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| CD Reviews | Feature | Reviews & Features Archive | Photo Archive | Contact | MWE3 Home |
| Email: Info@mwe3.com |
Copyright ©2000-2002 MWE3.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
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Since
the mid ‘70s there has been in the vicinity of one thousand airings of Saturday Night Live. The live comedy show always featured as it’s
opening line, “Live from New York, It’s Saturday Night!” and for
millions of TV viewers, tuning in the late night live show was a weekly
ritual. Early regulars like Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi went on to become
mega celebrities in their own right and while nowhere near as cutting edge
or funny as the late ‘70s and early ‘80s shows, SNL obviously still
maintains a huge cult following. Each week always featured a big name
musical guest and in celebration of SNL’s 25th Anniversary, L.A.-based Dreamworks
Records has released the first two CDs to spotlight various SNL
musical guest stars. Volume 1
features stellar live performances from huge names like Eric Clapton (show from 1990), David
Bowie (1997), The Grateful Dead
(1978) and Tom Petty (1994),
while Volume 2 examines
appearances by Neil Young (1989),
Beck (1999), R.E.M. (1991)
and The Pretenders (1994). Each
of these great sounding 15 track CDs features an impressive booklet packed
with historic liner notes and track data listing show dates and guest host
trivia. Perhaps the best thing about these compilations is the great live
in the studio sound quality, even dating back to the late ‘70s shows.
With hundreds of other great shows in the can, further volumes in the SNL
archive series will broaden it’s scope to feature musical comedy and
more esoteric material as well. 
Even
the most ardent ‘60s pop fan might not be familiar with the
Philadelphia-based quartet The Kit Kats. But they should. Upon hearing the
fabulous lead off track “Let’s Get Lost On A Country Road”, it’s quite
clear that The Kit Kats sound will be of immense interest to fans of
like-minded ‘60s group’s such as The Association, Spanky & Our Gang
and The Beach Boys. Specializing in catchy ‘60s style pop, instrumental
music and retro-tinged ‘50s oldies sounds, The Kit Kats trademark sound was
incredibly tight harmonies executed with an uncanny sense of musical
interplay. These guys could really play! 25 years after they called it a day,
their original label, Jamie Records have
compiled assorted tracks from the group’s various albums along with several
rare and unreleased tracks on one great 31 track double disc set. There’s
even an enhanced video track of the classic Kit Kats’ track, “Won’t Find
Better Than Me”. The eye-catching artwork tacks on 16 pages of voluminous
liner notes explaining why The Kit Kats should be heard by every true ‘60s
pop fan. 
A
genre favorite with icons like Les Paul and Steve Howe, Hawaiian music has
sure come a long way during the 20th Century. Taking a look back at the early
greats of Hawaiian guitar music, History
Of Hawaiian Steel Guitar compiles 23 guitar classics originally recorded
between 1927 and 1950 by Island legends like Sol
Ho’opi’i and David Napihi
Burrows. Newly transferred using
state of the art digital remastering, the CD sounds incredible, considering
the age of these recordings. A sixteen page booklet features lengthy, track by
track details, tuning info and stunning B&W and four color photos of the
numerous vintage acoustics and lap steel guitars and amplifiers employed here.
Adding to the authentic vibe is a praiseworthy foreword by Hawaiian guitar
legend Jerry Byrd. The 67+ minute History
Of Hawaiian Steel Guitar takes you back to where it all started with an
incredible collection of vocal and instrumental tracks. Collectors of Hawaiian
guitar music must check out the quite impressive Cord
International catalog.