Indie Blues Music

I got this CD 3 years ago, and I have loved it ever since. At the time I didn't know much about folk music except for people like Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthery, whom I had heard my parents play. I didn't realize at the time what a good album this was. It contains a variety of really good folk songs from groups like Indigo Girls and Sweet Honey in the Rock. All of the recordings are live, which just adds to the effect of these really good songs. I especially enjoyed Arrow (Cheryl Wheeler), American Tune (Indigo Girls), and Cry like an Angel (Shawn Colvin). Some of each artist's best efforts are on this disk. Pete Seeger is the exception, but he is getting a bit old to sing so his music can't be rated on the same scale. If you like the folk music traditions of Bob Dylan and pete seeger, or enjoy any of these groups, I strongly encourage you to get the CD. It is a great compliation of the new generation folk singers and it introduced me to several of my favorite groups.

David Binney assembles an octet for this set of 12 mostly good songs. Donny McCaslin plays tenor sax, Steve Armor is on trombone, Uri Caine plays piano, Ben Monder is on guitar, Scott Colley plays bass, Jeff Hirshfield is on drums, and Daniel Sadownick plays percussion. McCaslin, Colley, and Hirshfield went on with Binney to form Lan Xang. After a short opener, "See How Fine My Address Was" is a song in the usual Binney style. The Binney style is an interesting, knotty-sounding song with a little funk thrown in. "The Three Stars" comes out brassier, and swings. "Without You", "Meddler" and "Surrounding As Influence" are more traditional sounding ballads. "Watch Your Head" and "Rue De Fishes" come back to the Binney style - they're both good songs. "Dream Of Five Places" is a ballad that seems fairly free until the band crescendoes in the middle, then settles back down. "Cochise" is an up-tempo funky song. The title track starts and ends quietly, but is mostly swinging. "Last Of The Day" alternates a section with three lines interacting simultaneously with quiet sections.

This is a very good CD, and it's helped by the top-notch playing on it. Fans of modern jazz or David Binney should get this one.

Love that funny little song, and "little" Josh doing it with his dad is precious!

I own quite a few Fred McDowell C.D.'s and let me tell you this is his best on the Arhoolie & Fuel label his stuff doesn't feel as raw as this (no offense Fred) when I hear this C.D. Fred McDowell almost scares me I get chills down my back when I hear the songs "Six White Horses"(which can only be found here), "The Girl I'm Loving", and "Diving Duck Blues" are excellent Delta Blues songs Fred McDowell is right up their or even above Son House & other Delta Bluesmen (yes I just went their) and when he pairs up with his wife Annie McDowell on "Get Right Church", "Keep your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" there right up there with Blind Willie Johnson and his wife Angeline Johnson. All right enough rambling trust me get this C.D. if your new to Fred McDowell or haven't got it yet, also after you buy this get "Live at the GasLight"(thats a whole other story).p.s. Fred McDowell had been around just as long as Son House, Robert Johnson and others he was just never recorded until the early 60's.

I remeber the first time I saw this C.D. in a bookstore/record store in Universal city I was going through their most excellent Blues selection and I saw this C.D. with a very serious looking Blackman on the cover and on top of that it was titled "My Home is in the Delta" well being a Blues freak of course I picked it up and listen to the song samples, right away I was mesmerized. Why haven't I heard of this guy before? I had already experienced Robert Johnson, Son House & Blind Willie Johnson etc. well come to find out Fred Mcdowell is a total legend and I was new. Now I own quite a few Fred McDowell C.D.'s and let me tell you this is his best on the Arhoolie & Fuel label his stuff dosen't feel as raw as this (almost has a pop feel to it at times, no offense Fred) when I here this C.D. Fred McDowell almost scares me sends chills down my back on songs like "Six White Horses" (which only can be found here) "The Girl I'm Loving", "Diving Duck Blues" are excellent Delta Blues songs. Fred McDowell is right up there or even above Son House & other Delta Blues men (yes I just went their) and when he pairs up with his wife Annie Mae on "Get Right Church", "Keep your Lamped Trimmed and Burning" there right up there with Blind Willie Johnson and his wife Angeline Johnson. Allright enough rambling trust me get this if your new to Fred McDowell or haven't got it yet, also after you buy this get "Live at the GasLight" (thats a whole other story).p.s. Fred McDowell had been around just as long as Son House, Robert Johnson and others he was just never recorded until the early 60's

