Emotional rescue

Judith Lynn Stillman's spirit-lifting Reflections

by Michael Caito

It's more than a little sad when a holiday which supposedly celebrates the birth of goodness is perennially viewed as our most luridly commercialized event.

So this year, the pre-emptive strike Christmas Reflections: Enchanting Holiday Chamber Music (North Star Music 19-song CD), courtesy of Pell Award winner Judith Lynn Stillman. It's the pianist's second Yule-themed disk for the East Greenwich-based North Star, which is hoping to recapture the panache of the debut.

Not to worry. It's a chamber music setting, courtesy of four talented players whose contributions do far more than accessorize Stillman's arrangements and performances. Muir String Quartet violinist Peter Zanofsky and Muir cellist Michael Reynolds are on board, as are Fenwick Smith, flute player for the Boston Symphony, and Philharmonic harpist Hyunjung Choi.

Of the 19 tunes, Stillman -- current Artist-in-Residence at RICand a member of the Brown Music Department faculty -- is credited with adapting or arranging all but two, which places a very personal stamp on the timeless hymns previously minted, arranged and interpreted by the likes of masters Ravel, Tchaikovsky and J.S. Bach. Some lesser-known works -- the muted grandeur of "Les Baricades Misterieuses" from Couperin and the full ensemble's deft touches in the Catalanian carol "El Noi De La Mare" -- make these Reflections seem an effort to popularize some under-appreciated works, an artistic endeavor welcome in any themed album.

But the recurring thrill is the gusto with which the quintet impart new breezes and distinctive airs to songs we've heard dozens (if not hundreds) of times, and far too often as muzak through tinny mall speakers. The quintet share a woodwright's delight in refinishing, uncovering fine grains which for too long lay covered by brusque paint or stain. Given the virtuosity present (in Lakewest Studios, where Jack Gauthier recorded and mixed), it's no shocker that a sense of wonderment, calm and majesty permeates. The Appalachian carol "IWonder As IWander" may be the zenith, but ya know, there's a reason why Stillman was asked to play (Chopin and more) for First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton last week. And a reason why Wynton Marsalis asked his longtime pal to join him in-studio for On the Twentieth Century (Sony Classical), which shot up the Billboard charts like the elf who scarfed too many Skittles. Hers remains a captivating style inseparable from substance. Try track 16: a Bach prelude segues into "Angels We Have Heard On High" which aches with, then resolves, then aches with emotion.

So with the madding season zoomin' up fast, maybe this is the one to play before the crowds, rudesters and traffic knot our collective knickers. Maybe, for one year, it won't be another sad irony on Boxing Day, as many of us wheeze "thank God that's over" when we could instead be celebrating a new beginning. Call me the naive blue-eyed optimist, but then I've just spent a few hours with a spirit-lifting record, a keeper for many Christmases -- along with Charlie Brown, Mister Heat Miser and bouncing Bumbles, not to mention grandma's cookies -- beyond this one.

The Agents: For All the Massive (Radical Records 12-plus-song CD)

Five or six times now I've seen the Providence ska octet live, including a sharp Met set at this year's Rock Hunt semi-finals, which they won, and a slightly better one at the finals at Lupo's, which they didn't.

Take their first record (well, except their excellent publishing-rights name Mannycamaroguy Music) and chuck it. Whole new ball-game on their second full-length and debut for NYC's Radical -- better songs, better playing, more confidence. Whatever quibbles there are with Massive are blamed on ska's own dopey structural limitations (yes, this coming from a punk fan), not the band's, though if listening to certain styles / waves, I'd opt for this. And sometimes the Agents have so much fun onstage they forget that they're playing instruments. Thankfully such juvie errors have become rare.

They also resist the commercial temptation to release a Bosstones or No Doubt rip, which would have been dumb but they've always known that. The horn trio (bari via Joe McDermott, trumpet by Dawn Hamel and alto from Frank Moniz, who doubles on guitar) have historically boasted twice the swing of the MMBT's, especially on "Afternoon at Franco's," prob'ly their best to date. Well, unless you get impatient after what's billed as the last song; let 'er ride and you'll be rewarded with two bonus tracks that cook.

During the too-rare times when singer Jason DaLomba's lead is augmented by Hamel's, there's some hook-happy vocal ping-pong happening. DaLomba sounds best when he gets a little irked, as on "Fatty," a spirited clawing of a traitorous thief. On the whole, a sweaty, blaring good time, at its finer moments crammed with brio and sass (props to the brass), and an amiable way to stave off chillblains this winter. Now if their next one boasts as much progress as Massive does over the debut, these Agents will find it impossible to be secret.

STARS & BARS. Purple Ivy Shadows end their month-long reign at the Safari with special guests this Friday, but they'll be back during one of November host Shawn Greenlee's three Fridays. That's worth examining, because there are numerous side projects appearing, most of whom are very clued into the avant-noize murmuring so prevalent at Fort Thunder and beyond. Host (Pleasurehorse soloist and Landed member) Greenlee has two upcoming solo records (on Load and Vermiform) and Landed's debut full-length is due any day on Vermiform. The first Friday's got Six Finger Satellite, with a new guitarist replacing departed co-founder John MacLean. Hmmm. Also, members of Forcefield and Lightning Bolt as Mindflayer, plus Beefsnake. Next week is 6FS drummer Rick Pelletier's La Machine plus New Beige legends Astoveboat (bass / drums duo with a full-length on Load), plus Anti-Social Beards (J. Ryan from 6FS and Neil Burke from Men's Recovery Project). Final week is the Shadows and guitar-cello duo Saalfield vs. Kyack (Landed and Conquistadors members). Check.

Of course, the biggest news (besides Kris Hersh there this Friday) is an all-day festival at AS220 on November 8, which starts at 3 p.m. The lineup ensures this is a drop-by that will be very much like New England weather. At press-time:Flicker, Battery Park, Over Flower, String Builder, Ted Only Knows, Plymouth Rock and Romola (both of whom had decent moments there last Saturday, as did performance art duo Suran Song in Stag), V for Vendetta, Difference Engine, Iditarod, Woken by Wire, Jet Pack and Broadcaster.

Scot singer,songwriter and guitarist Dick Gaughan makes Stone Soup a double dip this weekend, as he plays Friday before their annual Spellbinders Halloween gig on Saturday. This came about due to delays in finishing up the Blackstone River Theatre, which is now scheduled to open in early 1999, and the Soup were kind enough to host Gaughan, originally scheduled for the House That Pendragon Built in Cumberland.

All this and La Traviata, Monday at Vets, when San Fran's Western Opera Theater makes a return visit. I'd ask Andy Smith to be my date, but I'm too lumpy.

In closing, please remember one thing:no drivers, no newspaper. Gigantic props to Bill, Chris, Chicago, Bruce and all the rest of the drivers, including all alums and those who truly make it happen every week sans byline. You rule. Peace out . . . .