For Alto - Anthony Braxton

As of late I've been listening to/downloading a lot of albums that are vinyl only/out of print/impossible to find unless your a rich mother fucker. Plus I believe, that if a collector makes more of the album then what than what the artist makes, its justified to not pay the middle man. Id rather pay $200 to the man himself, than a collector. Among these album, one of the artists is this guy. So i decided to finish this up, because fuck why not. This is one of the first records by Chicago avant/free jazz/free improvisation saxophonist and composer Anthony Braxton. How can you be so vague, and not have a specific number you ask. Well various sites have various dates ranging from 1968-1971 as the release date. Wikipedia alone has the first three years on different pages. It seems it's more likely 1970, but who knows. I know that it was recorded in February 1969 and is the second one recorded so its likely its the second album. But there is no definite proof you know. I found out about this record through one John Zorn, in a documentary he mentioned this record by name. I had to hear it, it was an influence on him. For years this record was mysterious, I couldn't find any zips/rars and I didn't want to by a vinyl I might not like. Even after I got a copy it took a year to listen to it, this is one of those "will it live up to my expectations" records. The first time I heard a note was Christmas Eve 2015. Now it only took me two fucking years to even listen to anymore or do a review of this. Also I believe that I should mention the passing of John Wetton (bassist/vocalist on such great albums as Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Here Come the Warm Jets, Return to Fantasy, Starless and Bible Black, Red among others I still very much so need to listen to.)

1. Dedicated to Multi-Instrumentalist Jack Gell: Opening the record we have a 42 second long track, and it starts off well. I mean my hopes were high for this, but this opens quite promising. There are some cool things and it has a cool vibe to it. 
2. To Composer John Cage: I like the intensity he gives this playing on the song. There are some things that remind me a bit of Ornette's playing, and also maybe Brötz. The only problem I see though is that fact this is solo saxophone and there are no overdubs and it's 72 minutes long. So far I have enjoyed and don't find problem in what I'm hearing, but I don't know if that will last the full 72 minutes. I did smile when I heard him breathing. There are some neat playing though on this cut. Plus at 9 minutes, it's a bit long.
3. To Artist Murry dePillars: This is a bit of a nice change of pace. While yeah we get the also saxophone again, we hear him hitting the saxophone valves and it's much softer and relaxing than the last. I think this is more effective in what it's trying to do than the last cut was in trying to be punchy. I like the trills and I like the part where it gets very intense and loud to the point of over taking the track. I also am a bit impressed with how he goes back and forth so easily. I mean It might not be that impressive, but I still think it works quite well. Almost as is it's a clam person talking to a pissed off person or trying to talk him down. 
4. To Pianist Cecil Taylor: I have to make a confession..... I am aware of Cecil. There are some solid moments on The World of Cecil Taylor, but I'm not really a fan. Yeah I mean I have only heard tracks here and there outside of that album and Jazz Composer's Orchestra but I find, when given a full front to back listen, those albums to not keep my interest. Plus I can say there exist albums that do what those two did but much better, anything Alexander van Shlippenbach or Fred Van Hove and Brötz and then for the JCO listen to The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady. But I digress, I like the introduction. Feelin' jazzy, but as the track continues I yern for more flavors outside of just saxophone, or one take alto. I mean add some tenor, baritone, bass, soprano, sopranino (I probably spelled that wrong), fuck even a bass clarinet would be a nice change of pace. This is okay, but isn't nothing more than just that.
5. Dedicated to Ann and Peter Allen: This is pretty chill and I could see this being very effective i there was chimes or other things that add to this feeling of blowing in the wind or floating feeling. It is a weak, as in not forceful, cut and could use that. Actually I could almost imagine this being changed into having some gamelan stuff. To be fair it works as is, but it's 13 minutes long and it's atmosphere is a bit lost by the ending. I do like the clicks of the instrument as if it's like a percussive instrument, but why didn't he use that or other tricks like that more often. Like this could have been edited together or shortened to be made a bit better.

Now on to vinyl 2. Now to be fair I did have to take a break after the first side of the record. The reason being I know I would be far harsher if I didn't and I wouldn't be able to focus as easily.

1. Dedicated to Susan Axelrod: This isn't that distant from the last track, it's just louder and more audible. I mean I like it but it again goes a bit too long. There are some interesting ideas here and there and what not, but I don't know. There is some nice fluttering but again I just kind of want this to end so I can finish the review.
2. To My Friend Kenny McKenny: I like some of the squeaks at the beginning and they kind of make it be like, well there's 30 minutes left, let's just power though.
3. Dedicated to Multi-Instrumentalist Leroy Jenkins: Leroy was a violinist, the most common instrument I've seen his playing for what I'm going to say, who played on a number of records with Braxton's. There is a part in the beginning that reminds me of a spy song maybe, but like the outline or rough draft. There was actually a part that reminded me of We Are Number One, and I did laugh a bit. After a while this 19 minute long track just kind of overstays its welcome. I mean there again are neat ideas, but it feels more like sketches than anything else.

