More Dispatches

I was listening to NPR in the car yesterday and heard about a new Coleman Hawkins reissue.. What little they played, it sounded awesome.. If anyone has a copy of it, would ya burn me one?!

What have I been listening to lately? Well, as always, I've got an answer for that.

I recently had my CD player taken out of my car (for a second time) for repair. This time, I had Circuit City install an old tape deck I had. I then realized I had almost no tapes, albeit blank ones. So I went to Goodwill and picked up a few. One of them was Jackson Browne's "I'm Alive". I listened to it and suddenly remembered how much I secretly liked Jackson Browne. I then copied "Running On Empty" in it's entirety as well as "Saturate Before Using" for repeated listens in the car. For those who aren't too familiar with Browne's recordings, I highly recommend the following:

1. Something So Fine-Saturate Before Using- A great acoustic ballad with some great harmony vocals on it. I think this was the first song I really got into of his, besides Doctor My Eyes.
2. Jamaica Say You Will- Saturate Before Using- The lead track off his first, incredible album. Many covers have been done, I really like Tom Rushs' version (with Shawn Colvin providing backup vocals).
3. Take It Easy-For Everyman- Everyone knows this song! I know! It was co written with Glenn Frey of the Eagles, whom made a major hit with it. I like this version better, much better. Browne's simple vocals makes this a true gem and proves it takes more than lush California style vocals to do a song justice.
4. These Days- For Everyman- Most famously covered by Nico on her Chelsea Girl album. I can't decide which one I like better, as I like the strings on hers, but Browne really makes this the sad ballad it was.
5. The Pretender-The Pretender- One of Browne's best (and most famous) tracks from his 1970s releases. I think everyone feels like a pretender every now and again. I know I do. It's a really beautiful song.
6. The Road- Running on Empty- A great song about life on the road. In fact, the entire album is mostly about being on the road, as well as recorded on the road. This one has a really haunting electric violin as a foil for Browne's acoustic guitar for almost half the song, it's really awesome.
7. My Stunning Mystery Companion- The Naked Ride Home- A great song about settling down and falling in love with someone, mysteries, faults, and failures and all. It's an incredible song..

Let's see, what else?

The Shaw/Blades cover album called Influences.. It's not bad, a mostly middle of the road covers album with a few highlights. It certainly blows Rod Stewart's recent rock covers album out of the water! Their covers are mostly standard, very little variation from their counterparts.. but still a nice listen. I dig "Summer Breeze" "Lucky Man" and "Seen All Good People". The acoustic work on this record is stellar, bringing out fresher perspectives on these classic tunes.

When I was at Goodwill, I found a single of Wyclef Jeans' "Gone Till November" which I had completely forgotten had existed! It's AWESOME! It has a GREAT string section on it, as well as being able to boast that Bob Dylan makes a cameo in the video for it.

Also got a copy of Pearl Jam's late 90s album "Yield". I remember having a single from the album, I believe it was Given To Fly. I forgot how much I liked that album as well. Highlights include "Given to Fly" "Wishlist" and "Do The Evolution".

Also, let us not forget the Mighty Mighty Bosstone's "Let's Face It", their big commercial success. I recently "acquired" another copy of it.. Another great, forgotten album.. Highlights include 'The Rascal King' 'The Impression I Get' and 'Royal Oil'.