Ian Gillan - I'll Be Your Baby Tonight

Take an old chestnut and put some new life into it? I’m talking both about the singer and the song. Wow! Must be at least 300 performances of this song around, and just when you think a song has been done to death and old guy comes around to give it life it never had before. A lot of the credit goes to the band, of course, but Ian’s vocals are superb. British Cajun flavors abound for this brilliant Friday night dance. Shoutout for No Worries & Hang Me Out To Dry. Ian Gillan

Patti Scialfa - Play It As It Lays

A slow drum introduces a guitar, bass and organ leading to the narrator listening to a “sad song on the radio.” She’s out on the road, with the past echoing the “windshield wipers slapping time” bringing thoughts of Janis and Bobbie and Kris to mind as the narrator goes deeper into her own story. “It woke up something that was below the skin. Want to tell you so much, but where do I start, where to begin? Let’s start with how I lost my kindness and how I found it once again, and I’m gonna play it as it lays.” As the story continues we hear of a long term relationship and all the ups and downs involved with that. “Say a prayer for the broken-hearted, say a prayer for love.” Wonderful poem, excellent music. Shoutouts for Play Around, Bad For You and Black Ladder. Patti Scialfa

Bruce Springsteen - Your Own Worst Enemy

“You can’t sleep at night, you can’t dream your dreams. Your fingerprints on file left clumsily at the scene. Your own worst enemy as come to town.” A slow rocker that has the narrator looking deep into himself for answers and ending up with anxiety. Very interesting narrative with some interesting band interaction makes for a rock ballad that hovers on the edge of sadness (singer) and joy (band). Very cool combination, which gives lots of tickles to the aural cavities of this eartaster. A shoutout for the title tune, Magic – “Trust none of what you hear and less of what you see” and the single, Radio Nowhere – “I was driving through the misty rain searchin’ for the mystery train, boppin’ through the wild blue trying to make a connection with you.” Bruce Springsteen

Patti Scialfa - Looking For Elvis

Whew, wipe the sweat off my brow with the blues licks that introduce this powerful tune. I have to admit this album has slapped me in the face and knocked me sideways and inside out. Confident, purposeful, truthful, and a rocking voice that hypnotizes every aural fiber of this eartaster. I listened to Patti’s first album many times trying to find purpose and eventually gave up and didn’t even take the shrink-wrap off her second CD, which I plan to dig out and try out for size in a few weeks. It’s going to take a lot to want to take this CD off the turntable. I guess we can still call it a turntable. Anyway, earlier this year Rickie Lee was driving around heaven in Elvis’ Cadillac, and now Patti is out in the streets looking for the man himself – with a hot band backing her up.

I’ll admit I opened this only because I knew hubby’s album would be coming out, and now I’m not so happy with myself – I pre-judged that this would be just another pleasant album. I truly had no expectations for such a powerful and rich variety of music. I’m so glad I opened this - there’s not a stinker cut anywhere to be found here, and I have grown to love every song and every emotion that cuts deep in my soul. Danceable, singable, and rocking. No higher honor is possible around here than to have those three adjectives in place. While I’m dancing around my living room looking for Elvis, I’d also like to send some shoutouts for Run Run Run and Rainy Day Man. Patti Scialfa

John Fogerty - Long Dark Night

John shouts out a lotta people in this song, with real spirit and love for the common folks who enjoy waking up on Monday to rock and roll with a message. I really love the way he’s able to use the power of dance to allow the thoughts and reflections of the past to renew the future. For example, “George is in the jungle” recalls Run Through The Jungle. Elsewhere we hear that George is one of the Fortunate Sons that Fogerty spoke about some many years ago. Lots of shoutouts on this CD – the entire CD is a classic. Specific shoutouts for It Ain't Right and I Can't Take It No More which have energized me to enjoy this entire week! John Fogerty

Joni Mitchell - Strong and Wrong

It’s always good to hear a familiar voice on a Sunday afternoon, an old friend who comes in once in awhile with some new news. Nothing a whole lot has changed, but it’s still good to touch base and see that they are well and still thinking rationally. There are many good strong poems on this album, so many quotable lines which are a joy to read. This song hits me the hardest because of my penchant for listening to our current leadership in the US. This week the dude actually vetoed a health bill for underprivileged children. Strong and Wrong. He’s so sure he’s right, and it hurts me to see that he can actually do this without an uproar from citizens. Anyway, that’s not what this song is about, it’s just letting you know where my head is.

