Bloggerhythms

I've become a big fan of the great HBO drama series, Treme , (named after a neighborhood in New Orleans) in large part because of all the great music and nationally known artists the show features in every episode. A partial list includes Shawn Colvin, Dr. John, The Nevilles, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Steve Earle (whose character recently met an unfortunate, violent demise at the hands of a couple of street thugs). There was also an appearance by a very fine live quintet, The Iguanas. For those of you unfamiliar with this cool little band from The Big Easy they have been making music together since the late 80s and, despite the abundant Cajun and zydeco influences of their hometown, the sounds they make are also heavily seasoned by band founder Ron Hodges' Hispanic heritage. The Iguanas lineup includes two saxophones and sometimes an accordion mixed in with the usual rock instruments. They also weave a little piano into their arrangements. Their two sax playe...

Many jazz purists who hate the whole smooth jazz scene have partially blamed American saxophonist Stan Getz, Brazilian guitarist/singer João Gilberto, and their famous 1964 classic album, Getz/Gilberto , for contributing the DNA that allowed Kenny G and other related criminals to run amok in the music world. However, their hate is completely misdirected and after listening to this eight song set recorded by the first two "Gs" you’ll understand why. Getz and Gilberto teamed with another famous Brazilian, pianist Antonio Carlos Jobim, who co-wrote most of the tracks on this album that jump-started an international craze for Bossa Nova. This somewhat dated, lighter jazz style thrives on vibrant melodies with upbeat tempos that are mostly supported by light and loose drum and percussion work. The guitar playing is mostly acoustic. The vocals are usually soft, tastefully refined, and often mysteriously sexy. All of these components thrived together in an atmosphere that cre...

The Carpenter , The Avett Brothers' sixth studio album, is their second major label release and it's also the second one in a row with the renowned Rick Rubin in the producer's chair. It's also a thoroughly enjoyable set that is doing well on the charts. The Avetts are correctly labeled as a country-folk band. However, you can also call them yuppie-country or urban-country (No, They're not oxymorons). Once you hear their work you'll understand. On The Carpenter the Avetts alternate soft, nice and easy ballads ("February Seven," "The Once and Future Carpenter," and "Through My Prayers) with up-tempo fare such as the banjo driven "Live and Die," a supremely catchy song that is getting all of the airplay it deserves on adult alternative radio. "I Never Knew You," with its 60s, Southern California vocal harmonies, is as effervescent as acoustic power-pop can get. "Down With The Shine," features a horn ...

In 1970, Booker T. & The MGs, the famous quartet and house band for Stax Records re-recorded The Beatles' Abbey Road almost in its entirety. They also copied the original's iconic album cover and even named the platter, McLemore Avenue , after the street that was home to their recording studio, just like the Beatles did for their classic. This wasn't just a group trying to cash in on a good thing. The MGs were virtuosos paying tribute to the world's most famous rock band and one of their acknowledged masterworks. Booker T. Jones is on record as saying he was so enamored of the Fabs’ 1969 album that this was his way of saying thanks. Just like The Beatles did on Abbey Road , The MGs assembled the songs on McLemore Avenue into medleys. Track one is more than a fifteen minute cruise through the three songs that made up Paul McCartney's "Golden Slumbers" medley with George Harrison's "Here Comes The Sun" and John Lennon's ...