Record Reviews

NOA BABAYOF ~ FROM A WINDOW TO A WALL ANOVA 004 (Barcode: 7290011799045) ~ ISRAEL ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 1st album by Israeli singer / songwriter Noa BabayofFind albums by this artist and a striking debut. Noa wrote all the music and the lyrics (in English) and performs them utilizing her exceptional voice accompanied by some of the most interesting and intricate string arrangements one can imagine. The entire album is completely acoustic, with guitar, violin, cello, flute, recorder, harp, etc. used to create the highly atmospheric and often mystical ambience. Noa’s voice is clear and precise even in the most difficult passages and her expressionism remarkable. The album was produced by US producer Greg WeeksFind albums by this artist (who also wrote all the string arrangements) and recorded in Philadelphia, and the sonic quality is superb. The overall effect is a timeless beauty somewhere between Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist and Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, which should appeal to all music lovers who are ready to make an effort when listening to their music. The album is exquisitely packaged and beautifully designed, which complements the music content perfectly. This release is another proof that the local Israeli music scene is capable of producing works of high quality, which easily match anything coming from abroad. Highly recommended!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

BYRDS ~ BYRDS ESOTERIC 2658 (Barcode: 5013929475847) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the 1973 reunion album by the iconic American group The ByrdsFind albums by this artist, which was their twelfth and last album. It was recorded by the original members of the group: lead guitarists / vocalist Roger McGuinnFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist Gene ClarkFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris HillmanFind albums by this artist and drummer Michael ClarkeFind albums by this artist. The album presents elevens songs, eight of which were written by the members of the band, two by Neil YoungFind albums by this artist and one by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. This newly remastered reissue includes no bonus tracks, but offers an improved sound quality in comparison to the original release. The album was originally released on the (then) newly founded Asylum Records, following the eleven earlier albums that the group recorded for Columbia, all of which were beautifully reissued in the "The Complete Columbia Albums CollectionFind albums with this title" Box Set with a plethora of bonus material. Although the album did not result in any chart material, the songs are up to par with the band´s superb older material, and in retrospect it is an integral part of their recorded legacy. By the time this album was recorded, the transformation of the American music from the Folk to the Rock idiom was already complete and the material was already anachronistic to some extent. But since great music proves to be timeless, this album withstands the test of time without a hitch. Since this album remains mostly forgotten by the Classic Rock fans, it is good to see it back in circulation. The Byrds were instrumental in the process of creating Rock music as we know it, and we should always keep their music alive. For the younger generation of Rock music lovers, who were not around when this music was originally released, this is definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 02/08/2019Posted: 01/08/2019

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS ~ AURORA JUSTIN TIME 211 (Barcode: 068944021123) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is a studio album by Canadian vocalist / songwriter David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, primarily known as the charismatic frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, recorded with a great team of musicians: keyboardist Doug RileyFind albums by this artist, who also produced the album, guitarists Rob PiltchFind albums by this artist and Jake LangleyFind albums by this artist, bassist George KollerFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry ClarkeFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve songs, three originals by Clayton Thomas and the rest mostly classic Jazz standards except for one Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist song, all superbly arranged for the intimate Jazzy climate this album offers. The solo recording career of Clayton-Thomas was revitalized near the turn of the Millennium, when he was nearing the age of sixty, which is quite remarkable and unparalleled. He recorded (so far) thirteen albums since 1996, this being the fourth of them, more than twice the number of albums he recorded beforehand since the start of his career. The album is a tribute to the Jazz balladry and is a reminder of his work at small Jazz clubs, being his first recording in an intimate Jazz quartet setting. He shows that he is able to feel perfectly comfortable in this idiom, proving again his remarkable diversity. The songs are beautifully played by the quartet and Clayton-Thomas performances are brilliant as always. His feeling and his idiosyncratic voice, charisma and love of music remain intact and for his many fans this album is strong as everything else he ever recorded. The accompanying musicians are all pros and the album offers superb soloing from start to finish. These are undoubtedly some of the fines songs ever written and sung by Clayton-Thomas they prove how eternal and lasting they are, losing nothing of their original power and beauty. After being a great fan of Clayton-Thomas for over five decades, it is great to hear him carrying on with what he loves to do taking us along on a wonderful ride.

Updated: 23/08/2020Posted: 23/08/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS ~ CANADIANA ANTOINETTE 039911033821 (Barcode: 039911033821) ~ CANADA ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is a studio album by Canadian vocalist / songwriter David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, primarily known as the charismatic frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, recorded with a great team of musicians: keyboardist Lou PomantiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Eric St-LaurentFind albums by this artist, bassist George KollerFind albums by this artist, drummer Ben WittmanFind albums by this artist and others, and featuring brass section and string section on selected tracks. The album presents thirteen songs, all by Canadian songwriters, as diverse as Neil YoungFind albums by this artist, Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, Leonard CohenFind albums by this artist, Gordon LightfootFind albums by this artist and others and one original song by Clayton-Thomas. The solo recording career of Clayton-Thomas was revitalized near the turn of the Millennium, when he was nearing the age of sixty, which is quite remarkable and unparalleled. He recorded (so far) thirteen albums since 1996, this being the eleventh of them, more than twice the number of albums he recorded beforehand since the start of his career. The album is a tribute to the Canadian contribution to Pop / Rock songwriting, which is obviously very significant artistically. The songs are beautifully arranged and Clayton-Thomas performances are brilliant as always. His feeling and his idiosyncratic voice, charisma and love of music remain intact and for his many fans this album is strong as everything else he ever recorded. The accompanying musicians are all pros and the album offers superb soloing from start to finish. After being a great fan of Clayton-Thomas for over five decades, it is great to hear him carrying on with what he loves to do taking us along on a wonderful ride.

