Glenn Frey – Soul Searchin’ (1988)

Soul Searchin’ is the third solo studio album by Glenn Frey, the guitarist and co-lead vocalist for the Eagles. The album was released in mid 1988 on MCA in the United States and the United Kingdom, four years after Frey’s successful album, The Allnighter and eight years after the demise of the Eagles. The album features eight original songs co-written by Frey with Jack Tempchin and the song “Two Hearts” contributed by Frey’s friend, Hawk Wolinski. The album also features contributions from fellow Eagles member Timothy B. Schmit, Max Carl, Robbie Buchanan, Michael Landau, and Bruce Gaitsch.

The album was received negatively by the majority of music critics, while other reviewers noted good points to the album. It was also not as successful as Frey’s previous albums (although one of his favorites), peaking at #36 on the Billboard 200, which marked the beginning of a downturn in Frey’s fortunes on the album charts. The album’s first and leading single, “True Love”, unlike the album, was a commercial success, peaking at #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and so was the second single, the title track (“Soul Searchin'”), which peaked at #5 also on the Adult Contemporary.

Frey began work on the album in the midst of a string of hits in the 1980s, as well as animosity between him and other members of the Eagles. The album’s title refers to his efforts to find his own identity

When Frey was asked about his musical direction, he said “In a sense I’m working my way back home, Though I left Detroit and went to California to cut my teeth on country-rock, I’ve remained obsessed with the music of my adolescence, the great soul hits of the 60’s and early 70’s. It’s a style that most black musicians have abandoned for dance music and rap. There are a whole lot of people who miss the sound of Sam & Dave, and Wilson Pickett. It’s left a gap that is being filled by people like Steve Winwood.”

Reviewing for AllMusic, critic William Ruhlmann wrote of the album “the songs here were so interchangeable with those on his first two albums he apologized for it in his note about “True Love,” which became the album’s sole Top 40 hit. The music was pleasant, but inconsequential, and suggested that Frey, living off his Eagles royalties, had come to think of his solo career as a hobby.” In a review for The Rolling Stone Album Guide (1992), Mark Coleman gave the album one and a half out of five stars and wrote that “Frey sounded like he wasn’t even trying anymore; his pump-your-body TV gym commercials at the time displayed more sweat and effort”.

Personnel:
Barry Beckett (synthesizer, piano, keyboards)
Bill Bergman (saxophone)
Robbie Buchanan (Keyboards)
Duncan Cameron (guitar, background vocals)
Dave Chamberlain (bass)
Steve Forman (Percussion)
Glenn Frey (vocals, synthesizer, bass, guitar, percussion, piano, drums, keyboards)
Bruce Gaitsch (guitar)
Al Garth (saxophone)
Roger Hawkins (drums)
Heart Attack Horns (horns)
David Hood (bass)
Paul Jackson Jr. (guitar)
Russ Kunkel (drums)
Michael Landau (guitar)
Ralph MacDonald (percussion)
Chris Mostert (saxophone)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Prairie Prince (drums)
John “J.R.” Robinson (drums)
Ron Skies (keyboards)
Neil Stubenhaus (bass)
Steve Thomas (keyboards)
David “Hawk” Wolinski (synthesizer, keyboards)
+
background vocals:
Max Carl – Roy Galloway – Institutional Radio Choir – Timothy B. Schmit – Julia Waters – Maxine Waters – Oren Waters

Tracklist:
01. Livin’ Right (Frey/Tempchin) 5.07
02. Some Kind Of Blue (Frey/Tempchin) 4.40
03. True Love (Frey/Tempchin) 4.40
04. Can’t Put Out This Fire (Frey/Tempchin) 5.04
05. I Did It for Your Love (Frey/Tempchin) 4.00
06. Let’s Pretend We’re Still in Love (Frey/Tempchin) 4.51
07. Working Man (Frey/Tempchin) 3.25
08. Soul Searchin’ (Frey/Tempchin/Cameron) 5.38
09. Two Hearts (Wolinski/Newton-Howard) 4.01
10. It’s Your Life (Frey/Thoma) 4.58
11. It’s Cold In Here (Frey/Cameron) 3.48

*
**

 

Glenn Lewis Frey (November 6, 1948 – January 18, 2016)

Bonnie Raitt – Nick Of Time (1989)

Nick of Time is the 10th album by the American singer Bonnie Raitt, released on March 21, 1989.

