Link Wray – Link Wray

by stan · January 14, 2020

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

The music is an Americana blend of blues, country, gospel, and folk rock elements. This music is characterized by the purposeful use of simplified sounds to reflect the then-current vogue of blues and other roots music being used in many roots rock bands. Wray's guitar-work, composing, and vocals reflected modern rock influences.

Moods

A beautiful piece of Americana that's defined by it's rough passion and original roots rock sound

Thoughts

bluesy folk rock with a country twang. For years I only knew the guy for his earlier instrumental work but I'm happy I checked this later entry out. I took the description in the 'sounds like' description from Wikipedia as it's accurate but bizarre to read, almost clinical in its description. The draw here is the passionate and earthy grittiness found in timeless music of the era. The combination of those sounds produces something distinct and broadly appealing, it's original music that only the American landscape is capable of producing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Link-Wray-Link-Wray/release/6988842

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXrV9mBM7Pk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es-Zws_ggoY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozwlKJO7iuw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZmSZGJggE4

Spotify

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Link Wray – Link Wray

Description: Album Review of Link Wray – Link Wray

Written by: stan
Rating: 4 out of 5

Hot Tuna – Burgers

by stan · January 31, 2019

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

rocking country/folk

Moods

Outside folksy sing along

Thoughts

I appreciate moments of this especially when songs are more bluesy than folksy.

Overall too hokey even with the fantastic musicianship.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Hot-Tuna-Burgers/release/10167287

Listen!

Spotify

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Hot Tuna – Burgers

Description: Album Review of Hot Tuna – Burgers

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Magic Sam Blues Band – West Side Soul

by stan · December 19, 2018

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Electric blues

Moods

Chicago:

The Cubs

Deep dish pizza

Magic Sam

Thoughts

Electric blues, you know what you're signing up for here.

Solid record. More ‘pop’ focused than I typically like my blues but it's damn near perfect.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Magic-Sam-Blues-Band-West-Side-Soul/release/4808401

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZTkj8dgGNE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83rkEm7s5es

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSc6-0xBcjE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iwoj1hUMmg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3jPsCdZgn0

Spotify

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Magic Sam Blues Band – West Side Soul

Description: Album Review of Magic Sam Blues Band – West Side Soul

Written by: stan
Rating: 4 out of 5

Dire Straits – Love Over Gold

by stan · December 16, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Classic radio rock

Moods

Soundtrack for driving across Midwestern landscapes

Thoughts

Aside from the tasteful guitar work on the second half of ‘telegraph road’ I wasn't into this. Songs felt overly long with few rewarding moments.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Dire-Straits-Love-Over-Gold/release/3718856

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gej3hLOLDU

Spotify

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Dire Straits – Love Over Gold

Description: Album Review of Dire Straits – Love Over Gold

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Curtis Knight & The Squires – You Can’t Use My Name – The RSVP / PPX Sessions

by stan · November 6, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
R&B / electric blues

Moods
Rainy day woman take me away

Thoughts
There’s effectively two parts to this: R&B tracks written by Curtis Knight and a handful of instrumentals written by Hendrix. I like the instrumentals but wasn’t into the vocal tracks written by Curtis. Stick with Hendrix’s main catalog.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Curtis-Knight-The-Squires-You-Cant-Use-My-Name-The-RSVP-PPX-Sessions/release/6942436

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify

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Curtis Knight & The Squires – You Can’t Use My Name – The RSVP / PPX Sessions

Description: Album Review of Curtis Knight & The Squires – You Can’t Use My Name – The RSVP / PPX Sessions

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Karen Dalton – In My Own Time

by stan · September 14, 2018

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?
60s folk rock

Thoughts
Interesting listen, a set of covers by a distinct voice who straddles the line between folk, rock, and country. She brings a distinctive touch to each, making them sound fully like her own songs. I like the tracks backee by a band ( in my own dream, one night of love) but she does well in more stripped down solo moments too.

Great songwriting mixed with a great singer makes for a great record, recommended.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Karen-Dalton-In-My-Own-Time/release/2786153

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify

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Karen Dalton – In My Own Time

Description: Album Review of Karen Dalton – In My Own Time

Written by: stan
Rating: 4 out of 5

Sandy Bull – E Pluribus Unum

by stan · August 30, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
Bluesy/psychedelic/Americana hardcore string noodling

Thoughts
I like the sound, gonna check out more by this guy, but not interested in repeat listens of this.The no deposit no return blues almost breaks into greatness but stays simmering just wave after wave of noodling, never really going anywhere.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Sandy-Bull-E-Pluribus-Unum/release/5082339

Listen!

Youtube