Overall I have to give this a 5/10. I enjoyed this, just there is too much and not enough variety. Now I've heard some of Braxton's other work, and I've heard the different types of jazz. Now of everything I've heard of those categories, this is kind of looked at very highly and I have to disagree. The most important thing about music, unless it's breaking a rule or theoretical music (4:33), is it has to keep you entertained. It's like a movie, if you are bored while you watch its usually not very good. Now a number of things can be subjective, maybe your not into this or that, but overall you can kinda say if something is good or bad. This was just too long, too samey and didn't keep my interest. Maybe if he overdubbed or used different saxes or something, but what we have just isn't anything mind blowing to me. Maybe that's because I've heard this but done much better and much more intense and engaging. I can see how the idea of it is mind blowing to people, and still can be to this day, but I just am not fazed by it I guess.  Maybe part if the reason I gravitate towards Bailey is because he's a guitarist and I go, "Fuck How'd he do that" or originally "You can do that?". Saxophone players should listen to this, and then anything by John Zorn Pre-Spillane. Well this and really anything in the field of free and avant jazz with odd sax playing. I guess I can sum up what I said fast, if you want to have a solo instrument record this this it needs variety of to be short. Not a double albums worth. If this was a single record it would have been much more tolerable for me. If you want to hear this type of thing done right listen to Payan.

Christmas with Tammy

What better a way than to close out the year with my main girl Tammy. While Ill never be one of her husbands, sad I know, I can still admire her and her music. So I wanted to say that while I am not expecting much out of this album, I still think it is a fitting ending you know.

1. Silent Night, Holy Night: This is an ok version of the song, it isn't anything new but I like it. It give you that warm feeling that you are supposed to get from the song. It makes me want to look at a fire and makes me think of christmas. Plus I like that organ. The harmonies and the echo sounds quite good.
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem: This feels like a Tammy version of the song. It's got the twangs that I've grown to become accustomed to on albums like Stand By Your Man. The strings here are phenomenal, and this is possibly the best version of the song I have yet to review. I think her voice works, I like it, the organ comes band and kind of peaks it's head out at different points. The swells are fucking great. Really, there is a punch to it, and the transitions are also very well. Honestly I'm surprised it's this good.
3. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear: A song I love done in a manner that I is similar to that last track but not as effective. I much prefer the last track done in the country manner than this one, or the Nashville Sound rather. That's not saying it's bad I'm just pointing out it isn't anything terrifically mind blowing or 
4. Joy to the World: This is a christmas classic, and it's done in a manner that I think is fitting of the song. This works for what it is, and I think the Jordanaires are for more effective here than on Elvis' album.
5. Away in a Manger: This is a first for the blog. I have yet to review this track, which is kind of weird. I have heard this song so many times at church its weird I am not hearing it more on record. The album is more or less what you'd expect at this point from the sound and style. It's solid enough, maybe like a 6.
6. Gentle Shepherd: I don't recall a song with this title. But it closes side one of the vinyl pressing of the original record. It's not that bad of a song, and it's pretty inoffensive. It's not overtly bad or anything annoying. But I'm pretty sure I'll forget it once the albums over. It's again not that bad.
7. Blue Christmas: I'll have a pleasant experience with this track. Like it's honestly inoffensive.
8. (Merry Christmas) We Must Be Having One: I don't think I have heard this song before. And honestly I don't mind this song, I got to say it's a nice change of pace. I mean it's a new song that works, for me at least. And the harmonies work also quite well.
9. White Christmas: This is another Nashville Sound rendition of a classic christmas tune. I like the strings on this and the arrangement is pretty solid. It's not mind blowing, as I've said before, but I like it. I could see myself coming back to this version.
10. One Happy Christmas: Eh, I don't know if I'm digging this tune. It's okay I guess, but I don't want to get 100 percent on board or give it a complete pass.
11. Lonely Christmas Call: This isn't a bad song, but it's kind of a sad song. Sadly at this point I've run out of things to say other than I like the vocals and the way she says the words. I like the backing instrumentation, but it isn't the best you know.
12. Let's Put Christ Back Into Christmas: I wonder what would happens if someone made this song today. This song is kind of stupid, if I'm being honest I don't really care for it. I mean this isn't really a last track, outside of the title. The rest of the song is a pretty bland arrangement considering what is on the rest of the album. It's not that it sounds bad, but it's just lets go out luke warm.

