Liam Gallagher – As You Were

ARTIST: Liam Gallagher                             

TITLE:  As You Were

YEAR RELEASED: 2017

CHART ACTION: #30 US, #1 UK

SINGLES: Wall of Glass (#21 UK), Chinatown (#56 UK), For What It’s Worth (#33 UK), Greedy Soul (#56 UK)

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: This hasn’t penetrated the US market very much.

LINEUP: Liam Gallagher, Greg Kurstin, Dan Grech-Marguerat, Davey Badiuk, Dan McDougall, Mike Moore, Martin Slattery, and many others.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Oasis and Beady Eye frontman releases his first official solo album.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Teaming with producers Greg Kurstin and Dan Grech-Marguerat, Liam Gallagher’s first real solo effort hearkens back to the Oasis glory days, but doesn’t wallow itself in 90’s nostalgia.

Liam’s songs were always overshadowed by his brother’s tracks in Oasis (and I’m sure he’s sick of hearing about that), but we wrote or co-wrote 13 of the 15 tracks (from the deluxe edition) and songs like “Wall of Glass”, “Bold”, “Chinatown”, and “For What It’s Worth” are amongst the best anyone from the Oasis family has done in years.

Gallagher’s voice brings you back to the 90’s as well, but there’s a little more world weariness here and a lot more nuance than before. The production mixes the 90’s sound with a modern vibe. All in all, an album that exceeds expectations.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: They were going to break up in 1997, but fans convinced them to stay the course. They are still together but haven’t released an album since 2013.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: Kurstin won a Grammy for his work on the album.

 GRADE: A-: I really wasn’t expecting anything spectacular here, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Hypocrisy – Beast of Hypocrisy

ARTIST: Hypocrisy                        

TITLE:  Beast of Hypocrisy

YEAR RELEASED: Compilation

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: None

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: They’re definitely a niche band, so if you like their niche, you know their stuff.

LINEUP: Peter Tagtgren, Mikael Hedlund. Lars Szoke was the main drummer. Horgh replaced him in 2004. Tomas Elofsson, Andreas Holma, and Masse Broberg also contributed

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Long standing death / black metal band from Sweden releases a compilation that shows their musical evolution.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Riffs, solos, growly unintelligible vocals, madcap drumming – all of the aspects of regular death / black metal were there in early Hypocrisy. But after they let go of their original singer Masse Broberg, they started an evolution to using more melodic passages and sonic textures to break up the monotony.

If one is a connoisseur of such sounds, then Hypocrisy is one of the go-to bands in the subset of death metal that is “melodic death metal”, which isn’t an oxymoron. Yet it still features some brutal sounding vocals intertwined with the melodic passages and the guitar riffs.

Even some metalheads can’t wrap their heads around this extreme kind of metal, even with melodic tendencies. That’s understandable, but give Hypocrisy some credit. They are one of the best at what they do, and even if you (like me) can’t abide the growling vocal styles, there’s other stuff here to enjoy.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: They were going to break up in 1997, but fans convinced them to stay the course. They are still together but haven’t released an album since 2013.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No. There is a 2001 collection that has many of the same tracks, and three not on this one.

 GRADE: B: After a while, it’s repetitive even with the melodic tracks. I’m exiling this for my collection, but metalheads may want to check them out.

Jascha Ephraim – Jascha Ephraim

ARTIST: Jascha Ephraim                       

TITLE:  Jascha Ephraim

YEAR RELEASED: 2004

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: None

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: It is highly unlikely, unless you have friends who love to mix obscure tracks for you

LINEUP: Jascha Ephraim.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Interesting one man electropop band’s CD release has some catchy and witty numbers, with a few lyrical cringes.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: One-man (or woman) bands used to be unusual in the times of analog tape and the need of a studio-like space. However, with all of the tools we have in the present era, it’s easier for musicians to do everything themselves. That doesn’t make it any less remarkable – as you still need to conceive and perform all of the melodies, arrangements, harmonies, and other niceties and perform them.