Nick of Time topped the Billboard 200 chart, selling five million copies, and won three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, which was presented to Raitt & producer Don Was. In 2003, the album was ranked number 230 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Pior to Nick of Time, Bonnie Raitt had been a reliable cult artist, delivering a string of solid records that were moderate successes and usually musically satisfying. From her 1971 debut through 1982’s Green Light, she had a solid streak, but 1986’s Nine Lives snapped it, falling far short of her usual potential. Therefore, it shouldn’t have been a surprise when Raitt decided to craft its follow-up as a major comeback, collaborating with producer Don Was on Nick of Time. At the time, the pairing seemed a little odd, since he was primarily known for the weird hipster funk of Was (Not Was), but the match turned out to be inspired. Was used Raitt’s classic early-’70s records as a blueprint, choosing to update the sound with a smooth, professional production and a batch of excellent contemporary songs.

In this context, Raitt flourishes; she never rocks too hard, but there is grit to her singing and playing, even when the surfaces are clean and inviting. And while she only has two original songs here, Nick of Time plays like autobiography, which is a testament to the power of the songs, performances, and productions. It was a great comeback album that made for a great story, but the record never would have been a blockbuster success if it wasn’t for the music, which is among the finest Raitt ever made. She must have realized this, since Nick of Time served as the blueprint for the majority of her ’90s albums. (by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)

Personnel:
Arthur Adams (guitar on o3.)
Sweet Pea Atkinson (background vocals on 03., 08., 09. + 11.)
Bill Bergman (Saxophone on 03.)
John Berry, Jr. (trumpet on 03. + 09.)
Sir Harry Bowens (background vocals on 01., 03., 08., 09. + 11.)
Tony Braunagel (percussion on 02., + 05., drums on 04.)
Fran Christina (drums on 11.)
David Crosby (background vocals on 04.)
Paulinho Da Costa (Percussion on 01., 04. + 07.)
Chuck Domanico (bass on 4. + 06.)
Dennis Farias (trumpet on 03. + 09.)
Ricky Fataar (drums on 01. – 03., 05. + 07. – 09, Percussion on 01.)
Marty Grebb (Saxophone on 03. + 09.)’
Herbie Hancock (piano on 10.)
Heart Attack Horns (Horns on 03. + 09.)
Preston Hubbard (bass on 11.)
James “Hutch” Hutchinson (bass on 01. – 03., 05., 07. – 09.)
John Jorgenson (guitar on 08.)
Michael Landau (guitar on 01. + 03.)
David Lasley background vocals on 07.)
Jay Dee Maness (pedal steel guitar on 08.)
Arnold McCuller (background vocals on 01., 07., 08. + 11.)
Larry John McNally (background vocals on 05.)
Graham Nash (Background vocals on 04.)
Bonnie Raitt (vocals, piano on 01. + 09., slide-guitar on 02. – 04., guitar, on 05., 06. +11.)
Michael Ruff (Keyboards on 04.)
Johnny Lee Schell (guitar on 02., 03. + 09, vocals on 02.)
Greg Smith (Saxophone on 03. + 09.)
Swamp Dogg (piano on 05.)
Scott Thurston (keyboards on 03. + 07.)
Don Was (keyboards on 08.)
Kim Wilson (harmonica on 05. + 11.)

Tracklist:
01. Nick Of Time (Raitt) 3.52
02. Thing Called Love (Hiatt) 3.52
03. Love Letter (Hayes) 4.04
04. Cry On My Shoulder (Ruff) 3.44
05. Real Man (Williams) 4.27
06. Nobody’s Girl (McNally) 3.15
. Have A Heart (Hayes) 4.50
08. Too Soon To Tell (Bourke/Reid) 3.45
09. I Will Not Be Denied (Williams) 4.55
10. I Ain’t Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again (D.Lasley/J.Lasley) 2.238
11. The Road’s My Middle Name (Raitt) 3.31*
**

 

 

 

Aretha Franklin – Through The Storm (1988)

Through the Storm is the thirty-fifth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin, released on Arista Records in the spring of 1989.

