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Unlike most genre superstars, David Benoit never seems content to stick strictly with any pop formula for very long. While his hummable ivory spirit always shines through, his many attempts to shake and stir the typical expectations make him perhaps the most artistic pop jazz artist around. Shaken Not Stirred is thus an appropriate moniker for this wildly eclectic collection, which makes overwhelmingly effective use of orchestral grandeur (the enrapturing "Carmel"), and comes across more as a smashing musician's playground than a lightweight, radio friendly stab. he treads just enough familiar territory to keep old fans pleased but enjoys experimenting with percussive explosions, wild jamming, and traditional smoky club blues. The genuine simple warmth of the acoustic tribute "Jacqueline" (Jackie Kennedy Onassis died the year this was released) reminds us, however, that behind the crazy, genre-busting navigations is a gentle man full of grace. Hopefully the mixed bag of vocals -- a solid effort by David Pack undercut by a meandering schmaltzer by Kenny Rankin -- won't detract from the wide-ranging and powerful instrumental tracks. The only voice Benoit needs is in his fingers. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
Google wants MTV, not music
Search engine giant cuts a deal to include ad-supported MTV content on its video site, but says it is not getting into the music-download game.
One of the 800-pound gorillas has left the room.
Not hearing the music.
Search engine colossus Google, which had long been rumored to be eyeing the digital music space for a possible "Gtunes" download service, said late last week that it won't be getting into the digital music game.
Today, the company bolstered its online video store catalog by inking a deal with MTV Networks to distribute ad-supported clips of shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and Laguna Beach to other Web sites within its network. Google will also begin selling full-length episodes of Chappelle's Show and South Park for $1.99 apiece, much like the iTunes Music Store.
"Collaborating with Google gives us a terrific opportunity to take our content and distribute it even more widely on the Web in a seamless and targeted way," Tom Freston, CEO of MTV parent Viacom said in a statement.
The deal comes in the wake of Google's announcement that it will not be following through with its much-rumored plans to launch its own digital music store.
"We are not going to be selling music," Chris Sacca, head of business development for Google, said in an address at the annual NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) conference in Florida last Thursday, according to Billboard.
The announcement caps off a string of speculation about Google's entry into the space, one aspect of which involved an acquisition of Napster. But given the relatively cool reception to Google's video sales, and the challenges facing any digital music entry in an iPod-dominated world, that possibility seems dead for now.
Sacca didn't say how, if at all, Google plans to play a role in the digital music space.
"We're already in the music business, because we're the complement to the offline life," he said. "After people hear the name 'Gnarls Barkley' their next move is to go and check on Google for it."
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