CD Reviews
by Tommy Burton

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Jul 2002 - Dec 2002

Mark Knopfler The Ragpicker's Dream (Warner Bros.)

Knopfler has always fancied himself a country guitar picker, despite the fact that he wrote one of rock's monster riffs with Dire Straits ("Money For Nothing"). Mark is a musician's musician: he's one of the most talented, yet underrated guitarists, and a songwriter of great clarity and depth. The songs here are simple and direct and push along like an old timey car. The first cut, "Why Aye Man," roars out almost before the album settles into its subtle groove with the excellent "Devil Baby." It's impossible to resist the sweetness of "Daddy's Gone To Knoxville." Mark is all about tasteful with clean fingerstyle guitar picking that hits in just the right places. This is a very pleasant and rewarding listen from top to bottom and likely to be one of the sleeper albums this year. With all the rage about the O Brother Soundtrack, this album sounds almost like a modernized version of those sounds and themes. Like that music, it's simple yet manages to speak directly to the heart. Grade: B+

Paul McCartney Back In The U.S. (Capitol)

I saw Paul McCartney in his spring tour. I was one the ecstatic screaming people to be seeing a former Beatle. Paul delivered the goods with an abundance of classic Beatles and Wings material alongside the obligatory cuts from his latest album, Driving Rain. I happily rushed to the record store to pick up this double disc document of that tour (with the DVD of the same title). I was prepared to relive one of the best nights of my life. What I discovered was a bit flat. Each track is cut together without the stage banter (which Paul didn't vary from night to night on the tour). What we get is Paul running through the old hits with a young, lean, and mean backing group. He's in fine voice and the performances are all there. However, this reeks of sounding like Wingspan Volume 2: Live. Do we need another live recording of "Live And Let Die"? Overall, the disc fails to capture the magic of being there. The DVD is even more disappointing as it serves as a self-absorbed concert film. Whereas Paul could have simply shown a complete concert performance, he chose to intersperse (sometimes edited) songs with backstage scenes and focus on the people going nuts around him. He also shows us all the great celebrities that came to see him as though he's trying to convince us that he's cool. I paid the $125 to see you, I know you're cool. This could have been a homerun, but instead it just smells of crass commercialism. The songs are great, but stick to the original records, unless you just have to (somewhat) relive the tour. Grade: C

Bob Dylan The Bootleg Series Vol. 5: Live 1975 The Rolling Thunder Revue (Columbia/Legacy)

I approached this collection of unreleased live recording from Dylan's famed 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue concerts with a little trepidation. I just didn't know what to expect. But Columbia and Bob delivered the goods. This is one the tightest bands Dylan ever played with. And Bob sounds as though there is a fire lit under his ass. He performed quite a few of these songs sans guitar, so he was left on the stage to emote and preach like fire from the mountain. This series needs to step up the pace and keep giving us these great performances. This packaging is superb and the sound is excellent. We are even given a bonus DVD that features "Tangled Up In Blue" and a fiery performance of "Isis." If you like Dylan, make no bones about it and get this set. If you think you might like Dylan, you probably will after hearing these fine performances. With the great liner notes and song selection, this is a must-have. Grade: A+

Koufax Social Life (Vagrant)

Pop music is alive and well. This is modern pop music. I must admit, I picked this record up simply based on the cover as it caught my eye. These guys just looked capable of making a thoroughly enjoyable record. I must say that I haven't been let down. Maybe I heard about them in one of the music papers? Whatever the reason, this is album I needed to have and hear. The songs are all ultra catchy yet they never sound retro or campy. They are well-crafted songs and feature full production. Bands like Koufax may never break beyond the cult barrier, but I'm glad that they are out there to make music like this. If you're a fan of classic pop music in the vein of The Beach Boys or The Apples (in stereo), then this album will surely satisfy, yet they sound like neither of those bands. This stuff is simply sublime. Grade: A-

George Harrison Brainwashed (Capitol/Dark Horse)

First things first: This is NOT some scrapped-together afterthought record made only to cash in on poor George's passing. It's a completely new album of new material. It's tight and poppy and features some very fine playing from George. Matter of fact, it's all the good things we remember about him. Great slide guitar playing. Spiritual songs. A little ukulele here and there. And big production from Jeff Lynne. I know there are lots of Lynne detractors out there who will nit-pick over his style, but I've always liked it and it suits these songs. George was a wonderful songwriter and this album is a bittersweet listen knowing that there will be no more. But it a very fitting way to remember this wonderful writer and musician. The songs are consistently good quality and the spiritual bent of the lyrics have a way of speaking to the soul. This is a great album and possibly one of the best solo Beatles records of the last twenty years. Wherever you are, George, thanks... Grade: A

