Roots Rock Music

I'm sorry folks...Ryan just doesn't write songs this good anymore. I think everything he wrote from this period to around "Rock N Roll" is magnificent. But all 3 albums he released in 2005 were weak and Easy Tiger is just a slight notch above them, but not much. Compare any of his post-2004 output to anything from this album. Every song here is beautiful and heartfelt. Even the weaker songs are carried along by beautiful vocal harmonies and rich intrumentation. Amazing melodies, choruses, etc. What more can I say? I honestly like this album and "Faithless Street" better than "Heartbreaker", and honestly any fan of "Gold" would love this album.

this is easily one of the best albums produced in the 20th century. who puts almanac in the title of a record? this really changed my life and taste in music- if it were possible to wear out a CD, then that's what woulda happened the winter I got this back in 97 or 98. problem is, now I just can't listen to it in warm weather, it's incongruous with the attitude the album has to me.

I discovered Ryan Adams's solo work a few years ago and only recently began listening to his earlier work with Whiskeytown. I enjoy most of his solo albums, some better than others. I saw him in Baltimore at the infamous Meyerhoff show in 2005 where he was absolutely horrendous. However, on Strangers Almanac, he, Caitlin, and the entire band are wonderful.

My first Whiskeytown purchase was Faithless Street, another fantastic album in its own right. At first listen to Strangers Almanac, I didn't think it was as good. However, overtime, I changed my opinion entirely; this one certainly tops Faithless Street.

The low-key, somewhat somber opening track "In Town" conjures images of returning home to a small town after being away for whatever reason (college, military, etc), reconnecting with old friends, and realizing quickly nothing has changed, but you still call it "home". The fiddle on the track definitely sets the mode. "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart" is a strong honky-tonk influenced broken heart type of song (thus the title ). Here, the slide guitar carries the track. I like this version much more than the bonus track version on Faithless Street.

While the album is dominated by that signature Alt-Country sound, there are some serious rockers on here, like "Yesterday's News" and "Losering". "Everything I Do" has a great blues feel to it. I love the story told in "House on the Hill" - it plays like a great short story that you've read in high school literature class. "Dancing With the Women at the Bar" has the sound and feel of a prequel to "When the Stars Go Blue" on Adam's "Gold" solo disk. If I had to pick one and only one favorite track on the album, it would be "Not Home Anymore", which closes out the album, with its sadness and desperation, building to a climatic crescendo and leaves the listener only wanting more.

There isn't a weak track on the album and the CD never tires. It easily makes it into my rotation every week or so. So, while I may not pay to see Ryan in concert after my Baltimore experience, I will still continue to listen to and love his music, especially when my mood matches his somber and sad songwriting. I highly recommend, you won't be disappointed!

I am a huge fan of alt-country, roots rock, Americana or whatever you wanna call it. This is a classic in the genre. Here are some lesser known albums in the genre that are fantastic.
1) End Of The Day by The Reivers
2) Idiots by Frog Holler
3) Banjos and Sunshine by Sixty Acres

I've never been a Country music fan, more like a Hater, if truth be known, therefore, was hestitant to lay out the big bucks for a Whiskeytown CD. However, since Ryan Adams has never recorded a piece of music that doesn't speak to some part of me, I gritted my teeth and ordered "Strangers Almanac". SA must have set the whole alt country listening community on it's collective ear; I've never heard anything like it. Brilliant, provocative, ground-breaking, genius - this band of musicians play their hearts and souls out. My especial favs are "Yesterday's News" just a heart-twister of a song; "Turn Around" and, for it's originality and grace, "Somebody Remembers The Rose". Just buy it, shut up and listen. Betcha can't stop. (Ryan Adams was 22 and writing songs on the back of takeout pizza boxes at the time)

From the moment when the MC announces "Brian Setzer and his 17-piece big band" on through Brian's "Thank You And Good-Night" amidst the last wild applause from the reprise of "Rock This Town" on Disc 2, this is among the most electrifying live albums I've ever heard! High energy...a performer who loves what he does, does it damn well, and knows how to communicate that to his band..er..ORCHESTRA and to his audience.

