Whistle Down The Wind By Joan Baez

Joan Baez is a bona-fide member of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. While the title may not fit her musical style, the honor is appropriate. She was an essential part of the folk revival movement and like or hate her politics; she has influenced the society and culture of the United States through her voice and music for the last half century plus. She has now returned with her 25th studio album.

Whistle Down The Wind is a nostalgic, poignant, and yearning release. The edge to her music is a little more subtle than in the past. Her acoustic guitar playing seems to have acquired a nice patina with the passage of time.

I have always thought she does not compose original material enough. Here she presents 10 songs by other artists and she has chosen well as she brings her experiences to each and transforms them into her own creations.

The title song by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan finds her looking back at life. “Be Of Good Heart” is a sweet remembrance of a past relationship. Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “The Things We Are Made Of” is a thoughtful and laid back tune of independence.

“I Wish The Wars Were All Over” returns her to one of the themes that have dominated her music and life. “The President Sang Amazing Grace” is a response to the shootings in South Carolina.

As with any Joan Baez album, there is always a focus on her voice which continues to have a purity virtually unmatched.

Whistle Down The Wind may not have the power of her earlier releases but it is an album of music that fits where she is in life, and her that is enough.

The Searcher: The Original Soundtrack By Elvis Presley

Calling all fans of “The King;” the Elvis Presley train is pulling into the station again with some friends in tow.

HBO will be premièring a new Elvis Presley documentary April 14, and this is the Soundtrack to the film with a lot of extra material.

The music of Elvis has been released many times and in just about every format imaginable. The 18 tracks from the documentary, when taken apart from the film may seem like an eclectic group, but that is part of their charm. From his early Sun material, “My Baby Left Me,” “That’s All Right,” and “Baby Let’s Play House,” to the immortal “Hound Dog” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” to some lesser known tracks, “Milky Way,” “Like A Baby,” and a rehearsal version of “Separate Ways,” it is a different approach to his music and legacy.

The other 37 Elvis tracks follow the same pattern. While the former fit into the documentary; the rest of the material by Elvis has a seemingly random approach and so you take the good with the bad. I’m not sure I need another copy of “Suspicious Minds (Take 6)” or a rehearsal version of the Bee Gees “Words,” but tracks like “Reconsider Baby,” “You Gave Me A Mountain,” and “An American Trilogy” are always welcome.

It is the third disc that sets the release apart. Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) contributes “Dissolution” and “Rebound,” while Petty’s cover of “Wooden Heart” is present.

It is the music that purportedly influenced Elvis that makes the disc worthwhile. Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s version of “That’s All Right” is still a raw experience, while Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning” explores the beginnings of rock and roll. Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” examines Elvis’ early sound from a country perspective. Throw in such forgotten performances as “Mystery Train” by Little Junior’s Blue Flames, “She May Be Yours But She Comes To Me Sometimes” by Joe Hill Lewis, “Rocket 88” by Jackie Bernston, and “Write Me A Letter” by the Ravens are worth the price of admission.

The Searcher” examines the music of Elvis Presley from a different perspective. Taken outside of the film, it is an interesting listen with a lot of good music.

Heritage: Home Recordings/Demos 1970-1973 By America

Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, and Dan Peek formed America during the late 1960’s. The early 1970’s found them producing a string of hit singles including “A Horse With No Name,” “Ventura Highway,” “Lonely People,” “Tin Man,” “Woman Tonight,” and “Sister Golden Hair.” Their brand of light rock proved to be commercially successful and radio friendly. While the 1970’s would be their creative nadir, Bunnell and Beckley would remain together for the next four plus decades.

America has now returned to its roots with their latest release. Heritage: Home Recordings/Demos 1970-1973 gathers together 15 demos from their classic period, including nine previously unreleased songs.

The album is a niche release for fans of the band or possibly of the era. Recorded mostly at Beckley’s home studio, it presents an intimate look of the band at the beginning of their career. While it may not be the equal of their first two albums recorded during the time period; it fills in a number of gaps in their career.

“Man Of Pride,” “James Holliday,” and “”Sea Of Destiny” are the most complete songs. The harmonies and gentle rhythms are intact but they are not the equal of their best material. ‘”Songs such as “Riverside,” “Rainy Day,” and “Ventura Highway” are works in progress and give a glimpse of their developmental process. There is also a hidden track, which is an a cappella version of “A Horse With No Name.”

America released a lot of excellent music during the 1970’s. Heritage: Home Recordings/Demos 1970-1973 is a trip back in time to their most productive period. It is a journey worth taking for any fan of the band.

Waffles, Triangles & Jesus By Jim White

 

Anyone who names their album Waffles Triangles And Jesus definitely travels a different road. Add in Holly Golightly, and a cornucopia of indie musicians and you have a prime example of Jim White’s brand of quirky, hybrid Americana music.

If there is a musical style named psychedelic folk; Jim White would qualify as a founding member.

A quintessential Jim White track is “Playing Guitars” with some eclectic guitar playing by White and an equally eccentric vocal by Golightly. Everything flows outward from this starting point. He travels from the music of the Appalachian mountains to the rhythms of the African continent. He even makes a stop in Mayberry, North Carolina but that’s better heard than explained.

Jim White creates music that makes you think, while being amusing and confusing. In the last analysis, it is always interesting and worth a listen.