Music Reviews, 1996-97
Pick of 1996
December Reviews-- with a special emphasis on Holiday Happiness
Past Reviews
TOP PICK OF 1996
Usually we select an album for our music pick, but this year we decided to feature an artist. In the words of Susan, the die-hard Ani fan: Alright, if I had a dollar for every time I said "ani rocks!", I'd be the million she never made." ANI DIFRANCO wins our vote for Artist of the Year. With ten albums to her credit, she is a prolific songwriter who knocks it to you in every style from folk ballad to hard rockin' to punk. She'll make you cry, laugh, growl, you name it, she'll take you there. There's no way to go wrong with any of her CD's, but my personal faves include Puddle Dive, Like I Said, Not a pretty girl, Imperfectly. If you haven't jumped on the Ani train, don't wait another second. If you have then you already know...Ani rocks!"
DECEMBER -- with a special emphasis on HOLIDAY HAPPINESS
Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of egg nog! Happy Holidays to you all! What better way to celebrate these cheerfully chilly days by yourself and with loved ones but to experience quality music? So, for your holiday gift-giving pleasure, consider giving the gift that keeps on giving: music.
Here's what's new in the holiday music scene:
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Girls Choir, A Universal Christmas, tape 10.00, CD 15.95. From Australia, the Adelaide Girls Choir joins this world-class symphony orchestra to present a joyous and magical 1996 collection of holiday favorites including Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," Vivaldi's "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," and "I Don't Know How to Love Him."
Aine Minogue, To Warm the Winter's Night, tape 10.00 CD 15.95. Aine is an Irish harpist and singer who has gathered a beautiful collection of songs and spoken word pieces from Ireland. She is accompanied by Irish pipes and whistles, cello, and oboe which enhance this enchanting holiday journey.
Ella Jenkins, Holiday Times, tape 10.95 CD 15.95. For fun family sing-alongs, here's a 1996 album that contain music celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the Chinese New Year! Instruments included are the ukelele, harmonica, guitars, pipe organ, wooden flutes, drums and bells, which accompany songs, chants, rhymes and stories. Recommended for children and their adults, and educators.
Sunita Staneslow, Christmas Eve, tape 10.00 CD 14.95. This collection of solo harp renditions of traditional European Christmas tunes will soothe you during those hurrying scurrying holiday moments to remember....Sunita is the former principal harpist for the Jerusalem Symphony and a member of the highly-respected instrumental trio, Vida.
Various artists, Mother and Child, tape 10.95 CD 16.95. This album, in essence, is a Christmas celebration of motherhood, featuring 11 female artists who are also mothers. Women from the worlds of pop, gospel, r & b, and country perform songs specifically written or arranged for this project, as well as unique versions of holiday classics.
Various artists, A Celtic Heartbeat Christmas, tape 10.95 CD 16.95. This 1996 colection contains previously unreleased tracks from Clannad, Scotland's Fiona Kennedy, Altan, Aine Minogue, Nightnoise, and the choral group Anuna. Great artists--bound to be a great album.
Noirin Ni Riain with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, The Darkest Midnight, tape 10.50 CD 15.95. The voice of angel coupled with the exquisite harmonies of the monks of Glenstal Abbey in Limerick, Ireland, create a beautiful holiday album featuring religious songs from the Irish tradition.
Various artists, Snow Angels, CD only 16.95. A singer/songwriter fan's dream holiday album! This collection of holiday classics and contemporary originals includes gems by Joan Osborne, Catie Curtis, Jonatha Brooke (of The Story) and more.
AND LEST WE NOT FORGET A FEW OLD CHESTNUTS...
Cris Williamson, Snow Angel, tape 10.00 CD 15.95.
Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas, tape 10.50
CD 16.95.
Anonymous 4, On Yoolis Night, tape 12.95 CD 17.95.
Cindy Paley, Chanukah: A Singing Celebration, tape 12.95
CD 15.95.
Odetta, Christmas Spirituals, tape 10.00 CD 16.95.
Mother Tongue, This Winter's Night: Music for the Winter Solstice,
tape 10.00 CD 15.95.
