Ed--Feb 15 06

Chet Baker--Somewhere Over the Rainbow
I'd listened to quite a bit of the later breathy-tone Chet Baker. He's a young guy here, in 1962, and playing with a bit more energy--maybe before he channelled too far into the heroin. I really enjoy his guitarist, Belgian Rene Thomas, on this record. Good versions of "Pent Up House" and "Well You Needn't"
Jerry Lee Lewis--Last Man Standing
I've never been a huge fan of Jerry Lee, but I gotta say, I've really enjoyed a lot of this record. Jerry Lee is actually playing pretty well, even at a rode-hard 71. This is one of those collaborations with an all-star cast: Jimmy Paige, Jagger and Richards , Neil Young, Merle, George Jones, John Fogerty (high-energy version of "Traveling Band"), Springsteen ("Pink Cadillac"), and more. Really good version of "Hadacol Boogie" with Buddy Guy. Jerry Lee does most of the singing-the guests just sort of cameo in most of the time.
Kate Campbell--Blues and Lamentations
Country/folkish singer songwriter with a Southern lit sensibility.
8 versions of "Stella by Starlight"
Trying to learn this one myself.
Joanna Newsom--Ys
Quirky. Couldn't do a regular diet of this, but it's certainly different. Don't buy the record, but listen to it if you get a chance. This album made it on to several critics' "Best of '06" lists. I guess just because she's so eccentric. She plays harp, sings in a really high, squeaky voice, and writes long abstruse lyrics.
Django--Souvenirs
What I listen to when I go back to the same old stuff.