Updated: 12/08/2020Posted: 12/08/2020

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY & NASH ~ GRAHAM NASH / DAVID CROSBY ATLANTIC 081227992538 (Barcode: 081227992538) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 2008 This is the debut album by the celebrated team of singer / songwriter friends, American David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and British Graham NashFind albums by this artist. After the first split of Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist following the release of the seminal "Déjà VuFind albums with this title" album, all four members released solo albums and later on Crosby and Nash decided to form a duo and started to perform together with great artistic and commercial success, which led to the decision of formalizing the Crosby & NashFind albums by this artist moniker by recording an album together. After all it was the special affinity, both musical and personal, between Crosby and Nash, which led to Nash leaving The HolliesFind albums by this artist and moving to the US to join Crosby and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist in order to create the magical triumvirate of Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. On the album, in addition to both of them singing, Crosby also played guitars and Nash played keyboards. Many friends and musical peers took part in the recording, like guitarist Dave MasonFind albums by this artist, members of The Grateful DeadFind albums by this artist, the famous quartet of studio musicians called The SectionFind albums by this artist, which consisted of guitarist Danny KortchmarFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist, bassist Leland SklarFind albums by this artist and drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist, and many others. The album presents eleven songs, six by Nash and five by Crosby. The album is dedicated to Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. The songs written by Crosby were quite different from those Nash wrote; Crosby, a dreamer and melancholic, wrote heartwrenching, Bluesy tunes, which caused depression and gloom, whereas Nash was his spiritual "nemesis" and wrote absolutely perfect love songs and romantic ballads. It was the combination of the two, which created the special magic, which this album exemplifies, expressed by their vocal harmonies, which are unparalleled to this very day. These songs are all absolutely timeless and withstand the tides of time like stainless steel. Perfectly crafted, beautifully executed, full of harmony and offering meaningful lyrics, they are the epitome of song weaving, which is simply beyond trends, fads and fashions. In retrospect this album stands among the best achievements of the fruitful legacy created by Crosby and Nash, both individually and collectively. It is an absolute must in any decent Rock record collection and a part of music history that is out there waiting to be discovered by younger generations of music lovers. They don´t make music like this any more, but at least we can still enjoy these gems, before we are all covered by heaps of garbage and dirt.

Updated: 21/01/2019Posted: 03/06/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ FOR FREE BMG 4050538689945 (Barcode: 4050538689945) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is the eighth studio album by iconic American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original songs written or co-written by Crosby and his son James RaymondFind albums by this artist, who also plays keyboards and produced the album, except for the title song which was written by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. Donald FagenFind albums by this artist co-composed one of the songs with Crosby and Raymond. Drummers Gary NovakFind albums by this artist and Steve DiStanislaoFind albums by this artist, guitarists Dean ParksFind albums by this artist and Shawn TubbsFind albums by this artist and many others musicians take part in the recording. Following a feverish rush of three new albums released in 2016, 2017 and 2018, Crosby followers had to wait for three years for this release, which obviously is a result of the pandemic, but the wait was absolutely worth it, as this album is every bit as magnificent as everything else Crosby created over the years. His vocal abilities and songwriting are in full bloom and he found an ideal partner in Raymond to support him vocally, instrumentally and most importantly mentally, enabling him to continue his quest of producing some of the greatest music ever made. All the songs on the album are absolutely perfect, faithfully continuing Crosby’s love of great melody, vocal harmonies and intelligent lyrics, which are nowhere to be found in today’s music making. If one wouldn’t know when the album was written and recorded, it might have as well originated somewhere in the good old 1960s. This remarkable consistency is simply marvelous and almost incomprehensible, especially in view of its effectiveness. Overall this is a superb addition to Crosby’s recorded legacy and a miracle of survival. God only knows how many more albums Crosby will record in the days to come, but I pray they will come again. He is a truly unique figure and his music is a blessing from heaven…

