Or The Whale - Or, The Whale - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Or, The Whale is the band that if ever caught off guard by an onstage power outage would say, InchF**k it,Inch pull in tighter, and play and sing harder and louder than you'd hoped for in the first place. Sure, the San Francisco-based band harbors seven members, so you could argue for strength in numbers. But writing off the impression that they inevitably leave isn't so easy; with such a diverse group of musicians, there's no shortage of skill and influence. Some members toured in punk bands, others played roots and funk music, and still another tested her pipes as a chamber music vocalist. At first glance, their histories seem random. But weave those experiences together and you get a sound you can feel. Or, The Whale's songs range from danceable, rhythm-charged country-rock ditties with swaggering bass lines and articulately stomped-out drums to indie pop-rock tunes with bopping piano, snapping drums, and loops of finger-plucked guitar that explode into electric riffs to add fuel to fervent vocals. Slow it down and throw in some four-part harmonies, vibrant organ passages, and rippling pedal steel, and songs escalate into thoughtful ballads. When it comes down to it Or, The Whale's music can fly spirited and boisterous or topple lonely and bereaved. Hell, sometimes it does all those things in one song. Stories of hope and longing emerge from soothing, stirring vocals and twangy rock instrumentation. The latest evidence of this is on their first full-length album, Light Poles and Pines. At times, Light Poles and Pines is omnipotent and epic (InchLife and Death at SeaInch), painfully reflective (InchRope Don't BreakInch), or both (InchFight SongInch). On InchLife and Death at Sea,Inch defeated, raspy lead vocals sink under a whining pedal steel until pulled up by a rousing harmony. The two voices blend and are joined for a powerful chorus that valiantly leads the son

Three CDs. Rock Workshop's self-titled 1970 debut album and 1971 follow up 'The Very Last Time' re- issued. Audio from the album master tapes for the first time ever. Includes the first re-issue of the single versions of 'You To Lose' and 'Born In The City', also taken from the master tapes. Rock Workshop's debut album features legendary singer Alex Harvey as one's of the band's two lead vocalists alongside Alan Greed. Harvey sings lead on 'Wade In The Water' and 'Hole In Her Stocking' and also on alternate takes of album tracks 'You To Lose' and 'Ice Cold', single B side 'Born In The City' and originally unreleased track 'Let My Bluebird Sing'. This box includes several previously unreleased tracks including the instrumentals 'People That's Why' and 'Tokyo Drift' and the excellent pre- first album demo taken from Ray Russell's archive - 'When Life Was Simple' that along with 'Soul Sisters' and 'Watch Your Step' got the group signed to CBS. Rock Workshop were formed by guitarist Ray Russell who'd replaced Vic Flick in The John Barry Seven, toured with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and led his own jazz group The Ray Russell Quartet. Bringing jazz style improvisation to rock music, Rock Workshop pioneered an innovative and exciting jazz / funk / rock fusion. Band members include celebrated British Jazz musicians Harry Beckett (trumpet / flugelhorn), Bob Downes (tenor sax / flute), Tony Roberts (tenor sax / flute), Derek Wadsworth (trombone), Daryl Runswick (bass), Alan Rushton (drums) and Robin Jones (congas). Notes by MOJO magazine's Lois Wilson include a new interview with band leader and guitarist Ray Russell.

Bononcini / Max Schonherr - Polifemo [COMPACT DISCS] date 09/09/2014