The latest reviews from Kevin Bryan.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, "Chasing Yesterday" (Sour Mash Records)- For some inexplicable reason Oasis' former creative mainstay continues to polarise listener's and critic's opinions between love and loathing, although I must confess that I was genuinely impressed by his second foray into the often perilous world of the solo recording. Fellow Mancunian Johnny Marr guests on the emotional closing cut, "Ballad of the Mighty I," one of the highlights of this enjoyably derivative set alongside the self-proclaimed "space jazz" of "The Right Stuff" and a fine "Definitely Maybe" era cast-off entitled "Lock All The Doors."
"All About Elvis" (Fantastic Voyage FVTD 213)- This interesting 3CD anthology pays homage to Elvis Presley's early music legacy via almost a hundred tracks from the late fifties, showcasing the efforts of rock'n'roll luminaries such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison alongside a whole host of long forgotten artists who were were probably never even household names in their own households. Many of the latter performers make their appearances to deliver mildly excruciating Presley tributes such as "Elvis Presley For President, " "I Dreamed I Was Elvis" and "Trucker From Tennessee" which provide a fascinating insight into the pop culture of America during those far-off days.
Mutter / Vienna Philharmonic / Levine, "Carmen Fantasie" (D.G.437 544 2)- This CD re-issue originally dates from 1993 and finds violin virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter in typically sparkling form as she breathes new life into some of the most colourful and evocative pieces in the entire classical canon. Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen" and "Carmen Fantasie" are obvious highlights, and Mutter also tackles technically taxing musical creations such as Tartini's "Devil's Trill," Wieniawski's "Legende" and Massenet's "Meditation from Thais" along the way, ably supported by the combined efforts of conductor James Levine and the massed ranks of the Vienna Philharmonic.
Laurence Jones / Christina Skjolberg / Albert Castiglia, "Blues Caravan 2014" (Ruf Records)-Thomas Ruf's excellent record label continue their crusading campaign on behalf of all that's best in contemporary blues with a fiery CD/DVD package recorded live in the German city of Bonn in February 2014. The multi-national line-up of aspiring young guitarists perform an energised set of predominantly self-penned material with the notable exceptions of Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower," J.J. Cale's "Cocaine" and the legendary Robert Johnson's timeless "Sweet Home Chicago," all delivered with a refreshingly gutsy, no frills approach to music-making.
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