Updated: 10/09/2021Posted: 10/09/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ HERE IF YOU LISTEN BMG 4050538429534 (Barcode: 4050538429534) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 It seems that David Crosby experienced a miraculous rejuvenation process since the mid-2010s, as he comes back with his seventh studio album, and fourth consecutive release since "CrozFind albums with this title" (2014), followed by "LighthouseFind albums with this title" (2016), "Sky TrailsFind albums with this title" (2017) and now "Here If You ListenFind albums with this title" (2018), a truly incredible proficiency and productivity, considering his age. It gives me an immense pleasure to be able to write about a new Crosby release as one of my first reviews in a New Year, now for the third time. This album, although musically a consistent continuation of Crosby´s life-long musical path, is quite different from his previous releases, since contrary to the credit that Crosby receives on the album´s cover, it is in fact a genuine team effort. It was recorded in an intimate quartet setting with Michael LeagueFind albums by this artist, Becca StevensFind albums by this artist and Michelle WillisFind albums by this artist, called the Lighthouse BandFind albums by this artist since these musicians took part in the recording of the A/M "Lighthouse" album. All four participants sing and play a plethora of instruments (bar drums!) and co-wrote ten of the eleven songs on the album, with the exception of the timeless "Woodstock" by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, which gets here a marvelous new treatment. The music is a magical trip back to the spirit of the 1960s, in the best possible meaning of the idiom, full of superb melodies, intelligent lyrics and sublime vocal harmonies, which are every bit as effective as those appearing on the groundbreaking debut album by Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist. It is almost impossible to believe that this music was created in 2018, as my belief in the ability to create anything as musical as this by contemporary musicians has been almost completely lost over time. Perhaps Crosby´s aura inspired these young people and catalyzed this extraordinary event. Whatever the reasons behind it, this album is a 100% bona fide Classic Rock and an instant essential listening. It is also a classic example of the victory of spirit over matter, talent over age and light over darkness. As joyful and blissful this music might be, sadly it only emphasizes the musical void that surround us. Go David and God Bless!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 18/01/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME (DELUXE EDITION) RHINO 081227320423 (Barcode: 081227320423) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2006 This is a reissue of the seminal debut album by legendary American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, recorded in the months following the release of Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist album "Déjà VuFind albums with this title", which saw all four members of the group releasing their debut solo albums. The album was recorded in San Francisco and features members of several groups associated with the SF scene at the time, like Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist, Grateful DeadFind albums by this artist and SantanaFind albums by this artist, as well as solo artists like Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. The combined list of musicians participating on this album reads like the who´s who of American Rock at the time. The original album presented nine original songs by Crosby (one co-written with Nash and Young and one arrangement of a traditional song) and this reissue adds one bonus track, which is an outtake from the original sessions. It also includes a DVD-A with hi-res mixes of the album and some bonus textual material and new liner notes with Crosby´s commentary on the album´s songs. Of course this album is way beyond just a classic Rock masterpiece from the period when music thrived on Earth – it is a unique symbol of an era. This music symbolizes a generation, a social movement and a state of mind, which includes Flower Power, Psychedelia, Woodstock, Social Awareness and Enlightenment, all happening within a brief period of few years, which was the only Renaissance the American people experienced in their entire history, and which was over before it could achieve anything or change the brutal reality of the Corporate Nation. This music touched millions of people at the time but sadly managed to transfix only a handful of them in the long range, absurdly more outside of the US than Americans themselves. Musically the album is also a document of the period, when everything was conceivable, allowed and welcomed. The album mixes American Folk, Rock, Psychedelia, Jazz and European Folk influences completely naturally and mostly subconsciously, which creates a unique, one time experience, never to be repeated again. Crosby´s hesitance results in his vocal theatrics and the distinctive way he delivers the lyrics as spoken word rather than singing them at the dramatic peaks of some of the songs. The instrumental accompaniment, which features intensive guitar improvisations in the background, delivered often by more than one guitarist at the same time, is another dimension of this complex and multilayered music. Although the trademark vocal harmonies, which dominate Crosby´s earlier work with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, are present here as well, they are definitely not the centerpiece of this album, which offers a much wider musical scope. The mayhem that dominated Crosby´s personal life in the years that followed the recording of this album had of course major consequences and as a result his next solo album ("Oh Yes I CanFind albums with this title") was released almost twenty years later, when the world was already changed beyond recognition. Crosby still performs and writes songs and his fifth solo album ("LighthouseFind albums with this title") was released recently (2016), but the magic spark glitters mostly in the hearts of those, like myself, who experienced this music in real time. An anthem of a generation, a bright star in a dark night sky, a sweet memory… whatever one might consider this album to be, it still has everything great music is supposed to have and once you open your heart to it, it will pay back handsomely. The choice is yours!

Updated: 11/08/2019Posted: 14/01/2017

CD+DVD 2 HDCD Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ LIVE AT THE CAPITOL THEATRE BMG 4050538640298 (Barcode: 4050538640298) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2018 Released: 2022 This is a live album by the iconic American singer / songwriter / guitarist David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, recorded with a trio called The Lighthouse BandFind albums by this artist, which comprises of vocalist / guitarist Becca StevensFind albums by this artist, vocalist / keyboardist Michelle WillisFind albums by this artist and vocalist / guitarist / bassist Michael LeagueFind albums by this artist. The album offers a CD and DVD, both presenting the same sixteen tracks: several Crosby’s classics and the rest new songs co-written by Crosby and the trio members and only one track originating from outside the quartet, a Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist classic. The sound quality, which is especially important in this mostly acoustic and delicate music, is absolutely stunning. The album was recorded in December 2018, following the release of two superb Crosby albums: “LighthouseFind albums with this title” and “Here If You ListenFind albums with this title”, which were recorded with the same band, and naturally offers several songs, which appear on these two studio albums. The music and the performances are absolutely stellar, based first and foremost on the divine vocal harmonies the four vocalists are able to create together, and of course also on Crosby’s unparalleled songwriting. Crosby, who was nearing eighty at the time, seems to be in high spirits and his voice is still steady and strong, and most importantly absolutely clear, with a sense of harmony which led his musical career at all times. Crosby is a true icon of American Rock, and his combined recorded legacy is certainly one of the most impressive among all his peers. Open-minded and searching, his music is a soundtrack of my generation and I love his contribution deeply and wholeheartedly. Overall, this is an instant classic album, which encapsulates American Rock at its best. Based on vocal harmonies, which originate in Folk music, and embracing Psychedelia and Rock, this is pure musical ambrosia, which Crosby managed to carry on for his entire life. God bless and please stay with us for many years, singing and playing guitar, as Classic Rock without you, David, would be simply mostly meaningless.

