New Releases

Bruce Cockburn - Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu
Doug Schneider

Duo Turgeon - Romantic Dances for Piano Duet
Deryk Barker

Jewel - Joy: A Holiday Collection
Doug Schneider

Chuck Mangione - The Feeling's Back
Srajan Ebaen

Katy Moffatt - Loose Diamonds
Marc Rigrodsky

Motörhead - Live, Loud & Lewd
Chuck Moe

Brooks Williams - Hundred Year Shadow
David J. Cantor

The Yes Men - TV Planet
Bruce Bassett

Asylum Suite - Asylum Suite
Chuck Moe

Paquito D'Rivera - Tropicana Nights
Srajan Ebaen

James Keelaghan - Road
Todd Warnke

Mahler - Symphony No.10
Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra, conducted by Robert Olson
Deryk Barker

Julie Miller - Broken Things
Marc Rigrodsky

Tom Rush - No Regrets: The Very Best of Tom Rush
David. J. Cantor

Vedran Smailovic & Tommy Sands - Sarajevo - Belfast
Srajan Ebaen

From the Vaults

Eddie Daniels - The Five Seasons
Srajan Ebaen

Remasters

Roxy Music - Avalon
Doug Schneider

Steve Miller Band - Greatest Hits
Greg Smith

• SoundStage! Talks with
  Bob Ludwig (11/1999)
  Jay Aston (10/1999),
  
  
• On That Note
  Hard Bop (9/1999)
  Alternative Rock (5/1999)
  
  
• The Best Recordings of
  1999
  
  
• Bustin' Out Our Best
  1998, 1997

SnapShot! Archives

The Sinatra Family Wish You a Merry Christmas
DCC/Artanis ARZ-103-2, 1999

SnapShot! Rating:

This gold DCC remaster reminds me of the music from so many Christmas specials burned into my memory from childhood -- stars walking through indoor sets arm in arm and mouthing the words to carols as fake snow falls. However, my cynicism is tempered here by the touch of Nelson Riddle, who keeps the music, heavy on strings and oboe as it is, tasteful, if a bit too eager to please in spots. The songs are mostly unknown to me, and there are equal helpings of the Sinatra "kids" -- Nancy, Tina and Frank Jr. -- and the Chairman himself. The highlight of the disc is "The 12 Days of Christmas," which ends the whole thing with a familial bang. It’s complete with made-up lyrics that outline the gifts given to "my loving dad," like golf clubs, Meerschaum pipes and pairs of cufflinks -- the trappings of show-biz success. And when dad comes in on day 12 to finish up, the family that performs together spreads some Christmas cheer too. If this sounds kitschy, it is -- and I love it!...Marc Mickelson

Al DiMeola - Winter Nights
Telarc CD-83458, 1999

SnapShot! Rating:

A holiday album with New Age influences, Winter Nights showcases Al Di Meola on percussion, keyboards, multi-string harp and other instruments including, of course, acoustic guitar. There are a few recognizable numbers here, including "Scarborough Fair" and Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street," but the most involving music comes in the form of originals by Di Meola and Roman Hrynkiv, whose playing on the bandura, a stringed Ukrainian folk instrument capable of great subtlety, adds to the mood here. The wall-of-strings sound that Di Meola and Hrynkiv achieve is well served by a lush Telarc recording that isn’t unnaturally atmospheric. Here the musicians are very whole and present, enhancing the mind-expanding and ethereal music....Marc Mickelson

Ray Brown Trio with Guest Singers - Christmas Songs
Telarc CD-83437, 1999

SnapShot! Rating:

This collection of well-known Christmas songs performed by the Ray Brown Trio and sung by the likes of Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Etta Jones and Vanessa Rubin somehow avoids staleness, probably because the musicians aren’t afraid to poke and prod the songs to unveil new facets or push them in new directions. "Away in a Manger," opens the disc and sets the tone, breaking into gospel wailing -- and placid serenity too. Diana Krall does "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and it’s nothing special, overloaded with scat as it is. The sound is very good, sweet, typical of Telarc. If you want a safe disc to play at your Christmas get-together, one that everyone will enjoy because they will know the songs, this is it....Marc Mickelson