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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 16, 1999)
▼ Stabbing Westward as heavy competition, the Merlot guys can definitely hold their own. Not only does their music rock, but the lyrics res onate with the pain of an intelligent, tortured soul battling with a world that wronged it. Vir gos Merlot is drawing from a well that is far from dry, and devouring every drop. A nnie G et Y our G un : T he N ew B roadway C ast R ecording Various artists • Angel Records nnie Get Your Gun was recently revived on Broadway, brought to new life by stage vet eran and multiple award-winner Bernadette Peters. Looking as if she attends the Sophia Loren School for Anti-Aging, Peters is the dramatic force of the show as the title character, Annie Oakley, though not its only star. Possessing a sur prisingly rich vocal range, second lead Tom Wopat (of early 1980s Dukes of Hazard fame) plays Frank Butler. Two things you must love in order to buy this soundtrack: the classic song “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” which is thrice rendered among the 19 tracks; and the sugary sweet, old-fashioned romance sung with amus ing innocence by two people well into their 40s—further proof that age ain’t nothin’ but a number. For all their sweetness, the tunes are thank fully not grating or annoying, but are per formed lightheartedly by a seasoned cast. If you’re a Peters fanatic and just can’t get enough, catch her performance at London’s Royal Festival Hall, which will be aired in August on PBS. A M yths and H ymns Adam Guettel • Nonesuch Records was going to compare young Adam Guettel to the world-renowned composer Stephen Sondheim, but I’m about nine years too late. Guettel has been lauded by various sources and awards, including one bearing Sondheim’s name for song writing distinction, from Philadelphia’s Musical Theater Festival in 1990. Descended from composer Richard Rodgers, Guettel’s theatrical genes are abundant. While his grandfather’s legacy is solidified with the success of his creations—including the quintes sential stage productions Oklahoma! and the King and I —Guettel has the talent to be a the ater idol himself. Myths and Hymns evolved from the work Saturn Returns, which premiered last March at the Joseph Papp Theater. The songs are based on classic Greek myths and colonial American hymnbook texts. The best musical execution is the standout “Icarus.” Just excellent. If he continues with this level of craftsman ship, by the conclusion of his 15 minutes, Guettel may outrun his famous grandfather’s shadow to be the next Sondheim. Or better, the first Adam Guettel. I Your own year-round retreat home— L og C abin on 2 I dyllic A cres C lose - in $315,000 S igns of a V acant S oul Virgos Merlot • Atlantic B ring I t O n Gomez • Virgin Records f I were a therapist for the members of Virgos Merlot, I’d be laughing all the way to the bank. Dysfunction works extremely well for the Birmingham, Ala.-based band, named for the sixth sign of the zodiac and the lovely blue grape plucked to make its namesake wine. Imagine Alice in Chains and Trent Reznor on their worst days—personality-wise, that is— then throw in great hooks and nearly all of Kurt Cobain’s angst. When lead vocalist and guitarist Brett Hestla begs listeners to “kiss my disease,” or pleads with them to understand that “my soul is dead,” the boy makes Marilyn Manson appear (dare I say) tame. With the likes of Manson, Rod Zombie and lthough this Gomez album offers good blues-rock with a rough edge, the band’s I sound really suffers from an identity crisis. There is nothing unique or distinguishing about any of the songs, or Bring It On as a whole. Rather, the group borrows its sound from more established Brits like Blur and Oasis, sans the nasal whine. To further enhance the “little fish in a big pond” dilemma, Gomez’s lead singer sounds like a clone of Seven Mary Three’s lead vocal ist. (Remember the hit “Cumbersome”?) If you’re a diehard for new bands, give it a listen. But if you’re seeking something different and extraordinary, seek elsewhere. I 2 bedrooms, bonus room, 2 baths, wood floors, stone fireplace, double car garage, fruit trees, out building and river acess. West Linn area. ............................................ ........ ..... ................................,IM.^ <............................. “ C See my other fine listings in the Classified Ads. j —CELIA J. LYON— Sales Associate (503) 287-8989 xl47 (503) 786-4959 Pager: 920-8403 Mobile: 260-6231 Fax: 284-1618 Note, to —next issue, ofi just out is (Jatj so tArt art tíre* (dufy iatfirt. kas Art FrVyt, V>‘Va At*ee* 16 ¿sue aNAy. 6 VsneJ .................................. ■ S