Album Reviews EDITED BY PAUL VERNA, CHRIS MORRIS, AND EDWARD MORRIS

BMG- distributed album marks union of P O P Vaughan, Albert Collins, and John the guitar stylings, Ralph Towner's inspired, in the universe, and it is perfect for Toronto -based Hammond. Only tracks of special note are Eureka imprint with JRS. worldly theme "Icarus," Eugene Friesen's expressing the pains of those Appalachian MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE three Hooker solo forays, including one on cello reveries, and recordings of whale, sea - people for whom the only hope is hope. Trespass National steel guitar. For rabid fans and SAINTS & SINNERS lion, and wolf calls. The album's inherent These moving, PRODUCER: Aldo Nova but generally grim, hymns PRODUCERS: Various neophytes only. diversity of sound is threaded by Sire/Wamer Bros. 26978 Savage 50207 the are as much sociology as gospel music. warmth and melodic clarity Montreal -based hard -rock quintet gets a of the Winter Long -delayed Walter Hill-directed action * RAYMOND SCOTT Consort, which remains consistent The Music hand from producer Nova and from Jon Bon L picture starring Ice-T and Ice Cube Of Raymond Scott: Reckless Nights And throughout. CLASSICA features a hard soundtrack to match movie's Turkish Twilights Jovi and Rachel Bolan, who contribute presumed urban grit. The film's stars COMPILATION PRODUCER: Irwin Chusid writing duties on first single, "Kiss The HAYDN: SYMPHONIES NOS. 97 & 98 Columbia 53028 London Philharmonic Orchestra, Solti collaborate here on tough title track; other Bastards." Though songs are well executed WORLD MUSIC Composer Scott was a band leader, London 433 396 musical players include Public Enemy, Sir and lavishly produced, they rarely progress inventor, and -day label ABANA BA NASERY Solti completes his survey Mix-A -Lot, AMG, Black Sheep, and Gang latter exec (he beyond the arena- rock -cliché stage. Other * of Haydn's worked for Motown, among others) whose Nursery Boys Go Ahead! "London" Symphonies two Starr. No doubt, fans of the two topliners standouts include "Shake" and "Rip It Up." with stunning eccentric pieces were bizarre jazz -pop PRODUCER: GlobeStyle performances. Again, it is his apt pacing and will move this up the charts. Green Linnet 4002 fusions; he is best known today as the man sparkling brio in the brisk movements that R & B This acoustic Kenyan folk trio, together for THE PONTIAC BROTHERS who supplied Warner Bros. house composer maintain listener attention at peak level. nearly 30 years, has rerecorded its greatest Fuzzy Little Piece Of The World Carl Stalling with the raw material for WRECKX -N- EFFECT These works may not be among the most PRODUCERS: Paul DuGré & the Pontiac songs with the help of some guest musicians, Brothers dozens of Looney Tunes scores. This Hard Or Smooth popular in the Haydn canon, but they should Frontier 34644 including members of 3 Mustaphas 3 and the compilation of late -'30s recordings is a PRODUCERS: Teddy Riley, Aquil Davidson, Markell Riley win a host of new converts via this entry. Oyster Band. Orange County, Calif -bred rockers regroup necessary companion to Warner's 1990 MCA 11399 In an outstanding set marked Excellent sound. by the band's for first album in four years. While unit is Stalling retrospective, and a fascinating look Effect: Group's heat-seeking first single, skittering guitars, rhumbafied beats, and mournful not as Stonesy or bluesy as before, old fans at an unjustly neglected talent. "Rump Shaker," is a club, radio, and street vocal harmonies, all WAGNER: SIEGFRIED IDYLL/SCHOENBERG: tracks worthwhile, with VERKLARTE NACHT/STRAUSS: METAMORPHOSEN may still gravitate to such cleverly penned smash that's sold past gold. Other potential are "Esiesi Siolle" and "Abandu Bandi" Sinfonia Varsovia, Krivine rip -snorters as "Clowns