Firefall: Friends And Family (Sunset Blvd Records) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

I have such fond memories of Firefall from the mid 70s. They were one of those bands that truly defined an era, and their music continues to transport me back in time. The melodic tunes and soothing vocals of Firefall were a staple on AM radio during those years, and their songs served as the perfect soundtrack to many moments in my life. I vividly recall long summer vacations spent with family, where road trips were accompanied by the timeless tunes of Firefall. Whether it was “You Are The Woman“, “Just Remember I Love You“, or “Strange Way” their music resonated with people of all ages and backgrounds.

One memory that stands out is riding the bus every morning greeted by the familiar sounds of Firefall through the speakers. As we embarked on our daily commute, the catchy melodies and uplifting lyrics set a positive tone for the day ahead. It was a time when music had this incredible power to bring people together, and Firefall’s music embodied that spirit perfectly.

Another memory that stands out is summer vacations in Wildwood, New Jersey during the late 70s. The place we stayed at had a habit of playing all those soft rock hits of the era at full volume over the PA system. The familiar sounds of Firefall and their contemporaries would fill the air, creating that perfect late 70’s polyester ambiance.

And then there were the carpools. Piling into the car, Firefall’s music played in the background, fostering a sense of joy. We would sing along to every word. It seemed like no matter where we were headed, Firefall’s music added something a little extra to the journey.

Looking back, it’s incredible to think that I hadn’t heard these songs in a good 30 years. Yet when I recently listened to them again, I found myself effortlessly singing along, word for word, as if the songs had never left my memory. They truly left an indelible mark on me.

Fast forward to today…. Friends And Family is a new collection of cover songs from Firefall. It’s not your garden variety cover album. In fact, some of the tracks are deep cuts that weren’t big hits. This is a collection of songs that hold special meaning to Jock Bartley, co-founder and current member of Firefall. There songs were curated because of friendships that were forged through relentless touring or playing in bands with the artists themselves.

There are three songs on this collection – “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better” (The Byrds), “Ooh Las Vegas” (Gram Parsons), and “Colorado” (The Flying Burrito Brothers) – that require additional explanation. The roots run very deep. Chris Hillman, who was a founding member of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers as well as a friend and collaborator with the legend that was Gram Parsons, produced Firefall’s first demos. Also, drummer Michael Clark from Spokane, Washington who played with the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, was the drummer for Firefall from 1974 through 1980.

Some of the other notable songs on this fun collection include Long Train Runnin‘ (The Doobie Brothers), Can’t You See (Marshall Tucker Band), Angry Eyes (Loggins and Messina), and Chest Fever(The Band). Any well rounded music collection contains those essential albums that are a must have but there also has to be those good time albums that convert any moment into an instant party. Friends And Family is in the latter category. An album that contains well executed and great sounding songs to get the party started.

Grateful Dead: Wake Of the Flood: The Angel’s Share (Rhino Entertainment) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

I’ve been listening to this nonstop since its release on August 18, 2023 and it is literally a time machine journey 50 years back. This isn’t for the casual Dead listener, I don’t think this would be a good collection starter. But, for the Deadhead that has everything, this is perfect. You really get to see the curtain peeled back and hear the interaction between the band members. That really is priceless to hear Phil, Jerry, and Bobby in their natural environment just being themselves.

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The Waymores: Greener Pastures (Chicken Ranch Records) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Yes indeed! We need way more Waymores. This Atlanta duo is a throwback to a time when country music was authentic and not confused with pop or hip hop. People have been debating whether country music was “real” since the genre was invented. That’s part of the fun of country – arguing over which performers and artists are the most “country”. There is no debate where The Waymores are concerned. They have more country in the frayed edges of their cowboy hats than most of Nashville.

