Last Alaska Moon by Livingston Taylor
Mojo, by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Anthology, by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
The Beatles Original Studio Recordings
Last Alaska Moon
By Livingston Taylor, Chesky Records Coconut Bay
Review by Greg Petty
Livingston Taylor is a natural born storyteller. While all four Taylor siblings have been in the music business, Livingston has been working at his craft the longest. While perhaps not as famous as James, Livingston brings his own experiences into his music with the eclectic and varied musical genres that he so easily slips into.
Last Alaska Moon allows him to exhibit his full-range of songwriting and varied musical genres of folk, gospel, jazz and pop. Along with the musical variety, I enjoyed the top-notch production of the album. As Taylor states, “This is a big, broad, lush recording with full string sessions.”
I particularly enjoyed Everybody’s Just Like Me, the bluegrass tunes Henry and Livingston’s cover of Michael Jackson’s The Girl is Mine. His interpretation of the song makes it his own. The accompanying musicians are some of the best in the business, bassist Leland Sklar, guitarists Vince Gill, Dam Timinski and Chris Rodriguez, drummer Steve Gadd and keyboard ace Shane Keister with backing vocals by Andrea Zonn.
The CD is available on iTunes, Amazon.com and his web site www.livtaylor.com
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Mojo
Review by Greg Petty
The boys just keep on rolling out the hits and proving that rock-n-roll is still alive and well in the good ole US of A. Whether you are a first time listener (not sure how that could be) or a Petty & Heartbreaker veteran, you will enjoy the mix of songs on Mojo.
Mojo rocks right from the start with Good Enough and I Should of Known It two new songs that I think will join his other signature songs. Benmont Tench, Scott Thurston, Ron Blair and Steve Ferrone string it all together allowing Mike Campbell and Tom Petty to shine through. This is a studio album but they had no demos to start with and they played without headphones…this album reflects the “mature musician” Heartbreakers playing together as if it was a club gig. Like the early days but better.
There are some surprises such as Jefferson Jericho Blues, Running Man’s Bible and U.S. 41. It is refreshing to see them step out and hit quite a few blues numbers. Petty confirms that he has been listening to a lot of blues in the last decade and it is now being reflected in their music. OK for a digression and a little musical variety but I think they are best served sticking to their rock-n-roll roots. That being said, I like hearing it more every time I listen to it, all those little subtle details that escape you at first. Mojo shows the Heartbreaker’s at the top of their game.
The album is proof that the Heartbreakers are vital and making new music that interests them. As Petty states” We will not turn into a jukebox.” [by playing Learning to Fly for the millionth time]
I’ll see you and The Heartbreakers at the Time Warner Pavillion on September 18th. Buy Mojo and listen to it before you come.
Rating – Four Stars
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Live Anthology
Review by Greg Petty
I received this expensive box set for Christmas and, being the true long-time TP & Heartbreaker fan I am, I could not wait to explore all the set had to offer. Compared to the documentary Runnin Down a Dream by Peter Bogdonovich, it leaves out some of the music we fans were hoping to find inside… new takes of favorite songs?
But I am being too harsh. Petty did not include every hit for a reason. He wanted to make it a true anthology of a live rock-n-roll band in order to capture the essence of the band as they progressed and matured as musicians and songwriters. They did not overdub any recording included in the set. The songs here are the best examples, performed all over the world, of their craft. Even the Losers and Here Comes My Girl, 1980 tour in London, Breakdown 1981 from The Forum in LA and Jammin Me from the Fillmore in San Francisco.
The set includes great liner notes with TP comments on the songs, band promo photos and backstage passes from four different tours. Inside you will find an LP of ‘An Official Live Bootleg” recording of the band at Paul’s Mall in Boston, opening for friend and supporter Al Kooper on December 12, 1976. As soon as Fooled Again begins you hear the band it is destined to become with what are now familiar riffs and breaks. Really glad the LP was included. You will also find a 5 CD anthology for your player, a Blu Ray DVD copy of the anthology for audiophiles, a DVD of the band live at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for New Years Eve 1978 and a concert tour film, 400 Days, by Martyn Atkins from the Wildflowers recording and tour.
True Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers fans will enjoy this collection immensely. If you are a casual fan take a pass unless you want to follow the progression of a great rock band and join those of us who are hardcore!
Rating – Three ½ Stars
The Beatles
The Original Studio Recordings
Review by Greg Petty
I am assuming that only a true Beatles fan would even consider buying this collection of digitally remastered albums. This review is written for you.
I can make this real short - buy it! The collection offers a choice of two versions: the stereophonic version, and for the purists and collectors, the monophonic recordings. The first ten albums were mono recordings. Because we wanted the richest sound and were not concerned about a later value for the collection, we purchased the stereophonic version.
Four years in the making by a crew of engineers at London's Abbey Road Studios, the collection consist of all 13 original albums as released in the UK plus a 2-CD Past Masters of non-album singles and a Mini-Documentaries DVD. The DVD features 13 documentaries about the making of each album and includes extensive interviews with all the Beatles and Sir George Martin.
Each CD is designed like the LP albums we all remember buying. Each contains great liner notes and additional photographs from the time. We listened to each CD in order and then watched the documentary DVD.
Each of the CD's sparkle with the enhanced sound... the memories are yours. Let this collection transport you back to all those magical years.
Rating - 5 Stars