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Studio 150
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Music buff's choice
When a gifted singer-songwriter...
turns in an album of cover versions it usually suggests, at worse, a dearth of inspiration, at best, a desire to express themselves in a new way. Thankfully the latter applies to Paul Weller’s ‘Studio 150’ (V2), an intriguing mix of the predictable, such as Dylan’s ‘All Along The Watchtower’, the unexpected, like Neil Young’s ‘Birds’; and the bizarre, with Burt Bacharach’s treacly ‘Close To You’. An obscure Northern Soul cover, Nolan Porter’s ‘If I Could Only Be Sure’, is the pick of the bunch. |
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Music DVD
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| Two Rooms (Universal)
Getting a DVD release is ‘Two Rooms’, originally released on video back in 1991, which pays tribute to the songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin through performances by a host of stars including Eric Clapton, Sting, Tina Turner and the man himself. An added extra is fascinating footage from the old ‘Aquarius’ arts programme. |
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Stevie Ray Vaughan
When the guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash in 1990, he was at the height of his powers. Evidence, if any were needed, is an excellent two-DVD set, ‘Live At Montreux’ (Epic/Legacy), which captures Stevie Ray and his band Double Trouble on top form. |
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| Shelter From The Storm
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina several artists combined for a benefit concert to raise money for the survivors. Among those taking part were Dixie Chicks, Rod Stewart, U2 and Neil Young, but perhaps the most moving moment was Paul Simon’s rendition of ‘Take Me To The Mardi Gras’, complete with New Orleans jazz band. The DVD of the concert, ‘Shelter from the Storm’ (Twentieth Century Fox) has been released and proceeds are going directly to relief charities. |
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CD
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Harvest Showdown, Various (EMI)
Given that there have been precious few recordings by Roy Wood over the past 20 years, it is all the more remarkable that he was so productive at the dawn of the Seventies. Not only was Wood pumping out hit singles for The Move and Wizard, he was also finding the time to help found the Electric Light Orchestra and make a solo album on which he played all the instruments. This compilation gathers together the highlights of Wood’s various projects - and a weird and wonderful mix it is too, from the hit singles ‘Ball Park Incident’, ‘Tonight’ and ‘10538 Overture’ to some pretty bizarre B-sides. Notable omissions are The Move’s ‘California Man’ and those glorious Wizard chart-toppers, but this is still great fun. |
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