SOUND CHECK.Ibrahim Ferrer/``Buena Vista Social Club The Buena Vista Social Club was a members club in Havana, Cuba that held dances and musical activities, becoming a popular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940s. Presents Ibrahim Ferrer'' (World Circuit/Nonesuch) Wim Wenders' marvelous documentary, ``Buena Vista Social Club,'' continues to spur interest in the forgotten Cuban musicians that guitarist-producer Ry Cooder Ryland "Ry" Peter Cooder (born 15 March 1947, in Los Angeles, California) is an American guitarist, singer and composer, known for his slide guitar work, his interest in the American roots music and, more recently, for his collaborations with traditional musicians from many recorded three years ago. These albums are every bit as good as the original project as they expand upon the initial disc's gorgeous sound. Singer Ferrer, dubbed the ``Cuban Nat King Cole'' because of his supremely relaxed vocal delivery, offers a beautiful set of ballads and big-band dance hall numbers, infusing each song with extraordinary feeling and passion. He may be age 72, but time has only enhanced his abilities. Three and one half stars - Glenn Whipp Eliades Ochoa/``Sublime Illusion'' (Higher Octave/Virgin) Singer-guitarist Ochoa, likewise, has honed his talents through years of hard work in Cuba, where he has been a major musical force for decades. ``Sublime Illusion,'' featuring guest guitarists Cooder and David Hidalgo David Hidalgo (born October 6 1954, Los Angeles, California) is a singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Los Lobos. He is also a member of the supergroup Los Super Seven and of the Latin Playboys, a side project band made up of some of the members of Los Lobos. plus Bay Area blues harpist Charlie Musslewhite, is a stirring program of traditional Cuban music highlighted by Ochoa's elegant singing and subtle mastery of a custom instrument known as the tres-guitar. Fans of the film should put both these albums on top of their shopping list. Three and one half stars - Glenn Whipp Various/``Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons'' (Almo Sounds Almo Sounds is a record label which was started in 1994 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss after they sold A&M Records to Polygram. The intent of the label was to recreate the initial concept of A&M Records as a small, "boutique" label. ) The goal of this highly recommended collection was to assemble artists who were influenced by the late, great Parsons, whose work with the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Byrds and as a solo artist paved the way for the country-rock explosion of the '70s. The album, produced by Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (b. April 2, 1947, Birmingham, Alabama) is a country, folk and alternative rock musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and and containing covers of Parsons tunes by the likes of Lucinda Williams/David Crosby, Elvis Costello  The of this article or section may be compromised by "peacock terms".You can help Wikipedia by removing peacock terms. and Chris Hillman/Steve Earle, plus Harris collaborating with the Pretenders, Sheryl Crow and Beck, includes a second disc of the original versions performed by Parsons. If you aren't familiar with such gorgeous and poignant songs as ``She,'' ``A Song for You,'' ``Sleepless Nights'' or ``Hickory Wind,'' this is the place to start. Every track's a winner. Four stars - Fred Shuster Joe Lovano Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born 29 December 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a post bop jazz saxophonist, alto clarinetist, flautist, and drummer. Since the late 1980s, Lovano has been one of the world's premiere tenor saxophone players, earning a Grammy award and several nods on Down and Greg Osby/``Friendly Fire'' (Blue Note) This summit between two risk-taking sax players often misfires, but has its share of inspired moments. Most of them come on the standards - the swinging connections made during Ornette Coleman's ``Broad Way Blues,'' the elegant lyricism lyr·i·cism n. 1. a. The character or quality of subjectivity and sensuality of expression, especially in the arts. b. The quality or state of being melodious; melodiousness. 2. in Thelonious Monk's ``Monk's Mood'' and Eric Dolphy's ``Serene,'' featuring Lovano's debut on flute. The prolific Osby (usually playing alto) and Lovano (tenor) bring improvisational fervor to a mostly cooking session. Two and one half stars - G.W. Tracie Spencer/``Tracie'' (Capitol) Working with the tip-top hip-hop production team of Soulshock and Karlin, Spencer has crafted an album of mostly effective pop-r&b jams and ballads. From the upbeat flavor of the hit single, ``It's All About You (Not About Me),'' to the late-night feel of the sensual ``No Matter'' (one of seven tunes Spencer co-wrote here), the album puts the accomplished pop diva in a slick, contemporary setting that should appeal to fans of Brandy and Monica. Two and one half stars - F.S. London Suede/``Head Music'' (Nude/Columbia) London Suede helped define Britpop before Oasis splashed down. But there's little chirpy chirp·y n. 1. Characterized by chirping tones: a bird with a chirpy song. 2. Tending to chirp: a chirpy parakeet. 