GREAT STUFF!

What is it? Rock n' roll? Big Band Swing Jazz? Urban blues? A maddening amalgam of 'em all? Who knows, and frankly, who cares? It Makes You Feel Good...so What more could you want???

GO GET IT!!

This 2 CD collection of the Brian Setzer Orchestra is a blast. It is so high energy, that it rocks from start to finish. I love the use of themes from James Bond, Hawaii 5-0, The Pink Panther and Peter Gunn. I have had a lot of fun listening to these CD's!

Whether you love the big band sound, dig rockabilly or groove to that old time rock and rock you are sure to be impressed with The Brian Setzer Orchestra's 2004 release "The Ultimate Collection: Recorded Live". Having not heard too much by this outfit prior to purchasing this 2 disc set I was absolutely blown away by the variety and quality of the tunes I was hearing. What an unexpected treat!
"The Ultimate Collection: Recorded Live" offers up an impressive total of 31 songs from all over the musical landscape performed flawlessy by Brian Setzer and his 17 piece big band. What is even more remarkable is that this collection is the sum total of two "live" concerts. Disc one was recorded during the group's appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival in the summer of 1992. The Brian Setzer Orchestra was still feeling their oats in those halcyon days and the music has a wonderful edge to it. Disc 2 on the other hand was recorded in Tokyo in 2003. By now the presentation is highly polished and frankly amazing. According to the liner notes you are hearing these two concerts exactly as the audiences did. There was absolutely no editing needed.
Those who enjoy instrumentals will certainly appreciate the bands take on three of the most popular rock and roll instrumentals of all time. "The James Bond Theme" and "Hawaii Five-O" themes pretty much mirror the originals while the approach taken on Santo and Johnny's "Sleepwalk" is definitely different. Those who appreciate the vocal stylings of the late great Bobby Darin will not be disappointed with Brian's take on the Darin classic "As Long As I'm Singin". In much the same vein you will also enjoy the Brian Setzer penned offering "My Baby Only Cares For Me". Rockabilly fans will revel in a number of rockabilly tunes in this collection. Be sure to check out "Hoodoo Voodoo Doll" and "Your True Love" to name but a couple. Of course, everyone will fondly recall Brian's days with Stray Cats with "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut". But for me, this collection definitely saved the best for last. While "Jump, Jive 'An Wail" is undoubtedly my favorite track I also was astounded by the sheer excitement and energy demonstrated on two Glenn Miller favorites "Pennsylvania 6-5000 and "Gettin' In The Mood". Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was Brian's totally unique rendition of "Get Me To The Church On Time" from "My Fair Lady". Outstanding!
"Brian Setzer Orchestra: The Ultimate Collection: Recorded Live" comes with a colorful and informative set of liner notes. The sound quality is nothing short of spectacular and the selection of material was simply amazing to me. What a great record to play at a party! This is a collection you will come back to again and again! So as they recommend in the liner notes: "Crank it up and enjoy!" Very highly recommended!

I cannot describe how energetic and fun these two discs are from beginning to end. your collection will be greatly enhanced if you get this. it is kind of big band rock, it rules, and it has all the songs that Setzer is famous for on it. just go get it right now!

AS IS THE NORM WITH BRIAN SETZER, THERE IS NO LACK OF ENERGY. YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF THIS UPBEAT, TOE TAPPING MUSIC THAT REMINDS YOU OF MUSIC LIKE GOD INTENDED IT - AS OPPOSED TO THE "RAP CRAP" OF TODAY.

The CD arrived in a timely manner and was exactly as advertised. I will shop with this vendor again.

A favorite of mine from the 80's, it crossed my mind about a month ago and although I looked everywhere (online, used CD stores, etc) I found nothing more than mention of it anywhere I looked. Discovering that it was due (mere days from then) for re=release on an independent label, I ordered it immediately, receiving it within days. Awesome service. Awesome album. Take some time, listen to it.