Peter Gabriel Up (Real World/Geffen)

Peter Gabriel. Pretentious. Tuneful. Interesting. Eclectic. He's all of these things. Up is his first album on almost ten years. The opening track, "Darkness," manages to scare the crap out of you before settling into a lovely melody. And each track progresses from there. As each one passes by, they somehow replace the previous one as your favorite. An interesting way to have an album unfold. Peter's vocals are highly expressive and the music is almost always intriguing. Make no mistakes: this is a fantastic record. It's a perfect mold of pop, soul, world music, and anything else. Above all, it has a timeless quality. The even more amazing thing is that it sounds like pop music for the 21st Century. Each listen reveals new things to the listener and I will be interested to see how this one sounds five years from now. But, at the moment, I'm perfectly enchanted by Peter's spell of melodic songwriting and rhythmic soundscapes. A totally incredible album top to bottom. Grade: A+

Johnny Cash American IV: The Man Comes Around (American)

I have to admit something: I thought the last American release from Johnny would be his last ever. Let's face the truth here, folks. Johnny doesn't have much time left in this mortal coil. But I am really glad that he's here now and that he's being supplied with interesting material. This fourth installment from Mr. Cash and Rick Rubin is no exception. A wide assortment of songs by the likes of Trent Reznor and The Eagles are all perfectly melded by Johnny's easy, expressive delivery. There is a sense of sadness that purveys this album, though. It's because there is a sense of finality to the whole affair. In many ways, it becomes something of a downer. Johnny is one the great American troubadours and almost certainly the last of his breed. It's very easy to walk away from this album and view it as a sort of "goodbye" from The Man In Black. Let's hope not, but if so, it's a fitting way to be remembered. God bless you, Johnny, and thanks for all the honesty and great music you've given us. Grade: A

Peal Jam Riot Act (Epic)

I'm glad that Pearl Jam is around. They have consistently given us good rock and roll records while challenging its audience with new ideas. This one scales back the experimentation, but that's not to say that it's standard operating procedure for the guys. First off, the acquisition of former Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron is a welcome one. He is able to match the band's intensity while keeping a sense of musicality. Simply put, the band is playing at its very best here. Live, these songs will soar. Put in the face of a large crowd, they will have a new resonance that is slightly lacking here. The songs are melodic and tuneful, for the most part, yet they need some missing excitement. Still, the record gets under your skin and resonates. Pearl Jam has always taken risks. Here, the risks are safer ones, but rewarding. The problem is that these are very things that keep this album from being flawless. It's a great listen and holds up to some of the best that Pearl Jam has recorded. This is saying a lot considering that Pearl Jam may be the bridge of classic rock and new rock. It all still manages to sound classic here, which is like an old friend. Grade: B+

The Donnas Spend The Night (Atlantic)

Boy, these girls rock. No, seriously, they rock. If ass kicking, balls to the wall rock is what you crave, then this is the album of the year. Shallow lyrics, distorted guitars, hot chicks... it's all here. You don't have to think about it. Just put it on and crank it up. And there's not a ballad to be found anywhere near this record. It's relentless until the end. But then you'll find yourself repeating it all to make sure that what you heard was for real. It's all good clean fun, though. The Donnas previous album, Turn 21, was a little off putting in its come-ons and general shallowness. They've cleaned all that up, to a degree, and directed better in the music. They've only gotten better with each one, and this is the album we've been waiting for from The Donnas all this time. Grade: B+

James Luther Dickinson Free Beer Tomorrow (Artemis)

Mississippi's Jim Dickinson is better known as that producer guy who recorded with The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. He also was behind the console for Big Star's Third. He's also the father to Luther and Cody of the North Mississippi All Stars. He is all those things, among many others. But this time, he's an artist. Free Beer Tomorrow is the second album to bear his name following 1972's Dixie Fried. This music is lived-in and very real. It has a way of getting under your skin and living there. You can simply groove on it, or go deeper and feel the heart and soul of some fantastic songs. Jim's voice is that of a traveler. It comes from the back roads and elsewhere. The centerpiece of the whole record is "Ballad Of Billy And Oscar." That's Billy The Kid and Oscar Wilde. When Jim tells that they've taken a duplex in his mind, you believe him. And you believe the rest, too. Jim may not have written all these songs himself, but they are his. The great thing is that this music is almost not easily classified. It's just music. Really great music. While I'm sure it may not receive the recognition it properly deserves, Free Beer Tomorrow may well be the best album of this year. World boogie is coming, indeed... Grade: A+

