Mobb Deep – “Infinite” review

Queens, New York duo Mobb Deep consisting of Havoc & the late Prodigy teaming up with Mass Appeal Records for their 9th & final album. Releasing their debut Juvenile Hell under Island Records to mixed reception, The Infamous… & Hell on Earth through Loud Records & RCA Records would both become amongst the greatest east coast LPs ever. Murda Muzik distributed by Columbia Records would also be well received, but their final Loud offering Infamy as well as the Jive Records-backed Amerika’z Nightmare & of course Blood Money during a polarizing tenure on G-Unit Records/Interscope Records all left fans divided in the 2000s. Over a decade since The Infamous…Mobb Deep however, the 4th entry of Mass Appeal’s ongoing Legend Has It saga is now here preserving the Mobb’s Infinite legacy.

“Against the World” starts with Havoc sampling jazz & soul echoing the sentiments of former rival 2Pac’s magnum Me Against the World ending with Hav telling Bandana P that he’ll see him on the other side during the outro whereas “Gunfire” produced by The Alchemist takes the boom bap route to spit lyrical bullets at their competition. “Easy Bruh” stays in the basement instrumentally suggests to take things smoothly while “Look at Me” featuring Clipse unites 2 of the greatest gangsta rap duos of all-time.

Big Noyd joins forces with “The M. The O. The B. The B.” for a sinister dedication to the group itself leading into “Down for You” featuring Nas works in a string sample for the trio to show a romantic side to all 3 of them individually. “Taj Mahal” was another great single choice even if it’s pretty much Uncle Al remixing the 2011 leaked Prodigy track “Night Life” by flipping “[The Infamous Prelude]” & Havoc adding his own verse, but then “Mr. Magik” vividly compares themselves to magicians.

“Score Points” locks in with Alchemist for the 2nd to last time taking a luxurious approach to the beat trusting the process promising to make y’all disappear like rabbits in hat tricks referring to the previous song & “My Era” marks Uncle Al’s final contribution to Infinite, reminding that Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) & The Infamous… defined the east coast 3 decades ago. “Pour My Henny” featuring Nas links back up with each other for an ode to whiskey while “Clear Black Nights” featuring Ghostface Killah & Raekwon talks about being either with them or against them.

The song “Discontinued” winds down the LP’s final act by flexing that they don’t make ‘em like the Mobb anymore over a raw boom bap instrumental & unfortunately, “Love the Way” featuring Nas is a blatant remix of the final single “Down for You” that dropped yesterday. “We the Real Thing” however makes it up for it with them giving a middle finger to the idea of rap beef since they got real drama going on such as having people out in the streets plotting to put bounties on their heads.

Infinite thus far surpasses Victory, The Emperor’s New Clothes & Supreme Clientele 2 as the greatest entry of the Legend Has It series by making a full circle moment out of the batch of unreleased Prodigy verses Havoc & The Alchemist used all over Infinite. It additionally recaptures the classically raw, dark & genuine Mobb Deep energy & sound that shaped the beloved Queensbridge duo I was thankful to see live a decade ago whilst addressing the current state of the culture.

Score: 4.5/5

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Rich Amiri – “Grit & Grace” review

Here is the 5th studio LP from Boston, Massachusetts rapper & singer/songwriter Rich Amiri. Turning heads for 4 years now off the strength of his debut EP Ethereal, the 4ersona member would go on to follow it up with 6 more EPs before signing to Internet Money Records & introducing himself to a wider audience on the aptly titled Evolution followed by the sophomore effort Ghetto Fabulous. He landed a spot in last year’s XXL Freshman Class, coming off War Ready last winter to spread Grit & Grace.

“So Long” kick things off with Amiri talking about having to cut a few people off in order for him to blow up & having no regrets whereas “Lights Out” apologizes in advance if he’s been too serious since he dislikes young hoes until the buzzkill outro. “I Don’t Mind” assures that this chick will wish she picked him in a matter of time prior to “Flex N Finesse” talking about the 2 things that he likes to do.

The beat switch on “See Us Now” was enjoyable living like a player until he waits for karma gets him for all the bad he’s done in his life while the lead single “Paranoid” asks if the world’s against him or if Amiri’s buggin’. “Twin Flame” talks about feeling like he’s back in 2016 wondering how he lost his sauce when he’s the one who made it just before “Hoes Mad” turns up 1 time out of spite of these bitches.

