CD Reviews
By Staff Music WritersMary Jane Ewing
I Love Bein’ Here With You
Independent
An all-star cast joins “The Rose of New Orleans” Mary Jane Ewing, the first lady of the Club 300 New Orleans Jazz Bistro for this collection of 12 tracks. Ewing is the proprietor of the Bistro and a staple with her regular Friday night performance. Saxophone master Tony Dagradi leads a quintet that includes, among others, his Astral Project band mate and guitarist Steve Masakowski. Ewing’s understated manner comes from an understanding that jazz is part competence, part emotion, and part nuance, and she navigates this collection of hits beautifully. She swings with “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” finds her groove with quirky Dave Frishberg’s number “Peel Me a Grape,” and tugs at the heartstrings with the poignant ballad “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most.” A finely crafted, classy collection of songs to complement the candlelight dinner, the stroll on the Riverwalk, or the special bottle of champagne you’ve been saving for that special occasion. –Craig M. Cortello
James “12” Andrews & Crescent City Allstars
People Get Ready Now
Independent
The latest release from James “12” Andrews touches enough genres to ensure that every fan of music will leave this listening feast indulged. Raw energy, funky syncopation, screaming guitar licks, a touch of vocal soul accented by harmonies, robust R&B bass overtones, and healthy helpings of brass are all a part of this musical gumbo. With four core members and nearly two dozen guest performers, this recording has as much a “call to the neighborhood that the block party has begun” feel as it does a studio recording session. The background chatter interspersed throughout only enhances the amusement and intimacy level of the album. This collection is also a reflection of Andrews himself - of his lineage, of his widespread appeal, and of his love of and familiarity with all that is unique in New Orleans neighborhood cultural institutions. “Sixth Ward Soul,” a collaborative vocal effort hinting of a Gospel choir, is one highlight of the collection, as are “Miles Styles” and “James 12,” where the trumpets are featured. Get out of your house and join the all-stars for this celebration. Get ready now. – Craig M. Cortello
Everclear
The Vegas Years
Capital Records
Multi-Platinum rockers Everclear, have finally laid down the cover classics that they’ve been performing worldwide for over fifteen years now with their latest release, The Vegas Years. This collection includes live and studio recordings of some of the band’s favorite tunes that have kept their adoring fans wanting more. The Vegas Years includes a live recording of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” in which singer and front man, Art Alexakis, gives a shout out to his beautiful daughter, and a really cool version of the “Speed Racer” TV theme song that just may end up in an upcoming movie out this summer. The guys put their own Everclear spin on classics most thirty-somethings have grown up listening to, such as “Rich Girl,” originally performed by Hall & Oates, “The Boys Are Back In Town” from Thin Lizzy, “American Girl,” by Tom Petty, and many others. This CD is basically a party of covers in one little box and a great treasure for an Everclear fan. -Sheri McKee
HELLYEAH
Below the Belt DVD
Epic Records
Four experienced musicians from four metal bands – drummer Vinnie Paul (Pantera/Damageplan), singer/songwriter Chad Gray and Greg Tribbet (Mudvayne), and guitarist Tom Maxwell (Nothingface) – combined forces to produce an orgy of thrash metal. HELLYEAH’s Below the Belt DVD features Vinnie’s famous double bass drumming, ferocious guitar work, and supercharged singing. HELLYEAH needed a drummer so Gray and Maxwell called mutual friend Vinnie Paul when they had some downtime between tours. Vinnie initially turned down their offer while he mourned the loss of his brother, “Dimebag” Darrell Abbot, but eventually joined the band because he wanted to make music. The combination of these experienced musicians made HELLYEAH a serious band rather than a side project. Below the Belt features behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the DVD, press interviews on media days, the U.S. summer tour, band interviews, and two music videos. HELLYEAH has produced a ferocious first release. -Greg Duhe
Greatest Samples from Blue Note
Droppin’ Science
Blue Note
For connoisseurs of jazz-funk crossover from the hipster 60s and 70s cool jazz era to fans of hip-hop, Blue Note offers a unique compilation from their extensive catalogue of the most sampled songs of the hip-hop era. Artists ranging from Dr. Dre to the Beastie Boys have had the foresight to understand the power of the Hammond B-3 organ and funky bass riffs in the creation of timeless grooves. The end result is a collection that could easily feel at home in an Austin Powers, John Shaft, or James Bond flick, the Studio 54 circa 1978 disco club, or a modern day urban street corner or dance club. Of local interest, the CD includes Allen Toussaint’s “Get Out of My Life, Woman,” performed by the legendary jazz-blues vocalist Joe Williams. The Blue Note collection is so prominently featured in hip-hop sampling that A Tribe Called Quest used 4 of the 10 tracks on the album in various recordings. This collection is a fascinating period piece of the jazz genre as well as a fascinating look at the continuum of popular music.
