Gary Burton Quintet - Dreams So Real (1976)

Gary Burton Quintet - Dreams So Real

  Ever since in University I heard 1972's "Crystal Silence" I became enthralled in the vibes and craft of Gary Burton.    On "Dreams So Real" , Gary Burton is teamed up with some very well known ECM artists including a very young and at the time recent grad Pat Metheny (guitar)' fellow professor at the Berklee College of Music Mick Goodrick (guitar),  Steve Swallow ( ebass) and the superb drumming of Bob Moses.  

  It was while at University that I also first heard the challenging and crazy musical mind of Carla Bley...."A Genuine Tong Funeral" was one of THE albums !!

  Performing the intricate music of Carla is by no means simple to begin with but then to put it to the vibraphone is another whole adventure !   No question The Gary Burton Quintet pulled off an amazing interpretation of Bley's chaotic musical mind and IMHO "Dreams So Real" is perhaps his finest album in all his discography.    The ten minute "Ictus Syndrome" ebbs and flows like a fusion progressive rock epic track while "Jesus Maria" plays to a quiet chuch-like psalm!

  Audiophiles will recognize the ECM vinyl label immediately with its signature crystal clear sound and super high quality processing making for an extra great listen time after time.
   

Ravi Shankar : Yehudi Menuhin - West Meets East (1966)

Ravi Shankar : Yehudi Menuhin - West Meets East (Mono)

   Here is a great find that I discovered at a recent Hock Shop and I paid a whopping $1.00 Canadian for this gem!     Wow!    1966 original pressing in EX condition and best news is MONO baby !!!!!!

   "West Meets East" is an excellent album that sort of contrasts East (Side 1) with the West represented by (Side 2).    Side 3 is devoted to 3 traditional Indian Ragas played by Ravi, Yehudi, Alla Rakha (table master) and Prodyot Sen (Tanpura).  Side 2 is solely an Indian interpretation of Georges Enesco's Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 25 played by Yehudi (violin) and Hephzibah Menuhin (piano).

  

Nat King Cole - Sings For You (1963)

Nat King Cole - Sings For You 

   Now here is a superb album of the velvetty voice of Nat King Cole released back in the early 60's as a British import.  Therebis no date stamp on the vinyl and I had a hardtime dating this old vinyl compilation, but my guess is early 60's.      

   All the tracks on this album are superb and very well recorded.  Nat's voice is clear and soft with that voice that only he had.   Songs on this compilation are  Song Of Delilah, and gorgeous version of Funny,  The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot, Land Of Love,  I'll Never Say Never Again Again,  I'll Always Remember You, Here's To My Lady, Who Do You Know In Heaven, A Weaver Of Dreams, Return To Paradise, Lush Life and  Three Little Words

Lee Morgan - Speedball (1973)

Lee Morgan - Speedball

   On February 19, 1972, Lee Morgan was shot and killed by his common-law wife, Helen More following a performance at the New York club Slug's.  Sadly much of his work was released after his death and this is the case with this rare gem aply titled "Speedball".    This album although released in 1973 has no liner notes nor can I find out much about this old vinyl album.  I dont think is lifted from the Lighthouse 1970 double album as the sound indicates a less professional source and the inclusion of "Willow Weep For Me" which didnt appear on that live album.       This ones a bit of a mysty to me so if anyone knows please contact me..

I also should mention that although the recording has some limitations ...a wee bit of distortion and some fade outs the overall recording is brilliant and alive!  

    If I am correct on the source for this album then joining Lee Morgan on stage is Bennie Maupin (on tenor, bass clarinet, and flute)  pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Jymie Merritt, and drummer Mickey Roker.  

  The album kicks off with a side long live track "Willow Weep For Me" which clocks in just over 20 minutes and gives everyone a chance to spread out and jam a bit.   Thos vinyl plays like it was recorded in a smokey room full of guests having dinner and sipping cocktails.  You can hear the clanging of glasses and forks on the plate and clearly this was an intimate evening where ever it was.

   

Chuck Berry - Rarities (1986)

Chuck Berry - Rock 'n Roll Rarities

   Double vinyl album set capturing 20 rare and unreleased Chuck Berry songs on Chess Records.   This albm was produced and remixed for this vinyl compilation by the audiophile master Steve Hoffman so you know that the sound is awesome!
   This is really an exceptional compilation with some great late 50's and 60's rock n roll.   Considering many of the tracks featured are unreleased or newly released versions the quality is superb.....there are no bad demo tracks on this set!
   No question Chuck Berry was huge in his day and I would recommend this vinyl set to all lovers of rock!   On Johnny B. Goode you can hear Chuck asking the keyboardist to lay off the "Rollover Beethoven" lick .....and then it kicks into a thrilling unreleased version of the tune!
   One of my favourite Chuck Berry tracks "Promised Land" is presented here is stereo remised by Hoffman and its sounds like a fresh new song.
  And just like the Hoffman : Ray Charles Dunhill Record releases, Steve worked directly with the artists and in this case Chuck Berry in both song selection and audio mastering.

  Chuck Berry fans will need to own this compilation and Audiophiles will love this too "

 

Fanny - Rock And Roll Survivors (1974)

Fanny - Rock And Roll Survivors 

  The "all girl" Glam rockers Fanny released 5 studio albums between 1970 and 1974 with  "Rock And Roll Survivors" being the final.    By the release of this album June Millington and Alice De Buhr had left the band and Fanny would give this one more try.    The end result is a prototypical Fanny album with rock at its core and multi influences surrounding it .  The only bummer on this album is the rather weak production and it sounds at times like someone was trying to make this band sound more like Heart and Blonde!

  In an Ode to the Stones they do a cool version of "lets spend the night together".  

   For those unfamiliar with Fanny you might find it interesting to know that in 1971 Fanny were on top of their game with a number of chart hits and toured in support of Jethro Tull and Humble Pie.

  Considering all the odds against Fanny on this swan song album I love this album.   Highlight for me is the funked-rock tune "Beggar Man" with its groovey bass lines and space keyboards.  Vocals are shared across all four members and the guitar work of Patti Quatro (yes sister of Suzi!) is quite good and actually quite psychy!

  

City Boy - Heads Are Rolling (1980)

City Boy - Heads Are Rolling 

     "Heads Are Rolling" was sadly the second last release by England's City Boy in 1980.  The basic formula of City Boy was still intact on this album with clever art-rock stylings, power-pop melodies and tons of excellent vocal harmonies.  There is a slight 80's edge and tone to this album on a couple of songs as well but nothing to be concerned about...mostly in the keyboard sounds.

  The most memorable songs for me on this album are "change in the weather" with its catchy chorus and excellent guitar, keys and vocals and the Styx-inspired song "Domino".   

I will never know how City Boy didnt become huge really....with so many great albums but that is another story.

  City Boy were Max Thomas (keys), Mike Slamer (guitars, bass), Roy Ward (drums) and Lead Vocalist Lol Mason.