R2OK!

Cherskiy

Bob wished everyone a “Happy New Year” and enthused about Dennis Locorriere providing the live entertainment with a session during the middle hour – haven’t come across the name before? Read on….

Being something of a fan of singer-songwriter-guitarist Charlotte Hatherley (and especially last year’s single “Behave”), I was pleased to see Ash’s “Shining Light” listed from their 2001 album “Free All Angels” – this single made the Top 5 back then. Her exquisite guitar work is clearly audible here – she left the group (or was asked to leave?) a year or two later since she was clearly upstaging the rest of the band, the latter much to the chagrin of front-man Tim Wheeler…. She’s carved out a semi-successful solo career since then, but what’s happened to Ash?
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers was an inspired choice with “The Last DJ” from the 2002 album of the same name. Sounding more and more like Dylan as the song developed, this track smacked of ‘angry old man’, a critique on radio stations in general. “There goes the last DJ, plays what he wants to play….” – could be argued as a comment on some of R2’s current output, n’est pas?
“Satellite Radio” from Steve Earle’s latest release “Washington Square Serenade” was a firm favourite with Bob’s audience last year and it’s appeal hasn’t diminished with time. An almost jaunty bass line jives with his world-weary delivery for attention all the way through the song – wonderful stuff without being too demanding. The album may have been recorded up in New York but it’s hard to take the ‘country’ out of Steve Earle…. And he’s touring the UK in February – including the Sage at Gateshead. Wonder if my bank balance will stretch?
Ryan Bingham’s “Mescalito” was released at about the same time, Bob selecting “Long Way From Georgia”. He’s also arriving in the UK shortly for gigs – and if this softly-crooned, gently delivered song is anything to go by, fans of the more country-fied artists with more than a nod to traditional roots-based music will find much to enjoy.
Concluding a country themed trio was the rather prolific Ryan Adams with “La Cienega Just Smiled” from his extremely successful 2001 album “Gold”. Arguably one of the better ballads from this release, Bob’s played this one before but it wasn’t unwelcome – his selection for the ‘only one track you can have if your house is burning down’ choice!
Morcheeba is a band that I’ve toyed with buying albums from in the past but have never quite got around to – always seems that there’s something better coming along. Therefore I was fairly interested to hear “Enjoy The Ride”, the first track (and single) from their new release “Dive Deep”, which comes out next month. Having also been put off slightly by news of the band ditching their previous singer Skye Edwards in favour of rotating guests, I was gobsmacked to learn that on “Dive Deep”, the Godfrey Brothers are partnered with no less than Judie Tzuke (yes, that’s right!) on several tracks including this one. She sounds as good as ever, reminding me a lot of Boston artist Maia Sharp here in terms of her clear vocals. This is good – I wonder what the rest of the album sounds like?
Bob is a self-confessed fan of Thea Gilmore and I must admit I’ve been converted to her brand of sharply-dressed, almost biting lyrics and clever arrangements for some years now, despite never actually having got around to acquiring any of her albums yet! Clearly one of the country’s finest songwriters, “Old Soul” was broadcast from her own pre-release copy of her new album “Lie Jacker”, a lilting reminder that she’s able to show a gentler side when she wants – this single also featuring the Zuton’s Dave McCabe on backing vocals.
Prog rock-wannabes Porcupine Tree have also been a recent staple of the Bob Harris Saturday Show in recent months – although the show can’t feature some of the band’s wildly-extended half-hour tracks (“Voyage 34”, anybody?), their single-length work is often satisfying enough. Some of their previous track titles almost defy description (“Message From A Self-Destructing Turnip”, “Baby Dream In Cellophane”) but the music itself is somewhat less frustrating. The album “In Absentia” debuted on Bob’s show exactly five years ago this week, so he decided to pick “3” from the album to play tonight. Made me want to dig out my copy of “Duke” by Genesis just to listen to “Duke’s Travels” and “Duke’s End”….
Also from five years ago this weekend was London-based Feeder’s “Just The Way I’m Feeling”, from their 2002 “Comfort In Sound” album, the band’s first after the suicide of drummer Jon Lee. Indeed, this track is a tribute to him, with front man Grant Nicholas giving a heartfelt performance over the top of typical layered melodies.
Bob has been plugging The Storys on Drivetime recently (and why not?), so it was time for the track from their new album “Town Beyond The Trees” that had become popular during his sit-in stint, namely “Long Hard Road”. It’s not hard to work out why he calls them his ‘house band’, and they’re evidently exponents of the ‘less is more’ style of music which makes them rather appealing to me. This is a seemingly simply-constructed tune which works just fine without too many trappings – ‘nuff said.

