CD Review: U2

U2
Under a Blood Red Sky (CD and DVD)
Island /Interscope/UME
By David Chiu

If you never experienced seeing U2 onstage or if you are nostalgic for the band’s pre-Joshua Tree period, this newly reissued version of the 1983 live album Under a Blood Red Sky, and its accompanying DVD Live at Red Rocks, provide a pretty good record. Although they only had three albums under their belt when they performed at Red Rocks in Boulder, Colorado, and in shitty weather, U2 already had the crowd under their spell. The performances were just electrifying no doubt highlighted by Bono’s stage presence—big hair and all. It proves that all the fancy lighting and video screens we’re so accustomed today don’t mean jack if you don’t make the audience feel they’re part of the show, and U2 does the exact opposite. The songs from both the video performance and mini-album sound tightly focused such as “Party Girl,” “I Will Follow,” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday”—but yet feel spontaneous too. It’s remarkable to see and hear this music in retrospect and realize how much they progressed since then. One of the seeds of their success was definitely planted during that period at Red Rocks.

Watch a clip of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" on YouTube:

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CD Review: Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne
Time the Conqueror
Inside Recordings
By David Chiu

Jackson Browne’s newest album Time the Conqueror offers both the personal and political sides of the songwriter. It seemed on past albums, it was one or the other but the they come together cohesively on this latest record. Certainly the last couple of years has given Browne enough material for a highly charged attack on the Bush administration policies most notably on “The Drums of War” (“Why isn’t impeachment on the table? he asks), the powerful “Where Were You” (about the failed response to Hurricane Katrina) and “Going to Cuba.” Fortunately it’s not entirely one-hour diatribe as those political songs are offset by a few of his introspective works like the title track, the hopeful-sounding “Just Say Yeah,” and the lovely ballad “The Arms of the Night.”


Watch a performance of "The Drums of War" on YouTube:

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CD Review: The Clash

The Clash
Live at Shea Stadium
Epic/Legacy
By David Chiu

The Clash rocked the now-defunct Shea Stadium 26 years ago as the opening act for the Who. Now finally released officially after the fact Live at Shea Stadium captured the band still at its prime. The inclement weather that night didn’t dampen the electricfied playing by the Clash whose set list drew on all the great songs: "London Calling," "Train in Vain," "Clampdown," and a great rocking rendition of "Police on My Back." Some performances deviated from the sound of the original album versions, such as the band’s biggest hit at the time "Rock the Casbah," and a medley of "The Magnificent Seven" and "Armagideon Time." The show closed on a night with Should I Stay or Should I Go and a rocking finale "I Fought the Law." It’s a relatively short performance on CD—about 49 minutes, and I could have handled about another 20-30—but it shows that regardless of the venue or situation, the Clash always went down fighting.

Watch a clip on YouTube:

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CD Review: Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia

Various Artists
Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Records/Legacy
by David Chiu

Soul music in the ‘70s was defined and popularized by the City of Brotherly Love—most of which was coming out of Philadelphia International Records, headed by the great songwriting/producing team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Their contributions as well as producer Thom Bell’s to the great Philly soul sound—which was both elegant and hard-hitting—are anthologized in this must-have set for those who remember and appreciate that golden period of music. You must have not lived if you didn’t hear a majority of the music on this 71-song compilation featuring the hits from the O’Jays (“Backstabbers”), Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (“Wake Up Everybody”), the Stylistics (break Up to Make Up), the Delfonics (Didn’t I Blow Your Mind) Billy Paul (“Me and Mrs. Jones”), McFadden and Whitehead (“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”), and many others. (Let’s not forget props to other acts like the Ebonys and Soul Survivors). Even soul shouter Wilson Pickett, long associated with the great Stax label, makes a contribution here with “Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You.” The brilliance of Gamble and Huff and Bell is reaffirmed with the many songs they have crafted during that decade—so wonderfully produced and arranged. Like with any comprehensive Motown and Stax retrospective, Love Train is essential for those who love great soul music.

