SOUNDTAKES. JAZZ/ROCK/POP
LINDA RONSTADT ``For Sentimental Reasons'' (Elektra/Asylum 60474-1-E) - This is Ronstadt's third recording of standard songs with late conductor/arranger Nelson Riddle, and she should probably have quit while she was more or less ahead. This one is too precious for words, in spite of Riddle's splendid arrangements, and Ronstadt's voice ranges from cloying to strident on songs like ``When You Wish Upon a Star,'' ``Little Girl Blue,'' and ``But Not for Me.'' SHARON, LOIS & BRAM ``Elephant Show Record'' (Elephant Records LFN 8618) - Canadian performers Sharon, Lois & Bram, who have their own TV show in Canada, have put together a delightful collection of witty sing-along children's songs, like ``Jelly, Jelly, in My Belly'' and ``Chugga Chugga.'' They've even thrown in the old song-and-dance number ``Ballin' the Jack.'' The jazzy arrangements for brass, reeds, and xylophone are nifty. BEN SIDRAN ``On the Live Side'' (Magenta MA 0206, also on CD and cassette) - If you like Mose Allison, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, and Blossom Dearie, you're probably into Ben Sidran, too. If not, check him out - he's the original hipster from Wisconsin. He sings, plays piano, and writes jazz tunes with astute and funny lyrics. Side 1 is blues and jazz, and the less interesting Side 2 is synth-rock. Alto saxophonist Phil Woods is guest artist. LESTER BOWIE'S BRASS FANTASY ``Avant Pop'' (ECM 1326, also on CD) - This is jazz trumpeter Bowie's second album with his band, Brass Fantasy. The focus is on loose, tongue-in-cheek versions of old pop tunes (``Saving All My Love for You,'' ``Blueberry Hill,'' etc.) and originals by Bowie and trombonist Steve Turre. ``Avant Pop'' is a much better album than their first one, with a stronger sense of style and better writing, especially Turre's Latin-flavored pieces. GEORGIA SATELLITES ``Georgia Satellites'' (Elektra 60496-1) - This new band really is from Georgia, and they play your basic Southern thunder rock - screaming guitars, reckless vocals, and pounding rhythms. The early Rolling Stones come to mind, but they also name Bob Dylan, Bad Company, ZZ Top, and Elvis Presley as influences. The album includes their hit ``Keep Your Hands to Yourself.'' KEVIN EUBANKS ``Face to Face'' (GRP-A-1029; also on CD) -- Eubanks continues to develop as a jazz soloist while he delves more deeply into pop, funk, and rock. This is the guitarist's third album, and on it he shows both faces - jazz and funk, backed respectively by Ron Carter's acoustic bass and Marcus Miller's electric one, along with percussion. Dave Grusin plays the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer and provides the gratuitous string arrangements.