Join The Circus," * FLOWERHEAD crossover hits from this stew of Robocop deserving special note. ka- BLOOM! Don't miss Denon CO -79422 "Feelgood," or "Liberace's Dead." For ... funk, now -school rapping, and swingbeat the Gaelic inflections of "Esimiti PRODUCERS: Flowerhead Khusilenje," featuring Three works modern rockers who like their music frills - aesthetics are "Tell Me How Yo Feel" Irish musicians Ron that make an intriguing Zoo Entertainment 11044 Kavana free. (featuring vocalist Tammy Lucas), "Hard," and Tomas Lynch. program fit, sharing compatible harmonic Unique among bands from Austin, Texas, and structural elements without "Smooth," "Knock-N- Boots," and jazz - blurring LIQUOR GIANTS this rackety young quartet eschews roots individual * dipped "Ez Come Ez Go (What Goes Up REGGAE expression. Krivine draws a long You're Always Welcome music for a vital, loud, guitar- driven musical line from his expert group of PRODUCER: Moses Lawn Must Come Down)," which explores the approach lightly tinged with old- fashioned GUTTY RANKS instrumentalists, and the Denon Lucky 001 fame game. As the new -jacks would say, team psychedelia. Group's sturdy songcraft and From Mi Heart provides a warm sound. Canny album Further on the subject of "It's gotta catch wreckx." the Pontiacs, that pure energy should plug it into modern rock PRODUCER: Richard Bell subtitle "Beyond Wagner" should impel group's lead guitarist, Ward Dotson, here Shanachie 45001 and collegiate currents immediately. JERRY BUTLER browsers to take a second look. finally fulfills his longtime ambition to make Sprawling numbers like "Oh Shane" and Time & Faith Edgy social awareness meets dancehall hip - a Replacements album (with a little Big Star "Coffee" have heaviest immediate impact. PRODUCERS: Tim Whitsett & Danny Jones hot on a hard -hitting roots entry by the C H R I S T M A S tossed into the mix). While record, cut for An exceptionally bright debut. Ichiban 1151 street -stylee Kingston ex-butcher whose new Seattle indie, is extremely crude - The Ice Man returneth. Ex- Impression nickname also describes his incisive BOBBY SHERMAN sounding, high energy, good songs, and JOHN BARRY Butler's career has been dormant in recent wordplay. A rich diversity of riddims and Christmas Album Moviola affecting singing by Dotson could warm the years, as he's pursued a political career in topics make for a strong collection, from the PRODUCER: Ward Sylvester PRODUCER: John Barry Restless 72721 cockles of modern rock'n'roll hearts. Check Epic Soundtrax 52985 his native Chicago. He's back with a almost calypso-like groove of the title -track "Over The Hill," "Paint The Whole Town handsomely collection his on English film -music veteran who scored cut that puts low, commentary mistreatment of Jamaica's Blue," or agreeably themed "I Wanna Get cool delivery to fine use. Title VARIOUS ARTISTS classics including "Born Free," "Out Of track (heard peasant workforce, to the straight- talkin' Drunk With You." in two versions) and surprising reading of balladry of "Love Is Not Simple" (featuring Narada Christmas Collection Volume 2 Africa," "Midnight Cowboy," and "Dances EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Eric Lindert Willie Nelson's "Angel Flying Too Close To Ken Boothe) and the sexy undulations of Narada 63909 JOHN LEE HOOKER With Wolves" conducts the Royal The Ground" are among treats for Butler's "Medicine Man." Never a dull moment wit' Boom Boom Philharmonic in rerecordings of those and longtime fans. Cutty! PRODUCER Roy Rogers other themes. Sadly, none of the James PAUL SULLIVAN Pointblank/Charisma 86553 Bond scores Barry authored is included Christmas In Maine Formula for third Rogers -produced Hooker PRODUCERS: Paul Sullivan, Jillson Knowles, Scott Lehrer here. However, material culled from a 25- JAll LATIN