Despite the number 16 Billboard Hot 100 hit title track (a duet with Elton John), the album was not a commercial success; it reached number 55 on the Billboard 200. Selling approximately 225,000 copies in the United States, it was taken swiftly out of print shortly. The follow-up single, “It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be”, a duet with Whitney Houston, failed to make the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 41. Other guest artists included James Brown, The Four Tops and Kenny G. (by Wikipedia)

Having scored in the recent past with producer Narada Michael Walden and some star duets, Franklin and Arista turned out another album with the same approach but less successful results. The title duet with Elton John went Top 20, but its followup, “It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be” was an embarrassing failure for both Franklin and the previously pop-perfect Whitney Houston. The rest was even less distinguished, including a song with The Four Tops and Kenny G and a remake of the old hit “Think.” (by William Ruhlmann)

Personnel:
Walter Afanasieff (bass, drum programming, keyboards, Synthesizer)
Renaldo Benson (vocals)
Chris Botti (trumpet)
Michael Davis (trombone)
George Devens (percussion)
Abdul Fakir (vocals)
David Foster (keyboards, Synthesizer)
Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano)
Greg “Gigi” (ercussion)
Reggie Griffin (guitar)
Kenneth Hitchcock (saxophone)
Yogi Horton (drums)
Louis Johnson (bass)
Steve Khan (guitar)
Ren Klyce (keyboards)
Jerry Knight (bass)
Robbie Kondor (bass, piano, Synthesizer)
Steve Kroon (percussion)
Arif Mardin (strings, synthesizer)
Sammy Merendino (drums)
David Paich (Keyboards)
Lawrence Payton (vocals)
Jeff Porcaro (drums)
Doc Powell (bass, guitar)
John “J.R.” Robinson (drums)
Marc Russo (Saxophone)
Corrado Rustici (guitar)
Bob Smith (drums)
Kent Smith (trumpet)
Andy Snitzer (Saxophone)
Levi Stubbs (vocals)
Narada Michael Walden (drums, keyboards, percussion, Synthesizer)
Aaron Zigman (keyboards, vocals)
+
James Brown (vocals on 01.)
The Four Tops   (vocals on 08.)
Kenny G (Saxophone on 08.)
Whitney Houston (vocals on 04.)
Elton John (vocals on 05.)

+
background vocals:
Kitty Beethoven – Margaret Branch – Brenda Corbett – Siedah Garrett – Liz Jackson – Skyler Jett – Melisa Kary – Edie Lehmann – Myrna Mathews – Marti McCall – Claytoven Richardson

Tracklist:
01. Gimme Your Love (duet With James Brown) (Walden/Cohen) 5.19
02. Mercy (Garrett/Ballard) 4.09
03. He’s The Boy (Franklin) 4.06
04. It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be (duet With Whitney Houston) (Hammond/Warren) 5.39
05. Through The Storm (duet With Elton John) (Hammond/Warren) 4.23
06. Think (1989) (Franklin/White) 3.39
07. Come To Me (Price) 3.43
08. If Ever A Love There Was (with the Four Tops and Kenny G) (Oland/Cerney) 4.47

 

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Aretha Franklin with James Brown

Peter, Paul & Mary – A Holiday Celebration (1988)

One of the most successful folk groups of the 1960s (“Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone”), Peter, Paul & Mary reunited in 1978 and have pretty much continued playing together for people of all ages. This celebration is helped along by the New York Choral Society and includes many familiar Christmas songs. While none of them possess an extraordinary singing voice or dexterous musicianship, their talents combined make for a sound greater than the sum of its parts. Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” is their one concession to their success as topical performers. The rest is festive and often moving. (by Rob O’Connor)

Always a favorite holiday album, “A Holiday Celebration” has not only the warmly familiar harmonies of Peter, Paul and Mary, but also the vocal support of the New York Choral Society. This 1988 album was recorded live, which has always been the best way to listen to this particular trio of folk singers sing. Most importantly, this is a “holiday” album, which means it is not limited to just Christmas songs, but covers the entire spectrum of the season. There are conventional Christmas songs (“We Wish You A Merry Christmas”), religious songs (“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”), Jewish Songs (“Hayo, Haya”), Children’s Songs (“The Friendly Beasts”), familiar poems set to music (“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”), old PP&M classics (“A Soalin'”) and even the obligatory protest song (“Blowin’ In the Wind”). Truly, there is something for everybody on this album. Mary Travers is featured on a beautiful song you have probably never heard before, “I Wonder As I Wander.” This is just a lovely album and as soon as I listen to it each year I am in the mood for the holidays. This is also the first album I put on each year when it is time to trim the tree. (by  Lawrance Bernabo)

I add the complete show without edita and a nice Christmas single by Peter, Paul & Mary from 1969.

