Neil Plakcy delivers with his duo in Tunisia...
342862
I am an avowed Neil Plakcy fan, and I was interested in the Tunisian series, not only because of Aiden and Liam, but because of the setting in a country about which I know little.  I keep running to my computer as I read these books, looking up things Neil refers to, and getting some physical sense of what the setting is.  Neil does such a tantalizing job of this.

But the core of the book is not the rather interesting cloak-and-dagger plot, concerning a grouchy Turkmeni teenager (Maks)who our boys are supposed to protect while at a six-week English training course in a Tunisian monastery on the ocean. I enjoyed that, handled as deftly as Neil does his "Mahu" mystery plots.

But of course the whole action plot (including the appearance of one of Liam's old SEAL buddies, which causes its own anxiety) is really just a vehicle for the ongoing development of the relationship between these two very different men. There's the quiet, Jewish schoolteacher from Philadelphia who fled a bad relationship and randomly ended up in Tunis. And then there's the tough, macho Navy SEAL who sacrificed his career DADT style and ended up as a private bodyguard in Tunis. The love that has developed between these two men is looked and weaves its way through the plot, as both men begin to question their life together, each insecure about how their partner feels.  Without being sappy or over-romantic, it is a gently touching story of two men beginning to figure out the long term for themselves as a couple.  With guns.
1720884
This is a truly "smokin'" set from the New Orleans based Funk, Blues, Jazz, Rock pianist Jon Cleary and his Absolute Monster gentlemen.

Recorded live in Australia last year, this performance comprises songs from Cleary's albums and some New Orleans standards of- Professor Longhair, The Meters, and King Floyd whose music remains alive in these capable hands. The playing is tight, funky and soulful, with a steady groove and some heavy riffs on guitar from "Big D" Perkins. The record is well recorded and it is impossible to stop your feet from tapping once the disc commences playing.

I listened to this disc following a listen to the new Rolling Stones Live set/soundtrack to the new film. I probably will never listen to the Stones record again but Cleary & co show how live music should be played.

Fantastic. The best live CD I have heard since Neil Young's Live at the Filmore.
3316088
The best of the new young lions of gypsy jazz. This one is their fresh arrangements of mostly standards. Olivier Kikteff and Benoit Convert tear it up throughout with great invention. Adrien Moignard joins them on a cut. Another great young player! Yannick Alcocer (guitar) and Tanguy Blum (bass) hold down the rhythm section with a mind blowing sense of swing! I think these guys are taking this music to the next level and I think its alright to say that. Bet you Django would agree! Probably will be a while before this one comes out of my CD player. In my top five all time great guitar albums.
3380986
I just saw this band in concert last night in Nashville, TN. It was fabulous and can't wait to receive their CD in the mail. If you are a francophile but also love celtic music, this band is right up your alley.
783983
I'm writing this in the middle of 'Someone's Gonna Rescue You'. It's my first listen to this album and if the rest of it is even a tenth as good as what I've heard so far it'll still be be better than anything Neil's done in the last twenty years (maybe 30). It's almost impossible to believe that this noise (both electric and acoustic) could be coming from someone in his mid-sixties. This sounds like the first album from some punk in his early 20's - someone like Jack White. I've always been a huge fan of Young's electric guitar work and here it's front and centre. Adding Daniel Lanois to the mix is like putting the whipped cream on a great piece of pie - perfection. There's another thing on this album that's missing on 99% of the music out there - space. The music is full of reverb, echo, and all the great things that makes music come alive. It doesn't sound like it's recorded in some sterile studio environment (I could be wrong but I'd be surprised if Lanois wasn't totally ripped on some good BC bud during these sessions). Seriously, how many times have you listened to an otherwise good album and wished they'd pushed the echo a bit or added some digital delay to give it more of a concert sound? This is Neil Young's equivalent of Buddy Guy's Sweet Tea album - an album produced by someone who had previously only done punk music and wanted to bring some of that to the blues - resulting in Guy's most compelling album. As for Neil, thankfully he's put his politics and his 'I hate George Bush' schtick on the back burner and delved into a more personal realm. Bush and the neo cons were an easy and obvious target and it just got tedious. I'm onto 'Hitchhiker' now and this album has gotten even better. The lyrics are biting and I love the references to 'Cortez the Killer'territory, probably Young's finest song. 'Peaceful Valley Boulevard' is just plain beautiful and I can already tell that this album is way to short. 'Rumblin' is just starting - time to quite writing and just listen. Best album of the year - no question.
3654866
There's No Such Thing As An "La Kalle 105.9 Choice Award", But If There Was, I Would Give This CD A Nod, And Plus The Track Featuring Bennie Man, Is A SURE-SHOT HIT! (Next To My 2nd Best, "Calie")

