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Music Reviews
by Lynne Thompson Fans of Flamenco guitar will be very happy to know that Armik has released Romantic Dreams (Bolero Records). Romantic Dreams is full of the exotic flair that only Armik can impart to Flamenco guitar. Moments is filled with impossible guitar rifts and brilliant strumming — completely irresistible. Fantasia has a traditional guitar melody, fast-paced percussion and chirpy castanets. Slow Dancing is sexy and smoldering, probably the perfect music for setting a romantic mood. Secret Whispers is an intriguing tune, Armik’s superb guitar playing talks back and forth in complicated melodies. Treasure Island will inspire the passionate in us all. Armik has attained worldwide prominence with his inventive, infectious music. The last 20 years have brought Armik to master level in performances of Latin-fused, jazz and Flamenco guitar. Romantic Dreams is a must for your musical library. The Queen of Soul is back! Aretha Franklin’s new release, So Damn Happy (Arista Records), showcases Aretha’s one-of-a-kind voice in her unforgettable style. Aretha jumps into every song with the enthusiasm that has marked her musical career from the beginning. So Damn Happy is Aretha’s first release in five years, proving that her collaborations with Artista Records bring good things to those that wait. The Only Thing Missin’ features Aretha crooning, “…The sun is shining, no clouds in view, lovers are holdin’ hands, the whole world’s brand new, ev’rbody’s smiling, Summer’s comin’ thru, but the only thing missin’ is you…” to electric guitar, finger-snapping percussion, and funky electric bass. If you close your eyes, you can almost see the backup singers and the band. Wonderful is an uplifting and contagious tune sprinkled with Aretha’s classic jazz-scat expressions and trills. “On this album, I’m just telling it like it is and keeping it real,” Aretha says. “I wish we could have done ten more songs! Aretha laughs. “We left so many dynamite songs behind because you can only do so many minutes on one album. However, the good news is … you get to record again!” Aretha’s ability to bring so much celebration, passion, pain, and perseverance to the songs she sings is what makes her appeal so universally real. Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool has a rhythm-and-blues groove, while Aretha laments, “Don’t you know everybody’s somebody’s fool, you watch somebody running game, but ya never have a clue.” Revival-style piano and swelling background vocals set the stage for Aretha’s own composition, You Are My Joy. Smooth, sad harmonica, slow-tempo keyboards, and guitar back Aretha’s plead in Falling Out of Love. Slightly reminiscent of Aretha’s smash hit Respect, Ain’t No Way has Aretha scolding her lover, “Ain’t no way, baby, for you to treat a lady.” So Damn Happy let’s Aretha do what she does best, liberate every ounce of feeling in any and every song she sings. |
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