Paul McCartney & Wings – Band On The Run

Paul McCartney & Wings – Band On The Run (Special Edition)
2010, MPL Communications/Concord Music Group

When you talk about legends of the rock n roll era, Paul McCartney’s name floats to the top almost immediately.  One of the driving creative forces behind The Beatles, McCartney has gone on to have a lucrative second career with Wings and as a solo artist.  In 1973, Paul McCartney & Wings released their iconic album Band On The Run, earning seven-times platinum designation from the RIAA and three separate stints at #1 on the Billboard charts.  In November of this year, MPL Communications and Concord Music Group re-released Band On The Run in multiple versions just in time for the holidays.

If you’re already familiar with Band On The Run then you know what you’re getting.  If you’re not, you have the opportunity to hear for the first time one of the seminal albums of the 1970’s.  You don’t have to like The Beatles to get McCartney & Wings.  Band On The Run finds McCartney taking his brand of melodic genius – the one that lay at the core of all those Beatles hits of the previous decade – and turning it loose unfettered by other voices.  The album is brilliant as has been remarked many times before by more august publications than ours.    The bonus disc includes the tracks “Helen Wheels”, “Country Dreamer” and “Zoo Gang”, as well as six tracks from the unreleased documentary One Hand Clapping. 

Also included in the package is a DVD full of bonus materials that will turn McCartney fans green with envy.  Includes are music videos for “Band On The Run”, “Mamunia” and “Helen Wheels”.  An album promo is included, as well as short films “Wings In Lagos”, “Osterly Park” and the aforementioned documentary One Hand Clapping.   A deluxe edition adds a third CD plus a 120-page hard-bound book.

A healthy level of cynicism is always warranted with such re-issues.  Record labels and artists are motivated to sell you something you already have by packaging it with something you do not.  It really becomes a question of whether the bonus materials are worth dropping the money for.  In the case of Band On The Run it really comes down to your level of fanaticism for Paul McCartney and his music.  Hard core McCartney fans will love the bonus disc and DVD.  The sound quality on the original album doesn’t seriously differentiate itself from prior releases, so this one is all about the bonus materials.  For the true McCartney fan, this one is gold.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Paul McCartney at http://www.paulmccartney.com/ or www.myspace.com/paulmccartney.  Band On The Run is available from Amazon.com as a Standard CD, Special Edition 2-CD/1 DVD set, Deluxe Edition 3-CD/1 DVD set, 2-CD and 2-DVD Limited Special Edition,  LP or Digital Download.

Alana Grace – With One Word

Alana Grace – With One Word
2009, Fragile Heart Records

Alana Grace is a wunderkind.  The singer, songwriter and working actress shows incredibly depth for her twenty years.  Based in Los Angeles, Grace came to national prominence when her song “Black Roses Red” was featured on the soundtrack of The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants.    Since then, Grace has appeared at Bonnaroo and Coachella and has even graced the cover of Teen People.  In 2009, Alana Grace released her sophomore album With One Word.  The album features Grace’s pleasing voice applied to somewhat pro-forma songwriting.  The cream of the crop is “Paranoid”, with Alana Grace channeling a bit of Amy Lee in an edgy pop tune that’s ready for prime time.  “Mess Of You” sounds like radio fodder, but Grace presents it with real energy.  “Black Roses Red” is included here as the final track, and it’s easy to see why this was a breakout track for Alana Grace.  The song has a chorus that sticks with you, and Grace fills the vocal line with an edgy and vibrant energy that taps you on the shoulder and insists you pay attention.  Much of the rest of the album is pedestrian; neither particularly exciting nor imposing.  Grace’s voice is a pleasure to listen to, but the songwriting throughout With One Word is uneven.  When she’s on, Grace is capable of writing highly infectious and enjoyable pop songs, but no one bats a thousand.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Alana Grace at www.alanagrace.com or www.myspace.com/alanagrace.  With One Word is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available from iTunes.

Everett Bradley - Holidelic

Everett Bradley - Holidelic
2010, Big Black Booty Records

Everett Bradley is becoming an institution.  Bradley insinuates 1970's and 1980's groove, R&B and funk into character acting to transcend performance art on his holiday album, Holidelic.  Prince, Sly & The Family Stone, George Clinton...  all have influence on Bradley, but the GRAMMY nominated performer takes it all to the next level in the character of Papadelic.  Holidelic explores the holidays, family dysfunction and and whole lot of rump-shaking in a dynamic performance that is hardly traditional but a whole lot of fun!

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Everett Bradley at http://www.everettbradley.com/.  Holidelic is available for download from Amazon.com.

