Music reviews

Charles Brown: Life in the Blues CD/DVD

Rounder

If somehow Charles Brown is new to you, try to imagine a blend of Ray Charles, Nat King Cole and T-Bone Walker and you’ll have an idea of Charles' sound.

A Life In The Blues is a Charles Brown fan's dream come true. Charles Brown (1922-1999) is truly one of the greats of rhythm & blues, with 26 Billboard chart hits (Drifting Blues, Merry Christmas Baby, Black Night, Please Come Home For Christmas, etc.) multiple Grammy nominations, multiple WC Handy Awards as Best Blues Vocalist and Instrumentalist, a 1997 National Endowment For the Arts National Heritage Award and his 1999 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

A Life In The Blues includes live digital audio and video recordings (both a CD and DVD) of a remarkable 1990 concert performance at New York's Lone Star Roadhouse, two short films made in 1944 by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers when Charles was 22 years old (believed to be the only surviving film or video footage of Charles from the 1940's-1960's), the most extensive discography ever compiled of his 50 year recording career (presented both on the DVD and as a printable PDF file on the CD), and numerous historical photos, including a number of never-before-published photos of Charles' 1949 marriage to fellow rhythm and blues recording legend Mabel Scott, as well as extended liner notes by Chip Deffaa and an appreciation by Bonnie Raitt.

Not a best-of, the CD none-the-less presents an engrossing portrait of this much underrated artist. All beautifully packaged and presented. The accompanying DVD is a well worthwhile “bonus” giving we colonists a rare glimpse in to the complete showmanship of this legendary artist. Allan McFarlane

Steve Earle: Just an American Boy

Artemis Records

With a sample of this double CD arriving just as I was about to book for an imminent local performance, I can say that I’ve saved some money. There is just too many different hats on offer here, the well-known alt-country wild picking hat, the equally well known electrified Dukes hat, and the preaching hat spouting the political messages Steve Earle continues to be associated with.

The mixture seems to get in the way of a good home listen, with a musical mood unable to be matched without heavy remote usage, and the political messages, however erstwhile, tire hugely on repeated listens.

Having said that, somewhat irritatingly there are some outstanding performances. Copperhead Road gets a bizarre banjo/mandolin intro that works a treat, then moves to a surprisingly Gaelic influenced rendering. Both Ashes to Ashes and Conspiracy Theory rock much better than their studio versions. In the end it becomes your call as to whether the “sermonising” adds or detracts from some mighty fine music making. For me, I just saved the price of a concert ticket. Verdict - try before you buy.Allan McFarlane

Bill Jones: Two Year Winter

Compass Records

Given her predilection for traditional music, ‘Bill’ seems a fairly innovative name for a girl. Nonetheless, the arrangements of English and Celtic folksongs on Two Year Winter remain very true to the spirit of the originals. For dyed-in-the-wool folkies, the spartan charm of these songs will be very welcome, but this is not an approach to win over to the unconverted fan of contemporary music.

Still, Bill (short for ‘Belinda’) probably isn’t much concerned with plundering Eminem’s fanbase. The 2001 Best Newcomer at the BBC Folk Awards is still in her twenties, yet has the sort of unadorned voice that effortlessly carries a century of yearning. In addition to singing, Bill plays accordion on several tracks, and occasionally features on piano, flute, and whistle. She also has a hand in composing a number of the songs on this album, but the new sits very well with the old here as considerable inspiration is drawn from tunes of the past.

If you’re not averse to the occasional jig and appreciate music well performed, no matter the genre, this is an album you should let grow on you. Brent Burmester

Stacey Kent: The Boy Next Door

Candid

This album has got me really confused as there're two variables and one constant whenever I listen to it. The variables - well half the time I find myself thinking that these are very good interpretations of a wide variety of pop songs that span two or three eras. The other half of the time I think that the whole album sounds over polished and that there's a feeling that the six piece band is just too practiced.   Then of course there's the constant - I really, really enjoy it. 

An American domiciled in England, Stacey isn't known for shifting her attention far from the great American songbook which makes this album something of a departure for her. The Boy Next Door is a collection of songs "associated with some of Stacey's musical heroes" all of whom are males ranging from Tony Bennett to Paul Simon. This leads to a diverse range of songs from The Trolley Song to Too Darn Hot to Bookends, most of which work very well.

To me her loosely structured phrasing and girlish voice are very reminiscent of Blossom Dearie. She brings a lightness and airiness to the songs, a sense of fun which is what I think I enjoy most. The arrangements aren't groundbreaking but the musicianship is solid. Variations of pace and an eclectic range of songs adds plenty of interest with my personal favourite possibly being a very straight version of James Taylor’s You've Got A Friend.

There's a strong synergy between the singers style and the songs here that just seems to fit. Plus of course she really does have a good voice and she knows how to swing. I've seemingly damned this with faint praise but if a good basis for recommendation is that you enjoy an album then count this one very highly recommended. Craig Fenemor

Midnight Blue: Inner City Blues

Mapleshade Records

Man is this good. I mean really, really good. Buy two because you'll wear the first one out. Sometimes you find one of those rare commodities - great music startlingly well recorded and boy, oh boy, this is just such an album.

Let me calm down a little. Midnight Blue are trumpeter Curtis Pope, Artie Sherman is on the B3 and he shares the vocal duties with Selena McDay. Add in drums and guitar and you've got one very, very tight R&B/soul band.  This is music that could come straight out of the late 60's/early 70's such is the feel and style these guys have.

Upbeat and down they put it together. Ain't No Sunshine, Inner City Blues, What You Won't Do For Love, My One And Only Love, they're all here and presented with passion. When Selena cranks it up on the medley of Red Top/Goin' To Chicago/Kansas City it's impossible not to be jumping out of your seat. Listen to all the years working together when Artie and Selena are singin' up a storm on Sam Cookes Bring It On Home To Me.

