Eric Bibb has been generally categorized as an acoustic blues player, but like Keb' Mo', the contemporary artist he most resembles, Bibb actually only uses blues forms on occasion, and it no doubt helps to get the listener in the door, but what is really on display here is a smooth-as-velvet singer/songwriter. It's curious that he dedicates A Ship Called Love to the great Curtis Mayfield, because Bibb is really much closer to Mayfield in tone and approach than he is to a Blind Lemon Jefferson, say, and the title cut here, which leads off the album, owes more than a little to Mayfield's faux gospel classic "People Get Ready." ………

On this venture, Keb' Mo' not only demonstrates his continued musical excellence but transforms familiar songs into fresh renditions that have a personal feel. Thank God for an artist like Keb' to share with those of us who appreciate real artists in a world of commercial music that says nothing.

Bob Dylan, the eternal enigma, comes again out of nowhere with this studio album, his 33rd, and his third in this decade after the brilliant Love and Theft (2001) and Modern Times (2006) albums. While both those albums' musical themes centered around Americana and blues, this album takes a new turn. "Together Through Life" starts off with a blazing Tex-Mex-themed "Beyond Here Lies Nothing", and it really sets the table for the rest of the album. Veering away mostly from the blues-themed and heavy "Modern Times", the album feels lighter in approach and atmosphere, as in "My Wife's Home Town", where you can hear Dylan crack a smile actually. The Tex-Mex themes are never far away, as in "If You Ever Go To Houston". Interestingly, Dylan co-wrote all but one of the songs' lyrics with Robert Hunter, he of Grateful Dead fame (co-writing with Jerry Garcia). Equally noteworthy in my book is that Dylan's vocals are as clear as I've heard them in many, many years. The album's closer "It's All Good" sums up the album perfectly.

The Basement Tapes makes me feel warm and comfortable, like putting on a warm flannel blanket on a chilly night. The songs are relaxed and low-key, with an unpretentious style that invites the listener into this timeless collection of real Americana tunes. Many of the songs feel like they could have been written in the 1800's, they have such a timeless quality. As far as the actual music, most of the songs are generally what you could call folk-rock, in that eclectic style The Band did so well. The singing is relaxed and pleasant, with none of the vicious snarl that Dylan had used when he moved from acoustic folk to electric. I think a lot of the charm of this album is because the musicians believed they were only recording rough demos that were never meant for public release. Hence, there was no pressure to be perfect. But what perfection they achieved in their relaxed, low-fi setting. If you like The Band, you will like this album. If you like Dylan, you will like this album. Even if you don't like The Band or Dylan, you may still like this album, which stands as a unique musical accomplishment.

Lynn Miles' "Night In A Strange Town" works its hypnotic magic slowly and deliberately. Its effect on the listener is profound, powerful, but the songs require many listenings to truly grasp their ultimate rewards. The music is deceptively mellow and belie the pain, yearning and irony of the lyrics. Miles yearns for perfection but is resigned to the imperfection of life and love. "I've been hurting so long for the perfect romance but I could not taste the honey for the bees...sometimes it's ok to be brought to your knees," she movingly emotes in "Perfect Romance" The bitter irony in her songs is perfectly represented in the song "Wrong": "Love is not bitter, love is not cold, love is not a weapon." but "love gave you sad answers and a hurt that won't heal..."
Miles has fashioned a moving, perceptive triumph- a collection of songs that slowly creeps up on you and never lets you go. It is, unquestionably, a great tour de force from this excellent Canadian singer/songwriter.

This album is an excellent collection of great songs from the past. Mo' does a journeyman's job of delivering these tunes, letting the lyric and melodies speak for themselves. One of my favorites is his piano-backed version of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'." Using piano rather than guitar and Mo's world-weary wisdom result in a hopeful and unique rendition of this classic. The Youngbloods' peace anthem "Get Together" also works exquisitely with Paulinho Da Costa's percolating percussion. Alicia Keys recently re-did Donny Hathaway's classic "Someday We'll All Be Free." Keb's version again polishes this most beautiful of melodies. Other tracks like Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and the Rascals' "People Got to Be Free" also work well. This set is upbeat and hopeful, not too distant from "Big Wide Grin" where Keb' did other cover tunes. This is an excellent set from one of our best. Enjoy!

