Raconteurs play by own set of rules
Jack White is a man who plays by his own set of rules.
Rule One: Always be unpredictable.
On their first album in 11 years, The Raconteurs emerge with a tougher almost Classic Rock sound. "Help Me Stranger" is a Stonesy romp that boasts harmonies and their steaming cover of Donovan's "Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness)" reframes the Folk/Blues as a Yardbirds-meets-Stooges strut.
Rule Two: Never change that squealing guitar.
"Bored and Razed" is closer to the Dead Weather or a Queens of the Stone Age rager giving White the release of wailing away.
Rule Three: Always keep them guessing.
Three singles that have nothing in common except that Third Man thumbprint. Each one good enough to stand on its own, but together - always leaving you wanting more.
MARK RONSON
Late Night Feelings
(CD)(RCA)
Four years ago, a producer releasing an album of original music seemed like a big risk. Then he and Bruno Mars delivered "Uptown Funk" and the whole piece was unstoppable.
For 2019, Ronson has promised a far more mature record. While it does not have a booming single, "Late Night Feelings" with Lykke Li richly deserves to be in your sultry summer mixes.
Ronson seems to be interested in taking Pop in a classic Disco direction ("Don't Leave Me Lonely" with YEBBA - one of three songs with the powerful new singer) and yet maintain his mastery of Eighties trickery ("Find U Again" with Camila Cabello and co-written with Kevin Parker of Tame Impala.) "Late Night Feelings" is his celebration of the female voice, its power, its vulnerability and its universality.
PRINCE
Originals
(CD)(Warner Music)
Prince was always known for his songwriting, even in the beginning. In the early portion of his career (and the one that continues to attract new listeners), his amalgam of Disco/Funk/Punk/Rock set him apart from all the rest. Still, writing for himself and two other groups (The Time and Vanity/ Apollonia 6) meant he followed every inspiration.
"I Wanna Be Your Lover" was originally written for Patrice Rushen - which he wisely kept. Smitten with Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles, he ghostwrote and produced their biggest hit "Manic Monday" under the aegis of Christopher.
"Originals" is the latest dive in his hallowed vault. These 14 songs give you the chance to hear his versions of "Jungle Love" and "Sex Shooter" (both of which surprisingly have more thrust) and songs that were gifted to his growing slate of Paisley Park performers ("Baby You're A Trip" for Jill Jones, "The Glamorous Life" a hit for Sheila E. and his more joyful version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" for The Family).
However, "Originals" makes the greatest argument that his sense of refining songs and sealing them in own production is truly the reason future generations will gravitate toward everything from 1979's "Prince" to 1987's "Sign O'The Times."
REISSUESOF THE WEEK
NED DOHENY
Prone
(LP)(Be With Records)
As a singer and songwriter, Ned Doheny dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's before making his debut. His songs were performed by Dave Mason, Cass Elliot, and Average White Band and he was the first artist that David Geffen signed to his Asylum label. However, his silky smooth Pop was lost in the late Seventies. 1976's "Hard Candy" is a real treasure bursting with sinuous Soft Rock grooves and a lost classic track in "Get It Up For Love." Three years later after only achieving stardom in Japan, Doheny tried again with "Prone." While "Prone" effectively follows all the necessary elements of Soft Rock (twinkling Rhodes piano, softly strummed funky guitars and endless background vocals and strings,) it finds Doheny doing far more with his elastic voice ("Funky Love").
In addition, his hooks are sharper as the soaring "Labor of Love" should join "Get It Up For Love" as a staple. Never issued in the States, this album is finally hitting our shores 40 years later.
