Christmas Songs by Sinatra
Review by Frankie Hagan
Before he was the Chairman of the Board and made the words cool and swingin’ synonymous with himself, Frank Sinatra was a skinny young singer attempting to follow in the footsteps of his personal heroes, like Bing Crosby. Newly signed to Columbia Records, he was yet to have his fall from popularity and his return to prominence, or to attain his eternal hepcat status at the centerpiece of the Rat Pack. Christmas Songs by Sinatra, newly re-released for the holidays by Sony Records, collects all of the smooth yuletide standards recorded by the young king of croon during this Columbia period. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 3% [?]
Posted on Aug 30th, 2004 by specialcontributor | No Comments »
Lagoon!
Review by Jason Croft
Houston, Texas would seem like a strange place to find one of the swankest new exotica/space-age pop groups out there, but that’s home base for the talented tiki outfit Clouseaux. In their latest release, Lagoon! (Dionysus Records), the combo proves that exotica is strictly a state of mind. They’ve poured equal parts Martin Denny, Les Baxter, Arthur Lyman, Henry Mancini, Combustible Edison and Don Tiki into a bar blender and hit puree, then added a splash of surf guitar, tossed in a couple of cubes of prog rock, garnished with an umbrella, and served it all up in the coolest tiki mug they could find. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 3% [?]
Posted on Aug 12th, 2004 by the editor | No Comments »
Intoxicating Sounds
Review by Frankie Hagan
The beauty of the instrumental is that there are no words. Think about that: no words. Without verbal binding to the music, mood is allowed to prevail. Mood, idea, emotion, and ambiance. And then reflection. That’s the genius of the Martini Kings and their new release, Intoxicating Sounds (SwingOMatic Records). Continue Reading »
Popularity: 4% [?]
Posted on Aug 10th, 2004 by specialcontributor | No Comments »
The Scourge of the South
Review by Janine Veazue
Back when rock was still in its infancy and considered scandalous by the general populous, teenagers flocked to small garage and backyard shows in defiance of parental distain and in celebration of their musical rebellion. Today, as that rebellion has been co-opted into a world of top Billboard hits and glossy packaging, the Tremors bring us back to that raw backyard feel, giving listeners the opportunity to bop to a hearty rockabilly beat. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 3% [?]
Posted on Jul 6th, 2004 by the editor | No Comments »
Cocktails with Cole Porter
Review by Will “The Thrill” Viharo
In tandem with the recent Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely, the latest release under the Ultra Lounge banner, Cocktails with Cole Porter (EMI Capitol), collects classic Porter tunes both previously released and new to the series, which is indeed “the greatest music in Earth!” Of course, this CD is a much more accomplished and authentic representation of the composer icon’s extensive and influential library than the film’s actual soundtrack. Here we have perfect Porter interpretations by the singers who really knew the music, not the tepid, screeching, limited-ranged Elvis-come-latelys crowing these gorgeous romantic standards for modern day, rock-conscious consumption. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 3% [?]
Posted on Jun 15th, 2004 by specialcontributor | No Comments »
Various Artists – The Music of Cole Porter
Review by Frankie Hagan
The idea behind the soundtrack for De-Lovely (Sony) is to have contemporary pop artists offer new interpretations, following a traditional path, of Cole Porter classics. The film De-Lovely portrays the life of the man behind many of the 20th century’s great classic standards, and it is wholly fitting that modern performers, the majority of them composers themselves, tackle material that was written both from the heart and the experience of someone who lived the very ideas he expressed in his music. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 3% [?]
Posted on Jun 15th, 2004 by specialcontributor | No Comments »
