Thursday, July 23, 1998

Brandy produces more sophisticated work

By Kelly Shaw

NEVER S-A-Y NEVER HHHH

After her debut album rushed to the top of the charts in 1994, Brandy found herself in a strange predicament.

The singer was afraid to sing.

The 19-year-old sensation feared the sophomore jinx and busied herself with her acting career.

It wasn't until people began referring to her as Brandy the actress, instead of Brandy the singer, that she decided it was time to head back into the studio. "Never S-a-y Never" is the result.

A more emotionally sophisticated CD than the debut "Brandy," it's apparent that Brandy has come a long way from her days as a small-town choir girl in Mississippi. However, that gospel background is still evident in ballads such as "One Voice."

A smooth CD where Brandy's vocals are at center stage, the 16-song disc offers slick, hip songs such as "The Boy is Mine," a duet with Monica, and "Top of the World," which features Mase.

The slower songs are especially pretty, especially "Have You Ever?" and "Tomorrow." She also performs a stirring version of "(Everything I Do) I Do it For You," the 7-year-old Bryan Adams' hit. Although it's nice, the dose of electric guitars that fades in and out of her version takes some of the romance out of the song.

FIDDLE FIRE:

The Charlie Daniels Band

Blue Hat Records

At first I felt tricked when I popped in the latest CD from the legendary Charlie Daniels Band.

The CD promises songs that span the band's 25 years together. What they don't tell you is that some of his best work has been reworked -- so it sounds completely different than you'd expect.

The band's monster hit, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," has been re-recorded, for example. Unfortunately, Daniels did it better the first time. He sounds every bit the 62-year-old on the new version, recorded using new techniques and technology that wasn't available in 1979.

Other than that, songs sound as good now as they did when they were first recorded.

"Drinking My Baby Goodbye," a song written in the 1960s, is played on the fiddle instead of the guitar but sounds great. "Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues" is a song to honky tonk dance to and so is the infectious "Orange Blossom Special."

On the slower side, there's the bluesy "The Fiddle Player's Got the Blues" and even "Layla," a song done originally by Jim Gordon and Eric Clapton. However, Daniels fails to muster the passion that Clapton did in his version.

GOLDFLY HHHH

It's no wonder Somerville's Guster is on the verge of making it big. Their music is remarkably full sounding and their harmonies are exceptional. During a recent performance at Harborlights in Boston, their in-the-zone drummer appeared to be one of the hardest-working in the business.

Backed only by two acoustic guitars, vocals, some congas and a set of bongos, the trio is made up of three 1995 Tufts University grads: Adam Gardner, Brian Rosenworcel and Ryan Miller.

After forming in 1992, they quickly became nominated for several prestigious Boston awards, including "Outstanding New Local Rock Act" and "Best Local Acoustic Act." Now the rest of the world is getting to know Boston's acoustic jewel.

The "Airport Song," which is currently receiving radio play, is helping with that goal. An earthy song that has a Jars of Clay sound to it, it's a great listen although it pretty much has nothing to do with an airport. "Great Escape" has a rich, fun sound as does "Demons" and "Rocket Ship." With their sound, the band should have no problem getting recognition outside Boston borders.