Entertainment
 
 
Happenings:
Go to →

Sound off

By <B>Devin Grant</B>, Special to The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 18, 2009


Lullaby Renditions Of Queen

(Rockabye Baby Music)

The Rockabye Baby! catalog, which features slumber-inducing versions of songs by popular rock artists, continues to grow.

Not every choice of band quite works with the concept. Take for example the music of Coldplay, which in its original form can be substituted for Ambien, or albums that spotlight the music of Tool and Nine Inch Nails. Yeah, sweet dreams indeed.

When the correct band is chosen, though, the results are pretty impressive, as is the case with the Queen version of "Rockabye Baby!" One can only wonder what the late Freddie Mercury would think of his rock masterpieces distilled down to tranquil instrumentals featuring harps, xylophones and other decidedly un-rock 'n' roll-like instruments, but by gum it actually works.

I tested "Bohemian Rhapsody" out on my 3-year-old son, and he was out like a light before the first "scaramouche." Even more up-tempo tunes such as "Another One Bites the Dust," "We Will Rock You" and "Fat Bottomed Girls" seem to work when given the lullaby treatment.

If you want to get your kids started on a good dose of classic rock early, albeit in a subliminal sort of way, then this one is recommended.

Download These: "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Under Pressure" and "Killer Queen."

Woodstock: 3 Days Of Peace and Music Director's Cut 40th Anniversary Edition

(Warner Home Video)

Your attention please; would Wavy Gravy please report to the backstage area. No this is not another plea to avoid the brown acid, but come to think of it, even 40 years on that might not be such a bad idea.

That's right, all you Baby Boomers out there, this summer marks 40 years since a farmer named Max Yasgur gave permission for his farm to be the site of what is undoubtedly the most famous and iconic music festival of them all, Woodstock.

Prepare yourselves for an onslaught of special edition CDs and DVDs by the artists who were a part of the three days of peace and music. As a sort of warning shot across your bow, Warner Home Video has seen fit to release a special Director's Cut of the Academy Award-winning documentary, which allows the viewer to see even more footage of the music and the community that evolved.

Additions include new performance footage of Santana, The Who, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and others. Also included is a disc with a documentary that features interviews with the likes of Michael Lang, Martin Scorsese, and Hugh Hefner. If you have never seen "Woodstock: The Movie," then this is a chance to see almost as much as the folks who were actually there.

Magnolia Land

(Soundview)

Considering that he has been playing live music since he was in his teens, it should come as no surprise that Davis Coen seems to eat, sleep and breathe the blues.

With a voice seasoned by roadhouse whiskey and heartbreak, this guy is not merely some carpetbagger trying to cash in on the genre. When Coen sings about being dead and gone, as he does on "Tired and Lonesome," the leadoff track from his latest CD, "Magnolia Land," you believe every word.

Coen's singing voice is reminiscent of Eric Clapton's, and on tracks such as "Wrong Side of Town" and "Anna Ann," one can almost picture the Coen sitting smack dab in the middle of the Mississippi Delta playing his guitar.

The album's strongest track is "Country Girl Blues," with its blazing slide guitar. Cohen also puts on an electrifying live show. Make sure to see him the next time he plays locally.

Download These: "Country Girl Blues," "Anna Ann" and "Wrong Side of Town."

Rhett Miller

(Shout! Factory)

There are times when a member of an established band steps aside to record a solo project, and everything just clicks. Rhett Miller's new self-titled solo CD, unfortunately, is not an example of this.

To be fair, the lead singer for Old 97's has crafted a lovely enough album, but there is just something missing. The compositions lack the same oomph that has drawn so many to Miller's day job.

It isn't until the fourth song, "I Need to Know Where I Stand," that things even begin to approach interesting. Miller's voice, normally in your face on the 97's albums, seems to be holding back here.

Later tracks, such as the introspective "Bonfire" and the up-tempo "If It's Not Love," elevate this album, but not enough to warrant picking up. I look forward to the next Old 97's release, but fans thinking this one is going to tide them over are in for a rude awakening.

Download These: "Bonfire," "I Need to Know Where I Stand" and "If It's Not Love."

Comments

pumbrell (anonymous) says...

These CDs keep getting better and better. This is the best one by far!

June 18, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Notice about comments:

Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.

Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!


 
 
Other Stuff

preview twitter feed
  RSS