Overall I have to give this album a 6/10. This is a Tammy album, what did I expect. Something I wanna say is we lost a lot of talented musicians who, while I may not be fans of every single one of them personally, they played on something that some how helped shape the music that got me to where I am today. So I wanted to take this paragraph to just name them as a way of respect I guess and to condense this I decided to mention only those whom I haven't already mentioned earlier in past reviews. Paul Bley, Pierre Boulez, Jimmy Bain, Dale Griffin, Alan Haven, Al Caiola, Ray Colcord, Maurice White, Keith Emerson, Phife Dawg, Merle Haggard, Jimmie Van Zant, Lonnie Mack, Billy Paul, Isao Tomita, Candye Kane, Gayle McCormick, Nick Menza, Marshall Jones, Henry McCullough, Dimitri Tiomkin, Bernie Worrell, Don Friedman, Scotty Moore, Alan Vega, Bobby Hutcherson, Bob Cranshaw, TJ Tindall, Toots Thielemans, Rudy Van Gelder, Rod Temperton, Leon Russell, Mose Allison, Joe Esposito, Allen Zavod, Pauline Oliveros, Greg Lake, George Michael, Alphonso Mouzon, John Thomas, Carrie Fisher, 

Mona Bone Jakon - Cat Stevens

So I've been super busy and haven't had time to do reviews. So I figured I'd do an album I could knock out pretty fast. So I picked the third studio album by beloved singer/songwriter Cat Stevens. Released on April 24th 1970, this was recorded after he almost died because he contracted TB. No really, look it up, he was in a hospital for like a year I believe, and he wrote songs there.
Also as a side note, Who Can I Be Now? [1974-1976] is fucking great.

1. Lady d'Arbanville: This opens the album, with a completely different Cat Stevens. A much more mature and grown up version. sort of dirge, there is a Spanish feeling to the song. I really like the percussion in the track and this is one of his best. The song is very bare and it really has a close feeling, there is a driving force with the percussion that I love and the two guitars sound fucking great together. I love the organ, I wanna say, that accents the guitar later on in the song and how it progressively gets louder. I think it's a pipe organ. This really is a fucking great tune and it you just feel the feeling in it. I also dig the double tracked vocals, and it just takes you there you know.
2. Maybe Your Right: This feels like a bit more of a busy version of say, If You Wanna Sing Out. Now I dig the piano in the track, and I think this is a solid tune none the less, it's just I feel there's a lot happening and there's stuff that can distract maybe. It's not like it adds to it though, I think it kinda is just there. I do like that piano roll though, fucking nice sounding. I do like the brushes used and I like the strings. While this is decent enough, I feel like it's a deep cut more than a stand out.
3. Pop Star: From what I've read, this is a satire about the triviality of celebrity and what not. I can get with that, I mean fuck everyone. Now because I'm not fucking retarded, I know satire isn't usually funny and it more points out the short comings of people. Based on the lyrics, I guess I can say it's satirical. I like the song, though it kinda reminds me a bit of Six String Orchestra, especially the part where the band comes in and plays. I also wanna say, Fuck! that double bass... I love it. This is a solid tune, thought I wish maybe it was a different take. Like it doesn't feel as confident(?). There something missing from keeping this phenomenal you know, but I'm thinking it's probably the fact this is the first time they've done this.
4. I Think I See the Light: The second this starts I go, White Stripes? This so could be a White Stripes song, you know a piano or more novelty try songs. Not to say this is a novelty song, but that's to get in your mind. I mean this is way more interesting and has a ton more going on than one of theirs would have, but it's pretty great. I also like the motif that plays as an instrumental during the choruses. I also gotta say, great organ solo. It's a solid track.
5. Trouble: A soft song, also one of my favorite songs he's ever written. Elliott Smith did a great cover of this, but I gotta go with the original. So I guess this song is written about death, and pushing it away. I could see that, there is a very somber feeling to this track. The harmonies in the background are great, and I love they mostly guitar and vocals. The double bass and drums are there, but they aren't as prominent, I wanna say.
6. Mona Bone Jakon: Slang for a hard on, I really like the percussion in this track. There is some type of bongo or animal skin thing being played. And there sounds like he might be hitting his guitar. This song is kinda filler, and it's a bit disorienting, but I still can dig it.
7. I Wish, I Wish: This song is just okay, I mean it isn't anything new but there is a bit of a different feeling to it. I do think the highlight though is the solo that is either double tracked or a duel lead. It's pretty great. The piano also sound pretty great, this has a nice energy to it.
8. Katmandu: Fun fact, that flute was played by Peter Gabriel. There is a great relaxing, sort of Moonshadow feeling to this song. That flute is really great by the way, but I think this is a pretty romantic sounding track. I think this is about the town or city, but I could just as easily see this being a love song. I also love the atmosphere. It's pretty beautiful and one of his best I think.
9. Time: This is an introduction to the next track, and I really like the sort of Pink Floyd vibe to the track. Like maybe a slightly less progressive version of something like Dogs. Like the acoustic part or something like that. I do dig this though and I love how it's so short and sweet. Plus that ending, damn.
10. Fill My Eyes: While I wish the chords held over into this track from the last, this is a great second part to it. Maybe it's just my copy but it didn't do that well with it. I mean it worked, but not perfect. But that aside, this is another solid tune Cats. I love when the piano comes in, thought I wish it didin't leave as quick as it came. I would have possibly rearranged the track, but that's me.
11. Lilywhite: Closing the album is a ballad, that to be honest isn't anything you haven't heard earlier in the tracklisting. I mean the strings really work well here, but it isn't anything that crazy. But that being said, I gotta say, this still works. I love the feeling of the strings and how they play and could almost be floating. The vocals are a great and I think I'm out of things to say :D. But It's solid. The best part tough, is the ending with the string arrangement by it's self. It kinda reminds me of minimalism a bit. With the droning one.