River Music 105 set is getting very fatigued: The venerable year treasure chest provides a fittingly bluesman is again surrounded with an all - spectral look of one of * MICHAEL ZILBER JUAN LUIS GUERRA Y 4.40 at the career . DONALD O'CONNOR AND DEBBIE REYNOLDS Stranger In Brooklyn Areito star cast, including Robert Cray, Jimmie moviedom's most accomplished composers. Christmas With Donald And Debbie (featuring Chrissy PRODUCERS: Michael Zilber & Dave Liebman PRODUCER: Juan Luis Guerra Owl 79251 Karen/BMG 146 the Christmas Mouse) JOANNA CONNOR PRODUCER: Don Anthony Fight Tenor and soprano saxophonist leads his The Dominican Republic's foremost musical BVM Records 51317 N E W & PRODUCER: Jim Gaines electrified quartet through a series of often ambassador returns after a two -year Blind Pig 85002 elaborate contemporary jazz tableaux, with absence and serves up his most wide - JOY FLOWER, GEORGI ROBEV & ENSEMBLES OF N O T E W O R T H Y Connor stands a good shot with fans of sometimes unconventional results. Saxman/ ranging, satisfying effort to date. Guerra SINGERS AND MUSICIANS OF THE BULGARIAN Bonnie Raitt -she boasts a strong voice and producer Liebman joins Zilber for album swings easily from poetic romantic ballads NATIONAL PHILHARMONY ELLA FITZGERALD WITH CHICK WEBB & HIS is a "Sound ( Popular Christmas Songs From Around The World ORCHESTRA truly dazzling guitarist, with a flaming opener Bytes (Quayle In Samoa)," "Cuando Te Beso ") to whimsical salsa slide attack that can hold its own against which employs an eccentrically whooping numbers ( "Ayer ") to wistful, socially alert PRODUCERS: Joy Flower, Georg' Robev The Early Years (1935-1938) Coimex IntemationabRCI 7105 REISSUE PRODUCER: Orrin Keepnews that of any blues picker of the opposite funk theme and snippets from news sources. narratives ( "Si Saliera Petróleo"). Album GRP/Decca 618 Only is Also notable gender. deficit here somewhat weak are the pastoral, pretty "Joe already has yielded two top-10 hits, "Frío BRAVE COMBO Very welcome two-CD collection brings original writing, but sheer force of the Allard" and "Stiletto." Frío" and "Señales De Humo," with more to It's Christmas, Man! back into print jazz thrush's first performances usually makes up for it. For come; but stark video of politically sensitive PRODUCER: none listed recordings, made when drummer Webb's blues aficionados and blues -leaning pop fans * FATS WALLER AND HIS RHYTHM third single "El Costo De La Vida" may Rounder 9033 band stomped Savoy. Fitzgerald's with a taste for stronger stuff. The Middle Years Part 1 (1936-38) slow song's chart ascent. at the REISSUE PRODUCER: Orrin Keepnews GALLERY SERIES girlish voice and embryonic scatting mesh Bluebird/BMG 66083 perfectly with the relaxed swing of the ALICE DONUT e LA MAFIA Pianoél This three -CD, 70 -track collection PRODUCERS: Christopher Peacock Webb orchestra and some small groups The Untidy Suicides Of Your Degenerate Children Ahora Y Siempre & Gene Nery PRODUCERS: Alice Donut, Kramer, Michael Jung, Dan Hoyt documents Waller's 1936 -38 period, when- PRODUCER: Mando Lichtenberger Jr. Pure & Simple 99005 drawn from its personnel. Set includes Altemative Tentacles 115 backed by ensembles small and large -he Sony Discos 80925 Ella and Chick's commercial apex, the '38 New York five -piece spins tales of suicide, honed his image as a genial song stylist and Energetic Texas sextet follows 300,000-unit VARIOUS ARTISTS No. 1 "A- hit parade smash Tisket, A- violent lovers' quarrels, and other equally monster pianist. This mostly covers set seller "Estás Tocando Fuego" with a Ichiban Blues At Christmas Vol. 2 Tasket " Useful notes by vocal authority PRODUCERS: Various unsavory themes over appropriately includes Waller classics "The Joint Is pleasantly subdued effort that completes Ichiban 1143 Will Friedwald