Various Artists, Kwanzaa Music, tape 10.00 CD 16.95.
Venus Envy, I'll be a Homo for Christmas, tape 10.00 CD
15.95.
LOOKING FOR JUST THE RIGHT MUSICAL GIFT ITEM?
The following titles are custom made for holiday gift giving. Titles
with asterisks are brand new releases definitely worth checking out.
Various artists, Women's Work*, tape 10.50 CD 16.95. Excellent
line-up of artists. Portion of proceeds goes to GROOTS--an international
network of grassroots women's organizations.
Various artists, Live from Mountain Stage, CD only 16.95.
Various artists, Women of the World: International, tape 10.50 CD 16.95.
Various artists, Honor, CD only 19.95.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, A Place in the World*, tape 13.95 CD 16.95.
Buffy Sainte-Marie, Of Where We Belong*, tape 13.95 CD 16.95.
Ashford and Simpson WITH MAYA ANGELOU(!), Been Found*, tape 11.50 CD 16.95. Did you see them on "Rosie" the other week? Wow! Not only did Ashford and Simpson cook, but one could not help feeling absolutely joyful and spirited seeing Maya Angelou get down accompanying the duo with song and spoken word.
Joni Mitchell, Hits*, tape 11.50 CD 16.95, and Misses*, tape 11.50 CD 16.95.
Various artists, Evita soundtrack*, tape 18.95 CD 24.95.
Various artists, For Our Children, Too, tape 11.50 CD 16.95. Proceeds benefit the Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Xena, Warrior Princess*, CD only 16.95.
The Weavers, Best of the Decca Years*, CD only 15.95.
Ann Hampton Callaway, To Ella With Love*, CD only 16.95.
Debbie Friedman, Shana Tovah: A Good Year*, tape 10.50 CD 15.95.
Chaka Kahn, Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan*, tape 11.50 CD 17.95.
Various artists, Everything Relative soundtrack*, CD only 15.95.
Various artists, Safe and Sound*, tape 11.50 CD 17.95. Subtitled "A Benefit in Response to the Brookline Clinic Violence," the proceeds benefit the National Clinic Access Project, a leading force in keeping women's clinics open in the face of harassment and violence.
Luscious Jackson, Fever In Fever Out*, tape 11.50 CD 17.95.
Throwing Muses, Limbo*, tape 10.50 CD 15.95.
PAST REVIEWS
Alison Brown, Quartet
Ani DiFranco and Utah Phillips, The Past Didn't
Go Anywhere
Anjeline Kidjo, Fi-Fa
Annie Wenz, Time is Magic
Capercaillie, Get Out
Dadawa, Sister Drum
Disappear Fear, Seed in the Sahara
Ellen Degeneres, Taste This
Gillian Welch, Revival
Grace Griffith, Grace Griffith
Great Women of Gospel, Various Artists
Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert, This Train Stills
Runs
Joanne Shenandoah, Matriarch
Jonell Mosser, Winter Harvest
Kate MacKenzie, Age of Innocence
Katharine Chase Band, The Truth
Kay Gardner, Drone Zone
Little Wolf Band, Dream Songs
Mary Preus, Yonder Come Day
Me' Shell Ndegeocello, Peace Beyond
Passion
The Nields, Gotta Get Over Greta
Patti Smith, Gone Again
Robert Gass & On Wings of Song, Om Namaha Shivaya
Rosalie Sorrels and U. Utah Phillips, The
Long Memory
Saffire, Cleaning House
Serpentine, Darker than Black
Sissy Goodhouse, The Third Circle
Vampires Sound Incorporation, Vampyros Lesbos: Sexadelic
Dance Party
Various artists, Arctic Refuge: A Gathering
of Tribes
Various Artists, A Tribute to Rosa Parks
Various artists, Women for Women, vol. 2
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Seed in the Sahara, tape $10.00 CD $15.95. Rocker Sonia Rutstein and Disappear Fear are back in full force with their fifth and most diverse collection featuring everything from ballads to hard rocking numbers. |
Drone Zone, tape $10.00 CD $15.95. Once again, Kay has created another innovative album. On this release, she explores the world of drone music. From Scottish bagpipes and India's tambours to Tibetan singing bowls and human voice, the drone instruments provide the backdrop for Kay's world flutes as they create healing melodies. The effect is a restful, curative, and meditative album. |
The Truth, CD only $15.95. She burned up the stage at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival with the Spanking Voices last year, and now she's back with her new band and her first full-length CD! With a voice that can remind you of Mary Chapin Carpenter in one song and Sheryl Crow in the next, this music definitely gets your attention! |
