Been listening to Mavis Staples' We'll Never Turn Back, a collection of "freedom songs," widely associated with the civil rights movement of the '60s. Mavis certainly takes you to church, as one would expect. But what attracts and holds me to this one is Ry Cooder produces and plays on it; and the groove is highly reminiscent of the best material he did in 70s for Reprise: Chicken Skin Music, Bop 'til you Drop, and perhaps my favorite, Paradise and Lunch. (I'm looking forward to getting my ebay turntable purchase in, so I can record some of these to CD). Her version of "Jesus on the Mainline," which Ry covered himself on Paradise and Lunch, is the first thing that's given me goose bumps in a while.
I've also been listening to Richard's Leo Johnson's Legend of Vernon McAlister. For those of us who've known Richard's work for a while, this is quite a departure from his early days where technique and innovation reigned supreme, but you had to have a telescope to find a musical theme. Well, this one has no shortage of plainly accessible themes, beginning with the concept of "Vernon" who performs the entire project on a National Duolian. A lot of it is layering of musical themes, with an icing of EBow sustained lines. Richard also played me some of his new album Who Knew Charlie Shoe?, (see photo below) another concept album, with a new character. What I heard was probably the most easily-accessible Richard Johnson ever recorded, with some very interesting percussion, added by yet another character. Go to the site, read the interview.
You are what you listen to.
2 comments:
Richard's new stuff is more accessible, but still quite recognizably him. I enjoyed 'em! Thanks for the head up.
You've made me go back and listen to Creatures of Habit, and I enjoy it so much more now (in this age of Kaki King and Tommy Emmanuel) than I did when it came out. My ears have matured, I guess.
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