Three new Naim discs Feb 2001

You know I don't know if people here know much about Bonnie but she is one of the most interesting people to come out of the Chicago Folk Scene. I am amazed that a specialist British label such as yours has seen fit to record and issue her music, but if it is anything to go by her previous releases - which are TOO FEW AND FAR BETWEEN it will be an event.

If you like good down-home songs with beginnings middles AND ends, this is one CD people will love.

I have a real badly-treated copy of her first LP 'Up Close' on vinyl still here in fact that I bought from a nickel and dime store in New Hampshire way back in '76 and I think I still have the last LP I thought she ever released which was 'With you on my side' I bought that in New York in the very early '90s - she leaves gaps between records that make "The Blue Nile" look like workaholics!

She had a great voice then and she sang beautifully but never forget what they say about folk singers is true:

A good folk singer's voice is like a good bourbon, the older they are the smokier they get. I expect smoke to be pouring out of my loudspeakers when it is released.

--
The Fox

Paul Stephenson says -

quote:

---

sung and recorded and featuring two of the world's most wonderful
instruments - the piano and the human voice.

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I don't know English too well, but in Hebrew you can't describe a human beeing voice as an instrument. I think that it is lowering the level of the human beeing voice value (with all the respect to the piano).

Arie

"but in Hebrew you"
thats why I posted in English!

To the Fox, just purchased it on your recommendation.

Good thing about Naim disks is you know they are going to sound terrific.

Tim

My copy just arrived. WOW - what a voice! What a treat!

Cheers, Rob

Before I continue with my thoughts on this recording – I’d like to point out that I have about 20 contemporary Naim CD’s, all of which I like and some I would fight to the death to remain with.

I think the mistake I made was starting to assume the Naim label could do no wrong – although I had bought the first ones by carefully matching them to my taste, the results had led me to believe that every Naim recording would be to my taste.

Oh how wrong I was.

So when the postman turned up with the latest diva-on-a-disk from Naim – it was as much as I could do to go to work without rushing in front of my monoliths-with-drivers and spinning the disk.

Later I return home with baited – and rush in front of ..etc..

Oh woe and sorrow.

I will break the tracks down as follows. Clearly all IMHO: -

Vomit-worthy, cutesy and nauseous
The Kitten, The Lamb

Just Bad
I’ve got to believe, Thinking about you, Two black guitars, Sophisticated lady, Satin women, Elise, Ballad for a quiet man

Fairly Funky
Keep it to yourself, Night and day, The barn cat, Howlin’ at the moon

Great
Slow dancing to the blues

Basically I think this women has a great voice which she (for some reason) does not allow to get going apart from on the unaccompanied ‘Slow dancing to the blues’ - where freed of the shackles of the generally soporific music – some fire and passion appear - even though on this (as usual)excellently recorded CD - there is a bit of background noise here. I’d really love to hear her sing things like “Strange fruit” or “I’m feeling good.” Such a disappointment when she clearly has bags of vocal talent.

Maybe she was ill?

OK – I know it is my fault for not doing my research, but it really does sound like a collection of those dubious things that even Nat King Cole turned down as too cheesy.

Given the mostly 2-D and boring vocal presentation – I’d recommend this recording to any Country and Western fan. Only kidding – but wait for my ‘in the name of fairness’ analysis of three disks – picked by the audience, no don’t show me your disk… put it back in the pack ….

If anyone wants my copy of this – drop me a note with your address and a jiffy bag will be in the post. No charge - Maybe my mistake will bring joy to another. First come first served basis.

Jonathan

Have your ears returned to their normal 'groove'? Perhaps your sensibilities have been changed by the twin-pronged attack from Zappa and Little Feat on Sunday?

PS I don't want the disc!

Yep - I waited until I was hearing my system 'as was before' - although I stongly suspect that the delay in adjusment was caused by my ears prefering your set up and protesting by way of a 'go slow' in re-adjusting - as mentioned.

It was amazing how after a couple of hours listening through the SBL's everything just suddenly clicked into place and the music shone through.

