With the new U2 set to hit stores next week, it's not surprising to see a lack of heavy hitters volunteering to play opening act on this week's new release list. For his first new album in seven years however, leave it to Chris Isaak to step up to the plate.
Time will tell whether or not Isaak's Mr. Lucky proves to live up to the promise of its title, but you really can't beat the setup — Isaak's new show on cable's A&E gets him plenty of tube time just in time for the release. Isaak's retro-crooning gets a bit of a facelift here in terms of production, but his smooth voice and retrograde vibrato guitar sound as sharp as ever. Now if he can just find that followup to the karaoke classic "Wicked Game."
At the ripe old age of 70, J.J. Cale shows he isn't about to roll over just yet on the follow-up to his Road To Escondido collaboration with Clapton a few years back. Clapton is back to help out the guy who penned his own hits "Cocaine" and "After Midnight" on Cale's Roll On. The new album features such songs as "Cherry Street," where "the girls are lookin' fine/when they put their hand in your pocket, they ain't lookin' for no dime." Seventy years old you say?
Those Jo-Bros are back this week with Music from the 3D Concert Experience, the soundtrack from their 3D concert movie (which presumably means this is a live album). The Black Lips rock the garage-punk on 200 Million Thousand. Joe Bonamassa's The Ballad of John Henry should earn him his rightful place among the blues greats, at least according to Pico's review.
El Bicho's pick this week upgrades a classic 1970 Who concert with Blu-ray bells and whistles. And speaking of Pico, he's sticking with the blues this week and is here to tell us all about the impeccable blues pedigree of Shemekia Copeland.
Shemekia Copeland is the offspring of one blues legend (Johnny Copeland) in pursuit of the lofty status of another one (Koko Taylor). With Never Going Back she gains more ground on Taylor. Never Going Back is bolstered by Oliver Wood's tradition-minded production, guest appearances from such terrific musicians such as Marc Ribot (a Top Ten Greatest Guitarist according to Mark Saleski), and a uniformly strong set of songs. This one deserves to be on a lot of year-end "best of blues records" lists.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
"Now if he can just find that followup to the karaoke classic 'Wicked Game'."
Are you kidding? I know you don't know how to spell the man's name, but don't you know his music either? He's had plenty of good songs since then. "Forever Blue" is a classic break-up album.
2 - Glen Boyd
I meant the comment in terms of record sales, Bicho, record sales. I love the guy too, but when was the last time you heard something from Forever Blue sung at a karaoke bar...or on the radio for that matter?
-Glen
3 - Glen Boyd
...and at least I know that White Rabbit is a Jefferson Airplane song.
-Glen
4 - Tom Johnson
I saw Chris Isaak back in the mid-90s opening for Tina Turner, of all people (free tickets from a friend who has connections,) and he put on one HELL of a show. Still ranks as one of my favorite concerts. The guy, and his band, are consummate musicians. I haven't heard that much of his stuff (the fantastic San Francisco Days and Forever Blue) but whenever I hear anything of his, I always come away thinking that he may have a bit of a schtick, but it's no gag. The guy is good. I'll be curious to see how this new one is, but I don't doubt it's at least pretty damned decent.
5 - Glen Boyd
Thanx tom. I've seen him about three or four times myself, and I agree he always puts on a great show He is also as funny as he is good musically -- love those suits too (especially the mirrored one).
-Glen
6 - El Bicho
I can't remember the last time I heard something on the radio. I rarely use it for music anymore. I saw Chris open up for Stevie Nicks. He's a great showman with a talented musician and funny sense of humor. Plus, he and the band hit the merchandise table and sign autographs. That's a guy who gets it!
7 - Donald Gibson
Yeah, I met him after a show a couple years back. He must've had a few hundred people lined up in the lobby to get something signed (or at least to shake his hand) and he stayed for each and every one. I got my copy of Forever Blue autographed. Really great guy.
8 - Glen Boyd
He seems to be very personable, almost like an anti-rock star...and it is very refreshing.
-Glen