In this column I feature the latest album from modern blues-rock great Walter Trout, an important reissue from soul singer Lenny Williams and revisit an essential Raspberries title.
Title: Broken (Provogue Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Joe Bonamassa, Paul Rodgers, Beth Hart
Tell me more: Over the past few years a myriad of domestic and international challenges ranging from inflation, economic uncertainty and increasing violent crime at home to raging wars in Europe and the Middle East as well as rising tension between the U.S. and China bring a sobering reality to life in 2024. In Walter Trout's poignant liner notes on his new album Broken the blues great notes despite the darkness of modern life there is still hope. "These days it seems easy to get discouraged. It's easy to feel powerless. It's easy to feel broken," Trout writes, in part. "I still believe that music is a powerful force that can bring people together." Indeed, there is a life-affirming power across Broken that celebrates the power of the human spirit delivered via dynamic blues rock from one of the genre's greatest-ever proponents. The 12 songs on the Eric Corne-produced album resonate with an energy and urgency that taps into blues and classic rock with an authenticity sure to thrill discerning music lovers. From the heartfelt opener "Broken" featuring guest vocals from Beth Hart and the rootsy "Turn and Walk Away" (the latter featuring Trout's great harmonica work), to the nostalgia-filled "No Magic (On The Street), nuanced instrumental "Love Of My Life" and riveting closer "Falls Apart," the album is rife with highlights. This writer's favorite track is the bewitching "Talkin' To Myself," the song's mesmerizing grace enhanced by Trout's reflective lyrics and strengths as singer, guitarist and electric sitar player. Information: Waltertrout.com.
Title: Chill (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: James Ingram, Peabo Bryson, Tower of Power
Tell me more: Available on audio CD for the first time in 30 years, singer-songwriter Lenny Williams' Chill proves to be a timeless listen. The one-time Tower of Power singer and lead vocalist on Kenny G's 1986 hit "Don't Make Me Wait For Love" was in full command of his incredible powers as a vocalist when he recorded Chill in 1994. Armed with a wonderfully soulful voice, Williams delivers a mix of enticing originals and artful covers on the 12-track disc. Among the notable tracks on the collection are the dance-minded "Baby, You Caught Me Eye," the tender ballad "Driftin', a grooving cover of the McFadden & Whitehead signature track "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," and lovely "Has Anybody Seen My Heart." Williams' artistic reading of the Daryl Hall & John Oates 1975 hit single "Sara Smile" is a delight. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: Live on Sunset Strip (Rykodisc)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, Eric Carmen, Raspberries, Matthew Sweet
Tell me more: With the death of beloved singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Eric Carmen earlier this month, the music world understandably began to revisit and reassess his outstanding work recorded with the groundbreaking 1970s power pop quartet Raspberries and as a solo artist. Now is the perfect time to celebrate Carmen's work via the wonderful Raspberries concert recording Live on Sunset Strip, a 2007 three-disc title that features a complete 21-track live set captured at the House Of Blues, Los Angeles during the quartet's reunion tour in 2005. The Raspberries original lineup of Carmen, guitarist Wally Bryson, drummer Jim Bonfanti and bassist Dave Smalley are all in top form across the unlikely return. Among the incredible tracks on the marathon-length live set are the earworm opener "I Wanna Be With You," killer cover of The Who's "I Can't Explain," rocking "Tonight," wistful folk rock nuggets "Should I Wait" and "Come Around And See Me," ambitious "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)," and crunchy aptly-titled "I'm A Rocker." The band closes with their soaring anthem "Go All The Way," one of this writer's all-time favorite rock songs (the track gained renewed attention when it was featured in the 2014 film "Guardians of the Galaxy"). The title includes a bonus DVD with the filmed performances of five of the key tracks featured on the audio recording. Information: amazon.com.
Robert Kinsler
