THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 16, 1997 TAG: 9701150043
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: ALBUM REVIEWS
LENGTH: 88 lines
Daniel Lanois, ``Music From the Miramax Motion Picture `Sling Blade' '' (Island)
There are two types of soundtracks: the rock/soul/jazz mishmashes that only prop up ticket sales and those so attuned to a movie's mood, they propel the narrative. Eric Serra's work on ``The Professional'' is a perfect example of the latter.
So is Daniel Lanois' score for ``Sling Blade.'' (The movie is due at the Naro in March.)
The plot: After spending 25 years in an asylum, a mildly retarded man convicted of killing his mother and her lover befriends a boy threatened by his mother's abusive boyfriend. Nothing more than that brief-est of summaries is needed to appreciate Lanois' accomplishment.
As a producer, he was instrumental in redirecting U2 and has steered Emmylou Harris, among others. His best projects, though, are his ambient albums ``Acadie'' and ``For the Beauty of Wynona.''
Ambient is the operative word: With little more than a restless guitar and tape loops, ``Asylum'' is as ominous as the title implies. ``Bettina'' is a two-minute character study; the tense, sinister ``Blue Waltz'' a total surprise. Bambi Lee Savage's dreamy ``Darlin' '' fits right in.
Usually, a movie has to live up to the book. Lanois throws down a gauntlet that is no less challenging.
Craig Shapiro, Virginian-Pilot
Rock
GOV'T MULE, ``Live at Roseland Ballroom'' (Foundation Records)
Blistering blues-rock with everything from speed metal and grunge to funk and jazz included in the mix - the styles here are so dated they sound fresh.
When not working with the Allman Brothers Band, lead guitarist/ vocalist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody get together with drummer Matt Abts as the loose-knit GOV'T MULE. This disc, a rousing 1995 New Year's concert in New York City, catches them rocking with abandon.
The opening track on their sophomore effort, the 16-minute instrumental rave-up ``Trane,'' shows the group at its most adventurous. Riding the versatile and explosive rhythms of Woody and Abts, Haynes conjures up sound images of the Allmans, ZZ Top, Cream and Robin Trower. His gravel voice and take-no-prisoners guitar pyrotechnics are showcased throughout.
GOV'T MULE may be stubborn enough to stay rooted in styles developed close to 30 years ago, but its sound is alive and kicking.
Eric Feber, Virginian-Pilot
Blues
Joanna Connor, ``Big Girl Blues'' (Blind Pig)
Connor's third Blind Pig release is full of competent, occasionally fiery blues-rock guitar, with an emphasis on the rock. But her mannered singing and amateurish songwriting sink this effort.
Connor, who grew up in Brooklyn and Worcester, Mass., got her first guitar when she was 7 and played in bands through high school. Later, she packed her ax and headed to the blues mecca of Chicago.
She's clearly learned the licks, and her Les Paul Classic is adjusted to give her solo lines the requisite fat, distorted sound. She's especially adept at slide work (``Meditations''). But her trite tunes don't stick in the brain. The best of the lot is the hooky ``Sister Spirit,'' which she manages to sing without the unconvincingly ``soulful'' accents that mar other tracks.
Next time, she might consider teaming up with a writer or doing covers. As it is, this dreary record is likely to give you the blues.
David Simpson, Virginian-Pilot
Acid jazz
Soundscape, ``Life Force'' (Instinct Records)
Acid jazz can't always be dismissed as the price you pay for the local forecast. Done the right way, it can be fresh and innovative.
Soundscape does it right. Key-boardist Mick Talbot founded the Style Council with Paul Weller; producer/deejay Chris Bangs is credited with creating the genre. While some listeners will insist that ``Life Force'' is background music, much can be gleaned by paying attention.
Not the least of which is the marvelous production, especially on the soulful ``Magic Time'' and ``Morning Song,'' which echoes the Crusaders and Steps Ahead. Talbot and guitarist Nigel Wallace Price engage in some lively give-and-take. A cover of the classic ``I'll Be Around'' is a keeper.
It's not just the polished arrangements that keep things moving. Talbot and Bangs are smart enough to hold the running times to around four minutes.
Craig Shapiro, Virginian-Pilot ILLUSTRATION: ISLAND RECORDS
Daniel Lanois' soundtrack propels ``Sling Blade.''
SOUNDBITES
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