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CD Review: Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan
Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8
Columbia/Legacy
By David Chiu

The ‘80s didn’t treat Bob Dylan kindly with the exception of 1989’s Oh Mercy! album. And with the exception of 1991’s maligned Under the Red Sky, he has been on a creative renaissance ever since. That period, between Oh Mercy! and 2006’s Modern Times, is the focus of another superlative edition of the Bootleg Series, featuring rare and unreleased tracks, which are amazing. Fans of his Grammy-winning tour de force Time Out of My Mind will discover several tracks recorded from those sessions such as the slight funk of “Dreaming of You, “Red River Shore,” and two versions of “Mississippi.” “Someday Baby” on Tell Tale Signs is a completely different version from the one that’s on Modern Times but just as good. The highlights here on this set are “Born in Time,” “Most of the Time” and another version of “Series of Dreams,” both from the Oh Mercy period. Complemented by some strong live performances of “Ring Them Bells” and “Cocaine Blues,” these tracks, albeit mainly demos and alternate takes, show that Dylan for almost the last 20 years hasn’t lost any of that creative spark.

Watch a video of "Dreaming of You" on YouTube:

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CD Review: Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan
Closer: The Best of Sarah McLachlan
Arista
By David Chiu

While we wait for a new studio album, Closer is a great look back at McLachlan's exquisite, ethereal pop music. You can’t fault the16-track selection here, although a die-hard fan will probably have a few additions of his or own to suggest. (There’s also a deluxe edition that has more songs). Since the very poppy “Vox,” from her 1988 debut album Touch, McLachlan has matured musically towards moving and lush work with producer Pierre Marchand. Their collaboration culminated with the 1993 breakthrough album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (whose songs “Possession,” “Good Enough,” and “Hold On” are represented here). Tracks from that album’s follow-up, Surfacing, elevated McLachlan to the mainstream with “Building a Mystery,” “Sweet Surrender” and the gorgeous “Angel.” The two new tracks that appear on Closer, “U Want Me 2” and “Don’t Give Up On Us,” are wonderful. Given the circumstances regarding McLachlan’s personal life—the recent end of her marriage—they’re particularly poignant, and alone are worth getting this compilation.


Watch the video for "U Want Me 2" on YouTube:

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Features: Alina Simone. Gorillaz-side project, Yes

Some new music features I wrote for Spinner.com that were published in the last couple of days:

"Alina Simone Pays Tribute to Russian Rocker": an interview with Brooklyn-based musician Alina Simone.

"Gorillaz' Albarn and Hewlett Tackle Chinese Opera With 'Monkey'": The latest project from Damon Albarm and Jamie Hewlett.

"Yes Bassist Responds to Anderson's Claims of 'Disrespect'": An interview with Yes founding member Chris Squire.

Photo of Alina Simone by Rachel Bernstein.

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CD Review: ZZ Top

ZZ Top
Eliminator: Collector’s Edition (CD+DVD)
Rhino/Warner Bros.
By David Chiu

Eliminator, ZZ Top’s 1983 album, made the then-somewhat relatively popular Texas blues-rock trio extremely popular than ever before. What made that possible was the advent of MTV, and the music embracing a slight synth-pop feel. While the electronic textures add a bit of a contemporary pop and dance sheen, they also enhance the standard blues-rock sound of the band, giving tracks such as “Bad Girl,” “Dirty Dog” and “Got Me Under Pressure” some kick. But If anything Eliminator will be forever famous for the classic hits “Gimme All Your Lovin,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and the immortal “Legs.” (Finally we get the longer original album version of that song, along with some additional bonus tracks in this expanded reissue). And could forget those funny and racy music videos for those aforementioned hits, which can now be seen on the DVD portion of this set, and complemented with a blistering live performance on British from 1983.


Watch the classic "Legs" video on YouTube:

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CD Review: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Bayou Country
Green River
Willie and the Poor Boys
Cosmo’s Factory
Pendulum
Fantasy
By David Chiu

With the exception of the great Southern blues artists from the past, Creedence Clearwater Revival defined swamp rock. The group from El Cerrito, California genuinely mined the feeling and character of authentic Americana music voiced by leader John Fogerty. Most incredible, however, is the fact they recorded six studio albums between 1968 and 1970, which is unheard of now in the economics of today’s music industry. It’s a remarkable feat that is being celebrated with these 40th anniversary reissues of CCR’s first six Fantasy albums.

It’s hard to pin down the definitive CCR album because they are all of equal distinction. The debut album and Pendulum might rank a notch below to the other four, but then again one decent CCR album would be the equivalent to three good albums by another artist.

Creedence Clearwater Revival may not have been hit-heavy although its best known tracks were covers: “I Put a Spell On You” and “Susie Q.” Bayou Country shows signs of CCR coming into their own with the mesmerizing and hypnotic “Born on the Bayou,” and some upbeat rockers like “Keep on Chooglin’” and “Bootleg”; the album is most famous for the group’s biggest hit “Proud Mary.”