BUY THIS ALBUM, THE LA KALLE MOVEMENT CONTINUES, HEAVY HITTERS/STRICTLY LIVE!
2078358
The "O" being at Paris' L'Olympia famous concert venue. Ahmad Jamal's recordings are often hit-and-miss with me, but this album is a home run. His milestone recording that put him on the musical map was At The Pershing and this 70th birthday bash of November 2000 is another brilliant example of the charm of live recordings. Jamal's customary trio of Idris Muhammad on drums and James Cammack on bass is supplemented here with George Colman on tenor saxophone. Jamal arranges his own music, and the addition of the saxophone allows Jamal to step back at times as support. This ad hoc quartet produces richness in improvisation and musical interactions, and I hope that Jamal would further explore the quartet approach on his tours. Nicely recorded with sound depth and clarity, the perfomance is exciting. The first track, Night Has A Thousand Eyes, launches the evening brilliantly. Jamal's chord strikes and bass runs propel Autumn Leaves. Colman and Jamal's exchanges on My Foolish Heart are a joy. The final track, Aftermath, is Jamal's own composition, which allows the trio (Colman sits out) to stretch and explore. Jamal fans should own this recording, one of his best.
2689350
This thrilling 2 CD set of Balkan music spans the entire region: Greece, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Macedonia and Roma. Network did a fine job of a difficult task, selecting thoroughly enjoyable music representative of the area. My favorites are Greek, Albanian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Roma (gypsy).
I love Niki Traka(female vocalist) on the rembetika song, "Heis Allon Sti Kardia". The "Cafe Aman" beat of Asia Minor (Turkey)always sends a chill down my spine. When Psarantonis from Crete plays the lyra, he creates a hypnotic trance that is enhanced by his heart-felt vocals. The Romanian selections are all very noteworthy - fantastic cimbalom improvisations, melismatic vocals, along with breath-taking violin ornamentation. The Roma musicians and vocalists are of the highest caliber, the brass band music of Kocani Orkestar and Ferus Mustafov are outstanding. There is a wide variety of Bulgarian styles - music with unusual dissonance and texture, intense rhythms, unique melodies, a female choir, and dance music in the rachenitsa (7/8) rhythm. Ensemble Tirana (Albania) presents a beautiful polyphonic example, with drone, unusual ornamentation through vocal dissonance - human voices that sound like an orchestra!
"Balkan Blues" is one of the best compilations of music from this region. Anyone wanting to experience a wide range of traditional music from the Balkans, played on authentic folk instruments, or modern versions of the older style, should buy this set of CDs. One feels the intense, raw energy of the region expressed through music and song. A magnificent musical tour!
Erika Borsos (erikab93)
841297
This is a 2015 RoxVox records release. It contains 19 tracks totaling 75 minutes playing time. The audio quality is very good for a mid/late seventies radio broadcast.

The set consists of two concerts and the play list contains a generous sampling of material drawn from CS&N, Stills-Young Band and Stephens solo work.

The artist also performs some obscure selections as Taken At All, I Give You Give Blind and a pleasant interpretation of Fred Neils classic composition, Everybodys Talkin.

The CDs key attraction is the quality of the performance. Stills is in exceptionally fine voice and he displays a powerful energy playing a variety of instruments, i.e. keys, banjo, acoustic and electric guitar.

The majority of the two concerts consist of solo performances. However, the artist is accompanied by a stellar rhythm section for some select numbers. Legendary bassist George Chocolate" Perry and drummer supreme, Joe Vitale, share the stage with Stills and display a brilliant interweaving thats truly inspiring.

Comprehensive liner notes provide insightful background into these two musical events.

No Stills fan will be disappointed by this release.

Stephen Stills today, continues on the concert trail chasing his muse. His playing, more then not, reaching new creative levels. His singing is seasoned, consistently presenting fresh levels of interpretation on his classic compositions.

That said, hell never sound again like he sounds on this CD.

