Put the likes of Natalie Cole, Charles Aznavour and U2's Bono together with Ol' Blue Eyes, now 77, and you expect magic. But the legerdemain is mostly digital—the far-flung guests literally phoned in their performances. More curious than compelling. (Capitol)
Blind Melon
Bland and unripe, without the authentic flavor of their Southern rocker forebears, the Outlaws and the Allman Brothers. (Capitol)
Barney's Favorites Vol. 1
Where's that giant asteroid when you need it? The ubiquitous gushosaurus dopily recycles toddler classics like "Do Your Ears Hang Low?" They will, even if you're under 3. (Barney Music)
Get a Grip
Signing a new $30 million-plus contract with Sony was a nice career move. But if this bombast and bluster indicates things to come, Sony execs will need to get a grip. (Geffen)
Home Invasion
Rhythmically tepid and conceptually moribund, the disc also plays to the cheap seats by glorifying violence and misogyny. (Rhyme Syndicate/Priority)
Never Let Me Go
After a decade of swooning make-out music, Vandross seems to be on autopilot. Sure his voice should be in the Smithsonian, but he could stand to take a chance now and then. (Epic)
Cyberpunk
The usually antic rocker takes a sobering trip into the high-tech future, which he discovers to be soulless and, apparently, hookless. (Chrysalis)
Back to Broadway
Her choice of tunes is personal and often intriguing. Her pipes are peerless and her Sondheim sparkles. But her penchant for emotional overkill in even the most intimate songs sinks this Broadway Bismarck. (Columbia)
Love's Alright
On his third vanity vocal CD, the man with the killer grin and the patented roguish chuckle style-morphs through R&B, dance hall and even psychedelia. Alas, all roads lead to schmaltz. (Motown)
It Won't Be the Last
Talk about optimistic titles. The overwrought, good-ol'-boy-in-love ballads and faux Elvis stylings could give you an achy breaky ear. (Mercury)
FURTHER FOLLIES
The Ballads of Madison County (RCA)
Da Bomb (Ruffhouse/Columbia)
Breathless (Arista)
In Utero (DGC)
Arrested Development Unplugged (Chrysalis/ERG)
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
