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OUR FIRST CONTEST!!!!!!!
Our pals at ABC Studios noticed that we just don’t run enough contests around here and generously provided us with two copies of “Eli Stone-The First Season” on DVD to feed the fire and have our first contest. Ok, so now we have the prizes, what hoops will we make you jump through to get them? How about a good old fashioned essay contest? In 50 words or less, tell us why you should win a copy of Eli Stone. Entries must be received by Sept 13 to be considered. Neatness counts. Judgment of the judges is entirely subjective. Every bit of legal mumbo jumbo that ever been written about contests that covers our butts is incorporated by reference whether you’ve ever read it or not. Now start submitting!
KOCH/DRG
MEL TORME/Capitol Rarities (1949-52): Torme liked Johnny Mercer, who was out of the Capitol picture when these recordings were made, but he grew to hate his Capitol years even if he got to work with great arrangers and producers because they told him what to do, even if that included covering songs like “The Picolino”, “Anywhere I Wander” and others. Sheesh, what a grouch. At least he gave great performances and that’s all that matters today. A nice addition to any well stocked Torme collection with tunes you’ll enjoy airing out from time to time. A special bonus is this is the first time these tracks have made it to cd.
91509
SAMMY DAVIS JR/Capitol Years: Sammelah covering Jimmy Durante? Well, he was known for impersonations along with his other talents. Airing some tracks out that have never been to cd, even at this stage of the game, this is a nice overview of Davis’ early years as a grown up when he was eager to please and was ramping up a non-stop show. Davis went through so many phases, real fans might want a little taste from all of them and his spin on Durante at least ranks up there quantitatively with his take on “Shaft”.
19111
AN EVENING WITH BELAFONTE/MAKEBA: The label has created a subgenre of reissuing Belafonte duet albums and this is an interesting take on how civil rights had to sneak in the back door even 40 years ago. A very international set as Belafonte uses his platform to expose Miriam Makeba to a wider audience, the two work well together combining their cultural instincts into a singular world, musical view. This is what world beat was before there was world beat.
19500
KAY STARR/Swinging With the Starr: Here’s a special treat for Starr fans and those that should be, a never on cd set with bonus tracks. Starr had jazz in her heart but went on to great heights as a vocalist by doing what the labels told her. She had the chops to pull off anything and was one of the major vocalists of her era, bigger than a lot of the ladies of the past whose names roll of the tongue quicker today. Here she let fly with what she really wanted to do, and if you’ve ever gotten a taste of her other works, this rare date is one well worth making time for. The title is an under statement and the date still cooks on high today. There’s nothing here that misfires and a good time will be had by all no matter when you first heard her.
91507
WANDA DE SAH/Brasil 65-Softly: As we celebrate bossa’s 50th anniversary, these two albums that have been woefully over looked in the US, particularly the classic, “Softly”, are now available as a non-collectors priced twofer that you simply have to grab before they disappear again. Killer bossa albums recorded between the waves of Stan Getz and Sergio Mendes, THE actual girl from Ipanema from the actual song was the wife of Edu Lobo and could sing and play as good as she looked and inspired. Brasil 65 had Sergio Mendes and Bud Shank on board and Softly is simply a classic. If you think Getz or Mendes is the last word in Brazil music, stop being a tourist and enjoy these classics, pronto! Great stuff that cooks from start to finish.
31621
RIGTHEOUS BABE
ANI diFRANCO/Red Letter Year: Not only has diFranco been a force of nature for 20 years, now everyone is following the DIY trail she blazed. As the world around us is going to hell, diFranco sees the need to kick back and enjoy her world so she once again swims against the tide and comes out on top. With a whole raft of new attitudes in her bag of tricks, the refreshed and revitalized diFranco might not be living in clip these days, but she still crackles with excitement. A great set for her to take fans old and new to the next level of the game, quasi-folkie style.
63
Volume 31/Number 316
September 11, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record
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