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;
1st run...
Florilegium - Bach Cantatas
From allmusic.com:
Although he did compose many bright and cheerful instrumental works for princes and kings, Bachcomposed far more somber works for the Lutheran Church. Appropriately, then, three of the four works on this 2007 disc are cantatas whose dark and gloomy nature is proclaimed in their titles -- Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal (We must through much tribulation) (BWV 146), Ich habe genug (It is enough) (BWV 82a), and Mein Herz Scwimmt in Blut (My heart swims in blood) (BWV 199) -- while the fourth is the no less dark albeit not quite as gloomy instrumental Orchestral Suite in B minor (BWV 1067). No matter how grim the subject matter, the Florilegium ensemble and soprano Johannette Zomer turn in performances of such attractive enthusiasm and appealing energy that it's hard to get depressed. Zomer has a strong, clean but expressive voice, and she does a superb job of breathing life into Bach's music. The 10-member Florilegium ensemble is a light, tight, and effective period instrument chamber orchestra with excellent soloists in organist James Johnstone (the Sinfonia from Cantata 146) and flutist Ashley Solomon (the B minor Orchestral Suite). Recorded in lucid but lush super audio sound by Channel Classics, this disc will make a splendid addition to any collection of Bach's cantatas.
Arcade Fire Arcade Fire - " Reflektor" 2013 album on CD. Been listening to this a lot recently and it has really grown on me. Must investigate their new album released this year.
Nice version...
Genesis - Three sides live
(2002)
I often like to get this double album out, it was sensitively remastered and it's always a joy to listen to the master's exquisite touch.
"Deutsche Grammaphon has put together a fascinating compilation The Art of Segovia that reminds us what a protean figure he was. Segovia single-handedly put the instrument on the map by making classical guitar concerts popular events, broadening the instrument's repertory through commissions and transcriptions, and convincing even doubters that it could be a vehicle for serious music. He's heard here in brief pieces recorded between 1952 and 1969. Even in those made when he was well into his 70s, his fingers remain nimble and interpretations lively. Listening straight through, one hears many all-time Segovia favourites as Turina's Sevillana and Albeniz's Asturias and Zambra Granadina and renews appreciation for path-breaking composers such as Castelnuovo-Tedesco. He wrote extensively for Segovia and his Capriccio diabolico and Tonadilla are pieces of real substance. Disc two is largely made up transcriptions and it's amazing how well so many of them work on the guitar, at least under Segovia's magic fingers. Thus the transformations of Bach's violin music and even a Chopin Prelude sound idiomatic, and the gorgeous melodies of the Canzonettafrom Mendelssohn's Op. 12 String Quartet are irresistible here. It's an entrancing set." -- Dan Davis
Eric Clapton - Blues
From Amazon:
There's a telling subtext to this retrospective of Eric Clapton blues sides. Culled from recordings cut between 1970 (the Layla sessions) and 1980 (when Clapton cut his final Polydor album, Another Ticket), these sides finds EC exploring his beloved blues while in a fragile state of mind and body. After all, he was on heroin when he concocted Layla, and though he kicked that habit in the early '70s, he continued to test his tolerance for alcohol throughout the decade. When you think of the Clapton of the '60s, you think of the fire and ice of his playing with the Yardbirds, John Mayall, and Cream. When you think of his '70s playing, it's wearier and perhaps more reflective. (It was easy to mistake melancholic for mellow at the time.) The 35 selections included on these two discs find the temporarily deflated rock superstar leaning on the blues for support as he draws on likes of Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and Little Walter for inspiration. Hardcore fans will appreciate previously unreleased versions of Bo Diddley's "Before You Accuse Me," a solo take on the traditional "Alberta," a 1974 cover of Willie Dixon's "Meet Me (Down at the Bottom), and a remixed live 1976 version of "Further on Up the Road" with Freddy King sitting in. Just about anyone, however, will be able to appreciate how this music reflects Clapton's strengths as a musician... and weaknesses as a man.