Updated: 18/01/2023Posted: 18/01/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ SKY TRAILS BMG 4050538286458 (Barcode: 4050538286458) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 One year ago exactly to the day I wrote a review of the album "LighthouseFind albums with this title" by the legendary singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, one of my favorite musicians of all times. And here we are, one year later, with another new album by Crosby, his sixth studio effort, a record braking achievement considering his prolonged periods of silence in the past. The album presents nine new original songs, eight of which were composed or co-composed by Crosby, and one classic song by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist ("Amelia" from the album "HejiraFind albums with this title") beautifully performed by Crosby. The main collaborator on this album is the songwriter / keyboardist, the album´s producer and the writer of one song James RaymondFind albums by this artist, who is of curse Crosby´s son. The songs are everything one can expect from Crosby: heartbreakingly lyrical, deeply moving and still pretty much unique, since over the years nobody with the same sensitivity and ability to touch the right chords of our souls was able to replace Crosby´s songwriting. Musically the album is beautifully diverse, with touches of Jazz and artistic Rock arrangements, which emphasize the poetic lyric and expressive melodies. A plethora of excellent instrumentalists contribute to the overall result, with the recording done in several studios but presenting a coherent ambience and sound quality. Crosby´s delicate voice gets just a little lost on a couple of tracks, but not enough to be really a problem. Overall a splendid job done by everybody involved and another career milestone. As I said a year ago, many of my generation´s idols are either leaving us or falling into silence, so Crosby´s surge of activity, vitality and creativity is an absolute blessing. Thanks to everybody for another horn of plenty, of which we can never get enough. For Classic Rock connoisseurs this is an absolute must of course and thank God that someone is still sane enough to write songs. Go David!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 02/01/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CROSBY ~ THOUSAND ROADS ATLANTIC 075678248429 (Barcode: 075678248429) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993 This is the third studio album by the iconic American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist released four years after its predecessor "Oh Yes I CanFind albums with this title". The album was recorded in different studios, with many different musicians (almost fifty), including the "regulars" like bassist Leland SklarFind albums by this artist, drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Craig DoergeFind albums by this artist, as well as a long list of guest appearances by such legends as Phil CollinsFind albums by this artist, Jimmy WebbFind albums by this artist, Graham NashFind albums by this artist, Jackson BrowneFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents ten songs, only one of which (the title song) was written by Crosby and two were co-written by him (one with Collins and one with Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist). Although this is still very much Crosby at his best as a singer, the fact that the songs are not his in most cases create an overall orientation towards Pop, more apparent than on any of his other albums. The instrumental work is of course superb all the way through, although again suffering a bit from the 1990s production drawbacks (too much keyboards). In retrospect this is still very much an album worth remembering, despite the fact that it was rather neglected by his fans over time. Crosby is simply way too talented to make music not up to par with the best efforts out there. Sadly this album was to mark a twenty one years long period of absence as far as solo albums were concerned, except for the live album "It`s All Coming Back To Me NowFind albums with this title" released in 1995. His triumphant comeback with the album "CrozFind albums with this title" in 2014 marked a new period of ferocious activity, which continues to this very day. This is definitely an album worth being rediscovered by all those Crosby fans that missed it at the time of its release, and of course a valuable lesson to young listeners, to get idea about what music is all about!

Updated: 10/07/2018Posted: 10/07/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG ~ DÉJÀ VU ATLANTIC 075678264924 (Barcode: 075678264924) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 1994 This is the debut album by the iconic Classic Rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, considered as one of the most important and pivotal Rock albums of all time. The group combined four young (at the time) Rock stars: the hippie dreamer David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, the folksy / bluesy Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist, the elegant, intellectual and romantic Brit Graham NashFind albums by this artist and the tough rocker Neil YoungFind albums by this artist, all four blessed with extraordinary voices and sublime songwriting talents. This unique combination of musical personalities already tested and perfected within the Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist framework was simply matchless by any contemporary Rock group at the time. This highly anticipated album, following the instant fame and glory of the group due to their stellar Woodstock Festival appearance proved to be everything that might have been expected and more. Assisted by bassist Greg ReevesFind albums by this artist and drummer Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist (and a brief contributions by Jerry GarciaFind albums by this artist and John SebastianFind albums by this artist) they recorded nine original songs (two by each of the group members and one co-written by Stills and Young) and the cherry on top in the form of the Woodstock Generation anthem, the Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist song "Woodstock" inspired by the festival´s events. The music is a prefect blend of vocal harmonies and instrumental work, which renders sublimely the beauty and the depth of the compositions. The clever and meaningful lyrics add another layer to the musical framework, creating a set of songs, which in time became anthems not only in the long and successful career of the group and its individual members, but more importantly reached a legendary status of Anthems of a Generation, which firmly stands to this very day. It is very difficult to understand what makes this album to stand out from thousands of other recordings of the period. Beyond the above mentioned objective reasons, which contribute to its success, there are also additional factors, historical, social, psychological and even philosophical. This album defines a specific moment in American history, in which the "American Values" were seriously questioned, perhaps for the first time. The anguish and the confusion of the young generation (in America, but also in the entire world for that matter) were perfectly echoed in the songs by the Classic Rock Artists, who were the bards and often the prophets of their generation, continuing the process initiated in the 1950s by the Beat Generation and continued by the Protest Poets of the 1960 (Woody GuthrieFind albums by this artist, Bob DylanFind albums by this artist). Sadly that poignant moment of American history proved to be brief, and tragically insignificant in retrospect. The mass media and political / social processes proved to be most successful in turning the American public into a mindless mob. Now, almost fifty years after it´s release, this is still a sublime piece of music, which deserves to be cherished, remembered and repeatedly re-visited by every sensitive, open-minded cultural person on this planet.

Updated: 21/01/2019Posted: 21/01/2019

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

FAIRPORT CONVENTION ~ FAIRPORT CONVENTION (EXPANDED EDITION) POLYDOR 044006829128 (Barcode: 044006829128) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2003 This is the debut album by the legendary British Folk-Rock group Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist, which was one of the pioneering and groundbreaking recordings of that genre in Britain. The group was a sextet at the time and comprised of lead vocalist Judy DybleFind albums by this artist, vocalist Ian MacDonaldFind albums by this artist, guitarist Richard ThompsonFind albums by this artist, vocalist / guitarist Simon NicolFind albums by this artist, bassist Ashley HutchingsFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin LambleFind albums by this artist. A band fronted by a female vocalist was a novelty on the British scene. The debut album presented twelve songs, seven of which were originals and five were American Folk-Rock songs. The musical setting of the debut album clearly shows the band influenced by American Folk-Rock, especially early American Electric Folk-Rock bands like Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist, ByrdsFind albums by this artist, Left BankeFind albums by this artist etc., and singers / songwriters like Bob DylanFind albums by this artist, Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, Leonard CohenFind albums by this artist, Tim HardinFind albums by this artist and others. Created at the very peak of Flower Power, the album was also influenced by Psychedelia, Avant-Garde Jazz and contemporary Classical music, as appropriate for the period. These influences are much more subtle that those of the American Electric Fork-Rock, but they are the reason why this album is not a stylistic carbon copy but an original attempt to find their own artistic expression and in many respects is much more complex than albums by their American counterparts. The album was almost completely ignored at the time of its release, which prompted the band to switch to Island Records, where they subsequently released the bulk of their legendary classic material, with Dyble being replaced by the superb Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist. In retrospect the album sounds a bit naïve today, but all things considered it still is a great piece of music and a wonderful document of the times, definitely worth revisiting. This remastered and expanded edition adds for bonus tracks, which include a rare studio track, the band´s first single and a couple of live French TV recordings as well as a nice booklet with rare photographs and informative comments by Hutchings. This is a first rate treat for the band´s many fans.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

