Customer Reviews

I Lead a Life

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Ben Sidran first came to public attention as a sideman on one of the early Steve Miller Band albums in the late Sixties. His keyboard stylings and flare suggested a background in jazz/rock fusion. His debut album, "Feel Your Groove" (also available on a Japanese Import CD) included a wealth of celebrated English and American talent including drummer Charlie Watts, but still did not deliver fully what Ben Sidran seemed to promise. This, his second album, was recorded after he resettled in Madison, Wisconsin (a.k.a. "Mad-City," then the Berkeley of the Midwest)and it showcased Ben Sidran's writing and performing in great form. It is quintessential Sidran, with stylings reminiscent but not imitative of his idol Mose Allison, and tunes that have held up extraordinarily well over the past three decades. This was Ben Sidran's true break-through LP, although best known to a relatively small group of FM alternative radio fanatics. It is a shame that it is hard to obtain and at a premium price now, but still a masterpiece worth many a listen. Best tracks include "Chances Are," "When A Woman Says She's Ready" and the title track.

If you're like me and most of the rest of the world and are completely sick and tired of what commercial radio has evolved into, i.e. the tired, boring and unimaginative non-stop drivel of John Mellancamp, buy this cd. Discover what the true meaning of "deep classic" really means. Being an import, it will cost you a little more. However, you'll be able to cancel your subscription to ......since "When A Woman Say She Ready" is all you'll need on those cold evenings you find yourself alone and lonely. Trust me...enjoy!! Help stamp out canned radio!!

Mr. Sidran's music has jazzy and blues over and under tones. His tracks are telling stories of life between a man and a woman. Which is exactly what the blues is,this music is a branch from the same tree. My favorite tracks are Chances Are, It Don't Pay To Worry Like That and When a Woman Say She Ready. I grew up in Chicago, IL my parents brought this album back in the 1970's, and I remember listening to the music. They played this album so much that the original copy (album version)warped.

Ben Sidran is best known for his sideman work, his production of classic LPs, and his cool West Coast Jazz stylings. He played on/produced with greats like Steve Miller, Boz Scaggs, etc.
This CD is Ben's first LP, finally on CD, and has the breathlessly sung, "Chances Are", and several other elbow nudging smoky places between passion and wit. It is hard to find on CD, but, well worth it for the pristine sound and the humor of his arrangements.
A lost classic '70's jazz bunch o'fun.