Overall I have to give this album an 8/10. This is a solid record, and I think you should check it out. Really good singer/songwriter tunes and it's not a boring listen. It kinda moves pretty fast and has memorable songs. It's pretty damn good if I do say so myself.

Hey America - James Brown

To celebrate the month that brings us the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I decided to make December permanently Christmas month. That doesn't mean I'm going to do tons every year, but they have to be related to the holiday to be reviewed. This album, a pseudo-holiday record by James Brown, follows last years Santa Dog. This also happens to be studio record number 34, if math is correct, and was released during a period where some of his best material (IMO) was being recorded and released. This isn't a new record to me, i actually heard this thing last October. After being blown away by how, not a piece of complete shit it was, I knew I must review and spread it. Most Holiday albums are horse shit, no really they are. They are the same 12 or 15 songs and they are boring as shit. Seriously, I can't stand Christmas music. In fact the songs I like are Auld Lang Syne, What Child is This and Oh Come Emmanuel. I might be forgetting some, but my point is very few songs I like. I mean I tolerate some tracks, but tolerate and enjoy are two different things. Maybe this'll become a new holiday classic, after my amazing review. Also January will be mostly reviews I did this month but put off because of the theme.

1. Hello America: Opening the album we get this, a very funky and pretty intense song for a Christmas album. Like really, this is a solid song, in it's own right. That is a reoccurring theme on this album, songs that are genuinely good songs. Like I'd totally dig this if it was on another album, it's a solid track that's pretty tight. Nice string, that part when they crescendos makes this song so much tougher. The horns here are also pretty great, and that funky drummer.... damn what an opening. This is one of those, not you lame ass covers album feeling. I love how it just takes you there, it doesn't hid anything. This actually could be a blacksplotation theme, but the movie might have to take place at Christmas. And I don't think I need to comment on the Godfather of Funk. He's great as usual.
2. A Lonely Little Boy Around One Little Christmas Toy:  That sure paints a picture. For me I imagine the boy comes from a poor family, why the could only afford one toy. Maybe he's an orphan and at the orphanage he only gets a small toy. Regardless of the story in the song, that title is a very powerful title. There is a really Christmas, jazz feeling to the organ here. The atmosphere really feels like a Christmas LP. Like I feel like if Brown wasn't singing, and the strings were out then Jimmy Smith might come in and start playing God Rest Yet Merry Men. I also feel like this song, if a little more intense would just fucking rip your heart out. While I like the kind of subdued feeling of this track, that track would be up there with Feed The Birds for most tear jerking songs but it is not quite there. I could totally see this being there though. This is another really solid track, though I wish it was more emotional. It's almost as if the album was recorded in one day, one long day, and this was the last song. That may not be true, but I kind of feel like this song should hit me harder.
3. Go Power At Christmas Time: Finally, a good action sequence for us this Christmas. If you stripped this song of the extra instruments I could see this being an Aerosmith track. Maybe like a James Brown cover. This is a nice rocking track, thought I don't think the vibes/xylo/whatever-ophone isn't really necessary. The ending really reminds me of a better Blues Brothers.
4. Christmas is Love: I thought Real is Love? That way Love Is Real? So Christmas must be Real, and Real must be is Christmas. The feeling of this song is one that you could talk over, or rap rather. I mean there is just something that I feel like I could tell a story over this rhythm. Maybe something along the lines of what he did on My Rapp. This song is really alive and it feels tight, thought the transition on the version I heard isn't that great. I mean the flow of the song was kind of chopped off. There is a very rushed feeling to the horns in this section. I feel like this song would be far better if it was written tighter, or with better resolution (?). The section changes are too abrupt, they don't just flow into each other. This is a good song outside of that, but for me personally it kind of puts the rest of the track out of wack. I do still like the song thought, just a little hard to "grasp", because of the in ability to really focus on the music. The reason is the one I said earlier.
5. Santa Clause is Definitely Here to Stay: Opening side 2 we get the very heartwarming tale of Santa, becoming all our regular Saturday night things. There is something that really does melt my heart, even though the lyrics may not be the greatest. The music is so damn good, it's almost impossible to be cynical towards. There is no fabricated truths to what I said. This really does just get me on that gut feeling. This is the feeling I wanted to get from track 2.
6. My Rapp: This is a pretty solid track, that really just consists of 6 minutes of just rambling, there is barley any singing. Just a few bursts here and there. But still, this is really a load more entertaining than say any Christmas record. The only complaint is, it goes a little long.
7. I'm Your Christmas Friend, Don't Be Hungry: I don't really get this one. For the rest I can at least picture something or imagine the logic..... But this one. I can probably do a reviews length description of what I think this title could mean. I can only gather he's giving to the less fortunate, which helps them to eat. That's the only one that makes sense. This feels like a subdued version of Sex Machine or I Feel Good. I mean it's still exciting, I think the thing is he wasn't to see sincere. But I feel like he should be getting up and jumping around. Here he feels like he's barley moving. This 
8. Merry Christmas My Baby and a Very, Very Happy New Year: This is the last track on James' third (if I counted right) Christmas record. This was also his last he released, and its a shame. But closing this we get one of the closer. This have a very vocal jazz feeling to the song. I close my eyes and see thing being played in a bar, with the subtraction of the strings. It's an appropriate ending to the album.