wrap the package up discordant musical backdrop. Vocalist Jumpin'," "Jealous Of Me," and an the group's label -sponsored metamorphosis neatly. Tomas Antona's Perry Farrell -like intensity instrumental "Honeysuckle Rose," as well from a polka -based Tejano outfit to a pop/ BUDDY MILES is complemented by potent as Irving Berlin's "Marie," Ellington's cumbia grupo favors CURTIS MAYFIELD & THE IMPRESSIONS guitars, frenetic that gentle keyboard Greatest Christmas Hits The Anthology 1961 -1977 grooves, and occasional refinements on "Skrontch," contemporary pop themes "Did etchings over snappy accordion lines. PRODUCER: Ross Vannelli Priority 87056 COMPILATION PRODUCER: Andy McKaie piano and trombone. A penetrating and Anyone Ever Tell You ?" and "I've Got A Sextet's Tejano following might be MCA 10664 disturbing record. New Lease On Love," and comical songs dismayed by album's slow pacing, but huge Two-CD compilation takes up the story of like "Nero," "My Window Faces The Mexican audience will lap up cumbia single FOLK LIKE US An American the Chicago-based Impressions after the ACOSTA RUSSELL South, " and "Spring Cleaning." Attractively "Dile," along with pop entrees "No Soy El Christmas A Little Direction PRODUCERS: Mark Shelton & Beth Shelton departure of Butler, when Mayfield packaged with a sharp art -deco booklet. Mismo," "Gracias," "Me Estoy North Star 40043 Jerry PRODUCERS: Byron Wong & Michael Sak brought the group to major R&B stardom JRS 35822 Enamorando," and "El Amor," which was written by Brazilian VARIOUS ARTISTS with his thrilling tenor performances and Toronto duo with a top 20 hit in Canada N E W A G E sertanejo duo Zezé Di stirring gospel -based Tale is Camargo and Luciano. Christmas In New Orleans compositions. debuts in the U.S. with a teen - continued through the '70s, when record PAUL WINTER PRODUCER: Milton Batiste appeal pop that offers hooks galore Mardi Gras Records 1015 Mayfield's solo career got a big -time boost but little in the way of depth. Most Anthems C O U N T R Y from his score for the blaxploitation film promising cuts are title track; sprightly first PRODUCER: Paul Winter Living Music 80023 VARIOUS ARTISTS "Superf ly." The great achievements of single "You're So Tempting"; ballad "It RALPH STANLEY Subtitled "Ten Years Of Living Music," the * Merry Christmas, Baby Mayfield, tragically crippled in an onstage Must Be Love," which seems to draw some Back To The Cross PRODUCER: none listed accident two years ago, get a fitting salute inspiration from the similarly titled Roxette album reflects the many facets undergone PRODUCER: Charles R. (Dick) Freeland Paula 0012 Freeland Recording Co. 638 here. hit; and upcoming single "Deep In My Soul." by the jazz/new age soprano saxist's label, like Oscar Castro-Neves' Brazilian- tinged Ralph Stanley has the most mournful voice

SPOTLIGHT: Predicted to be a significant success on The Billboard 200 or to earn platinum certification. NEW AND NOTEWORTHY: Highlights new and developing acts worthy of attention and other releases of special interest. VITAL REISSUES: Rereleased albums and compilation records of special artistic, archival, and commercial interest. PICKS : New releases predicted to hit the top half (') of the chart in the format listed. CRITIC'S CHOICE ( *) : New releases, regardless of potential chart action, which the reviewer highly recommends because of their musical merit. All albums commercially available in the U.S. are eligible. Send review copies to Paul Verna, Billboard, 1515 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036, and Chris Morris, Billboard, 5055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90036. Send country and gospel albums to Edward Morris, Billboard, 49 Music Square W., Nashville, Tenn. 37203.

48 BILLBOARD DECEMBER 12, 1992 www.americanradiohistory.com