Six years after the demise of the Dictators, guitarist Scott Kempner, no longer billed as "Top Ten," returned with a simple, no-frills rock & roll band, Bronx's Del Lords. Aided by lead guitarist Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Kempner sang his mix of love songs, party anthems, and social examinations in an energetic, raucous fashion matched by the band behind him. The Del Lords' debut, 1984's Frontier Days, was basic urban rock & roll, but there was no mistaking its country and R&B roots. Their next two albums, Johnny Comes Marching Home and Based On a True Story, contained some shining moments as well. After a lackluster live EP, the Del Lords bounced back with Lovers Who Wander. Ambel, who had recorded the solo album Roscoe's Gang in 1988, left the group following the release of Lovers. - Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Based on a True Story is generally another proud blast from the Bronx heartland. "We don't follow fashion," writes Kempner (in "The Cool and the Crazy"), "Who needs it when you got style?" Oddly, the band's intrinsic savoir faire is less apparent than ever before, perhaps a casualty of too many guest stars. Mojo Nixon's participation in "River of Justice" adds helpful absurdity to the proceedings, but when a multi-tracked Syd Straw and others sing the chorus, it's easy to forget exactly whose record this is. "Judas Kiss" (a Kempner composition sung by Ambel) is a tremendous song despite the wrongheaded treatment, and others - "Whole Lotta Nothin' Goin' On," "Cheyenne" and the twelve-bar "A Lover's Prayer" - find the Lords firmly in charge. - Ira Robbins, Trouser Press

The Robinson brothers' music is timeless, unique, and absolutely phenomenal!!! I love all The Black Crowes CDs - every single one of them - but this one is at the top of my list. If I had to use only one word to describe this CD, I'd have to say evocative!

If you are a Black Crowes fan, you must have this one in your collection! Great rockin' tunes from Chris Robinson and company! Stand out tune in this collection: "Remedy!"

This cd has some of my favorite Crowes tunes on it. I love sometimes salvation. I love the guitar work on this album.

With this album, The Crowes showed they were more than a Stones rip-off. Their first album was loud and raucous testosterone rock, but with their sophomore album, The Crowes infused far more soul into their songs. These songs are some of the best I have ever heard that demonstrate a thirst for, a search of, and even a disillusionment with redemption I have ever heard. Marc Ford's guitar and Ed Harsch's keys add character to the line up. With this album, The Crowes, even though they still borrowed heavily from their influences, showed there was something to their sound that set them apart. My only gripe with this cd is the mix. Yes, the songs do sound great. But there are several instances where Chris's vocals are swallowed in the mix. The lyrics are a big part of this album and Chris certainly knows how to deliver a song with a punch. His vocals should always be given their proper space. This is a minor complaint and it in no way takes away from this being a true time tested classic.

The Black Crowes sophomore effort, "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion", is one of the most overlooked and under-appreciated albums of the 1990s...or dare I say, of all time.

While casual listeners tend to gravitate towards their debut, "Shake Your Moneymaker", that record, while very, very good, was also pushed by the record company to be more 'radio friendly' in order to put the Crowes on the map. It worked, as of course the record spawned the Crowes 2 biggest hits ('Hard to Handle' and 'She Talks To Angels) and made them a household name.

But "Southern Harmony..." is the first time that the Crowes got a chance to really be the Crowes without and outside influences, and they crafted a masterpiece of swirling, psychedelic-tinged blues rock showcasing the warm, rich voice of Chris Robinson, the telepathic guitar interplay of Rich Robinson and Marc Ford, and the wildly underrated organ and keyboard work of Eddie Harsch. But all those things would mean nothing without great songs, the Crowes had them in spades during this period.

The album kicks off with a 1-2 punch of amped-up boogie rockers: the Stones-meets-Free stomp of 'Sting Me', punctuated by some soulful gospel backing vocals and Robinson's oh-so-tasty guitar solo, and the album's first single, the freight-train riff-rocker, "Remedy".

