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Edited by Chuck Taylor ; MAID IN MANHATTAN Chieftain Derek Bell, who died unex- Revolution /Columbia TriStar 9748 pectedly a few weeks after.-./B RELEASE DATE: March 25 POP What consumers will enjoy about WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? this DVD is that it is becoming avail- Touchstone 24398 * Do It with able in video stores so quickly. The RELEASE DATE: March 25 (3:49) Jennifer Lopez/Ralph Fiennes ro- This Vista Series two -disc release is a PRODUCERS: Pete Dacy, Adrian Hannan mantic comedy, which earned highly collectible set filled with fun WRITERS: Henwood, McKenzie approximately $100 million at the bonus material. On disc one, viewers PUBLISHERS: Festival /Mushroom box office, according to Columbia, can watch three Roger Rabbit shorts Universal 20969 (CD promo) only debuted -"Tummy Trouble," "Roller Coaster The world at large has always main- FIGHTER in theaters in Rabbit," and "Trail Mix -Up" -and can tained a sense of humor and irony mid- Decem- also play the "Trouble in Toontown" when it comes to pop music -one rea- ber. But fans game with their DVD remote. The son why top 40 elsewhere continues to of the film voice of Roger, Charles Fleischer, possess a versatility now absent from CHRISTINA AGUILERA Fighter (4:03) FLEETWOOD MAC Peacekeeper will not find also hosts "Who Made Roger Rabbit," the one -dimensional airwaves stateside. PRODUCERS: Scott Storch, Christina (3:42) any special which provides an overview of the It's not surprising, then, that Universal Aguilera, E. Dawk PRODUCERS: Lindsay Buckingham, features of film's ani- had to venture to Australia to find the WRITERS: C. Aguilera, S. Storch John Shanks note on this mation Androids and their inventive first sin- PUBLISHERS: Xtina Music, BMI; Scott WRITER: L. Buckingham disc. The process. A gle, "Do It With Madonna." The Storch Music /TVT Music, ASCAP PUBLISHER: Now Sounds, ASCAP only extras more de- midtempo pop rocker makes campy ref- RCA 82876 50959 (CD promo) Reprise 101067 (CD promo) are an Eng- tailed be- erences to four fellow pop culture hero - After an abrupt about -face from With Dixie Chicks' smash "Land- lish or French subtitle option; a hind-the - ines -Christina Aguilera, Pink, Britney "Dirrty" to "Beautiful," Christina slide" raising consciousness for group of trailers including such scenes Spears, and -conclud- Aguilera further tips off the versatility Fleetwood Mac, the timing couldn't upcoming Sony films as Charlie's segment is ing that none of the above young ones that pervades current Stripped with be better for the release of new mate- Angels: Full Throttle and Daddy Day found on quite holds the enduring panache of her turn as a rocker chick, à la Janet rial from the evergreen act (sans Care; and a link to a Revolution Stu- disc two; Lady Madonna. Melodically, the track Jackson's "Black Cat." Written and Christine McVie). "Peacekeeper," dios Web site. Viewers can also "Behind the slices a sharp path right to the day's produced with Scott Storch (Pink, written by Lindsay Buckingham with choose to watch the film in wide - Ears" dis- love affair with frat rock, with a hook Eve, Justin Timberlake, Jay -Z), lead vocals shared by Stevie Nicks, is screen or full screen. Although the cusses the that would make all aforementioned "Fighter" puts up its dukes with a vintage- quality Mac, familiar in its project's mainly female audience is project's early live- action/animation singers swoon. "Madonna" is pure scorching parade of electric guitars style and structure, and yet fresh and less likely to be interested in exten- tests and shows how the actors energy for the airwaves, an indulgence courtesy of Jane's Addiction's Dave spirited enough to maintain appeal sive filmmaking extras, a behind -the- worked with rubber toon stand -ins that listeners will adore. -CT Navarro, a(nother) lyric about the after countless spins. Support for the scenes documentary or interviews on set. Disc two also features a strength of a woman ( "Made me new project is