On the strength of its free-flowing live shows, Moe has earned a prestigious spot in the jam band United Nations alongside dignitaries such as Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler, and Phish. What lifts the Buffalo, New York, quintet above its brethren is simple: expert playing, clean production, and songs that don't drag on forever. The group's 10th album takes another major stride in the right direction, opening with the tight garage rock of "Not Coming Down" and the atmospheric Americana of the title track before settling into a looser, swampier groove on "Okayalright." With the experimental tone set, the group is free to move around the cabin for the duration of the disc and they don't hesitate, dipping into Wilco-like sound collages on "Rumble Strip," bar-band reggae on "Crab Eyes," and slapdash electronic folk on "Bullet." The songs don't always ignite, but the sense of adventure comes through, and that's enough to make this latest twist in the Moe story crucial. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Asin: B000084U4D
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. American Trad Rock    4. Jam Bands    5. Neo-Psychedelia    6. Pop    7. Rock   

Widespread Panic's eighth album is a rather grave and ponderous affair. Filled with hippie homilies and philosophical ruminations, it sounds more like Jefferson Airplane circa After Bathing At Baxter's than the Allman Brothers, with whom Panic is most often compared. They do include a few of their muscular jazz-tinged rambles, but more often they're intent on documenting their search for meaning. They every right to try to figure things out after the 2002 death of founding guitarist Michael Houser. His absence affected their sound--Houser's intricate guitar solos were integral--as well as how they recorded the album. Rather than road testing these songs, they went straight into the studio, which resulted in a more strident sound for the band. Panic is a band in transition, attempting to regain its equilibrium, soaring to great heights on the extended jam of "Travelin' Man" and "Monstrosity," but also mining classic-rock clichés on "Tortured Artist" and "Papa Johnny Road." --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Asin: B00008WT66
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Very rarely is a legendary band able to come up with new, credible material. Jam band progenitors the Allman Brothers have done better than that, tapping into some of the spark that made them one of the most influential American bands of their time. The lineup has changed due to tragedy, discontent, and plain orneriness, but the band is still able to conjure up dark tales of thwarted romance, dashed ambitions, and enduring friendship and tether them to freefalling slide riffs, jazzy interludes, and soulful blues that have been staples of the band since 1969. Granted, some of the guitar solos aren't an heroic as they were when Dickey Betts in the fold, but the ballad "Desdamona" is as inspired as "Melissa," and Gregg Allman's singing has never been better. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Asin: B000089RVP
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. American Trad Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Roots Rock    9. Southern Rock    10. United States of America   

The compositions on Béla Fleck and the Flecktones' three-CD set Little Worlds are ambitious, audacious, and, at times, a bit absurd. The musicianship of Fleck and his compatriots bassist Victor Wooten, saxophonist/flautist Jeff Coffin, and electro-percussionist Future Man is as accomplished as ever. Even when they are engaging in a slice of silliness like their version of "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," which they re-imagine as a sort of a rap rhapsody, the intelligence and sheer inventiveness of the performers keeps the music from descending to a trivial level. The 27 tracks are practically swarming with guest artists from a wide range of traditions, including Bobby McFerrin, Branford Marsalis, Nickel Creek, the Chieftains, Fleck’s former New Grass Revival band mate Sam Bush, and the Tuvan throat singer Congar Ol Ondar. Perhaps the most intriguing visitors are Pamelia Kurstin, who plays Theremin on a number of tracks, and Jake Shimabukuro, a remarkable young ukulele player from Hawaii. The music on Little Words combines experimental sonic textures, complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and charming melodies with impressive instrumental chops. Béla Fleck and the Flecktones are serious musicians, but their music, which is infused with joy, is never somber. --Michael Simmons ... Read more

Asin: B0000AKCLF
Subjects:  1. Crossover Jazz    2. Fusion    3. Jazz    4. Jazz-Pop    5. New Acoustic    6. Pop    7. Progressive Bluegrass   

It would be wrong to pigeonhole Derek Trucks as a southern rocker despite his ongoing day gig as the Allman Brothers Band's second guitarist. On his fourth solo album (actually recorded before his third, 2002's Joyful Noise) the young slinger shows what he's made of, and it's not barbeque and bourbon. Instead Trucks caters more to the martini crowd, giving a sophisticated cast to his slide guitar, snaking it into elegant musical conversations with a rather frivolous flute, and some off time drumming that are reminiscent of the clean jazz fusion that Traffic used to conjure up. On the opening track, "SoulSerenade"/"Rasta Man Chant," Trucks inserts some of the languid licks and flirts with Miles Davis before devolving into Bob Marley. "Bock to Bock" is a more structured affair that recalls Henry Mancini. Gregg Allman sits in on "Drown in My Own Tears" and spits out the bitter words in his grizzled voice while Truck follows along in aperfect slow dance, punctuating each of the singer's phrases with his own mournful slide. Trucks ventures south of the border in "Afro Romp" and the band evokes the great jazz drummer Elvin Jones on "Elvin." --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Asin: B0000A4GAK
Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Contemporary Jazz    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. World Fusion   