“Homesick” starts the 2nd half with another highlight moment minimally diving into his spirituality while the final single “In & Out”responds to 9 Vicious wanting to beef with him, assuring that it had nothing to do with a woman. “Moving Dumb” talks about not fucking around with his payroll since he’s a $1M man & being made for this while “In That Mode” compares himself to a punk rockstar, cautioning that you don’t want smoke with him.

We have some cool sampling chops for the couple minutes “Never Had I” has to offer talking about focusing on stacking his cheddar & keeping his head to when his homie died since it always gets better while the rage-inducing “Brick Brick” confidently assures he’ll be fine. “Party Rock” produced by Synthetic could easily be my favorite track here dismissing a female calling him her Romeo while the closer “Code Red” talks about not coming to fuck around.

In no way am I trying to discredit Rich Amiri’s passion to expand by taking a different approach to Grit & Grace as well as taking heavy inspiration from one of my top 10 producers of all-time Ye or formerly Kanye West regardless of having to take a step back from the fandom because of his inexcusable behavior during the first half of the year, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as Evolution & Ghetto Fabulous or even War Ready mostly because the production isn’t as interesting.

Score: 3/5

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Charles Lloyd – “Figure in Blue” review

Charles Lloyd is an 87 year old tenor saxophonist & flautist from Memphis, Tennessee with over 2 dozen full-lengths under his belt already since the late 50s. He has spent the last decade with my favorite jazz label of all-time Blue Note Records dropping exemplary late career material that includes I Long to See You as well as Tone Poem & The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow. However, he’s following up the latter with his 32nd full-length comprised of 2 discs containing 7 songs each.

“Abide with Me” begins with this calming intro working in a saxophone & Jason Moran playing piano whereas “Hina Hanta, The Way of Peace” moves forward by delivering a nearly 8 minute post-bop composition keeping the keys & sax in tact. “Figure in Blue, Memories of Duke” remembers the late Duke Ellington letting Jason shine more instrumentally just before “Desolation Sound” lets Charles take the spotlight with his saxophone once more.

Meanwhile on “Ruminations”, we have guitarist Marvin Sewell accompanying Charles Lloyd & Jason Moran for 10 & a half more minutes of peacefully improvisational post-bop leading into “Chulahoma” focusing more around the saxophone & guitar. Reaching the halfway point, “Song My Lady Sings” brings all 3 instrumentalists together for a serene 8 & a half minute post-bop jam while “The Ghost of Lady Day” starts the 2nd act with a Billie Holiday rendition.

“Blues for Langston” gives his flowers to the late Langston Hughes” until we’re treated to a couplet of Duke Ellington covers: “Heaven” & “Black Butterfly”. The song “Ancient Rain” takes up 111 seconds with a tenor saxophone while “Hymn to the Mother, for Zakir” takes a moment to remember the late Zakir Hussain. The closer “Somewhere” finishes Figure in Blue with Charles & Jason playing piano & tenor sax for the LP’s final 4 & a half minutes.

Spaciously travels wide expanses of musical terrain from beautiful ballads to raw Delta blues, the 4th full-length Charles Lloyd has created since signing to Blue Note Records could be the most heartfelt entry in his entire discography reflecting everything that’s defined his entire life. Combining original & re-recorded material for an autumnal double album, he salutes those who inspired him over 6 decades ago with an hour & a half long memoir.

Score: 3.5/5

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Detroit YB – “Losses 2 Lessons” review

Detroit, Michigan rapper & Hustle By Any Means Records founder Detroit YB returning after 4 years to release his 3rd studio LP. Breaking out by dropping the 3:13 & The Heart of My City EPs back-to-back almost a decade ago already, he would go on to follow it up with the full-length debut Hustle SZN & the sophomore effort caught himself finding Beauty in the Struggle. 4Closure was a great EP too & he’s back after so long to talk about him turning Losses 2 Lessons calling to make Jesus great again.

After the titular intro, the first song “A Talk with Jesus” starts up with a ghostly trap opener talking about desiring to connect with people on higher measures whereas “Mark 836” asks what good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul. “Home Run” reflects on going from being to the backseat of the ride to the front & after the “Spoken Pain” interlude, “Adopted Pain” talks about being used to the style of living he’s accustomed to.

