VOA标准英语2011--'In The Zone' Celebrates Richard Elliot's Musical Roots

'In The Zone' Celebrates Richard Elliot's Musical Roots

What goes around comes around for tenor¹ saxophonist Richard Elliot, who marks his 25th year as a solo recording² artist with a new album celebrating his musical roots.

After reaching the top of the smooth jazz field with Number One albums, hit singles, sold out tours and launching his own record label, Richard Elliot focuses on his Rhythm & Blues³ influences with In The Zone. It’s an album of mostly original tunes⁴ inspired by the jazz and funk music Elliot heard growing up.

“The songs remind me of listening to my heroes in those days and seeing them perform live, feeling incredible joy about the possibility of following in their footsteps,” he explains.

The Scottish-born Elliot began playing sax at age 11, because, as he remembers, he liked its unique shape and design. After high school he worked as a session musician with some of the top R&B artists of the 1970s, including Smokey Robinson and Natalie Cole. He was a member of the band Tower of Power and toured with Huey Lewis and the News before releasing his debut⁵ album, Trolltown.

At 51, Richard Elliot continues to embrace the classic R&B melodies of his past. Looking back over the years dedicated⁶ to his craft, he believes it was time well spent.

“I don’t gauge⁷ my career based on sales, popularity and money, however, what matters most is my personal and artistic⁸ growth and the opportunities to record and tour,” he says.

One of the highlights of Elliot’s new release is his remake of the Marvin Gaye classic, “Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler).”

1 tenor   

n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意

参考例句：

• The tenor of his speech was that war would come.他讲话的大意是战争将要发生。
• The four parts in singing are soprano,alto,tenor and bass.唱歌的四个声部是女高音、女低音、男高音和男低音。

2 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

3 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

4 tunes   

n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦
• When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

6 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

7 gauge   

v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器

参考例句：

• Can you gauge what her reaction is likely to be?你能揣测她的反应可能是什么吗？
• It's difficult to gauge one's character.要判断一个人的品格是很困难的。

8 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。