A- Van Morrison
Duets: Re-Working
the Catalogue
RCA
The duets format can be a predictable romp to showcase familiar songs. Not so with Van Morrison's new set, which skips obvious hits like "Moondance" and "Brown-Eyed Girl" for overlooked, sometimes eccentric tracks from albums like The Healing Game and A Period of Transition.
The result is a refreshing look at the stunning breadth of Morrison's poetic compositions. It's all here: The devotion to American rhythm and blues roots, the moody introspection, the search for transcendence. The music is unified by his fierce vision, and set off by his magnificent voice.
The choice of collaborators is revealing: Mavis Staples, with her golden voice and long family history; jazz singer Gregory Porter (who finally makes some of the mumbled lyrics to "The Eternal Kansas City" intelligible); and Taj Mahal, who seems to nail "How Can a Poor Boy" on the very first take.
Morrison also includes some of the early English rockers who were on the way up when he first surfaced in the mid-'60s, including Chris Farlowe and Georgie Fame.
Some of the songs may send fans back to the original albums, particularly "Streets of Arklow," a cut from Morrison's brilliant, Irish-tinged Veedon Fleece presented here in tandem with Mick Hucknall.
Hot tracks: "The Eternal Kansas City," "How Can a Poor Boy," "Streets of Arklow."
-- GREGORY KATZ,
The Associated Press
A New Broadway Cast
Recording
On the Town
PS Classics
A revival of a bona fide classic, On the Town brings the bustle, grit, joy and bittersweet uncertainty of World War II-era New York to life. This two-disc set is as complete as one could hope to find, including not just the songs, but the dance sequences and instrumental segues as well. A larger-than-average orchestra gives lush life to Leonard Bernstein's jazzy, fun, heartfelt score.
The story, told through a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, is about the adventures of three sailors on 24-hour shore leave in New York -- one day to see all the sights and, hopefully, snag a date.
Along the way, the boys and their girls perform songs, including the clever, innuendo-laden "I Can Cook Too," the bouncy "Ya Got Me" and the heartbreakingly longing "Some Other Time."
All the singers here are terrific, with strong, clear voices and a lot of personality.
Hot tracks: All. "I Can Cook Too," "New York, New York," "Some Other Time" are highlights.
-- JENNIFER NIXON
B Darius Rucker
Southern Style
Capitol Nashville
Darius Rucker's second career as a country singer shows no signs of slowing down.
The lead singer of rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker has scored three chart-topping country albums, spawning six No. 1 hits, including the Grammy-winning "Wagon Wheel."
Southern Style continues to emphasize upbeat, pop-influenced country, heavy on catchy choruses. Interestingly, the former rocker comes off as more country than some of his male country peers. The mandolin-driven "High on Life" and the slide guitar-fueled "Low Country" are more relaxed than anything by Jason Aldean or Eric Church.
But the breezy feel fits Rucker's comfortable baritone. Alan Jackson's producer, Keith Stegall, collaborates on five songs, bringing out Rucker's Southern drawl on "Baby I'm Right," a striking duet with Mallary Hope.
Rucker's longtime producer, Frank Rogers, adds new sonic treatments to "Homegrown Honey" and the title song, both of which celebrate Southern women.
Hot tracks: "High on Life," "Baby I'm Right," "Homegrown Honey."
-- MICHAEL McCALL,
The Associated Press
B Kevin Eubanks & Stanley Jordan
Duets
Mack Avenue
Kevin Eubanks has gotten his jazz groove back since stepping down as Tonight Show band leader in 2010. On Duets, he teams with fellow guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan for an intimate session that's more spontaneous than over-produced, mixing jazz standards, contemporary pop tunes and originals.
On Thad Jones' ballad "A Child Is Born," Eubanks' gospel-flavored piano playing blends well with Jordan's trademark "touch technique" on electric guitar, in which he taps the strings with both hands. On Miles Davis' "Blue in Green," Jordan turns to piano while Eubanks plays electric guitar. George Gershwin's "Summertime" is a solo spotlight for Eubanks, who overdubs acoustic guitar and bass lines to engage in contrapuntal playing with himself.
The duo's guitars take on almost voice-like qualities in a moving version of Adele's "Someone Like You." On Ellie Gouldings' "Lights," the guitarists bring out the nuances of the hauntingly beautiful melody as they delicately entwine guitar lines.
Two originals -- "Morning Sun" and "Goin' on Home" -- are guitar duets full of spontaneous interaction.
Hot tracks: "A Child Is Born," "Blue in Green," "Someone Like You."
-- CHARLES J. GANS,
The Associated Press
Style on 04/07/2015