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 RINGO STARR |
 MARIA McKEE |
 STACKRIDGE |
 STRING CHEESE INCIDENT |
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RINGO
STARR
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BRIAN WILSON Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE (Bri-Mel / WSM)
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MARIA
McKEE Peddlin' Dreams (Eleven Thirty)
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STACKRIDGE Sex And Flags (Angel Air)
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STRING
CHEESE INCIDENT One Step Closer (Sci-Fi)
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A
veritable cream of the crop of 20th century guitar heroes united in
London during the Autumn of 2004 for a celebration honoring the 50th
anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster. Introduced in May 1954, the
Strat remains the guitar of choice for millions of guitarists and music
lovers and among the players joining the Strat Pack for this
live concert celebration are The Crickets (J.I. Allison,
Joe Mauldin & Sonny Curtis) with Albert
Lee and Brian May, Hank Marvin with his son Ben
Marvin, Gary Moore, Free blues belter Paul Rogers,
Joe Walsh, Phil Manzanera, David Gilmour and Ronnie
Wood. With each guitarist playing Strats and performing some their
best known hits—supported by a fine house band featuring music
director Phil Palmer, Pino Paladino (bass), Wix Wickens
(keys) and Ian Thomas (drums)—the 2 + hour Strat
Pack DVD serves both as a great concert and solid tribute to the
spirited guitar music created on the Strat. In addition to the thirty
one music tracks, the DVD features an array of eye-opening interviews
praising this icon among guitars. 
The
mind-altering musical influence and sense of direction John Lennon had
over his three fellow band mates in The Beatles was so massive and far-ranging
that, following the implosion of the band as a single entity in 1969,
it enabled them each to develop solo careers that in time would in time
eclipse Lennon’s very own. That statement rings true on the 2005
album from Ringo Starr entitled Choose Love. His first post “when
I’m 64” album, CL is filled with brilliant traces of
the musical greatness that made Ringo such a major household name rock
star in the ‘60s. One again Ringo has aligned himself with kindred
spirits and musical cohorts including guitarist co-writer Mark Hudson.
The result is a fascinating pastiche of ‘60s and ‘70s style
pop fused with a definite Fab Four influence. Commenting on the sound
of the new album Ringo comments, “I want it to sound like a band,
a little more down and dirty and guitar-driven.” Track four, “Hard
To Be True” would have been great song for Lennon to guest on while
another highlight being a gospel inspired track called “Oh My Lord”
with guest spots from roots guitarist Robert Randolph and Billy
Preston. In 2004 Ringo also unveiled his latest book. A fantastic
112 page color and b&w hardcover edition on Chronicle Books,
Postcards From The Boys features illuminating reproductions
of some amazing postcards John, Paul and George sent to Ringo back in
the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. With his keen memory Ringo humorously
recalls each time period with some cool anecdotes. Concerning the book
he adds, “Paul was always good at postcarding. And they all
know that I love postcards. Even to this day, when people say, ‘Oh,
I’m going to such and such,’ I always say, ‘Oh, send
me a card.’ I like to get them but I’m not the best at sending
them.” 
2004
was a great year for music and also a great year for one of the true
pioneers of American pop music, Brian Wilson. During 2004, Wilson
released two classic albums—Gettin’ In Over My Head followed
by a studio album of his all-time masterpiece, SMiLE. Both albums
revealed different, yet interlocking sides of Wilson’s complex
musical personality. The 2004 release of SMiLE on CD was the
culmination of a vision Wilson and his SMiLE co-writer Van
Dyke Parks had only dreamed of since its expiration as a musical
reality in mid ‘67. In early 2004, Wilson and his group finally
took SMiLE on the road and documenting that heady musical juncture,
the 2005 DVD release of SMiLE is indeed something to smile about.
