The latest reviews from Kevin Bryan.
Bonnie Raitt, "Dig In Deep" (Redwing Records)- This supremely gifted singer and slide guitarist doesn't venture into the recording studio too often these days, but when she does take the plunge the results are invariably little less than excellent. The eagerly anticipated follow up to 2012's "Slipstream" serves up a fine blend of covers and newly minted originals, showcasing a scorching re-vamp of Los Lobos' "Shakin' Shakin' Shakes" alongside self-penned gems such as "Unintended Consequence Of Love" and the reflective closer, "The Ones We Couldn't Be."
Milos, "Blackbird - The Beatles Album" (Mercury Classics)- The prospect of a largely instrumental album of Beatles' covers may not be guaranteed to set too many pulses racing these days, but acclaimed guitarist Milos Karadaglic has risen to the challenge superbly, bringing his classical sensibilities to bear on many of the Fab Four's most memorable creations. The contents were rather appropriately recorded at London's Abbey Road studios with an eclectic array of collaborators including Tori Amos, Gregory Porter and cellist Steven Isserlis, breathing new life into timeless gems such as "Yesterday," "Something" and the wistful "She's Leaving Home" to name but a few.
Damir Imamovic's Sevdah Takht, "Dvojka" (Glitterbeat Records)- Sarajevo born Imamovic is one of the prime practitioners of sevdah, the distinctively melancholy form of music-making which has reverberated around the Balkans since the 15th century. This innovative Bosnian musician and his like-minded cohorts blend archaic and contemporary influences as they explore the familiar sevdah themes of love, longing and loss, with a splendid contribution from newly recruited fiddle ace Ivana Duric adding to the evocative charm of a compelling package which should appeal to open-minded music lovers everywhere.
"Soul For Dancers 2" (Fantastic Voyage)- The second volume in this excellent series focusses attention on some classic r&b and soul offerings from the fifties and early sixties , led by Solomon Burke's "Down in the Valley ," The Marvelettes' "Please Mr.Postman" and Arthur Alexander's 1961 opus, "You Better Move On," which would go on to be covered by the Rolling Stones a few years later. The inclusion of a string of undeservedly obscure ditties from the likes of Yvonne Baker, Betty O'Brien and Lula Reed adds to the appeal to one of the most vibrant dance orientated anthologies that you could ever wish to hear.
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