reaching manic pro- with cast and crew would have been deleted scene that saw Bob Hos- VI3 Eyes Closed So Tight (3:24) learn a little bit faster /Made my portions: The single was showcased welcome additions to the disc. -JK kins punished by the toons; a PRODUCERS: Rob Williams, Justin Roman skin a little bit thicker /Makes me on NBC's Third Watch last month, a before -and -after segment featuring WRITERS: J. Roman, R. Williams that much smarter/So thanks for mega -tour is in the wings, Dateline THE CHIEFTAINS scenes with and without anima- PUBLISHER: not listed making me a fighter "), and a torna- has a profile planned, and the single DOWN THE OLD PLANK ROAD: THE tion; photo galleries; and an audio MCA 25905 (CD promo) do of a vocal from the talented is being offered as a download for NASHVILLE SESSIONS IN CONCERT commentary option. -IK Since last November, Chicago -based songstress. With music this good, $1.49 at the Reprise Web site. AC RCA Victor 09026 -64022 -9 urban trio Vi3 has methodically it's a shame that Aguilera insists on will have a field day, but there's no RELEASE DATE: March 4 KINKY FRIEDMAN -PROUD TO BE worked its way into radio's favor one courting such a raunchy visual reason the grade-A "Peacekeeper" First there was Doum From the AN A **HOLE FROM EL PASO station at a time. Debut "Eyes Closed image. She's got the goods to rise won't be sampled at radio across the Mountain, the bluegrass -heavy all - White Star /Kultur D3092 So Tight" is at last reaching critical above what so many lesser acts board. A grand return and a hands - star concert at Nashville's Ryman RELEASE DATE: Mar. 11 mass, with more than 100 main- depend on for celebrity. -CT down hit. -CT Auditorium deriving from the 0 Best -known now for his series of stream top 40 stations now spinning Brother, Where Art Thou? sound- hilarious murder mysteries and a re- the smooth track. In another day, track. Then, last September, the cent sleepover at the White House, this could be the latest single from pidity. In the bridge, he speaks of "Army" sound like an unreleased Chieftains employed the venue in Kinky Friedman, who formerly front- 98 °, with its buttery harmonies, gen- hitching the wagons to head out West AC /DC song. While active and main- hosting Ali- ed a band called the Texas Jewboys, tle pacing, and lovesick lyric -and and become "real -world bachelor stream rock radio have let modern The Chieftains son Krauss, remains one of the most colorful and it's a nice change of pace from hip - jackass millionaires." It's cute, clever, own the White Stripes, adventurous DOWN THE OLD PLANK ROAD Martina Mc- controversial characters ever to hop's hold on the airwaves. a Interest- and the guy has good point.-DEP rock programmers might want to HOD Bride, Earl come out of country music. But this ing side note: The group's executive join the "Army. " -BT -. lI A'URIMC Scruggs, Simone de Vries -lensed documentary producer is Erik Bradley, longtime iñaNSs MARTINA Emmylou shows Friedman, who was politically music director of rhythm 40 1 MCBRIDE top ROCK SEA AI Harris, incorrect when being politically in- WBBM (B96) a EL SCRUGGS Chicago and proven NEW NCREVVORIHY (111MTIOD Patty Grif- correct wasn't MARRIS master at picking hits.-CT O. THE WHITE STRIPES Seven Nation PATTY GRIFFIN TIM O'BRIEN fin, Tim cool, as a true IERRR DOUGLAS DEL MCCOORS Army (3:54) * YOHANY 7 Digits (3:26) GILIIAN WELCH L IMO RAWLINGS O'Brien, humanitarian, 1011 MIATT RICKY MASS PRODUCER: Jack White PRODUCER: Lewis Martineé RIMY L MIA MILLER AND MORE'. Jerry Dou- not to men- COUNTRY WRITER: J. White WRITERS: L. Martineé, J. Ponder, J. Ross glas, Del tion animal PUBLISHER: Peppermint Stripe, BMI PUBLISHERS: Mardur McCoury, lover (one sac- BRAD PAISLEY Celebrity (3:37) V2 27780 (CD Promo) Music /Warner /Chappell, ASCAP Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, rilegious scene PRODUCER: Frank Rogers Along with the Strokes, the Hives, Durmar Records (CD promo) John Hiatt, Ricky Skaggs, and Buddy has him in- WRITER: B. Paisley and the Vines, Detroit duo the