Bob was evidently looking forward to the live session performed by Dennis Locorriere tonight – I couldn’t place the name when he was originally mentioned but it suddenly clicked – he was the lead singer of Dr Hook! Armed only with an acoustic guitar, he launched into “I’m Impressed With Myself” after some brief conversation with Bob – and straight away I was transported back into my youth in the seventies, listening to “Sylvia’s Mother”…. The voice is still there but this was a much more bouncy affair, almost a self-congratulatory speech set to music, albeit with a slight streak of self-parody. Conversation turned to “Whistle Test”, with talk of people falling off amplifiers, Bob giving Dr Hook “34 minutes, and you dicked around with it!”, the semi-transparent sheet for the band to change behind mid-session. Both Bob and Dennis really seemed to be having a good time reminiscing…. Next up was “Dancing On Daddy’s Feet”, from his ‘next album’ (“I’m back-logged!”), a song written from the woman’s perspective on a failing relationship. Obviously Dr Hook was talked about – “13 albums, lots of singles and radio visits” – the band would just blag their way into studios and pretend to have sessions set up! Now he’s playing solo, he’s still managing to attract the old audience he got years ago for Hook – although they’re ‘all grown up now, they think, oh, is he still alive, let’s go and see him’…. Joe Cocker’s version of “Unchain My Heart” will stick in the memory and this version sounded somewhat similar in places, albeit belted out at a quicker pace. He said that it was important to do a cover as though you knew the song, but not the original record – sounds fair enough to me. Bob was impressed with this final live track, and got Dennis ‘to do a little bit of Amy Winehouse’…. Yes, that had to be heard to be believed! Bob ended the session by playing his latest CD single, “Shine Son”. Although a studio production, it was pretty much in keeping with his live stuff – an acoustic track with minimal backing.

