Διάφανα καλειδοσκόπια, ένας χρόνος κυκλοφορίας από τις εκδόσεις Oasis

Διάφανα καλειδοσκόπια, ένας χρόνος κυκλοφορίας από τις εκδόσεις Oasis

Duff McKagan- “Tenderness”

When the spirit of punk in GUNS N ROSES strike a vein for gold, in the collaboration with Shooter Jennings, the Country outlaw, I’ m here to present one of the most compelling, sensitive country, (hard) rock album of the year. If only for the same title song “Tenderness’, ill have to give this album a mere 7, but after the initial song of this soul revealing anthem, the pair has even more to give. ‘Wasted heart’, ‘Last September”, “Cold outside’, ‘Feel” songs that could find their way in UUI, I&II. Everything McKagan has done till now, from NEUROTIC OUTSIDERS to his solo woks come together in an album more (with some reworks of his old stuff, but mostly new material) in to the country / early 70s rock side of music, but with some deep emotions to back up his choice. Country rock, with some Neil Young edge and looking to the 00s, could be the best description of an album that loves equally the laid down moments of GNR and the Nashville skyline. Grab a beer and enjoy it. I Wish Izzy Stradlin could have add his touch to this album too, but don’t be ungrateful.

7

Rodrigo Y Gabriela- “Mettavolution”

When classical guitar meets rock meets latin, meets hard rock, meets a crazy pair of Mexican musicians, the result is astonishing. In their latest fifth studio album, Rodrigo and Gabriela, let the rock clothing down and get deep in to the core of music. Latin elements, rock fingering, melodies, classic guitar approach, flamenco all together in an addictive album that requires all of your attention and devotion as musical landscapes change in every minute of the song. Form the opening “Mettavolution” the duet just takes Santana and all the latin influenced masters to a new level. Some backing vocals to accompany the song and we travel from Mexico, to California, and then fly over the Andes. My personal favorite “Terracentric’ is a tribute to the great shredding albums of the 90s, with a Frank Gambale feeling along with the sensitive ‘Electric soul”.

I must admit this time the PINK FLOYD cover, “Echoes” is probably the most weak song on this album Overall, this is an album that big company executives will enjoy at their Hampton houses, rockers in the late hours at their full of smoke rock bars and the hipster tribe at their lounge bars. An album of world music composed and performed by musicians with a beating rock hard and acoustic instruments. Amazing.

8

Pat Travers- “Swing”

The great Canadian guitar player returns with an oldie but goodie. Not blues as we/you may have expected but instead a great take on various swing/jazz classics. Pat Travers work with some jazz musician (A baritone sax, trombone, alto sax, and trumpet), upright bass along his own members of his power trio to bring to life some great songs in a more ‘rock” form. In reality the horns, trumpets etc, the leading organ has been substituted or has additional power from his own guitar and the result is simply magnificent. The 40’s feeling is all around but fueled up by his master playing. The feeling of melody he has in his playing along the powerhouse playing he has established all these years with his trio now comes to a more musically eloquent form along with the structure of classics like Louis Prima's "Sing Sing Sing", Duke Elington's "Take The 'A' Train", Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" and others. The result is an incredible listening experience of familiar tunes played like you've never heard them before.

Travers reworked the songs with respect adding his own personal seal and making them sounding fresh and up to date without losing the elements that made them classic. A great ‘covers’ album of the most unexpected guests.

8,5

Jimmy Barnes- “My criminal record”

For one more time Australia’s best voice (rock,soul, blues) you name it, is back with a new record. The result is more than satisfying and this is his 17th solo record…so guess what, Jimmy Barnes still got it big time. We have an instant classic in the vein of “Working class hero” that makes the original fading along with a number of soul infused rock songs from a man with a grasp voice that never lets you down. Don Walker of COLD CHISEL fame, gave a really helping hand in crafting some wonderful songs like ‘My demon”, “Stolen car” and the same title.. Rock n roll, hard rock, soul, honky tonk, blues are blended with a voice that never lets you down. Like a good police story, Jimmy Barnes album keep your interest even when you know who the murderer is. The class of the songs and the singer’s performance just makes you happy to be a listener. For one more time, great songs and music to live by.

