Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - As the publisher of this magazine will tell you, New Orleans has a long history of playing host to some of the greatest musicians, songwriters and performers in the past couple of centuries. In the new century, those who want to know what's up in music will often turn their attention to the Crescent City and its long list of brilliant youngsters and veteran music makers who call New Orleans home.

One of my favorite record labels is Basin Street Records, under the guidance and wise leadership of Mark Samuels. When one of my granddaughters was seriously injured in an auto accident several years back, Mark provided words of solace and advice. He knew of which he spoke, too, since his wife Patti died in a tragic crash not long before my granddaughter was hurt. I will long remember Mark's wise words and the comfort they gave me while Carrie was hospitalized. She made a solid recovery, I'm so pleased to report.

When the package delivered to my door carries the label of Basin Street Records, I'll rip it open and rush upstairs to my office to fire up the CD player. I'm seldom even slightly disappointed, for Basin Street has the reputation of being one of those guaranteed items. When it's Basin Street, it's got to be good.

Butler's Return

Henry Butler has the rare talent of being a pianist who's simply superb, working the blues idiom to its finest hours, and his singing voice has a stirring quality that makes listeners smile in appreciation of his remarkable talents. Butler's new CD, "Homeland" is his second for Basin Street and he shows evidence that his talents will continue to grow and prosper.

"Homeland" also features Vasti Jackson on guitar, Nick Daniels III on bass and Raymond Weber. The CD opens with "Jump to the Music," continues pumping along in stirring rhythm with a total of a dozen tunes that show off Butler's magnificent talents. The back up rhythm makers provide sterling support and the result is a record that will keep its owners smiling for months and years to come.

Another excellent performer from the Basin Street label is Jon Cleary, a top-flight pianist who leads a band that will shake roofs and send folks confined to wheel chair heading toward the dance floor. His latest is "Pin Your Spin," my personal choice as Cleary's best CD of his career thus far. With his band the Absolute Monster Gentlemen (not bragging about it, as you'll learn when you hear this disc), Cleary opens the fun with the title song, which features his excellent vocalizing, along with some funky material on keyboards. The leader also plays lead guitar and bass.

"Agent 00 Funk" is definitely a salute to Funktown, highlighted by an ensemble example of blended voices, resulting in 5 minutes and 15 seconds of fun. As the biography that came with my copy of the CD says, "There's no filler here - just smart lyics, memorable melodies and rock-solid grooves." While record publicists always emphasize the good and fail to mention anything that might seem less that stellar, in this rare case, Jon Cleary and group have all guns loaded and firing in a delightful display of musicianship and rocking rhythm. This ensemble of six masterful musicians makes it likely that this CD will become a fast fave and stay high in the stack for a long time.

Theresa Delights

Although Theresa Andersson has been recording since 1994, this beautiful young lady makes an important step up the ladder toward national recognition with her first album on the Basin Street label. "Shine" shows that Andersson has advanced to the Big Time, with a nicely produced disc that will enjoy major spins in the homes of folks who dig jazz, rock and the blues. Andersson, a beautiful blonde, seems near the point of breaking into the Big Time, when she'll start making appearances on those fabled stepping stones to national renown, such as the "Tonight Show" or "Late Night with David Letterman."

In the press package for "Shine," Andersson says that "in the last couple of years, I've gotten this hunger again to conquer." With a play list that is mostly filled with her own compositions, Andersson demonstrates an impressive voice and ability.

Expect to hear more from her sooner than later.

Fred Hersch Shines

Pianist Fred Hersch impressed a bunch of jazz fans roughly a year ago with his initial release on Palmetto Records, recorded live during a night club performance in New York City. Now the dazzling pianist returns with, logically, "The Fred Hersch Trio+2 " (Palmetto Records).

Hersch, a thin young man with a goatee and glasses, combines with Drew Gress on bass, Nasheet Waits at the drum kit, Ralph Alessi on flugelhorn, and Tony Malaby on tenor saxophone. The result is jazz with modern tones and a riveting rhythm section that stirs up excitement on both the up-tempo tunes and the slower melodies.?

Hersch seems ready for getting noticed in small towns, as well as drawing appreciative crowds in those fabeled jazz joints of New York City. With a program of originals, Hersch and pals deliver a performance that cries out for attention, and should be achieving deserved recognition soon.

Movie Music? ? ?

I like movie music as well as anyone, particularly those MGM musicials from the 1940s, which demonstrated talent such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson, and many, many more. Performers who could be both good actors and delightful singers, dancers and all the rest.

When I see the designation of "Music from So What Movie," my pulse doesn't pound in anticipation. More likely I'm likely to prepare a barf bag, just in case the "music" turns out to be more than I can stomach.

In the case of " 'Infidelity' Music from the Original TV Movie" (Basin Street), I didn't need a barf bag, although I might have belched once or twice while listening. The movie premiered last month on Lifetime TV Network. I didn't see the film, since I don't subscribe to cable. But I can tell you about the music.

The CD contains work by most of the Basin Street performers, including Henry Butler, Jon Cleary, Kermit Ruffins, Dr, Michael White, Irvin Mayfield, and Los Hombres Caliente. The score receives a professional playing from these distinguished musicians, but if you're listening without knowledge of the film, it's pretty much a ho-hum time.?

If you catch "Infidelity" during a re-run (and I'm certain there will be lots of them), and you enjoy the film, you might want to invest in the CD. Otherwise, forgettaboutit!

+++ The PREVIOUS POWERSSOUND +++ THE NEXT POWERSSOUND +++