02.27.06 (MusicPortal.com) There's a reason they call VAN MORRISON "The Belfast Cowboy." Now with Morrison's latest offering, "Pay The Devil" (due for release March 7th via Lost Highway Records), that good reason has resulted in a great new album. From the start, the deeply soulful sounds of the American South helped inspire Morrison to one of the most enduring and consistently impressive careers in music history. For forty-plus years now, he's drawn upon the greats of Rhythm & Blues to create his own distinctive and influential blend of Soul and Celtic influences. On "Pay The Devil," Morrison explores his inner cowboy more than ever before -- recording a compelling mix of his favorite Country compositions as well as a few equally strong originals that more than earn their place among such distinguished company. Morrison has taken some enduring, endlessly relevant songs of the south and somehow made them all his own. Those who have been following VAN MORRISON for years might praise him for his remarkable range in taking this turn down a Country road. Recent years have seen Morrison cover the musical waterfront with recordings that touch upon traditional Irish music, Jazz, Skiffle and other musical forms that move him. But the secret of Morrison's ongoing artistic success is that he has never followed fashion in the slightest. Rather he continues to be a working musician who simply follows his own soulful muse wherever it may lead him. This dogged individuality has been true of VAN MORRISON straight down the line - from his days leading the Irish group THEM back in the Sixties, to his early solo days of 'Brown Eye Girl' and 'T.B. Sheets' to such late sixties and seventies masterpieces as "Astral Weeks" (1968), "Moondance" (1970) and "Tupelo Honey" (1971) to more recent classic albums like "Irish Heartbeat" (Morrison's stunning 1988 collaboration with THE CHIEFTAINS), "Avalon Sunset" (1989), "Enlightenment" (1990), "The Healing Game" (1997) and "Magic Time" (2005). The outstanding, plainspoken songs on "Pay The Devil" range from the familiar, like Morrison's impressive take on Hank Williams' 'Your Cheating Heart' and Webb Pierce's 'There Stands The Glass,' to somewhat less familiar Country & Western gems. It is a true tribute to VAN MORRISON's genius as a vocal stylist that he can take a song as often covered as 'Half As Much' -- recorded over the years by everyone from Hank Williams to Patsy Cline and Emmylou Harris -- and manage to make it feel new all over again. He does so by clearly connecting with Country's timeless themes of love and loss and life, sin and salvation. Through it all, Morrison proves to be one hell of a fine, subtle straight-ahead Country singer in the grand tradition of George Jones. Indeed, one of "Pay The Devil"'s many highlights is Morrison's take on 'Things Have Gone To Pieces,' a dark gem written by Leon Payne that Jones made famous. Then there's 'What Am I Living For?,' an old Chuck Willis number. Listen to how Morrison delivers Rodney Crowell's early masterpiece, 'Til I Gain Control Again,' one of the more recent copyrights included here and a standout effort on an album full of them. Yet even among such high standards, Morrison's originals here are among the highlights, including 'Playhouse' - a sly, infectious song that one wishes the Genius of Soul had lived to record, and the title track - a reflection on making the devil's music and a fine reminder that "one man's meat is another man's poison." To listen to "Pay The Devil," one might naturally assume that Morrison has traveled to Nashville and handed himself over to Music City's finest players and producers. Remarkably, Morrison has done nothing of the sort Ð recording "Pay The Devil" in Ireland with the same wonderful musicians who have been playing with him for years now with exceptional results. Even more remarkably, it turns out that Morrison has never even been to Nashville before. Regardless of that, he has made a classic album that sounds like Nashville at its finest and stands as tall as anything that's come out of the town in recent years. "Pay The Devil" is not just great Country music, it's great music - whatever country you happen to come from.
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02.10.06 (MusicPortal.com) "Act Of Faith" is the third studio album from CHRIS JAGGER'S ATCHA!, which is slated to be released on SPV's new Blue label come March 6th. Together these fine musicians demonstrate their impressive sound on the new album, and prove that they are up there with the current kings of the British Roots scene. They colorfully perform their mix of unconventional Rock, growling Blues, Country, Cajun and Funk influences, and ably act as the backing band to a whole range of illustrious guests. Next to vocalist/guitarist Chris Jagger, CHRIS JAGGER'S ATCHA! consists of keyboardist/violinist Charlie Hart, Malcolm and Jim Mortimore on drums and guitar, and bassist Paul Emile. An amazingly tight band, they skilfully switch between different styles, presenting their material in an equally relaxed and ambitioned manner. In his unmistakable fashion, Jagger flirts in New Orleans Funk style with lewd offers on '15% Free,' and wraps his typically British sense of humor in lyrics such as "they say experts can analyse a man by searching through his garbage can, if he is a Rolling Stone or Beatles fan, that's the game" on the opening track 'It's Amazing (What People Throw Away).' CHRIS JAGGER'S ATCHA! are supported by renowned guests in the studio: the vibrant Country/Zydeco number 'Got Me Where You Want' features the amazing voice of Sam Brown, while London anarcho guitarmeister Billy Jenkins skilfully plays his axe on 'Everybody Party.' The collaboration between Chris and Mick Jagger on 'The DJ Blues' is pretty spectacular - the first-ever recorded duet by the two brothers, culminating in a sweaty-sultry request to the DJ to play some real "good time blues" again for a change. Last but not least, PINK FLOYD's David Gilmour demonstrates that he is still among the world's finer Blues guitarists, refining 'Junkman' and 'It's Amazing (What People Throw Away)' with his legendary Fender Stratocaster's sound. Chris Jagger was born on December 19th, 1947. He started singing and playing the guitar in his twenties, his influences being Blues and Rock music, but first and foremost, Country and R&B. Chris cut two albums for music guru David Geffen in 1970, both considered cult recordings today. Years later he helped out with the lyrics for THE ROLLING STONES' albums "Dirty Work" and "Steel Wheels." 1994 saw the arrival of CHRIS JAGGER'S ATCHA!'s debut album, featuring a melange of Zydeco, Cajun, Country, R&B, Rock, and even World Music elements. Particularly live on stage, the band exhibit their talent, having brilliantly performed countless club gigs as well as a number of important festival shows. Together with long-standing collaborators Ben Waters and Charlie Hart, Chris Jagger recorded an acoustic album in 1996, followed by the vibrant "Channel Fever," cut by the whole band, two years later. "Act Of Faith" Track Listing: 1. It's Amazing (What People Throw Away) (Featuring David Gilmour) • 2. Got Me (Where You Want Me) (Featuring Sam Brown) • 3. 15% Extra Free! • 4. The DJ Blues (Featuring Mick Jagger) • 5. On The Road • 6. Junkman (Featuring David Gilmour) • 7. Cream In My Coffee • 8. Everybody Party (Featuring Billy Jenkins) • 9. Love Is Strange • 10. She's A Jewel • 11. Baby Come Back • 12. Rain Rain
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[Blues News: January 2006]
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