My Amazon Reviews: Concrete Blonde "The Essential"

Concrete Evidence
4 Out Of 5 Stars
 
The husky, sultry voice of singer/songwriter Johnette Napolitano led Concrete Blonde to a successful career, and this Essential Collection gathers 14 songs to showcase both her voice and the tight combo playing of Jim Mankey and assorted drummers. The lone hit, "Joey," is here, along with alternative faves like "Dancing On The Edge" and "Still In Hollywood." Owing more than a passing debt to The Pretenders, songs like "God Is a Bullet" and the mournful "Caroline" (about the passing of a friend) tease the shadow of Chrissie Hynde.

Napolitano is still a force of nature, as the rockier songs attest. "The Sky Is A Poisonous Garden" pounds away and the cover of Hendrix's "Little Wing" is true to the original while still giving Napolitano an imprint of her own. At the same time, the band's pop instincts were as good as any other IRS stablemates. "Joey" is all Spector Girl Group and "Happy Birthday" is nearly jangle-pop. There's a pretty even representation from the band's four IRS albums, leaning towards the gold "Bloodletting" (whose title song should've been included). Overall, a satisfying collection from an underrated band.

      

My Amazon Reviews: Brett Every "Menu"

Sample all the Entrees
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Brett Every is a roughhewn, last call at the bar singer songwriter, and I've been a fan since I first heard "Camping Out" a few years ago. Possessed of a moaning, hopeless voice, he seems crossed with Mark Weitzel and a gay Tom Waits. Every's deep, shaky voice drips pathos and emotionalism, with frequent guest Estelle Noonan adding a similar female foil to add to the bluesy burn of his writing. "Menu," his third album, continues this course in a solid fashion, offering few changes from his first two distinctive albums.


On his previous album, Brett pulled Bette Midler's "Come Back Jimmy Dean" and wrapped his smokey longing around it to perfection. On "Menu," he takes an even bigger risk by hauling out Concrete Blonde's new wave one-hit "Joey" out and turning it on its head. On the original, singer Johnette Napolitano was confronting a junkie boyfriend, trying to pull him out of a destructive relationship. Here, Every is locked into a tense battle with Joey, trying to convince him that his desperate love is worth kicking the habit over, even if you know that Joey has no intentions of being the better man. Brett's version tugs harder at the heart that CB's ever did.

There are also some stunning original compositions, including "Man Walks Into a Bar," where the 40 year old Brett discovers his 20 year old self, and tries to convince him that being careful will avert future heartaches. You know full well that the 20 year old Brett is blowing the old geezer off, and the elder Brett aches to know that his youthful self needs to make his own coming out path, pains and all. Just as delightful is when he tackles this in first person fashion during "Rough Road," hoping his life is restaurants and country clubs, where 'all they have are chili dogs." There's a romantic streak here just struggling to get out from the back of the bar, and Brett's "Menu" is another fine album from this out Aussie performer.