Steve Winwood - Nine Lives
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Free Music Notes for Nine Lives
Free Music Review: The Grand Master Delivers Once Again!
Hit: 5 Stars
Since Steve Winwood was 16 years old and leading Spencer Davis to their chart leading hits, he has always continued to grow. Exploring new musical ventures and teaming up with Super Star performers, many times at their request. Heck, Jimi Hendrix was astonished that he was going to actually have Steve Winwood record on his Historic Electric Ladyland LP!
Add to this his diversified talents that would draw in Latin Legend Tito Puente and you have a solid idea of just how legendary Steve is.
Sure, he has changed directions several times, from Spencer Davis and earlier goups to the Jazz influenced Super Group Traffic, to the Mega Star Super Group Blind Faith, to his 1980's top pop chart era where he had several major solo hits and today, his 21st Century rebirth into jazz/Latin/Rock. Listen to his 2003 'About Time' and you will hear Steve's solid Jazz/Latin influence coupled with his 'blue-eyed soul' vocals. Not to mention the sound of his terrific Hammond B3 playing, occassionally taking back seat to his equally great guitar work. Yes, a
mega star for certain! Now he brings us Nine Lives!
With Nine Lives, he once again assembles masterful songs, all of which are well arranged and supported with superb musicianship.
The songs range for rockish 'I'm Not Drowning' and 'Dirty City' (where he invited his close friend Eric Clapton to play with him) to the Latin influenced 'We're All Looking' and 'Hungry Man', and both songs will get you feet moving! There is also the classic Winwood easy-flying type song such as the aptly named 'FLY'.
Clapton's guitar work on Dirty City is not overwhelming, and that it exactly as it was intended. It's just as it needs to be to make the song work. And that's what top musician's do. In this case very successfully. For the remainding songs of the 9 on this CD you will be equally pleased and will find memorable enough to want the lyrics.
Mr Winwood turned 60 just days ago, but his vocals are as strong and his musical drive just as steady as it was in his earler rock days.
Do not miss this terrific piece or work. You will play it over and over again! Guaranteed!
Added 6/17/08 - Just Saw Steve at Westbury Music Fair in NY and it was a smash! He played 6 of the 9 songs from 'Nines Lives' along with songs from his 2003 hit 'About Time', Traffic, Blind Faith, his early solo years and nailed them all! If you have the opportunity to see him live, DO NOT miss the chance. He is a most gracious living Legend who loves to entertain us with his musical genius!
Free Music Review: BACK ON HIGHER GROUND
Hit: 5 Stars
It seems as though we forget too easily just how vital Steve Winwood is. His release rate is sporadic, and as the saying goes, `out of sight, out of mind.' Nevertheless, he's been providing us with great music since the British Invasion (yeah, it's been that long) as a member of the Spencer Davis Group, then with Traffic, then Blind Faith, then the revised Traffic, and finally, as a solo artist. His music has always been relaxed and reflective, but with a strong rhythmic drive and a timeless quality that keeps his music relevant through all sorts of stylistic changes. He may not make a lot of records, but he always makes good ones, so it shouldn't surprise me to learn that "Nine Lives" is as good as it is. The surprise is that it's even better than I had any right to expect.
"Nine Lives" sounds a lot like second-generation Traffic, with less noodling and more focus. The songs build on blues riffs, jazz, and folk-rock, all coupled with African and Latin influences. There is precision and elegance to virtually every track on this album, without a single extraneous note. It all makes perfect sense, from the nailed down rhythmic grooves to the song lengths, which linger only long enough to make you want more. "Nine Lives" hearkens back to an era when good music defined our culture, but it doesn't sound the least bit dated or forced. In the best sense, this album could have been released in 1972. With nine tracks passing by in approximately fifty minutes, it's even the right length for a classic vinyl album.
From a topical perspective, Winwood is still relying on the imagery that has served him well in the past. There are lots of metaphors here - flying, drowning (or more specifically, not drowning), raging seas and struggling to find higher ground. He's not a lyrical genius, but the songs are so strong that his words take on a sense of import, and most importantly, he sounds like he really is trying to convey something honestly. Apparently, he still feels as though he's struggling to hang on to something (Relevance? Sanity in a world without pity?), yet the music is never less than relaxed and confident. Is "Nine Lives" as good as his previous solo albums? Definitely. It is certainly his best record since "Arc of a Diver," maybe even since "Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys." There is no filler here, just 100% vintage Steve Winwood, and that is better than good enough for me. A Tom Ryan
Free Music Review: Is He The Comeback Kid?