Overall I have to give this album a 7.7/10. All joking aside, check this out. This could be my favorite Christmas related music thing I've ever heard. This is fairly funky, and really easy to take. You don't have to like funk, or really even James Brown to like this. I think it's also kind of a novelty to it with Brown doing all original Christmas tunes. I know I'll play these JB Christmas records for my kids when they are growing up, as I will play them Yellow Submarine. Plus..... what's not to love about a soul-filled funky Christmas. You celebrates it your way, I celebrate it in my way. That's the beauty of the holidays, it's not one of those "My Way or the Highway" type deals. So Let's All Have A James Brown Christmas this year, by listening to this under-appreciated little record. 

American Beauty - Grateful Dead

This is possibly the best known album by The Grateful Dead. You know I got this thing on vinyl from my moms cousins husband. And honestly, I didn't care first time through. Now I'm older and more mature and have been craving the following artists/genres The Dead, 20th Century Classical, Free Jazz, Jazz, Bowie and a little hip hop/pop to add flavor so it doesn't get dull. I'm 100% serious when I say that so I may be going insane or I may just give this thing another shot. After all, it is a classic.

1. Box of Rain: This opens up this album, and you know it isn't that bad. The thing that turned me off was the harmony vocals before, but you know this is a pretty decent track. The more I hear this song the more I think that I enjoy it. Maybe it also has something to do with Eugene, but that's also a little irrelevant. It's a pretty song and it's relaxing.
2. Friend of the Devil: This is a pretty fun song. I always kind of liked the bass line in it. This is a fun song that I may want to write a song like. I mean this 
3. Sugar Magnolia: Now this song is a song that kind of gets on my nerves. I mean, it's not terrible, but there is a type of magic that is keeping me from hating this thing. Usually I can't stand bluegrass or country unless it's done a certain way or with a little flavor. This album is able to keep my interest and make me wanna review this. I think the drums on this a pretty cool sounding. Its also very happy and kind of "brainwashes" you into wanting to have fun too.
4. Operator: This song reminds me a little of Big Yellow Joint or the real version Alice's Restaurant. This is a fun song that I think may also grow on me with time. This is a pretty fun time and a jolly way to sit back drink a beer. Thought I don't drink, nor will I ever, this is something I imagine would go great with it.
5. Candyman: This is pretty much on the same boat as Operator with the whole beer things. This song is just relaxing, but I like the guitar fills in there. This album has a central focus. I think that this shows great maturation on the part of the band, why? Well they were willing to go from that psych sound on their debut to this folk/country feeling on Working Man's Dead and further expand it more with this album. I'm actually surprised that those 6 minutes were actually pretty fun.
6. Ripple: This is a very country sounding song. I mean even as the album progresses I am opening up to the songs more. This is pretty and relaxing I just want to kick back and write a bunch of these songs after hearing this song. 
7. Brokedown Place: There isn't really anything that crazy complex going on, other than these guys are really into the song. They are able to make boring songs have heart and honesty. The vocals here are pretty great, and they make me wanna listen to this thing again after listen to it once. This proves that simplicity isn't always a bad thing. I also like the honky tonk piano fill thing. It's pretty great.
8. Till The Morning Comes: Now this is a song that I think, after the last track doesn't really stand up. This album uses a lot of very similar sounding songs and they probably reuse a few chord progressions, but the songs are still pretty great. This song has a cool thing that reminds me a little of I Can't Explain's main riff. I also like the chiming sounds and what not at the end.
9. Attics of My Life: This is a more relaxed song. This actually reminds me of The Beach Boys. One of their songs that would be sunshine pop. A good example too would be Good Day Sunshine by The Beatles off 1966's Revolver. Now I always found an irony in the genre because it's always felt kind of dark even though it has "sunshine" in the title.  Just an underlining darkness in there. Though this doesn't necessarily do it for me, that may change over time.
10. Truckin: This closes this LP, and a pretty great ending too. Just keep on Trucking and keep calm. This whole album is relaxing and I think that this kind of wraps up the whole feeling of sit back and kick you shoes off to a T. It's also probably the song that has the more things going on. This is also just a great way to end the review and album