3. about this moody, disaffected outfit. For its fourth album, the quintet aimed for a hard-edged, spiky sound with typically remote lyrical concerns. While at its very best on the pop-rock ``Electricity'' and the funk-tinged ``Savoir Faire,'' London Suede may still have a hard time appealing to the U.S. market. However, fans of cutting-edge Europop will warm to this often cold, distant noise. Three stars - F.S. Rodney Jones/``The Undiscovered Few'' (Blue Note) Guitarist, composer and arranger Jones has worked with everyone from Madonna to avant-garde saxophonist Arthur Blythe Arthur Blythe (born May 7, 1940, in Los Angeles, California) is an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. His stylistic voice has a distinct vibrato and he plays within the post-bop subgenre of jazz. to Rosie O'Donnell, with whose TV band he plays (but don't hold that against him). Jones' fourth album as leader pairs him with an all-star lineup on a program of hard-driving ensemble pieces and intimate duets. Among the highlights: ``Tradewinds'' (which alludes to George Benson's '70s sound), the meditative ``Dreamers in Love'' and the standard ``My Favorite My Favorite is an independent synthpop band from Long Island, New York. They released two CDs: Love at Absolute Zero and Happiest Days of Our Lives. My Favorite broke up on September 14, 2005, when singer Andrea Vaughn left the band. Things,'' cleverly reworked by Jones and pianist Mulgrew Miller Mulgrew Miller is an American jazz pianist born in 1955 in Greenwood, Mississippi who performs in a number of jazz mediums. In a childhood filled with early musical experiences, mostly playing gospel music in his church and R&B and blues at dances. . Jazz guitar The term jazz guitar refers to several aspects of the guitar as it is used in jazz and jazz fusion music. The term may refer to a type of guitar or to the variety of jazz playing styles (e.g. fans will love this one. Three stars - F.S. Jimi Hendrix/``Live at Woodstock'' (Experience Hendrix/MCA) Newly expanded, remixed and remastered, the double-disc ``Woodstock'' features 15 tracks, including 35 minutes of previously unreleased music from the late guitarist's headlining performance at the 1969 rock festival. Joined by future Band of Gypsys bandmate Billy Cox For the American baseball player, see . Billy Cox is a bassist, best known for playing with guitarist Jimi Hendrix. He was born in West Virginia. Billy first met Hendrix in the early part of the 1960s, when they were both in the United States Army, stationed at Fort on bass, Experience bandmate Mitch Mitchell
John "Mitch" Mitchell (born 9 July, 1947 in Ealing, Middlesex) is an English drummer, most famous for his involvement with The Jimi Hendrix Experience. on drums, plus two conga players and a rhythm guitarist, there are flashes of brilliance on display, but everyone was obviously pretty burnt by the time Hendrix took the stage just after 9 a.m. on the festival's final day. Still, dizzying workouts like the seven-minute improvisation ``Jam Back at the House,'' the smoking ``Red House'' and a lyrical ``Spanish Castle Magic'' make this a must for Hendrix completists. And who isn't? Three stars - F.S. Soul II Soul/``Club Classics Vol. 1 - 10th Anniversary Edition'' (Virgin) When the club and r&b worlds collided 10 years ago in the studio of visionary producer-composer Jazzie B Jazzie B (born Beresford Romeo, January 6 1963, in Hornsey, North London) is a DJ and music producer. He is a founding member of the musical group Soul II Soul. He is mainly credited for producing and vocal dialogue. America embraced Jazzie B and Soul II Soul. with Massive Attack's Nellee Hooper, nobody guessed a new genre would result. The adventurous grooves and melodies of Soul II Soul's finest moment led directly to the trip-hop school of Tricky, Massive Attack and Portishead. This anniversary edition of ``Club Classics Vol. 1'' boasts a handful of resonant rare mixes along with the influential original hits - including ``Keep on Movin' '' and ``Back to Life.'' These decade-old jams sound fresh as anything. Three and one half stars - F.S. Luscious Jackson/``Electric Honey'' (Grand Royal/Capitol) Lilith Fair main stagers Luscious Jackson equals three ultra-hip downtown ladies with friends in the right places. The well-scrubbed grooves found on their new effort rarely inspire much excitement - and by extension much dance floor action. Despite the slick r&b backdrop and a cameo from Deborah Harry, ``Electric Honey'' falls short of its title. Two stars - F.S. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1) no caption (Ibrahim Ferrer) (2) no caption (Tracie Spencer) |
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