Mar 24, 2008

New tunes find fans of any age

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

MARIAN McPARTLAND - "TWILIGHT WORLD"
That extraordinary light isn't coming from all the candles on the cake. NPR staple Marian McPartland, who turned 90 on March 20, creates luminescence with her warm and wonderful piano playing. On this trio album, the artist's first studio release in nine years, you'll hear gorgeous compositions by Ornette Coleman, Miles Davis, Berlin, Bacharach and McPartland herself.

CHARLES LLOYD QUARTET -- "RABO DE NUBE"
Jazz icon Charles Lloyd, who plays San Francisco's Herbst Theater tonight (March 28), celebrates his 70th birthday with a tour and new CD. The tenor saxophonist/alto flutist is a national treasure. This album proves he's as relevant, vibrant and adventurous as ever.

"BLUE COAST COLLECTION: THE E.S.E. SESSIONS"
This hybrid SA-CD, sensitively produced and engineered by Cookie Marenco and Jean Claude Reynaud, will make you feel like you're right in the studio with the gifted array of acoustic musicians. For those with a top-notch audio system, you'll be blown away by the recording quality. The Belmont-based company is taking sound to the next plateau.

VARIOUS ARTISTS -- "THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA: GAMBLE & HUFF'S GREATEST HITS"
In the '70s producing team Gamble & Huff churned out a string of influential soul hits, many of which crossed over to top the pop charts. This album features their greatest hits, among them "Mr. and Mrs. Jones," "When Will I See You Again" and "Backstabbers."

ENRICO GRANAFEI - "IN SEARCH OF THE THIRD DIMENSION"
When you think of jazz instruments, the harmonica probably isn't the first to pop into your mind. That might change after listening to Enrico Granafei's dazzling album. Granafei plays the chromatic harmonica and nylon string guitar simultaneously, without overdubbing.

MIKE RENWICK - "MR. MIKE'S SALON"
Dynamic R&B guitarist Mike Renwick, backed by a boisterous band featuring the Eric Bolvin horns, celebrates the release of "Mr. Mike's Salon" at Redwood City's Little Fox on April 20. If you dig Tower of Power-type sounds, don't miss this "Rock & Roll Soul Dance Party." Album highlights include the ballad "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" and a funked-up "Dream Lover."

CAROLINE HERRING - "LANTANA"
Americana artist Caroline Herring delivers an outstanding set of finely etched tunes, including "Stone Cold World" and "Midnight On The Water." Her plaintive voice reaches straight to the heart.

"SIMON & GARFUNKEL, LIVE 1969"
Simon and Garfunkel's 17 timeless tunes were recorded in six cities during the fall 1969 tour - their last until a 1982 reunion. Now available only at Starbucks, the album will be in general release this fall. Though the duo was falling apart at the time, the harmonies remain glorious.

BLACK 47 - "IRAQ"
Political Irish rockers Black 47 present a clear-eyed, balanced and powerful view of the war. This is one of the most important albums of 2008 to date.

PAUL MANOUSOS - "COMMON THREAD"
Paul Manousos, Alameda singer-songwriter, proves equally strong with folkie ballads and bluesy rockers. He makes an indelible impression on listeners with his intense, jagged, Jagger-like vocals.

ROBERTA GAMBARINI - "YOU ARE THERE"
If you appreciate classic pop, you shouldn't miss Roberta Gambarini's "You Are There." Grammy-nominated Gambarini's stylish, sultry voice lifts her to the genre's upper echelon. On this lovely collection she is accompanied by jazz piano great Hank Jones.

THE LEMONHEADS - "IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY"
Rhino has released a collector's edition of The Lemonheads' indie rock classic "It's a Shame About Ray." Hard to believe it's been 16 years since the album's initial release. The repackaging is a dandy and includes a DVD with live footage and video clips. The CD includes previously unreleased demos.

"HONEYDRIPPER" - ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
The superlative soundtrack to the John Sayles film will be cherished by aficionados of rural '50s blues. Includes new material from Keb' Mo', Mable John and guitarist Gary Clark.

CARRIE NEWCOMER - "THE GEOGRAPHY OF LIGHT"
Roots artist Carrie Newcomer returns with another outstanding CD: a sense of spirituality and wonder emanates from these glorious songs. Newcomer plays the Freight & Salvage on Sunday March 30.

KATHLEEN EDWARDS - "ASKING FOR FLOWERS"
Kathleen Edwards has earned a spot among our finest singer-songwriters: "Asking for Flowers" offers one sparkling gem after another. The compositions range from deeply moving to light and clever. "Scared At Night" is hauntingly beautiful. S.J. Sharks fans will chuckle over the Marty McSorley reference in "I Make The Dough, You Get The Glory."

THE FOUR BITCHIN' BABES - "HORMONAL IMBALANCE"
With strong voices and songs that are both hilarious and perceptive, the Four Bitchin' Babes have earned a fervent following. The numbers on this latest CD, subtitled "A Mood Swinging Musical Revue," include "Hot Flash" and "The Boob Fairy." They play the Freight & Salvage on April 24.