(Hollywood Records)
Lounge-a-palooza...gee funny no one ever thought to use that word before, huh? Well, in October 1997, Hollywood Records will redeem themselves from the horrendous Austin Powers soundtrack by unleashing a marginally amusing collection entitled "Lounge-A-Palooza." What exactly is this collection? Well, why not let Hollywood's own PR text tell us, shall we?
"Welcome to the world of Lounge-a-palooza, 14 brand new recording by a stellar array of talent, ranging from cutting-edge alternative rockers to lounge music's original titans. Causing the biggest dtir since the invention of the swizzle stick, Lounge-a-palooza is the cocktail nation's first superstar summit. This frothy shaker of new recordings celebrates all things lounge: from exotica to bossa nova, smoky lounge jazz to vegas pop, Brill Building to bachelor pad and beyond. Garnished with the requisite tongue-in-cheek humor, the album emphasizes the genuine artistry of a diverse musical genre. Lounge-a-palooza is sure to become the soundtrack of the revamped lounge scene by taking lounge to its illogical conclusion."
Well, well, well...mighty lofty goals from those folks at Hollywood. And as Vik's good friend John Travolta might say,"That's a might bold statement!" Bold it is, and somewhat true as well. While Capitol continues to spin its wheels releaseing Ultra Lounge Volume 600 (and sitting on the genius of Dean Elliott, Les Baxter, and so many others), Hollywood has put together one of the most viciously original collections for '97. Combining old with new...standards with alterna-hit...they have succeeded in putting together an album reminiscent of those old RCA and Liberty collections. Then add in the surreal humor factor, and this is basically the best major label domestic release to come across Vik's bar so far this year. "Surreal how?," you ask. How about Ben Folds Five taking a Bacharach twist on The Flaming Lips "She Don't Use Jelly." Or Pizzicato Five doing a disco version of "Girl From Ipanema." Or, the peak of surreal, Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme covering Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." Fear not, hipsters...these are no mere novelty toss offs. Witness the teaming of Combustible Edison with Esquivel for a romp through JG's "Mimiskirt." The James Taylor Quartet jumps in with a swinging "Music To Watch Girls By." Geln Campbell, Michelle Shocked and Texas Tornados do Jimmy Webb proud with "Wichita Lineman." As for the rest...well, no collection is perfect. Fastball's "This Guy's In Love With You" and Edwyn Collins' "Witchcraft" attempt to carbon copy the originals and fail. Poe, Polly Jean Harvey, Cassandra Wilson and Chris Belew all turn in adequate but forgettable performances. And someone tell me, please, why people worship Jimmy Scott?!? In any case, certainly the most amusing collection so far this year with a few destined to be classic performances.
