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(Continued from page 26) familiar territory with tracks like John- chised by pop radio, but not too old ny Pacheco's "Tararea Kumbayea" and for rock'n'roll. Magness did not O N S T A G E ERICK SERMON Mario Dfaz's "Corazón de Rumba" and compose any of this disc's tracks, Musk then veers into timba with "Taita Bi- but she creates an identity for her- PRODUCERS: Erick Sermon longo." There are some dips in mo- self by assembling simmering, mid - MAMMA MIA! presence whose silver hair adds a and Rockwilder mentum, including the repetitive tempo songs by such writers as Mar- Music and lyrics by Benny Andersson sexy luster to her post- hippie per-

1 Records 20023 "Déjenme Vivir." But overall, Cruz's cia Ball, Ray Charles, and James and Björn Ulvaeus sona, nailing the character's schizo- You might call it a comeback: Build- magnificent voice and overflowing Brown. She also adds a few tunes Book by Catherine Johnson phrenic turns from wistful mom and ing upon the success of his chart -top- emotion are unabated. She takes this from the popular blues lexicon, such Directed by Phyllida Lloyd scorned lover to stalwart feminist ping single, "Music," Erick Sermon straight -ahead salsa album from A to Z as the oft -covered "It's Your Voodoo Choreographed by NicholaTreherne and resuscitated disco queen. Pitre makes his triumphant return to the without resorting to ballads other Working," and sings with an expres- Sets by Jonathan Allen, Nancy Thun -or delivers some of the show's finest game with his J Records debut of the commercial ploys -for success. -LC sive but never overbearing vocal Lights by David Homes, Ed McCarthy same name. Sermon, one -half of the style that draws the listener in with- Costumes by Lucy Gaiger, ScottTraugott musical moments, including a pen- seminal rap duo EPMD, has spent out resorting to shouting or over - Winter Garden Theatre, NewYork City etrating reading of "The Winner recent years behind the boards for WORLD BEAT emoting. Plus, Fabulous Thunder- Takes It All" in the play's most con- the likes of Redman and Dave Hollis- birds guitarist Kid Ramos guests on Mother knows best. At least that flicted moment and a sentimental ter, among others. The Long Island, VARIOUS ARTISTS several tracks, so if you want guitar was the consensus at the Oct. 18 performance of the lesser-known N.Y., native hasn't lost a step with Music From the Coffee Lands II firepower, Magness has got that, too. Broadway opening of Mamma "Slipping Through My Fingers." tracks like "Come Thru" and "Ain't PRODUCER: Dan Storper Contact: bluesleaf @aol.com. -SG Mia!, a light, glossy, guilty pleasure Equally compelling is David W. No Future 2001" showcasing his Putumayo 194 ... that not only brought a weary-but- Keeley as Sam (also a Canadian range. The former, employing a sam- The debate over who grows the best willing New York City crowd to its import), one of the dad candi- ple of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's coffee has no end, but the musicians CLASSICAL dates, who accomplishes the near - Dead," is a funk -filled affair. Mean- featured on Music From the Coffee feet but made them dance and sing. impossible: His crisp, forthright while, the latter -a loose cover of MC Lands I1 will provoke nothing but * GLUCK: Orfeo ed Euridice Wrapped around a non -stop hit Breed's "Ain't No Future in Yo Fron- accord among world music fans. High- Bernarda Fink, mezzo -soprano; parade of 22 songs from '70s Swe- solo of "Knowing Me, Knowing tin' " -is equal parts West Coast vibe lighting artists from Ethiopia to Mexi- Veronica Cangemi, soprano; Maria dish supergroup Abba, the show, You" gives the song a newfound and typical Sermon swagger. The co, Angola to Martinique, the music Cristina Kiehr, soprano; RIAS Cham- staged at the Winter Garden The- depth and, of all things, original- artist helmed the boards on 15 of on this CD is as invigorating as a dou- ber Choir; Freiburg Baroque Orches- atre (home to Cats for 18 years), ity. His voice is gorgeous. the album's 16 tracks, which feature ble espresso. Ethiopian native Gigi's tra /René Jacobs uses a featherweight plot to string Of course, a show can't associate