Billie Holiday is somehow fitting for a sweltering summer night.

This record is a lovely gift form my friend. She bought it in '72. It's a collection of her singles released in 30s-40s. Surprisingly they sound pretty good. Much better than many other newish *best of* reissues.

Antonín Dvorák:  Claire Désert (Piano), Emmanuel Strosser (Piano) 

Slavonic Dances for Piano Four Hands, Op. 46 and Op. 72

Polish, Slovak, Serb, Bohemian and Ukrainian folk dance - it's all here.  Somewhere in my bones, my past - this music just resonates with me.  Especially the Op. 72 set, some sense of the past comes alive in me and the sadness of a great musical periods lost - now centuries ago - never to be repeated.  In particular, all the pieces that tend clearly to the melancholic and lyrical aspect of this folk music hits the mark.  Of course, I'm speaking of mostly the pieces in a minor key.

Take for instance the E-minor Slavonic Dance from Op. 72.  So nostalgic.  Meant to be elbow to elbow - two people playing a grand in the parlour - no words necessary.

Brahms has some duets like this as well and I'm headed in that direction next...

Ben Webster: Sophisticated Lady

The lead vocalist sounds like he's got a head cold and their drummer sounds like trying to fake Ringo's riff  but not being terribly successful.
I don't even think this is well recorded. Maybe that's the whole point of grunge thing? Maybe I just too old to get this. :/

Rather listen to the XTC for better layering of the sounds with a bit more polish.

On CD:-

Listening to it now Denis. Really, really good stuff.

For those of you who already own D&B&G, we'd like to give you the bonus live tracks for free. Just put the CD in your computer and follow the bonus content instructions. If you downloaded on iTunes or Amazon or bought the vinyl, then just email download@thestaves.com with subject 'The Staves Live' including your full name and you will get a reply.

BTW, I think the 'live' tracks were taken from the gig @ The Scala, London. It was a fabulous gig and the best I've seen the girls play. The captured mix of the drummers 'Snare' was one of the best I've ever heard and really expanded the 'live' performance, better than the recorded sound I thought at the time. Smaller venue's will always capture a better sound & performance for this band, so the Shepherds Bush Empire gig on 4 Nov, may or may not work.

Double CD

Followed by...

Double CD

Great songsmiths and beautifully engineered. G

Straight forward summer rock on vinyl

Nouvelle Vague. Post punk songs with a great Summer evening vibe.

Chris

Double CD comp of lounge, easy, soundtrack and library stuff

On CD:-

Patty Griffin - Flaming Red