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Peace Beyond Passion, tape $10.00 CD $16.95. We've been playing this release a lot lately here at the store. This release received a four-star rating from Rolling Stone, and when you hear it, you'll know why. A spiritual and sensual work from an artist who continues to expand her musical and artistic sensibilities. Highly recommended. |
Gone Again, tape $10.95 CD $16.95. Patti Smith continues to rock. This new album displays all the passion, honesty, and spirituality that she has reflected in her work for decades. Highly recommended. |
Cleaning House, tape $10.00 CD $15.95. These uppity blues women are one of the most popular acoustic blues acts in the world, with a diverse following that includes devotees of classic blues, folk, and women's music. Cleaning House contains mostly original songs featuring Saffire's unique interpretation of the blues, mixing down home musical settings (acoustic guitar, upright bass, acoustic piano, plus harmonica and mandolin) with their contemporary, earthy (and sometimes bawdy) lyrical observations. |
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Vampyros Lesbos: Sexadelic Dance Party, CD only $15.95. This is the first time this release is available in the U.S. This "instant party" is taken from three Jess Franco films all starring Soledad Miranda. These soundtracks were originally recorded in 1969. Includes an exotic 12-page full color booklet filled with movie stills. |
Dream Songs, tape $10.00 CD $15.95. A fascinating blend of traditional Native American and ambient music imbued with a very meditative and spiritual feeling. Sublime vocals/wordless chants are provided by Priscilla Coolidge and Laura Coolidge-Satterfield. A very original and compelling album. |
Darker Than Black, tape $10.00 CD $15.95. This 1996 release is guaranteed to thrill and delight as it combines the raw erotic muscle of her debut The First Coil with the mesmerizing, mystical power grooves of her follow-up Rock the Goddess. |
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Various artists, tape $11.50 CD $17.95. This release celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and honors the life of the woman who's brave decisions helped change U.S. history. Both female and male gospel singers contribute including Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Yolanda Adams. Includes "Something Inside So Strong" which many of you know from The Flirtations. |
Fi-Fa, tape $11.50, CD $17.95. A brand-new release from this multi-talented West African artist. Highly recommended. |
Sister Drum, tape $10.95, CD $16.95. Called "a sorceress who can tell the past and the future" by the Hong Kong Post, her album reverberates with the beat of Tibet with soothing and ethereal vocals. She traveled to Tibet to seek the music she really wanted to sing, and after listening to Sister Drum, one can only conclude that she was successful. |
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The Long Memory, tape $10.00, CD $15.95. These grand masters of American folk music collaborated on this release which includes an epic collection of songs of and about the labor struggle in America's mines, mills, and factories. A must for any serious and not-so-serious folk music lover.
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Gotta Get Over Greta, tape $10.95, CD $16.95. Take two sisters who can creatively and tightly harmonize, add three guys named Dave (who happen to be fine musicians), and you've got the basic ingredients for this band which creates an innovative mix of funky melodic folk rock. A Star Tribune reviewer recently speculated that this new release could win the album of the year award.
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Various Artists, CD only $15.95. Featuring CeCe Winans, Mother Sinans, The Clark Sisters, and Denjece Williams (the best of the best!), this release is a wonderful compilation. Highlighted songs include "My Soul Desire" and "Amazing Grace."
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Yonder Come Day, tape $10.00, CD $15.00. Minneapolis' own Mary Preus's first release literally just arrived at Amazon Bookstore, and we are delighted to carry the work of this well-respected vocalist and former director of Calliope.
