Jo In Nine G Hell
The Hair & Skin Trading Co.
Beggars Banquet
Featuring ex-members of Loop, this new trio utilizes sound samples, tape loops and other audio tricks to punctuate their persistent musical drone. The trouble is, it's hard to distinguish one song from another. I played it through three times and still didn't get the point. Maybe there isn't one. (BB)
 
Over Valence
Hair & Skin Trading Company
Beggars Banquet
The trio featuring ex-members of Loop and Savage Opera return with another album. Again they utilize sound samples, tape loops and other audio tricks to punctuate their persistent, hypnotic, musical drone. Like last years, Jo In Nine G Hell, it works. Warning: Playing this in the dark may result in hallucinations. (BB)
 
Broken Spell
David Halley (sp)
Dos
He kinda reminds me of Michael Penn. Biting, yet insightful lyrics stick to punchyarrangements and catchy melodies like glue. After penning hits for several country artists he emerges with an album that will cross many boundries. Call your local country/folk stations and ask for this. They'll be glad you did. (BB)
 
It Happened One Night
John Wesley Harding
Rhino
Inevitable comparisons to Dylan will abound with the re-release of his first English Lp. I'd have to say that he's more like a Woody Guthrie for the next century than any kind of Dylan. This is what greatness sprouts from. Let's hope he's allowed to do another "live" acoustic album soon. (SC)
 
Wonderwall Music
George Harrison
Capitol
This is the first post-Beatles solo album recorded by George. Released a few months before his classic, "All Things Must Pass, it went largely unnoticed. The movie, for which this was written, didn't fare much better. A mini-anthology of Indian music that makes for an interesting piece of history. Raga anyone? (BB)
 
The Galactic Age
Haru
Manhattan
Cozy, "space jazz/fusion," propelled by the sax of Wayne Shorter on six of the eleven cuts. Leader Haruhiko Takauhci's guitar recalls the fluidity and finesse of both, Pat Metheny and Wes Montgomery. An interesting conglomeration of musical styles with a central theme of the wonder of the galaxies beyond. (SC)
 
The Madcap Adventures Of The Avocado Overlord
The Hatters
Atlantic
At first listen they sound like they come from south of the Mason-Dixon line. Nope. Try the Philadelphia/New York area instead. The thirteen blues soaked tunes on their major label debut reveal their musical influences; The Allman Brothers, Dr. John and Professor Longhair. A very listenable combination indeed. (BB)
 
The Touch
Johnny Heartsman
Alligator
This is the first major label release for a blues legend whose stinging guitar, flute and keyboards graced hundreds of R&B singles from the mid '50s to late '60s. You've probably heard him and not known it. Well, here's a chance to change that. What are you waiting for? (SC)
 
Mouth By Mouth
His Name Is Alive
4AD
There's at least a dozen bands around who sound something like this. The difference between this trio and many of the other groups of this musical style (like, My Bloody Valentine) is that they don't rely on lots of volume or digital delay to create a sound that seems larger than life. (BB)
 
Music From The Motion Picture...
Bruce Brown's The Endless Summer II
Gary Hoey
Reprise
I vaguely remember the first '60s flick "The Endless Summer" but I've yet to see the '90s version. But that doesn't matter, the soundtrack for the new one is HOT. Check this out. Guitar versions of "Low Rider" and "Linus and Lucy" to name but two. This guy's a guitar god. Say no more. (SC)
 
Slow Fuse Blues
Dave Hole
Alligator
A slide guitar player from, Perth, Australia. carrying the Chicago Blues,"torch," a little further on up the road. It's unusual for a bluesman of this musical calibre to be signed to the premier American blues label without first touring this country. One listen will more than explain that decision. (BB)
 
Working Overtime
Dave Hole
Alligator
The slide guitarist from Austrailia is back with another killer album. His ferocious guitar work will singe your speaker wires and keep the homestead warm this winter. Eleven hot tunes punctuated by his unorthodox over-the-top style of slide playing and fervent vocals. You'll need an oven mitt to handle this disc. (CS)
 
I'm On Your Side
Jennifer Holiday
Arista
From a Houston church choir to the footlights of Broadway this young vocalist has already made her mark. After a Tony and two Grammy awards the anticipation and excitement surrounding her debut album is well deserved. The woman can SING. Move over Aretha, this girl is ready stand beside you. (SC)
 
Purrrr
Hollyfaith
Epic
They come from Atlanta but their sound corresponds to points on the map that are much further west. Producer Don Flemming (Screaming Trees, Teenage Fanclub) let the band loose in various studios with lots of vintage tube equipment and they in turn created the pandemonium that engulfs this debut album. (BB)
 
Where It's At
The Holmes Brothers
Rounder
After twenty years of near anonymity in the New York City area they toured the U.S. and Europe and received rave reviews. The debut album,"In The Spirit" soon followed, generating the same favorable response. This album is further proof that their gritty, soulful, honest music is hard to resist. (SC)
 
Live Snakes!!
Hoopsnakes
Mouthpiece
Cronies from the Lamont Cranston Band guitarist Charlie Bingham and keyboardist/vocalist Bruce McCabe kick things into high gear from the git go. The arrangements are tight but there's still plenty of room left for spontaneous improvisation. Catch them opening for folks like Little Feat, John Lee Hooker and Johnny Winter. (BB)
 
The Yearning
Michael Hoppé & Tim Wheater
Bainbridge
Bad day at work? Traffic's worse than the blizzard of 93'? Need to relax? If so, run, don't walk to your local purveyor of CD's and quietly ask for this disc. Once safely home, lie on the couch and crank this sucker up. You will soon be rewarded with infinite tranquility. (SC)
 
God's Home Movie
Horse
MCA
The second album from a Scottish group fronted by the female songwriter/vocalist Horse McDonald is a bit of an improvement over their 1990 debut, The Same Sky. And although she's been compared to Annie Lennox and k.d. lang she's one unto her own. Modern soul music with guts. (BB)
 
Turbulence
Steve Howe
Relativity
The latest solo album from perpetual Yes guitarist Howe is a compelling journey of encompassing creativity and talent. Seemingly familiar riffs explode with an uncommon vibrance. If this is what he does with his spare time then there should be more of it. "Play it 'til the grooves get old". (SC)
 
Mirage
Bobby Hutcherson
Landmark
Q: What's the difference between marimba and vibes? A: Why split hairs? This is so nice it doesn't matter. Imagine yourself in an elegant dinner club 45 years ago and leave it at that. If you've no imagination, put this on during a quiet candle-lit supper and absorb the atmosphere. (SC)
 
Gershwin Songbook: Hyman Variations
Dick Hyman
Musicmasters
Dick Hyman has been around since the '40s when he worked with Charlie Parker and Bennie Goodman. He wrote the musical scores for several Woody Allen films and recorded with the legendary Al Kooper. This time he's outdone himself. Eighteen piano pieces and variations are performed exactly as written and notated by Gershwin. Yummy. (SC)
 
Various Artists
Stride Piano Summit
Milestone
"Stride Piano," blossomed during the Tin Pan Alley era. Dick Hyman, Ralph Sutton, Jay McShann, Mike Lipskin and "Sweets Edison" have taken this musical style and embraced it as their own. Recreating the spirit of early piano based jazz with an unmatched ease and authenticity. Turn it up. (SC)
 
(SC) Stephen Curtis
(BB) Stephen Curtis AKA Ben Bland
(CS) Stephen Curtis AKA Clive Sweeney

Index

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