White Yohany has already given Latin afi- & Julie Miller. The goal? To bring to voking the PUBLISHERS: EMI April Music/Sea Gayle Stripes helped form what trend - cionados a major buzz with "Descon- life the venerable Irish group's cur- Lord in im- Music, ASCAP spotters and the media quickly trolate" (Lose Control), which is nomi- rent bluegrass album Down the Old ploring his Arista 8287651220 (CD promo) termed the "garage rock" revival. If nated for dance maxi- single of the year Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions. dog to return a From the days of Merle Haggard's the first taste from the duo's forth- at the Latin Billboard Awards. Now the The program mixes concert perform- ball). The insightful program "Okie From Muskogee" to more coming Elephant is any indication, R &B -hued siren aims her charms at ance with backstage interviews: Har- includes archival performances by recent fare served up by current acts the band seems eager to defy catego- the mainstream with the sexy, playful ris, who delivers a lovely "Lambs on Friedman, readings from his novels, like Toby Keith, country songs have rization. "Seven Nation Army" is a "7 Digits," a party jam that the J.Lo the Green Hills," notes the connec- and interviews with former Jewboys, often ventured into social commen- sparse affair led by a simple bassline camp should eye with envy. Along with tion between Celtic music and blue- family members, fellow Texans Willie tary. Offering up choice insights on (actually played on guitar, with an biz whiz Jeff Durand, Yohany (Joe -Ha- grass, and is seconded by chief Chief- Nelson and Lyle Lovett, and former America's cultural climate has long octave effect), and is much more of a Nee) is commandeered by legendary tain Paddy Moloney's "bluegrass/ president Bill Clinton. Additionally, been a country music tradition, and straightforward rock song than two - producer Lewis Martineé, who master- green -grass" musical correlation. the disc includes 11 song videos, Paisley is the latest country minute breakthrough rave -up "Fell minded Expose and has worked with The title highlights traditional Amer- most notably a mesmerizing singer / to aim a critical eye in Love With a Girl" from last year's Vanessa Williams, Pet Shop Boys, and ican fare like Scruggs' "Sally Goodin" acoustic take by Friedman and Nel- at national shenanigans. In this well - White Blood Cells. In reality, while Ricky Martin. There are no fewer than and Irish trad tunes like Krauss' son on the classic "Sold American," crafted lyric, Paisley pokes fun at the song is being eagerly embraced 11 remixes of "7 Digits," and all the "Molly Ban," with bonus material in- and the concept clip to the post -fem- America's obsession with reality by modern rock, the combination of more potential on the full- length, 15- cluding a pair of "making of' fea- inist "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven shows, fascination with celebrity Jack White's ragged guitar and raspy track Yohany. Looks like she's armed turettes. Sadly, the disc also docu- and Your Buns in the Bed" starring behavior, and the way 15 minutes of vocals and drummer Meg White's and ready to go the distance. Contact ments the final performance of Ruth Buzzi. -JB fame becomes a license for public stu- simple but effective drumming make 925 -431 -5990. -CT

Jim Bessman, Deborah Evans Price, Jill Kipnis, Chuck Taylor, Bram Teitelman. SPOTLIGHT: Releases deemed by the review editors to deserve special attention on the basis of musical merit and/or Billboard chart potential. NEW & NOTEWORTHY:

ONTRIBUTORS. C Exceptional releases by new or upcoming artists. PICKS (): New releases predicted to hit the top half of the chart in the corresponding format. CRITICS' CHOICES ( *): New releases, regardless of chart potential, highly recommended because of their musical merit. Send review copies to ChuckTaylor (Billboard, 770 Broadway, 6th Floor, NewYork, N.Y. 10003) or to the writers in the appropriate bureaus.

32 www.billboard.com BILLBOARD MARCH29,2003 www.americanradiohistory.com