SOUND CHECK.TORI AMOS Tori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos on August 22, 1963) is an American pianist and singer-songwriter. She is married to English sound engineer Mark Hawley. Together they have one daughter, Natashya "Tash" Lórien Hawley, born on September 5, 2000. : ``The Beekeeper'' (Epic) - Three stars Judging by this new disc, it seems that Amos Amos (ā`məs), prophetic book of the Bible. The majority of its oracles are chronologically earlier than those of the Bible's other prophetic books. His activity is dated c.760 B.C. has found a bit of inner peace. Gone is the bombast that marked previous albums. But Amos is still capable of singing with authority and displaying her biting wit and feminist concerns as she does on ``Original Sinsuality.'' Accompanying herself solo on piano, Amos tackles the Bible's concept of original sin original sin, in Christian theology, the sin of Adam, by which all humankind fell from divine grace. Saint Augustine was the fundamental theologian in the formulation of this doctrine, which states that the essentially graceless nature of humanity requires redemption . The difference here is that she keeps it short rather than hammering her point home. ``The Beekeeper,'' filled with lovely melodies and touches of soul and rock, is easy on the ear. The arrangements themselves - augmented by her sensuous electric organ playing - reflect the ease of Amos' approach: nothing overdone o·ver·done v. Past participle of overdo. Adj. 1. overdone - represented as greater than is true or reasonable; "an exaggerated opinion of oneself" exaggerated, overstated , overproduced. Even her dreamy lyrics have a spaciousness to them, leaving room for direct emotion and a few dollops of humor. There isn't a bad track on the album - the title song and ``Witness'' are just a few of the good ones. But there are also too many average songs. Had Amos pared a few of the 19 cuts on the overgenerous ``Beekeeper,'' it would have had more impact. - Rob Lowman BILL CONNORS
Bill Connors (born September 24, 1949) is a jazz musician notable for being a legato technique master, adept at both the acoustic and electric guitar, and successfully played jazz-rock, free and : ``Return'' (Tone Center) - Three and one half stars A founding member of Chick Corea's dizzying fusion act Return to Forever (1973's ``Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy'' still amazes), Connors hasn't cut a record in 15 years. This comeback finds the guitarist issuing silvery, economical runs in the service of funky shuffles (``Mr. Cool''), Latin workouts (``On the Edge''), complex fusion (``Mind Over Matter'') and loose-limbed blues (``Terrabill Blues''). Playing a mellow-toned Gibson L5 through his own hand-crafted amp, Connors is an emotional, sophisticated and subtle soloist to go with flawless technique - elements sorely missing from most guitar-led instrumental efforts. Joined by a terrific cast - including pianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Lincoln Goines and drummer Kim Plainfield - Connors offers a welcome ``Return.'' - Fred Shuster JOEY DEFRANCESCO WITH JIMMY SMITH: ``Legacy'' (Concord) - Three and one half stars Smith's passing a few weeks ago was a blow to all who love great music. One of music's genuine legends and pioneers, Smith set the standard on the Hammond B-3 organ on landmark funky jazz albums for Blue Note and Verve in the 1950s and '60s. DeFrancesco has staked a claim to Smith's thronelike bench, reviving interest in the B-3 in the last decade with a series of soulful discs that included a live date (``Incredible'') featuring Smith. ``Legacy'' is the culmination of DeFrancesco's long- standing dream to record with his idol, and the results are a fitting memorial to Smith's still-potent playing. The album reimagines several of the master's signature songs (``Back at the Chicken Shack,'' ``Midnight Special'') along with new compositions like the sizzling siz·zle intr.v. siz·zled, siz·zling, siz·zles 1. To make the hissing sound characteristic of frying fat. 2. To seethe with anger or indignation. 3. title track and four cuts with tenor saxophonist James Moody. You can't help but feel a sense of loss, but at least Smith went out smokin'. Hats off to DeFrancesco for making it happen. - Glenn Whipp THE DUHKS: ``The Duhks'' (Sugar Hill) - Three and one half stars Three guys and two gals who, apparently, really want to get out of Winnipeg, the Duhks (pronounced ducks) fuse folk influences from just about everywhere you can think of - except the Canadian prairie (their closest homeland nod is a cover of Leonard Cohen's ``Everybody Knows''). English madrigals, Celtic reels, Delta spirituals and Blue Ridge hollers are all sampled, and sound best accompanied by Jessica Havey's soul kitchen vocals and salsa side rhythms. And with Bela Fleck producing, banjo banjo, stringed musical instrument, with a body resembling a tambourine. The banjo consists of a hoop over which a skin membrane is stretched; it has a long, often fretted neck and four to nine strings, which are plucked with a pick or the fingers. and fiddle intertwine in a remarkably juicy, 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. way. - Bob Strauss KINGS OF LEON
Kings of Leon are a rock band made up of three brothers and one cousin, based in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. : ``Aha Shake Heartbreak'' (RCA See RCA connector and video/TV history. ) - Three stars Following '03's ``Youth and Young Manhood,'' this Nashville family band offers up a second helping of Southern-fried, hip-hugging, roadhouse road·house n. An inn, restaurant, or nightclub located on a road outside a town or city. roadhouse Noun a pub or restaurant at the side of a road Noun 1. grooves. Best of a good lot is ``Taper Jean Girl,'' which inspires gravel-throated frontman front·man n. 1. also front man A man who serves as a nominal leader but who lacks real authority. 2. Music A leading singer with a group. Caleb Followill to channel a young Mick Jagger, instead of more frequent inspirations Dr. John and Eddie Vedder. It's Followill's voice that distinguishes these Kings from the many thrills of the world - especially on standout songs ``The Bucket,'' ``Day Old Blues'' and ``Four Kicks.'' - Sandra Barrera CAPTION(S): 6 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Tori Amos) Scott Gries/Getty Images Entertainment (2 -- 6) no caption (CD covers) |
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