Memory Serves [Import]

Memory Serves [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Material delivered their Bitches Brew with this, the group's most influential and fully realized work. By this point, the original core trio of bassist Bill Laswell, drummer Fred Maher, and synthesist Michael Beinhorn had seamlessly locked into their avant-funk-jazz-fusion groove, providing combustible soundscapes for a stellar lineup of exceptional guests. Billy Bang's violin work is a revelation, as are suitably skronky contributions from guitarists Sonny Sharrock and Fred Frith. After Memory Serves, Maher would leave to join Lou Reed, and Laswell evolved into the George Clinton of world music. But for this one album at least, Material had the power. --Billy Grenier

Tracks:

Sisters Of Mercy
Good Morning Sunshine
This Wheel's On Fire
My Heart Cries For You
Some Of These Days
Quand Les Hommes Vivront D'Amour
It Doesn't Matter Anymore
(Take Me For A Walk In The) Morning Dew
Boo Hoo
Coconut Grove
You Were On My Mind
Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream
Weak In The Knees
Out Of The Blue
Just Another Day

Customer Reviews:

Import vs Domestic.......2007-06-22

I dont what the difference is between the pricey import version and the cheap domestic version listed on Amazon. Hopefully, there isn't much, so folks can experience this wonderful singer on the cheap. I bought the import, mainly because that was what came up when I typed her name in. I heard a piece of "Weak in the Knees" on NPR's PRI and a short interview with her. This girl can sing and these songs she covers are not just interpretations. She owns them in a masterful vocal display with absolutely gorgeous arrangements. There is only one show tune on the CD and it's a beauty.

I was not familiar with some of the covers, but Sisters of Mercy, Starshine and You Were on My Mind are all old favorites and I was knocked out by her recreation of them. The musicians who played on this CD with her, whom she gives much credit to in the liner notes, are amazing. The arrangements in combination with that voice that ranges from country to jazz to folk to broadway and back in husky, whiskey-hued, high and bright, sailing, well...you get the idea.

If you like variety this CD gives you everything from blues to protest, from ballad to show tune. You wont listen to a more evocative CD this year.

Oh yeah, and she writes her own stuff too, three of the tracks are hers and stand shoulder to shoulder with the covers.

Fantastic intepretation of some great song writing.......2007-06-12

I loved this album and have been playing it repeatedly since I bought it. Serena has a fabulous voice and intepretes what are mostly covers on this album superbly. These are obviously songs that mean a great deal to her and were probably in her parents record collection when she was growing up. This album will grab you. Exceeded expections.

Starts out fresh but morphs into broadway tunes.......2007-03-10

I was let down when half way throught this cd she launches into old tired broadway tuney kind of music. It sounded like a recital of 'all the songs I know'. What a let down.

Ryder Rules!.......2007-02-04

An exceptional "covers" type of album where Serena tackles "Canadian" songs in excellent fashion. Her remake of Oliver's 1969 hit "Good Morning Starshine" deserves a 5 out of 5 for sheer guts alone (who else could tackle the nonsense chorus and get away with it without sounding like a complete hack?). Every song is a genuine delight. Especially memorable are "This Wheel's On Fire", "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" and "Quand Les Hommes Vivront d'Amour". The arrangements are tasteful and folky (without eliminating a casual rock feel altogether) while Ms. Ryder's voice sounds heavenly (her joy in singing these hits clearly evident). If you've enjoyed recent albums by Corrine Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse and K.T. Tunstall, then make "If Your Memory Serves You Well" your next purchase.

Serena Ryder's Magical Voice.......2007-01-11

Serena Ryder has an absolutely amazing voice. Her live performances are tremendous and she gains more fans with every show. Her choice of material for this release is a bit odd, and - in the hands of a lesser talent - would be totally forgettable, but she is able to pull it off with her voice, a very tight (esp. Kevin Breit) supporting cast and good production.

Average customer rating:

The "Jangleholic" rocks Dylan

If Your Memory Serves You Well
Les Fradkin
Manufacturer: RRO Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music
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Trouble: The Jamie Saft Trio Plays Bob Dylan
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Paupers, Peasants, Princes & Kings: The Songs of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan Uncovered
Simple Twist of Fate

ASIN: B000GY71ES
Release Date: 2006-07-14

Tracks:

This Wheel's On Fire
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
The Times They Are-A-Changin'
Like A Rolling Stone
Just Like A Woman
Love Minus Zero/NoLimit
The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?
Absolutely Sweet Marie
One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)

Product Description

With times changin at today's speeds, Bob Dylan fans can now hear something new from Les Fradkin, who when originally discovered by John Hammond, Sr. at Columbia Records found his love of Dylan's music at the forefront of his commercial pop style. In this new 2006 release, Les takes more than just a common tribute approach and reveals a unique perspective in the diverse influences that form the basis of a new sound for Bob Dylan's music. In particular, Les' reading of "One Of Must Know" is a must hear as it takes Dylan into new sonic territory. Tom Petty fans will delight to his approach on "Absolutely Sweet Marie" and his fresh take on "Just Like A Woman" will suprise even those overly familiar with this Dylan hit. This release is pressed on special edition PURPLE Colored CD's which reflect luminous violet in bright light.

