Tim McGraw, "Mr. Nice Guy," blows hot and cold on his latest release, "Let It Go." And, it goes without saying, his multitudinous fans will buy anything with his name on it.
This CD, if not worth the purchase price, has a lot of "same old" mixed in with some genuine gems, one of which is the first cut, "Last Dollar," a well-produced, gimmick-filled piece complete with a chorus doing some "ha-ha's" and a kiddie chorus. This was a wise choice as a debut single.
"Kristofferson" is a tribute of sorts to Kris.
"Gonna write a song for you like Kristofferson would do." Lotsa luck.
"Between the River and Me" is McGraw letting loose, chirping some rough lyrics.
It is an excellent item. "Shotgun Rider" is a decent cowboy song, echoing Willie Nelson's sentiments. He sang "Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," and McGraw sings, "The life of a cowboy ain't no good at all.
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This singer, of course, has Faith. Mrs. McGraw joins him on one of the release's best pieces, "I Need You.
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You don't need every song on this CD, but if you download judiciously you will come up with some really good stuff.
Frank Roberts, The Pilot
Tracks to download: "Last Dollar," "I Need You," "Kristofferson," "Between the River and Me," "Shotgun Rider"
This third release from African group Tinariwen (means "empty spaces" in the band's native Tamashek language) is a wonder of otherwordly rock.
The group is made up of Touareg tribesmen, nomadic people who meander through Mali's desert region.
Formed in the 1980s at a rebel camp, the group incorporates indigenous instruments and music bolstered by a cadre of roiling, pulsating electric guitars. Although the band sings about cultural pride, non violence and the struggle to exist in an unforgiving environment, members have also been influenced by Santana, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones to create a hypnotic rock unlike any ever heard.
The group's output, created over five-tone scales, sounds like a blend of Arabic and African rhythms and melodies.
Male lead vocalists render lyrics in Tamashek or French while engaging in spirited call-and-response with a bevy of hand-clapping female backing singers who routinely inject arresting ululating harmonies.
This album is not for the musical faint-of-heart. But for those craving an exotic sound rooted in Bo Diddley blues-rock guitar rhythms that constantly roll and tumble, Tinariwen will take one on a unique musical adventure.
Eric Feber, The Pilot
• ow - television shows with soundtracks. The latest MTV release for its "Laguna Beach" spinoff, "The Hills: The Soundtrack," produces no show stoppers. It's a predictable mix, including the 1980s tune "Walking in L.
A." by Dale Bozzio's band Missing Persons. Duh.
The show's all about Lauren Conrad, college life, her friends and her internship at Teen Vogue in, you guessed it, Los Angeles. With some of the songs, like Augustana's "Boston" and Lindsay Lohan's "A Beautiful Life," you can almost feel the angst these young adults are going through - mirrored by the songs played over the scenes of their lives. How perfectly maudlin.
The mix also includes some popular tunes for the younger generation including Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten," Pink's "Long Way to Happy," Imogen Heap's "Loose Ends" and Good Charlotte's "I Just Wanna Live." Listeners can find individual songs they'll enjoy, but you're better off just downloading the ones you like off the Internet.
Toni Guagenti, The Pilot
Tracks to download: Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten," Missing Persons' "Walking in L.
A." and Good Charlotte's "I Just Wanna Live"
If you've ever wondered what a vocal prodigy sounds like, here's your chance. Hayley Westenra, a young singer who has performed with Celtic Woman and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli - another angelic voice - has released her second album, "Celtic Treasure.
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These are not, strictly speaking, purely Celtic tunes. This is a collection of folk and spiritual standards - including "Scarborough Fair," "Danny Boy," "Whispering Hope" and "The Water is Wide" - mixed with a few pop-inspired compositions such as "Summer Fly" and "Summer Rain." You'll have heard these songs before, but never like this.
Instrumentals are perfect but kept to a minimum as backup, letting Westenra's clear, bright voice shine through. The selection is well suited to her dulcet soprano, reminiscent of Sarah Brightman and Enya at their best.
A highlight, "The Last Rose of Summer," is the lone duet with Meav from the group Celtic Woman.
Westenra also brings a fresh interpretation to "One Fine Day," an English language cover of "Un Bel Di" from Puccini's "Madam e Butterfly."
Kay Reynolds, The Pilot
Tracks to download: "Let Me Lie," "Abide With Me," "The Last Rose of Summer," "Whispering Hope"
Back when R B was distinguishable from hip-hop, Karyn White was a star. This was a slight feat, given that R B of this late '80s /early '90s period belonged to megadivas like Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson.
The idea of a White "Best Of" might seem contrived, but not after recalling the hits and forgotten-but-quality songs here.
Naturally, "Superwoman" is the main feature, a campy but strong ballad about a woman neglected by her man. That was just one of the hits she and Babyface churned out in a short time, along with "The Way You Love Me," "Secret Rendezvous" and "Love Saw It" - all here.
The songs still hold, as do tracks featuring the indestructible duo Jimmy Jam and (White's ex-hubby) Terry Lewis, "Romantic" and "Hungah" off her 1994 final album. By then, though - with Mary J. Blige two albums deep into changing the game - White and her whole approach had become antiquated.
It's a shame because, as this retrospective proves (even with the two good, un released tracks), White had the looks, the charisma and the voice for stardom. What she lacked, apparently, was stamina.
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