My Amazon Reviews: John Gorka "So Dark You See"

A Night So Dark
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Folk artist John Gorka has been offering great music since the late 80's, but has not broken out of the folk circuit. "So Dark You See" is an example of singer-songwriters at their peak, yet few will hear this. That's a darn shame, because this CD measures up to his best works.

The songs on "So Dark You See" are emotionally packed. "Where No Monuments Stand" is an anti-war song in a world where few exist because artists fear it will quash their commercial viability. "The Dutchman" paints a touching story of a wife who must care for her ailing, Alzheimer's riddled husband. Gorka also explores social strata on "Ignorance And Poverty." But ha can also be a happy camper as he exalts in "Trouble In Mind," where it's just John and his guitar.

The playing is a strong part of "So Dark You See." Both "Fret One" and "Fret Not" are little instrumental bridges that serve theit purposes as bridges into other songs, while his warm baritone glides atop the songs. Sometimes with full band treatments or just Gorka alone with his guitar telling stories, "So Dark You See" is a strong record. For readers of my reviews of Slaid Cleaves, John Gorka is in the same league.

     

My Amazon Reviews: James Taylor "One Man Dog"

Puppy Love
4 Out Of 5 Stars

With "One Man Dog," James Taylor continued his strong run of self-confessional albums that mixed his singer songwriter roots with some soul, a little rock and rolling and his resonant voice. The second half of the album takes it's inspiration from side two of The Beatles' "Abbey Road" with a batch on mini-songs that tie together. The whole album has a loose feel, with many of the songs clocking in at under two minutes. A good album by singer-songwriter standards and another forward step in Taylor's career, spawning the top 20 single "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight."

The first album recorded in Taylor's home studio, it could have easily been credited to James Taylor and friends. Future wife Carly Simon makes an appearance and Linda Ronstadt performs a lovely duet on "One Morning In May." Alex, Hugh, and Kate Taylor are all on board to help out, and the mini-suite contains everything from musical saws and chainsaws running through wood to good effect. Overall, a decent album if a little disappointing after the full-on classics "Sweet Baby James" and "Mud Slide Slim."

     

My Amazon Reviews: Grateful Dead "Shakedown Street"

This town ain't got no heart
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Despie having an empathic producer in Little Feat's Lowell George, "Shakedown Street" is a mediocre Grateful Dead album. There are pointless instrumentals, a pointless attempt at a danceable hit in the title track, and the emergence of Donna Godchaux as a lead vocalist. There are good songs buried in the murk, like concert staples to come "I Need a Miracle" and "Fire On The Mountain." "Shakedown Street" also gets of to a rousing start with a cover of The Rascals' "Good Loving."

But when you mix in the flavorless Godchaux composition "From The Heart Of Me" and some other lackluster material ("France," "Serengetti") or the 'why'd ya bother" Hunter/Garcia rewrite of the saga of "Stagger Lee," you wonder how much pressure the band was under to deliver a hit album versus a Dead album. They'd make up for this with "Go To Heaven" and they'd eventually get that hit single when "Touch Of Grey" finally charted, but about half of "Shakedown Street" sounds bloodless to the modern ear.