Before the middle hour was over, Bob had time to play arguably my favourite Kathleen Edwards track, namely “Six O’Clock News” from her 2003 debut album “Failer”. A song about a guy holed up in a house with a gun, his only possible salvation being the knowledge that his girlfriend is pregnant, pretty much sums up this Canadian artist’s output – the seamier side of the country that the glossy tourist brochures don’t portray.
Steve Perry and Neal Schon were better known as Journey in the early 1980s, Bob playing their classic “Who’s Crying Now” from their “Greatest Hits” album in response to a request he received on the Drivetime show on Thursday. Hadn’t heard this for ages….
Alabama 3 sound as if, well, they come from Birmingham, Alabama but they actually hail from Brixton, London! “Middle Of The Road” is their new CD single and is taken from their sixth and latest album “M.O.R.” The band easily proves that country rock isn’t necessarily an American-centric affair: there’s also a bit of 1970s West Coast guitar here for good measure, with Larry Love’s raw-edged, smoky vocals topping it all off.
Seasick Steve And The Level Devils made another appearance this week in the shape of “Cheap” from their May 2007 of the same name – the backing band hail from Sweden but you’d never know it here, the track kicking off with a cacophony of voices, altered radio edits and white noise before settling down into some good ol’ fashioned ‘hobo rock’. Steve himself is knocking on a bit, but he seems timeless here – this track could have easily come from the late 1950s or early 1960s if the production values had been slightly more frugal.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’s take on Rowland Salley’s “Killing The Blues” was lifted from their recent “Raising Sand” collaboration – another excellent meld of Plant’s mellow delivery and the gorgeously-lilting Krauss. Music to relax and unwind to indeed, fine for a lazy summer afternoon or one of those dark winter days where you’re looking for comfort. Whilst Alison Krauss has been one of those artists appreciated by ‘those in the know’, this album surely must catapult her into the next level – surely this association with Robert Plant gets her noticed.
Wasn’t too impressed with Richard Thompson’s “Poppy Red” from last year’s “Sweet Warrior” album – whilst the backing and arrangement were fine, I felt his voice was just too deep, too out of place here – I know he’s one of the grand old men of British folk-rock but I’ve never managed to enjoy listening to his solo projects.
His former partner, Linda Thompson is something else entirely, though. “Do Your Best For Rock ‘n’ Roll” (from last September’s “Versatile Heart” album) clearly has more than a nod to the blues, together with a definite country tinge, despite her being arguably one of this country’s folk legends. It’s even more satisfying coming on the back of her ten-year battle with vocal problems….
I sort of lost my way with Bruce Springsteen following his mega-successful “Born In The USA” album – haven’t really listened to much of any of the following albums apart from the various singles, which I didn’t feel had the gravitas of his pre-‘USA’ work. Despite this, I was looking forward to listening to “Magic” from his latest album of the same name. Pity, though – he seems to be a shadow of his former self here. Maybe I’m just not allowing for the fact that he’s aged too, but I still can’t get to grips with this. Nothing really struck me – sorry, Bruce, but it seemed just too forgettable.
At one time I toyed with the idea of buying a Patti Scialfa (Mrs Bruce Springsteen) album but after listening to “Town Called Heartbreak” from her latest release “Play It As It Lays”, I couldn’t help thinking she was almost ‘Tina Turner-Lite’ in many ways, despite never really seeming to get out of first gear vocals-wise. Another pity, since the backing and arrangement were both excellent. Good job I didn’t splash the cash, then….
The same can’t be said for the tremendous Joe Bonamassa, who made a big impression on many following his brilliant session on Bob’s show last year. “Bridge To Better Days” came from his latest album “You And Me”, and kicked off immediately with killer guitar riffs before Joe’s knife-edged yet melodious vocals swooped in. Cracking stuff and recommended for anyone who appreciates good guitar work – I have to buy this sooner rather than later.
Texan songwriter Slaid Cleaves rounded off an excellent show with “One Good Year” from his 2000 album “Broke Down”. I’ve only heard the odd track from him in the past, but on listening to this, I could appreciate the raw honesty he delivers, free of the usual Nashville trappings that you’d normally associate with similar output. Cleaves has a rich, yet almost melancholy voice, united here with an acoustic guitar and minimal backing – a fine combination. Great stuff….

I got this done earlier this week as I was really enjoying the music and forgot about having to do other stuff! Next week? Paul Carrick.
_________________
Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

Briant · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the fine review as usual, Cherskiy. I met Dennis Locorriere at a BBC studio some time after he'd gone solo. He had lost so much weight that I called him Dennis Lo-Calorie! Laughing

Cherskiy · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

Hi Cherskiy, another fine review, thanks, where do you find the time? Although I do reckon that Alison Krauss & Union Station must have been noticed as they have 20 Grammy awards, probably more than any other female country artist and she is huge across the pond. Great to hear Steve Earle, I like Satellite Radio but my firm favourite is Copperhead Road. I also enjoyed Jean Genie by Bowie as this takes me back to working on JP's Mk 3's in the early 70's when I was just a lad and used to love my trips, in a JP, whenever I could get one. I think the guitar riff in this track has a real hook, I am still humming it now. Like you I prefer the early Springsteen work, just love Blinded By The Light, especially performed by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Yes Linda Thompson's Do Your Best For Rock 'n' Roll was really something special in my opinion, I hope Bob plays some more, sooner rather than later. Thanks again Cherskiy, hope to listen to Bob later on.

BB Twisted Evil

_________________
Old Bikers Never Die, our leathers just get tighter!

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land