HERBIE HANCOCK ~ RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS VERVE 744826 (Barcode: 602517448261) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 Jazz legend Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist finally repays the debt the Jazz world owes to Rock legend Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. Joni’s 1979 album MingusFind albums with this title stands out to this very day as one of the greatest tributes ever made to Jazz by a non-Jazz musician and I always wondered when is someone going to settle the score. Well better late than never and better still if the musician to do so is someone of Hancock’s statue and sensibility. For me Joni’s music always had subtle jazzy undertones, even if she didn’t use Jazz musicians as her backing band (like on “Mingus” and a few other albums), and therefore this project sounds completely natural and perfectly matched. Hancock assembled a superb quintet for the job, with Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist (soprano and tenor saxophone), Dave HollandFind albums by this artist (bass), Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist (drums) and Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist (guitar). The ten tracks, combined and arranged to constitute a continuos suite-like experience, include eight Joni’s songs and two Jazz standards. Several vocalists were invited to interpret the vocal parts on six of the tracks and these include Norah JonesFind albums by this artist, Tina TurnerFind albums by this artist, Corinne Bailey RaeFind albums by this artist, Luciana SouzaFind albums by this artist, Joni Mitchell herself and Leonard CohenFind albums by this artist, who recites rather than sings. The overall effect is absolutely beautiful and deeply moving. The musicians are all Masters of their trade and they are amongst the most sensitive accompanist, as well as first rate soloists. Hats off Mr. Hancock and thanks for this wonderful gift of music and thank you Joni for bestowing your great talent on all of us – you truly deserve this tribute. Essential!

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend

GRZEGORZ KARNAS ~ AUDIO BEADS BMC 199 (Barcode: 5998309301995) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the fifth album by Polish Jazz vocalist Grzegorz KarnasFind albums by this artist and his first live recording. Recorded in Hungary and released on the excellent Hungarian BMCFind albums on this label label, the album captures Karnas accompanied by cellist Adam OlesFind albums by this artist, drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist and guest artist Hungarian cimbalom player Miklos LukacsFind albums by this artist. Together they perform just five extended pieces, one of which is a Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist song and the rest are originals co-credited to Karnas and Oles. The sound quality of this live recording is absolutely superb, which every single note being perfectly audible. Karnas presents a unique approach to Jazz vocals, which amalgamates lyrics, vocalese, scat, wordless chanting and spontaneous improvisation. He is always full of surprises and completely unconventional. His vocal modus operandi is based on techniques developed earlier by American Jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrinFind albums by this artist and sounds similar to McFerrin´s early work, but of course is inventive enough to avoid being considered simply a replica of the original. Karnas is experienced and talented enough to keep his audiences mesmerized and his extended improvisations manage to sustain tension for prolonged periods of time, which of course is extremely difficult. As this live recording proves, he is a fascinating live performer and listening to him live is perhaps the best way to benefit from his many abilities. The accompanying musicians are all splendid players and provide excellent support for the vocalist all the way through. The cellist uses his instrument mostly as if it was an upright bass, almost never playing arco. He displays fantastic musicality and virtuosic control of the cello, being the primary partner of the vocalist and complementing him superbly. The drummer plays delicately, often using his hands and brushes, with of course is suitable for this intimate music-making experience. The cimbalom player sounds remarkably like a pianist, which although works well in this situation, is a pity, as it loses the wonderful "original" sound of the instrument, which surely might have added another interesting dimension to this already multifaceted music. Considering the fact that male vocalists are a rarity on the Polish Jazz scene (and in general), Karnas definitely deserves to be praised for filling this difficult gap. Constantly developing and expanding his vocabulary and technique he is definitely a talent to be watched and enjoyed. This album is certainly a splendid addition to his recorded legacy and a source of immense listening pleasure. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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GRZEGORZ KARNAS ~ KARNAS HEVHETIA 0050 (Barcode: 8588002496776) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This is the fourth album by Polish Jazz vocalist / composer / arranger Grzegorz KarnasFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and talented representatives of the young generation of the local Jazz scene. Separated by five years from its predecessor "Ballady Na Koniec SwiataFind albums with this title", this album is significantly different from his earlier work and presents several novelties as far as his recording career is concerned, for example the inclusion of songs not composed by him, usage of lyrics in several different languages, a new instrumental concept, etc. The singer is accompanied by a splendid quartet, which features pianist Michal TokajFind albums by this artist, cellist Adam OlesFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal JarosFind albums by this artist and drummer Sebastian FrankiewiczFind albums by this artist. Except for the bassist the other three musicians are long time collaborators on his earlier recordings. The presence of a bassist allows Oles to play his cello more in the way it was originally intended, as opposed to the earlier recordings, where it was mostly playing the bass parts. The album comprises of no less than nineteen tracks, some quite short (under a minute) and other fully developed and lasting around seven minutes. One song (Laurie AndersonFind albums by this artist´s "Langue D´Amour") appears four times in different incarnations and two other songs are reprised. Karnas composed or co-composed six of the pieces, four other pieces are credited to the band accompanying him, one is an instrumental composed by Tokaj and three are songs from the canonic Rock repertoire like StingFind albums by this artist´s "Roxanne", Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist´s "Black Crow" and the a.m. song by Laurie Anderson. It is immediately obvious that this is Karnas´ most ambitious album to date. The complexity and versatility of the material is overwhelming and music moving from one theme to another creates a charming flow, which makes the listener whish for it never to stop. Instrumentally this album, with Tokaj taking over the role of the main soloist, is finally perfect and Tokaj´s beautiful tango is the best original piece of music on the album. Oles finally shows what he´s made of and plays some amazing sounds. The vocal performances are also excellent, obviously more mature and relaxed than ever before. This time Karnas is pretty minimalistic, not trying to overemphasize his part and treating the entire project as a whole rather than another solo album. The group effort is definitely what makes this album tick so wonderfully and takes it a few notches up the scale. Overall this is a truly amazing vocal Jazz album, which plainly stands out as an artistic achievement, leaving most other albums of its kind way behind. Suffice to listen to the vocalist´s interpretations of the three well known songs, in order to appreciate his originality. Add to this the strength of his original material and Karnas emerges as an artist worth following and already leaving his mark on the contemporary scene, with very few contenders. An absolute must!

