What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XIV)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2017
On the eve of a new year, it's time for a new thread.
Last year's thread can be found here:
To mark the sad passing of Ray Thomas, one of the band's founding members, I'm having a Moody Blues morning, starting with this, probably my favourite MB recording (on the big back disc) :-
Elena Papandreou plays Dyens
Classical guitar music with influences from Brazilian music and a bit of jazz.
Thanks to Bishopla's reminder, I'm currently immersed in this masterpiece of (I suppose) progressive rock. I can't have played this for years and I can't think why. It is absolutely wonderful!
IMHO, of course.
J. S. Bach - Sonatas For Violin And Harpsichord
Isabelle Faust & Kristian Bezuidenhout (whose name always makes me think of a sneeze). Was feeling a bit down in the dumps this morning so treated myself to this from eClassical's deal of the day.
And it's done the job - joyful, sprightly, dancing music. $13.99 well spent (24/96).
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
Time for some soul music. This album contains the original version of the wonderful song 'Don't leave me this way'.
Allmusic.com:
Philly soul staples Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were in full swing on 1975's Wake Up Everybody. Sporting their trademark lush, string-laden production from Gamble and Huff (who also wrote about half the album's material), the smooth soul outfit delivers a mix of deep soul balladry and uptempo dance tracks. The title track, with its socially relevant messages, is a standout. There is no shortage of fine vocal performances all around, notably from Melvin and from future solo star Teddy Pendergrass.
Nathan Davis - The hip walk.
Good jazz, recorded in 1965.
- Bass – Jimmy Woode
- Drums – Kenny Clarke
- Piano – Francy Boland
- Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Nathan Davis
- Trumpet – Carmell Jones
Asia - Asia
Steaming on Tidal.
Marvellous. Heartily recommend everyone gives it a go.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Peter Hill (piano)
The French Suites (BWV 812-817) | Mozart: Suite in C, K399 & Gigue in G, K 574
Now Playing.......
Tomasz Stanko Quintet - Dark Eyes
Tomasz Stanko (trumpet), Alexi Tuomarila (piano), Jakob Bro (guitar), Anders Christensen (bass), and Olavi Louhivuori (drums).
Streaming on NAS......... I enjoy Tomasz quite a bit an the music from this album is fitting in perfectly with this beautiful morning. These five musician work well together. Listening to the third track "The Dark Eyes of Earth Hirsch" at the moment and it is a real treat!
Note from ECM Records found here:
Tomasz Stanko’s smouldering Slavic soul music and grainy-toned trumpet finds a new context on “Dark Eyes”. Like his hero Miles Davis, the Polish jazz master also has an impressive record as talent scout and mentor, and his latest ensemble pools young players from the North of Europe. Tomasz has had strong connections to Finland in particular since the early 1970s when he was part of Edward Vesala’s creative circle. Now he welcomes two prodigiously gifted Finns into his group, pianist Alexi Tuomarila and drummer Olavi Louhivuori, both expressive and imaginative players. On “Dark Eyes”, Jakob Bro, the young guitarist heard on ECM on Paul Motian’s “Garden of Eden” is cast most often in the role of subtle colourist, while fellow Dane Anders Christensen, on electric bass throughout, provides the band’s throbbing pulse. The programme features new Stanko compositions, including “The Dark Eyes of Martha Hirsch”, inspired by an Oskar Kokoschka canvas, plus a new version of “Last Song” from Tomasz ECM debut “Balladyna”, as well as “Dirge for Europe” and “Etiuda baletowa nr. 3” from the pen of Krzysztof Komeda.
Leopold Godowsky (1870-1938): Marc-André Hamelin (piano)
The Complete Studies on Chopin's Études
As if the originals were not and still are among the hardest to play piano music, Godowsky comes along and tends to make child's play out of them. Knowing the originals, I find that Godowsky, like that of Liszt, really knew how to get to the heart of the music and essentially amplify that meaning and emotion. This is quite like putting the emotion on steroids but in a tasteful way.
Hamelin is really remarkable in this music and should be commended. He hardly breaks a sweat but for the rest of us we know just how out of this world his ability and talent to play this is. Very few can play this and actually there are only three or four ? complete recordings that exist. Currently on a project to purchase all the Godowsky piano scores (not to play but just to follow along with this recording) as well as Hamelin own Études. All mostly unplayable by mere mortals.
Two beautiful examples below with the score. These are not the hardest but my just some of my favorite pieces of music. Meaningless if you don't read music or play but staggering and mind boggling if you do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...h6MpIJkWGee1INI5CNQi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...h6MpIJkWGee1INI5CNQi
The encore:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...h6MpIJkWGee1INI5CNQi
Notice that Hamelin plays the Ossia passages in the score (the alternate, harder version with octaves etc.)
(1978)
I just felt like a bit of Camel and this album was their first foray into shorter slightly more mainstream pop, drifting away from their proggy Canterbury scene roots.
Dua Lipa - Live Acoustic EP - via Tidal
Multiple nominations for the upcoming Brit Awards. The girl can sing.
james n posted:While i catch up with the Music Room postings, this fine album is getting a play
Malia & Boris Blank - Convergence
I enjoyed this album so much yesterday that it's got to have another play today. A wonderful musical collaboration with a fantastically bouncy bass line (in true Yello fashion).
Superb stuff 
(1979)
Their last studio album (until 2007) often thought of as the runt of the litter but one I've always enjoyed.
james n posted:james n posted:While i catch up with the Music Room postings, this fine album is getting a play
Malia & Boris Blank - Convergence
I enjoyed this album so much yesterday that it's got to have another play today. A wonderful musical collaboration with a fantastically bouncy bass line (in true Yello fashion).
Superb stuff
I agree, it's great fun.
Yellowjackets - Like a river.
Sunday late afternoon / early evening, time for the Yellowjackets.
Allmusic.com:
Other than the easy-listening pieces that appear near the beginning of the program, this is one of The Yellowjackets' strongest jazz dates. Bob Mintzer's creative reeds (switching between tenor, bass clarinet, soprano and the EWI) keep the music stimulating and keyboardist Russell Ferrante has come a long way as both an improviser (where he is most influenced by Herbie Hancock) and as the band's main composer. With bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer William Kennedy in strong supporting roles, the ensemble plays intelligent funk grooves, some mood music and occasional sections of straightahead jamming. The inclusion of the Miles Davis-influenced trumpeter Tim Hagans on half of the selections adds variety to a particularly enjoyable set.
ewemon posted:
So very tempted to ask... but I'll have to wait until the release