Jascha Ephraim, seemingly a renaissance man into film, writing, software engineering, and Buddhism, recorded and released this collection in 2005, and it’s still available out there on Amazon. This record is definitely not serious, with bright and tuneful melodies and a pleasing (and not cloying) synth pop accompaniment. There’s some funk, some pop, a bit of guitar-rock, and generally a cornucopia of styles.

Ephraim is witty and somewhat twisted at times, with songs like “Raining Astronauts” and “Hebrew Screwup”. There’s a lot of variation in musical themes and motifs as well. Yet at times, I cringed at some of the lyrics and a couple of tracks went on a bit longer to where it seemed indulgent. However, it’s mostly an accomplished record that’s fun, snarky, and enjoyable.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: There are four tracks called “Baby Time” which are home recordings with Ephraim and his mother at age two.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No.

 GRADE: B+: Some tracks will stick with you for a long time thanks to their melodies and arrangements.

Otis Rush – The Essential Otis Rush: The Classic Cobra Recordings 1956-58

ARTIST: Otis Rush                                                              

TITLE:  The Essential Otis Rush: The Classic Cobra Recordings 1956-58

YEAR RELEASED: Compilation

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: These are the A’s and B’s of his Cobra singles. I Can’t Quit You Baby hit #6 on the R&B Chart.

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Double Trouble

LINEUP: Otis Rush, possibly Willie Dixon, Ike Turner, John Williams, and others.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Chicago blues singles from influential bluesman.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Along with Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, Otis Rush had the distinctive Chicago Blues sound from his guitar. Playing lefty with the guitar strung for a righty, Rush’s bent notes and tones were influential for many bluesmen in Chicago, and those who followed in the US and UK.

In the three years at Cobra, he recorded eight singles that were influential and somewhat popular with the blues audience. However, Cobra’s financial problem somewhat limited their ability to promote Rush and others on the label. Still, enough heard him to make his songs mainstays for blues bands going forward.

None of these tracks were on an album until the CD era, so they were only available on compilations or if you happened to chance across a 45. While Rush’s sound was more commercial than some other bluesmen (with horn sections and arrangements softening it up a bit), he’s still an important figure shaping the blues rock and blues movement.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: Chicago declared June 12, 2-016 at Otis Rush Day.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: There are some alternate takes at the end of the collection. 

GRADE: A-: An influential blues figure – Jimmy Page was a fan for good reason.

Die Kreuzen – Century Days

ARTIST: Die Kreuzen               

TITLE:  Century Days

YEAR RELEASED: 1988

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: None

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: That’s a negative

LINEUP: Keith Brammer, Brian Egeness, Dan Kubinski, Erik Tunison. Help from Tim Cole and Peter Balistrieri

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Die Kreuzen slows it down. Dan Kubinski doesn’t scream as much. Eh.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Die Kreuzen had good notices and a decent live show, but it seemed never to really get over on a record. On this third full-length, vocal shredder Dan Kubinski slows down and actually sings some songs, and the band reduces the tempo away from being mostly hardfastrules.

Somehow, though, that didn’t improve the proceedings. It seems turgid and bloated at times, and the production from Butch Vig doesn’t do the band any favors (though the band is also credited with co-producing, so he may have just made sure the tape was rolling properly…) By the time “Halloween” comes on to liven up the place a bit, it’s too late.

Whatever the wags were saying, and how good the press WAS in the day, I’m not hearing it. So I’m off the Die Kreuzen train after exiling this.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: They released their last record in 1991, but have reunited for shows. Why wouldn’t they?

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No.

GRADE: C: I may be missing something, but I’m just not feeling this. They seem to be running in place on this one.

Son Volt – Trace

ARTIST: Son Volt                

TITLE:  Trace

YEAR RELEASED: 1995

CHART ACTION: #166

SINGLES: Drown (#10 Mainstream, #25 Alternative)

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Windfall, Live Free

LINEUP: Jay Farrar, Dave Boquist, Jim Boquist, Mike Heidorn. Eric Heywood added pedal steel.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: After the acrimonious breakup of Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar forms his own band (like Jeff Tweedy) and releases probably the best record of his career.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: The Uncle Tupelo legacy battle was originally won by Jay Farrar, forming Son Volt with Uncle Tupelo founding drummer Mike Heidorn and the Boquist brothers. This first album is packed with tracks that may not have been out of place on any Uncle Tupelo record, except for the upgrade in the recording budget.