Glenn Colton - The Glenn Colton Christmas Album

Glenn Colton - The Glenn Colton Christmas Album
2004, Glenn Colton

Children/family artist Glenn Colton's had this one out for a number of years, but for a basic song full of classic Christmas songs in straightforward arrangements that you can sing along to, The Glenn Colton Christmas album cannot be beat.  Colton works in a couple of his non-seasonal standards on the album, and Mr. Ducky Wucky (Colton's signature song character) makes an appearance in "Mr. Ducky Wucky's Christmas".   Colton flashes his serious songwriting skills on the heartfelt and enjoyable "Waiting For Christmas Day", the hightlight of the album.  The Glenn Colton Christmas Album is bound to be a family favorite.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Glenn Colton at http://www.glenncolton.com/.  The Glenn Colton Christmas Album is available through Colton's website.  You can purchase it here.

The waning days of 2010...

As 2010 winds to a close Wildy's World is planning ahead!  Beginning on December 22, 2010 I will conduct the annual year-end countdown of the top 40 releases I've covered during the past year.  These will consist of releases dropped in 2009 or 2010 that Wildy's World covered during the 2010 calendar year.  On New Year's Eve I'll also reveal a handful of Award categories.  No trophies or prizes will be handed out, but bragging rights are always fun. 

Beginning on January 1, 2011 Wildy's World is going to change focus a little bit.  I'll still be bringing your reviews of albums of great Indie and established artists, but I am stepping back from publishing every day.  While I've enjoyed doing so for the past three years now, the other commitments in my life effectively keep me from being able to do so on a daily basis.  Even as I step back, I am hoping to expand what we offer.  To that end, I am looking for contributors who might be willing to submit live reviews for shows they attend, reviews of albums of Indie artists from individuals in their own markets, etc.  I also hope to convince some of you artists out there to commit to one-time or even periodic submissions on various subjects related to making your living with music.   There won't be any pay for these submissions.  I'd have to generate income from the blog to pay anyone...

I hope to begin publishing a regularly updated new release list of Indie and established artists as well as covering limited press releases and industry news.  The point is to step back from the daily chore of writing a bit (but not entirely), and move more into an editorial role.  I will continue to write reviews of things that catch my ear, and I may talk about artists/albums submitted in the course of regular posts even if I don't choose to do a formal review.  I will also be opening a Google Group for Wildy's World in order to share approved MP3s from artists I think you should know about.

So many of you have shared this project with me over the past three years, and I have enjoyed the ride thus far.  I hope to continue with Wildy's World and turn it into something even greater than it's been.  I hope some of you who have participated on the other side of the glass up until now are ready to step inside the machine.  Here's looking at you, dear readers.  Let's move into 2011 and take new ground.

Sincerely,

Wildy

Kate Rusby - Make The Light

Kate Rusby - Make The Light

2010, Pure Records

Yorkshire, England’s Kate Rusby has been recognized as a special talent since early in her career.  The folk singer/songwriter was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 1999 and was named one of the Top Ten Folk Voices of the Century.  Labels came calling with contracts in hand, wanting Rusby to cut a pop record, but Rusby kept the faith then as she does even today; staying true to her musical roots.  Rusby’s ninth album, Make The Light is her first entirely composed of original tunes, and offers on display with soulful, sultry and wonderfully interpretive voice that has made Rusby a staple on the folk circuit for over a decade.

Make The Light opens with “The Wishing Wife”, a song about magic and our ability to overcome our own circumstances.  Told in allegory amidst a wonderfully uncluttered arrangement, the song shows off Rusby’s gorgeous voice perfectly.  It’s a brilliant start with a distinct Celtic feel.  “The Mocking Bird” is a sketch in song using a lovely, traditional folk setting.  “Let Them Fly” is a protest song of sorts that’s built around a tremendous hook.  Rusby takes on dishonest politicians and their tendency to overcome our concerns with smiles and handshakes.  “Only Hope” is a touching song that quests for love.  Rusby creates a sweet moment with real emotion and a melody that practically insinuates itself into your mind.

Rusby unearths melancholy regret on “Lately”, a rumination on the passage of time and the sorrow that can accompany this.  Rusby finds the threads of beauty amidst the sorrow she expresses and highlights them for the listener in dulcet tones.  “Shout To The Devil” explores an ambivalence between falling in love and staying single so she won’t get hurt.  Rusby’s performance here is wonderfully artful, displaying a quiet vulnerability that is both hopeful for what might occur and fearful of the same.  This is Rusby at her best.  “Green Fields” details the gentle escape of the world around us; a sort of Celtic “Strawberry Fields” moment that’s full of beauty.  “Walk The Road” is a song of devotion set in a lovely arrangement with a gorgeous melody line that will stick with you.  Rusby closes with “Four Stars”, a sweet and gentle goodbye that is an apt bow for Make The Light.

