Dylan Travelin

All these albums are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year! Despite that half-century separation, 1970 remains a very rich and pivotal year for rock, jazz and soul. As the Beatles were breaking up a whole new generation of artists with a new way of making music was breaking through. They were often less carefree—the advent of a darker and harder type of rock (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin) marked the beginnings of metal, while the Stooges had pre-anticipated punk by several years. In addition, 1970 brought us a unifying style of soul, notably with Curtis Mayfield's first album or Funkadelic's frenetic eponymous record. And let's not forget all of these legends, some of which are still around today: Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Deep Purple, The Who, Elton John, Rod Stewart…

'The American Dream' was Bear Family's complete edition of Ricky Nelson's Verve and Imperial recordings from 1957-1962. The story ended when he left Imperial Records at the end of '62. During those five years, he was among the top-selling record stars… up there with Elvis and Pat Boone. We pick up the story in 1963 when he signed an unprecedentedly lucrative contract with Decca Records. It was the most challenging period of Rick's career. The family sitcom, 'The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriett,' was winding down and Ricky Nelson had to carve out his own future as a musician. After a few hits reviving standards like For You and Fools Rush In, Ricky Nelson completely reinvented his music… and along the way he made the first and some say the greatest country rock records.

While some observers often see Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor as the founders of America's contemporary singer-songwriter movement, the tradition actually dates back to the mid-19th century. The Hutchison Family of Milford, New Hampshire toured the United States singing religious and secular songs supporting numerous populist causes. In the years before World War I, Joe Hill and Ralph Chaplin refashioned traditional songs and hymns into biting anthems for the Industrial Workers of the World.

Some might say that Maria Muldaur, Rory Block and Eric Bibb are as unalike as they are alike. But it's their "unalikeness" wrapped into their likeness that makes this recording something special. This album plays like a joint effort of three old friends having a jam session of sorts. Its totally relaxed, yet full of fervor, wit, and definitive blues/gospel singing. Some of the standouts are Block's version of Bill Wither's "Lean On Me" with great harmony from Muldaur, Bibb's take on Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" and Muldaur's "Bessie's Advice" (cowritten with Bibb). That's just the icing. There's plenty more including two of Block's standards "Rolling Log" and "Maggie Campbell" where one gets to hear her wonderful guitar playing which sounds as fresh as ever. Bibb's languid, bluesy take on "Little Rain" is right on the money! Things close with Muldaur performing one of her old chestnuts, "My Brothers and Sisters". At the end when she cries out "Hallelujah..Thank Ya!..Thank Ya!" one knows that they've just experienced three great talents doing what they were born to do! If you're a fan of music at its most basic and stirring, this recording is a must!

Herman's Hermits were one of those odd 1960's groups that accumulated millions of fans, but precious little respect. Indeed, their status is remarkably similar to that of the Monkees and it's not a coincidence that both groups' music was intended to appeal to younger teenagers.