has been needing. Every song is special, from “Apocalypse
Beach” to the title track, “Beat Poetry for Sur- vivalists,” which has a very cool Bowie vibe.“Witch Tarrif” is great fun, as is “Andy Warhol Was Not Kind,” with its neo-punk-new wave swagger. “Ugly Dude Blues.” Where did these guys come up with these wonderful songs? I love it. “Bobby’s Wild Years,” and “Rock n Roll Ambulance” are equally engaging. This album reminds me of the days of new
wave and punk when I was digging the Clash, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, Elvis Costello and Bowie. A happy time filled with music that was not like anything I had heard before. I have always been a fan of Peter Buck, all the way back to the days when I watched a young R.E.M. perform outside on the lawn at UGA. Buck has only grown as an artist, and although I had not heard of Luke Haines before, Pete must be commended on turn- ing a lot of new fans onto Haines. This one will be played on a regular basis. I have spoken.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Mike Zito and Friends Rock ‘n’ Roll : A Trib- ute to Chuck Berry (Ruf Records) This latest re-
lease from bluesman Mike Zito is a mighty stel- lar tribute to the leg- endary ‘Father of Rock
and Roll’ Chuck Berry. Being that both Zito and Berry are from St. Louis, Missouri, makes this a very personal project. Zito, backed by his band, bassist Terry Dry, drummer Matthew Johnson, and pianist/organist Lewis Stephens incorporates a smashing guest list on this twenty-track album, which includes some of my favorites: Joanna Conner, Walter Trout, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Luther Dickenson, Sonny Landreth, Tins- ley Ellis, Tommy Castro, Albert Castiglia, and Kid Anderson. The album begins with one of the first songs I learned to play on organ, William C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues”. This song which I hold close to my heart features Chuck Berry Jr. It’s such a rocking
version of the song, and ushers the album in quite nicely. I love the cover of “Rock & Roll Music” with Joanna Connor. She’s such a powerhouse of a guitarist, and brings a lot to the table on this one. Walter Trout shines as he always does on “Johnny B Goode”. Damn, this one rocks! Robben Ford steps in to record a fantastic
remake of “You Never Can Tell”. This one will al- ways remind me of my favorite film, Pulp Fiction. The legendary Eric Gales punches up another fa- vorite “Back in the USA” with a huge dose of his ripping guitar-work. I always appreciate what Luther Dickinson is involved in, and “Too Much Monkey Business” is no exception. I love “No Particular Place to Go” with Jerimiah Johnson. This one really resonates. Sonny Landreth brings a certain smoothness to “Havana Moon”. I could listen to this one all day long. Being a huge fan of Chuck Berry and Mike
Zito, this album has such a hold on me. It’s downright spectacular.
-Phillip Smith
phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/
Sam Cooke The Complete Keen recordings 1957-1960 Box Set (ABKCO/UMC) It’s amazing the sheer
number of sides the great
Sam Cooke laid down during just this four-year period in time. On Sam Cooke’s birthday, Janu- ary 22, ABKCO Records released the boxed set, The Complete Keen recordings 1957-1960. Cooke, whose life was cut short at age 33, would have celebrated his 89th birthday this year. Of course, this time capsule kicks off with
Cooke’s biggest ever hit, “You Send Me,” but that is only one of many highlights herein. Timeless, horn driven pop songs like “You Can’t Take That Away from Me” are sandwiched between classic tracks like “Tammy,” “Moonlight in Vermont,” “Danny Boy,” “God Bless the Child,” “I’ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues,” (which also appears in an alternate take version), “(What a) Wonderful World,” “Summertime,” and “Blue Moon,” to
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