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

Bert Schurink posted:

He has always this special touch to his music, sentimental touch I would say...

 

Now with review...

South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim recorded several tributes to his mentor Duke Ellington, and Duke's Memories is certainly one of the finest. Adroitly choosing some under-recognized beauties of Ellingtonia, adding a standard, and mixing in a few originals, Ibrahim delivers a well-balanced and frequently gorgeous program. The opening "Star Crossed Lovers" includes a heart-rending alto solo by one of the best saxophonists few people know (Carlos Ward), and the obscure, jaunty "Way Way Back" is given a delightful, in-the-pocket reading. Tracks five through nine are from a live date, beginning with Ibrahim's moving, stately "The Wedding," which he seems to have recorded on virtually every album he issued during the '80s; it receives one of its better renditions here. The leader, as is his wont, tends to stay in the background, eschewing the star soloist role and preferring to direct the quartet from the keyboard, though he steps out front with some rich playing on "In a Sentimental Mood." A rippling medley of Ellington's "Angelica" and "Purple Gazelle" closes out the album in delightful fashion, rounding out a deeply felt performance. Recommended.

Now playing.....

Paula Cole - This Fire

Seeing ewemon and erich mention Paula Cole "Ballards" album I thought I would go back 20 years to listen to Paula prior to listening the latest.  

Ella in Hollywood - CD-rip. A fav -recorded live at the Crescendo Club in 1961, there is more  on the 12 Nights in Hollywood 4CD set!

In case you can't see it, this is The Drift by the mighty Scott Walker. Challenging,dark, intriguing, definitely rewards persistence (and great SQ if you care). Haven't listened to it in a while so I thought it was time to re-acquaint myself. On CD.

Pavarotti's Greatest Hits

Absolutely sublime replay of this vinyl. You really don't have to like opera to be truly moved by the beauty of his voice and the emotion of each Aria. 

Phil

ken c posted:

I have a very old vinyl copy of this -- replacements go for silly money these days. Great album! Brings back memories. Was playing "Inside" a second ago:

....

I'm sitting on the corner feeling glad.
Got no money coming in but I can't be sad.
That was the best cup of coffee I ever had.
And I won't worry about a thing
Because we've got it made,
Here on the inside, outside so far away.

....

enjoy

ken

Great album, Ken. This and Stand Up remain my two favourite Tull albums, and there's many good ones to pick from. 

Alison Balsom - Bach, works for trumpet.

On CD:-

Donald Fagen - Kamakiriad

Streaming | WAV

(1999)

The room between the notes is interesting on this album....

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6 RECOMMEND

Abdullah Ibrahim: The Song Is My Story

James Nadal By JAMES NADAL
March 6, 2015
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Abdullah Ibrahim: The Song Is My Story Blessed is the artist who has reached the zenith of his craft, and endured to reap the rewards, becoming the wise elder reflecting upon a lifetime of creative accomplishment. Having left an impressive body of work, he still greets the dawn with exuberance and optimism. Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim is such an artist. As a consummate and dedicated musician, he blazed a trail from the tumultuous townships of Capetown, South Africa to the premier concert halls of the world, and remains a humble servant of the music, which is his sustenance and strength.

The Song Is My Story is Ibrahim's solo piano chronicle of his life, performed in brief and profound interpretations. Many of the songs are visitations from his vast catalog, others are impromptu improvisations literally rolling of his fingertips, for he lives in the moment, is present in the now. For him "improvisation is meditation in motion."

Ibrahim is best recognized for his lengthy productions with extended song structures conjuring images of Africa, with its beauty and its brutality, yet this record is a dramatic departure given its brevity and simplicity. Not that the music is simple, but the sparseness, and the quiet passages mirror his transition into a tranquil performer revealing a gentle personality. Recorded at the esteemed Fazioli concert hall in Sacile, Italy, Ibrahim performs on their superbly crafted grand piano, the perfect setting and instrument for an artist of his caliber.

The accompanying DVD offers his personal narration into his background, influences, and inspirations, from the historical melting pot which is Capetown, to the violent uprisings in Soweto during the mid-1970's which coincided with his rise in stature as an ardent supporter of the anti-apartheid movement. His music is intrinsically connected with the human rights issues of his home, and his peaceful nature radiates a firm belief in freedom and equal rights for all Africans. In the video he demonstrates how his signature piano styling came about by combining local African folk music with jazz progressions and chord structures. A short segment of the concert is also included and is the visual accompaniment to the record, produced with impeccable camerawork and excellent audio.

