SOUND CHECK.BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS: ``Live at the Roxy'' (Island/Tuff Gong/UME) - Three stars Even those who care little about reggae know Marley's ubiquitous melodies for ``No Woman No Cry'' and ``I Shot the Sheriff.'' Both songs are present on this entertaining two-CD set documenting a May 1976 night at the Roxy where Marley and the remarkable Wailers were promoting that year's ``Rastaman Vibration'' record. The late singer, still one of pop's most charismatic and fascinating talents, delivers potent readings of major songs including ``Burnin' & Lootin','' ``Rat Race'' and ``Rebel Music,'' plus a searing sear 1 v. seared, sear·ing, sears v.tr. 1. To char, scorch, or burn the surface of with or as if with a hot instrument. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. , previously unreleased 25-minute encore of ``Get Up Stand Up,'' ``No More Trouble'' and the brilliant ``War.'' This was the era of the supersized Wailers, where a harmony trio, percussionist, keyboards and two capable guitarists joined Marley and the muscular Barrett brothers rhythm section Noun 1. rhythm section - the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments percussion section, percussion section - a division of an orchestra containing all instruments of the same class to create a powerful, elegant sound. Almost three decades later, the music they made remains as unstoppable as an ocean wave. - Fred Shuster KLEZMATICS: ``Rise Up! Shteyt Oyf!'' (Rounder) - Three stars This six-piece band from Manhattan's East Village takes an innovative approach to klezmer klezmer (klĕz`mər), form of instrumental folk music developed in the Eastern European Jewish community. The style had its beginnings in the Middle Ages; its name is a Yiddishized version of the Hebrew klei zemir , the traditional dance music of Eastern European Jews. The recordings take turns being wild, spiritual, provocative, reflective and danceable with lyrics that explore political and social issues. ``Rise Up! Shteyt Oyf!'' includes English and Yiddish covers of Holly Near's ``I Ain't Afraid,'' which comments on ill will in the name of religion. The Klezmatics blur the line of tradition with modern sonic sensibilities, but the only sample is the voice of Shmerke Kaczerginsky on ``Barikadn,'' a song written for 1920s youth workers that resonates with the band's support for anti-globalization efforts and worker's rights. - Phillip Zonkel CHRIS SMITHER: ``Train Home'' (Hightone) - Three one half stars Guitar-picking ace Smither's 11th album, in stores Tuesday, is a simply designed, foot-tapping yet sonically rich affair. With that fresh-poured macadam macadam Form of pavement invented by John McAdam. McAdam's road cross-section consisted of a compacted subgrade of crushed granite or greenstone designed to support the load, covered by a surface of light stone to absorb wear and tear and shed water to the drainage ditches. voice of his (sometimes sweetened sweet·en v. sweet·ened, sweet·en·ing, sweet·ens v.tr. 1. To make sweet or sweeter by adding sugar, honey, saccharin, or another sweet substance. 2. To make more pleasant or agreeable. with a little backup from Bonnie Raitt Bonnie Lynn Raitt (born November 8, 1949) is a nine-time Grammy award-winning American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist who was born in Burbank, California, the daughter of Broadway musical star John Raitt. and Anita Suhanin), Smither expertly guides us through a whirlwind tour of nonsense blues, happy John Hurt sounds and cosmic ruminations. His truncated but still tedious version of Dylan's ``Desolation Row'' was not necessary, but the gloriously grumpy song about the stolen car more than makes up for the occasional pretension Pretension See also Hypocrisy. Prey (See QUARRY.) Pride (See BOASTFULNESS, EGOTISM, VANITY.) Absolon vain, officious parish clerk. [Br. Lit. . - Bob Strauss MORELENBAUM(2)/SAKAMOTO: ``A Day in New York'' (Sony Classical) - Three and one half stars Paula and Jacques Morelenbaum and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto Ryuichi Sakamoto ( Sakamoto Ryūichi, born January 17, 1952, Nakano, Tokyo, Japan) is an Academy Awards-winning, Grammy-winning, Golden Globe-winning Japanese musician, composer, producer and actor, based in New York and Tokyo. won a cult following for ``Casa,'' an album of songs by Brazilian bossa nova master Antonio Carlos Jobim recorded in Jobim's living room, with Sakamoto playing the master's grand piano. ``A Day in New York'' takes the music from Rio to a 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 studio, losing nothing but gaining much in the translation. Vocalist Paula and her cellist-arranger husband Jacques toured with Jobim and that insight helps them render his songs with an exquisite beauty that matches the originals. Sakamoto provides skillful skill·ful adj. 1. Possessing or exercising skill; expert. See Synonyms at proficient. 2. Characterized by, exhibiting, or requiring skill. rhythmic support, and two additional players chip in on guitar, percussion and vocals. There are three holdovers from last year's ``Casa,'' three songs by other composers and five additional gems from Jobim. You won't find better musical company on a summer night. - Glenn Whipp MACY GRAY: ``The Trouble With Being Myself'' (Epic) - Three and one half stars After ``The Id'' mishap of two years ago, Macy Gray bounces back with a winner. This 12-track set is a fresh take on neo-soul, without sounding too self-consciously retro the way some of her contemporaries do - not that any of them can compare to her. She's one of a kind, this one. Her thin, whispery vocal strains without spoiling the soulful phrasing on funky throwbacks like ``When I See You,'' about a tumultuous love affair. The disc is packed with an assortment of drama, from greed to longing to togetherness. At times her imagination gets pretty wild. ``My Fondest Childhood Memories'' is a murderous tale set to a creepy organ riff, ghostly operatic voices and punchy punch·y adj. punch·i·er, punch·i·est 1. Characterized by vigor or drive: "He speaks in short, punchy sentences, using plain, populist words that excite" ska brass. - Sandra Barrera CAPTION(S): 6 photos Photo: (1) BOB MARLEY (2 -- 6) no caption (CD covers) |
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