07/24/08
McGUCKIN ENTERTAINMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS
KARA GRAINGER/Grand and Green River: There must be something in the water in Australia that’s turning Australia’s female musicians into daughters of Bonnie Raitt. First we get Fiona Boyes that sounds like Raitt’s bluesy daughter, now we get Grainger who has Raitt’s soul/pop side down perfectly. Recording in LA, even reaching out to some of the cats that played with Raitt, Grainger delivers a heads-up performance that’s both high-octane and quality powered. A nice, solid debut that doesn’t copy Raitt but follows in her early footsteps nicely.
(Craving)
MICHAEL BLOOM MEDIA RELATIONS
ERIN BODE/The Little Garden: For her latest, we find the pride of St. Louis changing the vibe, the venue and label to bring this new release home. Moving her folk/jazz hybrid more in the quirky singer-songwriter direction of early Sheryl Crow or Norah Jones, Bode is more indie coffeeshop than Starbucks creating a sound that speaks to the wily young urbanite as opposed to the soccer mom. Nicely done offbeat stuff that should shake up her longtime fans and open the ears of new ones.
972 (Native Language)
KELLEY JOHNSON/Home: Handpicked by Wynton Marsalis to tour internationally on behalf of the State Department, Johnson is a jazz vocalist that has a deep affinity for the slow, sizzling sounds and can turn songs like “Moon River” or “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” into the stuff of film noir. With a host of some of jazz’s best playing behind her. Johnson is simply going to knock you out on so many levels. Here’s a special vocal date for real jazzbo ears.
7613 (Sapphire)
DVD SUPPLEMENT
WARNER HOME VIDEO
HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY: Stoner humor meets videogame sensibility as the duo that were headed to White Castle are now trying to escape from Guantánamo Bay. A little mistaken identity, a little suspected terrorist activity, and the usual escapades that goes with stoner humor finds this duo trapped not only in Guantánamo but in an interactive movie were you can switch the scenes around. Look, we already know you’re not to like it if “Gone With the Wind” is one of your faves. You get hot babes, the Klan, Doogie Howser, cyclops and more, so if you know how to laugh at stuff like this, break out that Cheetos and Twinkies and have a good time.
Volume 31/Number 267
July 24, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record