Music Matters

New On the Listening Rack

Al Green “Take Me To The River”

Who is Al Green and why is he in my house? Why am I staring at this cd right now? Why did I spend $20 on some guy and some style of music that I have no history of liking? Why not? Plus, the cd has ‘Take Me to the River’ on it. Let me assure you, I am no R&B fan, no gospel loving flunky types these words, I have no historical interest in soul, and I honestly cannot tell you why I bought this cd. However, here are a few things that I will do with it: 1) Woo countless women (shhhh, don’t tell my girlfriend); 2) Drive down the streets of Louisiana in genuine southern-soul-style; and 3) Probably go back to that same section in Barnes and Noble and find some more like it. This CD is quite a unique one to have in your collection entitled, fittingly, “Take Me To The River.” 2 discs, 30 of the greatest Al Greene songs remastered including Let’s Stay Together, Lean On Me, So Good to Be Here, and Belle. This CD is an excellent introduction to this man’s musical journey and the sound of soul.

Mark Knopfler: Sailing to Philadelphia

Remember Dire Straits? Of course. Well for any Dire Straits fan out there, this is a must buy. I used to love that band, my favorite being So Far Away From Me and not the time honored classic, I Want My MTV. Mark Knopfler, the ex-lead singer of the group has been launching a solo career ever since the band split up and he has just created a fine piece of work. Collaborating with him on this CD are James Taylor and Van Morrison. This is Dire Straits gone folk and ballad and I do believe change is good.

Miles Davis: Kind Of Blue

As long as I’m straying down some of the more unique paths of current cds I have purchased, I might as well mention one of the first in the long line of jazz cds, the one that started my entire interest, which was purchased long ago. If you are a jazz fan and you do not own this record, drop everything you are doing immediately and go straight to the closest music store. This is by far one of the greatest jazz recordings of all time. If you are curious about jazz and looking for a starter, look no farther. The first few notes of ‘So What’ (the first track) are perhaps some of the most beautiful sounds ever recorded and the album just continues from there down a subtle trail of romantic meanderings. Artists in this group improvisation session include the immortal John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Bill Evans, James Cobb, and Paul Chambers, and Wynton Kelly.