Mandy Moore: Wild Hope

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Eric R. Danton wrote in his Hartford Courant blog Sound Check: "She co-wrote with … Deb Talan and Steve Tannen of the Weepies … folk singer-songwriter Lori McKenna … Chantal Kreviazuk and Rachael Yamagata. … The result is 'Wild Hope' … an album of 12 reflective folk-pop songs with maturity that belies Moore's 23 years. … She wrote many of these songs by tapping into the turbulence she felt after her break-up with 'Scrubs' star Zach Braff, and though she never calls him out by name, there's a bracing sense of candor here that makes these songs easily relatable. The mid-tempo piano ballad 'Looking Forward to Looking Back,' a Weepies co-write, is loaded with vivid imagery of a relationship falling apart, and Moore conveys a wistful determination that will break your heart. … 'Wild Hope' sounds much different than Moore's early music, but it's less a transformation than an evolution: She grew up, and learned that she didn't have to record material she didn't believe in. Although the album is her fifth, 'Wild Hope' is in many ways Moore's solo debut. It's catchy, it's honest and best of all, a strong heart beats beneath these songs" (7/18/07).

The Concert for New York City: To Benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library (We also have the DVD of this concert)
Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, October 20, 2001, "...the concert was a celebration of the strength of New York and a thank you to the heroic firefighters, police officers and rescue workers who saved ten of thousands of lives of September 11th."--Insert.
Partial contents: David Bowie: America; Heroes — Bon Jovi: Livin' on a Prayer; Wanted Dead or Alive; It's My Life — Jay-Z: Izzo — Goo Goo Dolls: American Girl — Billy Joel: Miami 2017; New York State of Mind — Destiny's Child: Emotion; Gospel medley — Eric Clapton (featuring Buddy Guy): I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man — Adam Sandler: Operaman — Backstreet Boys: Quit Playing Games — Melissa Etheridge: Come to My Window; Born to Run — The Who: Who Are You; Baba O'Reilly; Won't Get Fooled Again — Mick Jagger and Keith Richards: Salt of the Earth; Miss You — James Taylor: Fire and Rain; Up on the Roof — John Mellencamp: Peaceful World; Pink Houses (featuring Kid Rock) — Five for Fighting: Superman — Elton John: I Want Love; Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters — Paul McCartney: I'm Down; Yesterday; Let It Be; Freedom.

Terence Blanchard: A Tale of God's Will (a requiem for katrina)

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Personnel: Terence Blanchard, trumpet; Brice Winston, tenor & soprano saxophones; Aaron Parks, piano; Derrick Hodge, acoustic & electric basses; Kendrick Scott, drums, percussion; Zach Harmon, tabla and the happy apple.
Contents: Ghost of Congo Square — Levees — Wading through — Ashé — In time of need — Ghost of Betsy — The water — Mantra intro — Mantra — Over there — Ghost of 1927 — Funeral dirge — Dear mom.
V. R. Peterson wrote in People: "Trumpeter and New Orleans native Terence Blanchard has scored other Spike Lee projects … but none as personal as When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. On this disc of songs from and inspired by Lee's Katrina documentary, Blanchard's superb quintet draws musical impressions as affecting as the tragedy they recall. A trumpet screeches grief in 'The Water'; tablas evoke an emptiness that gives way to soulful sax on 'Mantra.' For each somber moment, there's an upsurge of melodic joy" ("Critic's Choice," 9/3/07, p. 50).

Suzanne Vega: Beauty & Crime

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Jonathan Van Meter wrote in New York: "Informed by Vega’s post-9/11 New York, it’s a disarming and moving jewel box of a record. At only 34 minutes long … it moves so nimbly through its lyrical and musical ideas that you don’t quite notice its brevity. Produced by Jimmy Hogarth, the 31-year-old Scot who made KT Tunstall’s 2006 debut shimmer, Beauty & Crime was recorded in London with a full orchestra. (Tunstall sings backup on two songs.) Underneath all of those lush, gorgeous strings, Hogarth then layered the electronic beats, delays, fades, and distortions that lend the album its freshness and vitality. Vega’s voice … has become more knowing, more coolly assertive, with age. When she sings 'Pornographer’s Dream,' a bossa nova, she pushes herself outside of her natural key, and the effect is hypnotic. On 'Zephyr & I,' a song about Vega and a graffiti-artist friend of her brother’s hanging out on West End Avenue as they reminisce about the seventies, Vega’s voice goes so high and light that it seems to dissolve into pure effervescence behind the accompaniment of the lo-fi drums and guitar" ("Pop: Lady of the Canyons," 7/16/07).