I remeber the first time I saw this C.D. in a bookstore/record store in Universal city I was going through their most excellent Blues selection and I saw this C.D. with a very serious looking Blackman on the cover and on top of that it was titled "My Home is in the Delta" well being a Blues [person] of course I picked it up and listen to the song samples, right away I was mesmerized. Why haven't I heard of this guy before? I had already experienced Robert Johnson, Son House & Blind Willie Johnson etc. well come to find out Fred Mcdowell is a total legend and I was new. Now I own quite a few Fred McDowell C.D.'s and let me tell you this is his best on the Arhoolie & Fuel label his stuff dosen't feel as raw as this (almost has a pop feel to it at times, no offense Fred) when I here this C.D. Fred McDowell almost scares me sends chills down my back on songs like "Six White Horses" (which only can be found here) "The Girl I'm Loving", "Diving Duck Blues" are excellent Delta Blues songs. Fred McDowell is right up there or even above Son House & other Delta Blues men (yes I just went their) and when he pairs up with his wife on "Get Right Church", "Keep your Lamped Trimmed and Burning" there right up there with Blind Willie Johnson and his wife Angeline Johnson. Allright enough rambling trust me get this if your new to Fred McDowell or haven't got it yet, also after you buy this get "Live at the GasLight" (thats a whole other story).p.s. Fred McDowell had been around just as long as Son House, Robert Johnson and others he was just never recorded until the early 60's

I remeber the first time I saw this C.D. in a bookstore/record store in Universal city I was going through their most excellent Blues selection and I saw this C.D. with a very serious looking Blackman on the cover and on top of that it was titled "My Home is in the Delta" well being a Blues freak of course I picked it up and listen to the song samples, right away I was mesmerized. Why haven't I heard of this guy before? I had already experienced Robert Johnson, Son House & Blind Willie Johnson etc. well come to find out Fred Mcdowell is a total legend and I was new. Now I own quite a few Fred McDowell C.D.'s and let me tell you this is his best on the Arhoolie & Fuel label his stuff dosen't feel as raw as this (almost has a pop feel to it at times, no offense Fred) when I here this C.D. Fred McDowell almost scares me sends chills down my back on songs like "Six White Horses" (which only can be found here) "The Girl I'm Loving", "Diving Duck Blues" are excellent Delta Blues songs. Fred McDowell is right up there or even above Son House & other Delta Blues men (yes I just went their) and when he pairs up with his wife on "Get Right Church", "Keep your Lamped Trimmed and Burning" there right up there with Blind Willie Johnson and his wife Angeline Johnson. Allright enough rambling trust me get this if your new to Fred McDowell or haven't got it yet, also after you buy this get "Live at the GasLight" (thats a whole other story).p.s. Fred McDowell had been around just as long as Son House, Robert Johnson and others he was just never recorded until the early 60's

I own quite a few Fred McDowell C.D.'s and let me tell you this is his best on the Arhoolie & Fuel label his stuff doesn't feel as raw as this (no offense Fred) when I hear this C.D. Fred McDowell almost scares me I get chills down my back when I hear the songs "Six White Horses"(which can only be found here), "The Girl I'm Loving", and "Diving Duck Blues" Fred McDowell is right up their or even above Son House & other Delta Bluesmen (yes I just went there) and when he pairs up with his wife Annie McDowell on "Get Right Church", "Keep your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" there right up there with Blind Willie Johnson and his wife Angeline Johnson. All right enough rambling trust me get this C.D. if your new to Fred McDowell or haven't got it yet, also after you buy this get "Live at the GasLight"(thats a whole other story).p.s. Fred McDowell had been around just as long as Son House, Robert Johnson and others he was just never recorded until the early 60's.

