This Is The Third Album Of A Band Called Adebesi Shank We Hope You Like It – Adebesi Shank – Irish instrumental trio raising a helluva lot of noise – B
My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke – Al Jarreau – It has been five years since the jazz singer has released an album, including a stint in hospital just to keep us mortal, and to keep us more mortal, this is a tribute to his first mentor George Duke, who died last year. Guest stars include Kelly Price, Gerald Albright, Dianna Reeves, Dr. John, something of an all stars list, and they are all in service during this lovely and loving tribute to the late pianist. ALBUM OF THE WEEK – A-
Magazines Or Novels – Andy Grammer – The cool form of Jason Mraz but even so, this is pretty lame – C
1st Of The Month Vol 2 – Cam’ron – The Nicki Minaj featured track “So Bad” is a song of the year, the rest of it less so but still full on pop moves – B+
That’s The Way It Is Deluxe – Elvis Presley – There is a sense that this album was closing time, that’s what distance does, but it wasn’t at all. The Las Vegas Vegas stint was 1970, seven years before his death, and the template for the last seven years of his career. Later on Presley would make it more of an All American event, this is straight forward, but the band here is first rate, Presley has seldom sung better, and the deluxe version gives you more which can only be a good thing. Presley was only 35 but completely timeless here. One more thing: 156 songs. – A
1000hp – Godsmack – Bruising metal tracks, well executed, and passionate. What’s not to like? – B
The Interrupters – The Interrupters – Ska rockers, we’ve heard it before but the songs are pretty good – B
Dance Like You Don’t give A… Greatest Hits remixes – LeAnn Rimes – A terrible idea which doesn’t come close to working. Not even the Crystal Method can save it – D
Being – Mozart’s Sister – From the scene that brought us Grimes, more indie pop EDM – B-
Don’t Wait Up (For George) – Shooter Jennings – Good EP of George Jones tracks, included a superb “She Thinks I Still Care” and a new Shooter blues number that is the least sentimental of tributes – B+
Forever Yours – Smokie Norful – Contemporary Christian Music, great voice, lame songs – C+
Frozen Letters – Spider Bags – Splits down the middle, half great, half less so – A-
They want My Soul – Spoon – Their best album ever, has a couple of weak spots but a great rhythm section, good to great songwriter, and a tough guy attitude that pays off – A-
Somebody To You – The Vamps – The boy band most likely to take on at least the wanted. Title track is awesome – B-
