Newlook 2009

This historic compilation of classic Chicago blues from six decades brought through contemporary recording terms is a loving, two-CD set of music that is not interpreted or reinvented as it is played faithfully to the core. A fairly set rhythm section featuring guitarist Billy Flynn, bassist Felton Crews, and drummer Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, backs modern-day living legends like Billy Boy Arnold, Lurrie Bell, Billy Branch, and John Primer on tunes penned by both Sonny Boy Williamsons, Big Bill Broonzy, Big Maceo Merriweather, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, the Hooker Brothers, Buddy Guy, and others. Considerable help is given by harmonicist Matthew Skoller (brother of producer Larry Skoller,) keyboardist Johnny Iguana, vocalist Mike Avery (cousin of Magic Sam), and lead guitarist Carlos Johnson…

Blank Manuskript is an ArtRock project from Salzburg, Austria. Typical long songs ornamented with a high level of symphonic density and elaborate polyphonic structures as well as extended improvised sections lead their audience through an entire musical adventure. Their compositional approach seeks to combine all sorts of different styles and traditions needed to serve the initial concept of their works. Hence, the arrangements are carefully structured with complex rhythmical patterns and establish a sound-scape that can hardly be found in music nowadays. The lyrical elements are picturesque with a worked out mystic touch and though at a first glance arcane, they always address current social issues in an implicit way. As the music always follows the narrated concept, one might label it contemporary rock program music.

The Gypsy swing music of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli of the 1930s has been kept alive by various European jazz musicians in the decades since Reinhardt's death in 1953 and Grappelli's in 1996. For the most part, the young guitarist Rocky Gresset continues Reinhardt's approach in his debut effort as a leader, utilizing a quartet with violinist Costel Nitescu and rhythm guitarist Matheu Chatelain, with bassist Jeremie Arranger taking over on two tracks. Gresset doesn't really break new ground in his treatments of standards like “Time on My Hands," “Just One of Those Things," and “Blue Skies." One of Reinhardt's songs, “Webster," is an obscurity dating from the guitarist's post-World War II years; Gresset and Nitescu offer impressive solos.

The Triple Feature series by Sony Legacy compiles three – usually well-known – catalog albums by big-name artists, assembles them in a slipcase box, and sells them at a budget price to consumers. While the reason may be simply a new package in order to clear shelves of excess inventory, this exercise also serves a purpose for collectors and fans filling in holes for a favorite artist. In the case of Frank Sinatra, Sony actually compiled three previously issued compilations – Classics & Standards, I’ve Got a Crush on You, and Songs from the Movies. Sinatra-philes already know that the earliest part of his career was spent recording for Columbia, and these titles reflect more the crooner than the finger-popping swing daddy of jazz and pop. It’s not that the music here isn’t worth hearing…