One of my favorite singer/songwriters hadn't been heard from for a while until Elton John called him up and asked him if he'd like to make a record with him. Leon Russell was delighted and together they put together “The Union” which debuted this past fall to much critical acclaim. Elton said that he owed a lot to Leon who was a strong influence on his piano playing when he first started out. Leon was blown away by Elton's invitation, and said that this gesture 'saved his life'. He had been playing little bars and lounges far from the national spotlight and felt reborn during their time together in the studio. Leon's “A Song for You” , from way back in 1970,is one of my favorite love songs. Elton was also very moved when Leon wrote a song for him. It is the final track on the album, “In the Hands of Angels”; Elton said no one had ever written a song for him before.
Robert Plant also brought out a fine CD this year, ”Band of Joy”. Robert is best known as the singer in Led Zeppelin but has also enjoyed a successful solo career . Last year's “Raising Sand” with Alison Krauss was a great record; and this new release is also stellar. Plant worked with a group called 'Band of Joy' back in 1960; and on and off through a few different lineups before his Zeppelin days. This new lineup has toured in America since the CD came out. The album has 12 tracks ,including one written by Richard Thompson , and one by the late Townes Van Zandt. Here is "Angel Dance" from "Band of Joy" in a live performance.
In November this year, Arcade Fire appeared on Saturday Night Live, and played two songs from their latest album “The Suburbs”.They are an indie-rock band from Montreal with nine members who are all multi-instrumentalists. They shift from tune to tune to play on various instruments including: guitar,drums,double bass,piano,violin,viola,cello,french horn,accordion,glockenspiel and others. They have appeared on many top ten lists this year and topped the favorites of Jian Ghomeshi on his show 'Q' on CBC radio 690 AM. 'Q' is a very interesting show on CBC radio, running weekday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30. Jian is a great interviewer with guests from all of the arts and frequent in-studio musical guests performing live every week.His show has turned me on to many books, movies and musical artists. I really enjoyed Arcade Fire's performance on SNL. You can see their performance here of the two songs they did from “The Suburbs”; “We Used To Wait” and “Sprawl II”.
A musician friend of mine chose “High Violet” by “The National” as his favorite CD for 2010. This alt-rock band out of Ohio has been together since 1999. Their dour brooding flavour was nicely showcased in a recent appearance on the David Letterman show in their performance of “Afraid of Everyone”.
KT Tunstall brought out “Tiger Suit” this year, and I saw her sing a track from it on “Later...Live With Jools Holland”; a great musical showcase on BBC in the UK. Jools' show is not easily seen in North America, but can be found on the internet. He has a good variety of artists each week , and introduced me to a lot of musicians that I hadn't heard of. KT is a singer-songwriter from Scotland . She plays guitar and sings folk and pop tunes,sometimes solo and also with a band. She is a real sweetheart with a big smile and a lot of bounce in some of her material. Check her out here on Jools' show this past September.
Jools' show introduced me to two R&B/soul musicians whose music I really enjoyed. Janelle Monae is a bundle of energy. This little gal is very stylish. She wears a starched white shirt with string tie and black tuxedo jacket and saddle shoes. Her hair is a distinctive plumed coif with a 50's feel. She has a powerful voice and dances a storm. She seems to be streaming the late James Brown at times; he was definitely a strong influence. Her 2010 CD “The ArchAndroid” kicks and you will find your feet looking for a dance floor when you listen to it. You must see her perform. Here she is on a recent Letterman appearance with her big backing band.
I first saw Cee Lo Green on 'Later...Live with Jools Holland', and he is also very striking. He is a big man with a big voice and a great feel for showmanship. He was dressed in a baggy bright pink suit and his band was four hot ladies (keyboards,drums and bass and guitar) dressed in black leather pants and satiny pink blouses... and these ladies got rhythm! His new album “The Lady Killer” is best known for the hit single “F#ck You”. This hit tune is gone viral on the internet and will probably be on a lot of answering machines and cell phones in the new year. If you haven't already, check it out in the official music video; and here in the slightly sanitized version in his appearance on Jools' program. Cee Lo was previously best known for his work in the collaboration "Gnarls Barkley" and their number one hit "Crazy".
From the other side of the soul stage comes a wonderful new release from Mavis Staples. Mavis and her siblings were taught to sing by their father and they started singing in the local church when Mavis was only 5 years old. In 1950, when Mavis was 11 years old they formed the family group,“The Staple Singers”, and performed in churches around the country; had their own radio show; and later started making records. Although she has sung some R&B, Mavis career has mostly been singing gospel. Bob Dylan was quite infatuated with her at one time, and asked her to marry him! Her new record “You Are Not Alone” is a beautiful listen. Enjoy this performance of the title track with Jeff Tweedy.
