Jazz Articles

Procol Harum: Novum

by Doug Collette
April 22, 2017

Every once in a great while, a band with some history and, usually, no small pedigree, will reignite the chemistry that begat its sound and do so without over-obvious replication of its essential style. Neil Young and Crazy Horse found themselves in such a rarefied space with Ragged Glory (Reprise, 1990) as did the Allman Brothers Band in the early 2000's. With Novum, Procol Harum is similarly positioned. Cognizance of the fiftieth anniversary of the band's breakthrough with ...

Jeff Beck: Jeff Beck Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's - Deluxe Edition

by Doug Collette
June 5, 2015

The two CD 'Deluxe Edition' of Jeff Beck Performing This Week Live at Ronnie Scott's is a title to be treasured even though it doesn't contain any unreleased content from the previously issued CD and DVD/Blu-Ray pieces. It's a pragmatic musiclover's delight in that it collects within one jewel case all the performances stretched over those configurations, but more importantly, it documents the iconoclastic British guitarist not just with one of the most distinctive ensembles he's ever worked with, but ...

Rory Gallagher: Irish Tour '74 Deluxe Edition

by Doug Collette
December 13, 2014

Of all the entries in the Rory Gallagher discography-and it's lengthy despite his premature passing in 1995 at the age of forty-seven-none deserve the expanded treatment more than Irish Tour '74, which is not doubt why it was originally documented on film as it happened by Tony Palmer. Not only did the title set the standard for the many subsequent live releases of Gallagher's career, the abbreviated tour reaffirmed the man's loyalty to his native country, a theme he would ...

Saga: 20/20

by Glenn Astarita
November 15, 2012

20/20 marks the popular Canadian ensemble's 20th release. Here, original vocalist Michael Sadler rejoins the unit, and adds melodious overtones to its stylish, cross-functional melding of pop-rock, progressive rock and progressive metal. Enamored by a first-rate production and a largely memorable track mix, the artists go for the gusto, synchronizing technical veracity with surging rock anthems. On an album short on filler material, Saga divulges high-caliber musicianship with thrusting pulses, climactic crescendos and tricky time signatures. “Anywhere You ...

Rory Gallagher: Stage Struck

by Doug Collette
August 19, 2012

Rory GallagherStage StruckEagle Records2011At their peak, Rory Gallagher's live performances burned with a jaw- dropping intensity, none of which he frittered away with histrionics of any kind. Rather, the late Irish bluesman channeled his energy into his music, which is why the concert albums he released are among the best in his discography. In keeping with its dramatic title, Stage Struck is among that number.Opening with a frenzied rendition of ...

Rory Gallagher: Top Priority

by Doug Collette
May 27, 2012

Rory GallagherTop PriorityEagle Records2012Rory Gallagher never made a bad album, but there are a select few recordings in his discography superior to the others. Top Priority is just one of those where the power of playing, enhanced by the production, in combination with the late guitarist's songwriting skills, renders it essential listening. It is, in fact, one of those Rory Gallagher discs worthy of play for the uninitiated, secure ...

Carl Palmer: Working Live - Volume 3

by Glenn Astarita
December 24, 2010

Volume 3 represents the third chapter of celebrated drummer Carl Palmer's reinventions of past group works, including Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP). His technical gifts are legendary, and with this live recording, the drummer instills a distant relative viewpoint of routes previously traversed. On the ELP favorite “Bitches Crystal," guitarist Paul Bielatowicz re-fabricates an English folk theme into a power-packed rock regimen. He elevates the primary melody into a brooding, guitar heavy rendition, supported by Stuart Clayton's steely ...

Rory Gallagher: Crest of A Wave: The Best of Rory Gallagher

by Doug Collette
October 26, 2009

Even a died-in-the-wool Rory Gallagher aficionado may wonder if there is really a need for another anthology of the man's work. But the late Irish blues-rocker never did get the attention he deserved and remains an unsung hero of the blues-rock genre even to this day.

Certain previous anthologies, even the sumptuously-packaged, 5.1 SuperAudio formatted Big Guns (Sony/BMG, 2005) found some disfavor with consumers due to sound quality concerns and this one suffers somewhat in that respect too. Granted, the ...

John Mayall: Tough

by Doug Collette
October 10, 2009

John Mayall looks alternately dignified and defiant in the photos that adorn Tough. The music, however, is permeated with a consistent resolve. Displaying his usual emotionalism, the Godfather of British Blues offers an album largely comprised of covers recorded with an almost entirely new band.

The wisdom of his concept(s) becomes apparent on the very first track, “Nothing to Do with Love." This atmospheric number features not just the familiar wail of Mayall's harmonica, but the lead guitar of Rocky ...

Return to Forever: Returns

by Doug Collette
April 17, 2009

The reunion of jazz-rock fusion pioneer Return to Forever was a much-ballyhooed event before, during and after it took place in 2008. As captured on the double-CD Returns, it's easy to see why it attracted old school fusion fans plus prog music aficionados of all ages.

In purely technical terms it is a tour de force. Each man in this group--keyboardist Chick Corea, bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Al Di Meola and drummer Lenny White--is a master of his respective instrument, ...