appearances from Olivia, LL Cool J, "Guramayle" has the lush feel of a PRODUCER: Eberhard Geiger together-and tease with -one itself with Abba-whose kitschy, Scarface, and Def Squad cohorts Red- pop hit, while Sabah Habas Mustapha Harmonia Mundi 901742 shiny '70s garb was as much a hit Willibald Gluck (1714- familiar chorus after another, man and Keith Murray. -RH & the Jugala All Stars' "Di Nagara Christoph as its melodies Duenguen" delivers an Indonesian 1787) is enjoying something of a whether it be the jubi- - groove reminiscent of the uncanny 21st -century renaissance. Two fine lant strains of "Danc- without costuming COUNTRY lilt of South African township jive and recordings of his opera Iphigenie en ing Queen," "Take a that tugs at the era's mbaqanga. Brasilian Gerald() Azevedo's Tauride (on Telarc and Archiv) have Chance on Me," or "I textile histrionics. CHAD BROCK "Quem é Multo Querido a Mim" is a come out recently, and superstar Have a Dream." Here's where Donna III riveting, rootsy tune, while the Mexi- mezzo Cecilia Bartoli has a new hit But that's hardly and the Dynamos' PRODUCERS: Norro Wilson can group Correo Aereo performs recital disc devoted to the German news. Mamma Mia!, reunion comes in and Buddy Cannon "Fiesta Llanera," a lyrical Venezuelan operatic genius. Going from strength produced by Abba handy -not to men- Warner Bros. 248008 instrumental. The compelling new to strength over the past decade, Bel- founding members tion a post- curtain Last time out, Chad Brock struck voice belongs to Haiti's Emeline gian conductor René Jacobs has been Benny Andersson and call full -cast medley gold with a likeable delivery and a big Michel, simmering in the tropical giving new luster to rarely heard Björn Ulvaeus (with reprise that turns the hook on his hit "Yes!" On his third buzz of "Moso Manman. " -PW Baroque operas and oratorios for Har- Bros., Brock imme- monia Mundi, as well as directing a Judy Craymer and evening's experience effort for Warner From left, Karen Mason, diately heads for the same formula on wonderfully fresh reading of Mozart's Richard East) and interactive. It also Louise Pitre, and Judy the perky midtempo "The Thought of CHRISTIAN Cosi Fan Tutte. These triumphs have written by Catherine gives Donna's side- Kaye in Mamma Mia! Bein' in Love." An occasional steel set the stage for his exciting revital- Johnson, opened in kicks Rosie (Judy guitar lick doesn't change what this * CINDY MORGAN ization of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, London's West End Kaye) and Tanya is: frothy, if well -played, mid -'70s- Elementary the composer's best -known work and two years ago to near-manic crowd - (Karen Mason) a chance to flex styled radio pop. More country is the PRODUCERS: Brent Bourgeois one abounding in melodious arias, pleasing acclaim. Audiences there their ample comedic muscle. "go for it" treatise "Park the Pickup and Cindy Morgan dynamic choruses, and orchestral are still screaming "I Do, I Do, I Do" Elsewhere, the 11 -piece orches- (Kiss the Girl)," which sounds like a Word 1927 tone -painting. A former countertenor, has conquered tra, conducted by David Holcenberg, hit. "The Lie," meanwhile, is interest- Regarded as one of Christian music's Jacobs is a consummate singer's con- while the musical stays pretty true to the original pop ing melodically and less safe lyrically. most versatile singer /songwriters, ductor, but his fine way with a period - two more continents, with success- With its spoken -word verse (an alarm- Dove Award winner Cindy Morgan instrument orchestra and peerless ful runs in Melbourne and Toronto arrangements, to good effect -there ing trend) and banjo funk, "Popula- once again delivers an album that sense of dramatic gestalt also help and Stateside warm -ups in San will certainly be no confusion with tion Minus One" is a sonically ambi- combines lyrical depth with musical make this disc the year's most com- Francisco and Los Angeles. the cavalier heft of a Stephen Sond- tious attempt that is salvaged by a accessibility. Many cuts, including the pelling opera recording. -88 Andersson and Ulvaeus were heim production. (The cast album is relatable lyric and inspired