Beth Orton, Trailer Park. Singer-cosongwriter Orton and her myriad musical companions traverse tender ballads, up-tempo folk-rockers, and a couple of dark, psychedelic, electronic tracks. While acoustic guitar and mandolin are usually present, Orton utilizes cellos, violin, double bass, harmonium, and percussion in an atypical blend of traditional, modern, and postmodern settings. The results range from decent to brilliant. An important record that could unite fans of acoustic and electronic music. (Dedicated, 580 Broadway, New York, NY 10012)
--Bryan Reesman
Stéphane Grappelli and Martin Taylor, Reunion. From the Harry Edison/Count Basie classic "Jive at Five" to Johnny Mandell's gorgeous "Emily," masterful, melodious playing abounds as the old master and the (relatively) young Turk swing their way through 11 tracks from a 1993 French session. Taylor contributes four originals, including the joyful title track, a lovely ballad called "Jenna," and the Latin-tinged "Miraval," where the magic of overdubbing has him playing a duet with himself. Grappelli is agile and ageless throughout, with exceptional solos on "Willow Weep for Me" and Harold Arlen's "Paper Moon." (Honest, 33 Music Square W., Nashville, TN 37203)
--Jim Ohlschmidt
Cor Mutsers and Patrick van Gerven, We Are Not Alone. This twin-guitar duo from the Netherlands produces quite an eclectic mix--three compositions each by Tony Rice and Frank Zappa, one by Richard Rogers, and four originals. You expect Tony Rice's "Devlin" or "Waltz for Indira" to adapt well to this format, but it's a surprise to hear Zappa's "Let's Move Cleveland" filtered through this Dutch Dawg music sensibility, while "Sofa" comes across as an only slightly twisted, Dobro-based country waltz. But it works--and, strange to say, "My Favorite Things" ends up sounding more Zappaesque than Zappa. (Strictly Country, Postbus 32, 9540 AA Vlagtwedde, Holland)
--Russell Letson
Bob Brozman and Ledward Kaapana, Kika Kila Meets Ki Ho'alu. This second collection of lap steel&endash;slack-key duets has a more jazzy, dancey, up-tempo feel than its Isaacs/Kuo predecessor, Hawaiian Touch. Brozman takes inspiration from Sol Ho'opi'i ("Kolopa"), the Kalama Quartet ("Maile Lau Li'ili'i"), and especially living legend Tau Moe ("Maika'i No Kaua'i"). "Akaka Falls," "Ua Like No A Like," and Leonard Kwan's "Lei Awapuhi" are as sweet and gentle as you could want. Kaapana's exuberant and fluid slack-key playing matches Brozman's steel, lick for lick, with some particularly hot picking on "Hula Blues," "Fort Street," and "Tre Moe." (Dancing Cat, PO Box 639, Santa Cruz, CA 95065)
--Russell Letson
John McCutcheon, Sprout Wings and Fly. McCutcheon mixes old-timey and international instrumentation to produce the kind of sounds you might expect if United Nations troops occupied Appalachia. He takes an old tune like "Reuben" and funks it up with Australian didgeridoos and rhythmic drumming, and he spices "Jack of Diamonds" with Cajun accordion. This eclectic swirl of influences pushes the 14-song collection (including originals, traditional tunes, and oldies) toward the world music category. (Rounder)
--Kermit B. Pattison
Steven King, Acoustic Swing. If you are convinced that some tunes just can't be played as guitar solos, listen to Steven King. Not only is he fearless enough to play Joe Zawinul's "Birdland," he has the chops to make it cook. Other selections, such as "Anthropology," "Brazil," and "How High the Moon," further demonstrate his uncanny ability to seemingly be everywhere on the fretboard at once. However, King is at his musical best when he's not pushing the envelope but simply playing wonderful melodies, such as "Perfidia" and Jimmy Giuffre's "Four Brothers." And King's treatment of "Moonlight Serenade" is one of the most beautiful on record. (Acoustic Music, 1610 Crestview Ave., Seal Beach, CA 90740)
--Jim Ohlschmidt
Ana Egge, River Under the Road. Egge's first album showcases the talents of a very promising young songwriter. Accompanying her strong but sweet contralto on an acoustic guitar she made herself, Egge has attracted the support of a who's who of Austin instrumentalists for the album--including Danny Barnes on banjo, Cindy Cashdollar on Dobro and lap steel, Mary Cutrufello on baritone guitar, Paul Glasse on mandolin, Sarah Brown on bass, Steve James on acoustic and National guitars, and Rich Brotherton on acoustic and electric guitar. Egge's songwriting is more western than country--she grew up in the Dakotas and New Mexico--and mature beyond her 20 years. (Lazy SOB, PO Box 49884, Austin, TX 78765-9884)
--John Herndon
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