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GRZEGORZ KARNAS ~ POWER KISS HEVHETIA 0150/0151 (Barcode: 8588005258111) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the seventh album by Polish Jazz vocalist Grzegorz KarnasFind albums by this artist, this time recorded live during his 2016 concerts in China. The enclosed CD presents ten tracks, five of which are original compositions / improvisations by Karnas, one song (repeated twice) is by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, another song (also repeated twice) is by Laurie AndersonFind albums by this artist and one is a Michal TokajFind albums by this artist composition. Karnas is accompanied by a piano trio, which consists of Azerbaijani pianist Elchin ShirinovFind albums by this artist and Polish bassist Alan WykpiszFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz MaslowskiFind albums by this artist. The enclosed DVD presents mostly the same material included on the CD with a couple of alternate takes. Karnas is of course the most unique Polish Jazz vocalist and his music presents a completely individual approach, which is basically incomparable with anything else in the vocal department, not only in Poland but in the whole world for that matter. He hardly ever uses words (lyrics) and most of what he utters is virtuosic vocalese unrelated to any "real" language (although here he seems to make an effort to communicate with his audiences in Chinese). His inventive use of his vocal cords and his unearthly timbre, combined with superb instrumental work by his band members always create epic results, which are beyond what one might expect within the vocal Jazz idiom. It is absolutely amazing what these four musicians are able to achieve on stage, live and "naked". Karnas chose some of the absolutely best young musicians on the European scene, with the brilliant Shirinov creating all the melodic / harmonic background (and soloing spectacularly) and the rhythm section simply carrying the music all along on a rock-steady foundation and with exquisite inventiveness. Overall this is a stunning piece of music, which deserves to be taught in music schools not only for its musical qualities, but primarily for the freedom of creation it symbolizes like only very few other recordings do. Every true music connoisseur should find this album enchanting, even if not immediately likeable. Music of such quality requires total involvement, nothing less. It is great to see Karnas still able to move mountains, especially in view of his relatively sparse release schedule lately. All his albums deserve an honorable place in any serious Polish / European Jazz collection, and they are all a chronicle of an Artist, who does not rest for one moment, constantly searching for new territory and new forms of expression; a rare and precious quality for which he deserves all praise. Thank you for the gift of music!

Updated: 12/09/2017Posted: 12/09/2017

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CHRIS LAURENCE ~ NEW VIEW BASHO 018 (Barcode: 832929001826) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 - 2006 Released: 2006 Bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist has been one of the great "silent" heroes of the British Jazz scene for decades, providing his exquisitely solid, yet delicate and always sophisticated bass lines to countless Jazz albums, including many of the pivotal recordings of the late 1960s / early 1970s, which revolutionized European Jazz and emancipated it for the overwhelming stylistic and conceptual US supremacy. But his genius is also recognized and respected beyond the Jazz field, and he has an active career both as a Classical player and studio musician in the Pop / Rock world, where he contributed his talent playing behind some of the biggest names in the music business. And yet, for all these years, Laurence never recorded as a leader, something that has been finally remedied by this superb release. For this session he opted for an intimate setting of a piano-less quartet, which includes yet another "silent" hero and a veteran of the British Jazz scene – vibraphonist / percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, who also participated in countless pivotal recordings, sometimes alongside Laurence. Sadly both Laurence and Ricotti have never really received the proper recognition for the enormous contribution they both made to the British Jazz, with books and on-line sources mentioning them mostly in-passing. Hopefully this will be remedied sometime in the near feature (and before obituaries need to be written). But back to the music; Ricotti´s vibraphone is the ideal companion to Laurence´s bass playing and sets the tone to the laid-back, delicate and slightly melancholic atmosphere that underlines this album´s overall feel. The two other members of the quartet are no strangers, as they have recorded with Laurence before, both being representatives of the second generation of British Jazz heroes: guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist. Parricelli plays both electric and acoustic guitars and his playing on this album is actually the best I´ve heard so far, even superior to the performances on his solo recordings. His licks ornament the music, using just the precise amount of notes needed, leaving flashy excursions aside, which is exactly what is appropriate here. France does a splendid job keeping everything together rhythmically; again exactly what a great drummer needs to do first and foremost. It goes beyond saying that Laurence´s bass lines are a delight from start to finish, which is only to be expected and Ricotti´s vibraphone performance matches the (unfortunately very few) Masters of that beautiful instrument. The music chosen comes from the songbooks of great British Jazz composers, with whom Laurence recorded in the past, like Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, John SurmanFind albums by this artist and John TaylorFind albums by this artist. Fellow US musicans – Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and Andy LaverneFind albums by this artist - also get their share and even one Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist tune is included (Joni´s close ties with the Jazz world are obvious). If all this is not enough, there is also a cherry on top of the proverbial cake: the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist adds her sublime (as usual) vocals to a couple of the tunes, another gesture of gratitude for the sake of old times. So, please, buy this album and by doing so you will not only get some superb music, but you will pay some long-overdue tribute to this man´s talents and his life-long dedication to the music we love!