Overall I have to give this bluegrass/rock n roll classic a 7/10. The title fits, country is from America and if you think about it then you can know why it fits. Thought I may not think this is my favorite album by the group, this is still a pretty solid album. Now I may not always see the genius or the classicness of this, but one year has done maturation and let me enjoy this a little more, maybe in a year from now I'll like it even more. I am positive though, that I WILL be returning to this album if I plan on doing a country influenced album, song, ep whatever. I don't want to say this is genius or even a classic, but it's pretty great and a great place for inspiration.

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

This is the "debut" solo album by John Lennon. Now we all know, hopefully, about Unfinished Music No. 1, Unfinished Music No. 2, The Wedding Album, and Live Peace in Toronto 1969. So, actually, this is album no 5. It was also released, December 11th 1970, the same day as Yoko's solo "debut" album Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band. I'vent heard that yet, but I kind of want to. I like Unfinished Music No. 1 a lot. I like how it is really not amazing. It's musique-concrete, kind of like Revolution 9 off the 1968 Self-titled album. Which Two Virgins also came out that year. (Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins). Now, John wasn't as weird of a guy as everyone thinks. He didn't name an album after a particular type of shower, one from which you gain sexual gratification. I'll review that album some time in the future, maybe this month. Well anyway, I don't have time to rant, let's just get this review going. Note; I did this through my iPod, so I might not have everything annotated when this goes up right away

1. Mother: This song is a good song. I don't know why, but this. The drum beat on this song is solid. Johnny is singing pretty solid on this song. This is a pretty emotional song if you listen to it. It is kind of touching. I know he had a messed up childhood, but you know, I think he could have learned from his past and been a better person. And that scream at the fade
2. Hold On: This is kind of a seductive song. I like the way the guitar sounds. It has this jazzy feeling to it.
3. I Found Out: This song reminds me of Gimme Some Truth or Yer Blues. I love the distortion. The verses remind me of his 1975 Rock 'N' Roll album. I don't care much for that, but it has some good songs on it. This is a pretty solid song though.
4. Working Class Hero: This is my favorite song off this album. I think it's actually, not probably is, the most relevant song of his today. When your in the working class you might not be looked as highly upon as the rich, but at least you "try". You aren't living off the government  you aren't a Democrat. No but in all seriousness, you need to take care of you and your family, not rely on some group of people to do it. If you can try to take care of the family, that will make you a hero. "If you'd like to be like the ones on the hill", "The Fool on the hill". Is that a Paul dig.
5. Isolation: For some reason I forget about this song. And, well, it's probably one of the best. The beat and the piano makes this a song that I feel touched by. This song, a stretch, reminds me a tad of Happiness is a Warm Gun. One of my favorites off the Self Titled.
6. Remember: I can't remember the last song. No but seriously, you know, I am not nuts about this song. The chorus is solid though. I don't know, this song just seems like its just there, for me at least. There's a surprise at the end.
7. Love: This is probably a song most people know. You know, this reminds me of the Real Love acoustic demo. But without the chorus.
8. Well Well Well: This is a bluesy song. I feel like this isn't as interesting as Hold On. It's kind of annoying. He does make a Revolution reference though.
9. Look At Me: I can't say I remember this song either. It's been a while since I heard it last. And this totally reminds me 100% of Julia. It is a pretty song though.
10. God: You could argue this is the most quotable song by John's solo material. Either this or Imagine. This is the song where he says "I don't believe in Beatles", and David Bowie's response 31 years later was "I believe in Beatles" from the 2002 song Afraid. He also lists a bunch of things that he doesn't believe. He only believes him and Yoko. It's kind of poetic. At least he has some type of faith.
11. My Mummy's Dead: For being the shortest song it's kind of a weird way to end the album. With a radio type of feeling. I like it. But you already talked about your mom.

