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On the Hi-Fi:
Black Tie Spy--Spy-Fi
"Black Tie Spy"
Spy-Fi
Sivle, 2008


    
     (Review by Jeff Berkwits)
     On their first CD since 2004, this aptly named Cleveland-based surf/spy band serves up an intriguing blend of fresh instrumentals and familiar standards, spiced up with occasional interstitial "instructions" voiced by a sultry Russian secret agent. The title track is especially appealing, offering a stealthy melody augmented by riffs from guest artist Vic Flick, the 71-year-old guitarist who played on the original "James Bond Theme." The group also does a laudable job on the 1960 classic "Apache" and The Ventures-inspired "La Tavola Da Surf." Now and again the keyboards, which are present on about half of the disc's 20 tunes, sound a mite too synthetic, but otherwise it's the perfect accompaniment for an evening of spy-jinks and skullduggery. 

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Spy-Fi Website>>>


The Puppini Sisters
"The Rise & Fall Of Ruby Woo"
The Puppini Sisters
Verve, 2008

     (Review by Jeff Berkwits)
     Part updated versions of classic lounge songs and part nostalgic takes on modern melodies, this recording--the second from a trio of ladies who model both their look and sound after such vintage girl groups as the Andrews and McGuire Sisters--is simultaneously ageless and avant-garde. The dozen cuts are boisterous, bubbly, and now and again even a bit bawdy, fashioning a truly rewarding and redolent recording.
     "I Can't Believe I'm Not A Millionaire" is one of five inviting original works, with an unhurried blues guitar riff underlying the gals' heartfelt harmony. The threesome provide similarly sweet voices to Louis Armstrong's famed "We Have All The Time In The World," while at other times ramping up the energy on inspired renditions of such familiar fare as "Walk Like An Egyptian" and "Could It Be Magic." While neither the arrangements nor song selections are quite as inspired as those on their first album, the effort remains solidly evocative and enjoyable

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A long-time aficionado of retro music and movies, Jeff Berkwits has covered vintage sounds for numerous publications and websites including Bachelor Pad Magazine, Filmfax, Outré, and Amazing Stories. He can be reached at jeffberkwits@sbcglobal.net.

Recent Hi-Fi selections:



Waitiki
"Rendezvous in Okonkuluku"
Waitiki
Octobop
"Swingin' At The Seance"
The Moon-Rays
Project Pimento
"The Blob"
Various Artists
Robert Drasnin--Voodoo II
"Voodoo II"
Robert Drasnin

 
Hi-Fi Archives>>>
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