Top Albums and Reissues of 2008

Top Albums of 2008 (in no particular order)
Joe Jackson—Rain
Tift Merritt—Another Country
Kathleen Edwards—Asking for Flowers
Beach House—Devotion
She & Him—Vol. 1
Lindsey Buckingham—Gift of Screws
The Hold Steady—Stay Positive
Alina Simone—Everyone’s Crying Out
Beth Rowley—Little Dreamer
Army Navy—Army Navy
Nine Inch Nails—The Slip





Top Reissues of 2008 (in no particular order)
Genesis—1970-1975
Bob Dylan—Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8
Nick Lowe—Jesus of Cool
Various Artists—Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia
U2—War
Beck—Odelay
New Order—Low Life, Technique
David Bowie—Live Santa Monica ‘72
Billy Joel—The Stranger
The Replacements—Let It Be
Love—Forever Changes

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CD Review: The Smiths

The Smiths
The Sound of the Smiths (Deluxe Edition)
Sire/Rhino
By David Chiu

Even after more than 20 years since their breakup, the Smiths continue to be so popular enough that there were recent rumors of a reunion in the media. It’s a testament to the two main things that made the Smiths arguably one of the greatest British bands ever: the distinct crooning and lyrics of Morrissey and the musical genius of guitarist Johnny Marr. There seems to be more Smiths compilations today than their small but memorable studio output, this latest collection, The Sound of the Smiths, is no different (Marr mastered the set) unless you have this special 2-CD deluxe version. Disc one surveys the Smiths’ most well-known cuts from “Hand in Glove” from the 1984 self-titled debut, through “Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me” on the 1987 swansong Strangeways, Here We Come. In between are the anthems that every disaffected teen knows by heart such as the classic “How Soon Is Now,” “William, It Was Really Nothing,” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again.” This version of Sound also contains another disc of B-sides and rarities that for those who are just getting into the band. Smiths fans probably own all of the officially released studio and live albums by now, but for the budget-minded casual listener, Sound is more than sufficient.

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Live Review: Wayne Shorter

Wayne Shorter (w/ Imani Winds)
Carnegie Hall
Dec. 2, 2008
By David Chiu

While billed as a ‘75th birthday celebration,’ the concert starring jazz great Wayne Shorter was more about the present than about the past.First the show was not a ‘pat-on-the back’ for Shorter achieving this milestone in his life: there were no special guest stars from Shorter’s illustrious musical history. Second the concert was also about collaboration, which was certainly the case when he shared the Carnegie Hall stage with the very talented wind quintet Imani Winds along with his own great quartet of young players.

The occasion (Shorter had already turned 75 this past August) marked the debut of Shorter’s recent piece ‘Terra Incognita,’ which was commissioned and performed by Imani Winds earlier in the program. A reminder of Shorter’s contribution to jazz-fusion dating back from his time in Weather Report, ‘Terra Incognita’ marked an unlikely combination of jazz and classical music; yet it also contained some of the recognizable elements of Shorter’s previous compositions.

After Imani Winds finished, Shorter and his band came onstage for their own set. The band leader’s tenor and soprano sax playing showcased both his distinctive forceful and lyrical style, complemented and answered by the tremendous accompaniment from his group: Danilo Perez’s graceful yet complex piano, John Patitucci’s penetrating bass, and (especially) Brian Blade’s bombastic but precise drumming. Then the band joined forces with Imani Winds for the show’s conclusion that included a performance of “Pegasus” that again showcased ‘jazz-meets-classical.’ As for Shorter, age and time has not diminished his skills as both player and composer at this show.


Set list:

I. Imani Winds:
“Quintette en forme de choros”
“Terra Incognita”

II. Wayne Shorter Quartet:
“Zero Gravity/Sanctuary”
“Over Shadow Hill Way”
“Joy Ryder”
“Myr”

III. Wayne Shorter Quartet and Imani Winds:
“The Three Marias”
“Pegasus”
“Prometheus Unbound”

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CD Review: R.E.M.

R.E.M.
Murmur (Deluxe Edition)
I.R.S./UME
By David Chiu

R.E.M.’s full-length debut, Murmur, which came out 25 years ago, set the standard for many alternative/college bands and rock albums to come. The sound from that album was the antithesis of the popular music in the early ‘80s—it was minimalist (no bloated, overextended guitar solos or synths); the lyrics were self-conscious and vague didn’t make much sense; and Michael Stipe’s raspy, almost talk-singing was unlike anything in rock before. In other words it was totally anti-commercial, yet melodic too. From top to bottom Murmur is an absolutely perfect album containing the band’s best song “Radio Free Europe” along with rockers “Catapult,” “Laughing,” and “Pilgrimage.” Yet the Athens, Georgia band was also capable of churning out thoughtful music in addition to the garage-sounding stuff such as the gorgeous “Sitting Still” and “Talk About the Passion.” This deluxe edition comes with a second disc of a 1983 Toronto show—sans the arena trappings that would come later— in which the band not only plays a majority of Murmur’s songs but also tracks from the Chronic Town EP and the next album Reckoning: “7 Chinese Brothers,” “Gardening at Night,” “Carnival of Sorts,” as well as a cover of the Velvet Underground’s “There She Goes Again.” It’s a fascinating glimpse of R.E.M.’s live chops early in the group’s history.

See R.E.M. perform "Radio Free Europe" on David Letterman:

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CD Review: Smokey Robinson and the Four Tops

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
The Definitive Collection
Motown/UME
By David Chiu

The Four Topes
The Definitive Collection
Motown/UME
By David Chiu

As Motown turns 50 next year, the careers of two of the legendary acts from the label are spotlighted on these satisfactory single disc compilations.

It’s no surprise that Bob Dylan once remarked that Smokey Robinson was America’s greatest living poet. Anything that Robinson wrote and sang for the Miracles was gold, and this collection contain the fruits of his labors: “Shop Around,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Ooh Baby Baby,” “The Tears of a Clown,” “You Really Got a Hold On Me,” and the immortal “The Tracks of My Tears.” Those songs not only defined the label but they made a great impact on popular music period. There are plenty of compilations, including a boxed set, that has more Miracles songs but for an introduction this set is all you need.

The same can be said for this most recent Four Tops hits collection. The quartet was probably Motown’s greatest male vocal group other than the Temptations gave voice to many of the great hit songs written by the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland: “Reach Out (I’ll Be There),” “Bernadette,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” and the signature Tops tune, “I Can’t Help Myself.” Any survey of Motown songs would be incomplete without at least one or two of those songs by the Four Tops.

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