Kevin Bryan's Record Reviews (From Stourbridge News)

Kevin Bryan's Record Reviews

7:00am Saturday 30th October 2010 in Music

The latest records reviewed by Kevin Bryan.

"Mark Lamarr's Rhythm & Blues Christmas"(Fantastic Voyage FVCD 079)-This seasonal anthology was assembled by Radio 2 presenter and fanatical record collector Mark Lamarr,drawing on some fine examples of blues,doo wop,jazz and r&b from the late forties and early fifties.Louis Armstrong,Jimmy Witherspoon and The Moonglows all make telling contributions to a vibrant package which reflects the wealth of talent that America's rhythm and blues scene had at its disposal during the immediate postwar era.

Vladimir Feltsman,"Beethoven:Piano Sonatas,Op.109,Op.110 & Op.111"(Nimbus NI 2575)-Virtuoso pianist Feltsman is probably best known for his peerless performances of Bach,but the new Nimbus CD from this gifted Russian American musician finds him turning his attentions towards three of Beethoven's finest piano sonatas.These impeccable performances date from 1997,and should be required listening for devotees of keyboard music everywhere.

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes,"Pills and Ammo"(Floating World FREEM 5026)-The latest offering from Southside Johnny Lyon and his current bunch of musical cohorts has a much more direct and rock orientated feel than the brassily soulful fare that first captured the attention of the masses during the late seventies.Twin guitars predominate in a conscious effort to recapture the sound that the Rolling Stones perfected with "Sticky Fingers" and the results are typically passionate and compelling,with highlights emerging in the shape of "Lead Me On,""Harder Than It Looks" and "A Place Where I Can't Be Found."

Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band,"A Tapestry of Carols"(Saydisc CDSL 366)-This 1987 album from Steeleye Span frontperson Prior found this distinctive vocalist tackling a beguiling blend of Christmas carols from Britain and several other European countries.The Carnival Band's quasi medieval performing style helps to breathe new life into familiar ditties such as "The Holly and the Ivy" and "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen,"all of them delightfully re-arranged by the multi-talented Andrew Watts.

"Great Rock'n'Roll-Red Hot"(Smith & Co.SCCD 2435)-Rock'n'roll anthologies have been ten a penny since the invention of the CD prompted record companies to plunder their vinyl archives in search of suitable material for recycling,but few of them have packed quite such a potent musical punch as this fine 2 CD set.The inclusion of a string of unjustly neglected fifties obscurities lends added appeal to a package which also boasts contributions from Eddie Cochran,Gene Vincent and Elvis Presley, as well as Eddie Fontaine's classic "Nothin' Shaking."

Joe Tex,"Singles A's & B's Vol.2"(Cherry Red/Shout SHOU 767)-This prolific Texas born soulman recorded a whole host of superb singles for the Dial label during 1967 and 1968,and they're all presented here in chronological order to help to introduce a new generation of record buyers to the unique talents of this under-rated balladeer."Show Me" and "Skinny Legs And All" capture the essence of Joe's humourously preachy approach to music-making.