This is a wonderful collection of blues, soul and R&B and zydeco from New Orleans and the bayous of Louisiana. And a great introduction to lesser known artists who really deserve to be heard, like Charles Sheffield. But of course there are also the well known artists, such as the Neville Brothers and Clifton Chenier. This album is guaranteed to get your feet tapping. The 24 page booklet includes an essay about Louisiana and it's music, and a page devoted to each song and it's artist, and photos.

I heard this CD in a gift shop in Lewes, DE, and found myself dancing in the aisles. It is as much blues as what you might think of as traditional cajun-style music. It reminded my friend and me of Etta James, but with assorted artists and great blues stylings. I can't wait to have my hands on my own copy!

First of all, I have to vent and say that calling this album "Louisiana Gumbo" was a total copout.... Referring to Louisiana as a "gumbo" of cultures is possibly the tritest and most worn-out way to refer to the state, and it gets older and older every time I see it. There must be more creative and original ways to name an album.

That said, this is a pretty good album. The songs are mostly New Orleans-style, there are a couple of Zydeco cuts but no real Cajun songs; a little more diversity would've been nice, but seeing what a butcher job Putumayo did on their "Cajun" collection, maybe I should be thankful they didn't try (their "Zydeco" collection is really wonderful, though!).

If you love New Orleans music, though, you'll be thrilled. This album makes for a nice primer for those who aren't familiar with the music at all, as well. It's a nice one to have in your arsenal, for sure.

If you want a really thorough and complete Louisiana collection, consider picking up Doctors, Professors, Kings and Queens: The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans instead, it's much more of an investment, but it's a much higher-quality (and much larger) collection.

Hot & Spicy, Tasty & Fulfilling.....just what gumbo is supposed to be! First heard in a little local boutique, I was shakin my shimmie from the first song on and just HAD to buy it! Makes me wish I were strollin down d'bayou or scoffing up some of Tipatina's finest right now. I've bought several copies to give as gifts (some weren't all that excited until they gave it a listen; now those people are turning others onto it). I've given a couple other zy CD's a try but like the man says, "It ain't the same thang".......buy it and enjoy the Big Easy in your own easy chair.

I don't remember buying this CD, but I certainly remember the first time I played it. It is a fantastic collection of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco. Particularly like 'Festis', but really all of it is good.

This item was in perfect condition when i received it; just as the description said it would be.

Alt-country's seminal masters offer another master class as to why their songwriting stays consistently compelling in what on the surface could seem little more than contractual fulfillment but reveals sturdy layers and crafty composition upon each revisit.

Great album, my review is to let you know that though the vinyl version is marked "Include Bonus CD of the Complete Album", my copy came with a 3-song sampler... I am contacting Nonesuch Records about this but not holding my breath...

None of the other reviews I've read here seems to have noticed that this beautiful album is a song cycle about a man (Tweedy) struggling to remain positive, hopeful and open-hearted while his partner has (temporarily?) left their home together to go back to living with her mother.

This is a great plug-in, listen start-to-finish album. All of the tracks are solid, yet different enough one to the next to keep your interest. Indeed, I find something new I like just about every time I listen. Guitarist Nils Cline brings a great new dimension to Wilco. His playing is very original if sometimes uncontrolled. Tweedy's lyrics are sometimes too introspectic and, well, depressing. But they are definitely deeper than the average lyrics without being heavy-handed.

Covers of pop standards use her characteristic rough-hewn, dry-and-sensuous torch style to find surprising unity in blues, boogie-woogie, disco, American popular song, and Randy Newman's songs. Mainly songs of loss. The band is up to it-tough, tight, and bluesy. She offers more smirk than suffering-is it ironic distance, a Broadway cabaret attitude too far from the street, or inattention? This leap into blues-based American material highlights that she is more Euro than American in spirit. She did not listen, with Van Morrison, to AFN. The hard darkness in her style is more Berlin than New York, much less Chicago. Her sax and piano players are not pure Euro, but they are too tight for the American blues or Southern church-little funk or swing; their grit is urban, not country. "Black coffee," one of the stronger cuts and a sort of centerpiece for the CD, drives these points home. Accept it! She's a cabaretiste first and foremost. Enjoy her Euro version of hard darkness. But do "Pull up to my bumper" and "Strange fruit" really belong on the same CD? [47:42]

Much has been written about vocalists and worth of material recorded throughout a career . . .

