John Lurie Albums (2)
'African Swim and Manny & Lo'
Release Date 2/16/1999
Tracks 25
Label Strange & Beautiful
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Renaissance man John Lurie displays track after track of abstract jazz vibes on this exuberant album compiling two film soundtracks. The general atmosphere is one of gentle jazz inflections. There's a mysterious, Southern air to much of the guitar work. Most of the songs are quiet yet emotionally charged instrumentals. When Lurie and his collaborators (including Medeski, Martin & Wood and Marc Ribot) do supply vocals, they're quite humorous and effective. "Big Trouble" sees Lurie telling hilarious tales of the dilemmas of everyday desires, using the vocal stylings of a Southern bluesman. "She's Not a Nurse" is a joyous Ramones-style romp, with raging punk overtones. The only complaint against any of these songs, across both soundtracks, is that they're simply too short. Many songs just start to register their charms and then end under the one-minute mark. Thankfully, the rolling, cocktail interplay of "Manny & Lo (End Titles)" lasts six minutes. It's hard to imagine any of these 25 songs not working perfectly as the score to any film, since Lurie attempts and masters so many different musical styles. African Swim and Manny & Lo sees Lurie creating remarkably pleasurable, accomplished jazz soundscapes. Atmospheric and controlled, Lurie's music works as a darkly humorous, pretty ode to life's hardships and simple pleasures. It seems as if John Lurie can do no wrong. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide
'Men with Sticks'
Release Date 6/25/1993
Tracks 3
Label Made to Measure
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
John Lurie is never short of good ideas. At times, though, one has to wonder if his vision doesn't exceed his grasp. Men With Sticks is a perfect example. While the idea of playing with a percussion ensemble is a good one, Lurie is not the sort of player who can pull off a 20-minute solo. This isn't a put-down necessarily. After all, Stan Kenton wasn't the world's greatest piano player. And like Kenton, Lurie's great strength is his genius for tight arrangements, the stop and go frenetics that mark his best work with the Lounge Lizards. Here, there's simply too much space for Lurie to fill, and too much time for him to get lost and devolve into repetition. On the positive side, both Billy Martin and Calvin Weston prove they have the chops to handle a project like this and Lurie is to be commended for giving them the chance. One only hopes that a horn player the likes of James Carter will give those guys a call. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Music Guide
