Music Reviews A Holiday Potpourri
MUSIC REVIEWS
A Holiday Potpourri
Instead of talking about one or two records this month,l thought l might be Santa's helper and give you some ; ideas for the gift-giving season. Some of the titles are somewhat new, but others are classics that everyone should have. Here goes...let's start with some Christmas music. My all-time favorite is "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (Fantasy) by jazz great VinceGuaraldi. This disc contains all the music from the wonderful TV show and then some. I even like to listen to this in July, when trimming a tree and waiting in line at the mail are the furthest things from my mind.
Frank Sinatra's "Duets" (Capítol) is starpacked. Sinatra teams up with Tony Bennett on "New York, New York," with Bono on 'I've Got You Under My Skin," and with Liza Minelli on 'I've Got the World on a String." Barbara Streisand and Aretha Franklin are among the other artists who also do classic Sinatra tunes with Frank.
Another vocal legend, Ella Fitzgerald, has a three-disc collection entitled "First Lady of Song" (Verve). This compilation covers 1949 to 1966 and includes a 64-page book of rare photos and extensive liner notes. Of the 50-plus tracks, 25 appear for the first time on CD. It is beautifully presented with a gatefold cover, booklet and CDs (stored in cardboard sleeves just like 78 RPM records) all housed in a standard-size package. This is a great gift.
Prince, 'The Hits/The B-Sides" (Paisley Park) is a three-disc set of all the big hits and the rare, hard-to-find B-sides of singles. Fifty-six tracks in all, this one covers everything from the purple pop maestro.
Carlene Carter has put out her best album in years, "Little Love Letters" (Giant). C.C. is a hell of a songwriter and a better singer. On this album she co-writes with Bernie Taupin (Elton John), Radney Foster (Foster and Lloyd), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty) and Howie Epstein (who also is the producer). Guest musicians include Albert Lee, David Lindley, members of NRBQ, Dave Edmunds and many others. This is a fun-filled country/pop record that is highly recommended.
'The Angel in the House" (Electra) by The Story, a female, Boston-based duo, is one of those down-to-earth let's-not-take-ourselves-too-seriously-type records. If you like singing sisters group The Roaches, this record is right up your alley. Nice harmonies, witty lyrics and fine playing make this album a joy to listen to.
Out of the blue comes a record by Jamiroquai called "Emergency on Planet Earth" (Orenda/Columbia). This sounds a lot like '70s Stevie Wonder, but with a jamming jazz/funk undertow. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.
Paul Simon's "1964/1993" (Wamer) is a three disc set that covers his whole career. It starts with material from before the formation of Simon and Garfunkel (like Tom and Jerry "Hey School Girl"- 1957), and includes all the S&G hits, right up to Simon's latest album "The Rhythm of The Saints." The Simon and Garfunkel recordings sound sparkling clean. A 42-page book comes with this oversized box set. A must for Paul Simon fans.
Loudon Wainwright III has a live album entitled "Career Moves" (Charisma). Loudon's songs span the emotional spectrum from sad songs about missing his daughter's fifth birthday and trying to explain divorce to a child, to truly funny songs, on subjects from sex to the misspelling of his name. This album catches him in his element, playing to a live audience.
If you're thinking about jazz, try the all-time classic "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis. The album features Cannonball Adderly, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and other jazz legends.
Something a little more current is Charlie Haden's "Haunted Heart - a mix of cuts from Charlie's collection and music by his group, Quartet West. You can hear Jo Stafford and Billie Holiday (from 1947), weaved in between the beautiful sounds of Charlie Haden.
Saxophonist Joshua Redman has put out a fine second album for Wamer Bros. "Wish," now on the top-ten Billboard charts, has Joshua teamed up with jazz greats Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins. My favorite tracks are Ornette Coleman's Tumaround," a moving version of Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven," and Charlie Parker's "Moose the Mooche." Mr. Redman also wrote three of the songs that appear on "Wish," and let met tell you, he is no slouch when it comes to original tunes.
- By Tom Rule