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IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF A CHRISTMAS PRESENT, MUSIC CRITIC NEIL MCCORMICK MAY HAVE THE ANSWER. HERE ARE HIS CHOICE OF THE BEST POP CDS | |
Sound of the City
 For the musically curious of all ages, a really interesting package and great gift would be Charlie Gillet’s Sound of the City. This is five double CDs, each geared to a particular American city (New York, LA, Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans) and drawing inspired connections in the development of popular music from swing and the blues all the way to hip hop. It is an education that is as likely to draw an interested younger listener backwards as to inspire older listeners to move forwards in their tastes.
Sound of the City, EMI label. Catalogue numbers: Memphis 5392712, Los Angeles 5395322, New York 5397412, Chicago 5394592, New Orleans 5392712
Come Away With Me
I think its been a great year for albums and there are certainly many top records that fit the above criteria. I would single out Norah Jones' Come Away With Me. This is the ideal gift and I can’t imagine anyone not liking it. The (other) daughter of Ravi Shankar (his favoured progeny leads his Indian orchestra and plays the sitar), Norah has the vocal purity of Karen Carpenter, only with added eroticism. Her lightly jazzy debut is drowsy late night classic
Norah Jones, Come Away With Me, Parlophone, Catalogue Number: 5386092
1 Giant Leap
 A real winner. I could recommend 1 Giant Leap for the more musically adventurous. This did not really receive the attention it deserved this year. A hugely ambitious album, part melting pot, part philosophical quest, fusing club grooves witty music from around the world. There are contributions from performers as diverse as Baaba Maal and Robbie Williams. This is an album really worth supporting!
1 Giant Leap, Palm Pictures, Catalogue Number: PALMCD2077
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RELATED LINKS | | | Front Row: Evil Thoughts
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