Prince: Planet Earth

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Contents: Planet Earth (5:51) — Guitar (3:45) — Somewhere here on Earth (5:45) — The one u wanna c (4:29) — Future baby mama (4:47) — Mr. Goodnight (4:26) — All the midnights in the world (2:21) — Chelsea Rodgers (5:41) — Lion of Judah (4:10) — Resolution.
Chuck Arnold wrote in People: "Anyone who witnessed this year's Super Bowl halftime show was reminded that Prince possesses more talent in his little pinky than your average musician. Really, though, he's been on a resurgent roll since 2004's Musicology, following that up with last year's standout 3121. He's got his purple mojo working again on Planet Earth, which, at its best, recalls his '80s reign. A song like 'Guitar,' the ax-slinging first single, is classic Prince, full of sexy swagger, Revolution-era riffs and cheeky humor ('I love you baby, but not like I love my guitar'). Meanwhile, the sumptuous, jazz-kissed 'Somewhere Here on Earth' is [a] vintage falsetto ballad. … Elsewhere, the CD is bookended with two tracks — the title tune and 'Resolution' — that reveal Prince's concern for the world beyond his bedroom" ("Music: Critic's Choice," 8/6/07, p. 41).

KT Tunstall: Drastic Fantastic

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Contents: Little favours — If only (by KT Tunstall and Jimmy Hogarth) — White bird — Funnyman (by KT Tunstall and Martin Terefe) — Hold on (by KT Tunstall and Ed Case) — Hopeless — I don't want you now — Saving my face — Beauty of uncertainty — Someday soon (by KT Tunstall, Jimmy Hogarth, and Sam Dixon) — Paper aeroplane. All written by KT Tunstall except as noted. Tunstall sings and plays guitars, Rhodes, ukulele, cello, and glockenspiel.
Eric R. Danton wrote in his Hartford Courant blog Sound Check: "Although it was plenty annoying, KT Tunstall’s 2006 song 'Black Horse and the Cherry Tree' was also catchy enough to make the tune, and her debut album, surprise hits. The Scottish singer builds on the promise of her first album with 'Drastic Fantastic,' a set of taut folk-rock tunes with a pop edge. She sings with gritty strength over rhythmic acoustic guitars augmented by electric guitar and mandolin on 'Funnyman' and murmurs sweetly over somber minor-key accompaniment on 'White Bird.' Tunstall’s sophomore effort pushes her forward and it’s clear she’s still growing as a songwriter" (9/19/07).

Roger Whittaker: Greatest Hits

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Contents: New world in the morning — Durham town — I don't believe in IF anymore — Mexican whistler — The last farewell — I am but a small voice — River lady — You are my miracle — Albany — The wind beneath my wings — The Skye boat song (with Des O'Connor).
According to the notes: "Born in Nairobi in 1936, singer-guitarist Roger Whittaker … performed in nightclubs in Nairobi before enrolling at university in Wales. In 1962 he recorded his first single, The Charge of the Light Brigade. A prize-winner in the 1967 Kaokke Song Festival in Belgium, he enjoyed great success in Europe with Mexican Whistler and his version of If I Were a Rich Man, followed by hits in Britain like Durham Town and I Don't Believe in If Anymore. He broke into the American Top Twenty with The Last Farewell (RCA, 1971), the lyrics to which were written by a listener to Roger Whittaker's BBC Radio series. He had a surprise British hit with the traditional Skye Boat Song, a duet with singer/comedian Des O'Connor."
Released in 1994, newly added to our collection at a patron's request.

