What song are you listening to right now? (Page 361 of 392)

Toby Lee - Aquarius (2021)

It’s finally here! After being caught-up in the fall-out from the collapse of Pledge Music and then into the lockdowns of you-know-what over the last year-plus, a lesser mortal would have just given up, but seems Toby is made of sterner Blues stuff and here is a very credible debut album. Is it any good? Well, when you can get the likes of Bernie Marsden to give you a track as well as sit in, that question becomes rather rhetorical.

Kicking off with a bouncy Blues shuffle, Lovebug written by Toby, the 1st half of the album is mostly under the producing debit of Laurence Jones, paying back his dues, who lends Toby his mighty band for the next 4 tracks, one is a Laurence penned number Real Love The next three are covers, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Big Bill Broonzy & Leiber & Stoller; through all of which Toby shows a fine ear for tone and techniqe as well as keeping ahead of Bennett Holland, Jack Timmis etal.

Following the Bernie Marsden instrumental,Platform 10, the album changes flavour to a more rockier edge under the guidence of a re-united team of Oli Brown & Wayne Proctor; 4 co-written and produced tracks that allow Toby to strech out more on the guitar (while Oli sits back on Bass and even dabbles on Hammond).

So, two differing styles from Toby under his mentors, Laurence & Oli (both of whom may now be “windswpet & interesting” but is either 30 yet?) paying back their dues. I must admit, I did have reservation about the youngster’s vocals; while he’s not quite Steve Marriott, despite the haircut, he’s no Beiber either; there is a good voice that will just take a couple of years to fully develop, much like Eric Stekel’s. The enforced wait to get this album completed has probably paid dividends for this. Playing-wise, he is good, astoundingly good, great tone and technique, good feel for Blues and a talent to open out and stretch as you can hear on the 2nd disc of jams.

Steven Wilson -  The Raven That Refused To Sing
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgs4 … sTTy-QswEh
Check out the track - Drive Home   - Guthrie Govin plays a beautiful solo at the end.

I’m also enjoying - SW - Hand, Cannot, Erase

What’s your favourite PT Album ?
I’ve just bought just released  PT  House Of Blues, on Blue vinyl .

If you and Mike like it then I will check it out immediately. OMG, you came back after all this time or I just haven't been paying attention. How have you been and what's up, anything new ? I remember the good old days posting some funny stuff in What Makes You Laugh, Smile ............... and talking tennis every now and then but especially in that 2nd week of July. I watched all of it again this year, cheers from Alabama US

Chantel McGregor - Shed Sessions Vol 2 (2021)

Well, if Volume 1 was an iced latte, then Volume 2 is an americano. Not only has “dad” run an electric cable down to the shed, but Chantel is joined by Jamie Brooks on keyboards and the results are jaw-droppingly stunning.

Radiohead’s Creep leads us in, followed by Jewel’s Foolish Games, which are pleasantly and competently dealt with, but things go stratospheric when Chantel plugs in and the duo get their hands on Steven Wilson’s Drive Home.. Tori Amos’ Winter provides a bit of a rest bite before Chantel dives into her own mini-epic, Walk On Land.

Wearing influences on her sleeve, Chantel then takes on Alanis Morissette’s Uninvited to be followed by Gershwin’s evergreen classic Summertime..Then we are treated to Chantel displaying her 6 string prowess on her own instrumental, April. River, one of Joni Mitchell’s most coverd songs is next - shame on you if you thought it was Ellie Gouldings - and Chantel puts a fair stamp on this working. And to close, back to Steven Wilson for the goose-bumping The Raven That Refused To Sing.

So, a fair selection, covering a good span, but remember, this is as much as fan’s album as it is an indulgent piece for Chantel but there’s thought and skill in here, as much as love.

Note; especially for Brack: I honestly did not know those were on Chantel's latest release, until it dropped on the doormat yesterday morning; Drive Home, Chantel does a stellar performance (can't find it on Youtube and don't know which "session" it appeared on, but hope you at least enjoy this take:

The Raven.....  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_r5X5Z6YP4

I had no idea he had come with a new release, John still has it. I really like Mississippi Phone Booth and will listen to all of it off and on today  ............. tour schedule below, I hope to see him Oct 1 in Nashville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NvNpI9 … N1Scca82e-

https://www.johnhiatt.com/tour

I know I've posted Ian Thornley before, they are a true Canadian national treasure and it's a shame they haven't received more recognition. Those first two albums are priceless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugxWAjbNKJs

Tommy really should be declared a national treasure. I tell you what, Linda Moke and Natasha (1 Anitras Dance) have some of the best vids on the Utube, I have subscribed to both

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii_cgczoBqI