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JONI MITCHELL ~ ARCHIVES – VOLUME 1 (THE EARLY YEARS 1963-1967) RHINO 603497849963 (Barcode: 603497849963) ~ CANADA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1963 - 1967 Released: 2020 This is an archival Box Set presenting early recordings by the iconic Canadian singer / songwriter Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. It includes five CDs worth of material spanning the years 1963 to 1967. The recordings include home demos, live performances, radio and TV broadcast and other sources. Most of the songs are Mitchell originals and include no less than twenty-nine songs never previously released or re-recorded by her. CD1 presents Mitchell singing traditional Folk material and songs written by other songwriters, accompanying herself on guitar. CD2 to CD5 present Mitchell singing mostly original material, with CD2 covering years 1965 to 1966 and CD3 to CD5 including music originating in 1967. This wonderful time capsule enables listeners to take a time machine fifty-five years back in time and imagine they are sitting just a few meters away from Mitchell, who is singing her heart out. Already at those early moments of her career she was absolutely marvelous as a performer and a completely unique songwriter, who would change the face of music in the forthcoming decades. Overall, this is a brilliant Box Set of enormous historical importance and an absolute must to all true Mitchell fans. The excellent sound quality of these recordings allows taking a fully enjoyable trip back in time, visiting the source of Mitchell’s illustrious career, with a hope that the next volumes of the archival series will bring many more hours of previously unheard material. This is beyond recommendation!

Updated: 02/10/2021Posted: 02/10/2021

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JONI MITCHELL ~ ARCHIVES – VOLUME 2 (THE REPRISE YEARS 1968-1971) RHINO 603497844524 (Barcode: 603497844524) ~ CANADA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1970 Released: 2021 This is the second archival Box Set presenting recordings by the iconic Canadian singer / songwriter Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. It includes five CDs worth of material spanning the years 1967 to 1970. The recordings include home demos, live performances, radio and TV broadcast and other sources. All of the songs (except three cases) are Mitchell originals and almost all (except three) were never previously released. CD1 presents Mitchell singing her songs at her or her friend’s home either in late 1967 or early 1968. Also included are four outtakes from the recording session of the debut album “Song To A SeagullFind albums with this title” and a couple of songs recorded live during at a show. CD2 presents twenty-three tracks recorded live at Le Hibou Coffee House, another studio outtake, three more home recordings and finally a BBC radio broadcast from September 1968. CD3 presents twenty-two tracks recorded live at Carnegie Hall in February 1969 CD4 presents the two remaining tracks from the Carnegie Hall and outtakes from the “CloudsFind albums with this title” and “Ladies Of The CanyonFind albums with this title” and “BlueFind albums with this title” studio sessions, a TV appearance and more home demos. CD5 presents twenty-three tracks from the BBC “In Concert” broadcast from October 1970 and three more “Blue” outtakes. This wonderful time capsule enables listeners to take a time machine fifty-five years back in time and imagine they are sitting just a few meters away from Mitchell, who is singing her heart out. Already at those early moments of her career she was absolutely marvelous as a performer and a completely unique songwriter, who would change the face of music in the forthcoming decades. Overall, this is a brilliant Box Set of enormous historical importance and an absolute must to all true Mitchell fans. The excellent sound quality of these recordings allows taking a fully enjoyable trip back in time, visiting the source of Mitchell’s illustrious career, with a hope that the next volumes of the archival series will bring many more hours of previously unheard material. This is beyond recommendation!

Updated: 24/01/2022Posted: 24/01/2022

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JONI MITCHELL ~ ARCHIVES – VOLUME 3 (THE ASYLUM YEARS 1972-1975) RHINO 603497834303 (Barcode: 603497834303) ~ CANADA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 - 1975 Released: 2023 This is the third archival Box Set presenting recordings by the iconic Canadian singer / songwriter Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. It includes five CDs worth of material spanning the years 1972 to 1975. The recordings include home demos, live performances, radio and TV broadcast and other sources. All of the songs (except two cases) are Mitchell originals and almost all (except one) were never previously released. CD1 presents two tracks form a Graham NashFind albums by this artist / David CrosbyFind albums by this artist session, four demos for the “For The RosesFind albums with this title” album and eighteen tracks recorded during a concert at Carnegie Hall in February 1972. CD2 presents four more tracks from the Carnegie Hall concert, six tracks from the early “For The Roses” sessions in April 1972, two tracks from a concert at Royal Festival Hall, six tracks from the later “For The Roses” sessions in July-August 1972 and finally two tracks from a benefit concert. CD3 presents six demos for the “Court And SparkFind albums with this title” album, one track from a Graham Nash session, one track from a Neil YoungFind albums by this artist session, six tracks from the “Court And Spark” sessions in September-October 1973 and finally six tracks from a concert at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in March 1974. CD4 presents sixteen more tracks from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion concert. CD5 presents two tracks from a concert at New Victoria Theatre in April 1974, one track from a concert at Wembley Stadium in September 1974, seven demos for the “The Hissing Of Summer LawnsFind albums with this title” album and finally seven tracks from the “The Hissing Of Summer Lawns” sessions in 1975. This wonderful time capsule enables listeners to take a time machine some fifty years back in time and imagine they are sitting just a few meters away from Mitchell, who is singing her heart out. At those peak moments of her career she was absolutely marvelous as a performer and a completely unique songwriter, who would change the face of music in the forthcoming decades. Overall, this is a brilliant Box Set of enormous historical importance and an absolute must to all true Mitchell fans. The excellent sound quality of these recordings allows taking a fully enjoyable trip back in time, visiting the source of Mitchell’s illustrious career, with a hope that the next volumes of the archival series will bring many more hours of previously unheard material. This is beyond recommendation!