The simple blues-informed pop charms of L.A. songwriter Kevin Moore remain unchanged in his eighth album. All twelve of these songs about romance and its triumphs and failures go down easy, thanks to his unhurried and unmannered singing, and arrangements that run slow and spare. That openness allows Moore's slide playing, perfected on the porch of Mississippi delta bluesman Eugene Powell, to add subtle, pretty decoration to tunes like "Your Love" and "Eileen." He's got a sympathetic cohort in John Porter, who also produced Moore's debut album and is especially adept at capturing the sounds of the acoustic instruments that dominate this disc. After pursuing all the twists and turns of love and its baggage on Suitcase, Moore ends the CD with "Life Is Beautiful," an ode to the pure and basic joys of life as a couple, reflected in a blithely primal trio accompaniment of crisp acoustic guitar, mandolin, and drums.

Keb' Mo' has crafted an eclectic set of songs for this album. All share the elements that make the blues great; story telling lyrics that cut a slice from life, foot-tapping rhythm, a deep, rich bass line and a little bottle neck guitar. The cuts range from soulful ballads like "Henry" and "I Don't Know" to funky numbers like "I Was Wrong" and "A Better Man." All share clean lyrics and positive messages - there is no need to put the kids to bed before you put this one on. If you like contemporary blues, done well, by an artist who is a leader in the genre, get this album. I think you will appreciate every song.

Keb' Mo' lets his light shine on this CD. The music is a mix of blues, pop, with a bit of gospel and even bluegrass thrown in. The first track, "France" sets an upbeat mood, and makes you smile from the start. "Let Your Light Shine" has an affirming message with a gospel tone. The sardonic "Prosperity Blues" laments that things can be so good, they're bad. And the title track, "Keep it Simple" features some of the best guitar work on the CD.
Keb's "Riley B. King" is a great tribute to a great man, and it features outstanding guitar solos from Robert Cray and Robben Ford. In "House In California" we get to hear Keb's bango playing, and some fine bluegrass instrumentation. Background vocals on the song are provided by Vince Gill, Amy Grant, and Andrea Zonn (who also plays the violin on the track). The other tracks are not disappointing, either. This is not "low down blues" but "up high blues". Keb's in fine voice and great songwriting form.

In my opinion at least 7 of the songs here could have been a hit !!. My favorite song on this CD is "The Action", because the lyrics sum up feelings that everybody has for that special someone in their life. Other stand out songs here are, "That's Not Love", "Dangerous Mood", "Standin' at the Station", "Perpetual Blues Machine", "Momma Where's my Daddy". On a few of his CD, Keb has done covers of Robert Johnson and his cover of "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" would do RJ proud. If you are a true music fan, I dont think that you will be disappointed adding this to your collection.

This is a rare bootleg with 8 live recordings made in the 60s. Though the sound quality is far from spectacular, it is an interesting compilation for the real Burdon fan and/or collector !!

Mirage was one of the finest albums of the 1970's by Burdon. The soundtrack for a proposed United Artists film with the Vietnam War as its subject matter, the music recorded by Burdon, such as 'Dragon Lady', 'River Of Blood', 'Mind Arc' and 'Driftin'/Geronimo's Last Stand', was some of the finest of his career. Exploring the genres of Rock, Psychedelia and African beats, the sessions also saw Burdon record the song "Mirage", written by Jimi Hendrix on the night he died. Sadly, first the film and latterly a proposed double album release by Atlantic Records were shelved and the Mirage album and sessions were consigned to the archives. Fortunately these four "Mirage" sessions were released as this bootleg. A true collectors item !!!!

"The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings" contains 20 discs with in total 452 songs, and that means every Sinatra recording on the Reprise label from 1960 to 1988 in chronological order. It features more than 24 hours of music, and is available in both a standard edition, and limited edition in a leather box. This set was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Historical Album and Best Recording Package – Boxed.
In 1961, Sinatra inaugurated his own label, claiming the artistic freedom he longed for in the fifties. He then proceeded to do it his way, and this 20-disc set is the painstakingly detailed account of that artistic journey……….

"The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings" contains 20 discs with in total 452 songs, and that means every Sinatra recording on the Reprise label from 1960 to 1988 in chronological order. It features more than 24 hours of music, and is available in both a standard edition, and limited edition in a leather box. This set was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Historical Album and Best Recording Package – Boxed.
In 1961, Sinatra inaugurated his own label, claiming the artistic freedom he longed for in the fifties. He then proceeded to do it his way, and this 20-disc set is the painstakingly detailed account of that artistic journey……….

"The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings" contains 20 discs with in total 452 songs, and that means every Sinatra recording on the Reprise label from 1960 to 1988 in chronological order. It features more than 24 hours of music, and is available in both a standard edition, and limited edition in a leather box. This set was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Historical Album and Best Recording Package – Boxed.
In 1961, Sinatra inaugurated his own label, claiming the artistic freedom he longed for in the fifties. He then proceeded to do it his way, and this 20-disc set is the painstakingly detailed account of that artistic journey……….