“Back Against the Wall” continues by proclaiming himself to be the one to call whenever anyone needs help making movement without breaking laws while “Aesthetics” talks about biters stealing his flow only to blow it because they can’t walk in his shoes. “The Vessel” featuring Fenesse the World finds the 2 teaming up to advise know where you’re going when leaving above the surface while “Toxic Whirlwind” talks about being meant to part ways with an ex.

After the “James 44” interlude, “Compromised” kicks off the 2nd half of the album by addressing his upbringings for almost 3 minutes whether it be starting out beatboxing or knocking someone up resulting in abortion while “13th Round” meshes some bells & hi-hats to talk about being in a whole different fight now. “Taking Up Space” works in some pianos & strings to buy himself peace after the pain he’s experienced while “Heaven Worth It” talks about those thinking like snakes still being serpents.

“Word Play” featuring Phenell puts their pens to the test seeing whose wordplay is the strongest while “Trip 2 Belize” takes a moment to think all by himself. After the “T.B.U.” interlude, “Thinking Bout U” recalls the first time he met his soulmate feeling like magic while “Neva Gona Lose” talks about not catching any Ls. “Make Things Right” soulfully wraps things up promising he’d fix things if he had his way.

It’s been quite some time since Detroit YB has had an entire body of work by himself excluding the Forever Soulo collaborative project with 1Way Monte over 21 months ago, but his transformation of Losses 2 Lessons breaks down his personal growth since the current decade nears the end of the halfway point taking us through the point of view of God himself providing tons of positive affirmations full of problem solving & healing.

Score: 4.5/5

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Taylor Swift – “The Life of a Showgirl” review

What can be said regarding West Reading, Pennsylvania singer/songwriter, actress, producer & director Taylor Swift that has been said already? From the successes of Red & 1989 as well as the superior Republic Records sophomore effort Folklore & it’s sequel Evermore to her engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, there’s no denying Taylor’s status as a global icon. The Tortured Poets Department was widely panned a year & a half ago, to which I can’t blame Jack Antonoff for at all since my issues lied more with the writing on “So High School” & “I Hate It Here”. The same woman who used to babysit the children of former CWA Heavyweight Champion, 6-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, WWE Hall of Famer, 6-time WWE world champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion, 6-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, TNA Wrestling co-founder & AEW’s current Director of Business Development Jeff Jarrett said her 12th album was more lively than the bleak predecessor & I was wondering if that was the case.

“The Fate of Ophelia” in my opinion isn’t that bad of a dance-pop rock intro with cute little references to the Shakespeare play Hamlet while “Elizabeth Taylor” unfortunately marks the decline in quality not doing the late actress’ memory that much justice from the generic instrumental to the songwriting. On the contrary, “Opiate” was a decent dance-pop jam comparing the sky to opalescent glass & “Father Figure” botches the George Michael single of the same name.

We get some pianos all over “Eldest Daughter” singing about all the oldest daughters in families being the first lambs to be slaughtered just before “Ruin the Friendship” publicly addresses Jeff Lang. The worst song on The Life of a Showgirl by a landslide “Actually Romantic” oozes with bitterness over Charli XCX when brat singlehandedly clears Taylor’s discography & the derivative “Wi$h Li$t” somehow someway isn’t any better despite the topic of her dream life with Travis.

“Wood” starts the final leg of the LP with a sequel to “Out of the Woods” off 1989 that I can appreciate, although I can’t really say the same for my 2nd least favorite track here “Cancelled!”not living up to the “banger” Travis hyped it up to be whatsoever fumbling the cancel culture concept. “Honey” brings the keys back in the fold giving Travis a pass to call her by that nickname & the title track featuring Sabrina Carpenter thanks everyone for an unforgettable night.

The Tortured Poets Department was easily the messiest full-length in Taylor Swift’s entire discography & I’m very much happy for her & Travis Kelce’s engagement, but The Life of a Showgirl for a conceptual opus themed around being an entertainer doesn’t compel me like The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars or The Wall. I prefer what Jack was going for last time as opposed to the pop, pop rock, contemporary R&B, alt-pop, dance-pop & urban cowboy production Max Martin & Shellback go for coming off bland.