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Time is Magic CD only $15.95. This multi-genre collection features some impressive musical guests including Brooks Williams and stellar percussionist Glen Valez. Folk based, introspective and spiritual tunes with a blend of New Age and Native melodies make this accessible to countless musical tastes. |
Get Out tape $10.00 CD $15.95. This album, taken from rare live recordings of the Scottish roots band and tracks remixed from earlier releases, captures the group at its most inspired level. Contains a gorgeous Gaelic ballad "Coisich A Ruin" which was the first Gaelic song to make the UK's top 40! Also contains a swirling "trance" version of "Dr. MacPhail's Reels." |
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Grace Griffith tape $10.50 CD $15.95. When someone is named best female Celtic and folk vocalist for four years running by the Washington DC Area Music Association, you know that there's something special happening. That something, or I should say someone, is Grace Griffith, whose crystal clear voice conveys an incredible feeling of inner peace. Highly recommended. |
Om Namaha Shivaya tape $10.00 CD $15.95. Tenth Anniversary Deluxe Edition. Ten years ago Robert Gass and On Wings of Song released a cassette version of the sublimely beautiful sacred Sanskrit chant Om Namaha Shivaya. New Age Journal cited it as one of the most influential recordings ever produced. Includes a bonus track of a newly recorded 20 minute extended chant of the ancient Sanskrit syllable "Om," which includes Tibetan and Mongolian overtone chanting. |
Winter Harvesttape $14.95 CD $16.95. Remember the song, "Crossroads," from the Boys on the Side soundtrack? Mosser sang that tune and now has her own album of tunes written by Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt. She has recorded with Etta James and John Gorka and has been called one of the greatest singers in the world by veteran producer Don Was. |
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The Third Circle tape $10.50 CD $15.95. This collection of traditional and contemporary Lakota women's songs is the artist's first solo release. |
This Train Stills Runs CD only 16.95. Do you miss listening to women's music "the way it used to be"? Well, miss no more for these wonderful women have teamed up once again to produce an excellent recording that will resonate on many levels for all who hear it. Highly recommended. |
Arctic Refuge: A Gathering of Tribes tape $10.00 CD $15.95. This powerful collection of songs, prayers, native flute, drumming and chanting by Native American musicians and friends is offered as a benefit album for the preservation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. |
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Quartet,tape: 10.95 CD: 15.95. Whenever I am in the store, I put this 1996 instrumental release in our, now, not-so-new-CD player, and I am continually impressed with the unique musical application of banjo, guitar, piano, drums, and bass. Definitely jazz influenced, this release will make a great fit for most any activity done in your home or car. Recommended. |
The Past Didn't Go Anywhere, tape: 10.00 CD: 15.95. Utah tells the stories; Ani makes the music. Together it's funky, trippy, and witty. A slice of Americana, indeed. |
Taste This, tape: 11.50 CD: 16.95. A comedy release (oh, really?) by (when will she come out already?) humor goddess, Ellen. Tracks include "Children," "Licked by Frogs" and "Cats in Heat." Sure to be hilarious. |
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Revival, tape: 13.95 CD: 15.95. A surprisingly great country music release that is well written, well sung, and well produced. We have a promo; just ask for a listen. Highly recommended. |
Matriarcn, tape: 10.00 CD: 15.95. Very soothing and beautifully sung and arranged Native American release which is a collection of women's songs composed to honor all women as the Lifegivers and as a "series of thanksgivings for the bounties of Mother Earth, the true Matriarch and sustainer of us all." Highly recommended. |
Age of Innocence, tape: 10.00 CD: 15.95. Local singer, songwriter and bluegrass musician has released her second album. It is a dynamic release featuring Kate's impressive vocal technique backed up by the who's who of bluegrass music. Highly recommended. |
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Women to Women, Vol. 2, Tape: 11.50 CD: 16.95. The second production of its kind featuring a great array of contemporary women singer/songwriters such as Oleta Adams, Celine Dion, Sheryl Crow, Indigo Girls, Amy Grant, and Joan Osborne. A portion of the proceeds from sales of this album wil be donated to the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, the leading non-profit central resource for information on breast cancer. |
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