Following on from my review of Mapleshade's Music Festival last month I have to say that this recording is one of the most live sounding I've ever heard. Curtis Pope's trumpet just rips the air at times and the impact of the drums puts you right in the front row.

Okay, I can't say much more. This is authentic, infectious R&B/Soul that will bring a huge smile to your face. It's the real deal folks - get in quick. Order from mapleshaderecords.com. Craig Fenemor

Toto: 25th Anniversary, Live in Amsterdam

Eagle Records

Come on. Everyone knows and loves at least one Toto song! Admit it. For those of you who have lost the faith, shame on you. For those of you still remotely interested in Toto, this collection is for you. Since 1978, the band named after the latin in totus has forged their very own brand of super slick American rock. And it is rock. For those of you who only remember the soft hits like Rosanna, Georgy Porgy or Africa you’re missing out on the essential Toto, for they really are old time rock and rollers.

Live in Amsterdam is the band’s third commercially released live album, and fourteenth album to date. It features three of the original line-up, Steve Lukather (guitar), David Paich (keyboards) and lead singer Bobby Kimball. Mike Porcaro (bass) and drummer Simon Phillips complete the band. Two additional musicians appear on the album assisting on guitar, keyboards and vocals. The album is a generous sampler of Toto’s discography. From the opening medley of Girl Goodbye/Goodbye Elenore/Child’s Anthem and I’ll Supply the Love (all from the self-titled debut release), right through to the cover versions of Steely Dan’s Bodhisattva and George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps (both of which were included in the band’s 2002 studio release),  Live in Amsterdam will not disappoint. Stand out tracks for me are the funky Waiting For Your Love (from the huge 1982 album Toto IV), and the old favourite Hold The Line, proving that at fifty-something Bobby Kimball can still do his stuff.

From listening to the eager capacity crowds recorded on this album, it is clear that the Dutch cannot get enough of this band. And while Toto barely raise an eyebrow in their own backyard of the US, the huge music buying markets of Japan and Central Europe lap them up year in and year out. Sure, it’s easy to be skeptical of the Japanese and European markets and their respective musical tastes. But anyone who knows anything about American rock music in the last 25 years cannot deny that individually or as a band, these musicians are huge talents and it’s great that they can still deliver. Lloyd Macomber

Concert for George Harrison DVD

Warner

Simply put, this is the most enjoyable concert DVD I've seen. One year to the day after the death of former Beatle, George Harrison, various friends assembled to pay musical tribute. The concert, turned into a movie and DVD, is a stunning musical triumph and celebration of the life and music of Harrison.

The first disk contains the complete concert, with the second DVD containing the theatrical release (not released here in New Zealand, as far as I can tell). behind the scenes footage and interviews.

The first half of the concert is Indian music, including a piece written for the event by Ravi Shanker, and a performance of The Inner Light - surely the best selling piece of Indian music in the western world as the b-side to the Beatles' Lady Madonna single - with Jeff Lynn on vocals.

The second part of the concert will likely be the most watched. Starting with two numbers by Monty Python - including the Pythons mooning the Albert Hall audience and a guest appearance by Tom Hanks as one of the Canadian mounties - Harrison's Beatle and solo music follows.

Led by musical director Eric Clapton, performers include Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Joe Brown, Tom Petty, Gary Brooker, Sam Brown and Harrison's son, Dhani Harrison, looking just like a young George.

Musically, this is superb. The song arrangements - often better than the original recordings - showcase the strengths of Harrison's songwriting. Vocals and guitar work are shared around, giving a variety to this show that works well.

As Ringo said in his introduction to Photograph - a song co-written by Starr and Harrison - the words mean something different now: "All I have is this photograph and I realise you're not coming back any more."

If you're any sort of Beatles or Harrison fan, then buy this DVD. It will quickly become your most watched music DVD. Michael Jones

Various: French Café

Putumayo World Music

French Café is a stroll back in time to the street cafes of Paris. Popular French styles like chanson (French song), musette (traditional style influenced by immigrants) and manouche (gypsy jazz) are performed by contemporary artists and legends from the fifties, sixties and seventies. Model and screen siren Brigitte Bardot performs the delightful 1964 song Un Jour Comme un Autre (A Day Like Any Other). Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin and Georges Brassens all provide an insight to bygone times.

Newcomers, Paris Combo, replicate manouche with panache. Guitarist Potzi looks like the reincarnation of his idol Django Reinhardt with his thin moustache and slicked back hair. Coralie Clement’s song La Meer Opale (The Opal Sea) is a standout track on the album. She lightly floats along in the same way that Norah Jones can. Her debut album Salle Des Pas Perdusis an underground success.

Once again Putumayo World Music provides another opportunity to extend your listening experience. This is a very easy listening CD and the French language sounds so sexy, especially when it is sung. Très bon. Richard Nelson

Various: Sahara Lounge

Putumayo World Music

Sahara Lounge is a camel train of traditional Middle Eastern melodies, rhythms and instrumentation with cutting edge electronica, hip-hop beats and remixes. Algerian rai, Berber music, Sufi chants, and Egyptian al-jeel meet dub, trip hop, break beats and funk that fuse in a mesmerizing and captivating vibe.

The music conjures up visions of haunting deserts, bazaars and belly dancers. The exotic rhythms and melodies of the Middle East are intoxicating and hypnotic. The collection includes six rare and previously unreleased tracks from artists like Soap Kills and Nabiha Yasbeck.

Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of other cultures. It seems that they are succeeding. A portion of the proceeds of the CD is returned to the country of origin to support community work. Richard Nelson