Chrisette Michelle: I Am

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Contents: Like a dream (C. Payne, C. Grant) — Work it out (C. Payne, C. Grant) — If I have my way (C. Payne, K. Randolph, D. Stewart) — Best of me (C. Payne, Babyface) — Your joy (C. Payne, Babyface, R. Lewis) — Good girl (C. Payne, S. Remi) — Be okay (feat. will.i.am) (C. Payne, W. Adams, B. Marley) — Mr. Radio (C. Payne, C. Grant) — Golden (C. Payne, J. Smart) — Let's rock (C. Payne, W. Adams, J. Simmons, D. McDaniels) — Love is you (C. Payne, J. Stephens) — In this for you (C. Payne, S. Remi) — Is this the way love feels (C. Payne, K. Wooten).
Notable lyrics: "Let me get a verse/ Yeah I got nerve/ Don't need to rehearse … I was studying/ Miss Billie, Miss Ella, Miss Sarah Vaughan/ And Miss Natalie Cole" ("Let's Rock").
Chuck Arnold wrote in People: "After guesting with Jay-Z and Nas, this jazzy neo-soul sister makes a killer star turn with help from John Legend, Babyface and will.i.am. Part Erykah Badu, part Corinne Bailey Rae and part Macy Gray, she rivals Amy Winehouse for the year's best debut" ("Music: Recent Raves," 7/16/07, p. 45).

The Essential Chet Atkins

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Contents: Disc 1. Guitar blues (Pickin' the blues); Bug dance; Dizzy strings; Centipede boogie; Mainstreet breakdown; Root, hog or die; Jitterbug waltz ; The Third Man theme; Black Mountain rag; Country gentleman; City slicker; Mister Sandman; The poor people of Paris (Jean's song); Big D; Trambone; Should we tell him; Hidden charm; Oh lonesome me; I'm forever blowing bubbles; Slinkey — Disc 2. Boo boo stick beat; Hot mocking bird; The slop; Man of mystery; Wheels; Teen scene; Freight train; Satan's doll; Yakety axe; A taste of honey; Drive in; Get on with it; Cannonball rag; Take five; Is anything better than this; It's been a long, long time; Polka dots and moonbeams; Poor boy blues; Sneakin' around; Big foot.
Alan Bisbort wrote in the Fairfield County Weekly: "On the strength of these 40 cuts, Chet was no less than the re-animated spirit of Django Reinhart [i.e., Reinhardt], especially on his early instrumentals. … The instrumental tracks stand in a class all their own. … It's hard to think of any serious guitar player not influenced by this man's work" ("CD Shorts," 8/2/07, p. 27).

Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Contents: Umbrella (ft. Jay-Z) (C. "Tricky" Stewart, T. Nash, T. Harrell, S. Carter, produced by Stewart) — Push up on me (Jonathan "J.R." Rotem, M. Riddick, L. Richie, C. Weill, produced by Rotem) — Don't stop the music (T. E. Hermanson, M. S. Eriksen, T. Dabney, M. Jackson, produced by StarGate) — Breakin' dishes (C. Stewart, T. Nash, produced by Stewart) — Shut up and drive (Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, S. Morris, P. Hook, B. Sumber, G. Gilbert, produced by Rogers and Sturken) — Hate that I love you (ft. Ne-Yo) (S. Smith, T. E. Hermanson, M. S. Eriksen, produced by StarGate) — Say it (M. Riddick, Q. Atkinson, E. Brown, C. Dillon, S. Dunbar, B. Thompson, produced by Neo Da Matrix) — Sell me candy (T. Nash, M. Riddick, T. Mosley, produced by Timbaland) — Lemme get that (T. Nash, T. Mosley, S. Carter, produced by Timbaland) — Rehab (J. Timberlake, T. Mosley, H. Lane, produced by Timbaland) — Question existing (S. Smith, Shea Taylor, S. Carter, produced by Taylor) — Good girl gone bad (S. Smith, T. E. Hermanson, M. S. Eriksen, L. Marlin, produced by StarGate).

Charlotte Gainsbourg: 5:55

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Alissa Quart wrote in New York: "Her politesse was taught to her by Serge Gainsbourg, her Pop Rabelais of a father, who, in spite of his often risqué music and feral grooming, was 'very, very strict about manners. When I was a child, there was no talking at the table, or putting your hands on the table,' she says, in her disturbingly lovely voice, that of a drowsy British schoolgirl on the brink of losing her innocence in an unsavory fashion. … The CD 5:55 is the result of her return to music after a long absence. It’s a peculiar but lovely album whose songs tell of erotically anguished late nights and early mornings. There’s a storytelling quality to it, which Gainsbourg says was influenced by Serge’s 'thing of talking and singing' at the same time. She wanted her music — whispery electro pop — to be 'intimiste,' the tracks to sound like dreams. The project began when Gainsbourg met Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel from Air, the French band that made French pop seem stylish again. … Jarvis Cocker, who led the darkly witty British band Pulp, was called in to play lyrics doctor, along with the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon" (4/23/07).