Ben Folds Live (Epic)

Just Ben, alone with a piano. He runs through a set of Ben Folds Five classics and few solo nuggets. I think the Five were a great trio. Robert and Darren are fine musicians who work well with Ben's raging piano pyros. Those guys added muscle. But, it's always been about the songs, and Ben is a great songwriter. It's almost sly the way "Tiny Dancer" just slips right into the set alongside Ben's own tunes. And the boy can flat play a piano. He's got a great voice, and sense of humor, and some of the catchiest tunes this side of the 90s. This album proves it. Grade: B

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers The Last DJ (Warner Brothers)

I look forward to hearing new music from Tom. He always seems to have something that I can sink my teeth into. When I first heard the title cut, I didn't think it was too impressive. I certainly didn't think it was as good as anything on his previous album, Echo. It sounded like Tom was griping, but instead of biting like Dylan, he was whining. About what? The fact that radio largely ignored Echo? Then "Money Becomes King" is the second cut. Tom is pissed. He's been pissed before, but not like this fake sort of pissiness. I was beginning to think that Tom was going to finally let me down. These aren't bad songs, they just aren't that great. And I expect more from him. But, it's all in the programming. After "When A Kid Goes Bad," Tom kicks in with a set of great tunes. Classic Tom. It's not that I can't handle social comment. It's also not that I don't agree that DJs don't control the music they play or that large corporations can be evil entities. It's simply that the songs don't have the bite to back them up. But, the second half... oh, how sweet the sound. Tom can still write a great rock and roll tune. He proves this with "Lost Children." "Blue Sunday" and "You and Me" are just pretty. It's unbalanced, and the first half may grow on me. For now, I'll take the side two served up twice. Grade: B-

The Apples in Stereo Velocity of Sound (SpinArt)

This may well be the pop album of the year. I was hoping it would be. The lead off cut, "Please," comes blasting into your ears like a rocking slice of orange pop soda. And the rest of the album follows suit. The guitars are pumped up bit more than usual Apples fare. It makes for a more rocking album. But these guys are always exploring and expanding their sound. At the heart of it all, though, is some of the best pop melodies being written today. This is a pop album, but make no mistake: It rocks. And like all good pop records these days, it's short and to the point. Grade: A-

Various Artists Dressed in Black: A Tribute To Johnny Cash (Dualtone)

Tribute albums can be hit or miss. Especially when the artist that is being tributed is an icon. Let's face it: If Johnny Cash wasn't real, we'd have to invent him. The past few years, though, we've seen some fine tribute albums. Last years Hank Williams tribute was one of the best records of the year. This is done with the same amount of love and care. We all know the songs are solid as a rock. And the artist selection is eclectic and varied. From Hank III to Earle Poole Ball. All turn in fine readings of an equally varied amount of Cash tunes. Some you know and some you may not. But it's all done with a care a passion that misses in most tributes. These guys love Johnny. We all do. Grade: B

Elvis Costello Cruel Smile (Island)

Coming on the heels of a successful tour of North America, E.C. decided to release this remix album of this year's When I Was Cruel (see separate review). The remixes are bright and fun, but shed no light on the superior originals. The live tracks rock, but will only be of interest to fans. The real highlight here is E.C.'s rendering of Charles Chaplin's classic, "Smile." There's two separate mixes of that song here that bookend the album. There may be a limit on how long this will be available, as it's not a proper album, so fans may want to snatch it up. And since it looks like it’s geared for fans only, the rest can overlook it and go on and get When I Was Cruel. Grade: C

Weezer The Lion and the Witch (DGC)

This is an EP released exclusively to independent record stores. You're gonna have to go to Weezer's site to get a list of where you can buy this. It's basically a six song live collection consisting of songs recorded on the band's tour of Japan earlier this year. As a gift to the fans, it's pretty good. It's nonessential to casual folks. But the ones who pick this up get a glimpse at the band's sense of humor through stage banter. The playing rocks, is (mostly) pretty tight. I, for one, am very glad that a band like Weezer exists right now. It gives me hope. And did I mention that they rock? Grade: C+

Beck Sea Change (DGC)

