By Film and television author RANDY WILLIAMS reviews the latest movies, television shows, documentaries and music programs now available for purchase online or at your local retail store.
Counting Crows, ‘Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings’
A raw and real-feeling album about the lives that leader Adam Duritz felt he has experienced is vividly brought to an accessible realm by his band of talented musicians in a more folksy, acoustic vein than in past releases. The album, like the title indicates, really is two-fold. On the “Saturday Nights” side, “1492” and “Los Angeles” are statements of decay and disintegration as Duritz felt the band was tailing off and this would be their last album. But adding the “Sunday Mornings” after extensive soul-searching and recordings in Berkeley, the band rejuvenates their acoustic prowess with such tunes as “Washington Square,” “Anyone But You” and concludes with the brilliant “Come Around.” Their first album in five years shows an almost telepathic dynamic between the singer-songwriter and tuned in musicians who play off his every nuance with verve. (Geffen) Will Downing, ‘After Hours’ Blessed with a rhythmic, romantic baritone in the vein of Luther Vandross and Barry White, Will Downing is a performer on the rise. Overcoming a muscle debilitating disorder that forced him to cut the majority of his vocals from a wheelchair at home, Downing is in the pink in terms of the health of his musical output. Downing’s first album for Peak which debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, includes 10 tunes that are a lovers’ delight. From “Will’s Groove” to “After Tonight,” this is a mellow pack that whispers nothing but serenely relaxed optimism and unhurried romance. (Peak) Faith Hill, ‘The Hits’ Faith offers 15 tunes here including the duet, “I Need You” with Tim McGraw and a live version of “Stronger.” Other titles include “Red Umbrella,” “Lost,” “Mississippi Girl,” “This Kiss,” and “Wild One.” Inner CD sleeves serve as a sort of scrapbook showing the artist with her first guitar at age 3 and performing at a talent show at age 14.(Warner Nashville) Various, ‘Legendary Singers’ A new set to satisfy both the hard core fan and the collector looking to find a one-stop work for leading crooners. Each of the performers has their own two-disc offering that includes 30 songs spanning their brilliant careers. The velvet-voiced masters include classics such as “Chances Are,” “It’s Not For Me To Say,” “White Christmas,” “Till the End of Time,” “Prisoner of Love,” “Stardust,” and “Ramblin’ Rose.” Here is an “Unforgettable” series for fans of pop balladeers. (Time Life) Breathe, ‘The Relaxing Baroque’ A nuclear-power plant worker (Paddy Considine) in 1995 post-Soviet Russia, learns how authorities lied about the extent he was exposed to radiation and now only has a few days to live. If you had only a few days to live, how far would you go to ensure your family’s future? Deadly substances (plutonium) in the hands of deadly figures (Russian criminal underground) is at the core of this riveting thriller. It includes commentary from writer/director Scott Burns. (HBO)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 28, 2008. Read the original PDF.