CD-Charts Position 121
Average Rating:

The Definitive Pop Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Dr. John

Release Date September 12, 2006
Dr. John is an artist along the lines of Frank Zappa, Neil Young, Lou Reed...each album and the era that surrounds it is unique. As such, "cherry picking" individual tracks in search of a cohesive "whole" is an exercise in futility. HOWEVER...given the 2-CD, $20 price tag (I actually paid $13.99 for my copy), it's an excellent introduction to all things Rebennack. From the swampy "I Walk On Gilded Splinters" and "Black Widow Spider" (with Mac sounding like Captain Beefheart, fronting the "Freak Out"-era Mothers of Invention) to the lighter, radio-friendly tunes like "Such A Night" and "Right Place Wrong Time," to songs that meet somewhere in the middle like "I Been Hoodood," it's an hour and fifty minute roller coaster ride through Dr. John's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 122
Average Rating:

Copulatin' Blues

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Various Artists

Release Date June 25, 1996
Get your mojo working with this CD from Mojo Records. "The Copulatin' Blues" is bound to put some of ya'll in heat.

This CD contains tracks spanning from 1929-1947. I've only heard of one of the songs before, but there are legendary artists like Jelly Roll Morton, Alberta Hunter, and Sidney Bechet & his New Orchestra.

While the recording quality isn't as good as on "Risqué Rhythms: Nasty 50's R& B", I think it would loose its charm if it was. These songs are rough and gritty. The recording studio did not (or could not) over produce the rawness out of the music so the edges are sharp. These are "race records" being saved from complete obscurity.

The songs offer varying degrees of subtlety from the play ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 123
Average Rating:

Live at Tipitina's '78

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Tuts Washington

Release Date November 08, 2005
This magnificent live recording of the great New Orleans pianist Tuts Washington is a classic in every sense of the word. The music is of the highest quality; the setting - on stage at Tipitina's - is historically, culturally and historically pivotal....and,the ambience is about as funky as it is possible to get. The sound quality is far from hi-fi. Washington performs on an old, beat-up piano which is seriously out of tune, but that only adds to the atmosphere, and enhances the listening experience. In many ways, this record is far better than the "...Piano Professor" cd from Rounder, especially when the elements mentioned above are taken into consideration. Listening to this cd is like taking a giant leap into a lost period in time - which still ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 124
Average Rating:

Mose Allison Sings

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Mose Allison

Release Date July 18, 2006
This new (2006) CD is almost exactly the same as the one that has been around awhile called MOSE ALLISON'S GREATEST HITS (OJC). The songs are the same, in the exact same order. Even the 3 bonus tracks (which are excellent, but somewhat ironically--given the title--instrumentals ! ) are the same. The only real difference is that this new CD sounds much clearer (RVG 24-bit remastering) and so is more fun to listen to than the old GREATEST HITS, which sounds kind of fuzzy. Apparently this collection of early Mose Allison songs (minus the bonus tracks) was originally released (on LP) as MOSE ALLISON SINGS. Then when it was first released on CD it was entitled GREATEST HITS. Bottom line is this new CD is a better purchase than GREATEST HITS since ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 125
Average Rating:

Fivin' Around

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Henry Butler

Release Date 1986
This new (2006) CD is almost exactly the same as the one that has been around awhile called MOSE ALLISON'S GREATEST HITS (OJC). The songs are the same, in the exact same order. Even the 3 bonus tracks (which are excellent, but somewhat ironically--given the title--instrumentals ! ) are the same. The only real difference is that this new CD sounds much clearer (RVG 24-bit remastering) and so is more fun to listen to than the old GREATEST HITS, which sounds kind of fuzzy. Apparently this collection of early Mose Allison songs (minus the bonus tracks) was originally released (on LP) as MOSE ALLISON SINGS. Then when it was first released on CD it was entitled GREATEST HITS. Bottom line is this new CD is a better purchase than GREATEST HITS since ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 126
Average Rating:

The Blues Is Where It's At

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Otis Spann

Release Date February 15, 2002
If you want a "must have" blues record by one of the originals (with all original accompanyment), by all means this is for you. Every song is a gem. Otis Spann was one of the great blues pianists. He played with Muddy Waters for years but when he takes center stage, he can give any bluesman a run for their money. Everything about this record is just great. It is so good that I would give it 10 stars. Every song is a gem and they seem to flow into each other like magic. It all sounds like a mini-concert in the studio. It has the feel of being done in one take with appropriate appreciation from the studio audence in between songs. They even call out a request. Every person in the band is right on; the right note and the right feel at the right ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 127
Average Rating:

The Earth Wants You

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Mose Allison

Release Date June 14, 1994
Now HERE is a man who should be receiving a Kennedy Center award.

Mose is a great man, a humble man, and a fabulous observer of the human condition. He is also an incredibly hip pianist and vocalist - listen to his chord voicings, and how he bends the pitches in his vocals.

When players like Bob Dorough and Dave Frischberg cite him as an influence you know you are talking about a heavyweight here.

If you ever get a chance to hear him live - DO IT! I did and boy am I glad.

CD-Charts Position 128
Average Rating:

Lion Roars: His Greatest 1934-44

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Willie "The Lion" Smith

Release Date June 16, 1998
Now HERE is a man who should be receiving a Kennedy Center award.

Mose is a great man, a humble man, and a fabulous observer of the human condition. He is also an incredibly hip pianist and vocalist - listen to his chord voicings, and how he bends the pitches in his vocals.

When players like Bob Dorough and Dave Frischberg cite him as an influence you know you are talking about a heavyweight here.

If you ever get a chance to hear him live - DO IT! I did and boy am I glad.

CD-Charts Position 129
Average Rating:

In a Family Way

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Ann Rabson

Release Date February 22, 2005
With members of her family portraying the same deep blues, emotional spirit as she, vocalist/pianist Ann Rabson interprets several originals and a few covers of classic blues tunes. Best known as the gruff contralto voice of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women, Rabson paints the blues with historical perfection. She's also an outstanding barrelhouse piano player and a unique finger-style guitarist. With her on this family album are her sister Mimi Rabson on violin, her brother-in-law Dave Harris on trombone, her nephew Kenji Rabson on upright bass, her brother Steve Rabson on piano, and her daughter Liz Rabson Schnore on guitar.

Rabson opens the program with two classic blues delights: "Little Red Wagon" and "See See Rider." Willie Dixon and Leroy ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 130
Average Rating:

City of Dreams: A Collection of New Orleans Music

CD-Charts > Music > Piano
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 16, 2007
I gave this CD collection to my husband for his birthday. We listen to it all the time. He loves it! If you love the music of New Orleans I highly recommended it