Recorded live, and chosen from the PBS Television Special
“A Peter, Paul and Mary Holiday Concert.”

Personnel:
Noel „Paul“ Stookey (vocals, guitar)
Mary Travers (vocals)
Peter Yarrow (vocls, guitar)
+
Dick Kniss (bass)
+
New York Choral Society conducted by John Daly Goodwin
+
Orchestra conducted by Robert DeCormier

Tracklist:
01. We Wish You A Merry Christmas (Campbell) 2.45
02. A Soalin’ (Mezzetti/Stookey) 3.45
03. The Friendly Beasts (DeCormier) 3.26
04. O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Stookey/DeCormier) 3.04
05. I Wonder As I Wander (Niles) 3.46
06. The Magi (The Heart Of A Man’s Palace) (Henry/Yarrow) 3.52
07. Children Go Where I Send Thee (Travers/Stookey/Yarrow/DeCormier) 5.12
08. The Cherry Tree Carol (Travers/Stookey/Yarrow/DeCormier) 3.19
09. ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas (Moore/Quinn/Stookey) 4.32
10. Hayo, Haya (Yarrow/DeCormier) 3.57
11. Light One Candle (Yarrow) 3.10
12. Blowin’ In The Wind (Dylan) 4.08
+
13. A Holiday Celebration (full album -no edits) 45-65
+
14. Christmas Dinner (single, 1969) (Stookey) 2.57

*
**

 

Gregg Allman – One Way Out (1989) (VHS rip)

And here´s another VHS rip from my collection:

“I had this originally many years ago on VHS video. I have been a fan for a long time, and this was a little productive spurt by Gregg Allman, Two albums and a Video in 3 or four years.
The show covers the I’m No Angel album and the line up includes the Toler brothers on Dums and Guitar, Chaz Trippy on percussion Bruce Waibel ion Bass and Tim Heading on Keyboards, as well as Gregg on Hammond Organ and Vocals.
The set is short at just under an hour and is pretty good covering a mix of Allman Brothers songs ‘It’s Not My Cross To Bear’ , ‘Statesboro’ Blues’ and ‘One way out ‘and Gregg Allman solo song from the period ‘I’m No Angel’, ‘Demons’ and ‘Just Before the Bullets Fly’. The show is short at just under 1 hour.
The picture quality is not ‘hi-def’ by any means and may be a very good dub from the original Video. Sound is slightly better though only Dolby and not LPCM.
Overall an ‘honest presentation’ of a Gregg Allman Band show of the time. Recommended for fans and those nostalgic for eighties production.” (by Fletch-a-sketch)

Enjoy this rare concert … And without any doubts … Gregg Allmann was one of the most impotant musicians of Southern Rock !

Personnel:
Gregg Allman (keyboards, vocals)
Tim Heading (keyboards)
Dan Toler (guitar)
David Toler (drums)
Chaz Trippy (percussion)
Bruce Waibel (bass)

Tracklist:
01. Don’t Want You No More (Davis/Hardin)
02. It’s My Cross To Bear (
03. Sweet Feeling
04. Just Before The Bullets Fly
05. Fear Of Falling
06. Demons
07. I’m No Angel
08. Statesboro’ Blues
09. Slip Away
10. One Way Out

*
**

Spencer Davis & Band – 24 Hours (1988)

For a musicians who is used to working as a side man, the Spencer Davis Band experience comes as a pleasant surprise: Instead of being told exactly what to play by the star of the show, any band member finds that he is a star of the show as well.

This recording represents the first time the first time Spencer has brought an L.A. … band to Europe.

The circumstances in which the music on this recording envovled are a perfect example of Spencer´s “everybody is star” approach. In thirty-five days we performed in twenty-eight cities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We then spent some days in a very fine studio outside Freiburg im Breisgau, recording material we´d been doing on stage plus a few things prepared just for these recording sessions.

The result is a very special for us all: five weeks of twenty-four hours a day “Rock N Roll Living”, captured in digital stereo (no overdubs) (ny Bobby Crew, taken from the liner notes)

In other words: This is one of the best Spencer Daivs album after his great albums from the 60´s  … Perfect L.A. rock … from the Eighties … listen, listen, listen !