7,5

Kevin Andrews- «Η πτήση του Ικάρου»

Από το ένα άκρο της Ελλάδας στο άλλο, από το Μυστρά στα Μέγαρα, από τις στάνες της Ελευσίνας, στα νοσοκομεία της Αθήνας, ξεπηδάνε ήρωες της αρχαίας Ελληνικής τραγωδίας που ονομάζεται Ελλάδα του εμφυλίου και μετεμφυλιακή Ελλάδα. Ο Άντριους, σιωπηλός παρατηρητής και ποτέ κριτής, δύσκολα λαμβάνει θέση. Αναζητά τον άνθρωπο και την σύνδεση με τα μεσαιωνικά χρόνια του Βυζαντίου και του Ελληνισμού. Συνέχεια όμως βρίσκει εμπόδια και σκοντάφτει σε στενά, ναρκοθετημένα από τον εμφύλιο μονοπάτια. Εαμίτες αντάρτες που ξεκλήρισαν χωριά και Εθνοφύλακες που ανταπέδωσαν. Λαμόγια της κατοχής και ήθη μιας Ελλάδας χαμένη από χρόνια, που θυμίζουν πόσο ο συντηρητισμός του Έλληνα, είναι στοιχείο της φυλής. ασχέτως πεποιθήσεων.

Από τα πιο απαιτητικά συναισθηματικά βιβλία, πρώτου προσώπου που έχω διαβάσει για την Ελλάδα του εμφυλίου και των πρώτων μετεμφυλιακών χρόνων. Ο τότε υπότροφος της Αμερικανικής Αρχαιολογικής σχολής στην Αθήνα, Κέβιν Άντριους, βετεράνος και ο ίδιος του ΒΠΠ, γνωρίζει από πρώτο χέρι, το Ελληνικό δαιμόνιο, αλλά και τα Ελληνικά εμφύλια πάθη. Περιδιαβαίνει την στερεά Ελλάδα, τα νησιά και αργότερα την Πελοπόννησο, συναντώντας, τον Έλληνα, όπως σπάνια θα μας τον παρουσιάσουν παππούδες και παλιές Ελληνικές ταινίες. Φιλόξενο αλλά και καχύποπτο, ιδεαλιστή αλλά και σκληρό με τον (όποιο) ταξικό του εχθρό, με το όνειρο του διορισμού (κατά προτίμηση στο Δημόσιο), βαθιά ριζωμένο μέσα του. Φιλικό, με τη σκοτεινιά του αδελφοκτόνου εμφύλιου, να γεμίζει το βλέμμα του.

Η «πτήση του Ικάρου» είναι ένα οδοιπορικό σε μια ρημαγμένη από τον εμφύλιο χώρα, που ο «Αμερικάνος» συμβολίζει για κάποιους το μέσο για έναν διορισμό και για άλλους (λίγους) τον άνθρωπο που θα κάνουν κουμπάρο και θα αγαπήσουν, για όσα ως ανθρώπινες αξίες αντιπροσωπεύει. Μια ματιά στην επαρχιακή Ελλάδα που μέσω της αστυφιλίας, έδωσε δυο δεκαετίες αργότερα τους νεόπλουτους, ξεχνώντας απλά τις ρίζες της. Σκληρό, διαβάζεται με μικρά πηδήματα, όπως οι δρασκελισμοί του Κωσταντή στο Μυστρά, ανάμεσα σε όπλα, πέτρες και αντάρτικα καρτέρια… Ανατρέπει όσα θεωρούσαμε δεδομένα, αποκαθηλώνει παρατάξεις και γκρεμίζει τα «αθώα» σχόλια περί φιλοξενίας και τιμιότητας της φυλής, αναγνωρίζοντας στον πυρήνα των πάντων τον άνθρωπο σαν βαρόμετρο της συμπεριφοράς, ιδωμένο πέρα από κομματικά χρώματα και ταξική καταγωγή. Ένα ξεχασμένο ντοκουμέντο, μιας εποχής πόνου, φτώχειας, ανθρωπιάς αλλά και εμφύλιου μίσους.

Danny Worsnop – “Shades of blue” (Sumerian records)

I am really surprised why an artist who belongs to the heavy genre , when he decides to take off the clothing of the heavy music genre, the aggressiveness and the anger, reveals such depth of sentiments and such a variety of expressions, In his second solo work Danny Worsnop continue to surprises us in the best possible way. He moves away from the country rock style of his first work and embraces Northern Soul and the Chicago blues. In his solo work for one more time decides to deal with sensitive subjects such as breaking up, loss, but also the unconditional love with a voice that finds its origins in the best moments of Northern Soul to give us an excellent album in every department. If you combine the rhythm of “Tomorrow” with its the lyrics you will have to ask yourself about the artist and his mental state, how more tragically sincere he could be. More than enjoyable in his second solo wok, a treat for the aficionados of good music.

8,5/10