The Charlie Hunter Trio has been around since the 1990's, but on their new release, Mistico, (their first for Fantasy Records) they've completed a transformation that began with their last album, 2006's Copperopolis. On that effort, the talented guitarist was backed - as always - by drums and sax, but featured a little keyboard experimentation … Continue reading REVIEW: Charlie Hunter Trio – Mistico
Category: Review
REVIEW: Phil Woods Quintet – American Songbook II
OK, I admit that I have a built-in affinity for the older generation in jazz. Not that there's anything wrong with the newer guys, but show me someone who has lived through a couple of different eras and has more than held his own in many ways, including winning multiple Grammys, and he's more than … Continue reading REVIEW: Phil Woods Quintet – American Songbook II
REVIEW: Marc Antoine – Hi-Lo Split
I'm not much of a poker player, but I do know enough about it to recognize the term used for the name of this new album from contemporary jazz guitarist Marc Antoine, who - it turns out - is a poker fan. Hi-Lo Split, just out on the Peak Records label (his first for them), … Continue reading REVIEW: Marc Antoine – Hi-Lo Split
REVIEW: Chet Atkins – The Essential Chet Atkins
Here's an interesting bit of information -- if you put "the essential" into Amazon music's search field, you'll get back over 4,000 hits. Even allowing for duplicates and different editions, it's obviously a popular term in the naming of music albums. But although the term might be overused, it's also meant as a signal that … Continue reading REVIEW: Chet Atkins – The Essential Chet Atkins
REVIEW: Carole King – Love Makes The World (Deluxe Edition)
Carole King's very own Rockingale Records has released a new enhanced 2-CD album, starring an artist whose name might be familiar -- Carole King. It's actually a re-issue of her 2001 album Love Makes The World, but with the addition of the extra disc containing bonus music tracks, plus several music videos and an interview … Continue reading REVIEW: Carole King – Love Makes The World (Deluxe Edition)
REVIEW: Chasing The Sun – The Greatest Songs Of Summer
There has been a lot of attention paid lately to the Summer Of Love and its 40th anniversary, accompanied by a number of special albums and DVDs featuring the music of that era. That might have been part of the motivation for this boxed set, Chasing The Sun - The Greatest Songs Of Summer, from … Continue reading REVIEW: Chasing The Sun – The Greatest Songs Of Summer
REVIEW: Sound Of The City – New York Area Doo Wop (1956-1966)
As I've said before, you really have to hand it to the folks at Time-Life. I can't imagine any aspect of nostalgia-based media - music, video, or books - that they haven't covered exhaustively. Their virtual vaults must be stuffed to the rafters, judging from what they've made available through the years. You can almost … Continue reading REVIEW: Sound Of The City – New York Area Doo Wop (1956-1966)
REVIEW: Juan Pablo Torres – Romantic Cuba
Reminiscent of Pérez Prado and moonlit Havana nights, Cuban dance music is alive and well -- or at least it is on Romantic Cuba, a new compilation on the Malanga label. The album, which stars the late Cuban trombonist Juan Pablo Torres, is actually two complete albums in one. It combines 1975's Mangle and 1981's … Continue reading REVIEW: Juan Pablo Torres – Romantic Cuba
REVIEW: Steve Khan – Borrowed Time
A veteran of over 20 albums stretching back to the 1970's, Steve Khan has built a nice résumé as a respected jazz guitarist, and his latest effort, Borrowed Time, follows up on his successful release from 2006, The Green Field. His newest also continues a collaboration with some of the same talented musicians, including bassist … Continue reading REVIEW: Steve Khan – Borrowed Time
DVD REVIEW: This Is Tom Jones
I would imagine that Tom Jones' fans worldwide (and there are a LOT of them) are anxiously awaiting the release of This Is Tom Jones, his new DVD set produced by the folks at Time-Life. If so, their wait is almost over. The three disc set, encompassing eight of the best episodes from his TV … Continue reading DVD REVIEW: This Is Tom Jones
Geezer Music Club 