THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996 TAG: 9607030071
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Album reviews
LENGTH: 83 lines
George Clinton, ``T.A.P.O.A. F.O.M. (The Awesome Power of a Fully-Operational Mothership)'' (550 Music/Epic)
No matter how long he's been away, George Clinton is incapable of a rigid groove. After years dabbling in solo ventures featuring old and new funkateers, the grand master has assembled some of the old guard for one more ride.
The mothership is a little creaky, a lot freaky, and guaranteed to wreak havoc on your in-need-of-funk nervous system. ``T.A.P.O.A. F.O.M.'' marks the first time in years that Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins and keyboardists Bernie Worrell and Junie Morrison have been on board, and they help Clinton conjure tasty, remarkably subtle stuff.
If there's less drop-dead, body-slamming music than back in the old days, chalk it up to age. But be prepared to marvel at the band's solid execution, particularly on the hip-hop throw-down ``If Anybody Gets Funked Up (It's Gonna Be You)'' and the agitated ``Funky Kind,'' which Clinton describes perfectly: ``Funkin' with rock chops/Rockin' with funk chops.''
Tom Moon, Knight-Ridder
Rock/pop
Grant Lee Buffalo, ``Copperopolis'' (Slash/Reprise)
Grant Lee Phillips' soulful, longing, dusty croon radiates through and transcends ``Copperopolis.'' No easy task, as his bandmates provide country-rock backing that sways between baroque and simple while retaining a lush, earthy tone.
His lyrics also display a deft human touch: The themes are elemental and wishful, moving seamlessly from urban to natural landscapes. The effect is like a lover whispering and nibbling on your ear. You'll get shivers. You'll want more.
Steve Byrne, Knight-Ridder
Country
Lyle Lovett, ``The Road to Ensenada'' (Curb/MCA)
Given his new album's number of lost-love songs, it's easy to imagine that Lyle Lovett is rehashing the well-publicized failure of his marriage to Julia Roberts.
That's if you only focus on the words; listen to the music, and it's clear that what this album is really about is the way country music's heartbreak and bravado are just two sides of the same coin.
There is, after all, something equally inflexible about the protagonists in ``Don't Touch My Hat'' and ``I Can't Love You Anymore'' - each ultimately turns pride into a protective cover he hopes will keep him from feeling loss.
Just as Lovett's lyrics spin subtle variations on the same themes, the range of music, from the mock-Caribbean pulse of ``Her First Mistake'' to the good-time R&B of ``Long Tall Texan,'' reminds us just how broad the boundaries of country music have become.
All told, ``The Road to Ensenada'' is definitely a trip worth taking.
J.D. Considine, Baltimore Sun
Jazz
Co-Op Venture, ``Special Ones'' (2-Me Records)
This disc by a group of top-flight local jazzmen captures an adventurous public performance at Old Dominion University.
Hampton Roads fans know them well: John Toomey, piano and synthesizer; Eddie Williams, saxes; James Masters, bass; and Howard Curtis, drums. Sitting in is percussionist Larry Emanuel. All play together with sympathy and taste.
Williams' bebop number ``Half Steppin'' comes from a long tradition of punning jazz titles. While the melody indeed moves in half steps, none of the musicians is half-stepping in the pejorative sense. This tune cooks.
Toomey's poignant piano and Williams' plaintive soprano sax carry Pete Cosmos' ``Waltz for Bill Evans,'' while Masters' ``Nothing for Certain'' boasts a rhythmically arresting opening and a supple melody.
At its best, this clear, balanced recording does what a live album should: make you wish you had been there.
``Special Ones'' is available at Birdland and Planet Music, both in Virginia Beach, or by calling 627-8107.
David Simpson, Virginian-Pilot
In performance: Co-Op Venture, 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Buckroe Beach Jazz Festival, Hampton. 5-8 p.m. Friday, 1-7 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. 688-9857. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
SLASH RECORDS
Grant Lee Buffalo's ``Copperopolis'' features elemental themes that
move seamlessly from urban to natural landscapes. by CNB