 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
| What's
on Disc by Thomas Schulte |
|
| |
|
BROOKE
RATLIFF
Detroit's Brooke Ratliff is an artist that was characterized by
the inspiration of Dead Can Dance, Enya and other alt-world
sounds in her music. While her recordings sold well to the fans
and those with discerning tastes, the music industry did not know
what to do with here "weird" art. At the same time, Brooke's own
tastes changed. She began listening to pop radio and now delivers
a recording with a decidedly more pop rock feel. Largely laying
the keyboard and flute aside she declares in the Year of the
Dragon that she is the "Dragon Lady" (Control Freak Music/
Storm Records). Her own paintings of Oriental dragons, a luck symbol,
grace the CD booklet. "I'm going to need a lot of Luck, says Brooke."
Continuing the theme, the notes, which contain all lyrics, refers
to her musicians as Shao Lin. This is from the name of the exhibiting,
kung fu performance monks. Brooke has always demanded the highest
quality in talent for her studio sessions. That always shows in
her albums. This time among those making the cut is two musicians
from her last album: bassist Frank Greenhalgh (The Hope Orchestra)
and guitarist Joel Copper. She wrote all the songs over three
years. Some of the stories are her own, some are the stories of
others, suitably masked. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
NEW
WORLD MUSIC
* North America offers, for the adventurous music listener, a rich
bevy of post-modern, neo-classical and jazz-based, avant-garde music.
Composers of these works are fostered by the acute sensibilities
of such envelope-pushing labels as Innova Recordings (332 Minnesota
St., No. E-145, St. Paul, MN 55101). They invite you to sample from
this world on the "Tapestry: New Music From the Americas" compilation.
Here, clarinet, saxophone and marimba meet in "Five Pieces for Three
Players." The emotion of the piece is whimsical to the surprising.
This collection runs the gamut from this to the artfully slack "Loose
Connections" for violin, bass and clarinet based on an idea by writer
and classically trained composed Milan Kundera and commissioned
for the recording. Most of the pieces feature clarinet, because
Frankie Kelly, the experienced clarinetist that performs here, assembled
this. |
|
| |
|
MAGGIE'S
MUSIC
Close at hand on the shelves of retail music stores are the recordings
of Maggie's Music, run by dulcimer artists Maggie Sansone.
This label offers recordings both traditional and progressive. On
the progressive side is the "Celtic Mist" compilation. Here artists
gather their dulcimers, pipes, Celtic harps and more together to
create soothing, New Age-flavored 'ambient acoustic Celtic.' Traditional
and much more boisterous is "Scottish Rant" where virtuous fiddler
and Scottish fiddle champion Bonnie Rideout joins the premier
City of Washington Pipe Band. This energetic recording features
a pipe band that has been at it for three decades. Rideout herself
has a new recording on the label entitled "Scottish Fire." She balances
the dramatic showmanship of rants and reels with more delicate,
charming pieces. Scottish Fire covers the breadth of Scottish passion
and is an excellent exhibit of Rideout's talents. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| OCTOBER
2000 REVIEWS >>>>>>>>>> |
|
| |
|
Dayna
Kurtz
Otherwise Luscious Life
Deebles Records
Dayna Kurtz,
7010 Westmoreland Ave., No. 100, Takoma Park, MD 20912
http://www.daynakurtz.com/
E-mail: Perfgrp@aol.com
Dayna Kurtz is a dynamic and captivating vocalist. She delivers
each snatch of a phrase emotionally, deliciously, languidly if not
and then follows a space of silence for the effect to sink in completely.
In this setting of an acoustic combo backing here, the magic of
her voice against the stark musical backdrop of this live album
is particularly effective. Her vivid imagery includes melons shattered
by a great fall and a floodlight piercing the black night. But it
is not all pleasant poetry in Kurtz' universe. The appearance of
a junky in "Miss Liberty" and the raunchy sexual escapade of the
title track allow for a dose of graphic reality. A stunning jazz
vocalist, Kurtz has spent the last couple of years refining her
considerable writing, singing and performing skills. National Songwriters
Association "Songwriter of the Year" awards in 1996, 1997 and 1998
followed. These live selections highlight the talent of a husky-voiced
poignant singer of peerless caliber. (5) |
|
| |
|
Mojave
3
Excuses for Travellers
Beggars Banquet/4AD
http://www.mojave3.co.uk
 There
is a lot that goes on the expansion and transmogrification of country
music. At times, in print, Mojave 3 gets lumped in with the burgeoning
alt-country movement. However, this is really not their direction.
