New Releases
Over the past year or so Apple Records has released "The Beatles Anthology," a series of six CDs which ostensibly deliver a strong yet comprehensive review of the Beatles' recording career and a clear picture of their talents and influence on the entire popular music field since the 1960s.
Included is the first Beatle recording, demos by Lennon and McCartney, and studio out-takes of some of the best Beatle material. The scope of this collection is breath-taking. We hear raw renditions of "Hey Jude," "Strawberry Fields Forever," and "The Long and Winding Road," all in their infant stage.
But besides hearing the creative genius of the Beatles blossom and grow into the full bloom of the product we're all so familiar with, we also hear the influential power of the Beatles as exemplars of popular music. We hear the pop sensitivities, the rocking guitar licks, and jolting sonic blitzes that have come to define both rock and pop music as we know them today. In fact, one could argue that much of the music in rock and pop would be radically different if not for the musical doors opened by the Beatles.
It should not be surprising that it is in Great Britain where one hears much of the Beatles influence. Not to suggest that it started with the group Oasis, but they were one of the first groups to carry the pop instrumentation and vocal harmonies found in much of the Beatles' pop music to the states. Another British group which carries on this long musical tradition of the Beatles is Kula Shaker.
Kula Shaker is a quartet consisting of Crispian Mills, guitar, tamboura (son of famed movie star, Hayley Mills); Alonzo Bevan, bass, piano, tabla; Jay Darlington, organ; and Paul Winterhart, drums. Their music is Beatle-esque in that it often combines the sounds (and philosophies) of Indian music with the rollicking sounds of the Hammond B-3 organ, the screaming wah-wah electric guitar, and a sprawling production by John Leckie. Laced with, to use their words, "a much needed dose of lysergic chemicals,'' the results could be a musical extension of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter"- loud, dissonant, driving and mystical. Couple this sonic perspective with their tight vocal harmonies and esoteric lyrics and one gets a very accessible and appealing recording.
Although the entire CD is strong, two cuts stand out: the irreverent "Grateful When You're Dead (Jerry Was There)" and the brilliant "Tattva." The first sort of mixes Eastern mysticism with Grateful Dead mantra drone music and swirling psychedelia. It's as if the Dead had incorporated more Indian instrumentation and feelings into their extended jams - far out in oh so many ways. "Tattva" is again Eastern in flavor but is propelled musically by Western melodies and harmonies. The result is a very catchy tune imbued with idiosyncratic textures and sounds - รก la the Beatles in their Maharishi period. If you have a friend looking for new, good and different pop music, pick this one up as a holiday gift.
Rock For Choice - O Come All Ye Faithful - Sony
Rock For Choice was founded in 1991 by the all-female rock band L7, music journalist Sue Commings, and the Feminist Majority Foundation. Since that time they have garnered support from the rock community, including members of Pearl Jam, Fishbone, Rage Against the Machine, David Byrne, Iggy Pop and others, and organized concerts to galvanize both the music community and fans in the support of abortion rights. Now they have released a CD featuring some of the best alternative music purveyors around. Entitled "O Come All Ye Faithful," this 13-song disc compiles the works of Henry Rollins, Sponge, Juliana Hatfield, Bush, Luscious Jackson, The Presidents of the United States, and others.
This should make a fine stocking-stuffer. It opens with a recitation by Henry Rollins of the seasonal chestnut "Twas The Night Before Christmas." Replete with eerie sound effects - helicopters, missiles, and gun shots - it is a good representative piece of Rollins' poetic performance style. Dance Hall Crashers do a rocking number on their "I Did it For The Toys." It's loud, fast, just the thing to go with spiked egg nog. Juliana Hatfield does a wonderful job on her 'Make It Home" - raspy, melodic, touching, acoustic. Shudder To Think shows that a seasonal recording does not mean just Christmas. Their rendition of the traditional "Al Hanisim" is stunningly beautiful. Wool does a heavy version of their "Xmas It's Christmas." One has to love the line: "Another Christmas in LA, Another sunny day" - quite an alternative spirit. Bush's "Good King Something-or-other" is a live recording sounding like an egg nog orgy. The slurred words of the opening carol slide into a ragged rendition of "Hey Joe (Where You Going With That Gun In Your Hand)."
Luscious Jackson does a compelling job on their "Queen of Bliss." Sounding mid-Eastern in texture and incorporating some unusual rhythm patterns, this is perhaps the strongest musical piece of the recording. Mike Watt and The Crew of the Flying Saucer combine dual drummers and squealing dissonant guitar on their aberration called "The Little Drummer Boys." Probably the funniest cut on the CD is the Presidents of the United States Of America's "Christmas Piglet." Chanting "Holy Piglet, Ho-Ho-Ho" over and over again, the marching ragtime piano accompanying howling idiots makes for great fun.
Another strong cut is John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" sung by Cranes. Although the message of the tune is mixed (or is it?), this version is as strong as Lennon's original and a valued addition. Face To Face do a rather tipsy version of Elvis' "Blue Christmas." The harmonies waver slightly, but the two-step rhythm compels one to stare longingly into the eyes of one's partner as you sashay under the mistletoe. Deep Forest and Wes Madiko end the recording with a world music number entitled "Nemene." The production is luscious and the high-tenor harmonies are exquisite.
All in all, l'd recommend this fine recording to all your politically correct friends and to those who want to hear a very good holiday recording.