52- North Shore News — ining treats f Michael Becker Newsroors Editor mbecker@nsnews.com ~ SOME great discs released this year that I stil reach for when L = Skd iong _ Invincible. - Summer (Warner Bros. Records) - {7 sBleven radiant love songs, . sumptuous production values “> lows § rea December 8, 2000 Password (Hightone ’ Records) One of the records I’ve scavenged and doggedly clung, to my parents’ 1960s-vintage vinyl collection is by the Jim Kweskin Jug Band. Geoff _ Muldaur was in the band, along with his now ex-wife Maria Muldaur. This strange and vibrant American folk music remains a lot of fun to listen to. When Muldaer surfaced with Password this year I was a surprised and happy man. It’s _a@ masterly accomplishment touching on blues, gospel, folk and country. Muldaur is joined by a “super cast including: David Lindley, Dave Alvin, Bob Siggins (the first Kweskin Jug Band banjo player); Muldaur’s daughter Clare (Matia’s voice all over again) and Kate and _ Anna McGarrigle. _ Muldaur, who , played with Paul Butterfield, is one of the t original voices to spi eit of saa blues and folk- rock scenes in Cambridge and ~ Woodstock ail those years ago. Password is a sustaining treat. gee cate & Be — Furnace Roem “Lullaby (Mint Records) Virginia-born Case and : boys high-tail it on down to — : the comer for a grand ol! bill-_ billy bootenanny. Not that it’s” all corn husks and hayseede. There are some memorable ~ : -eyed ballads here too. + Case’s torch and twang vocal © delivery is an authentic delight. : Furnace Room Lullaby her 1997 debut The ~ Vigginian, which was recorded “Applis to naw customers onty. Offer based on anew activation by CeliCity a | any. TELUS Mobility 12-month term plan. OAC. Applicable fong distance - harges & taxes extra. ‘Monthly. system access fea 4. Cancellation fee in Toronto and Vancouver, There is a timeless magic’ and comforting, warmth in this Furnace Room fire. B John Hiatt — Crosing Muddy Waters (Vanguard Records) Hiatt wings it with his strongest since 1993's Perfectly Good Guitar. Crossing Muddy Waters was: recorded in less than a week at a home studio in Linton, . Tennessee. This time Hiatt transmits his songwriting bril- liance ~— always direct and per- sonal — via a blues and blue- grass setting. There's a fcftesh- ; ing raw acoustic immediacy play on Hiatt’s 16th abun. i Slobberbone — Ep ing You Thought Was igtt Was Wrong Today . _ (New West Records): pri? counizified rock- d, loose and loud, |. ‘Slobb ¢ are from Denton, he secret’ n pon that i: puts ese GUYS ead o! the competition is this they know their instruments and they have a stellar songwriter - in their midst. Brent Best — guitars, harmonica, mandolin, organ and vocals — 7 Peaed this batch. He’s a gem ofa story teller with a keen sense of gritty metaphor, and poignant detail. Slobberbone’s patch of American heartland is Populated by broken dream- ers, star-crossed lovers and tar- nished losers. ® Chris Smicher — Live As PP Ever Be (Hightone . _ Records) Smither is one of those rare musicians who muster the skill and staying power to age like a fine wine. Thirty years into his career Live As I'll Ever Beis his tenth recorded outing. The blues notes flow from his acoustic guitar with a resonating cle- gance. Layer in the ever pre- sent tap of the foot keeping time and you’ve got the essen- tials: one man, one guitar and a deep bag of fine songs. players | & Metalwood — 3 (Maximum Jazz 2000) Space-age jazz for modern © funksiers, this third studio our- ing swings big-time fusionistic- like. These guys just keep - turning up the heat. What's extra good about this one is its funky urban flair and dynamic elasticity. Trumpeter and pianist Brad Turner’s star shines particularly brightly. Coal, open-ended key-board - - diffs fill in the blanks between the more muscular bass, drum and horns. : Metalwood is putting out some of the most exciting, © contemporary groove oniied jazz in any country, period... The fact that they are 7 Canadian and that two of .:” them (Turner and Chris Tarry) > See Steely page 3 : Jack Shadbolt Charies van Sandwyck Robert Bateman Arnold Shives . Gordon Smith: - Gathrie Falk = J. Hughes - Ted Harrison Toni Onley "Affordable, original prints by Canada’ leading contemporary artists: “ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT CHILDREN’S ART PROGRAMS IN ‘SCHOOLS: AND. THE COMMUNITY. : * Try our interest free payment Plins * Wholesale framing available - Vi icwing by appointment. "SEWELRY LYD. wwenartis 810 West 21st Screet, Ne Van. ARTISTS FOR KIDS GALLERY 903-3797. exSkics. com.