I also enjoyed the latest from Joan Armatrading, “This Charming Life”. I had forgotten Joan since seeing her at The Orpheum in Vancouver back in the 70's. I had enjoyed her somewhat jazzy singing style back then, but lost track of her. I was surprised to find she was not only still making music; but that she was also an excellent blues guitarist. Her record “Into The Blues” in 2007, blew my mind. Her singing and guitar work are both stellar. Here she is on Jool's show this past spring.
Scotland's Susan Boyle followed up her acclaim on 'Britain's Got Talent', and her CD “I Dreamed A Dream” in 2009, with the release this year of “The Gift”. The album is almost all Christmas tunes, and although she has a beautiful voice, it may not be 'your cup of tea'. It might make a nice gift for your mom or grandma though.
Just in time for Christmas came a couple of posthumous releases. “Michael” was released on December 14. The ten tracks are previously unreleased songs from Michael Jackson, including collaborations with Akon, 50 Cent and Lenny Kravitz. There has been controversy and mixed critical response, but several of the tunes are quite good.
"West Coast Seattle Boy” is a 4 CD set of previously unreleased material from the Jimi Hendrix archives. The first CD is from the early days before he went out and formed 'The Experience'. It has tunes where he played guitar for 'The Isley Brothers', 'Little Richard' and 'King Curtis'. The other 3 CDs are outtakes, demos and live tracks from throughout his career. Some are great and some are so-so. The highlight of the boxed set is a DVD of the critically acclaimed documentary “Jimi Hendrix:Voodoo Child” narrated in Hendrix's own words, read by Bootsy Collins. Die hard fans will have to get this. Preview it here
Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, after 20 years absence got together and put out “Bachman and Turner”. (What a novel album name !) There are a few good foot-stompin' tunes and some forgettable ones. This sounds like it could have been made 35 years ago. BTO fans will probably enjoy it.
Johnny Reid Is a Scot who moved to Canada in 1988 at the age of 13. He has gone on to become an award winning country singer and this year released “A Place Called Love”. It is a good record with some romantic ballads that are a big favorite with a lot of female fans.(And no; although Johnny still has a strong Scottish brogue in his speaking voice, it is not noticeable in his singing voice.)
My favorite discovery on the internet this year was “Live From Daryl's House”. Daryl Hall of 'Hall and Oates' started inviting various musical guests to come and play in his big in-house studio in his neat country home on his beautiful rural acreage in Maine Three years ago he started streaming the show live on the 15th of every month. His house is a beautiful 1700's post and beam construction that he took apart and lovingly restored. Each month he has a guest chef come in to prepare a sit-down meal for them all to enjoy after their time making music together. The shows are all archived at the site to be viewed at your leisure. His guests have included Todd Rundgren, Smokey Robinson, the Door's Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger, Nick Lowe and KT Tunstall. My favorite episode was this past May. It was called “Remembering Tommy” T-Bone' Wolk”. Tommy can be seen on Daryl's right, with his big infectious smile, playing some stellar guitar licks in the first 29 episodes before his sudden and tragic passing. He is missed very much by Daryl and the band members and this episode is quite a moving celebration of T-Bone's life. It brings a tear to my eyes.
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| Daryl Hall |
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| Tommy "T-Bone' Wolk |
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| T-Bone |
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| Neon Trees singer |
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| Eli Reed |
This season Daryl introduced me to several groups that I was happy to discover. Sharon Jones is a funk/soul singer who fronts Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Their 2010 album “I Learned the Hard Way” will get you snapping your fingers. Eli 'Paperboy' Reed is a terrific soul singer. When you see him it's hard to believe this young man didn't just step out of the 60's. This guy is the real deal and “Come and Get It" is a fine CD. I am not a fan of electronic music but I really enjoyed the duo Chromeo. They have great vocal harmony and some neat innovations that make their “Business Casual” well worth listening to. Neon Trees came on the show and played a couple of cuts from their new CD “Habits”. Their singer has a terrific voice and the female drummer really kicks the beat out.
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| Neon Trees drummer |
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| Neon Trees |
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| Chromeo at Daryl's House |
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| Tommy'T-Bone'Wolk |
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| Eli'Paperboy'Reed |
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| Sharon Jones |
Adele will follow up her debut CD “Nineteen” with a release early in the new year of her sophomore effort “Twenty One”.I look forward to seeing how she has grown. Elvis Costello released “National Ransom” this past fall, and Rufus Wainwright brought out “All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu” this past spring. They are both good albums , but they are both an acquired taste that won't appeal to everyone. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Neil Young's latest “Le Noise” produced by Daniel Lanoise. I love Neil's body of work and wanted to like it, but it just didn't find me. I hope you have found something interesting here. It's time for me to get back to writing about movies. 2010 favorites are up next. Happy New Year all.
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