Personnel:
Bobby Crew (keyboards, vocals)
Spencer Davis  (vocals, guitar)
Bob Metzger (guitar)
Billy Ruff (drums)
David Wintour (bass)

Tracklist:
01. 24 Hours (Harrison/Tree) 5.31
02. Lady Cop (Harrison/Tree/Fosson) 4.19
03. Sensitive Kind (Cale) 5.01
04. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress (Webb) 4.36
05. On The Green Line (Winwood) 3.37
06. Pockey Way (Neville/Porter/Modeliste/Nocentelli) 5.03
07. I’ll Take Your Love (Williams) 6.09
08. Don’t Want You No More (Hardin/Davis) 4.41
09. Strong Love (Malone/Silvers/Brown) 2.54
10. Route 66 (Troupe) 3.35
11. Easy Rider (Traditional) 5.20
12. Knock On Your Door (Crew/Tree) 3.36
13. Spiral Times (Metzger/Crew) 3.34

*
**

 

Richard Thompson – Amnesia (1988)

Amnesia is the fifth studio album by Richard Thompson, recorded and released in 1988.

After Across a Crowded Room and Daring Adventures had not troubled the compilers of hit parades, Polydor declined their option to renew their contract with Thompson. Thompson’s then manager Gary Stamler negotiated a deal with Capitol Records and Thompson cut his first album for his new label in 1988.

This was a good time for Thompson to be at Capitol. The label was managed by Hale Milgrim at the time and Milgrim was a fan of Thompson and his work. Thus Capitol invested more money and effort into promoting Thompson than had been the case in the past and with other labels.

Mitchell Froom was retained as producer, and the album was again recorded in Los Angeles with American session musicians providing most of the backing. Thompson still used British players to lend specifically British touches to some songs. In particular long-time collaborators John Kirkpatrick, Aly Bain and Philip Pickett are used, and members of the Fairey Engineering Band provide a brass backing to I Still Dream that owes more to the Salvation Army than it does to Memphis or any other American centre of music.

The album was well received by the music press, and sales, whilst not stellar, were boosted by Capitol’s commitment to promoting artist and album. (by wikipedia)

Ho-hum, another first-rate Richard Thompson album. Since he left the pioneer folk-rock unit Fairport Convention in the early Seventies, the British guitarist, songwriter and singer has released record after record of emotionally explosive music featuring powerful deliberations on love, death and tradition.

On Amnesia, Thompson has the difficult task of following up 1986’s Daring Adventures, his strongest record since Shoot Out the Lights, his 1982 swan song with ex-wife Linda. Yet this is a worthy successor. On the album’s ten tracks, Thompson continues to wrestle with his usual obsessions, with the occasional new target thrown in (televangelists and Shirley MacLaine on the welcome, agitated “Jerusalem on the Jukebox,” American imperialists on “Yankee, Go Home”), allowing him to grapple in new ways. On almost every tune Thompson takes a deep breath, turns his amp up and spits out guitar flourishes that underline what he’s singing about without distracting from the song.

Thompson is that rare guitar hero: if he goes on sharp flights, it’s because the song gives him reason to do so. He’s not nonchalant about each new triumph — nor should we be. (by Jimmy Guterman)

Personnel:
Alex Acuña (percussion)
Alistair Anderson (northumbrian pipes)
Aly Bain (fiddle)
Christine Collister (background vocals)
Mickey Curry (drums on 02., 03., 06. – 08.)
Mitchell Froom (organ, harp)
Tony Goddard (cornet)
Clive Gregson (background vocals)
David Horn (tenor horn)
Frances Kelly (baroque harp)
Jim Keltner (drums on 01., 04., 05. + 10.)
John Kirkpatrick (accordion, anglo-concertina, vocals)
Tony Levin (bass on 03., 06. + 08.)
Ian Peters (euphonium)
Philip Pickett (shawm, recorder)
Jerry Scheff (bass on 01., 02., 04., 05., 07. + 10.)
Fred Tackett (guitar)
Brian Taylor (cornet)
Danny Thompson (bass)
Richard Thompson (guitar, vocals, mandolin, hammer dulcimer)

Tracklist:
01. Turning Of The Tide 2.55
02. Gypsy Love Songs 6.14
03. Reckless Kind 4.23
04. Jerusalem On The Jukebox 4.08
05. I Still Dream 5.09
06. Don’t Tempt Me 3.35
07. Yankee, Go Home 3.05
08. Can’t Win 5.28
09. Waltzing’s For Dreamers 4.06
10. Pharaoh 4.24

All songs written by Richard Thompson

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