We’re back with more good music, but first I need to do some housekeeping. Our last episode included music from Beverly Guitar Watkins. I should have included a link to a video or two, so here we are:
And when I was looking for a video on Beverly I came across a youtube documentary on Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
If you are not familiar with her, she earned the well-deserved title of Godmother of Rock n Roll as she was a major influence on artists like Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, and Little Richard just to name a few. She was the original soul sister and more than willing to cross the line between sacred and secular.
If you don’t have time for the full documentary we are also including a link to a 6-minute video that highlights her guitar solos:
I need to interject some news here because as I was going through some music blogs, I saw a piece on an Elvis biopic that is coming out in June starring Tom Hanks. Apparently Sister Rosetta is featured as played by the English country soul and R&B singer Yola. One more reason to watch the documentary and impress your friends when the movie comes out.
I feel better now so let’s talk about some new music. The first album on our list is the latest from Father John Misty. It’s a stage name folks. The album is Chloe and the Next 20th Century, the good father’s 5th album and my favorite so far. By the way he’s also a producer and has worked with Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Post Malone. The new album has caused quite a stir as it is a definite departure from his other albums.
Our next musical offering is the latest and the third Blue Note album from jazz vibraphonist Joel Ross called “The Parable of The Poet”. It’s a fascinating album because Ross assembled an all-star musical cast for the sessions and apparently gave the players free rein to improvise around the themes Ross created. The result is a seven-movement suite that has an almost cinematic quality to it. I’m impressed even though it has taken a few listens to really appreciate the music. One reviewer called “solice for the soul”…I would agree.
We are used to seeing legacy bands/groups disappear for long periods only to magically reappear with new music they, unfortunately, wouldn’t have even considered releasing when they were in their prime…like Deep Purple, Rod Stewart, Kiss. Well, you get the idea.
However, there are bands where this doesn’t apply. Like Tears For Fears. They had some huge hits in the 80s split in the early 90s only to reform in 2000 and started releasing new material and touring on a semi-regular basis. Their new album The Tipping Point came out in February reaching the top ten in numerous countries including the US. The reviews were extremely positive.
As for me, I haven’t found a song on the album I don’t like and that is a rare compliment these days. A fan perhaps best summed it up… it doesn’t bore for a second.
And finally one of the best world music albums I’ve heard this year. First let me make an observation because a lot of world music albums these days seem to have one or two good songs and the rest of the album sounds like nothing more than these songs being repeated over and over again. So when you find an album that offers a musical variety it becomes an instant favorite. And that is how I would describe the latest album by Oumou Sangare called “Timbuktu”.
If you aren’t familiar this is the 9th album for the Grammy award-winning Malian Wassoulou musician. She is an outspoken champion of women’s rights, a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and a successful entrepreneur; she even has her own car company. Here’s some music from Timbuktu.
And finally a song I stumbled across as I was cruising music sites on the internet. I love the music of New Orleans so when I see music from a local group I have to check it out. I wasn’t familiar with The Deslondes; not even sure what the name means but a song called “South Dakota Wild One”. Can’t think of a better way to end this weeks show. Good Listening.
