Willie Nile - Looney Tunes CD's

Here are a couple of shots from tonight's in store performance to celebrate the release of his new CD "American Ride".  The new album is yet another fine release by this critics fave who has been criminally overlooked by the mainstream music world.  Check him out at the Highline Ballroom in NYC Wednesday night.

Willie Nile - The Innocent Ones

For years I had a cursory awareness of Willie Nile.  He made some records in the 80's that I remembered hearing but I was never "a fan" in that I kept up with him as time passed.  Every 10 years or so you would see a review of an album or show but the output was never what you would call consistent.  For me things changed with the release of 2005's "Streets of New York".  Essentially a love letter to NYC, this album captured the city in a way no other had.  Frankly it was absolutely brilliant.

2010 saw the "release" of "The Innocent Ones" in Europe.  The album will see its domestic release on November 22nd here in the US.  "The Innocent Ones" is another dose of superior songwriting that is somewhere between Bob Dylan and The Clash.  Often times deceiving in its folk approach, the topics and delivery are more often CBGB's than The Bitter End.

There is some really great rock music on this album.  Willie Nile tackles some of the realities of the past couple of years and there isn't always a happy ending.


 “This album,” he says, “includes a number of songs dedicated to the downtrodden, the forgotten, the outcasts, the hopeless — the innocent ones. It deals with some heavy issues here and there, but at the same time I think it’s an upbeat, feel-good record. I wanted it to be light on its feet and fun to listen to, and it’s all that.”


"Singin' Bell", "The Innocent Ones" and "Rich and Broken" are among his best.  Folks this is a true believer in the power of rock & roll.  Check this one out and grab Streets of New York while you are at it.  You won't be disappointed.  No question this gets the OldRockr1 Seal of Approval.

Some Recent CD Purchases

Ian Hunter - Man Overboard

Ian is now 70. It's hard to get used to our Rock & Roll heroes getting old. In this case though, older does not mean boring. Following up on the strength of Rant and Shrunken Heads, Ian returns with another excellent release. Not as rocking but no less gripping as some of his best work. Another triumph.

Ashley Cleveland - God Don't Never Change

Mike Farris - Shout! Live

I come out of the Lutheran tradition. Germans. The "frozen chosen". Don't take this as a slam on my church, it's just the way it is. The Good News is not shared through foot stomping, hand clapping, Praise-The-Lord Gospel. These CD's do that, and they do it well. They may not make you a believer, but they might make you wish you were!

Return To Forever - Returns

I'm a casual jazz fan. I tend to like some fusion and most of what I like I came to through my rock leanings (Jeff Beck, Larry Carlton). Back in the 80's I was working at Looney Tunes where I was introduced to Return to Forever's Romantic Warrior. I finally found some "real jazz" that I could get into. I still break that one out on occasion.

I missed the reunion tour (the United Center is just too hard to get to) but I did pick up this 2-CD live recording recently. It's pretty good, in particular Corea and DiMeola really stretch out on some extended pieces. I should have went...



Vintage RTF - Romantic Warrior

Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood - Live From Madison Square Garden

I really was quite excited to see this show. Clapton is a favorite and Winwood is one of the best voices in rock so expectations were high. For me the show did not disappoint. Clapton and Winwood shared vocal duties (a little more weighted in Steve's favor) and most of the tunes gave them the chance to stretch out a bit. This CD is worth it for their take on Voodoo Child alone. Clapton has really become re-energized of late, especially when he lets someone else sign and he just plays the guitar. I love this stuff.

Willie Nile - House of a Thousand Guitars

This is the follow up to his exceptional 2006 release "Streets of New York". Willie Nile is a name you may know but are really not familiar with. The sound echoes Dylan a bit in the vocals and he is most definitely a New York singer-songwriter. One that rocks! This is another fine effort that is worth your time to check out. The video clip is from his recent live cd.