Great recording...
Following my own recommendation I thought I'd play this. Had a bit of a nightmare issue with the NDS for a moment though. Suddenly it stopped playing and said 'no servers'. After switching the NDS (555) off, the NS01 off (with its usual spark and shock at the switch!), the router off and unplugging, replugging all the cables into the network switch, nightmare was avoided and it's playing again. Phew!
BTW Gillian Welch and David Rawlings sounding wonderful.
Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, playing some tracks from the forthcoming album.
On now, on repeat, at 6 Music Live, via the red button, until 17.30 today, well worth recording. 
Susanna - Flower of Evil. Stripped back and haunting....
You can't have too much of a good thing...
Stevee_S posted:
(2002)
I often like to get this double album out, it was sensitively remastered and it's always a joy to listen to the master's exquisite touch.
"Deutsche Grammaphon has put together a fascinating compilation The Art of Segovia that reminds us what a protean figure he was. Segovia single-handedly put the instrument on the map by making classical guitar concerts popular events, broadening the instrument's repertory through commissions and transcriptions, and convincing even doubters that it could be a vehicle for serious music. He's heard here in brief pieces recorded between 1952 and 1969. Even in those made when he was well into his 70s, his fingers remain nimble and interpretations lively. Listening straight through, one hears many all-time Segovia favourites as Turina's Sevillana and Albeniz's Asturias and Zambra Granadina and renews appreciation for path-breaking composers such as Castelnuovo-Tedesco. He wrote extensively for Segovia and his Capriccio diabolico and Tonadilla are pieces of real substance. Disc two is largely made up transcriptions and it's amazing how well so many of them work on the guitar, at least under Segovia's magic fingers. Thus the transformations of Bach's violin music and even a Chopin Prelude sound idiomatic, and the gorgeous melodies of the Canzonettafrom Mendelssohn's Op. 12 String Quartet are irresistible here. It's an entrancing set." -- Dan Davis
I was lucky enough to meet Maestro Segovia at Bristol Colston Hall in the '80s. I can still remember being shocked by the size and softness of his hands - as we shook hands mine disappeared in his. I'm pleased that I got to see him live.
enjoy
ken
Joe Henderson - Mode for Joe
From allmusic.com:
Given the recording date of Mode for Joe and the band lineup, it's easy to assume this is a straight-up hard bop album. However, this 1966 Joe Henderson record -- featuring trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Curtis Fuller, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Joe Chambers -- is a great example of modern jazz at its best. It was recorded during a time of sweeping musical changes due to developments in free jazz, soul-jazz, and even early experiments with fusion. It was a time when the bluesy and funky leanings of hard boppers were giving way to more individualized contemporary approaches. One of the best examples of this shift, Mode for Joe sounds more like the experimental work of Branford Marsalis than the groovy musings of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. The last track here, "Free Wheelin'," is the only dyed-in-the-wool hard bop tune heard here. Other than that, this outing's mostly uptempo songs serve as vehicles for solos. Henderson himself proves that the template for players such as Marsalis, Joe Lovano, and Joshua Redman was invented a generation earlier, as evidenced on "A Shade of Jade," "Black," and others, making this one of the sax legend's most intriguing albums.
Clive B posted:Stevee_S posted:
(2002)
I often like to get this double album out, it was sensitively remastered and it's always a joy to listen to the master's exquisite touch.