For every moment of transcendent groove, the jam-band ethos seems to have generated an eon of aimless instrumental indulgence. It's a mindset that bedeviled even icons like the Grateful Dead when they endeavored to construct something as elegantly--and elusively--simple as a song. Blues Traveler has hardly been immune from the foibles of excess, which makes this focused, song-oriented album an instant career high point. It's no mean feat to be both disciplined and adventurous but, with the able assistance of veteran producer Don Gehman, that's just the trick John Popper and company have turned here. For his part, mouth harp virtuoso Popper makes more like the Stax horns than Satriani, often content to punctuate his band's ever potent rhythms with flourishes as earthy as they are saturnine. But the real news here is the band's rededication to songcraft, an ethos that yields gems from the Little Feat dynamic of "Eventually" and jazz/R&B touches of "My Blessed Pain" and "Thinnest of Air" to the muscular pop hooks of "Let Her & Let Go" and rewarding funk-meets-classicism of "This Ache." It's a tack that's challenged Popper to warm new dimensions of vocal expressiveness as well, and the band to focus its powerhouse abilities into a gritty wallop. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Asin: B0000AC8P3
Subjects:  1. American Trad Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Jam Bands    4. Pop    5. Rock   

Little Worlds
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 August, 2003)
list price: $29.98 -- our price: $29.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The compositions on Béla Fleck and the Flecktones' three-CD set Little Worlds are ambitious, audacious, and, at times, a bit absurd. The musicianship of Fleck and his compatriots bassist Victor Wooten, saxophonist/flautist Jeff Coffin, and electro-percussionist Future Man is as accomplished as ever. Even when they are engaging in a slice of silliness like their version of "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," which they re-imagine as a sort of a rap rhapsody, the intelligence and sheer inventiveness of the performers keeps the music from descending to a trivial level. The 27 tracks are practically swarming with guest artists from a wide range of traditions, including Bobby McFerrin, Branford Marsalis, Nickel Creek, the Chieftains, Fleck’s former New Grass Revival band mate Sam Bush, and the Tuvan throat singer Congar Ol Ondar. Perhaps the most intriguing visitors are Pamelia Kurstin, who plays Theremin on a number of tracks, and Jake Shimabukuro, a remarkable young ukulele player from Hawaii. The music on Little Words combines experimental sonic textures, complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and charming melodies with impressive instrumental chops. Béla Fleck and the Flecktones are serious musicians, but their music, which is infused with joy, is never somber. --Michael Simmons ... Read more

Reviews (36)

If you can't do it well then don't do it.
Bela Fleck seems to want to be a jack of all trades.I think a great artist can spend a lifetime in one sub genre and still never have the depth of understanding that satisfies him/her. Either way if Bela wants to unite the world of music without any understanding of most of it...well who am I to stop her, all I can do is not buy the album and write a bad review !

P.S:To Dennis who claims that this is the greatest CD ever made.What planet are you from, and what drugs do you take ?

One more in a continuous stream of great works
Is anyone besides me amazed at how Bela Fleck & the Flectones can produce one fine work after another year after year?I keep expecting an album that will be a rehash of previous work, and it doesn't happen!

"Little Worlds", at 3 CDs in the set, could have been too long, but is isn't.The various guests add their spices to the pot, and the result is a tasty, eclectic brew.What a joy to listen to!

fantastic
this 3 disc album is simply the best thing I've ever heard.
these guys are the only band that I can truly say that everytime they come out with an album it is always awesome.
they never disappoint. ... Read more

Asin: B0000AKCLF
Subjects:  1. Crossover Jazz    2. Fusion    3. Jazz    4. Jazz-Pop    5. New Acoustic    6. Pop    7. Progressive Bluegrass   

Soul Serenade
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 August, 2003)
list price: $12.98 -- our price: $12.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

It would be wrong to pigeonhole Derek Trucks as a southern rocker despite his ongoing day gig as the Allman Brothers Band's second guitarist. On his fourth solo album (actually recorded before his third, 2002's Joyful Noise) the young slinger shows what he's made of, and it's not barbeque and bourbon. Instead Trucks caters more to the martini crowd, giving a sophisticated cast to his slide guitar, snaking it into elegant musical conversations with a rather frivolous flute, and some off time drumming that are reminiscent of the clean jazz fusion that Traffic used to conjure up. On the opening track, "SoulSerenade"/"Rasta Man Chant," Trucks inserts some of the languid licks and flirts with Miles Davis before devolving into Bob Marley. "Bock to Bock" is a more structured affair that recalls Henry Mancini. Gregg Allman sits in on "Drown in My Own Tears" and spits out the bitter words in his grizzled voice while Truck follows along in aperfect slow dance, punctuating each of the singer's phrases with his own mournful slide. Trucks ventures south of the border in "Afro Romp" and the band evokes the great jazz drummer Elvin Jones on "Elvin." --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (21)

SMOOTH
Unlike the more raucous Joyful Noise, Soul Serenade is silky smooth.More jazz than blues, this is my favorite "kick back and relax" album.There is just no way to feel tense when DT is laying down those honey smooth slide licks.Each song on this album is distinctly different.The only thread that ties them all together is Derek's slide guitar -- and that's not a bad thread at all.