Instead, they succeed at their state intention of "writing simple
songs." In their basic nature, these lo-fi masterpieces do have
a bit of the heartland in them. Then there is the heartache and
forlorn sound of slide guitar. Still, the success of Mojave 3 as
a listening experience is not due to accidental genre overlap, but
the genuine and compelling honesty of a group of talented guys with
regular jobs that periodically take time out to pen songs of meaning
and feeling. This group is built around refugees from early '90's
trance-pop project Slowdive. Prividing those ethereal vocals in
the plane of distorted guitar is the plain, unadorned voice of Rachel
Goswell. (3.5) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Beth
Custer
Dona Luz 30 Besos
City of Tribes
http://www.cot.com
E-mail: citrp.m.@dnai.com
 Custer
is all over the music map. You never know where she is going to
go next, but you want to catch up with her there because she does
it so well. Before "Dona Luz 30 Besos" she already ran the gamut
from trip-hop to jazz to 20th Century Music. It is the world of
Latin music that Custer celebrates and interprets here. She soaked
up inspiration during an extended stay in Cuba. She brings back
the intersection of the delicately melodic Gilberto Gil with the
visceral rock en espanol mixed with her own sophisticated, avant-garde
sensibilities. Like a grand and detailed movie, this excellent disc
is a many-roomed world that yields new sonic discoveries upon every
listen. (4.5) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Patti
Smith
Gung Ho
Arista
 Smith
was long a soldier for liberal causes before the adjective lost
impact in the actionless howling of organized murmurers. She looks
back on political struggle and voicing in the Land of Democracy
with a head full of experience and the heart of a poet. "Gung Ho"
incorporates wider commentary on Vietnam and the human cost of political
change. While the songs generally lack the impact and immediacy
of her early works, the message is full of power and poetry. (3) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Maria
Zemantauski
Mrs. Laughinghouse
Futon Dog Productions, POB 5432, Albany, NY 12205
Maria Zemantauski brings us "music from or
inspired by the classical and flamenco repertoire." The "from" part
is covers of "Punta y Tacon" by flamenco guitar great Sabicas; "Asturias:
Leyenda," a classical guitar piece that exhibits technical skill
by tango composer J. Albeniz and "Capricho Arabe," a modern Spanish
guitar piece by Tarrega. Along with these are eight compositions
of her own. Zemantauski shows her ability to reinterpret Old World
guitar by not only excellently carrying off the three covers, but
by creating her own music, adding to the repertoire she finds inspiration
from. Her masterful technique and emotional delivery wins her acclaim
in New York State. This debut CD marks her as one of the few touring,
female flamenco-style guitarists in the world. However, while her
gender in the arena may give her added attention, but the salient
features of her album is exquisite, traditional composition and
world class playing that combines masterful skill with a love for
the instrument and its music that shines through. (4) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Clover
Honey
Go Horse Go
Lance Rock Records, 1223 College Dr., Nanaimo,
BC, V9R 5Z5
http://www.lancerock.com
E-mail: cloverhunnie@hotmail.com
Clover Honey smiles and bounces around like
a Canadian Shonen Knife with a passion for muscle cars. This female
rock trio is all fuzz rock and harmony. Whipping up the distortion
and little-girl vocal harmonies they are both adorable and rocking.
After making a name for themselves in their hometown of Vancouver,
BC, they crossed Canada touring on the strength of a cassette release.
Influenced by the Pixies, Sebadoh and Nirvana, this group is, artistically,
an entirely successful indie pop rock group. Fun, accessible but
not polished enough for Top 40, they are ready to brighten your
day. (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 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
_________________________________
|
|
| |
|
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
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
_________________________________
|
|
| |
|
Current
reading list:
"Code Complete" (McConnell)
"The Day they Shook the Plum Tree" (Hettie Green's bio)
Al Green's autobiography
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
