This day in Music August 7

1954,
Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto at St Ann’s Catholic Church in Memphis. Cash had plans of becoming a Memphis appliance salesman, he instead formed a band with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant, and was signed to Sun Records a year later.


2007
Pete Doherty was warned by a judge that he could face jail or a community order over drugs offences. In July, the 28-year-old Babyshambles frontman pleaded guilty to driving illegally while in possession of cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis. The judge said: "What I have in mind is a community order or prison... if he does not show his motivation, it's prison - it's as simple as that." The singer volunteered to show the position of an implant in his stomach designed to help him give up drugs.

2008
Elvis Presley's peacock jumpsuit, was sold at auction for $300,000, making it the most expensive piece of Elvis memorabilia ever sold at auction. The white outfit with a plunging V-neck and high collar featured a blue-and-gold peacock design, hand-embroidered on the front and back and along the pant legs.

Guitar Justice

Hey friends....

Check out my interview in the August issue of Guitar Justice Magazine!

http://www.guitarjustice.com/500.html

Album Review - The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion - The Cold Still

Producer: Ethan Johns
eOne Music Canada

The new album from UK band The Boxer Rebellion finds this dynamic group
stepping into the studio for their first major major label debut album
with veteran British producer Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, Ryan Adams,
Emmylou Harris, Crowded House, etc.). The result is a very British and
polished, yet highly consistent sound.

As this album makes the rounds, the critics seem to be calling it one
of the best "alternative" albums of the year. I'm not so sure I would
go that far... Its not a bad album by any means, what I'm getting at is
that I think that after 10 years of trials and tribulations in "the
industry", this band is only now coming into its own. Also, I was not
aware that "alternative" was still a viable musical genre label!

The atmospheric sound palette served up on this mostly mellow disc
reminds me of the last couple Radiohead albums, with the last track,
"Doubt" coming closest. Speaking of, I think this band would benefit
from letting a few more of their influences into their songwriting and
delivery. I feel as though this album could have used a little less
keys/strings and more loud guitars, in some parts anyways. These guys
are clearly influenced by rock and roll, and should not be afraid to show it.

"The Runner" is my favorite track, rocking slightly more than most, and
showcasing the band's loud/quiet dynamic quite well.

"The Cold Still" is definitely
consistent, and a good statement of what the band is capable of. I do feel as though
some of the emotion of these songs is lost to the thick production. Seeing this band live
is where this set of songs will shine the best, and truly display the group interacting
as an organic element, as is somewhat, but not totally apparent enough on this disc.

All in all a good listen, for mellow, relaxing occasions. I hope these guys can bring out
their rocking side, which is very much present when they perform live, on their next disc.

Album Review - Claire Daly Quintet

Claire Daly Quintet - Mary Joyce Project: Nothing to Lose
Daly Bread Records - Produced By: Claire Daly

Personnel:
Claire Daly: baritone/alto saxes, flute, vocals
Steve Hudson: piano
Mary Anne McSweeney: bass
Peter Grant: drums
Napoleon Maddox: human beat box

The new album from New York journey-woman musician Claire Daly, finds us
with a collection of 11 lovingly crafted songs, dedicated to the life of
her great aunt Mary Joice, an amazing woman, who in the 1930s was the
first white woman to go from Fairbanks, Alaska to Juneau, Alaska, by
dogsled, before the construction of any major highways or even roads
in the state. Her extreme perseverance, improvisational and survival
abilities are well documented, and represented by the 11
swinging tracks on this disc.

The slower tracks, such as "Lonely Wilderness", evoke visions of staring
up at the star filled night sky, on a cold Alaska night, no city lights
blaring, brutally low temperatures, no other human beings for miles. On
"Kluane" Claire's horn vividly replicates the sound of a far north Moose,
yet not in a comedic way,and as a result, swings brilliantly.
"Complicated Love", my favorite track on the album, could have easily
come from the song book of Dexter Gordon, or Coleman Hawkins, yet is a uniquely
Claire Daly composition.

