Rio

Another Side of Bob Dylan

riorain — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:55:21 +0000

The only thing wrong with this album is its title. This isn’t `another’ side of Bob Dylan; it is Several sides of Bob Dylan. This one has love songs (for and against love), it has comic cuts, and it has tracks where the wordsmith delves into the listener’s emotional core. This is not an album with a theme; it is a collection of brilliant sketches from the far-flung corners of human experience. Even the random nature of these tracks reflected the age in which they were made and the listener finds himself embracing that randomness. Being the most random of his albums (during this period), you would think that this would be the one Dylan album that would fail to stand up to the test of time, but it works in the 21st century even as it did in the 1960′s. This is yet another Dylan masterpiece.

The Times They Are a-Changin’

riorain — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:11:05 +0000

This is one of my favorite Bob Dylan Albums! digitally remastered The music sounds as new as the day it was released over 45 years years ago! this album is great for folk music lovers and is generally easy listening for “hanging out” or perfect for a long car ride. I only wish there were more songs on the album! enjoy!

The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

riorain — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:28:29 +0000

This is Bob Dylan’s second album, a folk record of some of the best songs he’s ever done, and he was so young. On this CD you’ll find “Masters of War,” a song as timely now as it was way back in 1963 and a song Dylan has revisited time and again throughout his career. “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” is on this album as well. It’s my personal favorite, especially the way he performed it during the Concert for Bangla Desh with George Harrison at Madison Square Garden in 1971. If that isn’t enough, Dylan performs the sweetest version of “Corina, Corina” you’ll ever hear. And, of course, I have to mention, “Blowing in the Wind,” perhaps the greatest protest song ever written. This CD is one you must own.

Bob Dylan (album)

riorain — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:44:46 +0000

This album is not only Bob Dylan’s first, but it’s as bluesy as they come, for a folk album that is. Just listen to Dylan sing, “So I can die easy, Jesus’ gonna make my dying bed,” in “My Time of Dying,” the power of his vocals will rip a tear out of even the driest eye. And his sad tribute to Woody Guthrie, that’s another that’ll bring tears to your eyes. Dylan was crooner back then and a darned good one.

Live Licks

riorain — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:43:16 +0000

If you’ve ever been to a Stones concert, you know of the high energy that’s always present. This CD captures that energy. Charlie’s drumbeat keeps time while Ronnie & Keef do what they do best. This is a good recording of everyone’s talents. Keith sings on three of the songs. It’s evident why he’s not the frontman, but he’s our Keef and we love him! Mick is out there being Mick and it’s easy to tell he’s having a good time. He’s great at generating audience participation because he makes us feel important. And he truly loves sharing the stage with the great performers that they respect so highly. This is a nice addition to anyone’s collection. It doesn’t hold any surprises, but it DOES capture The Rolling Stones in their element.

Forty Licks

riorain — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:11:27 +0000

This album contains most of the good stuff from The Rolling Stones. It’s a greatest hits compilation that spans their first 40 years. While it does not contain every single one of their hits, it’s still a fine collection on two CDs. Some notable hit songs were left off this collection, such as Waiting On A Friend from Tattoo You, but since this band has endless hits, you really need more than two CDs to get everything into the collection. This set also includes four new songs.

This set has everything from Street Fighting Man (my favorite Stones song) to She’s A Rainbow, to Mixed Emotions, to Start Me Up, to (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, to Paint It, Black. You get the idea.

This band has been rolling along for almost 50 years now. Whenever there’s a poll taken about who is the greatest rock band of all time, it always comes down to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones battling for first place (even though many people would pick other bands).

A Bigger Bang

riorain — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:56:52 +0000

This is a solid one from the stones, it’s not the same as their seventies stuff or 80′s but who cares it’s very good indeed. The boys made a much better release than the songs on forty licks by far. This was much more back to basics and they do a good job here. I enjoyed every song on this one immensely.

No Security

riorain — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:44:59 +0000

I was well prepared to hate this, given the usual beating it took by the major rock press, and yes, it’s product, no more artistic than the t-shirt or the tour program. At this point a live Stones album is as relevant as one of Elvis’. But this has some nice moments, particularly a pair of fast ones, “Flip the Switch” and “Respectable”, slowed down a notch and given room to breathe; a terrific attack on “The Last Time”, and a true keeper in the Taj Mahal duet. It’s no YA YA’S, but it’s no STILL LIFE either. One big complaint. Dave Matthews shouldn’t even be allowed to buy a Stones record, much less be on one.

Bridges to Babylon

riorain — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:31:05 +0000

The Rolling Stones are an amazing band, they’ve been around for so long, with a few personnel changes, but still manage to put out quality music, and not afraid to try new directions. They also still manage to tour frequently, and film or videotape many of their tours, so that the fans get a chance to see what they missed. In any case, Bridges of Babylon, is worth checking out, and contains some good music as well.

Stripped

riorain — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:49:59 +0000

Yet another live Stones album, but it’s good. Like most live albums from these guys, you get a combination of spendidly done covers (by the world’s most underrated cover band) and Stones standards. My favorites are: the grinding rendition of Street Fighting Man, the fresh delivery of Shine A Light, and the must-have pairing of iconic band with iconic title on Like A Rolling Stone. If you are looking at this with any consideration at all, go ahead – you can’t lose. This also comes with the reassurance that even though this band really hasn’t given us much new worth listening to in about 25 years, at least they haven’t lost their ability to put it out on stage (at least, as of the mid-90′s when this was done).