Overall I really don't care for Johnny. I kind of don't like the type of person he was, and I think Post-Beatles, he wined too much. But this album, this album is different. I don't exactly know why, but the complaining doesn't get too much for me on this album. I think that Paul was a better poet, but that's just me. But this album gets a 8.7/10. I feel like this is Overrated, but it is still a good album. The next album, thought from 1974, is a new favorite of mine. The hint to you is that it's referenced in the above paragraph with the intro. And it's not a Beatles one. FYI, Band On The Run is better Rolling Stone Magazine.

Let It Be - The Beatles

This is long past due but here it is. This is the 12th and final studio album by the legendary, and my favorite band, The Beatles. This was recorded from January-February 1969, with the exception of Phil "Shithead" Spector's overdubs. His overdubs took place over January-April, 1970. Some stuff was recorded in February of 1968, Across the Universe, and January 1970, I Me Mine. This album was released on May 8th, 1970 and the movie was released May 13th, 1970. The movie pretty much showed, unintentionally, the final climax leading to the breakup to the band. In late 1968 Paul came up the idea to have a "live in the studio" movie and for them to get back to their roots. That's why it was originally called Get Back. After The Beatles broke up the title was changed to the more appropriate Let it Be.

1. Two Of Us: Paul wrote this one about Linda. It is a very sweet love song. This is one of my favorite songs on this album. This has a finger picked intro to it and it sounds awesome. This song has a place in my heart because it is a love song. I think that this is a good intro to the album. This is a pretty song and you can tell that this has meaning to Paul. This is a fun song and the beat to it makes it a classic Paul on guitar song. Even though there are other instruments on this song. I could kind of see this possibly being on The White Album if it was just Paul and his guitar, but this way is a lot better than the other way.
2. Dig a Pony: This is a song written by John. I don't remember if there was a meaning behind this song or not, but I do know that it grew on me. I used to not like it when I first heard it Freshman year, but later on, still in Freshman year, I learned to like it, kind of. This song is a good example of how their song writing changed. Listen to The White Album then listen to this song. I can see this kind of being on that album, but I also feel like that would kind of be a stretch. I love this bass and the guitar distortion.The vocals on this kind of remind me of, the part with the harmony vocals, I've Got A Feeling. This song has a raw live feel to it. I don't know if that's because of Phil "saving" the project or weither it would have sounded like that anyway. I feel it would have been more raw if he didn't. The solo in this song is neat. I really like the ending how it "comes full circle" with the riff.
3. Across The Universe: This songs was originally released in 1968 for some world fund foundation compilation. This song is very eerie and kind of depressing. This song, I think, has sitar in it. If its not sitar that's making that whole buzzing sound, then it's the fact that Phil slowed the track down. This song has really cool sounding acoustic guitar in it, and I think it goes along with one of my favorite acoustic guitar sound, also on that list is the epic A Day In The Life off the epic 1967 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I'm gonna try to finish that review for June 1st. This song also has a sick string part that comes in at that fade where you have to listen for it.
4. I Me Mine: This is a great song by George. This song is very catchy and has that Waltz feel to it. This is a song I could see someone dancing to on Dancing with the Stars, if they were able to get the legal stuff for it. Well anyway the vocals on this song are kind of cool. I really like the guitar distortion on this and the drums. This song is very, drum sounding. The strings add and compliment this song and help to give it this, epic feeling. The chorus completely changes the tempo and style of song. The whole chorus has different instruments and has this like organ fill at the end of it in the background. This song is a really cool song and is helped by the orchestrations in it. And each verse gets more epic sounding and louder. Until the end where it's as big as it gets and then goes down, and ends.
5. Dig It: My favorite version is the 8 minute one that is on the Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 6. Which that is a bootleg album, so it's not an official album. I hope to one day hear all of the Bootleg Beatles albums, I am going to review some of them too. This is just a silly filler song the album. Its fun to hear the pop culture references he makes in the 8 minute version because he has 7 minutes worth of them more.
6. Let It Be: This is a classic Beatles song. I find it hard for you to honestly say that you don't like this album. This song is one of my favorite Beatles songs. This song is one of most uplifiting songs I've ever heard in my entire life. The beginning piano intro make it feel like "It's here :)". Paul's vocals come in the song to make it sound this ballad. I love the way the piano sounds and the Phil Spector added choir makes this into that gospel sounding song that everyone knows it as. Then the drums come in and it followed by Billy Preston on organ and he does a fill into the solo. I think that my favorite solo is the one in the single. The one in this version is John's solo, the single is George's. The guitars distortion is just eargasmic to me. I love the tone and the whole feel of it. The Fender Jazz bass, which they used on, I believe, White Album, Abbey Road and Let it Be. I think that's the only albums. But the bass in that song is just as good and adds to the song. There are also horns in this and it all adds into a beautiful gospel sounding song. {12/10}.
