Jun 29, 2007

Yoshi's, Sick Puppies and Fairies dish new discs

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

VARIOUS ARTISTS - "10 SONGS RECORDED LIVE AT YOSHI'S"
Celebrating the venerable venue's 10th anniversary in Jack London Square (and 35th in the Bay Area), this special compilation features 10 tantalizing tracks. In addition to recordings by Marian McPartland, Joe Pass, Joey DeFranceso and Poncho Sanchez, listeners will be treated to two previously unreleased delights, Robben Ford's "Help the Poor" and Madeleine Peyroux's "This is Heaven," on which the songstress stirs in a sultry Billie Holiday flavor. Order this CD at www.yoshis.com.

BASSNECTAR - "UNDERGROUND COMMUNICATION"
San Francisco DJ Bassnectar paves new paths in underground hip-hop, electronica and the Burning Man scene, and establishes futuristic excitement. The rhythm-driven poetry, with intricate beats and intense bass lines, packs plenty of political and social punch. Interesting melodic ideas dance in and out of the powerful grooves.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - "JUST ONE MORE: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO LARRY BROWN"
Acclaimed Southern novelist Larry Brown ("Joe," "Dirty Work"), who died of a heart attack in 2004, loved music and often wrote about it. He's warmly honored on this tribute album by an array of gifted friends and admirers who contribute 18 primarily Americana tracks, 12 of them previously unreleased. Some were written for this project and deal with Brown's memorable characters, such as Caroline Herring's "Song for Fay." Other participants include Alejandro Escovedo, Vic Chestnutt, Robert Earl Keen, North Mississippi Allstars and Drams leader Brent Best.

SICK PUPPIES - "DRESSED UP AS LIFE"
Australia's YouTube sensations (the homemade "Free Hugs" video), Sick Puppies, recently released their North American debut album. Highlights include the single "All the Same" and "Pitiful." They zoom through a dozen tunes, guitars blazing, fueled by powerful bursts of rhythm. The band plays Slim's in San Francisco on June 8.

CHUCHO VALDES TRIO - "JAZZ BATA"
Chucho Valdes' fine release gives you the entire 1972 "Jazz Bata" album, which the great pianist recorded with bass and congas, as well as most of 1982's "Tem de Chaka." The latter has Valdes leading a five-piece rhythm section, with sax or flute on several tracks. The Cuban beats provide an alluring context for Valdes' imaginative excursions and immaculate technique.

THE ALMOST - "SOUTHERN WEATHER"
Having singled out Dave Grohl as an inspiration, Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie spreads his wings with The Almost. He makes a strong impression as a frontman. "Say This Sooner" is one of the especially strong cuts. The Floridian's Southern roots add a special flavor to this rock explosion. "Amazing, Because It Is," changes pace with a plaintive effort.

ROSCOE MITCHELL - "COMPOSITION / IMPROVISATION NOS. 1, 2 AND 3"
The avant-garde classical composer Roscoe Mitchell presents eight tracks, totaling 80 minutes. He spotlights a variety of instruments, often in more of a jazz milieu. Some particularly enthralling baritone sax and trumpet segments stand out. Mitchell's work is sometimes jarring, but always intriguing.

JEFF BUCKLEY - "SO REAL: SONGS OF JEFF BUCKLEY"
When he drowned in 1997, Jeff Buckley was in the midst of establishing himself as one of the most profoundly moving singer-songwriters of his time. His work exudes both sweetness and pain. His sensitive falsetto and emotional vibrato create an aura of vulnerability and romance. Though he could rock when he wanted to, the most resonant tracks are more reflective moments, like on Leonard Cohen's ethereal "Hallelujah" and Buckley's own soulful "Everybody Here Wants You." The live versions of "So Real" and the Smiths' "I Know It's Over" were previously unreleased.

IN THEORY - "THIS IS IT"
Potent, compact pop-punk explosions like "Help Me Help You," with its tight harmonies and crisply edgy instrumental work, recall Green Day. "A New Medication" is In Theory's compelling, non-preachy reaction to a friend's losing battle with alcohol. "Grow Up" will strike a resonant chord. This is a CD you'll want to crank up to top volume.

NINA SIMONE - "JUST LIKE A WOMAN"
Distinctive vocal artist Nina Simone put her stamp on pop-folk classics. "Just Like a Woman" assembles many of the best covers she recorded for RCA in the late '60s and '70s. Her interpretations of Dylan, Judy Collins, Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman, Sandy Denny, George Harrison and others provide entirely new perspectives on the songs. On some she's backed only by piano, on others, by full orchestration and supporting vocals. Her approach is consistently jazzy and soulful. One highlight is a moving, live version of "Who Knows Where the Time Goes." Another is the bluesy rendition of Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher" (famously recorded by Steppenwolf).

THE BASTARD FAIRIES - "MEMENTO MORI"
The Bastard Fairies make engaging lo-fi indie-pop rock by multi-instrumentalist/composer Robin Davey and Native American vocalist Yellow Thunder Woman. The duo also directed the award-winning documentary "The Canary Effect," about the damage U.S. policies have wreaked upon indigenous peoples. Just the right amount of quirkiness, both melodically and lyrically, enhance the deceptive simplicity of their songs. Wry humor balances the social relevance. "We're All Going to Hell" is already a hit on MySpace and YouTube. They've been offering a dozen songs for free download from their Web site and response has been phenomenal. This release presents five additional songs, plus a DVD.

EST - "TUESDAY WONDERLAND"
The Esbjorn Svensson Trio returns with a complex, consistently fascinating album. This adventurous jazz combo, through word of mouth, has built a fervent following. Pianist Svensson can begin with a Bach inspiration and take it into uncharted territory.

RANDY BRECKER & NIELS LAN DOKY TRIO - "THE GENEVA CONCERT" DVD
Known for his work with Blood Sweat & Tears, Horace Silver and the Brecker Brothers, Randy Brecker is an impeccable trumpeter who manages to display both power and subtlety, as well as extraordinary improvisational skills. This '94 performance DVD includes a conversation with Brecker as a bonus.

U2: DVD COLLECTOR'S BOX
These two collector's discs present an "unauthorized documentary uncovering the truth behind the music and career of the world's biggest rock group." It draws from news footage and televised interviews, as well as extensive comments from journalists, friends and colleagues. The bio portion titled "Bono: God's Favorite Son," is the most informative.