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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 5, 2003)
qqScFE^ ■ i l i <ì G u id e Featuring Queer Eye for the Straight G uy’s Jai Rodriguez as the cupid-like Zanna, the musical packs a surprisingly emotional punch as well. G et a head start on learning the tunes now— the show is scheduled to reopen on the Great White Way next fall, and that means an eventual Broadway-to- Portland tour. — Mure Acito T igers A bove T igers B elow Ellis • Rubberneck Records e buy organic vegetables because we know they’re better for us and st) we can support a positive agri cultural practice. We won’t buy products pro duced in sweatshops. We like to support small businesses rather than dropping our pay- checks at Wal-Mart. So, by the same token, why not pick up a copy of Tigers Ahoee Tigers Below, the latest release by Ellis, whose musi cal independence and hard work has made her one of the most respected queer musicians today. Her fourth and most ambitious album yet, Tigers has been compared to early Ani DiFranco and Edie Brickell, no doubt because this Texas expatriate conveys so much in her songwriting— experiences extracted straight from her young yet turbu lent life that seduce with their mature, bluesy hixiks. G uest appearances by Travis M cNabb (Better Than Ezra) on drums and Julie Wolf (DiFranco) on keyboards round out the album perfectly. T his holiday season, support indepen dent music and gift that special som eone with one of the best-kept secrets in folk music today. —Jodt Darby O nly O ne L ife : T he S ongs of J immy W ebb Michael Feinstein • Concord Jazz CI ast year, Norah Jones’ mellow brand of jazz earned her an armful of 4 ammys, so it’s really no surprise that other singers might try taking a walk on the mild side. In the case of cabaret star Michael Feinstein, the soft touch suits him, and this collection of Jimmy Webb songs makes for lovely atmosphere and an interesting departure from his usual walk down Tin Tan Alley. His slow and smooth reimagining of “Up, U p and Away" is particularly ingenious and charming. Feinstein’s tremulous voice sounds both appealingly breathy and luscious ly creamy as needed, and the arrangements are up to his usual high standards. — MA E volve Am DiFranco • Righteous Babe f there’s one thing we’ve learned during the past 13 years, it’s you can’t put Ani DiFranco in a box. (Unless, of course, it’s a small plastic one with a shiny compact disc inside.) DiFranco’s 15th hill-length album moves beyond her signature brand of guitar-driven folk rock and explores a variety of musical styles including jazz and funk. Like her last two releases, E volte showcases her touring band—Julie Wolf on keyboards; Hans Teuber on saxophone, clarinet and flute; Jason Mercer on bass; Daren Hahn on drums; and Shane Endsley, Ravi Best and Todd Horton on trumpets. If you prefer the early-day acoustic Ani, don’t worry— beneath the horns and harmonies, our beloved little folk nx:ker is still there. Fier fierce finger-pickin’ guitar playing, her powerful acrobatic vocals and her intimately honest lyrics conveying sarcasm, humor and paip haven’t gone away. On “O My My" DiFranco sits down at the piano and gives us a jazzy tune with a hint of the blues. On “Serpentine" she gives us 10 minutes of passionate spoken word. The title song refers to her personal journey and throws a few jabs at the government. A s a singer/songwnter/guitarist/producer/ Z anna , D on ’ t ! Original Off-Broadway Oast • PS Classics nil disclosure: I’m completely inclined to love this original cast recording of the off-Broadway hit musical; my cousin Tim Acito wrote it. But don’t take my word for it. This is what The New York Times had to say about this upside- down tale of forbid den heterosexual love in a gay uni verse: “Few shows have the appeal of Zanna, Don’t/ It would take a hard heart to resist Tim Acito s candy- flavored melodics that have theatergoers lining up in the lobby after the show to sign a mailing list for the CD . He has turned out a number of Top 40- worthy hits.’’ bisexual/feminist/poet/entrepreneur/political activist/folkie and overall artist, Ani DiFranco continues to evolve. —Jamie Bolyard JF1 A Welcoming Congregation t r r y 1 ‘ 1&S£S*400’^ t ' j Come Celebrate the Holidays with as! u o,( * * ?* * *• * i 'i S w Sunday Service ^ B u ffa lo C o a rti CHS 3 5 08 SE H a w t h o r n e B l v d Portland, O regon 9 7 2 1 4 503-234-4049 w w w .globalcxchangc.org j G a r d e n In s p ir e d G if t s Tue 1 2 - 8 • W e d - S u n 1 0 - 8 3 0 3 3 N E A lb e r ta S tre e t • 5 0 3 . 2 8 8 . 0 2 2 0 A Religious j < arbra Streisand has made an astonish- ( V ing 60 albums. The latest, The Movie Jr Album, is a compilation of 12 of her favorites from movies spanning the years 1935 to 1988. Some of the songs are more memorable than the movies they were in, such ¿is 1935’s "I’m in the Mood for Love" from Every Night at Eight. Accompanied by a lush 75-piece orches tra, Streisand sounds marvelous, and the songs are infused with the kind of meaning that only her unique voice can add. For instance, her rendition of “Smile,” from Charlie Chap lin’s 1936 film Modem Tunes, is heartbreaking in its simplicity and poignancy. Streisand is the highest-selling female recording artist ever, and The Movie Album is one that every fan on your gift list should add to his or her collection. — FLryd Sldavcr ( S un A gain Unitarian UniversalLst riu r i Barbra Streisand • Sony Music Kmme Starr • Maple Music Atkinson Memorial Church text i les • housewares • cra fts clothing «books* jewelry »toys co ffee and chocolate too! T he M ovie A lbum Education 10:30 am 710 Sixth Street • Oregon City. OR 97045 www atkinsonchurch.com • (503)656-7296 ou might know bisexual singer Kinme Starr (her real name) from the indie movie Down and Out with the Dolls, Kurt Voss’ rather dre;xJful tale of a troubled Portland nxk Kind. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based trilingual musician plays Reggie, the hot drummer girl with ’tude. If yixi haven’t alre;dy, forget the movie and, instead, mn to a record store to check (H it Starrs latest disc. This third (and first all-English) release could very well he your most fought-over holiday gift, so bestow it wisely on all ymir friends. In its articulate, freestyle lyrical fashion, Starr’s 2000 disc Tune-Up effortlessly hip-hopped its way thnxigh loaded political issues aKxit race, gender ¿md sexuality. The grixivy new Sun Agam retains her attitide and genuine vulnera bility, this time bringing sounds that are more polished and more trip-hoppy, displaying a style that has mellowed yet retains riot-grrl spunk. As the title and the h;ippy beats announce, things are looking up and moving forward. Give this seductive prixluction a try. Yixi (er, your gift-receivers) will not be disappointed. — Els IXbhaut JH! CARPE VINIIM SEIZE THE WI NE Great Selection o f Bottles Under $20! Wooden Gift Boxes! Flights F r i Every d a y For Only $10! 10% Discount on Mixed C a s e s ! 5 0 3 - > 3 a - i s s o 4831 SE Division Portland, OR 97106 www . c n r p e v t n u m p d i K . c o m
