For Kim. You’re my Christmas friend… In our excitement to discuss the previously unheard gems on The Complete James Brown Christmas, we neglected to talk about the pure perfection that is James Brown’s Funky Christmas. Turn it loose, ‘cus it’s a mother… Funky Christmas, later remastered and renamed as 20th Century Masters: The Christmas Collection, is [...]
“Let’s make this Christmas mean something this year!” Between 1966 and 1970, James Brown recorded three stellar Christmas albums. For years the only readily available versions of these albums were single compilations such as the original Funky Christmas and the remastered (and wonderful sounding) 20th Century Masters Christmas Collection edition of that same album (a [...]
“I’m no schoolboy but I know what I like…” I can’t believe it. Here it is the tail end of 2011 and the Rolling Stones go and release their best album since 1969′s Let it Bleed. I’m serious. This is spec-freaking-tacular. Released as a download only (320 kbps!) on Google Music, The Rolling Stones Brussels Affair [...]
*Continued from Part 1* Well, folks, this may be it. My favorite show, by one of my favorite bands, ever. May 21, 1977… The first set is so impeccable, and played with so much emotion, it may just be their finest first set ever released. A first set that is so strong, so mind melding [...]
“Please forget you knew my name…” There are many moments throughout the Grateful Dead’s incredibly long career where it seemed as if the Gods themselves were smiling down on the band from the Heavens. And perhaps, at least to this listener, those smiles shone none brighter than during May 1977. There was just something in the [...]
“Well, that’s New York for ya’…” For a few years back in the late 60s, the Doors were providing the perfect blend of dramatic stage theatrics and mind melding music. Centered around Jim Morrison’s unpredictable persona and deep baritone vocals that straddle the fine line between smooth crooner and blues shouter, the Doors were a [...]
“And now straight ahead, good jazz…” It’s an all too rare experience when an album actually lives up to its expectations and then some. Fortunately, this is one of those albums. Recorded on July 18, 1971 at the Hollywood Palladium, California Concert captures a single night of smoking jazz played by a stunning collaboration of CTI [...]
For Dave. When Frank Zappa hit London in the winter of 1978, he had with him a rocking teenage combo that could run circles around just about any other band on earth. Of course, Frank always had the most talented and well trained musicians to do his musical bidding, and his ’78 band was indeed [...]
Well, it’s December. Yeah, I know, I’m not really sure how that happened either. Seems like last week I was putting on flannel shirts and walking around pumpkin patches. But it is December now and along with the cold comes Christmas. And among all the food, shopping, gifts, family, and parties, there is music. Glorious [...]
Looking for another reason why James Brown was called the hardest working man in show business? Consider that in 1969 Brown was recording some of the greatest earth shattering funk to ever hit the streets, both then and now, and throw in the fact that he was still touring relentlessly. Add to that the fact [...]
Ah yes, Music Mook Review. Your source for fantastic reviews of albums, books, dvds, and other highly entertaining thoughts and musings on the world of music.
If it's music, and it's awesome, it's here.
