Engelbert defies time
Noel Gallagher widens sound
EBy Pablo Gorondi
“The (OK! Good
Man I Want to Be” Records)
There’s hardly a false note on Engelbert Humperdinck’s “The Man I Want to Be.” No rapping, no clumsy evidence of Auto-Tune, no heavyhanded attempts to sound hip and no screaming guitar solos.
Instead, 50 years after his first hits and closing in on his 82nd birthday, Humperdinck has created a heartfelt album anchored in archetypal orchestrations and honest, unspoiled performances of well-chosen songs.
Created as a message of love to his wife Patricia, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, her muse has brought the best out of her husband of over 50 years. You won’t hear the vocal power or range of his heyday but Humperdinck can still transmit plenty of feeling without an ounce of schmaltz.
There are versions of contemporary hits like the Bruno Mars smash “Just the Way You Are” and Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph,” adapted to match Humperdinck’s natural style. “Just Like the First Time” seems to address his wife’s struggle head-on — “You don’t know me now/But in some way, somehow/Maybe there’s a moment you are mine.”
The only pure indulgence is a duet with granddaughter Olivia on “I’m Glad I Danced With You,” closing the first half of the record. The song itself, dedicated to Patricia, is fine — Humperdinck sounds a little like Gordon Lightfoot at times — and Olivia’s contribution surely made granddad proud.
Opener “Absolute Beginner” is clearly country, while the closing section of show favorites includes Willie Nelson’s “Crazy,” ‘’On Broadway” and “Welcome to My World,” which was made famous by Jim Reeves and quotes the Sermon on the Mount.
Albums he made a decade ago or more were already said to be possibly his last but “The Man I Want to Be” is vintage Humperdinck and a rewarding listen.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, “Who Built the Moon?” (Sour Mash Records)
His younger brother Liam’s new album has been heaped with praise, he turned 50 in May and a recent TV appearance featured a French bandmate playing scissors, earning Liam’s ridicule. Who said Noel Gallagher has it easy?
Not that he’s had it too bad lately,
the family.
Domenech is a writer and pundit who publishes the conservative website “The
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either. The birthday bash had a mariachi band, Bono and Madonna; his previous HFB album — “Chasing Yesterday” from early 2015 — was very well received; and his Oasis hits like “Supernova,” “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back In Anger” are unforgettable classics.
Gallagher’s third album with the High Flying Birds stretches some boundaries, digs a few new grooves, darkens the atmospheres and adds an extra degree of psychedelia to the rhythms. Produced by David Holmes, perhaps best known for his soundtracks like “Out of Sight” and George Clooney’s “Ocean’s” films, “Who Built the Moon?” is an unforced progression that sounds fab.
Opener “Fort Knox” has few lyrics but heaps of chanting, plenty of percussion, irritating alarm clocks, and energy to spare. It’s a fearless start to the album but probably better experienced live. “Holy Mountain” keeps up the vitality with a touch of Beach Boys backing vocals and some Bowie/T. Rex glam traits built on a Phil Spectorish wall of sound.
“Be Careful What You Wish For” has a persistent, funky riff akin to the Beatles’ “Come Together”; “It’s a Beautiful World” has an early 1990s indie feel like Jesus Jones; and the chiming guitars on “Black & White Sunshine” would make it work equally well as a James Bond theme or an Austin Powers one.
There a couple of spooky instrumentals and guest spots by Paul Weller and Johnny Marr, but “Who Built the Moon?” is definitely Noel Gallagher’s show, no maybe about it.
Also: WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif:
There’s no question that Erykah Badu is the soul hostess. On Sunday, she’ll host the Soul Train Awards on BET. But earlier this week, she was the soulful host who invited a small group of reporters to a West Hollywood hotel suite for an introductory lesson on chakras.
Badu transformed a room at Le Parc Suite Hotel into an intimate spiritual classroom Monday night for what she described as a “soul therapy” session. Illuminated by candlelight, Badu told her dozen guests about the Eastern concept of chakras — whirling energy centers that stretch from the base of the spine to the crown of the head — and how they respond to music, color and personal development.
Promotional events for awards shows are not usually like this. The show itself was never even mentioned. (AP)
Federalist.” (AP)
PARIS:
Plenty
The Cannes Film Festival is to end decades of tradition next year by awarding its top Palme d’Or prize on a Saturday rather than a Sunday, its organisers said Wednesday.
“The festival is beginning a new period in its history,” its president Pierre Lescure said of the shake-up, which he hoped would “rebalance and bring new energy” to the twoweek jamboree on the French Riviera.
The 71st edition of the world’s biggest and most prestigious film festival will now start on May 8, 2018 — a Tuesday — rather than the traditional Wednesday. (AFP)