New(er) Music Notes

Jonny Lang's at it again.  He's teamed up with Shannon Curfman, a 14-year old guitarist from Minneapolis.   The song True Friends is currently on the radio, and I must say, if Jonny is helping her write songs like that, they will both be blues-influenced rockers to listen to for years to come.

Speaking of the blues, the new Susan Tedeschi cd is a brilliant mix of old blues, rock and roll, and Janis Joplin.  The lyrics are humorous and fresh, the guitar playing spontaneous and "asymmetrical," which means there are few if any typically linear guitar solos.  Her current cd from 1998, Just Won't Burn is one of the best purchases I've made in a long time.  Susan has won 2 Handy Awards (the Blues equivalent of a Grammy) as Best New Blues Artist and Contemporary Blues- Female Artist of the Year.  She is nominated again by her peers, who know more about music than any Grammy-grubbing gangstas or garage-band goofballs.  You can see this and more information on Susan at her band's web page, including tour dates and television programs (and their scheduled play times).  Susan's loss at the Grammies to Christina Aguilera once again proves that awards shows are irrelevant at best.

Santana, however, is also very good, and for a while, I could not decide which cd I liked better.  Susan Tedeschi won, but Santana is a very close second.  What demoted him to runner-up was his collaborative efforts, which is also the strength of this album.   While Rob Thomas sings on the best track he's ever had the fortune to contribute to, songs with Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill are polar opposites.  I appreciate that Santana has such varied interests, but his grab-bag of projects is too much for those with a rock-and-roll heart.  Those who do enjoy Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean won't get much out of the dueling guitar match Santana and Eric Clapton present.  The fact that it's sung almost completely in Spanish does not detract one iota from my enjoyment of what could be described as guitar rock/dance music.  The album is the loosest and best Santana has produced in years.  It's been coming for some time, as evidenced by Carlos' work with John Lee Hooker over John's last few albums, and by his cd Brothers, which included his cousin and brother on guitar.  Plus there was the song Bella he contributed to the Desperado soundtrack. Musically, all these songs foreshadowed this brilliant work, entitled Supernatural, by one of rock-and-roll's legendary guitarists.  Although Santana was the best male artist, and I say this without knowing who the other nominees were, the Grammies are still a self-important, worthless ceremony.  The only thing more surprising than Carlos' "win" is the fact he was nominated at all.  I congratulate Santana as a fan of music, the greatest prize any musician can ever hope to attain. Great job, keep up the good work!   Everyone should listen to the House Of Blues radio program, with Elwood Blues (Dan Akroyd's Blues Brothers character) as host, talking to the legends of the genre.  Elwood's also hip enough to talk with rock and roll artists heavily influenced by the blues, as well as playing different versions of songs to show how blues evolves from one generation to the next.  Easily one of the best hours on radio!!!   For those who think I only like the most popular bands, my B-LIST includes Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz and John Lee Hooker.  I'd just as soon listen to Dan Ackroyd's Elwood Blues character hosting House Of Blues Radio Hour than any radio station's setlist from around here.   Congratulations to Creed.  They have now attained the status of mediocre.   Britney Spears has gotten larger and larger.   She's even become more popular!  Check out her newest hits in this tribute hosted by a Swedish fan (of beautiful women).

Pearl Jam's 1998 tour left fans reeling from the power they possess during live performances.  I was lucky enough to see my favorite band from 3rd row center in St. Louis.   For PJ fans and tape traders, the review of the show and my PJ music collection is here.

Five Horizons, The Best Resource For Pearl Jam Fans

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