DATE: Friday, September 26, 1997            TAG: 9709250146

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E12  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Music Review 

                                            LENGTH:  138 lines

CD REVIEWS

POP/ROCK

ELTON JOHN

``The Big Picture''

(Rocket Records)

The deaths this summer of two of Elton John's close friends, Gianni Versace and Princess Diana, cast a shadow on this CD. Before, we would have simply marveled at the sumptuous melodies he still manages 30 years into his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.

Now, we're tempted to look to at it for answers and insight.

``The Big Picture'' was mastered before Diana's death, but it's filled with prescient views on mortality, spirituality and the desire for acceptance. The somber ballad ``Long Way From Happiness'' seems unusually poignant juxtaposed against the dual tragedies in John's life. The tuneful ballad ``Live Like Horses,'' with its plea for personal freedom and expression in a restrictive world, can be taken as a call for openness on any number of levels.

Yet fans of John's '70s band-oriented albums, or even 1995's stellar ``Made in England,'' might be tempted to tune out ``The Big Picture.'' Producer Chris Thomas favors the digitally dry, synthesized sound that drove 1992's ``The One,'' and there are no full-out rockers here. John has evolved into a balladeer, and he bypasses the old locomotive rock songs as youthful ventures not befitting his age.

Reaching 50 and conquering personal demons must account for John's heavy dose of spirituality and dignity here. He hasn't written such a clear gospel-oriented song as ``If the River Can Bend'' since 1970's ``Border Song.''

In the thematic ``River,'' he mourns: ``I don't know what to say; I don't know where the light shines'' yet senses ``a great awakening and a new morning.'' The lights have flicked out on his friends, but John burns on brightly.

- Howard Cohen, Knight-Ridder

SISTER HAZEL

``. . . Somewhere More Familiar''

(Universal)

Counting Crows, BoDeans, Van Morrison, The Band, Dylan, Hootie. Sister Hazel waves its influences in all their glory.

What they deliver is something like musical Yahtzee. The Gainesville, Fla., quintet puts everything in a mixer, shakes it up and out comes the patented Sister Hazel sound: a deliberate attempt to ape a chart-proven pop sound.

There's a nice mix of acoustic guitars with strategic electric leads. The rhythm section is muscular and competant. Lead vocalists Ken Block and Andrew Copeland are strong and effective, as are the group's harmonies.

Although the songs are pleasant, singalong ditties, and seem to be well-crafted excursions, what's missing is any glimmer of originality or compelling style. Influences are one thing; hiding behind them just doesn't work.

- Eric Feber, The Pilot

In concert: Sister Hazel, 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Town Point Park, Norfolk. Free. 441-2345.

SWEET 75

``Sweet 75''

(Geffen)

There is only one similarity between Krist Novoselic's old band, Nirvana, and his new outfit, Sweet 75: Both sound a thousand times better in the studio.

Coupled with the demise of grunge and Cobain's suicide, Novoselic is starting over. His partner on this debut, which ranges from South American rhythms to hardcore punk, is Yva Las Vegas, a Venezuelan-born Seattle busker with a big, diverse voice.

Dissonant guitars ease into folksy strumming on ``Lay Me Down.'' The bridge on ``Oral Health'' is great, but the rest of the tune lacks bite. Las Vegas' vocals on the chorus make ``Lay'' sensually sweet; just as savory is ``Fetch.''

Horns blow some fresh air into ``Dogs.'' REM's Peter Buck tinkers with the mandolin on the traditional ``Cantos De Pilon,'' Las Vegas' forte, for sure.

Like candy, Sweet 75 is irresistibly good at first. And about as long-lasting. The more you listen, the more artificial the aftertaste.

- Jeff Maisey, The Pilot

RAP

BUSTA RHYMES

``When Disaster Strikes . . . ''

(Elektra)

What's up with the title? It's hard to fathom Busta - hyperactivity personified - being so melancholy. But he is, on about half the songs. However, the rest on his sophomore effort exhibit flashes of talent that may give him staying power.

When he does bust a rhyme, he can hang with the best. His characteristic screaming is blissfully missing on the creepin' ``Turn It Up'' and infectious ``Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.'' Busta's rich, deep voice is more effective when it complements the music, not overpowers it.

His duet with Erykah Badu on ``One,'' a jazzy tune that celebrates unity and family love, is downright mellow. ``Dangerous'' is a great dance cut. His silliness comes through on ``Get High Tonight,'' which samples K.C. and the Sunshine Band's ``Get Down Tonight.''

So why throw in a paronoia piece like ``The Whole World Lookin' at Me''? If Busta toned it down more often, disaster would never strike.

- Candy McCrary, The Pilot

GOSPEL

GENE HARRIS

``In His Hands''

(Concord)

Gene Harris' first gospel release in his 40-year career is a near-perfect synthesis of jazz, blues and gospel.

And unlike some jazz CDs that purport to be gospel, ``In His Hands'' is clearly of that genre - partly because Harris' piano playing has always evoked the feel and partly because Harris, who did the arrangements, wisely tapped some real-life folks as vocalists.

Blued-eyed pop/soul singer Curtis Stiger is surprisingly controlled on the Bill Withers classic ``Lean on Me'' and ``Amazing Grace, here given a swinging waltz treatment.

But some lesser known vocalists truly delight. Harris' daughter, Nikki, who has backed up Madonna, among others, delivers a heartfelt ``Battle Hymn of the Republic.'' And catch Cherie Buckner, a Boise-Cascade Corp. executive, on ``Everything Must Change.'' Sublime.

- Marvin Lake, The Pilot

COUNTRY

MILA MASON

``That's Enough of That''

(Atlantic)

Mila Mason began her career as a 6-year-old model. But her ambition was to be a country singer. And so she is - not one with a wide range, but one who usually sings what she feels, feels what she sings.

Her new CD offers enough examples. The untraditional ``Troublemaker'' kicks in with the chorus. Mason has an especially good time with ``That's the Kinda Love,'' which relies on a lot of quick, stuck-together phrases. Also recommended are the title tune and, if you're into clever, ``Hot to Molly.''

``I Don't Need a Man to Live With'' - ``I need a man I can't live without'' - is not ``Ellen's'' theme.

``That's Enough of That'' is a decent debut.

- Frank Roberts, The Pilot

In concert: Mila Mason, 9 tonight at the 17th Street Stage, Virginia Beach. Free. 498-0215. ILLUSTRATION: Color CD covers

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