Son of JayJamJah

Album #8: Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)
Otis Redding
Genre: Soul
Dedicated to MB Member: Everyone under 20

1. "Ole Man Trouble"
2. "Respect"
3. "A Change Is Gonna Come"
4. "Down in the Valley"
5. "I've Been Loving You Too Long"
6. "Shake"
7. "My Girl"
8. "Wonderful World"
9. "Rock Me Baby"
10. "Satisfaction”
11. "You Don't Miss Your Water"

This is a distinct sound, a seminal piece of the Soul collection and one of my absolute favorites. Featuring just two songs credited to Redding; The first two tracks “Ole Man Trouble” and “Respect”. The rest of the tracks are covers from the likes of Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King, The Rolling Stones and more. Each song is reimagined in a characteristic manner that is pure Soul, pure Otis. Putting my personal bias aside (well maybe not) this album contains the best recorded versions of “My Girl”, “Respect”, “Down in the Valley”, “Wonderful World” and “Satisfaction” of which Redding says "I use a lot of words different than the Stones' version. That's because I made them up".

Released just two years before his untimely passing; the then twenty four year old Redding performed with the gusto and fervor of the young man he was and related the anguish and spirit of an old Soul. His dynamic and dexterous demeanor is evident throughout the album as is his maturing yet still raw delivery. The energetic songs feature a more ferocious and raw tone while the slower numbers feel like a tenderer and methodical Redding delicately improvising over the splendor of the songs construct.

Recorded shortly after the death of his Idol, the album is in many ways a tribute to Sam Cooke. Otis covers “Shake” “Wonderful World” and “A Change is Gonna Come” doing each more then justice. The memory of Cooke’s music is what many claimed motivated Redding to do this album. Producer Issac Hayes described Redding as “…in the zone…” during the recording session. The albums final track “You Don’t Miss Your Water” slides of stage closing a near perfect collection.

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Bulldog

There's a worrying lack of classic soul in my music library, so this is definitely an album I should get my paws on. Good review man

Son of JayJamJah

You want it?

Donate $20 to cancer research sometime in the next year and I'll up for you and PM the link.

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Son of JayJamJah

Album #10: Morning View (2001)
Incubus
Genre: Alternative Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Rezz

1. "Nice to Know You"
2. "Circles"
3. "Wish You Were Here"
4. "Just a Phase"
5. "11am"
6. "Blood on the Ground"
7. "Mexico"
8. "Warning"
9. "Echo"
10. "Have You Ever"
11. "Are You In?”
12. "Under My Umbrella"
13. "Aqueous Transmission"

The last really good Incubus album and, in retrospect, perhaps not coincidentally their last effort featuring bassist Alex Katunich. This is probably their third best album, I prefer the previous two efforts (S.C.I.E.N.C.E and Make Yourself) which are a little heavier in particular “Science”. Still there are some very good and memorable tracks that hold up quite well. “Just a Phase” “Mexico” and “Warning” were all really enjoyable to listen to and “Echo” and “Are You In” were much better then I remembered. There is still a fading element of that sort of cosmic sound that has always set Incubus apart from the rest of their contemporary alternative rockers of the late nineties and early part of this decade.
Variety is not a typical characteristic of an Incubus album and despite this being far from an eclectic collection does feature a good deal more range then previous albums. The opening tracks are energetic and typical of Incubus at first glance, there is that typical presence of a softer side underneath but it’s more intentional on this album. “11 am” “Have You Ever” and “Aqueous Transmission sound nothing like any other Incubus songs before them. It’s an album that’s easy to forget about or overlook hidden between the Commercial mega success “Make Yourself” and the Shark Jumping “A Crow Left of the Murder” but it’s a satisfying final chapter to my favorite alternative rock trilogy of its span.

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Astronomer

I was just re-listening to this album in my car today after a very long time of separation. This, and 'Make Yourself' are my two favourite Incubus albums. I agree that so much of Incubus' stuff is very typical, but that's what I like about them I think. Great band.

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Son of JayJamJah

Album #11: The Hurdy Gurdy Man (1968)
Donovan
Genre: Folk Rock
Dedicated to MB Member:

1. "The Hurdy Gurdy Man"
2. "Peregrine"
3. "The Entertaining of a Shy Girl"
4. "As I Recall It"
5. "Get Thy Bearings”
6. "Hi It's Been a Long Time"
7. "West Indian Lady"

Side Two

1. "Jennifer Juniper"
2. "The River Song"
3. "Tangier"
4. "A Sunny Day"
5. "The Sun Is a Very Magic Fellow"
6. "Teas"

From the first acoustic strums of the A chord on the opening\title track, Hurdy Gurdy Man is a misstep off the curb spraining the metaphorical listening ankles of all who indulge. For those who have never, imagine David Bowie a decade prior to his debut, or Beck born thirty years earlier, and you’ll be close enough. Donovan Leitch followed his smash hits “Mellow Yellow” and “Sunshine Superman” with this open over looked but in retrospect outstanding sixth studio effort; 1968’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man”.
The same influences that powered his early releases; peace, love, flower power and the rest of 1960’s culture, are present in this album any in many ways it’s mundane in that regard. But the defining element of this album is an often misreported story about the title track, the visit to India that inspired it, and the set of collateral circumstances including Donovan’s admiration for the Beatles that may have been responsible for the explosion of Led Zeppelin on the Rock & Roll scene in the months and years to come.
Hurdy Gurdy Man draws it’s name not directly from the instrument donning it’s name but as an ode to Mac MacLeod, a musical mentor of Donovan’s who had formed a band called “Hurdy Gurdy” , after the instrument of course. Inspired by the Beatles and John Lennon’s relationship with the Maharishi Mahesh and his teachings, Leitch traveled to India and found inspiration for his music and realized that inspiration while playing with Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones. The trio were part time studio musicians for Donovan in the time he was recording the album. The album credits and Leitch himself credit them as having played on the title track, however Jones the songs musical director clarified that while Page and Bonham did play the song several times in studio the recorded version actually features Alan Parker on lead guitar and Clem Cattini on drums. All four have confirmed this now and it was Jones who in fact booked the musicians for much of the album. Regardless the three Jones, Bonham and Page had joined Robert Plant and formed Zeppelin before this record hit the shelves.
Speaking frankly “Hurdy Gurdy Man” is more an exception then a rule for Donovan and even the album itself; but it embodies the movement and the time which was always Leitch’s aspiration. The use of the Tambura, the production and arrangement of Jones, who also stole the show on the hit singles “Mellow Yellow” and “Sunshine Superman” and the imagination of Donovan. The whining psychedelic guitar and the heavy guitar, drum and bass rhythm on which it lays are ahead of their time and reason enough to check the album out if the era appeals to or interests you.

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