SOUND CHECK.Springfield/``Dusty in Memphis,'' ``Dusty in London'' (Rhino/Atlantic) Springfield's rich voice was perfect for r&b, a fact confirmed when she signed with Atlantic and unleashed ``Dusty in Memphis'' 30 years ago. The groundbreaking album, reissued here in a deluxe edition with 14 bonus tracks, still sounds as fresh and soulful as ever. Backed by Memphis studio hands like guitarist Reggie Young Reggie Young has been the trombonist with the funk group Earth, Wind, & Fire since 1987. , bassist Tommy Cogbill, keyboardist Bobby Emmons and background singers the Sweet Inspirations The Sweet Inspirations were founded by Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston, and sister of Lee Warrick (herself the mother of well-known sisters Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick). , Dusty - currently seriously ill A patient is seriously ill when his or her illness is of such severity that there is cause for immediate concern but there is no imminent danger to life. See also very seriously ill. in her native Britain - puts across classic material such as ``Just a Little Lovin','' ``Son of a Preacher Man'' and ``Breakfast in Bed'' like a slowly simmering Aretha. The companion album, ``Dusty in London,'' collects material Springfield cut in the UK also while under contract to Atlantic. More pop than r&b, the album features 24 obscure but enjoyable tracks. Four stars - Fred Shuster Miles Davis/``Love Songs'' (Legacy/Columbia) This well-selected thematic compilation of romantic ballads by the world's greatest composers is drawn primarily from Davis' first era with Columbia, 1957 to 1963. Drifting from the lush orchestral arrangements of Gil Evans Gil Evans (13 May 1912 in Toronto Canada – 20 March 1988 in Cuernavaca, Mexico) was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader, active in the United States. He played a seminal role in the development of cool jazz, modal jazz, free jazz and jazz-rock, and collaborated on the Gershwin/Weill piece ``My Ship'' through ``Stella by Starlight'' with the great sextet that recorded ``Kind of Blue'' (Bill Evans
William John Evans (better known as Bill Evans) (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was one of the most famous and influential American jazz pianists of 20th-century. , John Coltrane “Coltrane” redirects here. For other uses, see Coltrane (disambiguation). John William Coltrane (September 23 1926 – July 17 1967), nicknamed Trane, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. , Cannonball Adderley, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb) to the '60s quintets on ``Summer Night'' and a 15-minute version of ``My Funny Valentine,'' these are eloquent, lyrical sounds. Four stars - Fred Shuster Bill Wyman & the Rhythm Kings/``Anyway the Wind Blows'' (Velvel) The ex-Rolling Stones bassist describes his second low-key solo effort as a few pals having a good time. Aside from the core group, the album features guitar work from such esteemed players as Eric Clapton, Albert Lee, former Stone Mick Taylor and others. The song selection is varied, and gritty originals like ``Ring My Bell'' and ``Crazy He Calls Me'' work well next to classic numbers like the J.J. Cale-penned title track, Willie Dixon's ``Too Late'' and Mose Allison's ``Days Like This.'' The emphasis on spontaneity and first-take feel over note-perfect precision comes through loud and clear. Three stars - Fred Shuster Eddie Hinton/``Hard Luck Guy'' (Capricorn) An integral part of the renowned Muscle Shoals studio mafia, late guitarist-singer Hinton is widely regarded as perhaps the premier white Southern soul artist. Fans of Otis Redding and Al Green will be drawn to the gritty, dusky vocals and impassioned musicianship on this fine collection of previously unreleased songs mostly cut just before Hinton's death in 1995. Three and one half stars - Fred Shuster Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band/``The Mountain'' (E-Squared) This loose, perfectly realized tribute to crusty 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. granddad Bill Monroe was sparked by Earle's 1995 one-song collaboration with the McCoury band, generally considered the premier traditional bluegrass outfit around. Here, the mercurial mercurial /mer·cu·ri·al/ (mer-kur´e-il) 1. pertaining to mercury. 