Score: 1.5/5

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13° – “Black Fridayz” review

Chicago, Illinois rapper 13° making his full-length studio debut. Starting out a couple years ago off his first couple mixtapes Urban Junkie & Metropolitan respectively, he would go on to follow both of those up with Uptown Dropout as well as Clique City & it’s sequel. His debut EP Cyber Sundayz a little over a couple months ago caught the attention of Island Records, who recently signed the Chi-Town up-&-comer to make a wider exposure on Black Fridayz.

“Intercontinental” was a boisterous trap intro advising that anyone who doesn’t give a fuck about up should from hereon out whereas “Rooftopz” hooks up some synthesizers to talk about the love this woman is giving him makes him feel right at home. The title track lets everyone in on exactly how chaotic his mind can be just before “Fake Killa” talks about nobody saving him if he goes the wrong way.

Pop rap, trap & future bass all collide during the single “Champain” feeling like a king when he steps in the room while “Lil Mama” encourages the apple of his eye to put on the dress he got her & get geeked. “Chiraq Child” featuring lil2posh finds the pair coming together to talk about growing up in the Windy City leading into the standout “Palace” produced by BNYX of Working on Dying flexing his current status.

“Spike Snapback” starts the final leg of Black Fridayz by keeping a firm grip on the gas pedal while “I’m Turnt” psychedelically talks about his life being lit these days. “Exotic Strippaz” throws it back to the Clique City era while “Ghetto Hipster” talks about being fashionable & hood at the same time. The closer “Drive Safe” finishes 13’s debut pleading to stop telling him to be patient when he’s losing patience.

Allegedly his final hip hop project, it’s hard for me to say what’s next for 13° but what I can tell you is that Black Fridayz maintains the trap/pop rap fusions that made Clique City 2 so special & turns it up to 11 now that he’s got Island Records supporting him. The production feels modern & nostalgic at the same time, taking up the half hour of his major label debut to reach a wider crowd using distinctive flows.

Score: 3.5/5

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Stevie Stone – “No Blueprints” review

St. Louis, Missouri emcee Stevie Stone is back with his 8th studio LP. Garnering attention attention as one of the very last 2 artists to ever sign with Ruthless Records alongside Hopsin, both of their full-length debuts New Kid Comin’ & Gazing at the Moonlight received little to no promotion leading both artists to leave the crumbling label. Hopsin went on to form Funk Volume shortly after before closing shop in 2016 whereas Stevie signed to Strange Music in 2012. He eventually became one of the label’s flagship artists up until he left last spring to form his own label Ahdasee Records following his previous album Black Lion. It’s been over 3 years since Raising the Bar & had expectations of No Blueprints improving on its predecessor to become the best thing he’s done since leaving Strange & doing entrance music for the likes of former The Crash Pesocompleto Campeon, Evolve Champion, 2-time WWE United States Champion Austin Theory as well as 5-time WWE tag team champions The Street Profits and former 2-time WWE Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, WWE World Tag Team Champion, 2-time IWGPヘビー級チャンピオン, PWG World Champion, the inaugural ROH Pure Champion, former ROH World Tag Team Champion, 3-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, 4-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, 2-time TNA World Champion, the inaugural 6-time TNA X Division Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion & RPW British Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles.

“Big Steppa” opens with a dark trap instrumental suggesting to bundle up with him up in the function whereas “Booty Quake” moves forward with a decent strip club anthem produced by Wyshmaster. “In Too Deep” featuring Spaide R.I.P.P.E.R. finds the 2 teaming up for a trap/gangsta rap crossover talking about real ones being around them while “Like They Used To” featuring Swisher Sleep addresses the people who want to see them stop.

Ant Bomb makes the first of 3 appearances on “Rebels” talking about their rebellious tendencies leading into “Ferris Bueller” referencing former WWE United States Champion & NXT North American Champion Solo Sikoa. “2 the Sky” featuring Ant Bomb reunites for a cloudy weed smoker’s anthem prior to “Audience for 2” fusing trap & pop rap getting seductive lyrically.

“Merry Go” featuring Bacon the General & Spaide R.I.P.P.E.R. finds the trio talking about how they’d make bodies roll just before “When We Link” gets back on the pop rap/trap vibes. “Slow Down” featuring Rittz takes a more serious tone discussing losing their lives if they don’t pump the brakes while “Awake” takes a few minutes to get conscious. The title track ends Stevie’s return by passionately talking about there never being a plan.

