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Showing posts with the label Graham Maby

Henry Lee Summer - Henry Lee Summer

Henry Lee Summer hit it big in '88 with "I Wish I had a Girl" from his third album and first major label release. Of course I knew none of this back in the day. I just knew the song, and for whatever reason I associate this with summertime and rolled down windows with the radio blaring. This was an album I almost bought more than once, but never did.  Over the years the song and Mister Summer faded from memory but when I saw the album in the four dollar bin I couldn't resist. This is a bit of a conundrum as my initial reaction was pretty negative. All I could hear were the inevitable comparisons to other artists, the lack of solid bottom end to the recording and some questionable drum sounds that seemed to belong on a different album. The most irritating moment coming on side two when "Wing Tip Shoes" tries to infuse some energy into the album as Henry repeatedly yells, "Git it goin'" as the band borrows from John Lee Hooker and ZZ Top and some...

Joe Jackson - Night and Day

When this came out in '82 it was an odd duck, and frankly I really had no time or stomach for Mr. Jackson. Of course with time I came to know the error of my ways, and I will freely acknowledge the near genius level of Joe Jackson's best work. I'd be lying if I said everything committed to the grooves resonated with me, but boy howdy his hit to miss ratio is pretty impressive. Night and Day reunited Joe with producer David Kershenbaum who helmed those first two killer records, Look Sharp! and I'm the Man back in 1979. Times had changed and rather than move forward Joe deliberately went back in time for inspiration, starting with his 1981 release Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive , a cover album of old classics. Night and Day was as much a jazz record as it was a sophisticated pop album. As much as I missed guitarist Gary Sanford I'm not sure how he would have fit (but I still think he'd have added some great flourishes), however longtime bassist Graham Mab...

Joe Jackson - Look Sharp! I'm the Man

Joe Jackson was never near the top of my list of favourite artists - he wasn't on it at all. Back in '79 I remember actively disliking "Is She Really Going Out With Him" and didn't think much of the new wave reggae stuff that was coming from across the pond. Time would slowly wear me down and I'd be able to listen to it without having to swallow down breakfast. I vividly remember the turning point for me - it was 1986 when three sides live, or as it is officially known Big World came out and I heard "Home Town" that was it for me. Something in how that song was structured and the meticulous way the guitar was played just laid me out. I'll also admit I wasn't as excited about the rest of the album, but I would listen to it at least. A while back I found in the bins a great copy of Night and Day and I figured it was time to go back and revisit some of my  musical prejudices. I was enthralled by young Mister Jackson and found myself having to r...