Lightning reviews…
and caught live!

There are so many CDs and so little space, so it’s lightning time!

Train: My Private Nation, Columbia Records

Rock band Train’s third CD continues along the melodic yet edgy path of their earlier work. A strong Beatles influence is evident not only in their song structures, but also in their instrumental and vocal offerings. This is high quality thinking man’s rock that will get you on the dance floor nonetheless.

Reckless Kelly: Under The Table and Above The Sun, Sugar Hill Records

Reckless Kelly is an Austin, Texas alt country band with impeccable vocal harmonies, strong instrumental chops and memorable songs, some of which fit comfortably within Nashville’s formulized country/pop format. Does this mean Reckless Kelly could score big on the country charts? Anything is possible, but even if they don’t hit the big time, Reckless Kelly is worth hearing.

Uncle Tupelo: No Depression, March 16 to 20, 1992, Still Feel Gone, Columbia Legacy Records

Uncle Tupelo is the band that almost single-handedly started the alternative county/rock movement in the 1990s. These three seminal discs, all re-releases, portray songwriters Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy in their musical infancy, but the seeds of genius have been planted and will soon take root amidst the band’s juxtaposition of grungy 1960s garage rock and roots country. It is indispensable.

Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra: Apollo Jump, Proper Records

Lucky Millinder wasn’t much of a musician, but he led a swinging big band for years that bridged the gap between jazz and rhythm and blues.The group worked the famous “chitlin’ circuit” for the most part and remained a territorial attraction. These vintage recordings give the listener a clear picture of the roots of rock ‘n roll as we know it. It is available as an import at propermusic.com.

Toots and The Maytals: Funky Kingston, In The Dark, Island Records

Here you get two great reggae albums for the price of one. Toots and The Maytals were second only to Bob Marley and The Wailers in popularity during reggae’s halcyon days of the 1970s. Both these discs show the power of The Maytals’ material and their songwriting. If you like reggae, don’t miss this one.

Greg Piccolo: Homage, Emit Doog Music

Saxophonist Greg Piccolo got his break with blues band Roomful of Blues, but he has built a nice solo career since leaving them. This release focuses on Piccolo’s jazz roots and reprises standards like “Night and Day” and “Red’s Blues.” Homage is easy listening with a lot of soul.

Django Reinhardt: Crazy Rhythm, Iris Music

French gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt revolutionized jazz guitar. His Hot Club of France recordings are classics, and forty-eight of those tracks are here. It is available at iris-music.com.

Caught Live: Rock‘n Roll Hall of Fame members

The Yardbirds kicked off their summer US tour with a one-nighter at BB King’s club in Manhattan on June 3. With two original members present, drummer Jim McCarty and rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja, the Birds tear through ninety minutes of classic songs like “I’m A Man,” “Shapes Of Things,” “Over Under Sideways Down,” “Heart Full of Soul,” “I Ain’t Got You,” “Somestack Lightning,” “For Your Love,” “The Nazz Are Blue,” “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” and surprises like “Rack My Mind” and “Dazed and Confused,” which most people associate with Led Zeppelin, but which The Yardbirds performed first. The Yardbirds also play a few cuts from their new album, Birdland, with a youthful energy that belied their advancing years. Visit theyardbirds.com.