The gift of music -- what cha get?

[Stella Blue]

Music is always high on my list of holiday gifts. I did quite well this year, and I am just getting around to listening to some of it.
-- Miles Davis "Bitches Brew'' is on right now, finally got a cleaned-up CD version after lugging that cassette around for God only knows how long.
-- Stanton Moore "III." Excellent CD. Starts out Galacta-ish (and there's nothing wrong with that!) and then takes some very nice twists and turns.
-- Gov't Mule "High and Mighty''. I haven't listen to that one yet AND I just missed their three-day stint at the Beacon in NYC, so the moon, Warren and I are just not aligning right these days -- yet.
-- The Beatles "1.'' A lovely gift from a couple of dear friends. Everyone should have it, even if they don't listen to the Beatles that much.
-- Trey Anastasio "Bar 17'' Sounds good on first listen. I will have to get back to you.
-- Grateful Dead "Dick's Picks, Vol.5, Oakland, 12-26-79'' Had an old cassette of this one as well for years. What a beautiful CD, soundboard quality. Even if you are not into the Dead, the version of "Uncle John's Band" here is too sweet for words and worth the price of admission.
-- Cassandra Wilson "Thunderbird" Did I miss what surely had to be all the glowing reviews about this CD when it came out in 2006? This CD is unbelieveable! My highest recommendation. With Keb Mo on guitar, Wilson is in amazing form here, more Delta Blues than Jazz sounding. Go out and get it.
But, first, tell me what you got...:)

[funkkjunkie]

Wow, you racked up, stellablue. CHeck out the same type thread under the general music discussion-What music did you get for Christmas...

[Stella Blue]

Wow, I didn't even know that other link existed. I like the thread on best CDs of 2006 and see that Stanton Moore III made a showing there as well. Very good.

[Frosty]

Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band - Starts of Robert Randolphish. More swamp rock than zydeco in the truest sense but a nice album. Covers Tab Benoit's "We Make a Good Gumbo". 3 Stars

New Orleans Christmas (Putomayo) - Love it! 4 Stars

Robert Randolph: Colorblind - I'm more of a fan of their first two but my two little girls (5 and 7) want me to play it every night. 3 Stars

Stephen Stills 2 - I prefer his first album (Love the One Your With) and realy liked his new release from a year ago, but this one doesn't do a lot for me. Not bad but nothing stands out. 2 Stars

Duke Robillard: New Blues for the Modern Man - Good solid jump blues effort. I think I'm a bit more fond of his days with Roomful of Blues but I still need a few more listen to this one to really judge it. 3 Stars

Ben Harper: Both Side of the Gun - Really strong effort from an artist who I enjoy but never quite get over the edge to love. His music is raw and organic without the polish of horns or backing vocals that draw me into a lot of artist nor is it simple and melodic which draws me into others. I need to be in the right mood for serious listening and then, I really like what I hear. But, it's not background music to play during dinner. 3 Stars

[funkkjunkie]

Someone had to direct me to those other forums too, stella. Did you see the one on jazzfest moments? Go down to the bottom of this page to forum jumps and check it out yall.

[steeleye]

Hi Stella...I got Los Lobos, "The Town and The City." Very nice song cycle-type record.

[Jaypee]

I received a wonderful book entitled "Blowing Hot and Cool", by John Gennari. It's about the inner-circle of jazz critics and how they've influenced the genre over the years. I will be starting it tonight.