The Song Is My Story celebrates Abdullah Ibrahim's eightieth birthday, and also coincides with the fortieth anniversary of his 1974 release "Mannenberg," which became the underground anthem of the townships and the rallying cry of the oppressed native inhabitants. Ibrahim is a prestigious artist who not only offers an appreciative audience highly intellectual music, but raises awareness on moral issues as well. His music has made a difference, and in his own words: "some do it because they have to do it...we do it because we want to...so we do not require much sleep...so we have to do it."
Track Listing: Celestial Bird Dance; Threshold; Open Door – Within; Unfettered – Muken; Spiral Mist; Just Arrived; Kalahari Pleiades; For Coltrane; Twelve By Twelve; Shadows Lean Against My Song; The Song Is My Story – URA; Marinska; African Dawn; Eclipse At Dawn; Phambili – Looking Ahead; For Coltrane; Children Dance.

ewemon posted:

nigelb posted:

ewemon posted:

Loving this. If you like your blues with some edge, then you might like to give this a whirl. As well as great vocals there is some superb guitar playing and harmonica blowing on this. Good choons too.

Cheers Ewe.

Glad you like it. They have been tearing up the Midwest for some years now. Try their Delmark label album you might like that as well.

@ewemon, I mainly (well solely) use Tidal to hear discoveries. I couldn't find the Delmark label album you mention but I found this:

Altered Five Blues Band - Cryin' Mercy

Another belter by this fabulous band.

N

Now Playing......

Paula Cole - Ballads

Crossing the twenty year time span from This Fire to Ballads and the difference is felt with the first song. Covering 'God Bless the Child' written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog in 1939 and of course the 'Blood, Sweat and Tears' version jumps in my head.

I did a quick look at Paula's 'Kick Start' web page: "I will self-produce live recording sessions featuring some of the greatest musicians in the music business today, paying tribute to some of our beloved masters of yesterday (Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bobbie Gentry to name a few.) I need your help to fund live recording sessions in a professional studio, accommodating brilliant musicians and their instruments coming from various parts of America (Dennis Crouch from Nashville, TN - Chris Bruce and Jay Bellerose from Los Angeles, for instance), mixing and mastering sessions to complete the audio.  Also the cost of art design, production of CDs, vinyl and T shirts will be covered by this campaign. 

Looking forward to the rest of the album.

ewemon posted:

Sorting out some external HDD's today and finding stuff I had forgotten I have.

Great blues album

Tidal has let me down again. I couldn't find the above but found the following:

Andy T Nick Nixon Band - Numbers Man

Another belter discovered with the help of you know Ewe. Sorry, that was a terrible attempt at humour.

Streaming | WAV

(1981)

Far removed from Andrea Bocelli I know but I'm right in the mood for some of The Gristle's older stuff. 

New York trio - The things we did last summer

From allmusic.com

The relaxed tone of this CD is set from the beginning, with Bill Charlap's quiet, spare solo reading of "The Shadow of Your Smile." On the next track, the others join in for some mellow and friendly swinging: Jay Leonhart's big, fat bass grounds Charlap's dreaminess, while Bill Stewart, who's left his sticks at home for this date, brushes up the tempo with subtlety and style. This release offers thoughtful solo piano (also on "Mona Lisa"), slow, romantic ballads ("How Long Has This Been Going On," "Paper Moon"), and tasty mid-tempo treatments ("As Time Goes By," "When Your Lover Has Gone"). While there are no barnburners, the heat rises to a steady simmer on "You'd Be So Nice..." and "How High the Moon," where the players are audibly enjoying themselves. Leonhart's solos are consistently interesting, drizzled with wit, and the ever-lyrical Charlap provides rarely heard verses to six of these nine classic tunes. The CD will lease those who like their jazz served straight up and pared down to essentials; its simplicity is deceptive, given the level of expertise and feeling throughout.

More Scott - this time 2012's Bish Bosch, on double vinyl. What with this, and Steve playing the Throbbers, there are some challenging sounds leaking out of the Music Room tonight!

Kevin-W posted:

More Scott - this time 2012's Bish Bosch, on double vinyl. What with this, and Steve playing the Throbbers, there are some challenging sounds leaking out of the Music Room tonight!

Not seeing your album art post Kevin.

On CD with bonus extra Mulligan album, What Is here To Say?

Why? I love Hodges' tone and this was a birthday pressie I am late getting round to playing.

steve

Stevee_S posted:

Not seeing your album art post Kevin.

See it now?

Kevin-W posted:

Stevee_S posted:

Not seeing your album art post Kevin.

See it now?

Nope 

It's in the original post Steve

1972 - Double vinyl - Uk first pressing...

Haven't listened listened  to this album for a couple of years. That must have been one hell of a concert and night.

Kevin-W posted:

It's in the original post Steve

Oops, yep okay.

This has been played rather frequently since I got it a couple months back. The version of Rocket Man with William Shatner is superb, not just because of his vocal, but also the arrangement and musicianship are spot on.