Hello again my New Year people! I am back to review worthy music for you. I have freshly returned from Mesa, Arizona (which I went to immediately following 12 o'clock midnight!) to recharge my energy and put new batteries in my Seer's hat. Works good too, but creates split ends. So I am now buying stock in conditioning products. And you thought the life of a Seer was easy!

I have, again, searched for excellence and have found it in Winwood's "Back in the High Life". As many of you are aware-he was frontman for that wonderful group, Traffic. And, although I have always liked the output of that band, with his solo career, he worked his way up to the high watermark of this album. It is amazing. It is the picture of a man coming to terms with himself and the world around him. It works on many levels - but the soul searching and revealing truths are to the point and made easier with the music here.

About the music- he has gathered together a crack musician team which delivers throughout. And although I loved the music of Traffic (because it was so fluid) Winwood has moved to a more precision sound with this recording. Is it good? Is it bad? Who can say? But why compare the two anyway? Each has it's own merit and we should be satisfied with that.

Getting back to the music- the beat here is more insistent and harder than previous recordings. And all the musicians provide incredibly appropriate backdrop to his keyboards. They never overshadow him- but accompany him in equal measure. And I think that, aside from the excellent songwriting, this combination spirals the songs to greater satisfaction. What is Metamorpho saying here? You must listen with complete reflection to see. But it is worth it, believe me.

We begin with "Higher Love" which is quite a tune. There must be something stronger, higher out there which will raise us up and give us the faith to continue on through life. He asks for this love - knowing that it is there and some salvation is attached. I see spirituality in this song. Lots of it. A yearning, a quest, which sets the mood of the whole album.

"Take It As It Comes" contains many premises, many levels of thought. However we are all "skating on the thinnest of ice" with our own mortality. Flowing with all of life - no matter the pitfalls, is better than waring against it. A wisdom worth noting.

I should also make another observation on the music. At many points Winwood employs a horn section which adds spice and body to the soul of the compositions. Listen to the grooves and changes. You'll see what I mean.

"Freedom Overspill" takes on the topic of pride and how we can be our own worst enemy. How our actions come back to haunt us. It is a more looping, insistent groove. But, as with many times with Winwood, filled with that glorious English "Soul" vocals. What a remarkable voice!

"Back in the High Life Again" with is country-like strumming, is a tale of a man who, after achieving success became out of touch with the things that really matter in life. It is a return to the roots with the hope that everything that made his life worthwhile is still out there for him. Again, Winwood has such an astute vision of the human condition. Bravo!

We then come to "The Finer Things" which I think is the superb cornerstone of the album. I always get an awakening when I listen to it. At times of reflection, we must overlook the bad and realize that when the finer things in life do come shining through, we are more blessed in many ways. "We must live while we can", is the telling lyric. No, life doesn't last forever. But, while we are here, we must seek enjoyment and feel the spark of aliveness. Our time is valuable, and so are we. We should all aspire to "the finer things" which all of us could be to each other. Wonderful song.

"Wake Me Up On Judgement Day" is an ode to lost souls. It is sad. But the same old story of being used and failing illustrates the plight of people who retreat from the world and only want to be awoken when everything ends. Throughout, Winwood conveys the downside of life. But, in this, he is constantly trying to rise above it all. To clense his soul and move on. So many great realizations.

"Split Decision", on the other hand, reveals the struggle within. How the personality can contain two opposite views and how nothing is exactly for certain when the world is in constant flux. At best, it is a compromise within the self-a split decision if you will. Again-content is remarkable.

"My Love's Leavin'" closes this saga. But, instead of being ordinary, it reveals that the subject really caused this-saw their contribution to the situation-and feels the pain that they, themselves created. I swear that Winwood must have been reading some very good psychology books to come up with this effort!

In closing let me say that this recording is one of the best pop-rock-soul efforts out there. I am not much for musical labels so you decide. However, Winwood very rarely disappoints and this offering has class and quality. Yes. Even after so many years.

So my people, I hope I didn't "bray" too much. You know Seers are like that at times. They go overboard with ideas - some are good-some are bad- but it doesn't excuse split ends I know.

Anyway-have fun in this bright New Year! Hope for quality music to brighten all your days!

Enjoy life.

