What’s New with Mike Watterston

Chris Cornell
No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1
A&M Records
Released January 29, 2021

The title of this is sadly true, “No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1” is Chris Cornell’s current & final release. This collection of songs was chosen by the former lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave, before he passed away in 2017. These are songs that inspired him.

There are 10 covers on the album and he knocks them all out of the park. He recorded this in 2016, the album is his last fully completed studio album. The album’s title is a line from the Soundgarden song “Black Hole Sun.” All instruments on No One Sings Like You Anymore were played by Chris Cornell and Brendan O’Brien, who also produced and mixed the album.

Jerry Ragovoy compositions show up three times here. The first one is “Get It While You Can,” made famous by Janis Joplin, which starts the record off. A completely different styling than Janis and Big Brothers version. Number two is “You Don’t Know Nothing about Love,” a song Carl Hall recorded but nothing much happened with due to the lack of promotion from his record company, which folded a few months after the track was released in November of ’67. Chris must’ve dug deep for this one. The third Jerry song is “Stay with Me Baby,” which Lorraine Ellison had some success with as it reached the #11 spot on the charts in 1966. Chris’s cover can originally be found on the HBO series “Vinyl.” I’m unfamiliar with both of them but Chris does a fine job with them.

My favorite cut on this collection is Harry Nilsson’s “Jump Into The Fire.” I’ve always been a big fan of this track…this could be better than the original. The guitar has much more bite to it here then in Harry’s version. We get sweet string arrangements in Terry Reid’s “To Be Treated Rite.”

It’s nice to hear John Lennon’s “Watching The Wheels” pop up. John was an inspiration to a lot of people but I’m on the fence if Chris actually did a better job on this. Still, a real nice cover. Another nice choice of Chris’s is Guns N’ Roses’ “Patience.” It was his first solo #1 hit with this in 2020! Again, Chris beats out the original. That voice, that emotion all comes out in this one.

Speaking of emotion, his cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” is a heartbreaker. Like CC, Prince was an absolute original. I’m glad this was included in this package. Sorry Sinead. If a song is good, it doesn’t really matter who is recording it. It almost always sounds good. That’s the case here with Jeff Lynne’s “Showdown.” This version is excellent.

This disc is worth your while if you’re a fan. I’m glad he left us with this. I’d love it if a Vol. 2 emerged at some point. Chris Cornell had one of the best voices in music. It’s beyond sad that he saw no other way around his issues. I hope he’s happy wherever he is.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish

What’s Old But Still Good with Mike Watterston

The J. Geils Band
Full House Live
Atlantic Records
Released Sept. 9, 1972

By the fall of 1972, The J. Geils Band had two studio records under their belt and they had a minor hit with “Looking For A Love.” There was a strong buzz going around on how incredible their live shows were. Boy did they play, too.

The band opened for everyone from Johnny Winter & The Rolling Stones to Rod Stewart & The Byrds. The band decided that their third release would be a live one. This was the band’s first of three live albums they would release in their career. It’s unfortunate that it’s so short. It’s only 8 songs spread across a mere 35:45. That being said, those 35 minutes are power-packed with awe-inspiring, knockout musicianship and hard driving rock n roll.

It has always been a constant in my life that when asked about my top live albums ever, J. Geils’ “Full House” is, and always has been, in my top five. If you were on the fence as far as how wildly fantastic front man Peter Wolf was (is) or whether or not these guys can play, well the proof is in the pudding right here, so dig in!

From Stephen Jo’s opening roll, there’s no way you can sit down for this one.

Track one is Smokey Robinson’s “First I Look At The Purse.” Seth Justman’s keys keep the train rollin’ … this is high energy right out of the gate. Followed by a fine version of Otis Rush’s “Homework.” Then we get the “…I wanna suck on your gums…” rap into “Packed, Fair & Square.” Then the spotlight is on Magic & his lickin’ stick doing Juke Joint Jimmy’s “Whammer Jammer.” Two minutes plus of this incredible harp player. A rare treat in music across the board.

The next track is the only original band song on the record, The J. Geils/Peter Wolf composition “Hard Drivin’ Man.” Turn it up for two reasons: first, it’s great and, secondly, what comes next. John Lee Hooker’s “Serves You Right To Suffer” and it’s the monster of the bunch!! On the first J. Geils album they covered it. It’s kind of stripped down in the studio, but on this live version, for me, is the highlight of the entire record. They turn it into an almost 10 minute blowout where the entire band just rocks and the crowd sounds like they’ve lost their minds!

“Cruisin’ for Love” follows and continues the party into the current “hit” for the band “Looking For A Love.” Amazing! 

There are no ballads or soft moments anywhere on this. It’s straight rockin blues stuff here my friends! As I’ve said about a few other live releases… Hey Atlantic Records, Where is the Deluxe Edition!?? You know there must be more on a tape in a box in a closet somewhere. Please look harder. Thank you.

The original J. Geils Band: Stephen Bladd, drums, vocals; J. Geils, guitar; Seth Justman, keyboards, vocals; Daniel Klein, bass guitar; Richard Salwitz (credited as Magic Dick), harmonica, trumpet; Peter Wolf, vocals.

Note: You can join Mike Watterston and Dog Bites live every Saturday night, 7-10 pm, on WRNJ Radio.

What’s Local with Joe Hirsh

We caught up with AJ Croix recently and, as expected, he is chomping at the bit to get out and PLAY with his group, the Devil’s Right Hand Band! They’ve got a lot in the proverbial frying pan, and some good stuff already lined up. We had a chance to talk about what’s on the horizon. 

What are your general plans moving forward this year?

We’re looking to release some new music and just get the bus rolling again.  Hopefully Texas and Louisiana this fall. 

Are you currently working on a new CD or similar project? 

Yeah, we are working on a few new singles, two of them featuring Merle Haggard’s pedal steel player and band leader of The Strangers, Norm Hamlet! Also my good friend Mario Carboni on keys. 

Do you have any specific events of note currently scheduled for this year?

Still working on things, but in the near future, we’ll be at Invertase Brewing in Phillipsburg this Saturday, Bernie’s  Hillside in Chester May 2, The Red Mill in Clinton on June 5 and the Raritan Inn (Middle Valley on June 27. We’ll also be playing in Elkins, West Virginia, in the middle of May.

See AJ Croix in action online, www.ajcroix.com, and join their private group on Facebook to get all the news first!

*Next month we’ll be featuring Bob Lanza in the local spot; in the meantime catch Bob and his band at the Hunterdon County Blues Fest Saturday May 1 at Chelseas Restaurant and Pub, Route 22, in Lebanon Township. The show runs from 2-6 p.m.