Steve Winwood - Nine Lives
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Free Music Notes for Nine Lives
Free Music Review: Cold Brew
Hit: 4 Stars
On Steve Winwood's CD About Time, his version of "Why Can't We Live Together" hypnotized my ears, maybe my personal favorite track of the decade so far. On "Nine Lives" Winwood is in fine form. The opener "I'm Not Drowning" has distinctive percussion and Winwood's vocals moaning, "Count the cost, ghost waiting where the roads all cross." "Raging Sea" is an excellent track if you are patient enough to let its rolling rhythms and Winwood's voice like a siren draw you into the mix. "Dirty City" pulses to a slow groove with Eric Clapton's guitar stinging as Winwood sings with equal parts allure and sinister sharpness. "Secrets" is a good track with Winwood's B3 on fire & a nice touch with Paul Booth's flute. Winwood's "Nine Lives" is firmly rooted in the sound, exploring the six & seven minute jam that reprises the progressive rock era. As a set, the songs tend to blend a bit with similar tempos & percussion, as good as it is. Still, this is a strong set that goes down smooth like a cold brew. Enjoy!Free Music Review: Steve gets back to basics
Hit: 4 Stars
The latin influenes are still evident in this newest release by Winwood and his band, but the guitar has moved to the foreground on this new collection of songs. Perhaps influenced by his inclusion at the Crossroads guitar festival last summer, Steve has put the guitar squarely at the center of the two most compelling songs on the album, I'm Not Drowning and Dirty City (a nice dirty guitar sound on the latter). On Fly the band brings together Brazilain and Celtic influences. Raging Sea is a funky bass driven ditty and Hungry Man is an African influenced aong with a skittering guitar reminiscent of Paul Simon's Rythm of the Saints recordings. Nine Lives is Steve's ninth album and contains nine songs, hence the name. For his fans a satisfying new album and just as improtant, a concert tour. With the attention the forthcoming album genrated Steve has played three amazing dates at Madison Square Garden with Eric Clapton (we can only hope that a DVD of these performances will be available in the future) and now a summer and fall tour with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.Free Music Review: They call me mellow yellow
Hit: 4 Stars
This is another fine piece of work from Steve Winwood, who's unique voice and keyboard playing have blessed the world for over forty years.
After all these years it is difficult for an artist such as he to stir up the emotions of youth but the experience of the years of playing with some of the best in the world shows through.
For me this is a direct descendent from the Traffic years with the jazzy and funky orientated pieces and the homage to Chris Woods with the hauntingly beautiful flute contibutions. I may be reading too much into this by suggesting that this is Winwood's Eulogy to his former bandmates, most of whom are no longer with us.
I particularly enjoyed Hungry Man which could well have been a jam with the Grateful Dead from their second album Anthem of the Sun.
This album grows and grows with repeated playing and at higher volumes and is particularly appropriate in these long hot days of summer here in North carolina. If you liked High heeled Boys or On the Road, then you will like this.
Free Music Review: It's all about the groove...
Hit: 4 Stars
How many artists produce their best work when they're 59? That's what Winwood has done here -- at least if you're only talking about his solo work.
With the exception of "I'm Not Drowning" and "Dirty City," this disc stays more or less with the Latin-ish groove that characterized 2003's ABOUT TIME. But while that disc was smoother and more consistent, Winwood's decision to so severely limit the instrumentation was a bit too restricting. That problem doesn't show up here.
Winwood's emphasis on "the groove" as opposed to other elements of the music (he's long had the odd ability to make lyrics seem unimportant even while singing them with great feeling) means that his songs often work better as driving music or "up-front background music" than anything else. Those who want something to sing along with may not be impressed with a lot of this disc, but those who appreciate a good groove (like fans of '70s Traffic) will.
Free Music Review: If you liked him in "Blind Faith" and his jazzy phases, this CD is for you
Hit: 4 Stars
I've liked Steve Winwood through most of his career, including Blind Faith, Traffic, and his solo music. I'm not as much a fan of the pop tunes as I am the jazzier, bluesier music.
The single of "Dirty City" a gritty Blind Faith style number with his old friend Eric Clapton led this CD out into radioland. It's my favorite cut of the collection and the reason I bought the CD.
"Fly" is lovely. The flute at the end of the song is compelling and really conjures up the image of flight.
I'd like to see "At Times we Forget" get some airplay. It's got strong lyrics and is a good listen.
Check out the samples on this page and see what you think. While this CD is mostly jazz and blues influenced, fans of Winwood's pop may find a few cuts they really enjoy--and the price for this collection is excellent.