–Craig M. Cortello
Tab Benoit
Night Train to Nashville
Telarc
Tab Benoit teams up with Louisiana’s LeRoux on this special live recording that took place on May 9, 2007, in Nashville, Tennessee, the evening before Benoit received the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Best Contemporary Male Performer of 2006 from The Blues Music Association. This all-star jam also features Louisiana fiddler Waylon Thibodeaux, accordion player “Jumpin’ Johnny” Sansone, Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie, Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Americana Country performer Jim Lauderdale. This incredible recording truly captures the spirit and soulful essence that Benoit brings to his live performances, which if you’ve ever had the opportunity to catch him live, you would know Benoit is a genuine entertainer in every form, always feeding from the audience’s energy and giving them more. Some phenomenal songs that truly stand out include Benoit’s bluesy pop-rock rendition of “New Orleans Ladies,” “Night Train,” and “Fever for the Bayou.” Night Train to Nashville brings Benoit’s out-standing live performances to a new audience and showcases his sliding guitar licks and incredible bass lines that make his fans go wild. -Sheri McKee
Various Artists
African Party
Putumayo World Music
Putumayo celebrates their 15th anniversary, spotlighting artists from all over the world and including the captivating beats of Africa in their latest musical installment, African Party. Back in 1991, Putumayo founder, Dan Storper, discovered the joyous international sounds of the musical group Kotoja, and he hasn’t stopped feeling good about those beats. Along with Kotoja, who has released several CDs with Putumayo, African Party also includes Oliver Mtukudzi, Bonga, Macire’ Sylla, and newcomers Chiwoniso from Zimbabwe and Mapumba from the Congo. This CD is full of rhythmic beats and enchanting melodies that will mesmerize the listener. A portion of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of African Party will be donated to HOPEHIV. –Sheri McKee
Imagination Movers
Juice Box Heroes
Walt Disney Records
Yes, all you tiny tots out there, it has arrived! New Orleans’ own kiddie band du jour, the Imagination Movers have released their much-anticipated album Juice Box Heroes to the delighted screams from the mini-me set. Even you grownups out there will find yourselves singing along to the songs, which are surprisingly a nice mix of kid-friendly rock and roll and (dare I say?) old school alternative-funk that will have you hopping around with your toddler, too. A few songs have been aired on the Disney channel’s “Playhouse Disney,” so the familiar sounds of “Seven Days a Week” and “Mover Music” have had us jumping up, getting down, and turning around for some time now. That’s what Mover Music does … it gets you up and shaking what your mama gave ya. You might even find yourself doing a conga line to the medicine cabinet to the tune of “The Medicine Song,” a song that promises kids that it just isn’t that bad to take the purple stuff sometimes. On any note, this homegrown band has a surefire hit with Juice Box Heroes, so as a shout out to the “Clean My Room” song, I would just go out and “pick it up, pick it up, pick it up now …”(the CD, that is)! –Liz Navarro