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| Lazy Bones |
'Friends': Jools in a Flattering Setting
The British pianist Jools Holland has made a career of music, and of sociability. He began his career with the band Squeeze, but soon parlayed his musical savvy and wry grin into numerous hosting gigs for documentaries and variety shows on both sides of the Atlantic. Holland is truly at ease in the host's chair while refusing to seize center stage, which renders him all the more congenial.
Most recently, Holland has turned his hand to recordings on which he is joined by not only a big band but also an array of celebrated guests from most corners of pop music. Last year's romp, "Jools Holland's Big Band Rhythm & Blues," featured one of George Harrison's last recordings before his death. On the follow-up, "Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra: More Friends," the gregarious Holland has again rallied his pals, from searing guitarist Jeff Beck to reggae great Jimmy Cliff to the folksy pop chap known as Badly Drawn Boy.
Many of the guests don't stray far from their jazzy-bluesy home genres. The Blind Boys of Alabama, George Benson and Grammy magnet Norah Jones all turn in credible if predictable performances -- particularly Jones, who indulges her sleepy side.
But agents, take note: Someone stateside needs to discover Beverley Knight, a British soul singer in her late twenties whose treatment of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" is at once soaring and nuanced.
The tireless Tom Jones swivels his all on the rockin' "Don't You Kiss My Cheek." Robert Plant may "Let the Boogie Woogie Roll" with gusto, but in a dance-athon, my money's on Mr. Jones. Another up-tempo triumph comes from Ray Davies, who's surrounded by blasts of brass on his composition "Yours Truly, Confused N10."
The normally beguiling Bryan Ferry has sounded silkier than here, alas, but the spare instrumentation and Holland's piano does "The Only Face" a service. And as blusters her way through Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" like a drunk aunt who stole the mike from the wedding singer, Holland gamely tickles his ivories along.
The exception may be the immutable persona of Bono. Holland's reworking of U2's "If You Wear That Velvet Dress" verges on seductive, but every time the orchestration really takes flight, a lick of vocal posturing reminds that yes, it's Bono -- which shatters the mood.
The album's two best tracks are nearly opposite in tone from one another. On "Out of This World," which she wrote with Holland, Chrissie Hynde's celestial crooning shows a languor unusual for her that's very effective. A whole album of jazz standards, please, Ms. Hynde: something for a blue mood.
And on "Tuxedo Junction," Holland and his band cut loose all by themselves. No high-profile guest vocals, just solo after solo as members of the band add their instrumental voices to the mix. Holland never shines the spotlight on himself, but ultimately he's the reason things swing. Powerful fun. |
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| littleredrooster |
Lazy Bones!
Do you know that today May 29th ,Thursday is....
'Lazy Bones Day' in Belgium????????
Maybe a local can confirm the event!!
Congrads!!! |
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| Lazy Bones |
quote:
littleredrooster wrote:
Lazy Bones!
Do you know that today May 29th ,Thursday is....
'Lazy Bones Day' in Belgium????????
Maybe a local can confirm the event!!
Congrads!!!
Well...what can I say. You want a real laugh, type Lazy Bones in a search engine and watch all the crazy stuff come up. Everything from band names to kids songs.. |
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