A piano strolls into the scene, along with some strings. “Strong and wrong you win – only because that’s the way it’s always been. Men love war! That’s what history is for. History . . .a mass murder mystery…his story.” That’s how the song starts out, slow, emotive, and authoritative. On this day that we meditate on our humanity and purpose, Joni adds to the meditation with “Strong and wrong, what is God’s will? Onward Christian soldiers. . .Or thou shalt not kill. . .men love war! Is that what God is for?” She reminds me that the church I loved 40 years ago has turned into a place that no longer believes in the truths and commandments. When did the church begin preaching hatred of fellow man, and murder? I read a sermon this morning by McQuaid that suggested that just as Jesus spiritually conquered Satan on the cross that Christians must now physically conquer Moslems around the world. What??? How can a man who says stuff that like even pretend to represent Christ? But he does, and so do the Dobsons and others of that Ilk that say they are speaking for true believers. Makes me wonder, as usual, what to call myself. I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, but I am ashamed of the church that claims to believe in Him. “Thousands of years here we are still worshiping our own ego. Strong and wrong.”

The shoutout tune, This Place, has Joni returning to another common theme of hers – the rape of the land by “big money” that “kicks the whole wide world around.” She prays “give us all the courage and the grace to make genius of this tragedy unfolding, the genius to save this place.” A second shoutout goes to One Week Last Summer, a rare instrumental from a favorite musician. And for those who wonder, yes – the entire album works as a whole unit. Joni Mitchell

The Smith Bros - How Wrong You Are

“I’ve always said that you’re headstrong.” Well, they say that the best way to get people to listen to you is to start off the conversation by insulting them – LOL!!! Anyway, the music starts with a power chord and doesn’t let go of the excitement. “I tried to tell you how wrong you are. You didn’t listen at all!” The narrator may want to read some books on effective communication if he wants people to listen to his complaints. Don’t let his abrasiveness lyrically stop you from listening to the music! Lots of ear pleasure and plenty of bass and drums accompany the guitar work. A very tasty shoutout, Lost. The Smith Bros

The Spoon Benders - Making My Name

“Come on and feel!” It’s Friday night. No moon to speak of. It’s dark, lots of stars and a meandering guitar floats through the backyard around the picnic table, through the compost pile piled between two trees, beautifully sending sparkles of fireflies into streams of lightshows only dreamed about by stage designers. As I’m enjoying the scene a soulful feeling throbs the blood throughout my senses while a voice pours into the drama, “Electricity is pulsing through my brain at 400,000 miles an hour.” Whew! You probably had to be there, but these guys really know how to start an album! “There are angels in the air tonight. I can see their shining black wings swoop and glide.” The production quality on this CD is top-notch. Every guitar lick is clear, the vocals are clean and understandable, and the bass player and drummer are in perfect synch with a totally live feel. “This magic that makes me remember how good it feels just to be alive!” The shoutouts tonight go to the bluesy I Fell Out Of The Van This Morning and the mellow story about Saturday Afternoon. This album shows these guys can handle any emotion in music, from joy to blues, to nostalgic. Very cool. The Spoon Benders

Alex Arrowsmith - Gas Station Jacket

“Are you ready to start a revolution?” Well, it’s Thursday, why not? Alex returns to Eartaste with another wild, woolly and completely joyful dance CD that’s guaranteed to turn your ears into marvelous music eating apparatuses. Wasn’t even sure that was a word, but spell check accepted it. “Gary keeps staring at my gas station jacket – Rich kid, bad, and he’s pining for Sarah.” Gary is also wanting to play in a rock band, but “he’s never heard of Iggy Pop or Velvet Underground.” But, we find this out in a very non-judgmental way. Cause, why after all, doe a guy join a band? To get Girls! And, Sarah is a Girl! You have to listen to the song to find out what Sarah feels about all this adoration. Thanks, Alex, for keeping my ears full of desserts! Shoutouts for Verb Unit and the marvelous song completed in two takes, Wolverine Trapped In A Safe Deposit Box. My life is richer for having learned how to change keys like a locksmith. And if you want to know why and how the Wolverine got stuck in this predicament, you’ll just have to visit CDBaby and get your own copy of this fun-filled 31 song CD. Alex Arrowsmith

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The Payola Reserve - Portrait Society

