08/01/07
COLUMBIA NASHVILLE
MIRANDA LAMBERT/Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: With a look in her eye that you might recognize from Lynn Anderson or Mindy McCready, this spawn of an orgy that never happened between Carlene Carter, Joe Pesci and Johnny Paycheck does everything she can to make you think the title of this album is more than just a title. With a rootin tootin collection of tunes that are right up there with anything an Outlaw would have come up with (as if the crossed pistol logo on the inside doesn’t look like an inversion of Waylon’s flying W) make Lambert sound like a Jerry Springer episode waiting to happen, and today’s young lady is sure to relate. This two fisted, hell raisin gal that can hand sell a jillion records with no air play knows how to relate once again. You’ll be impressed with how the sound jumps off the disc right from the start, the sound and fury take over from there. This is one girl you’ll want to take home not to meet mother.
89322
GRETCHEN WILSON/One of the Boys: The vibe on this record is like the ones on post “Ol’ Waylon” Waylon records, he was making interesting stuff that made statements as albums without a need to put in a single to hit the masses. Careers move faster these days and after two albums, Wilson is at the point where she can make a compelling album for the fans and not worry about much else. A tasty set that feels more personal than her past works but is no less a rousing country collection; it just doesn’t come with any anthems. This is one of those records that will benefit from touring and hand selling as fans connect one by one.
92012
KOCH
GORDON JENKINS/Complete Manhattan Tower: With cats like Bob Dylan keeping the Ray Charles rendition of this work in the public eye, can it fall too far from grace? Originally recorded in the 40’s and reissued and expanded in the 50’s due to an underground after life, Jenkins version of “Rhapsody in Blue”, his love letter to NYC, has certain camp value, but as one of the ace arrangers of the era, it has the legs to be a piece of contemporary classical music that goes beyond the camp pale. Always an interesting work that has stood the test of time, it takes a certain taste to appreciate this classic today. Not just of interest to Sinatra fans, if the current crop of jazz divas has awakened your interest in the past, this is a seminal work that will resonate well for you. A dandy, essential piece of the past for the real music fan.
19104 (DRG)
DAVE DAVIES/Fractured Minds: Kinks fan? This is the kind of stuff you need to get you through. Brother Dave has some new stuff on tap from his side of the Kinks tap that is for the mature Kinks kultist that is still in the fold. AARP membership doesn’t mean you still can’t rock out and have something to say.
4242
Volume 30/Number 274
August 1, 2007
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
(c)2007 Midwest Record