Having received plaudits for his lyrical lead work over the years (not to mention a gong presented to him by Her Majesty for services rendered in 2002) Martin Taylor's silky, accessible tones are often employed as consummate accompanist. Here the clean, clear lines of his formidable technique are harnessed behind the voice of daughter-in-law, Alison Burns, in a slow mooch through a set of late-night standards.
As befits the wee small hours evoked in the album's title, nothing here gets remotely noisome or likely to stop the next door neighbours from getting their beauty sleep. Taylor and Burns elegantly rummage through a songbook that includes many of the usual sepulchral suspects singled out by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee and Julie London. The intimacy of the production suits Burns' languorous vocals which seem to be aimed at blending in with a low-lit lounge rather than standing out from the crowd.
Because Of You, The Man That Got Away, Sophisticated Lady, He's A Tramp all have an agreeable well-worn, cosiness to them. Less appealing is If It's Magic, Stevie Wonder's cheesy ballad from Songs In The Key Life. On this makeover she opts for a slightly nasal delivery reminding one of those X-Factor hopefuls with the volume turned down and 'mellow' setting turned up to 11.
Perhaps the best in terms of performance is her own composition, True. Written about her brother who died a quarter of a century ago in the Falklands conflict, it's one of those bitter-sweet melodies that you'd swear has been around forever. Burns has said it took her a long time to write it and even longer before she could perform it. In a simple arrangement, Taylor's sure-handed picking graciously supports a heartfelt vocal.
Though Taylor's playing is highly accomplished throughout 1.A.M., it rarely cuts through the largely torpid atmosphere they've created for themselves. And with Burns' voice lacking a distinctive character with which she might stake her claim to some of those redoubtable standards, the overall result is something too smooth to be called truly memorable.
See Also
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Publisher: LucasArts
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS, PC
Rating: E10+ � Everyone 10+
Game type: Action
Rating: **** (out of five)
What�s the premise?
Grab your bullwhip and fedora out of mothballs and get ready to relive Indiana Jones� greatest adventures � Lego style. Oh, sure, there�s action galore as you play through many of the memorable scenes from Raiders Of The Lost Ark, The Temple Of Doom and The Last Crusade, but it�s all done with that trademark sense of whimsy and humour that made Lego Star Wars such fun to play.
This game is most similar to�?
Lego Star Wars.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
There is gunplay, fisticuffs and an awful lot of whipping of people and objects, however it is done in a cartoonish manner that is somewhat disarming. As always, it�s up to you to decide if the kid in question can handle it or whether you�ll find them using a chunk of garden hose to flay their siblings afterwards.
One player or more?
The co-op mode on the console versions is where Lego Indy shines brightest. While you can swap back and forth between multiple characters in solo mode, most of the levels are easier to get through and more fun with a friend. You just have to figure out who�s going to be Indy and who�s Marion Ravenwood, Willie Scott, Short Round, etc.
The (not-so) secret to success is�?
Fortune and glory. Don�t forget that while you�re trying to get to the end of every level without having your little Lego body disassembled, Indiana Jones is a treasure hunter and there�s plenty of it hidden everywhere. Take the time to explore and dig around and you�ll be rewarded handsomely.
What�s missing?
The handheld versions lack multiplayer. Boo!
And in the end?
Lego Indy is a surprisingly challenging puzzle/action combo, but with its iconic John Williams� score and its wonderfully mischievous sense of humour, it�s sure to charm you.
John Mayer has left a soppy heartfelt message to pal Pete Wentz on his blog at johnmayer.com, posted last Thursday May 29.
Claiming he posted the message in a public blog as a response to all the nice things Wentz says about him on his blog, Mayer said:
You're one of the best eggs in the music industry, hands down. With as much talent as you have, I'd expect you'd have some eccentric ego, but from what I can tell you seem to have none. (That actually makes you more talented, by way of some crazy cosmic arithmetic.) Every time we get the chance to hang I'm inspired by your creativity. Your mind is like a stadium with the dome open... you have ZERO judgment when it comes to things that move you. When most people get the feeling they might like an idea, or a shirt, they run it through a series of filters; 'what should I think, given my personal attributes?' 'How does this read?' 'What would Kanye do?' You have what makes talented people successful for years and years - a brave sense of self and a completely authentic relationship with your tastes.
That's why I'll throw a guitar in the car and be there anytime you need me. It's a short list. (I'm lazy.).....
Point is, I think the world of you. And wish you all the happiness your artsy head will accept. Fame is just one big lesson in being a man, and you're doing a bang up job...
Best to you and your lovely wife...
Oh, and what's up, blogosphere. Have at it.
JM
Awww... ain't that sweet?!
John is about to kick off the European leg of his tour, before a massive US summer tour starting in July.