Beck fans have been waiting for this one after the mixed reaction to Midnite Vultures. What has Beck been up to these past couple of years? Well, if Sea Change is any indication, he's been writing songs. Damn good songs. This has a similar feel to the quiet feel of Mutations, which isn't a bad thing. With all his genre-hopping funk fun, it's easy to forget that Beck Hansen is a fantastic tunesmith. I've always likened him to White Album-era John Lennon. I admire his ability to grasp and conquer many different styles. Sea Change is a well-executed and recorded collection of songs. The slow pace might throw some listeners off (those expecting a "Where It's At" or "Sex Laws"). But the ones who longed for the singer to try the direction of the country- flavored Mutations will not be let down. The songs are even stronger this time out, too. Things being the way they are with music these days, I doubt this bowls over the masses. There is no hook-laden upbeat number on this album that will jump into the hearts of youth. But it is a solid set. Each song is as strong as the previous. Longtime fans will eat this up, and it will likely (and rightfully) top many year-end lists from the critics. We can expect many more great things from Beck, and Sea Change will be one of the highlights of his catalogue. Grade: A+

Solomon Burke Don't Give Up On Me (Fat Possum)

Fat Possum strikes again. I don't know if you can call this a comeback, as Solomon Burke has always been around. But this certainly qualifies as something great in a long career. Produced by Joe Henry, Solomon sounds like he's out to prove himself. And he's given quality material to back it all up. Van Morrison, Dan Penn, Tom Waits, Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Bob Dylan, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Joe Henry all contribute tunes for that classic voice. And it really all boils down to that voice. It's one of the finest in soul music, and one listen to Don't Give Up On Me proves it. It's a classic soul affair with all the trappings of a modern work. It's simply divine on all accounts. "Fast Train" will move your soul with its vintage-sounding female back-up singing. "None Of Us Are Free" with the Blind Boys of Alabama (who themselves made a remarkable album last year) will tear you down and leave nothing in its wake. This is one the best albums I've heard this year and it gets better and better with each listen. A modern classic in every sense. Grade: A

Counting Crows Hard Candy (Geffen)

The Counting Crows are one of the best bands making records today. You can always expect challenging, quality material from them. Hard Candy is no exception. It's a crafted piece of work chock full of great songs. The songs are the happiest I think they have recorded, which is not a bad thing. The Crows are known for being a bit on the moody side, but this is one that you can put on and play in the car at full blast. Great playing, great harmonies, and great writing. All of these things are earmarks for Hard Candy. If you happened to catch the first single, "American Girls," then you have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this album. I hope the Counting Crows are around for a long time because they are one of the finest bands America has to offer these days. A great band making classic music. Hard Candy passes with flying colors. It's the most solid work they've released since their first album, August and Everything After. Grade: B+

Various Artists When Pigs Fly (A2X)

The set up: Artists record songs that don't seem to fit their own styles. For example, Devo does Neil Young's "Ohio." I'll run down each track and give a brief description and maybe that will lead you one way or another on getting this. First up, Ani DiFranco and Jackie Chan doing Nat Cole's "Unforgettable." It's a good arrangement only made eclectic by Chan's reading. He's got a good voice as far as pitch is concerned, but... well... he's Jackie Chan. Devo doing "Ohio." It's original and interesting. The loops may get a bit annoying, but it's Devo. Blondie's "Call Me" by The Box Tops. This is an R and B take on the old new wave tune. It's actually quite original with a great classic horn chart. Alex Chilton does a great lead vocal and this may be the highlight of the album. "Insane In The Brain" by The Connells. White boys doing gangsta rap. Funny the first time. Loses potency with each listen. "Shock The Monkey" by Don Ho. Okay, this is just strange. I can't decide if it's good or bad. Maybe it's good in a bad sort of way. "What A Wonderful World" by Roy Clark. It's just what you'd expect: a straight reading of an old standard by an aging country happy guy. "Girls On Film" by Billy Preston. A more soulful reading, but overall a bit sterile. "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" by The Fixx. This may be the other highlight from the album. A new take on a fun tune. "Carry On Wayward Son" by The Oak Ridge Boys. Okay, you just have to hear this for yourself. "Get It On (Bang A Gong)" by The Neanderthal Spongecake. I can go either way on this one. "White Wedding" by Herman's Hermits. This is another one that you just have to hear for yourself. And lastly, Leslie Gore doing "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap." The girl's got a voice, and this is a strange marriage that manages to work. This isn't enduring by any means, but if you're a fan of any of these bands, it makes for an interesting listen. Grade: C