Tribute

Robert Davi's 'Davi Sings Sinatra'

10/6/2011
Joanna Fantozzi
Artist: 
Robert Davi
On the Road to Romance

Better known as a villain on the big screen in such movies as License to Kill and The Goonies, actor Robert Davi takes on a new art form with the release of his crooner album full of 12 Frank Sinatra songs. At first listen, the loud, intricate instrumentals of the 30-piece big band orchestra blow you away. The orchestration is different for many of the songs, which is refreshing to hear.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

Muppets: The Green Album

8/16/2011
Hillary Johns
Artist: 
Various Artists
OK Go, Weezer, The Fray and more give a new spin to classic Muppets songs

NPR has released a first listen of Muppets: The Green Album, out August 23. The album is sure to please young and old; satisfying both fans of the originals and bringing in new fans.

The album opens with OK Go performing the “Muppet Show Theme Song.” The song is remixed and extended, giving a good preview of what’s to come in the album. Weezer and Hayley Williams’ duet version of “Rainbow Connection” is magical and lovely, keeping the spirit of the beloved classic.

The Polka Floyd Show

3/5/2008
Jessica Chung
Artist: 
Polka Floyd

From its name, you can guess what kind of music is on the album The Polka Floyd Show. Performed by Polka Floyd, the album mixes the rock of Pink Floyd with polka music. It seems an odd combination but it does not fail miserably as a musical pairing either. While you listen to the driving sound of an electric guitar on "See Emily Play," for example, the disc's first number, a polka drumbeat is accompanying it.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

A Place For Us: A Tribute to 50 Years of West Side Story

10/30/2007
Jenna Horan
Artist: 
Various Artists

A Place For Us - A Tribute To 50 Years Of West Side Story takes some of Broadway's bests to perform the legendary songs from the famous musical. Among the performers are Brian Stokes Mitchell, Barbara Streisand, Johnny Mathis and Julie Andrews. The tribute is made up of the most memorable songs, such as "Maria," "I Feel Pretty" and "Gee, Officer Krupke."

The album starts out strong, with Brian Stokes Mitchell's rendition of "Something's Coming," and Julie Andrews' "I Feel Pretty" is near perfection.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.00Stars

American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell

10/24/2007
Sari N. Kent
Artist: 
Various Artists

The various artists included on "American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell" exhibit their prowess on an array of classical instruments. Each song is harmoniously constructed with both beauty and sadness. The ability of each performer to showcase their feelings through powerful melodies is hypnotic and will leave listeners breathless for more.

"Romance," from Amy Beach, has beautifully engineered violin play encircled by harmonious piano work.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.50Stars

The Gift: A Tribute to Ian Tyson

9/23/2007
Sari N, Kent
Artist: 
Various Artists

The artists present on The Gift: A Tribute to Ian Tyson pay their loyalty to a pillar of buckaroo folk Canadian music. Each song tells a story that listeners will have no choice but to be embroiled in. All of the featured singers bring their own signature sound to their song and do right by this heralded Canadian treasure.

On "Blue Mountains of Mexico," Jennifer Warnes soulfully sings about a memento that triggered a memory from her past that she remembers fondly. She emotes emotional lines such as, "I found a postcard from long ago in a drawer yesterday.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.50Stars

Forever Cool

9/2/2007
Sari N. Kent
Artist: 
Dean Martin

The ultimate memorial tribute to one of the potentates of music, stage, film and television, "Forever Cool" showcases the best of "Dino," also known as Dean Martin. This 14-track collection includes Martin's original vocals along with new orchestrations and duets with some of the biggest singers of today.

"Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" has that cool vibe that fans of Martin have come to know and venerate. On this track Martin and English singer Robbie Williams, former member of the band Take That, seem to sing together in total affinity.

Reviewer Rating: 
5.00Stars

Goin

8/14/2007
Sari N. Kent
Artist: 
Various Artists

Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino combines illustrious artists from pop, rock, blues and even R & B to pay homage to one of the greatest rock and roll singers of all time. Pop idols like Tom Petty and even famous film scorer Randy Newman all lend their magical voices to Domino's heralded classics, putting brand new spin on them so they are sure not to be forgotten by the next musical generation.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire

5/5/2007
Sari N. Kent
Artist: 
Various Artists

In honor of one of the most outstanding, soulful groups in musical lore, the various artists on Interpretation: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire perform emotional remixes of Earth, Wind & Fire's classics, and each artist puts their own unique imprint on their track.

Chaka Khan expressively croons on "Shining Star." Earth, Wind & Fire released the song in 1975 on an album titled That's the Way of the World, a soundtrack album for a movie of the same name, in which they starred.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.50Stars

Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash

5/4/2007
Sari N. Kent
Artist: 
Various Artists

Almost four years after her passing, the various artists portrayed on Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash depict Cash's downhome charm and extort both somber and upbeat emotions that encapsulate the soul of a musical legend.

Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson perform a duet of "If I Were a Carpenter," which had been sung previously by Johnny Cash, and was singer Bobby Darin's final hit record on the Atlantic Records label. The guitar work is slow yet jovial, with harmonica play mixed in for good measure.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.50Stars
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