What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XIII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2017
2017 has arrived today, so time to start this thread afresh.
Last year's thread can be found here;
From 1996, when lounge/easy was a bit of a thing, a compilation CD on Sequel Records of TV themes, library music, etc. The "Sportsnight" theme by the Tony Hatch Orchestra is ace:
Jimmy Smith - Angel eyes
This is a very nice CD by Jimmy Smith. It's not the most familiar one, is was recorded in 1996 and contains only ballads. Smith is accompanied by trumpet players Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton, Mark Whitfield on guitar, session drummer Gregory Hutchinson and Christian McBride on the bass. Highlight for me is track 1: Stolen Moments.
now playing.....
Mary Chapin Carpenter - The Age Of Miracles
Love Mary's music, great voice, guitar, songwriter, composer, producer. This is a very enjoyable album and certainly worth a listen.
Very dynamic trio jazz music...
More lounge/easy/library/theme music on CD. The final track, "Spiral" (originally released on a Pye sampler album in 1973) by The Harry Roche Constellation, is a 10-minute wah-wah and synth-heavy prog-lounge epic featuring Clare "Great Gig in the Sky' Torry on vocals...
Bert Schurink posted:Very dynamic trio jazz music...
Having now some more insights in the album. Very often a real pop/rock groove under the music, to then switch again to traditional modern jazz trio type of drive. Difficult to place in a box this type of music. But I definitely will listen a couple of time more. Not knowing if I will like it more when I listen more to it, while I guess I will...
Some live TD just soothing me into the evening. This is about all the music I can cope with right now. I'm shattered!
Streaming | WAV
(2013)
My first run through with this collection from the old prog'ers ripped CD 1 for now.
Bert Schurink posted:Bert Schurink posted:Very dynamic trio jazz music...
Having now some more insights in the album. Very often a real pop/rock groove under the music, to then switch again to traditional modern jazz trio type of drive. Difficult to place in a box this type of music. But I definitely will listen a couple of time more. Not knowing if I will like it more when I listen more to it, while I guess I will...
For those who might have read this as a recommendation. Wrong, the album get's completely of track with all kind of effect and voice tricks - more tricks than music. So where it started interesting and that's why I bought it....., the 2nd half is too much. So switch off after you have arrived at 60 percent...
On CD:-
The Waterboys - Modern Blues
on deck, in the queue.....
I enjoyed the Branford's solo album"In My Solitude: Live at Grace Cathedral" yesterday that I thought I would move on to the Quartet. Looking forward to it
First run for me in this 24/96 version....., below review...
Allan Holdsworth: Sixteen Men Of Tain
AAJ Staff By AAJ STAFF
April 1, 2000
Sign in to view read count
Allan Holdsworth: Sixteen Men of Tain Allan Holdsworth's Sixteen Men of Tain is mellow, measured, and melancholy. This is that quiet woodlands walk at dusk or being alone at dawn in the mists of a forgotten moor, type of jazz wonderland. Holdsworth has stayed with his comfortable, even-handed "flow" and gently restrained ways as on None Too Soon and Secrets. His Synthaxe work appears again in several compositions with that Sand feel. The jazz rock, fired-up, effusive fusion is kept at bay but Holdsworth's incredible legato, tornado riffage and chordal dreamscapes are still in pleasing abundance. Holdsworth has nothing to prove, no need to strain at the bit. The power and glory are an evident undercurrent throughout. That sax-horn voicing is near perfect in many places and Holdsworth is introspectively smooth and mirror-shine pristine in tone everywhere he needs to be. He has set forth another very comfortable listen and reached a new milestone in his enduring legacy of matchless grace.
And having said that, the specifics include very fine trumpet by Walt Fowler guesting on tracks 1 and 5, with Chad Wackerman guest drumming on track 6. Holdsworth is expertly accompanied on acoustic bass by Dave Carpenter and Gary Novak on drums. Allan Holdsworth plays confidently relaxed and flowingly inspired guitar and Synthaxe, as usual.
As stated above, you will not find Holdsworth wildly rockin' out, doing bizarre explosions of guitar nor Synthaxe, (though he is more than capable), on this release. Production and sound is slick and polished throughout. Compositions will find the listener being massaged into bliss or swept along in a swift flow. A jazz guitar reviewer associate, upon hearing this release, just said something like, "Wow!" I wasn't surprised at all. I have been listening to Allan Holdsworth since his decages-ago, work with Soft Machine and Tony Williams' Lifetime. Holdsworth only keeps getting better with time. All but one of the eight songs herein are by Holdsworth. He and Novak co-wrote "The Drums Were Yellow," a tribute in memory of Tony Williams. Chad Wackerman wrote "Downside Up."
For jazz guitar excellence and Synthaxe/guitar synth mastery none can match Holdsworth in voicings, phrasings, various techniques nor song composition. He is unique in a world of guitar all his own. He has created his own niche. His signature style will echo through many generations. Highest recommendations and deepest of respect for this exceptional artist.
Track Listing: 1. O274 2. The Sixteen Men of Tain 3. Above and Below 4. The Drums Were Yellow 5. Texas 6. Downside Up 7. Eidolon 8. Above and Below (reprise)
Title: Sixteen Men of Tain | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Gnarly Geezer
Now Playing......
Bill Evans - Alone
I don't think you can go wrong with a Bill Evans album, this solo album certainly did not get a glowing review but I have enjoyed everything I have heard in Bill's catelogue.
First in Germany, then the States, with esoteric electronica. But Raving first really took of from the Belgians. " Here come the Belgians" !! 
Hopkinson Smith - Bach Sonatas and partitas.
If you like lute music than I can highly recommend this CD.
Jeroen20 posted:Hopkinson Smith - Bach Sonatas and partitas.
If you like lute music than I can highly recommend this CD.
Yes indeed, beautifully transposed, played and recorded.
A great trio with a nice set ....
Found this whilst looking for another record. I'd forgotten that I even had this on vinyl, so put it on. Really hitting the mark tonight!
This is what I was looking for, so it's on next. I really need to sort my LPs into some sort of order!
Prichard Thompson's Dream Attic from 2010. A classic late Thompson album, brilliantly written songs played by his "wimp trio", Thompson's great guitar playing perfectly complemented by a superb rhythm pair. Recorded live rather than in studio, recognisably Thompson themes, Sidney Wells is a cheerful rocker about a serial killer with a searing guitar break, a touching number about recently deceased friends, a classic folk-tinged number.. One of our great singer songwriters who's also a master guitarist, on fine form. I've now put on the second album from the deluxe set, acoustic demos of the same tracks.
Nigel 66 posted:This is what I was looking for, so it's on next. I really need to sort my LPs into some sort of order!
Fantastic album. I saw EBTG at Southampton Uni just after they released Eden - 1984 I think.
First listen. CDs arrived today. Ripped and streaming