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

1998 - CD...

Four Tet - New Energy

A departure from earlier styles but a masterful one.

Beth a Gibbons - Out of Season

I find her voice most interesting. Simple accompaniment too gives space for her to be heard and to connect with the listener. 

Clive B posted:

Beth a Gibbons - Out of Season

I find her voice most interesting. Simple accompaniment too gives space for her to be heard and to connect with the listener. 

Great album, Clive. Saw Portishead live and Beth’s voice is just captivating. Got to give it a spin sometime. 

Clive B posted:

Beth a Gibbons - Out of Season

I find her voice most interesting. Simple accompaniment too gives space for her to be heard and to connect with the listener. 

Thanks for the reminder Clive and Tony, I've stuck this onto a playlist for later. 

(2000)

Carrying on 'frapping with her debut which is still (just) my favourite.

And now for something completely different. Santana - Abraxas

Now Playing......

Pablo Held Trio - Recondita Armonia

I had listened to the 'Pablo Held Trio' recently and thought I would give another one of their albums a spin.

Through the second track, this is very, very nice.....

Review from PHILLIP WOOLEVER at the All About Jazz website can be found here: This solid release furthers the evidence that Held's trio (with bassist Robert Landfermann and percussionist Jonas Burgwinkel) continues to set lofty goals, and proves again the group is quite capable of splendid results.

After achieving success with a project like their collaboration with John Scofield, some performers might have taken a pause simply to collect the accolades or follow up with a similar, market-proven formula.

Demonstrating once again they are indeed unique, the musicians took more of a chance, releasing an album comprised entirely of classically based ballads. Therein lay the risk, as an enterprise of relatively subdued selections may not whet every consumer's appetite.

Conversely though, anyone who appreciates subtle sequencing or inflective/reflective pedal chords should find this album especially worthwhile listening. If ballads are a preference, then this is a delight, featuring excellent themes for contemplation or romance.

"Offertoire" evolves gradually, rolling into a lush soundscape before breaking into a multi-bossa nova type groove that proves the trio can play straight ahead jazz anytime they wish.

Abstract timing is an obvious specialty of drummer Jonas Burgwinkel, who shines across the cymbals and light rims on "Prelude No 3," even managing to achieve the difficult, often misplayed task of non-abrasive scratching that aligns appropriately.

Classical music is a gold mine for jazz improvisation. On "Feuillet D'Album Op. 58" by Alexander Seriabin, Held plays a supporting role as Landfermann's upright establishes the primary tonal presence. While the original's compositional form and orchestration deserves precedence, the trio's adaptation holds up just fine. This is not a case of comparing apples to oranges. More like diamonds to gold.

For the "Mountain Horn Song" from Bela Bartok's Romanian folk collection, Held transposed portions of an original, 'A' pedal point melody into F minor, Bb major and Db major chord connections, then included his personal touch with his contrasting coda tribute to Bill Evans.

It's Held's turn to take the lead again under twinkling starlight keys on "Agnus Dei" by Igor Stravinsky. In an album full of good ballads, this cut is probably the strongest. Perfect for candlelight.

"Interludium No 5" builds on the type of intricate, abstract patterns the trio is becoming well known for. A lyrical sense of optimism, perhaps the most crucial part of many enduring ballads, makes this tune a personal favorite. Going down the street, away from someone you love, in a Mexican sunset rain.

Just as this disc's subtle sequences flow cohesively, the finale's title track from Tosca, which translates to "hidden harmony," seamlessly segues right back into the opener.

Overall, Recondita Armonia is another excellent release from Pirouet Records, one of Germany's most interesting, independent jazz labels. As usual, the product is high quality in everything from production to packaging.

While a few tracks along more contemporary melodic charts might have made this disc more marketable, that would have defeated the point. Either way, restraint is often a virtue, and this record includes many powerful moments.

  Robert Plant - Carry Fire.

  This plopped through the letterbox half an hour ago, so ......... ripped and playing now.

  Not instantly grabbing me as much as his previous offerings, but I'm sure it'll grow on me .............. and at least I've escaped from the 

  reggae / dubfest of the last few days .............. well, for now at least! 

Free Free, soulful blues rock, Rodgers sounds great, Kossoff’s guitar playing is amazing for a teenager.

1969 - vinyl - UK first pressing...

Clive B’s Abraxas sent me to Santana, Moonflower is lovely.

Benny Golson - Time speaks

From allmusic.com:

This set was chiefly notable for teaming together for the first time trumpeters Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw. Ostensibly a tribute to Clifford Brown, the sextet date (which also features Benny Golson on tenor, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Ben Riley) only has two songs actually played by Brown ("I'll Remember April" and "Jordu"), along with originals by Golson, Shaw and Hubbard ("Blues for Duane"). No matter; it is for the Hubbard-Shaw matchup that this straight-ahead outing is mostly recommended, as the two trumpeters provide most of the fireworks.

(1998)

Is released tomorrow @… sampling

Hawkwind live at an underground rock charity gig in 1972, driving beat and Hawkwind songs.

Possibly my most played vinyl album, Led Zeppelin's soundtrack from the film 'The Song Remains the Same'. Just given it a clean on the Okki Nokki and it's sounding as good as I ever remember, although being played on slightly higher spec equipment. I even remember the clicks and pops. Side two, the 27 minute version of 'Dazed and Confused', remains on my Desert Island track list to this day, invoking so many memories. And then there's the rock and roll medley on side 4. Marvellous. 

Jazz trio with violin. Very good indeed. 

Little Axe, blues with a modern edge.

Now playing......

Rebecca Pidgeon - Tough on Crime

I have not played this album by Rebecca previously and thought I would take it out for a spin......

Rebecca had not released and album of 8 years after she married and started raising a family. The album was panned on the Tidal review.  

The opening song certainly grabbed my attention, still has a sweet voice with backup vocalists along with some talented musicians backing her up.  Looking forward to the rest of the album.

(1969)

From their 2008 Definitive Collection