Up next is what very well may be the best Crowes tune ever, "Thorn In My Pride". A textbook example of 'less is more' instrumental interplay, the tune starts with a gorgeous, descending acoustic guitar line, accented by a sweet melody line on the hammond organ. Steve Gorman then eases his way in with his subtle percussion figure, and Ford completes the casserole with some restrained yet extremely tasty Keith Richards-like lead fills. This all before the vocal even starts. Robinson's delivery is laid-back yet powerful. Each instrument has its own pocket, a perfect place in the mix, each one clear and true without attempting to hog the spectrum. The song is the very definition of a performance whose whole is far, far greater than the sum of its parts. Brilliant.

"Bad Luck, Blue Eyes, Goodbye" follows, and this smoky blues-ballad is nearly "Thorn in My Pride"'s equal. An absolutely gorgeous vocal from Chris Robinson and absolutely perfect, loose-yet-tight playing from the rest of the band.

The guitars are turned up a little more for 'Sometimes Salvation', a descending, start-stop number once again featuring a fiery and passionate vocal from Robinson. "Hotel Illness" comes next with some crying harmonica and a bouncy, shuffling beat reminiscent of Exile-era Stones.

"Black Moon Creeping" cranks the Les Pauls and Teles up once more with its driving, insistent beat and great interplay between Chris's lead vocals and the gospel back-ups in the chorus. "No Speak No Slave" slows down the tempo a notch but does not lose a shred of intensity and thrives on some great riffage from Rich and Marc Ford.

The record climaxes with its true epic, the cascading "My Morning Song". It's a mean, tough, yet beautiful anthem. All the elements that make this band great come together on the intense chorus. The Crowes are often tagged as Stones imitators, but the orchestration and intensity here push them far out of that realm.

The album ends on a perfect note, with a laid-back, acoustic reading of Bob Marley's "Time Will Tell" providing a soulful breather after the crashing intensity of "My Morning Song".

It's hard to call an album 'perfect', but this one gets just about as close as humanly possible. There's a reason that just about every tune from this record remains a centerpiece of the Crowes live set to this day - the songs are so good, so fully realized, the playing so soulful. Each instrument compliments the next rather than trying to ape it. The songs seem to wrap around you and with each listen you discover another layer.

If you've never heard this record, or are only familiar with the radio hit "Remedy", do yourself a HUGE favor and get a copy of this masterpiece pronto.

In a prolific career spanning more than 30 years how on earth do you pick the greatest hits for a package? The answer is to make it a two CD set packed with 49 tracks that cover not only all the hits, but a huge number of fan favorites from over the years. While many artists tend to frequently repackage older material Lowe has largely eschewed that option and it's been nearly 20 years since "Basher," probably his best greatest hits package until now. While "Basher" was great compilation Lowe has continued to crank out consistently good CDs since that time which have largely been overlooked by the public even while garnering critical raves. That's a shame, because CDs like "The Impossible Bird" "Dig My Mood" and "At My Age" were all well worth the listen. The good news is you'll get samples from all of them here along with older classic Lowe material.

Lowe is probably best known to Americans for his hit "Cruel to be Kind" from nearly 30 years ago, but in his native England and elsewhere he's had more than 20 hits over the years. "Quiet Please" charts his growth and development into a truly talented musician with a knack for catchy tunes with quirky offbeat lyrics. And while most people associate Lowe's music with pub rock there's a bit more variety to his music than you'd expect, with traces of country, R&B, dancehall, Tejano and other influences. For a little variety there are tracks included from his earlier band Brinsley Schwarz, and from side projects such as Rockpile, and Little Village. Many of Lowe's mid-period CDs like "Nick the Knife" "Abominable Showman" and "Cowboy Outfit" are near impossible to find now, so this is about the only place you'll likely be able to find some of these tracks. I hadn't heard tracks like "Raging Eyes" or "Half a Boy" in ages and loved them and the videos from way back in the early MTV era...it was WELL worth the purchase price to hear them again! I can honestly say this compilation is not missing any track I wanted to hear, and that is the hallmark of a great compilation!

I was a huge Nick Lowe back in the 80's. A lot of his newer stuff is acoustic, slow and moody. I guess if you're about to slit your wrists, it's good music to slit your wrists to, but the best stuff is the early stuff and it was on Basher.