All that I wanted out of No Blueprints was for it to be an improvement above Raising the Bar & that’s pretty much what I got, simultaneously making it the best of the 2 albums we’ve gotten from Stevie Stone since he started up Ahdasee Records. It represents where he’s at in his career currently from in-house producer MixedByBlitz’ production to the guests showcasing some of the artists he’s already signed besides Rittz.

Score: 3.5/5

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X-Raided – “A Prophecy in Purgatory” review

Sacramento, California veteran X-Raided starting October with his 19th album. Exploding onto the scene in 1992 off the strength of his full-length debut Psycho Active, he was shortly after sentenced to 31 years in prison on murder charges, only to be granted parole in the fall of 2018 & continued to build his discography by dropping a little over a dozen more albums whilst incarcerated. The Nefarious Loc surprisingly signed to Strange Music in 2022 & his debut for the label A Prayer in Hell was a true blue return to form, picking up where A Sin in Heaven left off for A Prophecy in Purgatory.

The title track works in some synthesizers from Matt Phoenix to talk about being barred from the pearly gates for committing a sin up there & after the “3 Days in Hades” skit, “Ecclesiastes” takes on a more orchestral vibe instrumentally calling for retaliation since God’s distracted. “Harrowing of Hell” talks about people he used to fuck with considering him dead over a g-funk beat while “HeLA Cells” featuring Kurupt maintains that same vibe referring to themselves as the blueprint.

“Queen of Hearts” puts a much deeper meaning to the concept of The Nefarious being superior to all these wack rappers out just before “Outside (3 Kings)” featuring Strange alumni Brotha Lynch Hung & C-Bobunites the trio for an increasing tribute to their hometown. “What’s My Name?” featuring Luni Coleone & Marvaless suggest to be respectful when speaking of them leading into “Bacc Outside” featuring Big Meek, Liq & T-Nutty brings the quartet together for a decent hardcore hip hop track.

Bleezo & King Infent both appear for the Wyshmaster-produced “Def Defying” to moderately get in their gangsta rap bag is while “Damnation” featuring Tech N9ne after the “Crucifixion” skit has to be another favorite collaboration of mine talking about death coming for us all. “Acidic Disposition” addresses the sickness of America deteriorating within the last 9 months while “Soldier” featuring C-Bo links back up over a piano trap instrumental talking about growing up during the Reaganomics era.

“Youthanized” incorporates some synthesizers to explain that he never asked to see this war his mother forced him in while “Thug Psalms” talks about speaking for the ghetto since he comes from the ghetto. “Measure of Wealth” thanks God in Heaven for his sons & “A Song for Grandparents” talks about being a grandfather a lot like WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg did last winter.

“Hail Mary” starts the final moments of A Prophecy in Purgatory with a piano heavy stoner’s anthem & not only would I consider “Still Outside” featuring Mozzy to be perfect choice of an outro, but an outro that I found myself enjoying more than “Bacc Outside” earlier at the halfway point of the album itself as somebody who enjoys Psycho Active & X’s material since signing to Strange and a fan of Mozzy since the soundtrack to The Walt Disney Company subsidiary Marvel Entertainment superhero film Black Panther.

Putting aside the fact that I enjoyed A Sin in Heaven only slightly less than A Prayer in Hell, the most personal & powerful opus that X-Raided has ever created fulfills a prophecy by landing right behind the latter for the best of the 3 full-lengths since signing to Strange Music. The production mostly handled by in-house producer & It Goes Up Entertainment subsidiary Project Be Well Inc. recording artist Matt Phoenix is amongst his greatest soundtracking a representation of the years The Nefarious Loc spent trapped between who he was & who he would become.

Score: 4.5/5

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Action Figure 973 – “The Most Interesting Man in the World” review

Danish producer Machacha fully producing the official sophomore effort of Belleville, New Jersey emcee/producer Action Figure 973. For a while at this point, Act-Lo’s first 2 mixtapes followed by 9 EPs & the full-length debut DOOM Was Right merely 5 months ago giving flowers to one of my all-time personal favorite albums Madvillainy have all established himself as a promisingly skilled luchador who so happens to rap. It’s almost been a couple months since he taught us some Ring Psychology & is making his case in being The Most Interesting Man in the World.

