THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510130092
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: RECORD REVIEW
SOURCE: BY SUE SMALLWOOD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
NEW RELEASES from local artists available at a music store near you:
Rick Eldridge, ``Solo Flights'' (Pentagram) - Virginia Beach-based jazz pianist Rick Eldridge's solo LP finds him introducing originals and goosing up a wide variety of classics, from Carmichael and Ellington to show tunes and movie music. Eldridge is a skilled, creative player - easily moving from the full-bodied phrasing of his ``All Waltz of Life'' to his inventive muted-string pizzicato intro to ``It Don't Mean a Thing.''
He's also a talented interpreter; witness his satisfyingly not-too-tender rendition of the oft-sappy ``Moon River.'' But elsewhere, Eldridge turns all ``happy hands,'' filling up already-flush ditties like ``Consider Yourself'' and ``Mister Sandman'' with endless blues vamps and mountains of irritatingly needless notes.
The Mockers, ``Somewhere Between Mocksville & Harmony'' (One Eye Open) - Local rock scene vets the Mockers - who take their name from a Beatle's 1964 response to the query, ``Are you a mod or a rocker?'' - have finally put their harmony-washed, melody-motored oeuvre to CD. For ``Mocksville,'' the duo - guitarist/ vocalist Seth Gordon and bassist/ vocalist Tony Leventhal - got a little help from some New York City friends. The Rooks' Michael Mazzarella produced,a nd singer Richard X. Heyman and ``Saturday Night Live'' drummer Shawn Pelton and guitarist Dean Howell sat in.
Sure, we've heard most of these smart little gems before, but charming hummers like ``Mary Alice'' and ``I'd Give Anything'' attest to the sticking power of the well-wrought pop song.
Eddie Sal, ``Because I Love You'' (MicroStar) - Popular Virginia Beach lounge singer Eddie Sal mixes in some classic oldies - ``Can't Help Myself,'' ``My Girl'' - with his own heartfelt tunes on this glossy easy-listening LP. Sal's got a solid voice, his originals are unapologetically sentimental and his grandiose arrangements feature plenty of sugary synths and big, girl-group backing vocals. If Michael Bolton or Vegas-era Elvis is your cup of tea, this disc is for you.
Seven Mary Three, ``American Standard'' (Mammoth/Atlantic) - These former College of William and Mary students released their own disc some time back, got massive radio airplay in Florida, relocated to Orlando and picked up a major label deal. Too bad Seven Mary Three had to go out of town to find that kind of support.
And too bad their corporate debut is truly unremarkable, finding the foursome earnestly working a derivative, grunge-styled R.E.M./ Live vibe, with vocalist Jason Ross at times doing a better Michael Stipe than Michael Stipe.
``Gene Vincent's Legendary Blue Caps'' (Magnum Force) - Local early rocker Gene ``Be Bop a Lula'' Vincent's band the Blue Caps dissolved in 1958 but have reunited several times over the years for European concert tours. While in Wales in '82, they recorded the nostalgic ``Blue Caps Unleashed,'' reissued on this compilation. The LP includes ``I Lost an Angel,'' a song started by Vincent, finished by guitarist Johnny Meeks and sung by backing vocalist Paul Peek.
The real treasures here, though, are seven instrumental tracks that original Blue Caps guitarist Cliff Gallup recorded for Norfolk's Pussy Cat label in 1966. The late Gallup is still one of rock's most admired players; his eerily beautiful, supper club interpretations of old country standards and Vincent covers like ``Unchained Melody,'' ``Jezebel'' and ``Am I Easy to Forget'' are not to be missed. by CNB