What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XI)

Pleasant to listen to, difficult to categorize...., I guess needs another spin

Roberta Gambarini - So In Love

It seems incredible that Roberta Gambarini didn't win the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition but she was new to the U.S., having just arrived from her native Italy. But with each new release, she has demonstrated that she is easily the most accomplished vocalist of the competitors for the prize, while pianist Hank Jones, who knows a thing or two about great singers, refers to her as the "greatest vocalist to come along in the past 60 years." With a rhythm section rotating between three talented up-and-coming pianists Tamir Hendeman, Eric Gunnison, or Gerald Clayton) plus veteran bassists George Mraz, Neil Swainson, or Chuck Berghofer and seasoned drummers Jake Hanna, Al Foster, Jeff Hamilton, or Montez Coleman, Gambarini works her magic with familiar standards and a few unexpected choices. She has a love of Cole Porter's songs, opening with a touching, richly textured "So in Love," a virtual rhapsody in a duet with piano. She restores the oft-omitted verse to "Get Out of Town" then delivers a driving rendition that shows off her gift for interpreting a song that has likely been recorded by all vocal jazz greats who have preceded her, proving she belongs in their company; she is joined by the soft tenor sax of James Moody. Her rapid-fire scatting is a highlight of her brisk treatment of "From This Moment On." Gambarini is also very comfortable looking outside of jazz for material, adapting Willie Nelson's "Crazy" with a master's touch, with subtle trumpet added by Roy Hargrove, while she has equal success with a medley of Beatles songs, including a moving "Golden Slumbers" that segues into a breezy "Here, There and Everywhere." But Gambarini's hilarious lyrics for Johnny Griffin's blues "The JAMFs Are Coming" (retitled "You Ain't Nothin' But a J.A.M.F.") prove to be the big surprise, showing off her incredible scatting range and sense of humor, though like a true lady, she never specifies what Griffin meant by a JAMF (hint: an acronym starting with "Jive Ass"). Roberta Gambarini continues to shine brightly as one of top jazz vocalists of her generation with this outstanding release.

Review by Ken Dryden, AllMusic.com

Released: 2009

Streaming on Qobuz

Dave

From the most rightfully neglected genius composer of the 20th century comes the third violin sonata, which stands head-to-head with the best works written in the first half of the 20th century. Medtner's approach to the violin is surprisingly fluent and lyrical, as he resisted his tendency towards an endless flow of notes (which he reserves for the piano part - in other words, while the pianist has to work brutally hard, the violin gets the good tunes). Highly recommended, and the best possible introduction to Nikolai Medtner.

EJ

   John Moriarty Trio with another fine female jazz vocalist Bonet. Samples here: http://johnmoriarty.downloadsnow.net/so-many-stars

Frank Zappa ~ We're Only in it for The Money (1968)

"The album cover a parody of Sgt. Peppers, Zappa takes a massive stab at the plastic ness of society, of capitalism, and consumerism and at hippies"

Because it's -8 outside and this seemed appropriate

On CD:-

Marillion - Anoraknophobia

Streaming | Spotify Premium

Circus Diablo ~ Circus Diablo (2007)

Good old fashioned rock. Band members include The Cult's Billy Duffy and The Almighty's Ricky Warwick on guitars with Billy Morrison on vocals. Powerful stuff and not a duff track so far...

Flying Colors ~ Flying Colors (2012)

Their well received debut album. Almost a "supergroup" but not quite? 

Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother (1970)

Original vinyl

Streaming | Spotify Premium

Flying Colors ~ Second Nature (2014)

Having a listen to their follow up  album on Spotify. 

I like her too!

I spent a fair number of weekends back home in Devon in the late '90s whilst going through a divorce. I saw this band a number of times, mostly in Exmouth. They were great live. Rocking Rhythm and Blues with double bass. This is the original CD cover but it's been repackaged by Indigo. Recommended.

   An excellent live performance.

Jim Suhler And Monkey Beat - Shake (1995)

Texas blues

Streaming: CD rip

I'll give them a try.

I hope you like them. They are a little reminiscent of early Paul Butterfield Blues Band without the harmonica.

And rather good it is too.

EBTG, Bernard Butler, Dave Gilmour. What's not to like?

Thanks!

Near Mint Condition Vinyl £1.00 from a charity shop.

On Vinyl:-

A brilliant album that was their mainstream breakthrough in thus country

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Fashion - Fabrique (1982)

Original vinyl

HAWKWIND  LEVITATION   ltd edition Atomhenge 3cd box set.