BASHER was a terrific best-of disc. But QUIET PLEASE is a true collection, a retrospective that reveals the songwriting and performing genius of Nick Lowe.

Disc One collects his earlier, more rock-oriented material; about 60% of it mirrors what's on BASHER. Highlights: "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding," a track omitted from BASHER; the vicious and funny, "American Squirm"; and the incredibly catchy "I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock and Roll)". Quibble #1: Lowe has chosen to omit his cover of John Hiatt's "She Don't Love Nobody."

Disc Two is mellower, more acoustic and more personal. As much as I like the earlier stuff, this is the disc I find myself listening to more often (like right now, as I write this). Highlights: "All Men Are Liars," which as funny as it is, cuts a little too close to the bone; "People Change," a sweet, wise and sad rumination on one of life's core truths; and "Don't Think About Her When You're Trying To Drive," the demo version of the Little Village song, which differs significantly from the previously released version.

There are 49 tracks here, so of course there are one or two clunkers. And (quibble #2) there are no printed lyrics included. But if you want to follow a major musical artist from the beginning of his career to current day, and get a look into his heart, soul and funny bone, you really won't go wrong with this utterly addictive collection.

...and not many artists can reasonably be said to _be_ a genre unto themselves. Van Morrison, perhaps, with his inimitable Celtic soul. And these guys. Amazon suggests the tags "alt country" or "roots rock" for this album. but it really isn't either. It's just The Texas Tornados.

Named after co-founder Doug Sahm's 1973 album with the Sir Douglas Quintet, The Texas Tornados were a super group of Tex-Mex veterans formed in early 1990. Freddy Fender, Augie Meyers, Flaco Jimenez, and Doug Sahm form sort of a Tex-Mex "Travelling Wilburys", playing everything from unapologetic pop and country weepers to driving garage rock and Mexican ballads. And somehow it all sounded like it did indeed belong on the same album.

Flaco Jimenez' accordion accounts for much of the album's characteristic sound, and the singers take turns or let their soulful vocals blend together like on the exquisitely melodic ballad "Laredo Rose", or the irresistable Tex-Mex-rocker "Who Were You Thinkin' Of".
Yes, Freddy Fender's "A Man Can Cry" is about as smaltzy as it gets, but his nasal, slightly fragile vocals somehow pull it off anyway.
Doug Sahm provides the driving rocker "Adios Mexico", which rides along in its deep groove propelled by Augie Meyers' Vox organ. And Augie Meyers brings his own "Dinero" to the party, sung by himself in a dry tenor voice.

We also get a delightful "Soy De San Luís", sung in Spanish by Fender and Jimenez, and then in slightly more clichéd English by Sahm, and beautiful renditions of "Baby Heaven Sent Me You" and "She Never Spoke Spanish To Me". And, well, they're all highlights, really.
The Tornados' first album was also their best, an irresistable and unique mix of numerous musical genres, and a clean five stars. There you have it. Saints and sinners all agree: Spanish is a loving tongue!

you must buy this if you like great texas musi

The Texas Tornados are like the reverse of the old big-box-containing-a-smaller-box-containg-a-smaller-box joke that your sister pulled on you when you opened your Christmas present. The band presents you with a brightly-colored package (graphically and musically) that seems somewhat modest at first but over time grows into a dear treasure. The songs unashamedly pluck at all the heartstrings with no apologies and you have to laugh at their brazen chutzpah. The musicians' credentials are voluminous and undeniable. The melding of Sahm-Meyers, Fender and Jimenez is a classic case of the whole being more that the sum of the parts. This Tex-Mex album is the AM-radio soundtrack for a sunny spring day driving south on Interstate 25 with the top down and a couple of shots of tequila just starting to warm your gut. Only the most pretentious or dour of listeners will fail to get a spiritual lift from this little gem. Don't cheat yourself-add Texas Tornados to your road collection.

