Solomon Burke - The Real King of Rock n Roll?

Solomon Burke - Nashville (Shout Factory)
Respectful homages to American musical traditions (country and country-tinged songs), are usually about as much fun as Reality TV marathons. But when the respectful homage is performed by someone who counts country music as one of his major influences ( Solomon was given the well deserved title of "The King of Rock & Soul"), and country musicians (Buck Owens) return the compliment, than you know that you have the makings of what could be a really fine album!

Solomon Burke's evolution started in the 60's with his Atlantic recordings that were inspired with a country vein ("Cry" was a great, soul stirring R&B number). On "Nashville," Burke brings his unique R&B vocals to the table, returning to his roots, and redefines them with an age old soulfulness. He covers "That's How I Got to Nashville" with the exuberance of someone who's just been given his first break in the music business, and doesn't intend to take it for granted.

The rest of the album continues in that vein, and was produced and mixed by Buddy Miller (who's an excellent singer also), and his topnotch band. The songs evolve rather than a by the numbers cover version. By the time your get to the last song "Til I get it Right," you've felt like taken a musical journey through Solomon's life ("I'm gonna keep on fallin' in love, 'til I get it right").

On Springsteen's "Ain't Got You," Solomon's joined by E Street bassist Gary Tallent. They turn the ultra-boastful rocker into a countrified, fiddle-driven stomper, with Solomon spewing out extra funny lines ("Gimme my check book back and don't take my credit cards!"), as the band locks into an energetic, we-don't wanna-stop-playing mode. You can't formulate this kind of mojo. You either have it or you don't.
Emmy Lou Harris contributes her sweetly, ironic vocals to Solomon's gruff, heartfelt, soulfulness on "We're Gonna Hold On," taking the exuberant rocker to church.

Whether singing about rock, soul, R&B, or whatever, Solomon Burke does the impossible- he cuts out anything that could be construed as generic, and makes it organic. This is an album that will continue to grow on you!- Phil Rainone

Bow Thayer - Spend It All (www.crookedroot.com)
Besides some ace musicians, Bow Thayer features Levon Helm (The Band) on drums, who leans hard on the rhythm section. Together with lead singer Bow Thayer (guitar/harmonica), they breath fire (sometimes hot sparks, or a four-alarmer), into these ten countrified rockers, while the rest of the band beats up on some tough blues and country licks.

They rummage through roots music ("Wingless Angels") for inspiration that leads them down ragged roads ("The Way That it Swings") finding magic in the music. One thing is made clear throughout the album. Bow Thayer has their shit together. They don't stand in the shadow of The Band, but they do draw some amazing inspiration from them, and artists like Tom Petty, Wlico or Emmy Lou Harris, via Gram Parsons.

These searching lyrics morn the consequences of bad judgment and celebrate life's precious moments of sheer joy- lyrics deepened by how much fun the band is having.
- Phil Rainone

Von Robinson & His Own Universe Say: Jostle IT! (www.vonrobinson.com)
These sleek, harmonious pop rockers bridge the gap (very neatly I must say), between 80's New Wave and current pop punk bands like Bowling for Soup, or The Raconteurs. Sometimes the tunes are light, dreamy synth numbers that would make for a good film soundtrack ("Polaroid Lenses," "Briana"), but Von Robinson achieve to be a harder. more aggressive guitar-driven band than most other bands that usually stop at the first sign of popularity.

They can rock out a little more ("Satellites and Totem Poles"), without losing the band's original conception of elegant melancholy. The exquisitely surging of "Xxxtraordinary Rendition" is the telltale centerpiece of the album as to the band's direction that they're headed- which is pretty much wherever they want!
- Phil Rainone