Hit: 5 Stars
First, I concur that if your looking for the abject dross that seemed to constitue lil' Stevie Winwood from the disaster of 'Roll With It' up to(but not including) apparently with this ears, 'About Time.' This CD is not for you. On the other hand there are referents to songs nicely buried referring to 'Back In The High Life Again.' I hear them, does anyone else?
I need not recapitulate the history and accomplishment of Mr. Steve Winwood. The corpus of par excellent recordings adequately speaks for itself; At the same time a curious blandess and unfocusedness began with 'Roll With It.' 'Roll With It' was so lame, so bland and so empty of merit that it finally convinced me that Mr. Winwood had finally "lost it."
I have always loved 'Winwood' the currently unhavable first solo album. Had it on vinyl. Miss it now. 'Talking Back To The Night' was okay. 'Back In The High Life Again' was a rather twisted return to form intermingling overt pop with something else.' Arc Of A Diver?' The jury is still out.
Then suddenly 'About Time' came out. Heard something from it and thought? Well, maybe he hasn't actually lost it. Don't have 'About Time.' On order.
The entire catalog of Traffic has been remastered. And the excellent 'Last Traffic Jam' has been released. All of which I have summarily noted.
Now, Nine Lives has been released. It's not a Winwood bland "Sellout." See 'Roll With It.' Rather it is something akin to Traffic and his first album with kudos referents thrown to 'Back In The Highlife Again.'
Any Winwood fan already has heard "Dirty City." The big question is whether this album can stand the test of time like the solo 'Winwood' or the timeless Traffic releases?
I'd say definitely, yes. Despite the more cynical reviews above; I think that this is a singular forward movement and yet a throwback to the jazz/blues/rhythm era of Winwood development. For those wide eyed cynics I say: Hell what do you want him to do? Reinvent the wheel?
Free Music Review: Superb Album that gets better with every listening
Hit: 5 Stars
Well worth the 5-6 year wait and I can't stop playing this album. Its thematically similar to Steve's last album - the excellent About Time - but even more innovative and enjoyable.
When I first heard About Time, it looks 10+ listenings before I could appreciate all the songs. Its the same thing on this one. The music arrangements are complex and rich with standout work by the whole band - Steve, Jose Neto, Karl, Paul and Richard. The lyrics are very interesting with a spiritual feel.
As in any great album, its hard to single out one song or musician as being the key person - Steve's vocals and hammond organ work, Jose Neto's playful guitar grooves, Karl's incredible percussion, Paul's haunting flute and sax work, and Richard's drum work and Peter's lyrics - a real team effort.
As Steve stated in an inteview, the album came out of music that the band played in their Live sessions and it has that loose and innovative feel to it. I went to all their concerts in SF in 05 and LA in 06 and the live set has the best jamming I've heard in years. I hope Steve's successes inspire his contemporaries to experiment with more collaborative, soulful music instead of chasing radio hits or just playing the old hits.
I'm looking forward to Steve's tour with Tom Petty this summer. You know its a great album when I'm looking forward to hearing the new songs live more than the Traffic classics. Keep the new music coming, Steve and the band and thanks for a great album!
Free Music Review: Perfect and timeless
Hit: 5 Stars
I first heard of Steve Winwood in the 80's while still in high school. He had a few hits during that time that made there way into the pops charts when videos were becoming increasingly popular and better made. I had no idea that it would take me another 20+ years before I'd actually purchase an album of his and fall in love with his perfect pitch voice and the seemingly endless array of genres of music he can play. I downloaded the music after hearing 'Dirty City' played on the morning news on the release date. It caught my attention and did not let go. After reviewing the other samples I immediately purchased the entire album. From beginning to end you will enjoy this 9 song collection. From the acoustic 'I'm Not Drowning' through the funk & jazz inspired 'Hungry Man' to the gospel-organ tinged 'At Times We Do Forget' I was completely thrilled with this album.
I am someone who will rock out with Jay-Z or Linkin Park, listen to Nine Inch Nails, Celine and Mariah Carey. But every now and then I will want to relax and get a dose of Steve and his silky voice. A true music fan of any kind will enjoy this album. Don't limit yourselves. You will also hear Brazil and African drum influences as well. With a great sound system you hear and feel so many colors in this music, I don't see how you can't...