After Midnight

Nat 'King' Cole is one of those musicians whose work seems to connect with generation after generation. Some music is cool for a while, and some is just permanently cool. "After Midnight," one of Cole's most celebrated recordings, is in the latter group, and has that smokey, after-hours feel that's as emotionally resonant today as it ever was. Like Diana Krall, Cole thought he was a jazz musician and was surprised to find himself a pop sensation. The sessions that comprise "After Midnight" feature the sensitive and warm vocal style that was in evidence throughout the singer's career, but the musical setting here is certainly more jazz than pop. Cole's trio, John Collins on guitar, Charlie Harris on bass, Lee Young on drums, is supplemented at times by Jack Costanza, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Willie Smith, Juan Tizol and Stuff Smith, on percission, trumpet, alto saxophone, valve trombone and violin, respectively. Most of the disc though, is Cole's fine piano, supplemented and supported by his sensitive trio. For those who enjoy jazz ballads and swing, particularly, this recording will be a delight: great material, fine vocals and a sophisticated 1950s groove. Some of his finest recordings.

Gangster Of Love

The early recordings of Johnny "Guitar" Watson have been reissued yet again under the title "The Original Gangster of Love: 1953-1959." This material is essential to many blues and early rock fans and should interest anyone curious about the evolving role of the electric guitar in popular music. These are great tracks with hot guitar, horns, piano and great singing. This isn't the rural sound of Southern blues or even the stripped down Chicago style. This is blues as it's evolving into rock and R&B - an urban sound played not by older players with delta roots, but a hot-shot eighteen-year-old (in 1953)in Los Angeles. "Space Guitar" is an instrumental that points in a new direction for the time while "Hot Little Mama" is the kind of hard-edged blues swing that evokes the later recordings of Kim Wilson, Roomful of Blues, and Kid Ramos. The playful boasting of "Gangster of Love" fits somewhere between Ray Charles and Snoop Dog. Essential American music.

Long Player Late Bloomer

Through some odd coincidence or convergence the library adds the new recordings of three Canadian songwriters this week. Convergence is the latest from Kathleen Edwards a songwriter and singer of singular beauty and sensitivity. Also new is Old Ideas, the newest from Leonard Cohen whose career resurgence and successful touring are enjoyed by as many new fans as old, 40 or so years into his creative life. Ron Sexsmith's Long Player Late Bloomer is the third new disc from a Canadian songwriter and perhaps the most deserving of your attention. Sexsmith is a great writer whose previous ten cds have earned praise from Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Chris Martin and Lucinda Williams but have yet to earn him the wide popularity he deserves. The songs are beautiful, intelligent, melodic and memorable and the performance is folk-rock and rootsy. Sexsmith's delivery is modest and unassuming but his talent is profound. Great stuff.

Judy Collins

Judy Collins has recently published Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: My Life in Music. In this second memoir (the first being more about her response to a personal tragedy), the singer discusses the height of her career in the 1960s, her alcoholism, her love affair with Stephen Stills, and her friendships with Joan Baez, David Crosby, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and others. Interested readers will find recordings by Collins (and many of the people mentioned in the book) in the library's Media department.

New Music Books

Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001) by former Eagles guitarist Don Felder has been out a couple of years now, but we just added a copy to the library's music collection. The Eagles were a big part of the California music scene (and still are as a result of endless farewell tours) and their long run provides a book full of stories for Don Felder to tell. Popularizing the innovations of Gram Parsons and others, the Eagles put country rock on the map and enjoyed great success and popularity for decades. Felder talks about how how things fell apart for the band and how the once equal partnership gave way to tight fisted control by just a couple of members. A major band bio and a must-read for music fans whether fans of the Eagles or not.

Love was a grounbreaking, innovative band that enjoyed mostly critical success, but that remains immensely influential long after its demise. Canadian author John Einarson's new book about Love's leader and founder Arthur Lee explores the turbulent life and career of the creator of the landmark recording Forever Changes, a 1967 recording of sweeping ambition and bold originality that enjoys a reputation as one of rock music's greatest albums. From the heady days on the Sunset Strip to Lee's descent into chaos, Einarson's Forever Changes: Arthur Lee and the Book of Love offers the first fully researched story of this troubled but brilliant musician and his times.

Rock 'n' Roll party

Johnny Winter





Rock 'n' Roll party is the latest from British guitarist Jeff Beck. Ostensibly a tribute to Les Paul, Beck and friends lovingly recreate several of the hits Paul enjoyed with Mary Ford in the 1950s. Mockingbird Hill, How High The Moon, The World is waiting for the Sunrise, and others are faithfully reproduced and may bring these charming pop tunes to a new generation of listeners. The rest of the recording consists of a couple nice guitar intrumentals and some random rockabilly. The point of this project isn't exactly clear, but the playing and singing are first rate. Fun party album.

Steve Cropper's new set also takes a look back. His recording is called Dedicated - A Salute to The "5" Royales, and he, too, brings guests in to help revisit some of his favorite music, that of R&B band the 5 Royales. To my ear, this is the more successful of the two projects. Cropper and friends don't sound like tourists in the gritty, gospel-influenced world of 1950s rhythm and blues. This albums rocks and swings with an ease and authenticity that Beck's recording lacks. Lucinda Williams, B.B. King, Delbert McClinton and Bettye LaVette make the music relevant to today's listener while honoring the tradition that gave birth to it. Great stuff.

The best of the veteran-looks-back trilogy is by Johnny Winter. Playing some old favorites with friends like Warren Haynes, John Popper and Derek Trucks, Winter has produced one of the best blues albums in recent memory. Great singing, lots of guitar and the obvious pleasure of the leader doing what he does best make Roots a bluesy delight all the way through. Instant classic.

Celestial Lineage

The new cd by Wolves in the Throne Room may or may not be Black Metal depending on who you listen to, but it's a scary and wonderful trip into the band's murky and dreamy music. Even the pieces featuring furious guitar and machinegun drums shift moods and attain a meditative aspect. Despite the characteristic horror-movie vocals, this band is not about aggression, or at least not just aggression. The lyrics suggest a mythical and magical world that evokes European folklore and is full of eagles, stags, trees and other natural phenomenon. According to Wikipedia, "The band is well known for their interests that lie beyond the usual topics of Black Metal, such as radical ecology, bio-dynamic farming and creating a nature-based occult worldview." This is not music for everyone and is not intended to be. It is music with a distinct and original voice, though, for those drawn to the dark, gothic corners of metal.