Farrar’s voice is weary and melancholy, which fits all of this material perfectly. The opener, “Windfall”, may be the best example of Alt-Country going, and as the album goes on, from ballad to rocker, Farrar and the band play with purpose and feeling.

As a document of where Alt Country was in 1995, this is it. It perfectly encapsulates the genre and why it was so important for the music scene.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: Uncle Tupelo split in 1994 with Wilco and Son Volt forming soon after. Wilco got the Sire contract left over from Uncle Tupelo, while Son Volt signed with Warner Brothers

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No. 

GRADE: A+: I wore this thing out in 1995, which is hard to do with a CD.

Delaney & Bonnie – The Original Delaney & Bonnie & Friends

ARTIST: Delaney & Bonnie                             

TITLE:  The Original Delaney & Bonnie & Friends a/k/a Accept No Substitute

YEAR RELEASED: 1969

CHART ACTION: #175

SINGLES: When the Battle Is Over,

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: They cover Do Right Woman – Do Right Man

LINEUP: Bonnie Bramlett, Delaney Bramlett, Leon Russell, Jerry McGee, Carl Radle, Bobby Whitlock, Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Rita Coolidge, Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Second release from the blues rock duo finds their sweet spot – mixing blues, soul, rock, gospel, and country together for a unique sound.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Signed to Elektra after their first album didn’t work out for Stax, Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett gathered their touring band, which had some heavyweights (though they were unknown at the time for the most part) and recorded this record.

The Memphis-based backing band fit right in with the duo’s sense of soul and blues, and the songs and the backing melded perfectly. Soon after, they opened for Blind Faith playing a lot of this material, and Eric Clapton became enamored with their sound and style, and they were instantly propelled into the upper echelon of rock.

Yet, this record didn’t sell much (thanks to a dispute between Elektra and Delaney), but those who heard it instantly loved it. Hearing it today, it fits right in with the best efforts from Clapton and Joe Cocker, among others.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: George Harrison offered them an Apple Records contract based on hearing this album, but the contract was voided soon after.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No. 

GRADE: A: The band is tight, and make the songs shine and work well with the Bramlett’s voices.

Crazy Horse – Crazy Horse

ARTIST: Crazy Horse                                 

TITLE:  Crazy Horse

YEAR RELEASED: 1971

CHART ACTION: #84

SINGLES: Dirty Dirty, Downtown

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Dance Dance Dance, I Don’t Want to Talk About It

LINEUP: Danny Whitten, Nils Lofgren, Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina, Jack Nitzsche. Ry Cooder was on a few tracks, and Gib Guilbeau played fiddle on a song.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Neil Young’s backing band records its first album, and its only one with Danny Whitten.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Backing bands have had a spotty history in recording their own works, with some being able to construct their own identity, and others sounding like their ‘boss’ with just a different vocalist. Crazy Horse straddled the two on their first result.

It’s hard to separate Crazy Horse from Neil Young, especially as both went through their careers. First, though, with Danny Whitten in control of the band, Nils Lofgren added to help out, and Jack Nitzsche producing and adding piano, they added textural components that weren’t present in most of their Neil Young recordings. Most all of the tracks were originals (with only two Young tracks, both unreleased at the time by Neil), and the original of “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” is here.

While this isn’t as ragged as Young’s work with the band, it’s almost too safe. Perhaps they tried to reign in Whitten, who was already struggling with addiction. It was too late for Danny, as he would be dead in a year. What we are left here is a competent rock and roll record with some of the rough edges sanded off, for better or worse.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: Crazy Horse was known as the Rockets before hooking up with Young, and recorded an album in 1968.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No.

GRADE: B: Whitten’s a good songwriter, but it’s not as loud and raucous as one would expect. But it’s better than their two 1972 records without Whitten or Lofgren or Nitzsche, which are to be avoided.