The 4+ hour double DVD set is the ultimate restoration of Wilson’s
original vision of SMiLE, which was just simply never fully realized
during Brian’s years with The Beach Boys. Wilson’s musical
confidant, David Leaf has done a great job directing a dazzling
2+ hour rockumentary on SMiLE called Beautiful Dreamer, which
fills up the first DVD here along with various interview clips with
Brian and highlights from the London premier of SMiLE from February
2004. Disc two—a live video performance of the complete SMiLE
album in L.A.—is where Wilson’s visionary genius
springs to life. Hard to imagine that just a few short years ago, Wilson
wouldn’t even think of doing something like this! Bolstered by
a cast of hundreds, Wilson’s core band—including Jeff Foskett,
Darian Sahanaja, Scott Bennett—are totally in-sync
with the master. Two DVDs of pure California musical magic that transcends
words, Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE examines the history and the
mystery behind the most elusive recording of the 20th century. 
One
of the things singer-songwriter Maria McKee is known for is being the
sister of Love co-founder Brian McLean and in the spirit of her late,
great brother, Ms. McKee has the power to absolutely blow you away with
catchy pop hooks and searing vocals. Recorded with partner / guitarist
and multi-instrumentalist Jim Akin, her 2002 CD High Dive
was a powerful rock record full of artistic twists and turns in
the finest spirit of Love. While her 2005 CD Peddlin’ Dreams
has it’s share of brilliant flashpoints, it’s not quite
as amazing as High Dive. According to McKee, “The truth
is, High Dive was a labor of love. It was also incredibly demanding...a
lot of hard work for both Jim and me. We wanted to make Peddlin’
Dreams more direct and spontaneous. The process was much more natural.
With this album, I wanted a more open, almost stark recording.”
That said, the majestic, lead-off track “Season Of The Fair”
stands as one of her best songs yet. More roots-rock and country-tinged
acoustic folk based than High Dive, Peddlin’ Dreams is a
welcome addition to McKee’s ever increasing catalog of album classics.
Back
in the ‘70s, one group that carried on the best spirit of The Beatles,
were classic U.K. rockers Stackridge. In fact at the start of the early
Stackridge years, no less than John Lennon offered the groups guitarist,
Andy Davis, a chance to perform on his now classic 1971 Imagine
album, which also featured George Harrison and Mike Pinder. Although
not trumpeted at the time, Davis in fact did go on to do truly great
things with Stackridge for much of the '70s, leading the band through
several incarnations all of which were great. Hard to believe it’s
been nearly thirty years since the original band recorded their ‘76
classic Mr. Mick, yet hear to make it real is a new 2005 Stackridge
CD featuring four of the original members - Davis, his cohort in The
Korgis, James Warren, Mr. Mick himself, Mutter Slater
and bass player Crun Walter. Released on the U.K. based Angel
Air label, Sex and Flags takes the finest elements of their
‘70s sound, giving each member a chance to bring their latest songs
to the table. As far as guitarists go, Davis is really one of the greats
of the Beatles style pop sound and backing up all that expert work,
his songwriting on Sex and Flags also sounds quite Lennon
inspired, especially on “Big Baby”. Actually, his songwriting
partner James Warren, who also works together with Davis in their other
group, The Korgis, is a top guitarist and singer in his own right and
they truly sound best when meshing vocals on “Wonderful Day.”
Contrary to what Andy told me, there is in fact a fine instrumental
on Sex and Flags called “Charles Louis Dance”, a song
harkening back to those great Stackridge instrumentals which also reminds
of Andy's earlier solo work. Stellar British pop with a progressive
vaudeville twist, Stackridge lives up to their legacy on Sex and
Flags. 
Not
quite as rocked out or cosmic as the 2003 String Cheese Incident album,
Untying The Not, the 2005 release of One Step Closer is
nevertheless a great CD from a band that seems to thrive on bending
all the musical rules. Featuring thirteen tracks that range from country
rock and bluegrass to a more gratifying, symphonic psych-pop surprise,
One Step Closer also benefits from the top production of Malcolm
Burn, who just about became the sixth member of the band for the
recording sessions. Commenting on the group’s ever increasing diversity
and changing of sounds, guitarist Billy Nershi adds, “With
every album we realign ourselves, not because we didn’t like what
we did before, but because there are so many faces of the band and we
want to show them all.” An established producer who worked with
Dylan, Emmylou Harris and more, Burn helps the band set sail for the
further uncharted musical waters explored on One Step Closer. Recorded
in the glorious Colorado mountain region, the CD also features an accompanying
DVD that serves as a rockumentary on the album recording sessions. 
