Album Reviews
Bob Dylan
`Tell Tale Signs'
(SonyBMG)
This 8th volume of the official Bob Dylan Bootleg Series includes rare tracks that the legendary American singer/songwriter recorded from 1989 and 2006. Dylan was written off as a has-been in the 1980s, but he made a strong comeback with acclaimed albums like ``Oh Mercy,'' ``Love and Theft'' and ``Time Out of Mind.''
``Tell Tale Signs'' gives fans an insight into Dylan's creative process with alternate versions of songs like ``Tell Ol' Bill,'' ``Most of the Time'' and ``Can't Wait.'' True Dylan fans cannot pass up this chance to listen to previously unreleased gems like ``Marchin' to the City,'' ``Dreamin' of You'' and ``Red River Shore.''
-Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Bebo & Chucho
`Juntos Para Siempre' (Together Forever)
Renowned Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes and his son Chucho, an equally acclaimed pianist, recorded their first album together in 2007. ``Juntos Para Siempre'' is a dream collaboration that showcases the immense talent of the Valdes men.
At 90, Bebo, who was a leader of the Cuban music scene in the 1940s and 50s, shows no signs of his age. The album contains lively melodies ``A Chucho,'' ``Son de la loma,'' and old standards like ``Tea for Two.'' Throughout this joyful album, listeners can feel the joy and love shared by father and son.
Lee So-jung
`Chopin and the Girl'
Musical star Lee So-jung returns to the music scene with the release of her new album ``Chopin and the Girl,'' where her timeless voice accompanies the legendary composer Frederic Chopin's ``Classic Melody.'' Combining her singing abilities with Chopin's delicate piano melody, Lee writes a new genre in music.
In ``Evocation,'' the melody of Chopin's Funeral March and the poetry by the renowned Korean poet Kim So-wol are fused together to create an expressive piece. ``Chopin and the Girl'' is a song that Lee once played at a recital as a young girl and she felt compelled to write the lyrics herself for the piece. The song has a personal touch to it, as it's the song that attracted Lee to the composer. Her new album is a manifestation of her musical gift as the harmony of her powerful vocal and pleasant melody is simply stunning.
-Hwang Sung-hee