Various Artists Cocktail - Shaken and Stirred BMG

If you have missed the recent kitsch revival, it is time to

wake up, smell the java and get ready to tango. This

~ compilation is proudly presented by Jaymz Bee and the Royal _ Jelly Orchestra, with a different artist featured on each of the * 11 tracks. This collection features melodious covers of such § hitsas"You Oughta Know" with the Beehive Singers, "Ameri- _ can Woman" with Frank Nevada, "Safety Dance" with Kyree » Vibrant, and "Sunglasses at Night" with John Southworth. The liner notes add the olive and swizzle stick to the mood, with suggested cocktails and dance moves to perfect the ambience ® -- there are even some recipes for martinis. This album is i perfectly fun for daytime or evening. Tim Tamashiro's version of Loverboy's "Turn Me Loose" is the way it should be. Everything retro has had its glory day at one time or another, § and obviously lounge lizard mentalities were due for their day 3 in the sun as well. For some reason, this latest look back to § yesterday provides a bit more than the usual faddish whims. } These cocktails, shaken and stirred, are class, plain and simple. § Itistime to get back to the basics and the smoke filled-lounges. % It is time to get back to when music was music. And it's going ‘ to start right here with The Royal Jelly Orchestra. The next big ® thing.

KK

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by H. Madge Magnasson

Suzanne Vega Nine Objects of Desire A&M Records Inc.

Let's get it out of our systems once and for all: "Tom's Diner". There. There shouldn't be any need to seek therapy. At was the trendoid of days gone by. Everybody was doot-doot- “doing it. Suzanne Vega is older now. Things are a little «different, though her voice is still thin and raspy and lacks “much command while chanting words over sound. Her lyrics @still seem a bit too trite to warrant any serious contemplation. gat could be just as easy as listening to dismiss her as a has-been that should have taken her hit and run. Fortunately (or iepnfortunately), Suzanne is adept at weaving an atmosphere y from what wisps her voice does allow her, and the mesh of this #7and the eclectic music -- ranging from exotica to tribal rhythms €# more sterile produced sounds -- is somewhat palatable.

Seach of the 12 songs is a nod to "alternasophistapop", with all © #f the tracks clocking in at under three minutes and 38 seconds. #fhe fan of days of yore will still be pleasantly pleased at what

in the corner should probably keep browsing. **K

by H. Madge Magnasson

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Black Crowes

Three Snakes and One Charm

American/Warner Brothers Music

If you like the Black Crowes at all, you will love this album. The follow-up to Shake Your Money Maker, The Southern Harmony and Musi- cal Companion, and Amorica, this album has more ofan edge. Songs range from the Crowes' typical rock n'roll blues, to subdued ballads, notably "Girl From a Pawnshop" and "How Much for Your Wings?". Even without the unusual and inter- esting lyrics, the music itself is enough to make you want Three Snakes and One Charm. Allthe songs feature excellent guitar riffs with lots of percus- sion backup.

My favourite track is "Blackberry", the latest single released from this album. It's hyper, fun and upbeat. The video for "Blackberry" is cool also; the band magically ap- pears inside your favourite 3- D_ Viewmaster _ stories. (You've got to love these guys!). "Good Friday" is a little more mellow. It will make you want to wave a lighter as you groove to the sound of a wailing blues har- monica solo. I loved virtually every track on the CD, but I'm obviously a biased Black Crowes fan, so buy the album and listen for yourself. Listen to it loud in the car...on the way to work...anytime! I guar- antee immediate musical sat- isfaction.

Rating: *****

by Quicksilver Girl

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Entertainment

November 19, 1996

Holly Cole : It Happened One Night et Alert Music / j

What can I say? This live recording of selected numbers froma concert which took place in Montreal in 1995 speaks for itself. Holly Cole is an amazing performer and a talented songstress.

The material on this album incorporates songs from all three of Cole’s previous recordings. It includes two of my personal favourites, “Cry (If You Want To)” and “Don’t Let The Teardrops Rust Your Shining Heart”, written by Ben Watt of Everything But The Girl during their pre-techno era. All the songs on the album are as spell-binding live as they were in the studio. It Happened One Night is only ashort album. It contains only 8 songs probably because most of the space on the CD is taken up by an interactive multi-media portion. Unfortunately, I did not get to review this part of the CD because I do not have the computer capability. Instead, I will let you in on what is included. There are four full-length live performances, the original videos for “Calling You” and “I Can See Clearly Now’, as well as a discography, profiles of the band members and a Q&A session with Cole herself.

When asked why she made this recording, Cole said “For the fans and ourselves. I wanted to make a live record- ing.” I hope she and her band members are satisfied. I am sure her fans will be.

KK Ee Steve Ellis

Various Transmissions Volume 1 Virgin

DJ John Acquaviva has a magic touch. This mix, though silver in colour, is just short of being pure gold.

The beat is infective. I listened to this album for the first time while stuffing envelopes and found myself bopping around in my chair with a building urge to get up and “bust a move”.

The beat is also repetitive. Most of the tracks have the same pseudo-snare sound as the underlying rhythm. This was great for the continuity, but some variety would have made this recording even better. By the time I had finished listening to the album the whole way through, I was beginning to find it tiresome.

Ofall the songs on the CDI only dislike one, specifically “Logan’s Run” by L. A. Williams. The rest are quite good, including the final track, “Phreakin’” by DJ HMC, which, in my opinion, is the best of all.

I highly recommend this album. You may have a hard time finding it in Charlottetown, though. Happy hunting!

KK Steve Ellis 5 3 5

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