ON CD > REVIEWING THE MUSIC.M.I.A. "Kala KALA Kalaupapa National Historic Park (US National Park Service) " Interscope - Two and one half stars This one deserves a Grammy for its marketing alone -- big pre-release fluff pieces in all the national papers and mags, a refused-visa backstory back·sto·ry n. 1. The experiences of a character or the circumstances of an event that occur before the action or narrative of a literary, cinematic, or dramatic work: , tons of online-generated street buzz, and the coup de grace coup de grâce n. pl. coups de grâce 1. A deathblow delivered to end the misery of a mortally wounded victim. 2. A finishing stroke or decisive event. : a price so low it's almost cheaper to buy the thing whole instead of just downloading the good songs. Then there's the fantastic first 2 minutes in which the Sri Lankan-British rapper channels Jonathan Richman's "Roadrunner roadrunner or chaparral cock Either of two species of terrestrial cuckoo, especially Geococcyx californianus (family Cuculidae), of Mexican and southwestern U.S. deserts. About 22 in. ." It's a loaded way to start a futuristically inclined album, considering the song's importance at the birth of U.K. punk in '76. The sound here is chiefly amped-up bhangra bhangra (bhängˑ·r  ),n Latin name: Eclipta alba; , the Punjabi style that mixes traditional drumming with Western instruments and rhythms. On top of a potpourri of blips, beeps and dancehall dance·hall n. 1. or dance hall A building or part of a building with facilities for dancing. 2. See ragga. dancehall Noun a style of dance-oriented reggae hip-hop beats, the rapper is a sexy presence, sounding almost exactly like Annabella from '80s new wavers Bow Wow Wow Bow Wow Wow was a 1980s New Wave band organized by Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren in 1980 whose music is described as having an "African-derived drum sound".[1] History , delivering perfectly synchronized staccato rhymes. Aside from some useful moments (the tracks "Boyz," "World Town" and the great opener "Bamboo Banga"), the pounding, over-the-top electronics grow tiresome, and you wish M.I.A. would take a breather Verb 1. take a breather - take a short break from one's activities in order to relax catch one's breath, rest, breathe intermit, pause, break - cease an action temporarily; "We pause for station identification"; "let's break for lunch" and go in for some musical R&R. >FRED SHUSTER BRUCE HORNSBY "Camp Meeting" Legacy - Three stars Pianist Hornsby has dabbled in jazz before, recording with the likes of Pat Metheny, playing gigs with Wayne Shorter and jamming with Ornette Coleman. But this, accompanied by mythic drummer Jack DeJohnette and ubiquitous bassist Christian McBride, is his first proper jazz album. It's worth the wait. Hornsby and pals deliver an adventurous pop-bop set of reimagined standards ("Giant Steps," "Straight, No Chaser chaser a secondary or follow-up breeding male put in with a herd of cows or ewes when the fertility of the first stud is suspect. "), originals and a previously unrecorded Coleman composition. Who knew Hornsby could immerse himself in free-jazz playing? Probably the same people who weren't surprised he could make a great bluegrass bluegrass, any species of the large and widely distributed genus Poa, chiefly range and pasture grasses of economic importance in temperate and cool regions. In general, bluegrasses are perennial with fine-leaved foliage that is bluish green in some species. album with Ricky Skaggs. >GLENN WHIPP WHIPP WhiteWater Head Impact Protection Project EISLEY "Combinations" Reprise - Three stars The Texas family band Eisley intertwines angelic harmonies beautifully, especially on the tracks "Go Away" and the lullabylike "If You're Wondering." The rocked-up "Invasion" has appealing hooks, but lacks the sense of mystery and wonder that the lead voices conjure in less heavily produced formats. Despite the uneven musical settings on "Combinations," there remains a joyousness in Eisley's music that's worth cherishing. >SAM GNERRE DAVE BRUBECK "Indian Summer" Telarc - Three and one half stars Brubeck has recorded the song "September Song" before, but at age 86, it's easy to see why the legendary pianist might revisit it, alongside other reflective pieces. This is a very personal record, filled with waltzes Brubeck played as a young man, an arrangement of his alma mater anthem and a new original, "So Lonely," penned for military families saying goodbye to loved ones. The solo piano recording features the exquisite beauty you expect from Brubeck, whose talent remains undiminished. (He performs at Pepperdine on Sept. 25). >GLENN WHIPP CD releases> Lyle Lovett: "It's Not Big It's Large" Lovett convenes his Large Band for a set of jazz, gospel and blues, plus a cover of the Lester Young instrumental "Tickle Toe." Paul Anka: "Classic Songs, My Way" Anka celebrates his 50th anniversary in music with classic songs and cameos by Micheal Buble and others. Ringo Starr: "Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr" All seven of Ringo's Top 10 hits, including "It Don't Come Easy" and a lot more. Angela Gheorghiu: "Live from La Scala" The opera star covers French chansons and bel canto by Donizetti and Verdi. Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals: "Lifeline" Harper moves through blues, gospel, soul and a call to arms in "Fight Outta You." CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- 4) no caption (CD covers) |
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