$$$$$- worth every penny
$$$$- a solid investment
$$$ - if you can spare the change
$$ - only if you can burn money
$ - keep that pocketbook shut
Artist:
"The Nylons"
Title:
"Perfect Fit"
Label:
Windham Hill
Release Date:
2/97
Available:
Any Major Music Store
Rating:
$$$$$
After a ten year absence, The Nylons are back, and was I glad to put them on (my CD player that is). Vocal harmony is nearly a lost art, but The Nylons know how to revive it with a capella versions of some of the most lyrical rock songs of the 50's and 60's.
Original Nylon members Claude Morrison and Arnold Robinson have been joined by Garth Mosbaugh, a former cast member of the Toronto productions of "Miss Saigon" and " Les Miserables," and Gavin Hope, formerly of the a capella group "Earthtones." The stage training and acting background may go a long way towards explaining the success of the group, as it takes the written and sung word to exquisite levels on this album.
It doesn't hurt that they start the album out with one of my personal favorites, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," one of the 14 cuts, all of which have in common singable lyrics and a beat that doesn't require anything but the instrument located just back of the lips. Covers of familiar songs such as "Silhouettes" and "Duke of Earl" are almost better than the originals. The humor of "Love Potion #9" pours through, as well as the infectious rythm of "Poison Ivy."
The Nylons capture the feeling of each of these tunes in the emotion that pours through their vocalizing. Especially touching is their rendition of "All I Have To Do Is Dream." Whether it is a love ballad or a lighthearted melody, they convince you they are truly feeling the music and that it comes from the heart - by way of very talented vocal chords.
So, if you like that silky smooth feeling, slide on some Nylons and let them caress you.
Artist:
"Taj Mahal"
Title:
"Phantom Blues"
Label:
Private Music
Release Date:
1996
Available:
Any Major Music Store
Rating:
$$$$
Upbeat blues. Is that a contradiction? With Taj Mahal it's a unique way of giving us his personal flavor on old favorites and original material. This acoustic offering showcases his excellent command of the guitar and harmonica. It doesn' t hurt to be joined by Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt for some tunes either.
While there are no weak tunes on this album, some might find the "Oo Poo Pah Doo" singularly out of place with the rest of the cuts, but the Fats Dominoe song "Let The Four Winds Blow" more than makes up for it, with its version of New Orleans swing blues. Bonnie Raitt's talents are wasted on "I Need Your Loving," a nice rendition but hardly a showcase for her abilities.
The strongest and most from the gut songs, are the two cuts which Eric Clapton lends his guitar skills to: "Here In the Dark"' and "Love Her With A Feeling." They alone are worth the price of the album. Taj's original tunes "Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes," and "Lonely Avenue," are well crafted songs you will enjoy hearing again and again.
Perhaps the most compelling cut may be his rendition of Chuck Willis' "What Am I Living For" which just reached out and grabbed me by the heartstrings. "Phantom Blues" is a lot more solid than the title would indicate. A welcome addition to any blues collection.
Artist:
"T.D.F."
Title:
"Retail Therapy"
Label:
Reprise
Release Date:
3/11/97
Available:
Any Major Music Store
Rating:
$$$$
There is great appeal in an album that crosses into several categories, as this one from T. D. F. (Totally Dysfunctional Family) does. Going from jazz/blues, to dance rhythms, to soul, is a great danger in a world that must categorize the product to be happy. However you categorize this album, the result is still the same - good music to listen to.
From the first two tracks "Blue Rock," with it's combination of acoustic guitar and jungle drum background, and "Angelica," with it's soft enveloping sounds, you are treated to an enjoyable sensory experience. The acoustic guitar returns to solo again in "Pnom Senh," "Angelica's Dream," and "Donna," with chords that evoke a languid and dreamy feeling that will appeal to fans of Otmar Liebert and New Age music.
Musician and songwriter Simon Climie with x-sample have given us a potential chart tracker in "What She Wants." Smooth vocals, a romantic, danceable beat, and that irrepressible guitar, all blend together to give us what WE want in a song.
Dance fans will want to get up and move to "Sno-God," which brings back that heavy drum beat to get your attention, and drive it through the speakers. Like a racing heartbeat it gets the adrenaline flowing. The only fault is the really unneccesary introduction of an expletive that may be designed to shock, but just distracts from the moment. Look for this one to show up on the local club's play list.
Yet, as much attention as the dance cuts may get, it is those acoustic guitar pieces that are the real strength of this album. With jungle-inspired background support, the guitar playing really shines. There is a distinct latin flavor to "Sienna" with fingering reminiscent of Segovia. The final cut, "What Else," is really a classical guitar piece with a violin background that brings to mind a tender moment on the big screen as the lovers dance the night away alone on the dance floor.
By the way, if the guitar licks on this album remind you of Eric Clapton it's probably because it is Eric. While no direct credits are given, it is a loosely held secret that Simon Climie's "friends" include the guitar master himself. The combination of styles on this album may be disconcerting for some, but most will find "Retail Thereapy" good for what ails them.
