Kevin Godley, William Shatner and Raphael Pannier are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately …
WILLIAM SHATNER – THE BLUES (BLUES): Sometimes, I just don’t get William Shatner. He has demonstrated the ability to produce good music. He has conspired with prog-rock icons, and occasionally confused his followers. His new album, The Blues, is a mystery I continue to ponder. You can’t go wrong with Pat Travers ripping through “I Put a Spell on You.” Shatner emotes and growls the lyrics with such spunk, you’d think he was half his age. Yet he can’t help but come across as a little fake. Sonny Landreth also slides his way through an unexpectedly ballsy version of “Sunshine of Your Love.” William Shatner’s laid back reading is downright creepy; you can almost see him laying on the casting couch. “Smokestack Lightning,” which features Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fame, has all the feel of a drunken one-take jam. If this is a comedy album or a parody, it succeeds. With the formidable list of players and excellent arrangements, The Blues is a good listen. I just can’t peg it.
LOS MOCOSOS – ALL GROWN UP (R&B/ROCK): This is Los Mocosos’s first album in 15 years, but you’d never know it from listening to All Grown Up. The title track contains infectious hooks, compelling rhythms and powerfully funky horns. “United We Stand,” the first single, touches on the current social unrest and injustice which in impacting the Latinx community. The lyrics are never preachy, yet are clear in their conviction and passion. Los Mocosos’s combination of ska, Latin soul, and rock is cohesive and energetic, and that’s even more fascinating given the workshop approach employed to create All Grown Up. Regardless of how the album came together, I for one am glad Los Mocosos is back. This is good stuff.
KEVIN GODLEY – MUSCLE MEMORY (POP/ROCK): Though Kevin Godley’s first solo album isn’t out until December, it has already created a buzz. It’s no wonder why after listening to Muscle Memory. Godley has lost none of the craftsmanship from his Godley and Creme or 10CC days. Indeed, as songs like “Cut to the Cat” and “All Bones Are White” demonstrate, Godley still has keen pop sensibilities that enhance the impact of his provocative and vivid lyrics. Kevin Godley collaborated with several writers who contributed music to this project, yet the lyrical core weaves all the songs into a compelling story. The combination of electronic beats, real guitars and drums and Godley’s eclectic vocals is intoxicating. Who would have suspected Kevin Godley has so much left to say this deep into his career? Muscle Memory is available for preorder now, with more than half of the 12 songs released as singles.
RAPHAEL PANNIER QUARTET – FAUNE (JAZZ): Band leader and drummer Raphael Pannier has conspired with sax player Miguel Zenon, bassist Francois Moutin and pianist Giorgi Mikadze to create one of the most stunning debuts of the year. Dynamic and thematically vibrant, Pannier combines originals and standards to produce an otherworldly record, leaving the listener captivated. Faune, which is French for wildlife, is an apt title for this project, which melds French, Puerto Rican and New York elements to create something new and original. “Lonely Woman” demands repeated listening, as arranger/sax player Zenon dances with Raphael Pannier’s snare and cymbal work out while pianist Mikadze adds different splashes of color. “E.S.P.,” written by Wayne Shorter, shows another side of the band which is no less intriguing. Faune is a musical gem.
ALEX WINTZ TRIO – LIVE TO TAPE (JAZZ): Guitarist, composer and educator Alex Wintz’s Live to Tape, set to arrive on Nov. 6, 2020, is is his first on Outside Music. It’s a compelling display of Wintz’s chops, taste and improvisational powers. Working with bassist Dave Baron and drummer Jimmy Macbride, Wintz goes a more direct route than his formidable 2017 debut as a leader, LifeCycle. “Idris” opens the album with and Wintz’s warm, evocative tone and confident voicing. The trio displays a strutting confidence, which makes the songs instantly compelling. While Alex Wintz’s four original songs are engrossing, so are his covers. “What Me Worry” is a daring take on the St. Vincent song from 2007’s Marry Me. The reimagining of her music is a fine display of Wintz’s arranging chops and his masterful tone. At a time when concerts are on hiatus, Live to Tape gives us a needed dose. Look for the Alex Wintz Trio’s live-stream album release party on Nov. 1.
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