Play the CD and enjoy the moment.
695203
Musical discovery of the year! This record is sublime. Highest level of musicianship, very exotic, given Dhafer Youssef Tunisian heritage and at the same time translates easily for a Western ear.
If you are into world music, get this disk!
1327621
Burning record! Rotondi and Alexander kill it Switzerland!  Organist and drummer are local but can totally hang.  I thought the organist might be Larry Goldings but not quite to that level.  First rate though, he definitely has some Larry Young to him and comes in hard in left hand trading 4's on bar 146 (haha just kidding I wasn't counting bars).  Love the pocket on the third track, like a Miles bossa thing.  Great grooves with just the right balance of grit and polish. Great tune selection.  Love the melody line on the first tune.  Great solos - Rotondi and Alexander sound like the giants they are.  It must suck to be a jazz musician.  So much talent, so little pay.
2272664
Neil is Neil....this could have easily been a Crazy Horse album, although Promise Of The Real do a fine job getting to the spirit of these songs, besides throwing in a few blistering guitar solos. The message is heartfelt and urgent, and probably won't get much airplay on corporate radio. Neil is not above borrowing a few melody ideas from the likes of Please Please Me, Dear Prudence and (throwing up a little in my mouth) The Hokey Pokey, but he makes it work. The songs were recorded live for the most part, and the video is pretty much the guys playing the songs, set up inside Oxnard's Teatro theatre. There are some ragged edges, especially in the vocal dept, but what do you expect from the Godfather of Grunge?
2383830
I've always wanted to see Chris use his talents to explore many avenues of music, and he did it again. The unprecedented combination of Timbaland and Cornell make this album an innovative musical collaboration. Each song has the strong lyrical and vocal astonishment brought by Chris Cornell combined with the funky (if a tad overdone at times) beats and mixes that Timbaland is famous for. I love that Chris was willing to break yet another musical stereotype and explore new and innovative musical styles. Don't judge on the first listen (when you pick out your favorites), each listen through of the album gives me more appreciation of each song. Excellent album!
1562312
Eric Hilton and Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation are two undisputed masters of cool who have released one of the richest and most engaging albums of the year: "The Richest Man in Babylon."  To call these guys mere chillout gurus is to do this duo a disservice. On this album, they've taken cafe lounge to exciting heights, incorporating reggae, Eastern influences, and African styles into their already tightly-woven grooves.  "Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes" gets things right with its frosty vocals from Emillana Torrini.  "Facing East" grooves along thanks to its (surprise) Eastern flavor and its sitar, while the electro-laced "Omid (Hope)" delivers airy vocals, mid-tempo drum loops, and light touches of synth bleepery.  Reggae gets tossed into the mix in the form of "Exilo (Exile)," and the stellar title track stands out wonderfully.  Using both electronic beats and real instruments, Theivery Corporation weave together a multitextured album that cements the duo's reputation as one of the classiest recording acts around.  "The Richest Man in Babylon" is more than just music to listen to.  It's also music to live by.
3377528
Just loved this combination of CD and DVD of these talented fellows. It's just like being in Vegas with them when you see the antics and hear the beautiful music. They were having a blast as well as entertaining us. I would certainly recommend this product to family and friends. All that great talent together on one stage, you will never see this again, not like the Rat Pack .
1719848
This is the best produced, most perfect CD that I have ever heard.  Not only did Sonny match the songs to the guests perfectly, Sonny and the guests are giving their best performances for this project.  And we can't forget the stunning performances of David Ranson (bass) and Mike Burch (drums).  Sonny, Dave and Mike are an awesome power trio and adding the special guests to the mix just kicks it up a notch (or 5!!!).

One of the biggest surprises is Jimmy Buffett singing background vocals with Dr. John on "Howlin' Moon".  The song melds perfectly the piano and guitar, and also has that swampy, spooky Louisiana feel.

"Blue Tarp Blues" with Mark Knopfler brings on the emotion of seeing Sonny's beloved South Louisiana destroyed while the Federal Government kept an eye in the sky and offered little in the way of help.

I could go on and on about this lush, gorgeous, wonderful CD, but check out the sound samples.  You'll be getting this one for sure.
2613933
We were able to meet TPG before their show in our town. If you're a fan of their music, you are likely a fan of their videos. If you're a fan of their videos, you'll be pleased to know that these totally unpretentious guys are as funny and lively in person as they appear to be in their videos. The CD is well crafted, recorded perfectly, and highly entertaining. The only reason that I give this a 4-star rating instead of a 5 is because their videos are so much more entertaining than the music alone! Although the music stands very well on its own, there is much to be said for watching these guys perform! They are at least as visual as they are musical - perhaps even more so!