Artist: Various Artists
Title: Listen to Me: Buddy Holly
You will be interested if you are a fan of: Buddy Holly, Pat DiNizio's excellent 2009 tribute to Buddy Holly, the "Rave On Buddy Holly" collection released earlier this year
Tell Me More: Whereas Rave On Buddy Holly released earlier this year featured mostly reworked versions of Buddy Holly's material, the equally-ambitious Listen to Me: Buddy Holly features more faithful versions of the pioneering singer-songwriter's material. The Sept. 6, 2011 release of Listen to Me: Buddy Holly comes on the eve of what would have been Holly's 75th birthday. He was only 22 when he died in a plane crash in Iowa on Feb. 3, 1959.
Many of the renderings here are especially tender, with Jackson Browne's "True Love Ways" blending his rich vocals and an orchestrated backdrop recalling the innocence of Holly's times.
Ringo Starr sounds fantastic on the upbeat "Think It Over," a joyous celebration where his long-time love of country music is a perfect fit with Holly's '50s blend of country-western and rockabilly styles.
Chris Isaak's "Crying Waiting Hoping" finds the acclaimed singer putting his distinctive stamp on the classic, with the artful use of acoustic guitar and pedal steel guitar voices dancing around his emotive voice.
"It's So Easy" with Zooey Deschanel is one of the most upbeat tracks, with the She & Him singer's bright and sunny voice showcasing the song's timeless introduction of the joys of falling in love.
The Fray's lush "Take Your Time" is haunting, but sadly in tune with the so-called "The Day the Music Died" event that extinguished Holly's creative fire from the world far too soon.
Artist: Glen Campbell
Title: Ghost on the Canvas
You will be interested if you are a fan of: Glen Campbell, Brian Wilson
Tell Me More: I often felt as if I was a lone voice in the music reviewer universe when I would champion singer-songwriter-guitarist Glen Campbell. Indeed, I can count on one hand the feedback I received after writing a glowing review of Campbell's inspired show at The Grove of Anaheim in October 2010. I am now, thankfully, a voice seemingly lost in a sea of more high-profile types suddenly acknowledging the unique artistry of Campbell. Since his recent public admission that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, there is plenty of interest in his new studio album Ghost on the Canvas.
And, to be sure, Ghost on the Canvas is a wonderful and poignant release. Featuring a mix of original songs penned by Campbell and his producer Julian Raymond, the disc also features tracks written by Paul Westerberg (the Replacements), Jakob Dylan and Robert Pollard (Guided by Voices); Ghost on the Canvas is truly a precious follow-up to the Arkansas native's fantastic 2008 Meet Glen Campbell effort.
Listening to affecting songs such as "A Better Place" and "Strong" is to hear a master – although faced with mountains that loom higher by the day – rise to the challenge with a grace that not heard since Johnny Cash issued his final recordings in the face of his own mortality.
Although there are plenty of more days to count before 2011 has passed, I can't help but think Ghost on the Canvas is one of the year's greatest releases.
Artist: Counting Crows
Title: August and Everything After – Live at Town Hall
You will be interested if you are a fan of: Counting Crows, Van Morrison
Tell Me More: The release of Counting Crows' debut August and Everything After was memorable for not only how great the album was and that it sold more than seven million copies in America alone, but how at odds it sounded in contrast with the early '90s grunge movement championed by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and scores of others.
Listening to the recently-released August and Everything After – Live at Town Hall, it is easy to see why singer Adam Duritz and company made such a big splash. Whereas bands like Stone Temple Pilots and Alice In Chains played with plenty of sonic firepower, their approach lacked the dynamic range and various emotional colors that Counting Crows captured in concert on a magical night at Town Hall in New York City on Sept. 18, 2007. Performing their debut in its entirety, Duritz (vocals), Jim Bogios (percussion, vocals), David Bryson (guitars, vocals), Charles Gillingham (keyboards, harmonica, vocals), David Immergluck (guitars, mandolin, pedal steel, vocals) Millard Powers (bass, piano, vocals) and Dan Vickrey (guitars, banjo, vocals) performed powerful versions of now-classics like "Mr. Jones," "Round Here" and "Rain King" that stand the test of time on the excellent 12-track disc issued by Eagle Rock Entertainment on Aug. 29, 2011.
Robert Kinsler
