Dvorak: Symphonies Nos. 1/2/3, Supraphon, 1987 (11-1003-2)

This is a 2 CD set which I picked up when I was attending a meeting in Prague in what used to be Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic.  The performances are by the Czech Philhamonic Orchestra under the direction of Vaclav Neumann.  This was a real steal since the dollar was still strong.  This 2 CD set cost about $2 at that time.  These are not cheesy recordings either.  I haven't checked to see if these particular recordings are available in the US.  But, since the insert is written in Czech, English, German, and French, I assume that you can find them here.

I have always been intrigued by the Dvorak symphonies and am now spending alot of time dissecting them.  I've been finding that his symphonies are not quite as sophisticated as a Beethoven symphony, but more moody and melodic.  It has been a real treat to listen to these.  I also picked up the other 2 CD set with symphonies 4, 5, and 6 when I was in Prague, and I'm looking forward to listening to those.

Damn Yankees - Damn Yankees, Warner Bros. Records, 1990 (9-26159-2)

This was the Damn Yankees' first release when the group was first created.   As you can see, I'm still going back through my old rock stuff.  I was really impressed with this CD when it first came out.  The tracks were of a very sophisticated variety, not your typical redundant rock.  The thing I really liked about it was that there was nothing really fancy about the songs.  No ripping guitars, just good music.  The two tracks I really liked were "High Enough" and "Come Again".  But, overall this one passed the three song rule.

The Duke Robillard Band - Duke's Blues, Pointblank Records, 1994 (41344-2-6)

For any blues fan, this is a great and very fun CD.  Duke Robillard takes a bunch of old blues tunes and some new ones and has your basic musical fun with them.   There are a total of 15 tracks.  Some of the old stuff includes "Don't Leave me Baby" (T-Bone Walker) and "Glamour Girl" (B. Carter).  Now Duke Robillard isn't the best musician in the world, but he does a great job with this set.


John Lee Hooker - Chill Out, Pointblank Records, 1995 (40107-2-0)

I was very disappointed with this release by Hooker.  In my opinion, this one didn't even pass the three song rule.  That's not to say that there wasn't anything good.  The title track "Chill Out (Things Gonna Change)" is really nice with Carlos Santana doing a guest appearance.  Then there was this excellent medley entitled "Medley: Serves me Right to Suffer/Syndicator".   I have no clue how that name came about, but it's a nice traditional blues tune with Van Morrison doing guest vocals and guitar.  But other stuff was weak.   The rendition of "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" was pathetic.   Can't say that I'd recommend this one.  You're better off getting Duke's Blues.

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