The 64th Annual Grammy Awards were held in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, and included a surprise virtual appearance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Amidst that historic turn and all the live performances from the likes of "Record of the Year" winner Silk Sonic and "Album of the Year" winner Jon Batiste, several notable audio releases were celebrated that are revisited in my column this week.
Title: Skeletons: Deluxe (EMI Nashville)
You might like if you enjoy: Brothers Osborne's first two albums, the Zac Brown Band
Tell me more: Country music hitmakers Brothers Osborne (brothers T.J. Osborne and John Osborne) released a deluxe expanded version of their acclaimed third album Skeletons on Jan. 21; the expanded title included the reflective synth-swept song "Younger Me" which picked up top honors in the "Best County Duo/Group Performance" at the Grammy Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (this marked the duo's first-ever Grammy Award). Indeed, Skeletons features a myriad of strong tracks including the infectious opener "Lighten Up," playful "All Night," infectious "All The Good Ones Are," tender "High Note" and rocking title track. The trio of new tracks include the heavy countrified rocker "Headstone," genre-blending "Midnight Rider's Prayer" (which uses elements of Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again") and aforementioned "Younger Me." Information: BrothersOsborne.com.
Title: 662 (Alligator Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Gary Clark Jr.
Tell me more: Only 23, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is already a top-tier vocalist, bona fide guitar hero and true original. He is also a Grammy winner, having picked up a trophy for "Best Contemporary Blues Album" for his latest album 662 in Las Vegas on Sunday (this was his first-ever Grammy). Likely the most dynamic blues-rock guitar master of his generation, the Clarksdale, Mississippi native's sophomore album 662 is required listening. Sure his guitar playing will blow you away, but like genre champions ranging from Buddy Guy and Walter Trout to Gary Clark Jr. and Eric Gales, Ingram has found his own voice in ways that impress and dazzle. On the soulful "Another Life Goes By," Ingram uses his expressive baritone to ask: "Where does hate come from and how can we make it stop? / We got to make some changes before somebody else gets shot / We need to pay attention to all the helpless cries / we got to stop the madness before another life goes bye." He turns on a dime for the powerful confessional blues rocker "Not Gonna Lie," an intoxicating track where he notes how his guitar playing was his way out of poverty and an uncertain future; his masterful rhythm and lead guitar playing is flawless and electrifying. On the soul-styled ballads "You're Already Gone" and "That's All It Takes," Ingram's emotive vocals take the listener into a cliche-free immersion into romantic loss — his subtle guitar work makes the listen all the more potent. Those who simply want to revel in his incredible guitar fireworks, listen to "662," "My Bad," "I Got To See You" and "Long Distance Woman." Information: ChristoneKingfishIngram.com.
Artist: George Harrison
Title: All Things Must Pass - 50th Anniversary Edition (Super Deluxe Edition sampler) (Capitol Records)
You might like if you enjoy: George Harrison, The Beatles
Tell me more: The greatest solo album by any member of The Beatles, George Harrison's 1970 masterpiece All Things Must Pass was released in a number of formats in celebration of the album's 50 year anniversary in August 2021; the reissue picked up "Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package" at the Grammy Awards (the award was accepted at the ceremony by Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison). Hearing the remastered tracks and previously-unreleased outtakes across the expanded masterwork is a true treat for rock fans. Critics of the so-called "Wall of Sound" applied by co-producer Phil Spector on the original version of the 23-track triple album recorded between May and October of 1970 (and released in November of that year) will be stunned by the clarity and brightness of the 2020 mixes. Executive produced by George Harrison's son Dhani Harrison and mixed by triple GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer Paul Hicks (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon), the new album mixes are a dramatic improvement in every way. Harrison's singing is clear with the nuanced and emotive touch of his signature baritone truly astonishing; the talents of a parade of legendary musicians who contribute includes Ringo Starr, Badfinger, Billy Preston, Dave Mason, Klaus Voormann, Eric Clapton, Bobby Keys, Gary Wright and many more – their contributions are thankfully more vivid now. And just listen to Harrison's soaring slide guitar work. The Americana-swept version of Bob Dylan's "If Not For You" and his own "Behind That Locked Door" and "Apple Scruffs" astound. More rocking material ("Wah-Wah," "Let It Down," "Art Of Dying"), fascinating outtakes (including the rockabilly-styled "Going Down To Golders Green" and acoustic demo for "Cosmic Empire") and timeless favorites ("My Sweet Lord," "What Is Life," "Beware Of Darkness") may well have many audiophiles briefly wondering if they are hearing this artistic triumph for the very first time. Information: GeorgeHarrison.com.
Title: Native Sons (New West Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Los Lobos, the Mavericks, the Blasters
Tell me more: East Los Angeles-spawned legends Los Lobos revisit the music of a diverse field of their influential musical heroes on Native Sons; the LP won "Best Americana Album" at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. The quintet (singer-guitarist David Hidalgo, singer-guitarist Louie Pérez, Jr.,singer-guitarist-keyboardist Cesar Rosas, singer-bassist Conrad Lozanoand saxophonist-keyboardist Steve Berlin) honors 13 classics by infusing their own signature style into each of the well-crafted remakes. Thinks kick off with an infectious run through of Thee Midniters' "Love Special Delivery" (bolstered by the blend of horns, freewheeling drums and lead guitar). Classic rock favorites from Buffalo Springfield get the dual treatment via Los Lobos' intoxicating take on "Bluebird" and Americana-flavored "For What It's Worth." Other highlights include a beautiful and nuanced version of Jackson Browne's "Jamaica Say You Well," a rousing jump blues reading of Percy Mayfield's "Never No More" and soulful take on The Beach Boys classic "Sail On, Sailor." Long a champion of Chicano rock, mariachi and música norteña, Los Lobos performs a rollicking version of Lalo Guerrero's "Los Chucos Suaves" and the tender ballad "Dichoso." Los Lobos' stunning version of War's "The World is a Ghetto" features several guests, including Little Willie G. (who sang on the title track back in 1972) along with Jacob G. (Willie's son), R&B artist Barrence Whitfieldand world class percussionist Camilo Quinones. Los Lobos also ties the thematic journey together via the inclusion of the original "Native Son." Information: LosLobos.org.
Robert Kinsler
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