With the caliber of musicians in this band this music is destined to live forever. How will any other group hope to mach the diversity of the late Doug Sahms, from down and dirty blues to the twangy pedal steel guitar, this home grown Texas superstar will shine forever. This collection of various Tornado tunes highlights well the sound and soul of the TEXAS TORNADOS.

This is always a favorite to share with others on road trips. Everybody loves to sing along! The songs are sad but they make you feel so happy. Buy this album. I've had to replace it a couple of times. Can't say that about too many other items in my music collection. Have purchased it as a gift several times too for the people who've come to love it on camping trips.

After coming to the conclusion that Washington Square Serenade (WSS) is possibly the best thing Steve Earle has ever done I was prompted to revisit his back catalouge and have not been disappointed. Given how impressed I was with WSS I seem to be listening to Copperhead Road with a new appreciation. "Townes" now seems to be entrenched at the top of my play list. Choice Stuff.

ranks right up there with "train a comin", "guitar town", and "the mountain" the sound seems better than on the original, so there must have been some good "remastering" don. and, the bonus cuts from live shows are great.

This is one of Steve Earle's best albums, and the added concerts on this Deluxe Edition are more of the same quality. Worth trading in your old copy.

Copperhead Road (1988) was Steve Earle's declaration of independence from the Nashville establishment, and it also became an important milestone in the early years of the alt-country music movement. Instrumentally diverse, the songs feature a mandolin, dobro, banjo, pedal steel, lap steel and harmonica rocking with the electric guitars, piano and drums. Celtic/outlaw-country/rock n' roll/bluegrass. There's plenty of attitude here, too.

Think backwoods whiskey stills and pot farms, trouble with the law, guns, Vietnam Vets and desperado love songs here. Steve Earle knows his way around just fine, and he's quite capable of weaving interesting yarns that effectively bring the tough people, places and situations he sings about to life. On Copperhead Road, Earle looks and sounds like a southern biker version of Springsteen/Mellencamp. One who can't seem to stay out of trouble. He does surprise us with the tender alt-bluegrass of Nothing But A Child, a touching meditation on the birth of Jesus that's very enjoyable.

The Devil's Right Hand tells the tale of a 19th Century teenager and his fascination with guns, which eventually gets him into trouble after he shoots a miner who cheated him in a card game.

Not guilty I said, You've got the wrong man
Nothing touched the trigger but the devil's right hand

The title song tells the story of an Army veteran who returns home to the family moonshine business in Tennessee after two tours of duty in Vietnam. He has PTSD and a new plan to grow Columbian and Mexican marijuana for profit.

Well the D.E.A.'s got a chopper in the air
I wake up screaming like I'm back over there
I learned a thing or two from ol' Charlie don't you know
You better stay away from Copperhead Road

This Deluxe Edition of Copperhead Road features a bonus disc that includes seventeen live recordings from shows in Raleigh, North Carolina and Calgary, Canada. This is great stuff here, and Earle performs live versions of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska, The Rolling Stones' Dead Flowers, Gram Parsons' Wheels, and his own Guitar Town, the hit single from his debut album.

If you're a Steve Earle fan, don't miss out on this deluxe version of Copperhead Road. Either one of these two discs is worth the price of admission here, but both of them together in one package make this a must-have.

"...Mama said the pistol is the devil's right hand."

had already seen video so i knew what to expect. DVD had no glitches or scratches so it operated smoothly. don't know what else to tell you.

This CD is the very best story of Peter Paul and Mary's history and philosophy. It captures the highlights through the years, with stories behind the songs and events. I plan on sharing it with my grandchildren as a way to understand how special and amazing PP&M were and ARE.

Wonderful DVD. I learned much about a great group! Enjoyed the songs slected for the DVD as well as the scenes they selected.

Peter Paul & Mary have always been great. This shows how much so. They have always been at the forefront of social justice. This is like a musical history lesson!

Besides not living up to the quality of content found in their other videos (like Lifelines), the sound quality of the VHS version was unbearably BAD (as in unlistenable)!I recorderd my own version from a PBS airing, on a $49 VHS machine that was far superior to the complete garbage that was sent to me, when I ordered this tape. I really should return it to the seller!