2. a preparation containing mercury. mer·cu·ri·al adj. Earle settles into some sharp work, especially on ``I'm Still in Love With You,'' a duet with a heartbroken Iris DeMent de·ment tr.v. de·ment·ed, de·ment·ing, de·ments 1. To make (a person) insane. 2. To cause (a person) to lose intellectual capacity. . Earle has said the title track just might be the best song he's ever written, and you'll get no argument here. The album closes with ``Pilgrim,'' featuring a who's-who of modern country, including Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Marty Stuart, Sam Bush and others. Three and one half stars - Fred Shuster D Generation/``Through the Darkness'' (C2) D Generation is a gritty 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 offering '70s-influenced punk aimed directly at your car radio. For the band's third ragged but right effort, the accent is on down-and-dirty New York Dolls-style street rock complete with trebly guitar solos, scruffy ``na, na, na'' background vocals and often memorable melodies. Standouts here include the midtempo ``Good Ship Down,'' a grungy grun·gy adj. grun·gi·er, grun·gi·est Slang In a dirty, rundown, or inferior condition: grungy old jeans. [Origin unknown. ``Only a Ghost,'' and ``Chinatown,'' a sly guitar-infused tribute to fellow Gotham club angels Television. Producer Tony Visconti (Bowie, T. Rex, Thin Lizzy) keeps this rowdy band of fashion-impaired delinquents humming like a jailhouse generator. Two and one half stars - Fred Shuster Imperial Teen/``What Is Not to Love'' (Slash/London) File Imperial Teen's simple pop with a twist under ``bubblegrunge.'' A perfect example is the crafty alt-rock radio favorite ``Yoo Hoo,'' which updates T. Rex's sonic spirit with some rhythmic creativity that recalls modern r&b. Other strong cuts on the band's largely entertaining glam-tinged sophomore release include ``Lipstick'' and the misfit mis·fit n. 1. Something of the wrong size or shape for its purpose. 2. One who is unable to adjust to one's environment or circumstances or is considered to be disturbingly different from others. anthem ``Birthday Girl.'' A worthy successor to 1996's ``Seasick.'' Three stars - Fred Shuster Kelly Willis/``What I Deserve'' (Ryko) American roots music is doing better than ever these days, a trend that gives talented Austin-based country singer Willis hope. This smooth and engrossing engrossing, in English law, practice of acquiring a monopoly of goods in order to sell them at an inflated price. The offense was ordinarily limited to monopolies of foods. Related practices were forestalling, i.e. set of self-penned tunes, co-written material and choice covers from the likes of Nick Drake and Paul Westerberg should introduce Willis' gutsy, lonesome lone·some adj. 1. a. Dejected because of a lack of companionship. See Synonyms at alone. b. Producing such dejection: a lonesome hour at the bar. 2. and blue style to a new audience. Album-opener and first single ``Take Me Down'' from her long-awaited fourth album and Ryko debut is the obvious radio track, but other standouts including ``Heaven Bound,'' ``Not Forgotten You'' and ``Talk Like That'' also boast potential. Three stars - Fred Shuster J.J. Johnson/``Heroes'' (Verve) A hero to many, Johnson is justifiably considered to be one of the greatest trombone trombone [Ital.,=large trumpet], brass wind musical instrument of cylindrical bore, twice bent on itself, having a sliding section that lengthens or shortens it and thus regulates the pitch. The descendant of the sackbut, it was developed in the 15th cent. players in jazz history. He's 75 now, but he hasn't lost anything as a player or composer. This wonderful new album contains seven original compositions, as well as worthwhile covers of Miles Davis' ``Blue in Green'' and John Coltrane's ``Blue Train.'' The originals range from hard-swinging post-bop (``Ten-85''), polished ballads (``Vista,'' ``Better Days'') and the graceful waltzes (dedicated to Johnson's wife) that bookend the album. Favorite moments: Wayne Shorter's blazing saxophone solo on the remarkable ``In Walked Wayne'' and pianist Renee Rosnes' gorgeous work throughout, particularly on the solo piano piece, ``Vista.'' Highly recommended. Three and one half stars - Glenn Whipp CAPTION(S): 9 Photos Photo: (1) Dusty Springfield (2--9) no caption (CD covers) |
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