It is this writer's opinion that everything is subjective and all is open to criticism - yet a gift is a gift, a voice is a voice, a talent is a talent . . . .to be used as the artist wishes to use it. Having said that, Patti Austin has always been a special artist with wide-ranging talents and taste in music. Because of her diversity often she has been ignored or misunderstood, as the record business is keen on categorizing music and performer. Austin sings everything equally well, from "jazz" to "country" to "soul" to "pop". She is the the true meaning of vocalist and any and every recording she has ever made is worth the cost of purchase. "In & Out Of Love" is no exception to the Austin legacy. Though on the Concord/Vista label, this record should not be deemed a jazz recording. It is, in fact one of Austin's most funky, soulful outings since her days on Quincy Jones' Qwest Records in the 80s. Each and every track here has something to offer - proving again that Austin does sing everything well, with a unique understanding about the heart of each genre.

The title song is the opener of the set and it almost says "I'm Baack!" to diehard fans, as she easily flows through a jeep-heavy R&B mid-tempo. The ballads, especially "I'll Never Get Over You" and "Once in A Lifetime" are heavenly, and the funk of "Totally Unacceptable", the spirited R&B of "Doe Si Do In" are splendid showcases for this vocalists' vocalist.

"If We're Not In Love" is a gem as is the dance/club track "Why You Wanna Be Like That"! Also, worth mentioning is the splendid "I Offer You Love" (a soulful duet with strong session vocalist Tony Lindsay), the up-tempo re-make of "Summer Breeze" and the gospel-tinged "I Will Be There".

Austin's ever-glowing star shines throughout this entire CD, but it is most clear with her Grammy-worthy delivery on the updated 1950s "Maybe" that there is something just not right with a music industry that still refuses to give the mega-talented singer her propers!

This is a CD worthy of repeated plays, indefinitely ...

kprovo@hotmail.com

So they took Patti's Japan-Only release "Jukebox Dreams" and replaced some of the arguably weaker tracks with some great new material and finally brought it to the US. The result is one of the consistently strongest sets by Ms. Austin, ever. My only complaint is that they should have left "Kiss" in - that tune was catchy!

The last CD I purchased by Ms Austin was ....well it was vinyl....called The Real Me. That became my favorite LP. B4 that, I had only bought a 12 single of "Gonna Be Special" (LOVE IT!!) This cd is jam packed with some great tunes but my favs are:

1.In & Out of Love: Smooth and soulful!!! "...doin' it sooo good"

2.Why you Wanna..: nice club/house song that has an essence of Diana Ross (vocally) Patti is singing in an upper register. It sounds so good!

3.Summerbreeze: There is an electric guitar on this song that drives me wild!!!!!!

Great cd by an underrated singer!!!!

Patti is one of our finest vocalists, and I always anxiously await new releases from her. This 1998 release is not one of her best, but it's mainly because of the material, rather than her impeccably good vocals. While there's nothing wrong with trying to appeal to the current musical audience, I am disappointed in her choice of songs. There are, however, some excellent tracks: "Summer Breeze," the remake of the 1970's song by Seals and Croft is a great update and fun to listen to; the ballads "I'll Never Get Over You" and "Once in a Lifetime" are treasures too. "If We're Not in Love" and "I Will Be There" are also above average. The rest is fair to middling. But hey, I'll stop being TOO critical. Patti Austin is one of the best, and any offering from her, is worth adding to your collection!

This album is one of those in the vien of Patti Labelles "GEMS" and Anita Bakers "Rapture" you put it on and you don't want to ever take it off. I think my current record is about 6 times thru nonstop. I love this album. It sets a mood and then never breaks it. Perhaps none of the songs are the very best ever written but there are some gems in here and some wonderful lyrics that Patti fills with emotion.

I guess the best thing I can say is that when I play this at work; everyone who comes in (and I mean white, black, male female young old) and hears this is saying "Who is that woman? write that down I want to buy that!" Enough said you need this album.