SOUND OFF: CD Reviews

Local rock

GRAHAM WHORLEY

"State Of Affairs"

(Independent)

(B+)

If you live in Charleston and follow the music scene, then it is almost impossible not to have heard of Graham Whorley at some point.

The Virginia transplant performs more than 250 shows a year, either with a band or as a solo acoustic artist, and his guitar virtuosity is well-known even outside the confines of the Lowcountry.

In much the same manner that Keller Williams made famous, Whorley uses looping pedals to create layer after layer of music when playing live.

On "State of Affairs," Whorley's new CD, the musician gives plenty of examples as to why he is so respected locally. From the Dave Matthews-esque "Lonesome Child," to a live version of "Cue" recorded at the Pour House, this CD will appeal to jam-band aficionados looking for some great guitar playing, or even casual-music listeners looking for something that gets their attention, yet at the same time doesn't beat them over the head with its intricacy.

Other choice tracks include "Sway" and the lengthy yet great instrumental "Diablo Senorita."

Grab the CD, but also make sure you get out to see Whorley live.

Download These: "Lonesome Child," "Diablo Senorita," "Cue"

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Concert DVD

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WITH THE SESSIONS BAND

"Live In Dublin"

(Columbia)

(B-)

Take a look at any concert video or DVD that features a concert filmed more than 15 years ago, and you'll notice something interesting.

Take for instance "Stop Making Sense," the spectacular concert film of Talking Heads directed by Jonathan Demme. On that video, the camera is allowed to linger on a particular shot, allowing the viewer to almost feel as if they are at the performance.

Fast forward to 2007 and the release of "Live in Dublin," which documents three evenings' worth of performances by Bruce Springsteen at The Point in Dublin, Ireland.

The tour, in support of Springsteen's tribute album to Pete Seeger, played its last few nights in Ireland, and while the music included on this DVD is as vital and exciting as any E Street Band performance, it seems that in this age of short attention spans things have changed when it comes to editing concert videos.

For starters, since footage from three different nights is included on this DVD, the editing doesn't always line up. Especially annoying are certain parts of the performance that seems to feature video from one night and audio from another. Most of the between-song banter is gone as well.

Cuts between scenes come fast and furious in most cases, which is particularly annoying when one considers that most of this material is folk music.

Still, even with this production butchering, "Live in Dublin" is still worth watching, if only to see Springsteen give what is obviously loving tribute to Seeger's work, as well as slip in some reworked songs of his own.

Highlights include "Old Dan Tucker" (listen for the audience singing along at the beginning), "Atlantic City," and "O Mary Don't You Weep." As further shame to whoever oversaw the production of the DVD, another fine performance, of Springsteen's "Blinded By the Light," runs during the credits.

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Hip-hop

BEASTIE BOYS

"The Mix-Up"

(Capitol)

(C+)

It has been more than a decade since the Beastie Boys released "The In Sound From Way Out," the group's first collection of instrumentals.

I still find myself putting that CD on when I need some good background music.

Now, and members Ad Rock, Mike D and MCA have dropped "The Mix-Up," the group's second instrumental collection. The CD features the three hip-hop artists performing on actual instruments, joined at times by keyboardist Money Mark and percussionist Alfredo Oritz.

When listened to on its own, "The Mix-Up" is nice enough, sounding a bit like the soundtrack to some long-lost '70's grindhouse flick.

Tracks such as "14th Street Break," "Freaky Hijiki," and "The Kangaroo Rat" do a good job of bringing the funk while also keeping things suitably mellow. Especially good is "Suco De Tangerina," which gives things a little South American groove.

The one problem with "The Mix-Up" though is the almost extreme mellowness that permeates the entire album. Unlike "The In Sound From Way Out," which had its lively moments, "The Mix-Up" nearly comes off as a set of hip-hop lullabies.

That isn't necessarily a criticism, but if you're looking for loud, upbeat music here, you're going to come away disappointed. Instead, I plan on using this new instrumental collection for when I wind down for the day.

Download These: "14th Street Break," "Freaky Hijiki," "Suco De Tangerina."