On The Air 2010

Miranda Cosgrove – “Sparks Fly” (2010):  Music is often over-engineered, drowning the youthful voice; however, tracks like “Kissin’ U”; “BAM”; “Hey You”; “There Will Be Tears”; “Adored” and “Beautiful Mess” make it clear this kid has talent. With a bit of experience she’ll grow into the emotional sincerity that is often missing in her voice. Grade – B

Melissa Etheridge – “Fearless Love” (2010):  Melissa Etheridge has the uncanny ability to convey such power and emotion with lyric, voice and guitar. On this album, the three are sometimes not in harmony. But, overall, tracks like “Company”; “Nervous”; “Only Love”; “To Be Loved”; and, “Gently We Row” carry her message to the listener most profoundly. Grade – A

Paul Simon - “Graceland” (2004):  Remastered to include three additional tracks, demos and unreleased versions of other included tracks, this re-released album is every bit as compelling and inspirational as it was in 1986. With every track, the listener is carried on a journey to enlightenment, carried by a wave of melody and harmony defying reason. The artist has found a profound course with which to share his visit to South African, bringing the history, struggle, faith and music of a neglected culture to the world. Grade – A+

Celtic Woman - “Songs From The Heart” (2010):  The last two albums have fallen a bit flat but I’m happy to proclaim with this album the beauty, harmony and tradition of Celtic Woman is restored! A wonder of music, voice and culture! Grade – A

Miley Cyrus - “Can’t Be Tamed” (2010):  Every track on this album is a clear, defiant, cry of independence, an artist’s statement of talent which won’t be denied! The first three tracks hit the listener like a thunder clap, demanding attention. Miley’s cover of “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” should set a new definition for the tune, a solid mark for the writers whose words and music defy conventions of musical genre. Liner notes will confirm what every listener should realize, the artist brought her own mind and spirit to this work! Grade - A

Jewel - “Sweet And Wild” (2010):  That wonderfully powerful voice! An angel sharing her heart with the world. Every track, a harmony of voice and music that can’t be ignored! Country, pop, folk - no matter - every word, every sound, the mark of a talented artist commanding an audience! Grade - A

Jewel - “Sweet And Mild” (2010):  This is the acoustic “Sweet And Wild” - and it’s even better! This is Jewel’s strength. Her voice and a guitar holding an audience in rapture! Grade - A+

26 June 2010
By Frank Jaymes

On The Air 2009

Jewel “Lullaby” (2009): Sweet! Something different but well fit, poetic intimacy. New tunes, familiar tunes, all sung with that angelic voice. You may not fall asleep listening to it but you’ll certainly find it easier to settle down after a busy, stressed, even lonely, day. A

“Yankee Doodle Dandy” MPS (2002): Hoorah! This is a special edition motion picture soundtrack, from one of my Most Favorite [Historic] Films. The tracks are taken, re-engineered, directly from the film. In addition to the numbers heard in the film, featured on this album are out-takes, interviews, auditions, rehearsals and a few numbers which were recorded for but cut from the film. A

“Sweeney Todd [: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]” MPS (2007): Excellent! This motion picture soundtrack created in me a brand new fondness for the film! I now count the film as one of my Most Favorite Films! In parts the tracks are a bit mis-engineered, leaving the vocals difficult to hear. Still the sheer madness of the subject matter and the quirky delight of the lyrics is a shining joy. A

Lucinda Williams “Sweet Old World” (1992): Wonderful! Brother Wease introduced me to this talented singer-songwriter with an on-air recommendation and free radio play. An old soul with a weathered voice and hard sound, this album is one of her earliest and it did not disappoint. I look forward to listening to more of this talent. B

Melissa Etheridge “Yes, I Am” (1993): Cool! One of her most revealing albums. This lady’s sound is wonderful, emoting pain and pleasure with such honesty, no ear could deny it. B

Joan Osborne “Little Wild One” (2008): Wild! This album is further proof of a talented musical artist’s perseverance. While the public at large may not consider her a musical star and few radio stations play her tunes, this lady has never disappointed a CD buyer or a venue. B

Sweeney Todd [: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street] Original Broadway Cast Soundtrack (1979): Included with this special edition CD is the entire libretto and a [formatted-to-size] complete playbill. These tracks seem to have been recorded live-on-stage; unfortunately, these recordings either weren’t re-engineered or were poorly re-engineered from the original source; so, this CD can be difficult to enjoy. Still, if you turn the volume up and lend a careful ear to the sound [or a quick eye to the libretto] you’ll get swept away by the tale. C

Lucinda Williams “Live At The Fillmore” (2005): Wow! The only thing that could have made this double-disc set better would be attending the show in person. A

Celtic Woman “A New Journey” (2006): Nice! The ladies come together in joyous harmony and musical celebration. With this album we say hello to two new woman and farewell to one other, changing the roster hasn’t changed the talent. Many of the tracks on this album are familiar but some are presented for the first time and all are sheer wonder. B

Reel Reviews by Josef
11 May 2009