BACKBEAT

Rip It Up, Issue 210, 1 February 1995, Page 28

BACKBEAT

Blacks as video props dept: Only Eric Clapton’s recent ‘Motherless Child’ video comes close to the racial fetishization level of Madonna’s ‘Secret’. Clapton, though, takes the coloureds out of their ‘environment’, and places them, like Avedon, on a seamless backdrop, out of their element(s), so that it’s all about them, down to the creases in their knuckles, the black moles on their brown faces. It’s too precious for fucking words.’ Danyel Smith, The Village Voice .

VARIOUS ARTISTS Tulare Dust a Songwriters’ Tribute to Merle Haggard (Hightone)

A while back it was fashionable for punks to trash their elders. Now, musicians are falling over themselves to pay their respects. Among the rash of recent tribute albums, this is the very best — because those taking part are here for the right reasons, not as a career move. Merle Haggard is the musician’s working class hero, his songs believable and unforgettable snapshots of smalltown blue collar life. Everyone here captures his magic, because they are his true descendants rather than just the first people in the marketing dept’s address book. Thanks to Marshall Crenshaw, Dwight Yoakam, Billy Joe Shaver, Iris Dement, et al, Merle will be back on my playlist — once I’ve tired of this.

VARIOUS ARTISTS It’s Now or Never the Tribute to Elvis (Mercury)

This however, was put together by an accountant (at least Sting and Sinead weren’t invited). Hiring Don Was to produce and NRBQ to provide backing was a good start. Then, out came the true fans: Bryan Adams, Michael Hutchence, Billy Ray Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Tanya Tucker... as motley a collection of overblown Elvis imitators ever assembled. Just surviving with dignity are Dwight Yoakam, Faith Hill and —for effete irony reminiscent of Bryan Ferry, Wet Wet Wet. The tragedy is that the best moments seen on the TV broadcast have been left out: Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Rodgers, John Cale. At least they didn’t invite the new son-in-law to ‘Teddy Bear’.

GEORGE JONES The Bradley Barn Sessions (MCA)

the duet album as pure product — but compared to Sinatra’s recent efforts, at least they sound alive. A typically brief (under 35 minutes) album from the Rolls-Royce voice of country, running through his hits one more time, with an uninspired bunch of A-list guests. Highlights include an almost unrecognisable Keith Richards on ‘Say It’s Not You’, and a sparingly fresh ‘Where Grass Won’t Grow’ with Dolly, Emmylou and Trisha Yearwood.

PHIL ALVIN County Fair 2000 (Hightone)

Roots record of the month. Phil Alvin of the Blasters invites a varied crew — the Dirty dozen Brass Band, the Faultlirle Syncopators — to celebrate the history of American music. Blues, gospel, dixie, honky tonk, all sit comfortably together in a seamless concept album that recalls early Ry Cooder and Leon Redbone. Good fun.

BEBE AND CECE WINIANS Relationships (Capitol)

Slick studio soul from the leaders of contemporary gospel: this has more in common with Whitney than any of the other Houstons. Like the Womacks without the songs, the loopy lyrics or the endearing affection for each other, this has the bland sound of adult black radio. Stick with Gladys Knight’s recent Just For You for the best in modern popqospel.

GARY FLOYD World of Trouble (GlitterhousE/Global Routes)

White blues with a punk attitude. Floyd brings a refreshing alternative feel to roots music he’s done his homework as well. This strong set of originals is played with a sweaty one-take feel, and delivered in an eclectic array of styles (swampy rock, Delta slide, country ballad). The first in a series of underground American artists released on the German Glitterhouse’ label. ‘ '

JAMES BOOKER