Speaking of composition, one should not mention this album without
mentioning the contributions of pianist Steve Hudson. Some might say
he is Claire's musical soul-mate, and contributed as much to the writing of
this dramatic and emotional set of tunes as she did. His playing is subtle, swings
hard when it needs to, and all the while seamlessly dancing
through, and around the melodies and riffs from Claire's horns.

A very interesting and unique addition to this studio lineup, was that of
the "Human Beatbox" Napoleon Maddox. There are many deep musical moments
where were you not listening attentively, you might not notice
Napoleon's grooves melding seamlessly with the rest of the band, indispensable
from the groove. Mary Anne McSweeney's jovial bass has a few very
interesting and groovy jams with just her four strings and the beatboxing. An excellent
addition to this disc, they, along with Peter grant on the drums, bring Claire
and Steve's ideas, melodies, and ultimate goals of their concept to life.

I listen to very few new artists these days. But this disc, is a rare
and sparkling gem, shining a light on the past, present, and future of Jazz.
I highly recommend this album for any mild to serious jazz fans, as I'm sure
it will go down as one of the best albums of 2011.

For more information of the artist and the album please visit:

www.clairedaly.com

May 11

May 11 1981
Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley died of lung cancer and a brain tumor, only 36 years old. He had a major hit with the 1981 single 'No Woman No Cry', plus over ten other UK Top 40 singles. In 1990, the 6th of February was proclaimed a national holiday in Jamaica to commemorate his birthday.

Marley's music was heavily influenced by the social issues of his home, and he is considered to have given voice to the specific political and cultural nexus of Jamaica.

The compilation album, "Legend", released in 1984, is the best-selling reggae album ever, with sales of more than 20 million copies worldwide. Time magazine chose Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Exodus" as the greatest album of the 20th century.

Could you be loved

April 4 - Today in music history

April 4 1960
RCA Victor Records announced that it would be release all Pop singles in mono and stereo simultaneously, the first record company to do so. Elvis Presley's single, ‘Stuck on You’ was RCA's first mono / stereo release.

April 4 1967
Jimi Hendrix was the special guest on the first edition of the UK BBC-TV's 'Dee Time', along with Kiki Dee and Cat Stevens.


April 4 1968
Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Joni Mitchell, Al Kooper and Ted Nugent (really?) met up for an all night blues, folk and rock jam at The New Generation Club, New York, NY after hearing the news of Martin Luther King's assassination. What a night of music that must have been!...

Album Review - The Ken McDonald Quartet

The Ken McDonald Quartet - "Pay what you can"
rating: 4/5


Personnel:
Ken McDonald - upright bass and Fender 5 string
Paul Metcalfe - tenor and soprano saxes
Demetri Petsalakis - guitar
Lowell Whitty - drums, percussion

"Detroit" is a stand out track that kicks off the aptly titled second full length album from Toronto based bassist and composer Ken McDonald. That first track is one of the standouts of this exciting new album. Every time I listen to it, the catchy, swinging melody stays in my head for days. The soulful swing (of this entire disc!) takes my mind to a smoky little club somewhere in the big city, in the heart of the sixties.... these cats have clearly done their homework, but also arent afraid to push the stylistic boundaries of their craft.

Sounding classic, and the same time modern, "Pay what you can" is a solid disc, well worth repeated listens.

Each track has amazing harmonically textured bass solos and really shows Ken's agility and intuitiveness as a leader. Unlike a lot of modern jazz albums where the leader is prominently showcased on each track, Ken gives his crew plenty of room to breath. As opposed to sounding like a backing track for the leader, the group comes across as cohesive and competent, sounding like an actual band that has four minds operating simultaneously, as opposed to just one.


For more information on the artist and the album:

http://www.myspace.com/kenmcdonaldjazz

http://ken.halfbeatmishap.com/News.html