SOUND CHECK.PHARRELL: ``In My Mind'' (Star Trak/Interscope) - Three stars Pharrell Williams made his bones as half of the Neptunes, one of the most successful beat-making producing teams of the '90s, helping A-listers like Usher, Nelly and Justin Timberlake take up residency in the charts. For his first solo effort, the Pharrella-monster reveals a nasty side perfectly in keeping with the gritty vibe of today's hip-hop scene. All those bad words This article is about the CSI episode. For the colloquial term, see Profanity. Bad Words is the nineteenth episode from the of the popular American forensic crime drama , which is set in Las Vegas, Nevada. that probably don't raise an eyebrow on a school bus these days are sprinkled throughout otherwise gleaming dance-club concoctions like ``That Girl,'' a winning collaboration with noted Lothario Snoop Dogg, and ``Number One,'' which may eventually end up there thanks to helping hand Kanye West. Further cameos from Jay-Z and, briefly, Gwen Stefani on instant standout ``Can I Have It Like That'' (boasting a groove old-school enough to make locals with long memories fondly recall the glory days of rap radio KDAY-AM) will keep the intermittently formulaic ``In My Mind'' in play throughout the summer. -- Fred Shuster RAUL RAUL Run Ss User Launchpad RAUL Realtime Audio Utility Library MALO: ``You're Only Lonely'' (Sanctuary) - Three stars An album with a J.D. Souther song produced by Peter Asher Peter Asher (born on June 22, 1944 in Willesden, Middlesex, England) is a guitarist, singer and record producer. Asher is known as "Peter" of the 1960s Everly Brothers-derived duo Peter & Gordon, whose biggest hit was "World Without Love. and you'd expect Linda Ronstadt. Instead, the former lead singer of the Mavericks has come pretty close to duplicating the charm of those Ronstadt discs. Beginning with the opening title cut, Malo shows he can do the high 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. as well as anyone. (Souther's song brings Roy Orbison Noun 1. Roy Orbison - United States composer and rockabilly tenor popular in the 1950s (1936-1988) Orbison to mind, anyway.) For the most part, the CD has a last-dance-at-the-prom feel, with songs by Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, Ron Sexsmith Ronald Eldon Sexsmith (born 8 January 1964) is a Canadian singer-songwriter from St. Catharines, Ontario, currently based in Toronto. Career Sexsmith started his first band at 14. , Don Everly and the Bee Gees The Bee Gees were a singing trio of brothers — Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb — that became one of the most successful musical acts of all time. They were born on the Isle of Man to English parents, lived in Manchester, England and moved to Brisbane, Australia during . His version of ``At Last'' pales a bit compared to the Etta James version (who can match that sense of release when she sings those opening two words). The only time he kicks things up is on his own flamenco-flavored rocker ``For You,'' and you wish for a bit more fire. But by the time you hear his lovely rendition of Harry Nilsson's ``Remember,'' you're already back in a dreamy mood. -- Rob Lowman BRUCE HORNSBY: ``Intersections (1985-05)'' (Columbia Legacy) - Three and one half stars Like Suzanne Vega and Natalie Merchant, Hornsby was an unlikely Top 40 act in the mid-'80s, and seeing his delicate, piano-driven songs about bigotry, social injustice Social Injustice is a concept relating to the perceived unfairness or injustice of a society in its divisions of rewards and burdens. The concept is distinct from those of justice in law, which may or may not be considered moral in practice. and mature love enter the charts was a short-lived pleasure. Over the decades, Hornsby remained a searching, creative force, as this five-disc box -- four CDs and a DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. of live performances -- makes clear. ``Intersections'' is an impressive and exhaustive portrait of an artist who hasn't received nearly his due -- until now. - Glenn Whipp WILL KIMBROUGH  This article or section resembles a .Please help [ improve this article] by removing excessive trivia, irrelevant praise and criticism, lists and collections of links that are of . : ``Americanitis'' (Daphne) - Three stars Producer of some of Nashville's finest acts (Todd Snider, Adrienne Young), Kimbrough has a gift for folk-pop protest. His latest volley is an often witty, worried blast at everything wrong with society. Kimbrough has a particular talent for derisively de·ri·sive adj. Mocking; jeering. de·ri  sive·ly adv.de·ri speaking out of the mouths of fat cats (``I Lie,'' ``Act Like Nothing's Wrong''). He's on less-sure ground when channeling early Dylan-style, free-associative cultural rants. Plus, there's blistering guitar, some touching love songs and as much self-criticism as there is of those with whom Kimbrough disagrees. Even conservatives may find something to like here -- maybe. -- Bob Strauss DR. LONNIE SMITH: ``Jungle Soul'' (Palmetto) - Three and one half stars The only Hammond B-3 maestro to wear a turban conjures up one of his strongest albums ever, an energetic excursion into funk and soulful jazz, forcefully backed by guitarist Peter Bernstein, drummer Allison Miller and rhythm guitarist Matt Balitsaris. Highlights include the grooving opening cover of Marvin Gaye's ``Trouble Man'' and the nearly 10-minute ``Witch Doctor,'' a showcase for the supple work of the guitarists. Ideal for turning up the heat on summer barbecues. - G.W. CAPTION(S): 6 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Pharrell) (2 -- 6) no caption (CD covers) |
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