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I've been sitting on a bunch of CDs lately, having listened to them a number of times but not being motivated enough to write up a review that's to my normal standards (you know, these songs are good and this is why, these songs are suck andthis is why). So, here's just a dump of some thoughts on a bevy of CDs I've listened to recently.
Prince -- Musicology:
This disc opens up with the title track, and it's a monster groove. A heavy James Brown style vamp over a limited number of chords, with a pumpin' drum line. Unfortunately, the rest of the disc never reaches this highpoint again. The majority of the CD consists of a retro-feel R&B groove, with strong shades of D'Angelo (which makes me wonder who's influencing who these days).
Jos Stone -- Soul Sessions:
The girl's got pipes, no argument there. I heard her take on the White Stripes tune Fell In Love With A Boy and recognized her ability immediately. What I didn't care for is the profusion of cover tunes. I'd like to think that kind of vocal talent would include a little writing ability as well. In any case, her ability makes her worth another look when her next disc comes out.
Norah Jones -- Feels Like Home:
I wanted to like this album. I really did. Her debut disc I rather enjoyed, and I had heard a taste of some of the material when I saw her perform out at Wolf Trap a year ago or so. I don't know what happened between then and now, but whatever life was in those songs got sucked out and thrown away somewhere along the road. The tunes have a very country-ish feel to them (which isn't a bad thing) and not so much of the sorta jazz feel that I was liking on the last album. I'd say that the best two songs on the album are either the opening release (Sunrise) or the duet with Dolly Parton (Creepin' In).