Your own dedicated---Metamorpho
Hello again my New Year people! I am back to review worthy music for you. I have freshly returned from Mesa, Arizona (which I went to immediately following 12 o'clock midnight! ) to recharge my energy and put new batteries in my Seer's hat. Works good too, but creates split ends. So I am now buying stock in conditioning products. And you thought the life of a Seer was easy! I have, again, searched for excellence and have found it in Winwood's "Back in the High Life". As many of you are aware-he was frontman for that wonderful group, Traffic. And, although I have always liked the output of that band, with his solo career, he worked his way up to the high watermark of this album. It is amazing. It is the picture of a man coming to terms with himself and the world around him. It works on many levels - but the soul searching and revealing truths are to the point and made easier with the music here. About the music- he has gathered together a crack musician team which delivers throughout. And although I loved the music of Traffic (because it was so fluid) Winwood has moved to a more precision sound with this recording. Is it good? Is it bad? Who can say? But why compare the two anyway? Each has it's own merit and we should be satisfied with that. Getting back to the music- the beat here is more insistent and harder than previous recordings. And all the musicians provide incredibly appropriate backdrop to his keyboards. They never overshadow him- but accompany him in equal measure. And I think that, aside from the excellent songwriting, this combination spirals the songs to greater satisfaction. What is Metamorpho saying here? You must listen with complete reflection to see. But it is worth it, believe me. We begin with "Higher Love" which is quite a tune. There must be something stronger, higher out there which will raise us up and give us the faith to continue on through life. He asks for this love - knowing that it is there and some salvation is attached. I see spirituality in this song. Lots of it. A yearning, a quest, which sets the mood of the whole album. "Take It As It Comes" contains many premises, many levels of thought. However we are all "skating on the thinnest of ice" with our own mortality. Flowing with all of life - no matter the pitfalls, is better than waring against it. A wisdom worth noting. I should also make another observation on the music. At many points Winwood employs a horn section which adds spice and body to the soul of the compositions. Listen to the grooves and changes. You'll see what I mean. "Freedom Overspill" takes on the topic of pride and how we can be our own worst enemy. How our actions come back to haunt us. It is a more looping, insistent groove. But, as with many times with Winwood, filled with that glorious English "Soul" vocals. What a remarkable voice! "Back in the High Life Again" with is country-like strumming, is a tale of a man who, after achieving success became out of touch with the things that really matter in life. It is a return to the roots with the hope that everything that made his life worthwhile is still out there for him. Again, Winwood has such an astute vision of the human condition. Bravo! We then come to "The Finer Things" which I think is the superb cornerstone of the album. I always get an awakening when I listen to it. At times of reflection, we must overlook the bad and realize that when the finer things in life do come shining through, we are more blessed in many ways. "We must live while we can", is the telling lyric. No, life doesn't last forever. But, while we are here, we must seek enjoyment and feel the spark of aliveness. Our time is valuable, and so are we. We should all aspire to "the finer things" which all of us could be to each other. Wonderful song. "Wake Me Up On Judgement Day" is an ode to lost souls. It is sad. But the same old story of being used and failing illustrates the plight of people who retreat from the world and only want to be awoken when everything ends. Throughout, Winwood conveys the downside of life. But, in this, he is constantly trying to rise above it all. To clense his soul and move on. So many great realizations. "Split Decision", on the other hand, reveals the struggle within. How the personality can contain two opposite views and how nothing is exactly for certain when the world is in constant flux. At best, it is a compromise within the self-a split decision if you will. Again-content is remarkable. "My Love's Leavin'" closes this saga. But, instead of being ordinary, it reveals that the subject really caused this-saw their contribution to the situation-and feels the pain that they, themselves created. I swear that Winwood must have been reading some very good psychology books to come up with this effort! In closing let me say that this recording is one of the best pop-rock-soul efforts out there. I am not much for musical labels so you decide. However, Winwood very rarely disappoints and this offering has class and quality. Yes. Even after so many years. So my people, I hope I didn't "bray" too much. You know Seers are like that at times. They go overboard with ideas - some are good-some are bad- but it doesn't excuse split ends I know. Anyway-have fun in this bright New Year! Hope for quality music to brighten all your days! Enjoy life. Your own dedicated---Metamorpho