 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
| What's
on Disc by Thomas Schulte |
|
| |
|
| DVD
REVIEWS***** |
|
| |
|
That
Old Black Magic
Morningstar Entertainment/MVD
http://www.musicvideodistributors.com
 In
the 1950s, CBC's Toronto studios were a safe haven for black performers
seeking to promote their art away from the segregated United States.
Black jazz, R&B and pop stars appeared in variety shows produced
there. This DVD culls from high-quality kinescopes compiled as part
of the studio's 50th anniversary. Thanks to the CBC Archives Department,
we now get taken back to that golden era for a short narrated biography
and performances from a playfully nimble Cab Calloway ("Minnie the
Moocher"), Dinah Washington singing Bessie Smith murder ballad "Send
Me to the 'Lectric Chair", smooth Billy Eckstine ("September Song")
and opera star Marion Anderson. Also featured are Ella Fitzgerald
and Della Reese. Sampled from variety shows are appearances by Sammy
Davis, Jr. and Nat King Cole. The main star is Duke Ellington. We
get five songs from Ellington as he opens and closes this excellent
DVD. (4) |
|
| |
|
| MAY
2003 REVIEWS >>>>>>>>>> |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Maria
de Alvear
Fuerzas
Christina Fong
This is the first recording of the extended viola piece composed
by modern European composer Maria de Alvear. Performing the piece
is Christina Fong; know for premier recordings of newer music. The
piece is sixty-six minutes and rarely does she compose anything
lasting less than an hour. De Alvear uses the single, brown-toned
instrument to impressionistically deliver a potent monologue on
strength, intensity, vigor and force that can all be used and is
best used with art, skill, style and passion. (4.5) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
 Värttinä
Iki
Northside
http://www.noside.com
Led by a female trio of vocalists, this Finnish ensemble celebrates
their 20th anniversary with Iki. "Iki" is the "primal, eternal
breath" and this album celebrates that sacred respiration by focusing
on songs full of intertwined melody lines and minimally supported
by acoustic folk instrumentation. Some songs, like "The Blacksmith's
Son", offer a deep, indulgent beat and jazz feel. The group continues
to evolve over time and still features vocalist Mari Kaasinen. The
album also features producer Janne Haavisto, known for previously
successful collaboration with the large, Nordic folk ensemble in
'90s albums such as Aitara and Kokko. (4) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Linda
Draper
Patchwork
Linda Draper
Producer Kramer (Urge Overkill, Galaxie 500) opted for an understated,
unadorned sound for the simple, basic songs of anti-folk singer-songwriter
Linda Draper. This works very well for Linda, who has clear and
uncluttered delivery that needs no extra help. Her quickly strummed
but hardly stated chords snap along with a regular, locomotion rhythm.
This percolating guitar work removes anything haunting from these
sparse songs, making them instead brightly delivered, witty observations
from a former church choir soloist. (4) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
The
Cinch
The Cinch
Dirtnap Records
http://www.dirtnaprecs.com
This five-song CD EP is full of energy and punch. The female voices
sharing vocals add diversity to the songs as the arrangements change.
The bright, full-sounding indie rock of "Once a Week" precedes a
song of spurned attraction that varies from indie pop to, once again,
the full-throttle guitar approach. The two-guitar band provides
four originals and a cover of Modern Lover's "She Cracked". Packing
their sound full of distorted guitars to juxtapose against the bright,
perky ladies singing, this group hails from Vancouver. (3.5) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Nineteen
Forty-Five
I Saw a Bright Light
Daemon Records
http://www.daemonrecords.com
Hunter Manasco sings his lines like a husky folk-country singer-songwriter
and sometimes he screams like an angry punk. Katharine McElroy weaves
in her vocals that mollify the blend, the triple sec in this indie
rock cocktail. The trio arrangement lends a rugged simplicity to
the simplicity. This was also echoed in the recording on vintage
equipment in the band's basement studio. Beside the noisy indie
pop recalling The Pixies, some tracks like the melancholy "Someday
I'll End It All" have a fragile, folk-like beauty that suggests
the K Records sound and bands like The Microphones. (3.5) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
_________________________________
|
|
| |
|
DID
YOU MISS ANY OF TOM SCHULTE'S REVIEWS?
BACK ISSUES:
1999
| JULY | AUGUST
| SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER
| NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
|
2000
| JANUARY | FEBRUARY
| MARCH | APRIL
|
MAY | JUNE
|
2000 |
JULY | AUGUST
| SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER
| NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
|
2001 | JANUARY | FEBRUARY
| MARCH | APRIL
| MAY | JUNE
|
2001 | JULY | AUGUST
| SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER
| NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
|
2002 | JANUARY | FEBRUARY
| MARCH | APRIL
| MAY | JUNE
|
2002 | JULY | AUGUST
| SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER
| NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
|
2003 | JANUARY | FEBRUARY
| MARCH | APRIL
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
_________________________________
|
|
| |
|
Outsight
brings to light non-mainstream music, film, books, art, ideas and
opinions.
Published, somewhere, monthly since July 1991. Feel free to re-print
this article.
Ratings are (1) = :(, (5) = :)
"Don't be normal, be natural!"
Visit or Join Outsight's Web ring: http://d.webring.com/hub?ring=music1432
Outsight Radio Hours Webcasts
Sundays 6pm-8pm EST @
http://www.outsight.mu
NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
Tom 'Tearaway' Schulte,
5224 Shoreline Blvd.,
Waterford, MI 48329-1670
E-mail Outsight at: outsight@usa.net |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
_________________________________
|
|
| |
|
Get audiobooks through http://www.audible.com.
If you sign up, tell 'em "tearaway" sent you so I get a free book!
|
|
|