A good, story based rock song that introduces characters and tells how their lives interweave in the space of less than 4 minutes. Call it a short story, call it a story poem. Whatever you call it, it’s literature to a dance-rock beat. “Sophie isn’t a working girl, she’s just a little too much in the world.” Sophie is the first person we meet. Than we meet Steve, who is “out on a work detail.” The setting is Charles Street, where the narrator keeps “coming back” to. The guitar playing is superb, with the bass player and drummer keeping the story going. “Don’t you even dare reveal what it was that keeps everybody still here.” Shoutout for 200 Years. Payola Reserve

Olivea Watson - Let Go

“Show me a sign. Give me a little of your light ‘cause I’m down here walking aimlessly wondering what you’re trying to tell me.” A very tasty version of a ‘wonder if I’m loved’ song. Olivea’s voice is the star here, but would not be worth listening to over and over without the fine group of musicians she’s assembled to tell her story. The shoutout tune may be the end of the story, or just another song – Goodbye. Fine hump day music to make me look around for another beer to savor all the depths of emotions Shared by Olivea. Thanks! Olivea Watson

Greg Roth - I've Only Got A Minute

I really enjoy the conceit of this song – I’ve only got a minute, so I’m going to say everything I can in sixty seconds. And, it works! “Well, I’ve only got a minute, I’m really running late. What you want to tell me? And you better get with it. Is it really that important? I’m sure that it can wait. Think I’ve got the picture, but I’m not a clairvoyant.” I won’t spoil the rest, suffice it to say this is a fun song and it made my life richer for listening to it so many times. Of course, the best part is if the narrator wasn’t rambling on like this, he may have heard what the other person had to say. Fascinating how much real depth can fit into a short minute. Thanks, Greg! Shoutouts for Your Providence & Healthy Wealthy Wise. Greg Roth

Fell Far Behind - Old Too Soon, Smart Too Late

Wonderful wake-me up on Monday loud guitar based music – love all the sounds bursting through my ears and bringing me out of my colorful dreams. “As we speak of broken dreams, do you recall five young New Jersey hopefuls?” The song is a kind of pessimistic hope for the best future tale of a young five piece band out to try to make it in the big bad world with some excellent lead guitar flavoring. “We were only in it to save ourselves, to feel alive!” Autobiographical you say? Maybe. The main thing is the sound is full of just enough anxiety to get me up dancing and ignoring the song title, LOL! My body is, as they tell me, older than dirt; but my mind is fresh and hopeful and glad to welcome in this Monday with all the volume my speakers can handle. Scrumptious tune. With a shoutout to Close For Comfort, “A broken record stuck on those words heard again inside my head.” Fell Far Behind

Dan Craig – Afterglow

“Taken less for-granted, you’re a knot that’s worth untying, you are featureless but flying, you are whole among the pieces, you are one.” Spiritual meanderings for my Sunday afternoon. The music is pretty much an acoustic flavored meal with just enough beat to keep these ears tuned in to the message Dan’s sharing. “You’re not alone. Sometimes I don’t believe it either, but it’s been shown that it’s the hurt that makes the healer feel like home.” Definitely thought-provoking. Dan’s voice has the ability to make me feel at home and glad to be listening. “Flying back, but slowly, there’s an ardor to your armor, holy rain you thought you’d die for. Through the cracks I see the hope of afterglow.”

The shout-out tune, Cherry Moon, is an intriguing look at those who protest, presented as a character named Pamela. While I disagree completely with Dan’s assessment that only middle class folks who want to rule protest (let’s face it, the huge underclass would protest of they had enough time in their day – but with both mom and dad working two jobs just to make ends meet, it’s tough to muster up the energy needed to even think about what has put them in this position), I do respect the way he’s able to put the thoughts of a capitalist into poetry and song; plus I always remember the songwriter may be describing the thoughts of another character. Also, I happen to agree about the fruitlessness because there’s truth in this: “This machine doesn’t mind your rage/You know you’re just a snake in a cage.” I feel that way a lot. I love these lines also: “There’s a cherry-flavored moon that’s out tonight, so I guess we’re alright.”

Dan Craig

Porsche Smith – Bebop

“Feeling good tonight down in my soul.” Yep, and the music certainly doesn’t hurt this feeling. Funk, complete with horns. Good tasting, wonderfully flowing dance around the spaces in my head and the entire living room at the same time. The vocals are just as exciting as the music, complete with scatting deep deep down in my soul. “You gotta be-bop.” Although everything has absolutely marvelous flavors, my favorite part of this cut is that Porsche allows the musicians to stretch a bit. Shoutout for Crazy – a truthful prayer.

