ican Patriot. (Bullseye) Never have these pa- triotic songs been performed with more soul. Starting with a soul-drenched “America The Beautiful,” brother Sam pours the soul (and gospel vibes) on “The Battle Hymn of the Re- public,” “The Star-Spangled Banner” “And God Bless America,” and injects some Sam & Dave feel into Lee Greenwood’s now classic “God Bless the USA.” There’s a beautiful ver- sion of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” as well as an apt cover of Marvin Gaye’s immortal “What’s Going On.” Absolutely amazing. . .
pletely different!” Captain Beefheart alum Gary Lucas has teamed up with soul diva Nona Hendryx for The World of Cap- tain Beefheart (KFR), a fitting tribute to Mr. Don Van Vliet, the Captain himself. In my considerably long life, I find there are two kinds of people- those who love Beefheart’s music and get it, and those who hate it and scratch their heads until blood flows from their scalp. I loved Zappa, and had heard a lit- tle Beefheart, including the record Bongo Fury LP he did with Frank, but it wasn’t until the mid-90’s when I met Magic Band (and Zappa) guitar slinger Denny Walley that I started really digging on Beefheart. Lucas and Nona turn in some fine covers of Don’s music. “Too Much Time” stands out as an almost “normal” sounding r&b number, and “Her Eyes are a Blue Million Miles” (previously recorded by Joan Osbourne) is really great. Fans of the Captain will love Nona’s vocals on “When it Blows Its Stacks,” “I’m Glad,” “Sun Zoom Spark,” “Sugar and Spikes,”- twelve tunes in all, ending with the groove of “Tropi- cal Hot Dog Night.” An unusual and wonder- ful pairing that breaks down the walls that limit the current music scene. Nothing boring here. This is music as art. Painted with an electric brush on a neon canvas. Dig it, if you can. . . R & B legend Sam Moore salutes our USA with a powerful new album called Amer-
Kim Wilson of Fabulous Thunderbirds fame is back with another genuine house rocker of an album, bringing his smoking harp and rocking vocals to a 16-song set that features his original songs and great covers of Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins and more. Blues and Boogie Vol. 1 (Severn) opens with Wilson’s own instrumental “Bonus Boo- gie,” Kim and his band simply rip it up on this excellent set. Standout tracks abound, includ- ing Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Ninety-Nine;” “Teenage Beat,” a hopping instrumental with some fine guitar picking from Big Jon Atkin- son; John Lee Hooker’s “Same Ol’ Blues;” and Elmore James’ "Sho Nuff I Do.” These are some blues you can use, fellow babies, from a man who has more soul than Shaq’s basket- ball shoes. •
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