01/30/07
BLUENOTE
NORAH JONES/Not Too Late: The core crew and basic extended family is all in tow, but without Arif Mardin there to apply the brakes, this becomes Jones’ ‘one for me’ record. The things you have come to expect from Jones musically and sonically are in evidence, even if the sound is more stripped down, but she writes them all this time out leaving her artfully chosen covers in the dust. It’ll be interesting to see if the left turn confuses fans that were confused by her Little Willies diversion. Still capably of being America’s coffeehouse sweetheart, there’s a strong undercurrent of what feels like teenaged rebellion frothing under the surface. Simply put, it’s a mature work from an artist whose early, thundering success will always be there to haunt her.
74516
DHS/SPHERE
CARTER FAMILY/Together Again: Look at al the things that can go wrong when your mom isn’t around. This is actually a Carter Sisters set recorded in 1991 that has been languishing in limbo as the original recording company went bankrupt and the Carter sisters began vanishing one by one. Finally seeing light of day, this is certainly a set that was kept under wraps for far too long. Not a pretentious album, it’s simply a set of the gals looking back at tunes that made them who they were, embellishing them only with the lived in feeling that comes with them being part of you for generations. Largely in the vein of the late period Grammy winners from June, this set is sure to strike a chord with all lovers of music direct from the true vine. It’s loaded with country in it’s soul but it’s such classic Americana that is almost defies genre rather than define it.
www.carterfamilycd.com 1.800.889.4025
KOCH
ENNIO MORRICONE/Live-Arena Concerto: The rabid Morricone cult are going to love this, a live concert where Morricone leads the orchestra through a lengthy program of his works shying away from the obvious. There’s really nothing to do here but revel in the work of the master and he puts on a program that could only be delivered through his ears. One of the few film music titans whose work transcends the form, this lavish sonic creation is must hearing for all who recognize his genius.
32970 (DRG)
Volume 30/Number 91
January 30, 2007
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
(c)2007 Midwest Record