10 discoveries ● DECEMBER 2005 by Todd Whitesel [email protected] As this is the last issue of Discoveries for which is taken from Indonesian and roughly the greatest guitarist ever. It never happened, Earl Scruggs Revue, Anniversary Special 2005, I want to go out with a bang and translates to “elastic time,” doesn’t paint a but listening to Keaggy’s guitar work on the Volume One/Volume Two (double- album include as many releases as possible. This year picture, how ’bout a King Crimson/Pink first three Glass Harp albums goes a long reissue on one CD). On these 1975-76 brought more great music across my desk Floyd/Ozric Tentacles smoothie, with extra gar- way in explaining how such a rumor began. releases Scruggs brings in the electric gee- than we could possibly cover in 12 issues. So lic? (Cuneiform) (Music Mill) tars and rock drums and sends the country here’s what you might have missed, in no purists running to the hills and hollers. I say, order of preference, just alphabetical. Bill Fay, Bill Fay. Reissue of 1971 debut by Tom T. Hall, In Search Of A Song. Reissue “Boo-hoo, too bad for you.” Rock and blue- obscure British singer/songwriter described as of Hall’s 1971 classic: songs/stories about real grass have never formed such a joyous part- Chet Baker, Career: 1952-1988 (two CDs). “The missing link between Nick Drake, Bob people sans the saccharine sentimentality that nership, and the guest list includes every- Showcases the two sides of Baker — as trum- Dylan, and Ray Davies.” Strange and dark mars much country music. Great packaging, body — Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, Dan peter and singer. A perfect introduction to with curious orchestration. (Eclectic Discs) too, with a replica LP cover and sleeve for the Fogelberg, Jim Messina, Roger McGuinn another of music’s tortured souls, whose gift CD. (Hip-O Select) and on and on. Loudon Wainwright III of melody and fragile voice never deserted Fish, Bouillabaisse (two CDs). A greatest- gives the definitive performance of his own him. (Shout! Factory) hits collection that works, Head East, Head East/Gettin’ Lucky. I still “The Swimming Song.” (Gott Discs) divided into have my Head East eight-track, but this two- Beau Brummels, Magic Hollow (four-CD fer bundled on one Stackridge, Sex & Flags. Tremendous set). Long-overdue compilation from Beatles-esque pop including a brilliant song unsung ’60s folk/country-rockers who could about a wildebeeste. Could be my favorite of have given The Byrds a run for their money. the year. (Angel Air). (www.rhinohandmade.com) Michael Stanley, American Road. Eliza Carthy, Rough Music. Traditional Recognize the name? Stanley’s back with British folk takes flight on Carthy’s heavenly another platter of meat-and-potatoes heart- voice and fiddle playing. (Topic Records) land rock that doesn’t need any seasoning. (Line Level) Bruce Cockburn, Speechless. Superb steel- string acoustic instrumentals from one of Uriah Heep, Chapter And Verse. Beauty of Canada’s greatest songwriters and gui- a box (six CDs) with loads of alternate takes, tarists. (Rounder Records) live cuts and more, chronicling a band still going strong after 35 years. (Sanctuary) Shirley Collins And The Albion Country Band, No Roses. Richard Various artists, Back Against The Wall. Thompson, Maddy Prior, Ashley CD is what I’ll be Billy Sherwood gathered dozens of Hutchings and others throw their playing in the vehi- rock/prog legends and pulled off a tribute to weight behind Collins and a set of nine cle now. Great Pink Floyd’s The Wall that stands on its British folk-rock classics reissued from straight-ahead own. (Cleopatra Records) 1971. Check out “Murder Of Maria Midwest rock from Marten” and “Van Dieman’s Land.” a ’70s act that Various artists, Jamie Oldaker’s Mad (Castle) could never take Dogs & Okies. Oldaker had a clever idea: the next step from Assemble a group of Oklahoma musicians Colosseum, The Complete Reunion “Never Been Any and those with ties to the Sooner state — Concert Concert, Cologne 1994 (DVD). Reason.” Excuse Vince Gill, Eric Clapton, Willis Alan An unexpected treat — Colosseum me while I fire up Ramsey (!), Tony Joe White, Peter reunite after 23 years and tear it up with the Camaro (OK, it was really an Frampton, Taj Mahal, J.J. Cale, Willie awesome performances by Chris Farlowe, Impala). (limited-edition available only at Nelson — and make an album. A very good Clem Clempson, Dave Greenslade, Dick www.hip-oselect.com) album. (Concord/Mint Blue Island) (Visit Heckstall-Smith, Mark Clarke, and Jon www.goldminemag.com for an exclusive Hiseman. (Music Video Distributors) Elton John, Captain Fantastic And The Web interview with Oldaker.) Brown Dirt Cowboy, Deluxe Edition (two CDs). Sam Cooke, Night Beat. If you don’t like Disc two contains the only known complete George Winston, Summer and December, Sam Cooke, get thee to a Muzak nunnery, live performance of Captain Fantastic, from 20th Anniversary Deluxe Editions (Enhanced). for there’s no hope for you in the church of Wembley Stadium, June 1975. (Universal) Call it new age, call it ambient, call it whatev- soul. (RCA/Legacy) er, but I admit it: I’ve always loved Winston’s Joseph, Stoned Age Man. Wild-ass piano playing (his music practically defined the Crazy Horse, Scratchy — The Complete gutbucket, acid-psych stoner blues. If Windham Hill label in the ’80s). This deluxe Reprise Recordings. Proof that Neil Young’s Captain Beefheart and Roky Erickson reissue comes not only with a bonus track, early backing band members weren’t one- made a blues album, it might sound some- but also with printable sheet music for a trick ponies. (Reprise) Balladeers and thing like this. Favorite track: “I Ain’t Winston piano composition. The keyboard- Rocketeers. Fish’s ability to pen gor- Fattenin’ No More Frogs For Snakes.” inclined can listen and also play along. How Deep Purple, Who Do We Think We geous love poems (“Lavender” and “A (Radioactive) cool is that? (Windham Hill) Are. Underrated Mark II Purple given the Gentleman’s Excuse Me”) alongside angry Steve Hoffman remastering treatment on and cutting songs (“Big Wedge” and “The Pink Floyd, London 1966/1967 (DVD/CD Frank Zappa, Dub Room Special (DVD). 24 KT+ Gold Disc. “Rat rat rat rat blue!” Perception Of Johnny Punter”) hasn’t combo). Worth it just for the live footage of Two live Zappa shows, one from 1974, the (Audio Fidelity) changed since his Marillion days. This collec- Syd Barrett playing “Interstellar Overdrive.” other from 1981. The 1974 performance is tion of 32 songs vindicates the decision to go (Snapper) special — with Napoleon Murphy Brock, Djam Karet, Recollection Harvest. To call his own way. (Navarre/Snapper) George Duke, Ruth Underwood, Chester California instrumental quintet Djam Karet The Running Man, s/t. One of the Thompson, and Bruce Fowler tearing up tunes (pronounced “jam care-RAY”) a “jam band” Glass Harp, Glass Harp, Synergy and It many sides of guitarist Ray Russell’s genius, including “Inca Roads” and “Florentine is like calling a skyscraper a “big building.” Makes Me Glad. An urban legend abounds intriguing, early ’70s prog-rock from Pogen.” (Eagle Rock) There’s a lot more to both. If the band’s name, about Jimi Hendrix saying Phil Keaggy was Britain. (Angel Air) Send items for review to Discoveries, Todd Whitesel, 700 E. State St., Iola WI 54990.