A very special shoutout for Neglected, a slow burner that had me thinking of my own relationships with my children. “Daddy, if I passed away would you know who I was?” What are their dreams, their plans, their ambitions? Do I truly know? And, when do I ask? Thanks, Porsche, for pulling these thoughts out into my consciousness. Porsche Smith

Putumayo Presents – Israel

I am extremely impressed. A compilation named Israel could go wrong on so many levels – think about it. This one doesn’t. While not the high-energy dance music that Putumayo often compiles, this is still dance music. And while one would expect many traditional sounds from Israel, Putumayo wisely chose to include that only as relevant to 2007.

If you look at Israel on a map, it is a hinge on the Mediterranean between Africa and Europe, with lots and lots of Mediterranean sea splashing up on its shoreline. Even though I have never personally been to Israel, I would expect its popular music to reflect all these truths, not the Hollywood flavors one usually hears when the term Israel pops up in entertainment circles in the US.

So we are filled with the ear-pleasuring flavors of Persia, Africa, Turkey, Europe, a bit of Jazz from the US, even some pleasurable tastes from Brazil and Jamaica. Israel is, after all, a modern nation that invites visitors from all over the world, and thus is influenced by flavors from all over. And, in good, pluralistic (in the good sense) fashion, there is music represented by folks who are Muslim, Christian, Jewish and undeclared. Not enough? How about the regions? Yep, music from Palestine, Tel Aviv, Galilee, Jerusalem, and more. If there’s any prejudice to be seen it’s in the fact that everyone is welcome as being completely human and relevant. How often can you feel this truth when your daily exposure to Israel is only the “news”? (”News” = only that which media outlets want us to know.)

You’ll notice I am not choosing a favorite cut. That’s easily explained – every cut on this album stands out and is filled with flavors I cherish. I was only familiar with two of the artists on this compilation before, but I now have many new artists to seek out and learn to know better: Etti Ankri, Itay Pearl, Hadas Dagul, Rona Kenan, Mosh Ben Ari, Moshav Band, Zafa, Sheva, David Broza, Tea Packs, Amal Murkus, The Idan Raichel Project. The diverse nature of this music is lovingly held together by one common theme – excellence. A wonderful evening of joyful movement is in store when this cd hits the laser. Deeply delicious.

Shoutouts for Tea Packs (Vehap'am Shir Ahava), Amal Murkus (Ta'alu), Hadas Dagul (Seret Eelem), Rona Kenan with Gidi Gov (Ha'rikud Ha'muzar Shel Ha'lev), and The Idan Raichel Project (Mi' Ma'amakim).

Putumayo Presents – Israel

Ruarri Joseph – Patience (Live – free download)

A few weeks ago I raved about the cuts on the Ruarri Joseph album, Tales Of Grime And Grit. My focus was upon Ruarri as a songwriter because he is a powerful, interesting songwriter and singer. He’s currently on tour, and his record label has released a performance from one of his live solo gigs, and I’m sharing it here because it helped me focus on Raurri the musician. The guitar playing on this live cut blew me away, and I know you’ll enjoy it. It’s definitely worth hearing once or twice, and if you really like they’ve made it available as a free download. Click here: Ruarri Joseph

You can also purchase the whole album here: Tales Of Grime and Grit.

McDermotts 2 Hours – Molloy

“No man can destroy the road to take you home.” Take a very cool Irish-flavored folk song, fix up the lyrics about a man named Molloy, and spice it all up with a rock feeling and you have a very interesting meal. Molloy’s story covers the last part of the 20th century. “The land is made to roam.” The musicians do not overwhelm with virtuosity. Shoutout for Crusaders – “Onward Christian soldiers marching toward the holy land, you crude-eyed crusaders – there’s blood on your hands.” McDermotts 2 Hours

Soweto Kinch - Good Nyooz

“One truth.” Some hump days need a good, high powered jazz album to go along with the beer on a hot hot afternoon with leftover hurricane rain clouds hovering on the horizon, and Soweto Kinch fits the bill perfectly. “I got good news in the midst of a discouraging day!” Lots of cool scat for this cut, and lots of straight-ahead jazz for the rest of the album. Shoutouts for Conversations With The Unseen, Elision, and Mungo's Adventure. Soweto Kinch

Kate Nash – Play

A fun hip-hop beat introduces “I like to play, I like today.” A sixties organ and cheap garage guitar enter the mix, and the message is clear. Let’s play and have fun. Love it. The vocals fit the theme, and we know not to expect depth, simply joy. Shoutouts for Mouthwash and Skeleton Song. Pleasurable eartastes. Kate Nash