Billy Bragg / Wilco - Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions CD

Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions songs After working his way through loss and chaos on the brilliant TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT (recorded in 1973, but not released until 1975), Neil Young deftly exorcised any lingering demons with 1974's ON THE BEACH. The album opens with the saunter of the aptly titled "Walk On," followed by the utterly gorgeous, Wurlitzer-tinged "See the Sky about to Rain." The set also features a trio of scathing songs--"Revolution Blues," "Vampire Blues," and "Ambulance Blues"--that address issues important to Young, both social and personal. It is good to hear Young back with such bite and vitriol, especially after the broken desperation of TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT. But while ON THE BEACH is edgy and deeply felt, it also manages to sound liberating and relaxed, with glimmers of hope and humor peeking through the spare, evocative arrangements. Inexplicably unreleased on CD until 2003, ON THE BEACH is both unflinching and resilient, and easily stands as one of Young's finest albums. Recording information: Broken Arrow Studios, San Francisco, CA; Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, CA. Photographer: Bob Seidemann. Guests:Graham Nash/Rick Danko/ David Crosby/Levon Helm Personnel: Neil Young (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica, Wurlitzer organ); Neil Young (Wurlitzer piano); Ben Keith (vocals, guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar, dobro, Wurlitzer piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ, drums, background vocals); Graham Nash (vocals, Wurlitzer piano, Wurlitzer organ); Ralph Molina (vocals, drums, background vocals); Tim Drummond (bass instrument, drums, percussion); Rick Danko, Billy Talbot (bass instrument); David Crosby (vocals, guitar); Rusty Kershaw (guitar, slide guitar, violin, fiddle); George Whitsell (guitar); Joe Yankee (harp, tambourine); Levon Helm (drums). Liner Note Author: Rusty Kershaw.

Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions CD music On paper it seems as if such titanic and distinctive musical personalities as Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane might not mix very well, but this stellar set, recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1957, plays almost like a blissful extended duet between the two (with support from a sensitive yet hard-swinging bassist and drummer). The opener, "Monk's Mood," for example, features the composer/pianist's typically brilliant, idiosyncratic playing, while Coltrane floats over the top in the most lyrical of modes. Monk, in particular, is a master of tension-and-release tunefulness, creating rhythmic and harmonic intricacies that seem to spur Coltrane's saxophone exploration to new heights. The quartet shines on ballads ("Sweet and Lovely"), but the leaders display their best chemistry on the Monk's thorny, uptempo bop numbers. "Evidence" and "Epistrophy," for instance," have Monk adding rhythmic, dissonant punctuation to Coltrane's torrential stream of ideas, creating a thrilling push-pull balance. A superb date, and a must for fans of both artists, AT CARNEGIE HALL captures two of jazz's most important figures working in perfect symbiosis. Recording information: Carnegie Hall, New York, NY (11/29/1957). Personnel: Thelonious Monk (piano); John Coltrane (tenor saxophone); Ahmed Abdul-Malik (bass instrument); Shadow Wilson (drums). Liner Note Authors: Larry Appelbaum; Robin D.G. Kelley; Ira Gitler; Lewis Porter; Amiri Baraka; Stanley Crouch; Ashley Kahn. Award Winner

Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions buy CD music LIVE 1966... includes a 56-page booklet filled with rare photographs. Recorded live at the Manchester Free Hall, Manchester, England on May 17, 1966. A bootleg so legendary its incorrect origin graces the title of the official release, the Manchester-recorded "ROYAL ALBERT HALL" CONCERT documents one of rock and roll's watershed moments. The folk prophet's embrace of electricity in the face of his audience's dissatisfaction with such a decision is among the finest rock myths. This performance, recorded in the last days of Dylan's epochal 1965-66 world tour, proves the music he was creating at the time every bit as extraordinary and complex as the greatest art of the 20th century; Picasso, Joyce, and Kurosawa spring to mind much faster than any popular musicians. The show's first half consists of folkie-friendly acoustic tunes--though one wonders what stringent folkies made of the hallucinatory wordplay of "Desolation Row." When the Hawks join him onstage, the calm atmosphere becomes a deafening din, as coffeehouse introspection dresses up in garage amps turned to eleven, treating the stale traditionalists to a post-modern hootenanny. Robbie Robertson and Dylan trade electric guitar catcalls, like gunslingers grazing each other with bullets just for fun. Garth Hudson's organ rolls out a juke-joint groove. And the bard delivers a batch of songs bursting with ideas of self-identity and social existence that are, even today, standard-bearers. Includes liner notes by Tony Glover. At Royal Albert Hall Personnel: Bob Dylan (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica, piano); Robbie Roberston (guitar); Richard Manuel (piano); Garth Hudson (organ); Rick Danko (bass, background vocals); Mickey Jones (drums). Personnel: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano); Robbie Robertson (guitar); Richard Manuel (piano); Garth Hudson (organ); Mickey Jones (drums); Rick Danko (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Michael Brauer; Steven Berkowitz. Liner Note Author: Tony Glover. Recording information: Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England (05/17/1966). Editor: Mark Wilder. Photographers: Don Hunstein; Hank Parker; Art Kane; Jerry Schatzberg; David Gahr; Sandy Speiser; Barry Feinstein; Larry Keenan; Jan Persson; Paul Kelly.

Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions album for sale Senegal's Orchestra Baobab were one of Dakar's most popular bands in the 1970s and `80s, but it wasn't until the 2000s that the rest of the world caught up with their beautifully eclectic, alluring Afro-pop sound. While the group's discography is full of gems, 1982's PIRATES CHOICE is one of their finest. Heavily influenced by rhumba and other Afro-Cuban flavors, PIRATES CHOICE also mixes in Jamaican influence alongside native African rhythms. Gentle bass and percussion percolates alongside soothing harmonies and agile guitar leads, creating the sunny, mellow vibe that permeates all six tracks (most of which clock in at seven or eight minutes each). A certified world music classic that belongs in the library of anyone remotely interested in African music, PIRATES CHOICE was reissued in 2002 with an additional disc of bonus tracks. Recorded in 1982. Includes liner notes by Charlie Gillett and Nick Gold. Personnel: Bala Sidibe (vocals, timbales); Rudolphe Gomis, Ndiouga Dieng, Mapenda Seck, Medoune Diallo (vocals); Adama Sarr, Papa Ba (guitar); Barthelemy Attisso (electric guitar); Issa Cissocko (saxophone); Mountaga Kouyate (percussion). Audio Remasterers: Adam Skeaping; John Hadden; Tom Leader. Liner Note Author: Nick Gold . Recording information: Dakar, Senegal (1982). Orchestra Baobab includes: Balla Sidibe (vocals, timbales); Medoune Diallo, Ndiouga Dieng, Rudolphe Gomis, Mapenda Seck (vocals); Barthelemy Attisso, Papa Ba, Adama Sarr (guitar); Charly N'Diaye (bass); Mountaga Kouyate (tumba, percussion).

Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions CD music SPECIALIST IN ALL STYLES was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album. Senegalese Orchestra Baobab was among the foremost practitioners of the Afro-Cuban style that became popular in its part of the world in the 1970s. Years later, when more electric, rock/pop-influenced music took over Africa, the group disbanded after an unsuccessful attempt at updating their sound. It would oversimplify things to say that the success of their 2001 reunion made these comeback kings seem like Senegal's answer to the Buena Vista Social Club, but it's also hard to deny. Sounding fully invigorated on their reunion album, SPECIALIST IN ALL STYLES, Orchestra Baobab proudly displays the old-school musical values that made them so popular 30 years earlier. The African guitar patterns and vocal lines intersect perfectly with the Cuba-inspired percussion and song structures for a sound that's alternately mellow and busily percolating. Ironically, the album was co-produced by Youssou N'Dour, whose mbalax sound unintentionally helped unseat the Orchestra to begin with, but N'Dour is a longtime admirer, and his passion for the group's music is obvious in the loving care given to reproducing their unique sound on SPECIALIST IN ALL STYLES. The reissue of Dakar band's 1982 world music classic Pirates Choice (early 2002), was a breakout success in the UK, Europe and the US. So much so, in fact, that the response sparked a reunion, a tour and a return to the studio to record Specialist In All Styles, the group's first new album in 15 years. 9 tracks. Slipcase. World Circuit. 2002. Recorded in Livingston, London. Personnel: Rudolphe Gomis (vocals, claves, maracas); Bala Sidibe (vocals, timbales); Ndiouga Dieng, Ibrahim Ferrer, Barthelemy Attisso, Medoune Diallo, Youssou N'Dour (vocals); Thierno Koite (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Issa Cissocko (tenor saxophone); Mountaga Kouyate (drums, congas); Thio M'Baye (drums). Recording information: Dakar, Egypt; Livingston Studios, London, England; Studio Davout, Paris, France; Xippi Studios. Arrangers: Bala Sidibe; Barthelemy Attisso. Orchestra Baobab: Rudy Gomis (vocals, maracas, claves); Barthelemy Attisso (vocals, guitar); Balla Sidibe (vocals, timbales); Ndiouga Dieng, Assane Mboup, Medoune Diallo (vocals); Latfi Ben Geloune (guitar); Thierno Koite (soprano, alto, & tenor saxophones); Issa Cissikho (tenor saxophone); Charlie Ndiaye (bass); Mountaga Koite (drums, congas).

Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions buy CD music In early 2000, the Chicago-based, country-influenced rock band Wilco began preparing for the recording of their fourth record, YANKEE HOTEL FOXTROT. Filmmaker/photographer Sam Jones went along with them to document a band at the height of its creative powers. What started as a simple documentary about the making of a record became a far more dramatic saga when, early in the recording process, drummer Ken Coomer left the band. Then, months later, friction between vocalist/chief songwriter Jeff Tweedy and multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett resulted in Bennett's departure. Adding to the setbacks, upon the completion of the record, Wilco's longtime label, Reprise, rejected it and released the band from its roster. I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART chronicles the critically-acclaimed band's efforts to overcome these difficulties--efforts which eventually helped to make FOXTROT the band's most successful release. Director Jones intimately captures the band on 16mm black and white film as they perform over twenty songs. More importantly, he also captures the pitfalls that develop when strong personalities embark on a collaborative creative endeavor. Fans of the band will have plenty to cheer about, while the uninitiated will come away with further cinematic proof of the difficulty of achieving the rock and roll dream. Filmmaker Sam Jones chronicled Wilko int the studio recording their 4th album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Filled with inspired live perormances, rehearsals, recording sessions, and behind-the-scenes drama, this DVD is a now-legendary portrait of the band making the best music of its career. Extras include commentary, original theatrical trailer, and more.