Thanks again for a fun afternoon - and I'll see you at the bar before the big-boys DBL demo in Bristol.

Cheers
Jonathan

don't forget the bar after the dem too.

SBLs have a distinct character which takes some getting used to. Imagine if you had the SBLs for a week?:)

[This message was edited by Martin M on WEDNESDAY 14 February 2001 at 13:42.]

..of course - after the demo as well.

Wasn't someone organising a good pub afterwards?

Jonathan

A thread may appear...

Can the lady and her songs be compared to any other (better known) artist? Just to get a broader idea - voice and piano is too vague for me.
Thanks
Uwe

So Bonnie's not for you then! I will send you the new Ted Sirota disc, see if you like that.

I would say that:-

Country / US Folky Tracks
The Kitten, The Lamb,I’ve got to believe, Thinking about you, Two black guitars, Sophisticated lady, Satin women, Elise, Ballad for a quiet man

Light Jazz / Blues Tracks*
Keep it to yourself, Night and day, The barn cat, Howlin’ at the moon, Slow dancing to the blues

With the first two and last one (of them all) unaccompanied.

* Vocals very subdued for Jazz/Blues singer.

Hope this helps.
Jonathan

(PS Paul - if you send me the latest Sirota you can have a pint and a big kiss - or two pints, your choice - in exchange for my DBL pass!)

"have a pint and a big kiss", I will just stick to the pint thanks, disc is in the post, try TUBBY flat out.

Johnathan, sorry you didn't like it I better mind how I make recommendations in the future.

As a matter of fact I do like Country AND Western music - when you live for part of the year out in CA its pretty much all you can get on the drive from work to the city on Highway 101. There is New Country, Young Country, KFOG plays Western, KPIG plays some rock and country, and the others KJAM and KSAN all play lots of Country and Western.

All my old Clarion radio in my equally old Lexus will receive is the C&W and the deeply nauseous homophobic and sexist branch of rap music.

I have yet to place my order so if you would like I shall buy the CD off of you for what you paid, or send some cash to Naim to give to a cancer charity - whatever.

Ted Sirota eh? I better check that out too The boxes are not the only wallet killers. I must spend $200-$300 a month on music alone!

Being something of a 'Linnie' I have amassed a lot of Linn CDs although their little message saying "This CD sounds even BETTER through a Linn CD player" always makes me laugh. They never miss an opportunity.

[This message was edited by The Fox on FRIDAY 16 February 2001 at 13:44.]

I was the happy recipient of Jonathon's "Visual Voice", and I liked it if he didn't... Thanks due for passing it on, in fact.

I would've said how much I like it sometime ago, but got caught up in someone's road accident and have been in bed most of the time since last Sunday. I'd tried and liked it before that, but it's certainly good convalescence music!

Pete.

The new Sirota is EXCELLENT. Thanks Paul. Sorry you were unable to collect your beers. I also bought Rebel Routes (another Sirota) whilst in Bristol - and have been enjoying Propaganda for some months now. Also picked up the solo Hobgood - not so keen on the Kurt Elling bits, but overall another stunning effort.

TUBBY on vs The Forces of Evil is so much fun!

Foo Foo and the Boy will be snapped up after hearing them in Bristol - as soon as Anna sticks them on the site.

I tried to play Dreamhouse in the car - but driving with your eyes shut is not a good plan (my usual serious listening attitude) - similar problems with Hogwood/AoAM's Mozart's Requiem. This problem I did not consider when ordering a reasonable car sound system. Thea Gilmore is still in the car - I just keep myself 'awake' by using the dashboard as a 'drum along' machine.

Yeeeaaaaahhhh!

Jonathan

more naim discs, more naim discs

Erm - would you Naim folks like some, um, money, for the Ted Sirota - given I gave the bonnie away..

Jonathan

more sirota, more sirota

Its a gift, glad you liked TUBBY

TA DUDE.

When we eventually meet - I'm afraid the beer is gonna come with a big kiss, whether you like it or not!!

Jonathan

more tubby, more tubby