FUNKY MIDNIGHT MOVER – THE ATLANTIC STUDIO RECORDINGS (1962-1978) captures legendary soul singer Wilson Pickett’s career in a 6 CD collection. FUNKY MIDNIGHT MOVER includes all of Wilson Pickett’s originally issued recordings for Atlantic Records, as well a full CD of rare and previously unreleased recordings. This set’s 154 tracks include all 35 of the Pickett’s R&B smashes – including five #1 hits – from “In The Midnight Hour,” his first hit for Atlantic Records, to 1973’s “International Playboy,” his last chart entry for that label. A 92-page book with rare photos and comprehensive liner notes includes intros by Jerry Wexler who produced several of Wilson Pickett’s albums. If you’re a fan of the “Wicked Pickett” this is a must-buy! GRADE: A

David vs. Goliath. You’ll hear this comparison plenty of times leading up to the tip-off of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship tonight. Little Butler University taking on mighty Duke! In the Final Four games Butler struggled against Michigan State, pulling out a 2-point win while Duke cruised over West Virginia by 21 points. Most commentators predict Duke will crush Butler. But, I think it will be a closer game than most people think. Maybe Cinderella has one more bit of magic left to show us…

Over the decades, I’ve read and admired Bernard Cornwell’s SHARPE series. Richard Sharpe is a British soldier who rises through the ranks of the British Army from book to book because of his courage and bravery. He’s a natural warrior and manages (with Cornwell’s help) to be a participant in every important battle of the Napoleonic Wars. With Waterloo behind him, Sharpe retires. But, he’s drawn back into the Great Game when he accepts a mission in India. Here, an insurgency threatens British rule. Fans of Top Chef will recognize Padma Lakshmi as the beautiful (but treacherous) Madhuvanthi. Sean Bean brings just the right blend of grit and sophistication to these SHARPE adventures. I have them all on DVD (as well as the books), but these are two new episodes presented as part of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on PBS. Check your local listings for times in your area.

The Judas Window (aka, The Crossbow Murder and The Bowstring Murders) features both a locked room murder and a dramatic courtroom explication of how the murderer pulled off such an impossible crime. Avery Hume, master archer, is found dead from an arrow shot into his heart. The only other person in the locked room is young James Answell, Hume’s future son-in-law who is charged with the murder. Answell claims he was drugged and when he regained his consciousness, Hume was dead. Crusty barrister Sir Henry Merrivale untangles the twisted plot and reveals not only the real killer, but manages to punish a blackmailer in unique fashion, too. This is the first time I can recall nude photographs being part of a locked room plot. If you like mind-boggling puzzle mysteries, The Judas Window is one of the best. Thanks go to Art Scott for recommending it!

I’m a sucker for books like Andrew Martin’s Funny You Should Say That: Amusing Remarks From Cicero to the Simpsons. I can dip into it and always find some thought-provoking and funny remarks. How about this one: “Single women have a dreadful propensity for being poor…which is one very strong argument in favour of matrimony.” Jane Austen said that. Or, how about: “I hate television. I hate it as much as peanuts. But I can’t stop eating peanuts.” Orson Welles said that. The book is organized by themes. There are author biographies, an index by author, and a subject index. What a wonderful book! A browser’s delight! GRADE: A

Allison Moorer’s latest CD is a collection of moody songs. Moorer wrote all of them except for “It’s Gonna Feel Good (When It Stops Hurting).” My favorites are “Like the Rain” and “Easy in the Summertime.” Moorer is sometimes considered a Country & Western singer, but there isn’t any twanging on this CD. The music projects a sense of hope amid despair. If you’re looking for Allison Moorer in a more cheerful mood, try her earlier CDs, The Duel and The Hardest Part. Both are very good. But, if you’re in the mood for the darker side of Allison Moorer, then Crows is the CD to listen to. GRADE: B+

I have at least a dozen CDs of Beethoven’s piano concertos. Why on earth would I buy yet another one? Well, last year I loved Austrian pianist Till Fellner’s J. S. Bach: Inventions & Sinfonias & French Suite CD. When I saw Fellner’s new Beethoven CD, I immediately bought it and listened to it. Fellner is a meticulous pianist. There’s not a lot of pounding and annoying emotionalism here. Fellner took a cool and professional approach to Bach and now he does the same thing with Beethoven. Some may prefer an overwrought performance of the “Emperor” concerto, but not me. The music has plenty of energy; it takes a talented pianist to channel it into a satisfying result. Fellner’s approach is deliberate yet deft. If you love this music, hearing Fellner play it makes it sound new again. GRADE: A

This “re-imagining” of Alice in Wonderland has its moments, but for a Tim Burton film, it’s a little tame. Alice (Mia Wasikowska) falls down a hole into Wonderland. Johnny Depp is the Mad Hatter, but this performance is subdued for him. Helena Bonham Carter plays the Red Queen with the most energy of any of the cast members. Anne Hathaway’s White Queen is fairly bland. The whole adventure turns into a dragon-slaying exercise. Multiple hints suggest there might be a sequel. GRADE: B

Anniversary concert recordings are usually a mixed bag. This Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert CD is no different. I liked Alison Krauss & Union Station’s songs. Irma Thomas, soul singer, rocks the house. Two of my favorite female singers, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Madeleine Peyroux perform admirably. I could have done without Steve Martin. And Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas. But, that’s a matter of taste. There’s plenty of very good music on this CD, a few clunkers, and an enthusiastic audience. The video of this concert will be airing on PBS next month and the DVD will be available in early May. GRADE: B
TRACK LIST
1 Cold Dark River / Minnie Driver
2 Beloved / Minnie Driver
3 Outside People / Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
4 Think About the Good Times / Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
5 Rich Woman / Robert Plant
6 River is Waiting / Irma Thomas
7 Don’t Mess With My Man / Irma Thomas
8 Don’t Wait Too Long / Madeleine Peyroux
9 Dance Me To the End of Love / Madeleine Peyroux
10 Restless / Alison Krauss & Union Station
11 Gravity / Alison Krauss & Union Station
12 This Sad Song / Alison Krauss & Union Station
13 Pitkin County Turn Around / Steve Martin
14 Saga of the Old West / Steve Martin
15 Keys To the Kingdom / Béla Fleck
16 Another Morning / Béla Fleck
17 Why Shouldn’t We / Mary Chapin Carpenter
18 He Thinks He’ll Keep Her / Mary Chapin Carpenter
19 Medley: Angels Watching Over Me/I’ll Fly Away/Down by the Riverside [M / Minnie Driver