Kate Rusby is one of the defining voices of modern British Folk Music.  Give her another twenty years and pundits and fans alike will be using terms like icon and legend.  Rusby’s touch as a songwriter and story-teller is almost as refined as her voice.  Make The Light is nothing short of breath-taking in its best moments.  Even with a couple of more mundane offerings on the disc, Make The Light will turn out to be one of the best folk releases of 2010.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Kate Rusby at www.katerusby.com or www.katerusby.com.  Make The Light is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available from iTunes.

Chris Nemec – Simply Delicious

Chris Nemec – Simply Delicious
2004, Chris Nemec

Chris Nemec has virtually done it all musically.  Since making his professional debut at the age of 13, Nemec has performed with conductors such as Robert Shaw, Sir Neville Marriner, Andre Previn and Charles Dutoit.  He has won awards as a choir leader and has performed at Carnegie Hall on seven occasions.  The University of Memphis graduate has furthered his studies at Westminster Choir College, Southern Methodist University and the University of Memphis.  Nemec has arranged for Swedish saxophonist Anders Paulsson and was asked to score the documentary of NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia and its ill-fated entry on February 1, 2003.  Nemec performs several one man shows throughout the Southeast when not serving as the Director of Children’s & Youth Music Ministries at Midtown Memphis’ Lindenwood Christian Church or teaching organ, piano and voice at Lindenwood Studio.  In his spare time Nemec has cut four albums of standards.  The first of these, Simply Delicious, takes a look at seventeen great songs through the eyes of a piano man. 

Simply Delicious starts out with Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia On My Mind”, keeping the reverent reverie of the original intact while adding a dash of smarmy good humor.  Nemec infuses the song with a vibrant energy that makes for a very enjoyable listen.  George & Ira Gershwin’s “Embraceable You” is played like a memory rather than in the moment, a sweet rendition that takes a step back toward what might have been the original intent of the Gershwins.  “Manhattan” is sophisticated and buoyant all at once, having a playful energy that won’t quite let you forget its refined side.  “Over The Rainbow” is given a solid read, although Nemec’s interpretation seems a bit reserved at times.  Nemec explores three songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom Of The Opera on Simply Delicious.  The first is “Think Of Me”, where Nemec shows off tremendous phrasing as he captures the sweetness of the song with minimal embellishment.

“The Last Time I Felt Like This” (Johnny Mathis) is wonderfully crafted, with Nemec digging into the tune almost as if he’d written it himself.  “The Sound Of Music” is predictable; well played but fails to stand out in any measurable fashion.  Nemec gets a bit too cutesy on Bacharach and David’s “(They Long To Be) Close To You”, employing flashy piano trills that distract from a classic melody.  Nemec steps back a bit on “Where Do I Begin (Theme from Love Story)”, offering up a subtle rendition that allows Francis Lai’s melody to shine through.  Nemec stays similarly in the background for Irving Berlin’s “Always”.  Nemec’s best moment on the album comes in “It Was Almost Like A Song”, a cover of the Ronnie Milsap classic that overflows with emotion.    Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Music Of The Night” is nearly perfect, with Nemec capturing the grandeur of the original almost note for note.  Nemec offers up a sweet rendition of Meredith Wilson’s ”Till There Was You” before returning to Lloyd Webber one last time for “All I Ask Of You”.  There must be something about Phantom Of The Opera that inspires Nemec, for each offering here from the show finds him raising the performance bar a little bit higher.  Simply Delicious closes with a sweet and moving take on Rodgers & Hart’s “My Funny Valentine”.

Chris Nemec captures the zeitgeist of fine dinner music perfectly on Simply Delicious.  Being an upscale piano man is an art all its own, calling for distinctive technical skill on the piano as well as a talent for interpreting songs in subtly interesting fashion.  Most who make their living in this fashion occasionally forget to stay in the background and allow the songs to speak for themselves, and Nemec is no exception on occasion, but Simply Delicious  is nevertheless eminently listenable.  While Nemec might overstep once in a while, his ability to interpret  melody and bring it to life in  vibrant musical colors is notable.  If you’re looking for great dinner music, or simply great music to relax with that won’t put you to sleep, you can’t go wrong with Chris Nemec’s Simply Delicious.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Chris Nemec at http://www.chrisnemec.com/.  Simply Delicious is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available from iTunes.