CD Reviews for 09/11/07 – The Dynamites, Nick Lowe, John Doe
Compact Capsules for 09/11/07
by Dan Ferguson
by Dan Ferguson
The Dynamites (featuring Charles Walker)
Kaboom!
Outtasight Records OTS-001
Fans of old school soul and R&B are highly encouraged to check out Kaboom! from the Nashville-based Charles Walker & the Dynamites. While the Godfather of Soul he ain’t, the seventysomething Walker and the Dynamites detonante an ass-shakin’ wallop that ought to earn them charter membership in the house that (James) Brown built. (Visit www.thedynamites.net)
Nick Lowe
At My Age
Yep Roc Records YEP-2102
A little bit country (the leadoff track “A Better Man”), a little bit rockabilly (a rousing rendition of Charlie Feather’s’ “The Man In Love”) and a lot of blue-eyed soul sets the stage for the crafty meanderings of Brit tunesmith Nick Lowe on the new At My Age. A seasoned vet whose career dates back to London’s raucous early 1970s pub rock scene which he helped found, an air of suave sophistication hangs over the stylish At My Age. We should all age so gracefully. Highly recommended. (Visit www.nicklowe.net)
Jon Doe
A Year In the Wilderness
Yep Roc Records YEP-2141
Frankly speaking, the solo outings of X front man John Doe over the years have been rather hit or miss affairs. With A Year In the Wilderness, Doe pulls out all the stops rocking as hard as ever (on the solo front) while presenting some of his strongest songs in years – “The Golden State” by its lonesome is an addicting, radio-ready slayer of a tune. And while’s there’s no Exene in tow, duets with the likes of Kathleen Edwards, Aimee Man and Jill Sobule are plenty satisfying in their own right. (Visit www.theejohndoe.com)
(Dan Ferguson is a free-lance music writer and host of The Boudin Barndance, broadcast Thursday nights from 6 – 9 pm on WRIU-FM 90.3. He lives in Peace Dale and can be reached at [email protected].)