"Deutsche Grammaphon has put together a fascinating compilation The Art of Segovia that reminds us what a protean figure he was. Segovia single-handedly put the instrument on the map by making classical guitar concerts popular events, broadening the instrument's repertory through commissions and transcriptions, and convincing even doubters that it could be a vehicle for serious music. He's heard here in brief pieces recorded between 1952 and 1969. Even in those made when he was well into his 70s, his fingers remain nimble and interpretations lively. Listening straight through, one hears many all-time Segovia favourites as Turina's Sevillana and Albeniz's Asturias and Zambra Granadina and renews appreciation for path-breaking composers such as Castelnuovo-Tedesco. He wrote extensively for Segovia and his Capriccio diabolico and Tonadilla are pieces of real substance. Disc two is largely made up transcriptions and it's amazing how well so many of them work on the guitar, at least under Segovia's magic fingers. Thus the transformations of Bach's violin music and even a Chopin Prelude sound idiomatic, and the gorgeous melodies of the Canzonettafrom Mendelssohn's Op. 12 String Quartet are irresistible here. It's an entrancing set." -- Dan Davis
I was lucky enough to meet Maestro Segovia at Bristol Colston Hall in the '80s. I can still remember being shocked by the size and softness of his hands - as we shook hands mine disappeared in his. I'm pleased that I got to see him live.
Clive, that was a nice "snapshot", you were very fortunate to meet the man and to hear him playing live. Did you ever see a documentary of him that was partially a brief biography and featured him playing alone in the Alhambra palace, I think it was filmed at the end of the seventies? Wonderful (brief) insight into his early years and a lovely setting to watch and hear him play.
Kapsberger with first coffee cup of the morning:
2007 - CD...
Stevee_S posted:Clive B posted:Stevee_S posted:
(2002)
I often like to get this double album out, it was sensitively remastered and it's always a joy to listen to the master's exquisite touch.
"Deutsche Grammaphon has put together a fascinating compilation The Art of Segovia that reminds us what a protean figure he was. Segovia single-handedly put the instrument on the map by making classical guitar concerts popular events, broadening the instrument's repertory through commissions and transcriptions, and convincing even doubters that it could be a vehicle for serious music. He's heard here in brief pieces recorded between 1952 and 1969. Even in those made when he was well into his 70s, his fingers remain nimble and interpretations lively. Listening straight through, one hears many all-time Segovia favourites as Turina's Sevillana and Albeniz's Asturias and Zambra Granadina and renews appreciation for path-breaking composers such as Castelnuovo-Tedesco. He wrote extensively for Segovia and his Capriccio diabolico and Tonadilla are pieces of real substance. Disc two is largely made up transcriptions and it's amazing how well so many of them work on the guitar, at least under Segovia's magic fingers. Thus the transformations of Bach's violin music and even a Chopin Prelude sound idiomatic, and the gorgeous melodies of the Canzonettafrom Mendelssohn's Op. 12 String Quartet are irresistible here. It's an entrancing set." -- Dan Davis
I was lucky enough to meet Maestro Segovia at Bristol Colston Hall in the '80s. I can still remember being shocked by the size and softness of his hands - as we shook hands mine disappeared in his. I'm pleased that I got to see him live.
Clive, that was a nice "snapshot", you were very fortunate to meet the man and to hear him playing live. Did you ever see a documentary of him that was partially a brief biography and featured him playing alone in the Alhambra palace, I think it was filmed at the end of the seventies? Wonderful (brief) insight into his early years and a lovely setting to watch and hear him play.
superb - quick youtube search shows that there is a 7 minute snippet of Asturias....
On CD
Johnny Hartman - Once in every life
From allmusic.com:
Johnny Hartman's next-to-last album (he made a record for Audiophile 12 days later) finds the 57-year-old singer still in prime form. His rich baritone voice is joined by a sextet also including Frank Wess (on tenor and flute), trumpeter Joe Wilder and pianist Billy Taylor. The ballads range from slow to a brighter medium-tempo pace, and Hartman (particularly on such tunes as "Easy Living," "Wave" and "I Could Write a Book") shows that he still had it this late in his career.
Excellent! On CD.
All out Rock and Roll, some great music.
Just a fantastic album on many levels -
Steel Pulse - Handsworth Revolution
Now Playing.......
Chris Isaak - San San Francisco Days
To be honest a random pick of one of the albums from the NAS to kick off Saturday after sleeping in a bit.........