This Japanese mini-lp replica version of Ry Cooder album is simply a work of art! Very beautifully designed with all the lyrics included and with a sound quality remastered to perfection.
This 2007 Warner reissue is by far the best version of this album that is out there; great sound quality, great packaging, great songs! A must have in any CD collector's library. A real collectors item of these guitarist, top 10 of all times

I first had this album about 30 years ago. I loved it, as I did all Ry Cooder's albums. It was stolen in waht I termed " The Great CD and Cassette(!) Robbery of 2000.
I re bought it a few weeks ago and found that the music had lost none of it's rythm, it's magic and fabulous sound.
A true Oldie, but still a Goodie.

The Diddy Wah Diddy with Hines is beyond fabulous; so much interplay and groove and touch and taste. My God it's good. To play with one of your heroes and push him to play his very best is something few can accomplish.

The only weak spot here is Ry's original, Tattler. Nice, but kind of lyrically and musically soft beside all these old nuggets. Married Man is funny and grooves hard, with a tight vocal take. Tamp 'Em Up Solid is funky as hell and still one of my favorite tunes to play even after doing it hundreds of times live; this version just sticks in your head and always demands to be given the same wickedly groovy treatment. If Walls Could Talk, Fool For a Cigarette, Jesus On The Mainline...Ry knows how to pick a tune, and then cuts it even better than the original sometimes! His love for the material comes through on every cut.

And his technique, his tone, his sparkling musicality; this is some of the best guitar playing you will ever hear, electric and acoustic, and always flashy in the right way. Been loving this record for 20 years, and always will, I guess.

Old School Americana at its fresh and funky best.

Well, the packaging IS cool, with reproductions not only of the LP sleeve and disc label, but also the inner paper sleeve. However, the sound is a disaster. The entire disc has been given an extreme treble boost, which creates distortion and completely changes its character. On many songs the percussion (especially cymbals and snare) dominates the mix, making a song such as "Tamp 'Em Up Solid" sound almost like cocktail jazz. The old CD sounds muffled in comparison, but it - like the rest of Reprise's domestic CD reissues - was true to the original LP sound. Warner Brothers engineers (and Ry) had wonderful ears, and I'm sure the mix we heard in 1974 was close to the one they wanted. This is like listening to a band from inside the snare drum. I don't know how someone listening to this album for the first time would react to the new mix, but I can't handle it. Painful and disappointing.

I didnt think I was going to like this as much as I did, but whadayaknow, it didnt leave my CD player in my car for like 3 days. This dude can play geetar. At first I wasnt sure about his voice, but then I woke up and realized he's pretty good. And man, he gets down with the guitar on a few songs. Really cool, interesting music for people that like music, and not stuff like Tim McGraw.

This is one of the best female blues records you will ever here. The band is incredible; the girl is an angel!!! Wonderful soul that reaks of Al Green, as well as, good old funky blues and vocal showcase songs!! BUY THIS RECORD!!! YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!!

I love to listen to this while I'm cooking. It makes me feel so great!

I loved this CD, though I haven't heard any of her others. I am a big fan of her voice--such warmth in it, very rare these days--and thought 'Alone' was totally kickass. Also liked the spirit of songs like 'In the Garden' and the sophistication of 'Blues on a Holiday.' I do think that Derek Trucks' guitar playing is a little overrated. But this CD was well worth the price for me. I'm looking forward to hearing some others.

No Problem...that's what I like in a sale. The used CD I purchased was perfect condition and was on time.

An awesome Cd. The disc opens with the Al Green influenced memphis soul number Alone, which alone is worth the price of the disc. Followed by the late Paul Pena's Gonna Move featuring some tasty slide by husband Derek Trucks. (Must be nice to call on the best slide player in the world for your CD) Other highlights include a wicked version of Don't Think Twice It's All Right and a blistering I Fell In Love. Also included are a tip of the hat to Atlanta music legend Bruce Hampton and a smoky Blues on a Holiday.

Though this has been out for a year or more, if you don't own it you should get it today.