My Amazon Reviews: James Lee Stanley "Midnight Radio"

In the glow of the radio dashboard
4 Out Of 5 Stars

James Lee Stanley is a fine and prolific singer-songwriter whose career has something of a cult success among some very rabid fans. "Midnight Radio" was released in 1980 and leans to the kind of smooth adult contemporary sound of the day. You'll pick up the vibe from guests like Bonnie Raitt (guitar on "Born To Love You") and Stephen Bishop, who co-wrote a pair of songs with James for the album.

To also get a hint of how his talent reaches out to others, noted author Tom Robbins co-wrote "Even Cowgirls Get The Blues," after his book (and this was before k.d. lang some years later). The song may be the best one on "Midnight Radio," enough so that when the album got lost in record company politics, James resurrected it for a later album. James has a smooth vocal delivery that can go for the jugular when he wants to get personal, like the forceful "In Your Pocket." For the most part though, James goes easy on the ears. "Midnight Radio," after being out of print for several years, makes a welcome return. Fans of mellow James Taylor or Gordon Lightfoot will enjoy this.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Bonnie Raitt "Slipstream"

All You Would Have Expected,
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Bonnie Raitt's third album this century, "Slipstream," is everything a Raitt fan would want. Her earthen, gritty voice, that great, blusey slide guitar of hers, some choice covers (Bob Dylan, Gerry Rafferty), selections from old friends (Joe Henry, Louden Wainwright III) and the longing attitude mixed with confident swagger that made her best records ("Nick of Time," "Give it Up") such long loved releases. "Slipstream" alternates between the blues she so loves - love the way she turns Dylan's "Million Miles" into a biting question of lover's remorse - and the punch she gives to "Used to Rule the World" and rocking "Split Decision."

Two more tracks here merit mention, Henry's "God Only Knows" and the late Gerry Rafferty's "Right Down The Line." Rafferty gets a subtle reggae pulse and is the obvious single, and does what most covers don't; equals the original. "God Only Knows" (not Brian Wilson's) is a hard knock piano ballad that Raitt (who lost both her parents prior to this album) gives such an emotive reading of that it closes the album perfectly. Time may have been hard leading up to the album itslef, but kind to Raitt's talents. "Slipstream" is a solid album, and will likely wear well as the years pass.