On The Beat

Blame it on Brazil

BRAZIL: Blame it on the bossa nova. The sweet and melodic charms of Brazilian music have been steadily attracting a new audience worldwide, and that process seems to be picking up steam. In Canada, such artists as BET.E & STEF, the very popular Montreal duo, and even Celtic singer JOHN McDERMOTT have been doing bossa songs, and the style has caught on with the young ambient elecronica/chill-out crowd. Now arts channel Bravo! are climbing on board the Brazilian bandwagon. In partnership with Warner, they've just released Bravo! Chill Brazil, a double CD collection of both classic and contemporary cuts. Genre legends like TOM JOBIM, GILBERTO GIL, JOAO GILBERTO and MILTON NASCIMENTO are well-represented, as is current fave BEBEL GILBERTO. It is nicely compiled and can serve as a perfect introduction to this rich and romantic sound.

BLACK BOOT TRIO: These Ottawa roots rockers took a rare drive down the 401 for a gig at The Cadillac Lounge recently. They've been around since 1990, and it's a pity they don't gig more, as they're one of this country's best bands in that genre. Seems they have good professional jobs there, but what they lack in working class credibility they make up for with a very authentic sound and strong songwriting. That seemed to be lost on the large part of the Cadillac crowd seemingly more concerned with chatting than listening. Why people would pay the $7 cover and then ignore the music baffles me. I seem to recall the BBT being a little more loud and fiery last time around, but they still impressed. Adding visual spice was attractive drummer STEFFANY BENNETT, whose playing was in that MEG WHITE (WHITE STRIPES) no-frills tradition. Turns out she is actually a professor and research scientist at the University of Ottawa! The opening band was another cool trio, locals THE SIN-TONES. Their twangin' sound worked best on instrumentals, such as their take on NEIL YOUNG's "Like A Hurricane."

NEIL YOUNG: The always unpredictable rock 'n roll maverick received mixed reviews for his feature film Greendale when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, but opinion was more favourable towards the actual songs on the album (performed with his ace band CRAZY HORSE) of the same name. Neil fans can make up their own mind when Greendale hits theatres across Canada on Feb. 18. Get there quick, though, as it will only have a limited run. Coinciding with the film, Warner Music is releasing a second edition of the Greendale album, featuring a new DVD element, Inside Greendale.

RYKODISC: Last week On The Beat congratulated U.S. world music label PUTUMAYO on turning 10. Now it is the turn of another top American independent label to celebrate. Rykodisc has just turned 20, and they deserve major kudos from those interested in exciting and adventurous music that is generally a little outside the commercial mainstream. To mark the occasion, Rykodisc has just released a budget-priced double CD that is a good guide to their large and interesting catalogue. Artists featured include DAVID BOWIE, JOHN CALE, THE REPLACEMENTS, FRANK ZAPPA, NICK DRAKE, ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, THE JAYHAWKS, MORPHINE, (Ryko has put out eight CDs from this band, a personal fave), and MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD. Canadian content includes a BRUCE COCKBURN cut. Fine stuff.

NEW RELEASES: Oscar-winning Spanish filmmaker PEDRO ALMODOVAR is responsible for a new double CD with a fascinating concept. One disc is the score from his arthouse hit Talk To Her, while the other disc is a lovely collection of songs the director listened to in the process of writing the film. It comprises very tasty jazz, soul and world music tracks, featuring such artists as CHET BAKER (the classic "My Funny Valentine"), NINA SIMONE (a killer version of "My Way"), Brazilian CAETANO VELOSO, Toronto's MICHAEL BROOK (with DJIVAN GASPARYAN), reggae star GREGORY ISAACS, and JIMMY SCOTT, whose heavenly falsetto does justice to PRINCE's "Nothing Compares 2U." A perfect dinner party collection. Blues and folk fans should investigate the TARBOX RAMBLERS and their new Rounder CD, A Fix Back East. It is produced by the legendary JIM DICKINSON (ROLLING STONES, REPLACEMENTS). Gritty and convincing.

Publication Date: 2004-02-15
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3648