‘Useless Beauty’ A Beaut

Sun., June 30, 1996

From Billboard

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

All This Useless Beauty - Warner Bros.

Newest offering from Elvis Costello & the Attractions finds the prolific artist pushing the limits of pop songcraft, from the hard-rocking “Complicated Shadows” to the retro vibe of “Tell Me Lover”; from the swingin’ “Given More Time” to the jangly “You Bowed Down”; and from the mood piece “The Other End Of The Telescope” to the thought-provoking title track. As lyrically complex and musically challenging as Costello’s best work to date, “All This Useless Beauty” is sure to command the intellectual scrutiny of Elvis’ loyal legions and make a worthy addition to the artist’s canon.

Junior Brown

Semi Crazy - MCG/Curb

In these days of Fabian-in-a-hat-and-tight-Wranglers, Junior Brown is a welcome throwback to the days when a goofy cowboy hat was used mostly to hide a bad haircut. Brown is not just retro-trad; you get the feeling that he just escaped from Ernest Tubb’s 1947 Badlands tour. This guy really believes all this stuff. Misogynist song “Venom Wearin’ Denim” really is a ‘40s sentiment.

Waylon Jennings

Right For The Time - Justice

He’s seen it all, done most of it, and gotten a little mellow, but there’s still plenty of bite in this old outlaw. He’s writing more than ever, exploring familiar Waylon Jennings themes of independence, freedom, the old West, love, drinking and friendship. And he’s still playing beautiful guitar and singing in that gruff, authoritative voice that Randall Jamail captures in a fine, unobtrusive production.

Miles Davis

Live Around The World - Warner Bros.

This live Miles Davis set was culled from his 1988-90 international tours and constitute his final recordings. His material was drawn mostly from his Warner Bros. years, and his band included Kenny Garrett, Adam Holzman and Joey DeFrancesco. Miles’ soloing remains unmistakably piercing and poignant, especially against the bittersweet harmonies of “Amandla” and the lonely, eloquent elegy “Mr. Pastorius,” as well as against funk themes “Intruder,” “Full Nelson,” and “Wrinkle.’

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