West Side Story: Original Broadway Cast Recording

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Joan Peyser wrote in Bernstein: A Biography (1987): "As a composer, Bernstein is most renowned for West Side Story, a fact that causes him anguish, for he would prefer to enter the pantheon with a symphony or grand opera. But as one of Mozart's highest achievements was The Magic Flute, a work for the popular theater of the day, so West Side Story may one day possess those particular credentials Bernstein has coveted all of his life" (p. 16).
David Denby wrote in the New Yorker: "[T]he show, which opened fifty years ago, is a masterpiece of American musical theatre — perhaps the masterpiece" ("Critic's Notebook: A Place For It," 9/17/07).
And if you ask me, yes, it is the masterpiece of American musical theatre and worthy of comparison to The Magic Flute. I may be prejudiced though, because this is the first record album I can remember hearing, around the age of 5. Some things were hard to understand, but the big sweeping feelings about good and bad things happening came across very clearly.

Bach: Keyboard Partita No. 4, French Suite No. 1; Boulez: Notations, Incises

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Anthony Tommasini wrote in the New York Times: "The superbly played and thoughtful program should help spread the news about this emerging French artist, now 26. In both Bach and Boulez, Mr. Fray displays an articulate touch, splendid command of shadings and nimble finger work. The youthful freshness of the performances is especially appealing. Mr. Fray is not intimidated by either giant. He brings a fluid sense of rhythm and much sparkle to Bach's D major Partita. He takes the Allemande at a daringly slow tempo; with all the sectional repeats observed, the movement lasts more than 11 minutes. Yet the lilt and grace of the performance keep you hooked. Mr. Fray's account of Bach's D minor French Suite is also captivating, played with real affinity for the French flourishes in the dance movements. Even in the intricately contrapuntal Gigue, dispatched with crisp clarity, there is a relaxed and poised quality to the playing. Bach devotees who may be wary of Mr. Boulez's music should hear Mr. Fray's playful, crystalline and wondrously delicate account of the 12 'Notations'" ("Classical Recordings," 8/12/07).

Surf's Up: Music from the Motion Picture

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Eric R. Danton wrote in his Hartford Courant blog Sound Check: "Lauryn Hill, the singer and former Fugee, looked like a sure bet to be the guiding light of the neo-soul movement before disaffection with the music industry and a semi-freaky spiritual surge prompted her to check out of public life for several years. … She re-enters the zeitgeist on, of all places, the soundtrack to the animated motion picture 'Surf's Up.' Now referring to herself as Ms. Lauryn Hill, the singer's new song, 'Lose Myself,' is driven by a propulsive bassline, shimmery synth lines and drum hits overdriven just enough to crackle in the speakers. It sounds shapeless and scattered on first listen, but gets steadily catchier thereafter. … [S]he sings, 'I used to do it for the love a long time ago/And all I ever wanted was love/I used to love without fear a long time ago/And all I ever wanted was love/Then somebody came around and tried to hurt me/tried to make me feel like I was unworthy.' Sounds like it could be an account of her life in music. The good news is, she's said to be working on a new album" ("Lauryn Hill Loses Self," 5/21/07).

Simple Kid: 2

Status of copy at Case Memorial Library
Contents: Lil' King Kong — Self-help book — The twentysomething — Old domestic cat — Serotonin — A song of stone — The ballad of Elton John — You — Oh heart, don't be bitter — Mommy n daddy — Love's an enigma (pt II). All songs written and produced by Simple Kid.
Notable lyrics: "I watchin the tv/ 24 stations/ see all the usual/ celebrity wankers/ I swear they've got phonier/ or am I just older? … celebrities go home we/ no longer want you/ imagine Elton John/ got stuck on the underground/ saw ordinary faces/ and wrote his best song in ages/ … there ain't nothin better/ than drinkin with my friends … it's so sad/ I don't know/ what's all this celebrity for? … celebrities go home/ go home to yo mama …" (from "The Ballad of Elton John").
Nancy Miller wrote in Wired: "In 2004, Ciaran McFeely released an extra ordinary [i.e., extraordinary] debut — then fled the stress of the music business. Thankfully, the Irish one-man band is back with electronic folk-rock that proves he's no one-hit wonder" ("Play: Music," 8/07, p. 76).