CD Details
Synopsis
Album DescriptionMidnight Souvenirs (Verve/UMe), Peter Wolf's seventh solo album is a continuation of the singer-songwriter's distinctive and eclectic tales that brighten and interpret a world gone noir. Following in the tracks of Wolf's Sleepless, which was honored by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the "500 greatest albums of all-time," the new collection gives hope to the love-wounded and promises "there's still time for the midnight wine," even if "sometimes you heal, sometimes you're scarred." Featuring duets with country legend and national treasure Merle Haggard, the soulfully transcending dynamic award winner Shelby Lynne, and the haunting and majestic voice of Neko Case, "Midnight Souvenirs" integrates and embraces rock, R & B, blues, folk and country in a way that has distinguished Wolf's storied career. Measurable are his decades as the leader and frenzied focal figure of the J. Geils Band, with whom he showcased his talents on such hits as "Centerfold," "Freeze Frame," "Love Stinks" and "Musta Got Lost." "Midnight Souvenirs" was packed fair and square in the studio by Wolf and Kenny White, who also co-produced "Sleepless" and 1998's "Fools Parade," celebrated as one of the "50 most influential albums of the '90s" by Rolling Stone Magazine. Much like the material on those two discs, the majority of the new songs were co-written with Oscar winner Will Jennings (Eric Clapton's "Tears From Heaven," Steve Winwood's "Higher Love," and Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warens duet "Up Where We Belong"). Also contributing to the album were songwriters Angelo Petraglia and Taylor Rhodes, whose songs have been recorded by Kings of Leon and Aerosmith. The 14 songs on the album range from the country blues of "Tragedy"--with Shelby Lynne--and the hard-rockin' "The Night Comes Down" (dedicated to the late Willy DeVille) to the bittersweet texture of "It's Too Late For Me" with Merle Haggard, and the punchline impact of vintage Philly roots R & B on "Overnight Lows." Wolf and Neko Case deliver an eternal bouquet on "The Green Fields of Summer."
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CD Reviews
Terrific coryt | boston , ma | 07/29/2010 (5 out of 5 stars) "The greatest compliment I can give to an album ( yes, I still call them albums ) is that it makes you want to go out and buy several copies for your friends. This is a great piece of work, start to finish. There's a little bit of everything, country, rock, roots, funk and even a little soul. I find myself listening to it every day. Quickly becoming one of my " 10 if I was stranded on an island...."" KEEPING ROCK CLASSIC! wally gator | USA | 06/26/2010 (5 out of 5 stars) "Remember Mooba Gooba with the green teeth? It's always blown me away how many people dont know much or anything at all about Peter Wolf. Even alot of J.Geils band fans seem to be oblivious to his solo career... this is the dudes seventh album since the last J.Geils band album was released in the early eighties... They just get better and better.
I've seen a review or two label his music as "noir" ...given his number of years in the biz, it would be easy to see him in that category. His tunes spark that vibe familiar with the hard rust greats like Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen but he also still likes to get funky. Scat and scruff like LATE NIGHT LOWS... a tune that he wrote in his underwear while eating a cold baloney sandwich. I didnt think it would work, but it does. The tunes on here sound fresh, like rock and roll used to and should... only with a lot of warm bluesy folk. Great production, thats not too dirty not to clean. There is a somber air in the tunes, but tracks range from gritty to bittersweet, Peter Wolf never sounds cracked or old.
Like many, I thought that his last album SLEEPLESS was awesome and completely overlooked. I'm from boston, and I cant believe how the album didnt get more radio play there. It's Mooba Gooba! This one is even better. Sounds amazing and the songs dont slip. Even the duet tracks are done to a key, with Neko Case sounding like an angel and Merle Haggard adding the hard rust. never forced. Peter Wolf is one of the true greats, making music when the time is right, and now is the time! I highly recomend!"
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