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Continued from page 36 upon grim rumination, it’ s a warm reminder that the underlying intention is compassion. As an encore, the closing credits include footage of Waters clowning around with the band and crew behind the scenes. When Waronker announces himself with a question during rehearsal over his talkback microphone, Waters jibes,“ I know who you are, Joey. Do you think I can’ t tell the difference between a drummer and a musician?“
Waters’ final words in the film demonstrate his self-awareness.“ Doctor, when you’ re finished with that, could you remove my sense of humor, please?” he asks the makeup artist who is powdering his face.“ It’ s getting in the way.”
– Jeff Elbel
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COOLIO " Gangsta ' s Paradise " 30th Anniversary 7 " single
Greatest Hits
( Reservoir / Tommy Boy)
Coolio ' s Greatest Hits arrives on vinyl alongside a 30th-anniversary 7 " pressing of standout single " Gangsta ' s Paradise." The 7 " release features the indelible song on the A side and an instrumental track on the B side. " Gangsta ' s Paradise " first appeared in 1995 as the title track of the late rapper ' s sophomore album. The crossover hit coalesced Coolio ' s hip-hop acumen with a classic callback to Stevie Wonder ' s 1976 song " Pastime Paradise " from Songs in the Key of Life in collaboration with R & B singer L. V. and producer / co-lyricist Doug Rasheed. In addition to being the top-selling single of 1995, the influential song launched an ongoing renaissance for pop culture maven " Weird Al " Yankovic via his comical " Amish Paradise." The parody song recently closed the singer ' s main set at Riot Fest. Adding to the song ' s mainstream saturation is the fact that Coolio ' s rap on " Gangsta ' s Paradise " is profanity-free as a condition of permission to use the Stevie Wonder sample. Coolio ' s famously bleak opening line " As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I take a look at my life and realize there ' s nothing left " borrows from the biblical book of Psalms, and gains additional gravity through a mournful,
gospel-infused chorus supported by an icy string pulse. The song ' s tough-minded, gun-carrying protagonist boasts of his youthful prowess but wonders whether he ' s got a future. " I ' m twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-four?" says Coolio. Greatest Hits ' well-remembered material includes the Billboard Hot 100 # 3 single " Fantastic Voyage " with its " slide, slide, slippity slide " chorus, reworking Lakeside ' s 1980 R & B / funk hit for Coolio ' s 1994 debutalbum, It Takes a Thief. It ' s another portrait of urban struggle and systemic poverty. Coolio raps about escaping to a place " where my kids can play outside without livin ' in fear of a drive by." The collection also draws on Coolio ' s elaborately produced third album, My Soul. " C U When U Get There " featuring 40 Thevz borrows from Johann Pachelbel ' s gentle " Canon in D Major." The song reached # 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997. Driven by a summery electrobeat rhythm, the song describes entrenched racism and the wait for others to wake up. " Your mind ain ' t prepared, I ' ll see you when you get there," says Coolio. " If you ever get there," sings a gospel choir. Greatest Hits features the song in its " Bill & Humberto ' s Orchestra Mix." Gangsta ' s Paradise party jam " 1,2,3,4( Sumpin’ New) leans into a Chic-style bass line and spirited jazz trumpet. The album overlaps 2001 ' s Fantastic Voyage: The Greatest Hits and 2012 ' s The Collection, but features a tighter 10-song playlist, targeted for release as a single-platter vinyl. Greatest Hits draws primarily from Coolio ' s first three albums but pulls " Rollin ' with My Homies " from 1995 ' s Clueless original motion picture soundtrack. The song represents a lascivious night on the prowl in Los Angeles. " 1,2,3,4( Sumpin’ New)," " C U When U Get There," and It Takes a Thief single " County Line " are available on streamers in new Dolby Atmos mixes.
– Jeff Elbel
8 Greatest Hits " Gangsta ' s Paradise " 7 "
10 BLACKBRAID Blackbraid III( Wolf Mountain Productions)
The most transcendent moment on the third album by indigenous black metal band Blackbraid occurs during the transition from“ The Earth Is Weeping” to“ God of Black Blood.”“ The Earth is Weeping” is a haunting instrumental featuring a repetitive acoustic chord progression highlighted
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