Greg Allman makes a guest appearance on "Drown in My Own Tears" and delivers one of the absolute best vocal performances of his four decade career.On "Sierra Leone," Derek puts aside his electric Gibson SG for an acoustic guitar and delivers one of the most beautiful acoustic slide pieces I've ever heard.The only thing wrong with this album is that "Sierra Leone" should last for about 30 minutes rather than less than 2.

It's hard to believe that DT was only around 20 years old when these tracks were recorded.Only time will tell where he eventually falls in the pantheon of great blues guitarists, but he's certainly off to a great start.His music has both a depth and width which belies his age and I'm looking forward to much more great music from the DTB in the future.

You have to like slide guitar
This is another very good album from Butch Trucks.This is his third or fourth album, depending on how you are counting.It is short by CD standards, at only 42 minutes.But, then it doesn't have any bad tracks or filler.Sound quality is great.

This CD is a mixture of jazz, blues and rock.Each track is a mixture of the 3, with a different amount of emphasis on one of the styles.However, this CD does not have as much variation as the previous CD, Joyful Noise. Only one track is an original composition.The rest are covers are some classic jazz and blues numbers (with a little Marley thrown in).

The music has a wonderful, rich sound to it, dominated by Trucks' slide guitar.Kofi Burbridge's flute is also featured a lot more on this CD.

Derek Trucks also plays for the Allman Brothers.I hated to see them kick out Dickey Betts.But with Trucks, the band has a new, envigorated sound.Betts and Warren Haynes were beginning to get stale after playing together for over 10 years.Check out some of the new Allman Brothers live albums, where the Trucks/Haynes combination has given new life to old songs.

First of Derek Trucks that I bought
And I am/was plesantly surprised.The vocal appearance of Greg Allman was unexpected in this otherwise instrumental effort.This is no typical offering;it belies catagorization, just like I like it.Somewhere between jazz/rock fusion and blues there is the Derek Trucks Band.Derek has a real gift in using the slide; it sounds smooth and unforced.Just glides along...A very good effort. ... Read more

Asin: B0000A4GAK
Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Contemporary Jazz    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. World Fusion   

Truth Be Told
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 August, 2003)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

For every moment of transcendent groove, the jam-band ethos seems to have generated an eon of aimless instrumental indulgence. It's a mindset that bedeviled even icons like the Grateful Dead when they endeavored to construct something as elegantly--and elusively--simple as a song. Blues Traveler has hardly been immune from the foibles of excess, which makes this focused, song-oriented album an instant career high point. It's no mean feat to be both disciplined and adventurous but, with the able assistance of veteran producer Don Gehman, that's just the trick John Popper and company have turned here. For his part, mouth harp virtuoso Popper makes more like the Stax horns than Satriani, often content to punctuate his band's ever potent rhythms with flourishes as earthy as they are saturnine. But the real news here is the band's rededication to songcraft, an ethos that yields gems from the Little Feat dynamic of "Eventually" and jazz/R&B touches of "My Blessed Pain" and "Thinnest of Air" to the muscular pop hooks of "Let Her & Let Go" and rewarding funk-meets-classicism of "This Ache." It's a tack that's challenged Popper to warm new dimensions of vocal expressiveness as well, and the band to focus its powerhouse abilities into a gritty wallop. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (24)

The Blues band is back and better than ever.
I stopped listening to the Blues Traveler in around 1997. I decided to listen to those loser punk-rock bands. I had the "Four" album, and I liked that alot, but I stashed that somewhere. In 2004 I finally bought their album on the way back home. Since then, I've never stashed this cd anywhere. This cd is pure gold baby!

An excellent effort for Chapter Two
When Bob Sheehan passed away, Blues Traveler reinvented itself with a new bassist and the addition of Ben Wilson on keys.I can't imagine them now without this line-up.As good as they were before, this new lineup suits them very well and seems to have allowed them to really diversify their range of expression.Bridge, their first album with this new lineup, was AMAZING, one of their strongest records, and Truth Be Told is a solid follow up. The songs aren't as catchy as on Bridge, but they really grow on you.They are complex, yet very lyrical.And there is still space for jamming.The new Blues Traveler is distinct from the old one, and this new CD proves that they are evolving well in this new configuration. Blues Traveler is one of my favorite bands and I love what they're doing now.

A great one to have...
If you like rock, jam bands, or jazz, you will love this CD.Just slightly rockier than Blues Traveler's older CDs, you will be impressed my the great harmony and musicianship displayed on Truth Be Told.This has become the CD that I listen to if something is bothering me.Its upbeat and energized essence, to me, even seems inspirational. ... Read more

Asin: B0000AC8P3
Subjects:  1. American Trad Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Jam Bands    4. Pop    5. Rock