Customer Reviews:

The "Jangleholic" rocks Dylan.......2006-08-06

One of the more rockin' Dylan tributes, Les Fradkin showcases his vocal & multi-instrumental skills honed as the original "George Harrison" in the cast of Beatlemania, a member of the psych folk-rock band The Godz, and as session player on many Top 40 hit records throughout the early 70's. The multi-layered production provides a unique perspective to these Dylan classics. Standout tracks are This Wheel's On Fire and One Of Us Must Know.

The tracklist:
This Wheel's On Fire
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
The Times They Are-A-Changin'
Like A Rolling Stone
Just Like A Woman
Love Minus Zero/No Limit
The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?
Absolutely Sweet Marie
One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)

Average customer rating:

NYC Experimentalism At Its Funkiest!
Industrial Funk

Memory Serves
Material
Manufacturer: Restless Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003BIY
Release Date: 1993-07-01

Tracks:

Memory Serves
Disappearing
Upriver
Metal Test
Conform to the Rhythm
Unauthorized
Square Dance
Silent Land
For a Few Dollars More

Amazon.com

Material delivered their Bitches Brew with this, the group's most influential and fully realized work. By this point, the original core trio of bassist Bill Laswell, drummer Fred Maher, and synthesist Michael Beinhorn had seamlessly locked into their avant-funk-jazz-fusion groove, providing combustible soundscapes for a stellar lineup of exceptional guests. Billy Bang's violin work is a revelation, as are suitably skronky contributions from guitarists Sonny Sharrock and Fred Frith. After Memory Serves, Maher would leave to join Lou Reed, and Laswell evolved into the George Clinton of world music. But for this one album at least, Material had the power. --Billy Grenier

Customer Reviews:

NYC Experimentalism At Its Funkiest!.......2005-02-02

Material was not so much a band, but rather a constantly evolving concept driven by bassist/producer Bill Laswell and a large pool of divergent talents that shared his love of unabashed musical experimentation.

Where else can you hear such things as industrial noise daning playfully with bayou country, stomping funk and off-kilter post-70's progressive rock (no, it doesn't sound like Yes or ELP, but something uniquely its own, as in being GENUINELY progressive and forward looking)?

The core perpetrators are bassist/uber-producer Bill Laswell and Michael Beinhorn (contributing synth textures, found sounds, ominous vocals and other sonic mayhem) pulling in a cast of musicians that uniquely fits each separate musical idea/composition. Among the unique talents are violinist Billy Bang (heard to great effect on "Upriver"), rumperter Olu Dara, experimental guitarist Fred Frith and many others help Laswell and Beinhorn create alternately ominous, colorful and always unpredictable soundscapes. And all throughout, there is the ever-present funky groove that keeps your body engaged while your mind is being stimulated as Laswell lays down slithery, funky bass lines to keep the maelstrom from spinning completely out of control.

Highly recommended, especially for those who love experimental music and enjoy get down funk at the same time!

Industrial Funk.......1998-05-17

Bill Laswell's band's 1983 release is a classic synthesis of bass-heavy funk and arty, industrial sensibilities. With depressorama song titles like "Conform to the Rhythm" and "Unauthorized," you'd think this disc wouldn't be worth the trouble of putting it in the machine, but it's very dancy and even fun in some parts, such as the subtle irony of "Square Dance." Check out where all the technogoth teen idols stole their ideas.

Average customer rating:

Driscoll is NOT Janis Joplin

If Your Memory Serves You Well
Julie Driscoll & The Brian Auger Trinity
Manufacturer: Dressed to Kill
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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Open
Streetnoise
Gonna Take a Miracle (Exp)

ASIN: B00004U9YO
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

Don't Do It No More - Julie Driscoll
I Didn't Want To Have To Do It - Julie Driscoll
I Don't Know Where You Are - Julie Driscoll
I Know You Love Me Not - Julie Driscoll
If You Should Ever Leave Me - Julie Driscoll
Shadows Of You - Julie Driscoll
Come Back To Croydon - The Brian Auger Trinity
Foolkiller - The Brian Auger Trinity
Kiko - The Brian Auger Trinity
Let's Do It Tonight - The Brian Auger Trinity
Own Up, Lady Astor - The Brian Auger Trinity
Tiger - The Brian Auger Trinity

Album Details

Sixties Pop Diva Turned Avant-garde Jazz Singer Julie Driscoll was Encouraged to Begin a Performing Career by Brian Auger's Manager Giorgio Gomelsky, who Produced the Sessions Recorded Here Shortly Before Julie Joined the Band.

Customer Reviews:

Driscoll is NOT Janis Joplin.......2007-04-25

Much of the material on this disc, especially the Auger titles, have nothing to do with Jools. The instrumental
work "Fool Killer" & "Kiko" show the jazz underpinings of Auger's Oblivion Express. I was not impressed by
" Oh, baby won't you come back home to Croyden" however. It's as if Auge & Trinity only share disc space with Driscoll.

To sample Jools I highly recommend "I know You Love Me Not". This song brings comparisons to Dusty Springfield' s "The Look Of Love" and Burt Bacharach's production style, it's 60's sophisticated and powerful.

I broke out my vinyl lp Jools & Brian for comparison. The liner notes quote EYE magazine's "the Janis Joplin of
Great Britain" label for Ms Driscoll, she's not close. Her later works were much stronger but "I Know You Love Me Not" is almost worth the price.