musician- heartwarming "Sunshine," find Mor- reluctant to bring the show to available on Decca Broadway, but ship. Elsewhere, "Tell Me How" and gan pairing bright melodies with Broadway after their theatrical beware -it's the London cast. Where balancing CHRISTMAS "Right Now" are requisite, well -per- introspective lyrics about entrée, 1985's Chess, was massacred is the Broadway version ?) formed, piano -based ballads. Brock spiritual pursuits with the simple by U.S. critics and closed after just No doubt, thin -lipped critics are offers up "Yes!" and his "Lightning enjoyment of earthly pleasures. "In BARBRA STREISAND fear bound to sniff at Mamma Mia! as Does the Work" as bonus tracks, the These Rooms" finds Morgan at her Christmas Memories eight weeks. There's little to this But tell that to the kind of perceived value that should most vulnerable, singing, "Chubby fat PRODUCERS: various time around, though, with advance slight and vacant. help move some product heading and insecure/Two crooked teeth /And Columbia 85920 sales clambering toward the $30 mil- consistently jubilant audiences or to into the holidays. -RW clothes from a thrift store/Well I lion mark -and that with ticket Andersson and Ulvaeus, who cer- never quite fit in/I guess that's why CANDI STATON prices rivaling those of Tony Award tainly have the last laugh this time I'm singing." Her evocative voice Christmas in My Heart darling The Producers at $100 a pop. around. (More evidence:ABBA Gold LATIN shines equally on cuts as diverse as PRODUCERS: Marcus Williams, Richard And pop this production does. The leapt into the top 10 on the Top Pop Miguel Bramwell the edgy pop of "Walk in the Rain," Hartley, and breezy story is set on an intimate Catalog chart in the Nov. 3 issue) CRUZ the Latin -flavored "New World," Beracah/Lightyear 54471 * CELIA Greek isle taverna, run by liberated With Rent, Les Miserables, and La Negra Ilene Tumbao and the breezy title cut.-DEP single mom Donna. Daughter Phantom of the Opera all gasping PRODUCERS: Sergio Geroge, Johnny CHANTICLEER is to marry the next day for breath -and the newly devel- Pacheco, and Isidro Infante Christmas With Chanticleer Sophie - oped Andrew Lloyd Webber entry Sony Discos 841519 BLUES PRODUCER: Steve Barnett and unbeknownst to Mamma, she The veteran diva's latest opus can be Teldec 85555 has invited three former flames of By Jeeves a wincing horror described as a contemporary classic, a JANIVA MAGNESS Donna's in hopes that one might be show Mamma Mia! is sending its disc that blends Cruz's trademark son Blues Ain't Pretty VARIOUS ARTISTS the father she never knew. Mean- flocks home with a resonating with distinctive dance riffs and an PRODUCERS: Ben Elliott Season's Greetings: 20th Century Mas- while, Donna reunites with two girl- musical cupcake: It's not neces- urban edge. The standout here is the and Janiva Magness ters -The Millennium Collection friends with whom she once sang in sarily substantial, but it's tasty and PRODUCER: Andy McKaie opening title track, which kicks off Blues Leaf 9816 a disco group -providing a platform sweet all the same. In these tenta- a loop and then Unlike the multitude of blues sets Hip -O /Universal 314 -556 -728 with recurring string for some of the show's campiest cho- tive times where joyful abandon is plays over a dance beat punctuated by that seem geared toward young gui- reographed moments. in such short supply, that's a occasional rapping (courtesy of guest tar fanatics, singer Magness carves VARIOUS ARTISTS plays recipe for success. As such, Mam- artist Mikey Perfecto). The effect is out a niche by singing the blues Justin Time for Christmas 3 Lead Louise Pitre, who ma Mia! is destined to go "On and delightful and a breakthrough for with maturity and sophistication, PRODUCERS: various Donna (brought to Broadway from Cruz, who nevertheless goes into aiming for an audience disenfran- Justin Time 148 the Toronto cast), is a pistol -packing On and On." CHUCK TAYLOR

BOOKS: Send review copies of books/DVD- Videos pertaining to artists or the music industry to Bradley Bambarger, Billboard, 770 Broadway, NewYork, N.Y. 10003 28 www.billboard.com BILLBOARD NOVEMBER 10, 2001 www.americanradiohistory.com