“2 Ships Passing at Night” after the intro works in some drumless sampling to talk about his next move leaving people shook whereas “Here Comes the Money” featuring Pinnland Empire references former WWE Hardcore Champion & WWE Tag Team Champion Shane McMahon. “You Can’t Teach That” hooks up a piano talking about his shit being high level art while “Twin Towers” featuring Andre DeSaint gives a nod to the former WWE tag team of the same name consisting of former WWE United States Champion 1 Man Gang alongside the late WWE Hall of Famer, 4-time WWE Hardcore Champion & WWE Tag Team Champion Big Boss Man.

AEW commentator, former 2-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, the inaugural 2-time FTW Champion, 2-time ECW World Television Champion, 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion & 4-time WWE tag team champion Taz gets sampled at the very beginning of “Non-Title Match” leading into “Toys “R” Us” referencing former GCW World Champion, NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Champion, 2-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, PWG Tag Team Champion, ROH World Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, TNA World Tag Team Champion & TNA X Division Champion Homicide.

“Omar’s Cafe” featuring SHVMIRE starts the final leg of The Most Interesting Man in the World needing love & money playing with a chip on his shoulder while “Meadowlands Horse Races” featuring Heartbreak Julio & Jalen Frazier references 6-time WWE world champion Seth Rollins set to face the current 2-time WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel VII next weekend. “Lincoln Theater” finishes the LP by thanking God for helping him get out of the sunken place he was in for a while.

In preparation for the inaugural 4th Rope World Tag Team Champions & current 4-time TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz looking to defeat DarkState for their 10th WWE tag team championship at Tuesday’s upcoming NXTNA Showdown or former HoG Heavyweight Champion Mike Santana ending Trick Williams’ reign as TNA World Champion & the current TNA Knockouts World Champion Kelani Jordan retaining her title against the current HoG Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell at Bound for Glory XXI, the finest producer in Denmark produces another exhilarating entry to start the final quarter of Action Figure 973’s most prolific year.

Score: 4/5

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Waylon Jennings – “Songbird” review

Waylon Jennings was a 64 year old singer/songwriter, musician, producer & actor from Littlefield, Texas notable for pioneering the outlaw country subgenre of country music. Standouts in his discography include Lonesome, On’ry & Mean, Honky Tonk Heroes, This Time, The Ramblin’ Man, Dreaming My Dreams & of course his output with The Highwaymen. However, the 3rd posthumous album albeit 47th overall in Waylon’s discography was unearthed last summer & it’s finally available everywhere.

The title track tenderly covers the Fleetwood Mac single of the same name off the band’s magnum opus Rumors whereas “The Cowboy (Small Texas Town)” from the I’ve Always Been Crazy sessions sings about Waylon’s humble beginnings. “I’d Like to Love You Baby” continues with a rendition of J.J. Cale song from his 3rd album Okie leading into “I’m Gonna Lay Back with My Woman” covering the outro of The Junkie & the Juicehead – Me.

Crystal Gayle’s debut single “Wrong Road Again”gets covered to reach the halfway point of Songbird just before “I Hate to Go Searchin’ Them Bars Again” goes for a barroom vibe singing about drinking too much in search of love. “The Brand New Tennessee Waltz” covers a song from Jesse Winchester’s eponymous debut while “(I Don’t Have) Anymore Love Songs” serves as a rendition of the highlight off the Merle Haggard classic Back to the Barrooms.

“After the Ball” starts the final moments of Songbird with Waylon recording his own version off the final full-length that Johnny Cash wrote solely by himself The Rambler conceptually themed around The Man in Black traveling that I find myself enjoying as much as the original version of it & the closer “Dink’s Song” retells the traditional folk story of a woman deserted by her lover when she needs him the most.

Waylon’s son Shooter has already said that Songbird was going to be the first of 3 brand new posthumous recordings from his father & the inaugural entry of this trilogy digs up 10 tracks made between 1973 & 1984 reintroducing a man who made outlaw country what it is today to a new generation of listeners. For a great deal of it consisting of covers, he breathes new life into them from beyond the grave & am hoping that there’s more material in the vaults that he wrote himself.

Score: 4/5

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