SOUND CHECK : ROCK.Bjork/``Telegram'' Bjork's stunning new album, ``Telegram'' (Elektra), is a reworking of tracks from the innovative cherub's previous effort, ``Post.'' The sticker on the CD claims, ``Bjork covers Bjork.'' But a more accurate assessment is ``Bjork reinvents Bjork,'' for these nine remixes (plus one new original) play like entirely new Bjork tracks, or multiple alter-egos whose latest personalities have just now revealed themselves (with more to come?). Bjork not only collaborates with techno remix masters and bass-and-drum pioneer Dillinja, but also classical musicians like the Brodsky Quartet The Brodsky Quartet is an internationally acclaimed British string quartet, in existence since 1972, though only Ian Belton and Jacqueline Thomas are original members. In addition to performing outstanding classical music, and in particular the classic string quartet repertoire of and a 30-piece orchestra, which re-creates ``Isobel'' as a full-fledged Brazilian workout. All great artists exhibit a creative restlessness. But when artists go back and tinker, reshape and drastically reclaim their own work the way Bjork has done here, it means that as we approach the millennium, the possibilities of pop music are as limitless as ever, and the walls that separate old and new aren't just dissolving, they're crumbling fast. Three Stars. ?13- Jim Walsh Jim Walsh can refer to any of the following people
Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire Marianne Faithfull/``20th Century Blues'' This album is a tour de force, one woman's manifesto on the sort of blues that come with knowing you could have had anything but the things that would truly satisfy your soul. Accompanied only by Paul Trueblood's piano, Marianne Faithfull is mesmerizing mes·mer·ize tr.v. mes·mer·ized, mes·mer·iz·ing, mes·mer·iz·es 1. To spellbind; enthrall: "He could mesmerize an audience by the sheer force of his presence" , an aging lioness stalking tunes by Kurt Weill, Harry Nilsson, Friedrich Hollaender Friedrich Hollaender (October 18 1896- January 18 1976) was a German composer born in London. He was the son of composer Victor Hollander. The family returned to Germany and Frederick was educated at the Berlin Conservatory. and Noel Coward Noun 1. Noel Coward - English dramatist and actor and composer noted for his witty and sophisticated comedies (1899-1973) Sir Noel Pierce Coward, Coward . On ``20th Century Blues'' (RCA See RCA connector and video/TV history. ), she makes the sorrows of these songs live again and walks the tightrope between dramatic cabaret pathos and real anguish without ever looking down. Or breaking a sweat. Four Stars ?13- Dave Ferman Fort Worth Star-Telegram The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is a major U.S. daily newspaper serving Fort Worth and the western half of the North Texas area known as the Metroplex. Its area of domination is checked by its main rival, The Dallas Morning News Various/``Mandela'' Paul Simon's ``Graceland'' turned on hordes of people to South African music African music, the music of the indigenous peoples of Africa. Sub-Saharan African music has as its distinguishing feature a rhythmic complexity common to no other region. , but it only gave a brief outline of the story. If ``Graceland'' was the coming attractions, the ``Mandela'' soundtrack is the feature presentation. The 26-song disc serves as a preview to a new documentary about South African President Nelson Mandela Noun 1. Nelson Mandela - South African statesman who was released from prison to become the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 (born in 1918) Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela that hits movie theaters in March. But it's also a dazzling history of South African music that digs far deeper than the upbeat township jive style Simon focused on. There's plenty of infectious dance music here, such as Johnny Clegg's Zulu-pop tune, ``Asimbonanga'' (Mandela), and``Black President,'' a 1993 tune by Ma ndela's distant cousin, Brenda Fassie Brenda Fassie (November 3, 1964 – May 9, 2004[1]), was a legendary South African pop singer widely considered a voice for disenfranchised blacks during apartheid. She was affectionately known as the Queen of African Pop. . But the album's most chilling moments come from South African choral music - both new and historic songs - and from '50s harmony acts such as the Manhattans and the Skylarks. Four Stars ?13- Thor Christensen Dallas Morning News Space Needle/``The Moray Moray, alternate spelling of Murray Moray. For Scottish names spelled thus, use Murray. Moray, council area and former county, Scotland Moray (mûr`ē) Eels Eat the Space Needle'' Space Needle, the high-flying noise collaborative from Long Island, N.Y., returns with a second album that characteristically reaches parts unknown - with an occasional, surprising Earth landing or two. Some songs on this Zero Hour release pay gentle homage to noise gurus Thurston Moore (``More Than Goodnight''), the Mahavishnu Orchestra (``Hot for Krishna'') and the godfather-genius of them all, Brian Eno (the rapturous rap·tur·ous adj. Filled with great joy or rapture; ecstatic. rap  tur·ous·ly adv. ``Bladewash''). But then Space Needle will do a song such as ``Love Left Us Strangers'' and sound dangerously close to Christopher Cross. It's part of the other Space Needle trademark, if there could be such a thing: a fearless obliviousness to anything deliberately hip or predictable. The disc's goofy name, the cover art by Roger Dean, who was responsible for all those hippie-dippie Yes album covers - you get the sense they're making these choices simply because they want to. There's no better reason. Three Stars ?13- Teresa Gubbins Dallas Morning News Jazz Passengers/``Individually Twisted'' Remember Deborah Harry? The former Blondie lead singer has mellowed with age and today fronts the Jazz Passengers, an eclectic seven-piece New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of outfit touching on a variety of jazzy jazz·y adj. jazz·i·er, jazz·i·est 1. Resembling jazz in form or nature; rhythmical. 2. Slang Showy; flashy: a jazzy car. styles. With a lighthearted feel, the group refuses to take itself too seriously and infuses just the right amount of pop and foolishness on this satisfying 12-song collection. Most amusing are energetic readings of the man-bashing ``Pork Chop'' and Blondie's chart-topping ``The Tide Is High.'' ``Individually Twisted'' is an excellent listen for those who might be turned off by mainstream instrumental jazz and require a vocal fix. Three Stars ?13- Stuart Levine Daily News Joe Lovano/``Celebrating Sinatra'' At times ethereal, haunting, surreal and modern classical music-oriented; at other times, straight-ahead, swinging jazz; and sometimes a combination of both, these interpretations of Frank Sinatra songs by award-winning tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano appeal as much to the head as the heart - perhaps more to the former. Perhaps too abstract for some, ``Celebrating Sinatra'' (Blue Note), should reveal more and provide new pleasures with repeated listenings. Three Stars ?13- Bob Protzman Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1) Through the power of remixing, Bjork reinvents her previous album on the new ``Telegram.'' (2) It's just Marianne Faithfull's voice with piano accompaniment on ``20th Century Blues.'' (3) On ``Celebrating Sinatra,'' tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano interprets songs made famous by the legendary singer. |
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