Chris Isaak - San Francisco Days

Chris Isaak's first album in four years, "San Francisco Days," marks no great departures from his previous three. Recorded once again with his same Silvertone band and producer Erik Jacobsen, this is another Isaak collection of brooding songs about unslaked lust and half-completed break-ups; his restrained but lush voice is still out in front of the heavily echoed popabilly guitars. Nonetheless there are subtle differences in this project that make it more varied, more open, more aggressive and better overall than its predecessors. For example, "Lonely with a Broken Heart" sounds like the ultimate Isaak title, but the song is delivered at a brisk swing tempo, pushed by the soulful B-3 organ of the Robert Cray Band's Jimmy Pugh, and Isaak's carefree vocal makes it clear that the song is meant as a sarcastic taunt to a lover who expects him to come crawling back. A similar twist informs "Except the New Girl," which is lit up by lovely steel guitar lines from Tom Brumley (ex-Buck Owens); Isaak confesses to a woman that "there's never been anyone else...," but then adds the kicker, "except the new girl." "Round & Round" features some dirty guitar and a chugging beat, while the album closes with the best song Neil Diamond ever wrote, "Solitary Man," which sounds more lonely and desperate in this minimalist arrangement than it ever did before. Isaak's trump card, as always, is his singing. Like his heroes Roy Orbison and Don Everly, Isaak sings as if it were always 3 a.m., when every other gambit has failed and there are no options left but complete honesty. He pulls so tightly on the reins to his voice that he usually sings in a husky whisper, which is no less lush for being held back. And when he loosens the reins and allows his handsome tenor to rise in power, as it does on the incandescent falsetto chorus to the first single, "Can't Do a Thing (To Stop Me)," the effect is thrilling. --Jeffrey Himes Amazon.com

I Severed My Vinyl Cord

In 1993,this was the last new vinyl recording I purchased after almost twenty years of collecting LPs.



As I succumbed to "peer pressure" and started buying more and more CDs, I saw this album and decided that I would buy the LP version of this recording rather than the CD version because I considered Chris Issak's music to be of "classical" stature.

I still do.

I know the term "classic" is often thrown around and doesn't hold as much meaning as it used to, but there is something about Issak's music that really moves me into a deeper place of appreciation. Chris Issak is a surfer and maybe this has something to do with it. Surfers tends to be very in touch with those "primitive" elements that make up life. They tend to wear their soul on their sleeve and look at life as a series of waves. Some are big. Some are small. But you have to ride them to get the experience.

I have friends' that say I often read too much "into" things. Maybe they don't read into things enough.

Out of all the great songs on this album, the one I love the most is, 'Can't Do A Thing To Stop Me'. It's very jazzy, but don't let its jazziness fool you. It's a very haunting song. At the time this recording came out I had a girl in my life that I just couldn't get out of my head. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't stalk the poor girl after we went our separate ways, but it made me realize how easily it is to go from infatuation to obsession. I think the only reason why I didn't become obsessed is because I just didn't want to be "that guy".

He also does an incredible cover of Solitary Man. The boy can sing. He really can. Now I do have a confession for all of you, I do have an obsession. My obsession is good, quality music. I had at one time 400+ vinyl recordings but like the stupid kid I was at the time, I got rid of them...all of them...all of them except for the very last record I bought; this record--this beautiful, wonderful record.

So maybe I did sever my vinyl cord...but over the last few years I've taken control of my senses as well as my soul and have gone back to the big black platters that some thought were just a waste of space and didn't have the "quality" of sound that CDs had to offer. I tend to disagree...but then again, I also have a rotary phone. Maybe the thing I'm really obsessed with is just the elegance that simplicity can offer. Which is probably why I love this recording so much; it's bare bones...simple...classic and if you're into the soul of things rather than the form, you'll love this recording.

Happy Listening.

And no, I don't want to sell my vinyl copy.

Peace and Blessings,
john, 'the Light Coach'





November 4, 2008

Good chilled listening

This is a good CD for some laid back time. The guitar work & singing are great, and in particular the cover of "Solitary Man," which is good enough to stand next to Johnny Cash's version.

Good stuff. October 22, 2008

How to Follow Wicked Game

First, write a song which kinda puts you in the mindset of "Wicked Game," like "Can't Do A Thing (To Stop Me)." Then, put this complete piece of fluff on a regular album, which also has plenty of good songs on it. This album broke some new ground for Chris; a bit more spohisticated than the moody moping and borderline stalking we had grown to love. Really good tunes with a new dimension, e.g. "San Francisco Days," "Beautiful Homes." "Two Hearts," "Lonely With A Broken Heart," and a killer cover at the end. August 28, 2007

Chris Isaak-Yes Yes

This CD is Totally Great! and I could listen to it over and over-- and I do. You will not be disappointed by anything he has done. Please check him out. May 13, 2007

The candyking of earsmoothies

Chris Isaak. This CD moves you With a big moooooove. So groovy that it hurts your`e soul. The opening track San Francisco Days, it`s an uptempo smooth soul rocker, with plenty of passion. The voice of Chris Isaak is like a "cool off" when you feel too much chills and trills in your body. Just pure magic. Track 2 Beautiful Homes, is also an uptempo rock and roller. This is more ordinary in the musical departement, but his voice brings the power to the whole adventure. Track 3 Round "N" Round
has a touch of "woodoo hoodoo" feel over it`s, but it` spinns into not too clever directions as a whole,but certainly moody enough. Track 4 Two hearts is a heartful song With enough passion to bring you down,down on youre knee begging for more. The etnic latino touch helps a lot. Track 5 Can`t do a thing( To stop me) is more average at Isaak standard, but the feel, the grove, oh yees. Everything is solid craftmanship. Track 6 Except The new girl is more like an uptempo "country rocker" that shines
on every "blue note". Track 7 Waiting is a minor let down. More slow and sometimes gives you a more insignificant feel over the whole musical experience. Track 8 Move along brings you deep,deep down, and yeees you can feeel it. Eargaasm !. Track 9 I wan`t your love is an uptempo rock&roller that knows it roots,. It has the right touch of "rockabilly feel" and greatness certainly shines on this one. Track 105:15 is way deep down with a "blue Cold "atmosphere sparkles all over. Track 11 Lonley with a broken heart, is a rock and roller with the right creative touches on the right places. Track 11 Solitary man is a simple and ok song,. Quite god. Anyway Chris Isaak is the Candyking for earsmoothies so full of passion, so full of soul.

August 24, 2006

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