Sunday, March 16, 2014
Don Williams
Album: “Reflections” (Sugar Hill)
Grade: B+
Don Williams is on a roll, once again. After talk of retirement — he even embarked on a farewell tour in 2006 — the Country Music Hall of Fame member suddenly is busy again, releasing his second album in the last two years with “Reflections.” If anything, the new collection is an even better reminder of Williams’ special gifts than 2012’s comeback album, “And So It Goes.”
Sounding as lively and engaging as the laid-back 74-year-old is likely to get, Williams picks out an outstanding collection of songs, including those by his old favorite Townes Van Zandt (“I’ll Be Here In The Morning”), Guy Clark (”Talk Is Cheap, co-written with Chris Stapleton and Morgane Hayes), Merle Haggard (the classic “Sing Me Back Home”) and Jesse Winchester (“If I Were Free”).
“Reflections” was co-produced with a deft touch by Williams’ longtime studio partner Garth Fundis. He captures the veteran singer’s rich voice — sounding as smooth and subtly emotional as ever — and backs him with the tasteful, restrained contributions of a stellar studio band.
As often has been the case, Williams displays a great ability to string together songs that make a statement about living a simple, humble life tied to family, love and the land. “Reflections” is a perfect title from a man who continues to represent the timeless strengths of good country music.
—Michael McCall, Associated Press
‘Divergent’ Soundtrack
Artists: Multiple artists (Interscope Records)
Grade: C
The latest dystopian young-adult, big- screen adaptation, “Divergent,” has high expectations for the box office, though its soundtrack offers an uneven bag of tracks.The film, highlighted by teenage angst overwrought by societal structure, could translate into a group of edgy, resonating songs, but the reality is that few rise up to the challenge. Ellie Goulding over contributes with her brand of manic pixie dream girl electro pop on four tracks (three only on the non-digital version).
The first single — Zedd’s piano ballad turned triumphant dance song “Find You” — is neither convincing nor very inspiring. And Goulding’s “Beating Heart” is a stroke away from flatlining.
The album starts off slow with run-of-the-mill dance tracks before it gets bizarre and wonderful with Tame Impala and Kendrick Lamar’s “Backwards,” which mixes a hypnotic ’60s sound with some epic rapping. A$AP Rocky’s contribution, “In Distress,” is probably the most alienating and enticing of the whole album — the barky electro background is stabilized by his rapping, which turns into a melodic howl. Overall, though, the soundtrack barely passes the aptitude test into the Dauntless.
—Cristina Jaleru, Associated Press
Sara Evans
Album: “Slow Me Down” (RCA Nashville)
Grade: B
The cover of Sara Evans’ new album depicts her in front of a giant clock above the title “Slow Me Down” — an ironic statement for a country star releasing only her second album in nine years.
But taking her time benefits Evans in one way: “Slow Me Down” ranks with such past gems as 2005’s “Real Fine Place” and 2000’s “Born To Fly,” two of Evans’s best, and most successful, albums. She also profits from working with one producer, Mark Bright, who also co-produced “Real Fine Place” with Evans, a move away from the multiple producers found on Evans’ disappointing 2011 release, “Restless.”
Bright adds particularly inventive and engaging arrangements to such standout cuts as “Sweet Spot” and especially “You Never Know,” with its clever use of strings as a rhythmic element set against drums, bass and guitars. Evans’ maturity also informs her new songs, especially the title cut, the equally compelling “Better Off” (a duet with Vince Gill) and “A Little Revival.”
—Michael McCall, Associated Press