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Too Sad For The Public: Vol 2. Yet And Still – Traditional American Folk Song Stirring by Dick Connette (Story Sound Records) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Yes, it is a long title but Dick Connette can do whatever he pleases. He is music royalty. A well respected musician, composer, and producer with a long spanning career and a resume that is a mile long. This project is proof of Dick’s talents and respect he garners. So many other talented musicians and vocalists were part of this project.

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Sloppy Heads: Sometimes Just One Second (Shrimper Records) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

If you took The Pixies, The Velvet Underground, The Black Lips, and The Jesus And Mary Chain and threw them in a blender and ground ’em up real good, you would end up with the essence of Sloppy Heads. This is just what the doctor ordered if you like your music noisy and a little sloppy. And when I say sloppy, I am talking in a good way. How is sloppy good, you ask? I’m glad you brought that up. Sloppy in this context means not terribly worried about playing everything note for note. Leaving room for improvisation and focusing more on the groove and the chemistry of the musicians rather than just the technical aspects of the music. I guess a synonym would be “looseness”. But that is a very touchy thing. There is a balancing act. You can’t be too loose or too tight and Sloppy Heads get it “just right”.

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Maia Sharp: Reckless Thoughts (Crooked Crown Records) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Singer/Songwriter Maia Sharp has been doing it a long time. This is her 30th year in the music biz. Although not a household name yet, she has made many significant contributions in her own solo career as well as working with other artists. Reckless Thoughts is Maia’s ninth solo effort. Along with those releases, Maia has worked with many well established artists such as Cher, Trisha Yearwood, Terri Clark, Bonnie Raitt, Edwin McCain, and Art Garfunkel. That’s a pretty impressive list of artists.

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Beth Bombara: It All Goes Up (Black Mesa Records) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Beth did it again. She released another fantastic album that really deserves some serious attention. She doesn’t have a big machine behind her or an unlimited budget. Despite these hurdles, Beth delivers a release that has the sound and feel of a major label release. A professional band, sublime vocals and harmonies, great songwriting, and top notch production and engineering.

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Nat Meyers: Yellow Peril (Easy Eye Sound Distributed by Concord) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Take a trip back to the Mississippi Delta circa 1900 with Nat Meyers. He is able to assimilate the essence of all those great country and delta blues artists such as Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, Furry Lewis, et. al. I mean he nails it like a carpenter fastening two pieces of wood. The music is so complete and so authentic you cannot discern which period of time you are in. The only clue is the recording quality, which is definitely modern. There are no pops, crackles, or warbles, which some may argue detracts from the authenticity, but I say nay. The impeccable recording quality of Yellow Peril only adds to the wonderful listening experience. Those extraneous noises in the old recordings make listening a challenge. Yellow Fever takes those obstacles away and you are left with pure 24 karat gold. No fillers or impurities.

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Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives: Altitude (Superlatone Creative Group under exclusive license to Snakefarm Records) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

Get ready to embark on a cosmic journey with Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives as they unleash their new album, “Altitude“. This electrifying album takes the essence of outlaw country and injects it with an undeniable psychedelic flair, transporting listeners to new heights of musical euphoria. With its mesmerizing blend of classic country charm and innovative sonic wizardry, “Altitude” is a sonic experience that will leave you craving for more. So fasten your seatbelts and prepare to soar through the cosmic cowboy realm with Marty and the boys!

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Son Volt: Day Of The Doug (Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers) – Album Review

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan

I don’t usually pay close attention to collections where an artist or group covers an entire album of another artist’s music. I have in the past and I am usually disappointed. I have a certain expectation about the sound based on the work of the previous artist. Frankly, the tribute album very rarely lives up to the original recordings. Of course there are exceptions to all rules. “Dwight Sings Buck” from 2007 is the first one that comes to mind. That is a collection of Buck Owens tunes that were interpreted by Dwight. That is one of the few tribute albums where it matched the quality of the original recordings. The other one that comes to mind is “Songs Of Sahm” by The Bottle Rockets from 2001. That is another collection of Doug Sahm’s music. The third example is of course “Day Of The Doug“.

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