7. Maggie Mae: This is a catchy song and really fast. I like this one a lot for some reason. This is a traditional Liverpool song. It sounds like a song you'd sing if you were drunk. This is only 40 seconds long and it is kind of a silly song. I know that they didn't include in on the Let it Be... Naked version of the album. The thing that I like about this song is that it has that sound that was a sound that sounded like, if you've heard any bootlegs from the Get Back/Let it Be recordings sessions, or at least seen the movie, you know that sound. This sounds like it was played for fun and not seriously. I think that it kinda ok for the continuity of the album.
8. I've Got A Feeling: This is one of the funniest songs that I've heard them play at the rooftop concert. It was in the movie, of course. Yet again a sick sounding guitar part. This song seems like a song that would be a good first song to a concert. The whole way it is, and how it's like the parts come in one at a time after each other. Paul's voice sounds like this is live. Now I know they took parts of the live version from the concert and used it.The part where it goes "Everybody had a good year" is not as good and Paul's part, but the whole instrumentation that goes into the part where they both sing their parts of the song is awesome. This song is a fun song and a good live song. It's a shame that Paul didn't play this song live with Wings.
9. One After 909: This song was back from the '50s Beat Brothers days. This was writen by John with some input from Paul. This song is totally a '50s song. The way it's set up and the way it sounds. It isn't in anyway a stretch to say that John said he wrote it when he was about 17, so around 1957 which is when the Beat Brothers were still together under that name. This was different sounding and revamped. This version is better than the one from, I'm pretty sure 1964, which they didn't use until Anthology Vol 1 in 1995. I really like the bass on this song and the entire album in general. This is a fun song that I think should get more attention. 
10. The Long and Winding Road: Let me state this, the Let it Be... Naked version is probably the one I perfer. I feel like the whole orchestral parts in this song give me a headache if its too loud. Phil really did a number on this album. This is a terrible reality because of the "wall of sound" production. I like this version a lot, but I also think that Spector shouldn't have messed with the song. I think that the entire choir, strings and brass give this song a gospel sounding vibe to this song. Much like Let it Be but more. This song is a songs that, for some reason, I could see being played on Seasame Street. The original, not orchestrated version doesn't really, for the most part, have and resemblance of a gospel sounding tune.
11. For You Blue: This isn't one of George's best. I really don't like this song that much. It is too bluesy and irritating. I never really liked this song that much anyway. The whole slide in this song bugs me. I just can't stand the whole blues to it. I really have a hard time with this song. Not terrible song, just not one of my favorites. This sounds like a song that The Rolling Stones would do, but not as good. OH that a diss, big time Mick. I do kind of like how the slide sounds distorted, but the piano or keys and the slide solo, very much hurt the song. It sounds cute, but not in a good way. I do think that this song isn't terrible though.
12. Get Back: This is one of my favorite Beatles song. I love the crap out of this song. This was one of the first song that I loved/got me into these guys. The song tells a story that some think makes mention of Linda's last husband, who lived in Tuscon Arizona. And it is also been said this is just a Get Back and leaves alone to Yoko. Well whatever the song is about doesn't really matter to me anymore. What I'm more into this the musical part of it. I already know enough about this song, I want to get to the writing. The song starts out with them tuning up, and talking, which was there to add the effect of the making of the film. The guitar distortion in this song is one of me favorite types of distortion. For that reason, well I need a Fender Amp and Fender Tele. This is such a bluesy song, which blues irritates me, but I love the crap out of it. The chorus is catchy and impossible to forget. The consistent bass riff that Paul is playing makes me want to play along. The first solo, or organ fill, is played by on Billy Preston. The second solo, guitar this time, is played by John and is one of my favorite solos by Los Beatles. I like how the song just kind of ends vs the single version where it stops then starts up again and plays to fade.

Overall I have to give this a 9.7/10. What you have to realize is that this was the last album released, but Abbey Road was the last album to be recorded.  Though there were somethings Phil Shitctor added in 1970, the vast of it was recorded in the winter of 1969. If you want to hear the real Let it Be buy 2003's Let it Be... Naked. That's as close as anything else to what it would have sounded like. Though I have my problems with this, I have to say that Phil did do a good job on some of the songs. And if he didn't do this, Let it Be might of never been released. Think about that for a second.... It pisses me off that they don't really credit George Martin as a producer. He did most of he work. In all honesty it's like a 7