Pasadena Weekly, Album Review >>
Trax
By Bliss 11/04/2010
KATE CAMPBELL, Save the Day (Large River): (3.5 stars out of 5)
Despite boundless Internet reach, post-release coverage lapses even with regional heroes like Campbell who’ve earned critical kudos nationwide, what’s “old” at home sounds “new” elsewhere. Thus, Campbell is touring behind music premiered in Mississippi two years ago. Campbell’s an insightful chronicler of human circumstance, at her best depicting characters’ disappointments and stubborn beliefs in evocative Southern scenes. Highlights: “Color of Love,” “Everybody Knows Elvis.” At Firefly Bistro with Claire Holley Wednesday, Nov. 10; at Claremont’s Folk Music Center Sunday, Nov. 14. katecampbell.com
PRETTY LIGHTS, Glowing in the Darkest Night (PL): (3 stars out of 5)
Soul regularly edges out hip-hop on the closing third of a trilogy of EPs released this year by Colorado producer/DJ Derek Vincent Smith. The eight-track set dials up the rhythm to a steady pulse for partiers while also weaving in dreamy samples for listeners who just want to chill. Smith’s jamming electronic duo is known for balancing such contradictions, but subtle shifts in emphasis help “Glowing” flow more naturally than its predecessors. Free download available at PrettyLightsMusic.com
KRISTA DETOR, Chocolate Paper Suites (Tightrope): (4 stars out of 5)
Autobiography meets fantasy travelogue in Midwesterner Detor’s latest collection, which thematically links five suites inspired by diverse sources including Lorca, Dylan Thomas, circuses and Bessie Smith. Detor’s dusky vocals are nicely cradled by her elegant arrangements and instrumentation (piano, guitar, violin, sax, dulcimer, percussion). That she surrounds herself with an admirable cast of indie-folk peers (Colin Linden, Mark Erelli, Moira Smiley, Malcolm Dalglish) is a pleasant bonus, but it’s Detor’s music that invites and rewards repeated listening. At McCabe’s in Santa Monica Sunday, Nov. 7. kristadetor.com
RAY CHARLES, Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters (Concord): (4 stars out of 5)
A nostalgic platter of nine demos and previously unissued material from the 1970s-’90s culled from Charles’ vault, plus an unexpected duet with Johnny Cash. Unfinished tracks are respectfully fleshed out by guitarist Keb’ Mo’ and organist Bobby Sparks, among others, and show Charles in strong, vibrant vocal form. Unsurprisingly, tracks with his original band kick hardest, like “Love’s Gonna Bite You” and saucy “It Hurts to Be in Love.” Highlight: Charles and Cash’s barroom-to-church-pew take on Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me, Lord.” Raycharles.com
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