along and Warner Brothers finally releases the album. Of course, I buy it! Ah I won't say disappointed in what I heard - more underwhelmed at the lack of the Dirtiness. That being said the dirtiness was probably there in 87 but no longer as shocking in 94. Funny how much had changed in music over that time period. With Hip Hop coming along and dominating in those years the words used and terms used to describe women and sex really changed. Prince seemed checky, erotic and fun, Hip Hop just was too blunt at that time.
That being said the music is as awesome ever for a Prince album and some of the tracks should have been classics on this album. The first working title of the album was The Funk Bible and it would have really fit. The tracks are very early Prince funky. It starts with Le Grind and the dance tracks continue from there. Cindy C is dedicated to Supermodel Cindy Crawford and is another solid track. Dead On It is a song that came too late, a wonderful swipe at Hip Hop of the time. Rock Hard in a Funky place is classic dirty Prince. It is a funny track about being rock hard at an inappropriate place, if you know what we mean.
The stand out track - and I could write a whole blog on - is Bob George. A song about a man who isn't very likable and doesn't like Prince, "The Skinner MF'er with the high pitch voice." The song is so different and out there it is one of my favorites and quoted often by me and my friends.
I wish the album had been released when it was supposed to be, but it is a classic. Maybe the long mystery of the album helped but I don't think so. As for the genius of Prince, it showed that the naughtiness wasn't what made him it was the music.
Til the next time, be good to your ears - they deserve it.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Early Joel
Back in 1980 something, I asked for an album by Billy Joel for Christmas. As mentioned in the earlier post I was raised on 70's AM radio and Billy Joel was one of the giants of that era. I must of been in either 6th or 7th grade, early teens, and just learning what kind of music I wanted to listen to. I received Songs in The Attic by Billy Joel, not one of his big hit albums, which turned out to be wonderful.
Now I don't know how my parents chose this album but a good friend of mine at the time made a very smart ass comment that it was a kind of album that a parent would buy. He was sort of right but I guess this helped me to learn about early Billy Joel and the tracks on albums that aren't big hits.
This whole album is not exactly big hits. When Mr. Joel started out he worked with studio musicians on his first few albums. After a few years he got a band together and preferred the way they sounded on the early songs. So the new Live versions on the songs were put together in a new album. The new versions are great.
The album starts with Miami 2017 a post apocalyptic tale of New York city and the driving of the song and the crowd really stand out live and shows why he picked the songs to be on this live album. I also really enjoyed Streetlife Serenader, Everyone Loves You Know. The last track, I've Loved These Days is a stand out, really shows the overindulgence and decadence of the 70's and how it is almost romantic.
I think this is a great album for people who have heard the Glass Houses and 52nd Street and want more. I really enjoyed it and formed a lot of what I looked for in music.
Until next review be good to your ears and listen to the best
Now I don't know how my parents chose this album but a good friend of mine at the time made a very smart ass comment that it was a kind of album that a parent would buy. He was sort of right but I guess this helped me to learn about early Billy Joel and the tracks on albums that aren't big hits.
This whole album is not exactly big hits. When Mr. Joel started out he worked with studio musicians on his first few albums. After a few years he got a band together and preferred the way they sounded on the early songs. So the new Live versions on the songs were put together in a new album. The new versions are great.
The album starts with Miami 2017 a post apocalyptic tale of New York city and the driving of the song and the crowd really stand out live and shows why he picked the songs to be on this live album. I also really enjoyed Streetlife Serenader, Everyone Loves You Know. The last track, I've Loved These Days is a stand out, really shows the overindulgence and decadence of the 70's and how it is almost romantic.
I think this is a great album for people who have heard the Glass Houses and 52nd Street and want more. I really enjoyed it and formed a lot of what I looked for in music.
Until next review be good to your ears and listen to the best
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