Green River really represents CCR at their finest highlighted by “Green River,” “Lodi,” “Bad Moon Rising,” and the country-soul ballad “Wrote a Song For Everyone” (an underrated track). And if you need proof of CCR having soul music in their blood, check out their take on Ray Charles’ “The Night Time Is the Right Time.” Willie and the Poor Boys is another triumph with “Down on the Corner”; the country rock of “Don’t Look Now”; and the classic anthem of the Vietnam War era, the angry “Fortunate Son.”

Cosmo’s Factory is a really rocking album represented with “Ramble Tamble,” “Travelin’ Band,” “Up and Around the Bend,” and the haunting “Run Through the Jungle.” Pendulum (the last record to feature rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty in the band) didn’t have that many memorable songs other than “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and “Hey Tonight,” but there are still some noteworthy album tracks like “Sailor’s Lament” and “Molina.”

Each of the 40th anniversary reissues also contain some previously unreleased songs, including alternate versions of songs and live performances. Among the highlights include a collaboration with the great Booker T. and the MGs on “Down on the Corner,” and the hilarious “45 Revolutions, Parts 1 and 2.” The greatness of CCR, and especially John Fogerty’s genius, lies in these cornerstone albums.

Check out a vintage performance of "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, courtesy of YouTube:

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CD Review: Lindsey Buckingham

Lindsey Buckingham
Gift of Screws
Reprise
By David Chiu

Gift of Screws has been deemed as Lindsey Buckingham’s return to rock after the semi-acoustic and reflective sounds of 2006’s Under the Skin. It’s certainly evident on a number of the songs from this new album, particularly the driving “Wait for You” and the opening track “Great Day.” And there’s no escaping from his Fleetwood Mac past with tunes like “Love Runs Deeper” and “The Right Place to Fade,” which sounds like a distant relative to “Second Hand News” from Rumours (Both tracks, not surprisingly, feature the Mac’s Mick Fleetwood and John McVie). Yet a few of the subdued numbers could have been on the previous album, and they’re just as handsome and sublime, from the dazzling “Time Precious Time” to “Treason.” The best track here is “Did You Miss Me,” which is a really lovely and charming pop song. The surprising from Gift of Screws is his how quickly Buckingham made this album. Considering he’s not the most prolific of artists, he again makes an outstanding work that feature his signature guitar playing and emotional vocals. Simply put, it’s a worthy follow-up to Under the Skin, and another fine notch to an underrated solo career.

See a video of “Did You Miss Me” on YouTube:

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Live Review: Dar Williams

Dar Williams
The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
September 27, 2008
By David Chiu

There’s something genuine and charming about the persona of singer/songwriter Dar Williams not only on record but onstage as well. It was especially evident by her performance in New York City that was comforting and reassuring throughout.

With her band mates—percussionist Everett Bradley and keyboardist Bryn Roberts—Williams performed songs from her back catalog and material from her latest album Promised Land. Experienced fans would have probably been able to distinguish the older and newer songs and might have wished for a favorite to be performed. But for those like me who saw her play for the first time, it was a very consistent mix of songs—they just blended well together. The songs from Promised Land were really good in the live setting, such as “It’s Alright,” “Buzzer,” and “You Are Everyone.” They, along with the older songs like “Blue Light of the Flame, “Echoes,” and the closing “The Babysitter’s Here,” alternated the evening’s mood between the cheery and the subdued. (Shawn Mullins, who was the opening act, joined onstage with Williams for two numbers).

See Williams perform live makes one realize also what a fine guitar player she is, aside from having a bell-like, exquisite voice. It’s also a reflection of her folksy personality in which she engaged in humorous banter with the audience in between songs for the almost the entire evening. And her backing musicians were really good as well from Bradley’s percussion solo on one track, and Roberts’ earthy-sounding keyboard playing adding atmosphere.

Dar Williams is a first-rate performer and it’s hard to come away not feeling something hopeful or fulfilling after a show from her.



Set list
1. The Easy Way
2. Spring Street
3. Farewell to the Old Me
4. It’s Alright
5. Book of Love
6. Blue Light of the Flame
7. Buzzer
8. The Christians and the Pagans
9. The Hudson
10. Echoes
11. As Cool As I Am
12. You Are Everyone
13. Midnight Radio
14. Mercy of the Fallen
15. Summerday (encore)
16. The Babysitter’s Here (encore)

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