Updated: 19/12/2023Posted: 19/12/2023

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JONI MITCHELL ~ ARCHIVES – VOLUME 4 (THE ASYLUM YEARS 1976-1980) RHINO 603497823680 (Barcode: 603497823680) ~ CANADA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 - 1979 Released: 2024 This is the 4th archival Box Set presenting recordings by the iconic Canadian singer / songwriter Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. It includes six CDs worth of material spanning the years 1975 to 1979. The recordings include home and studio demos, live performances, alternate album tracks and other sources. All of the songs (except a few cases) are Mitchell originals and all were never previously released. CD1 presents eighteen tracks form various live concerts in 1975 and the 1976 US tour and one home recording. CD2 presents seventeen more tracks from the 1976 US tour. CD3 presents nine demos for the “HejiraFind albums with this title” album, three live concert tracks and two tracks from the “Hejira” sessions. CD4 presents two tracks from the “Don Juan`s Reckless DaughterFind albums with this title” album sessions, three tracks from the “MingusFind albums with this title” album sessions, eight live concert tracks from 1978 and four alternate tracks from “Mingus” sessions. CD5 presents one track from “Mingus” sessions, two live concert tracks from 1979, two tracks from the 1979 tour rehearsals and nine live concert tracks from the 1979 US tour. CD6 presents sixteen additional live concert tracks from the 1979 US tour. This wonderful time capsule enables listeners to take a time machine some forty-five years back in time and imagine they are sitting in a studio console room just a few meters away from Mitchell, who is singing her heart out or attending her concerts. At those peak moments of her career she was absolutely marvelous as a performer and a completely unique songwriter, who would change the face of music in the forthcoming decades. Accompanied by the top Jazz players of the period, including Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist, Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, Jaco PastoriusFind albums by this artist and others, she sounds simply marvelous. Overall, this is a brilliant Box Set of enormous historical importance and an absolute must to all true Mitchell fans. The excellent sound quality of these recordings allows taking a fully enjoyable trip back in time, visiting the source of Mitchell’s illustrious career, with a hope that the next volumes of the archival series will bring many more hours of previously unheard material. This is beyond recommendation!

Updated: 16/11/2024Posted: 16/11/2024

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JONI MITCHELL ~ AT NEWPORT RHINO 603497832071 (Barcode: 603497832071) ~ CANADA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is a live album by the legendary Canadian singer / songwriter Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, recorded in July 2022 at the Newport Folk Festival. The album presents twelve tracks, an intro and eleven songs, all bar one by Mitchell. Old?, Sick?, Broken? Hell, Joni has still more in her than most contemporary Rock scene put together. Although she is remarkably supported by the vocals of Brandi CarlileFind albums by this artist and an impressive cast of instrumentalist, she is still able to carry a tune in the unique way that remains unmatched in its power of expression, artistry and remarkable aesthetics. The entire concert is a wonderful tribute to one of the greatest American Rock artists of all time, and the crowd understands well the immense weight of the event, bursting into ovation, respectfully only when the music transforms into silence. What might have turned into a pitiful fiasco, turns out to be a victory of spirit over body in every sense. It must have been a truly heroic effort, considering Joni’s health condition, to agree to this concert in the first place and then to carry it out the way it appears here for everybody to hear. The only song Joni did not write is the magnificent rendition of “Summertime”, which shows her affinity to Jazz, which she displayed so many times in her career. Overall, this is a deeply moving album, full of sublime music and an almost supernatural presence of Joni. Should this be her last recorded moment (hopefully not), she definitely went out with a bang! I fell in love with her music well over fifty years ago and never stopped for a moment… Thank you Joni for all that musical bliss!

Updated: 19/12/2023Posted: 10/09/2023

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JONI MITCHELL ~ THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1968-1979 RHINO 081227971786 (Barcode: 081227971786) ~ CANADA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1979 Released: 2012 This Box Set collects all ten studio albums recorded by the celebrated Canadian singer / songwriter Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist from the onset of her career until the end of the 1970s. Between the debut album "Song To A SeagullFind albums with this title" and the last album included here, the epic "MingusFind albums with this title", this Box Set includes some of the best music ever written, which not only encapsulates the spirit and the essence of the 1960s and 1970s, but in fact of the human condition at large. Musically these albums can be divided into two groups, five albums each. Whereas the first five albums present the gentle, folksy, acoustic side of Mitchell, the second batch sees her moving into much more complex music, heavily influenced by Jazz and featuring much more intensive instrumental backing and advanced experimentation. Regardless of the setting, her compositions always stand out as completely original and incomparable to anything else happening on the music scene. Mitchell was blessed by a gift, which enables her to compose music floating completely outside of the timeline. As a result each and every one of her songs is an instant "classic", with a life of its own, untouchable by time. The hundred and three songs present in this Box Set are all gems, sparkling and enchanting forever. Of course this Box Set should be an integral part of any serious music collection on earth and its contents is an essential food for body and soul. With recent sad news about Mitchell´s health condition one can only pray to hear more of her divinely inspired music in the future. In the meantime we can be grateful for what we have enjoyed already.

Updated: 19/12/2023Posted:

CD 10 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM NASH ~ WILD TALES ATLANTIC 075678143229 (Barcode: 075678143229) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 1985 This is the second solo album by British singer / songwriter Graham NashFind albums by this artist, one of the 20th Century Classic Rock icons, who is still active today. After a glorious career in the UK as a member of the legendary group The HolliesFind albums by this artist, Nash moved to the USA to join David CrosbyFind albums by this artist and Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist (and later Neil YoungFind albums by this artist) to form one of the most influential Classic Rock bands in history: Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist (and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist). Nash was decisively the catalyst and bonding element of these bands, with his British Cultural background, lyricism and superb feel of vocal harmony, as well as his personal manners and attitude, which was often in complete contrast to his American partners. The album presents ten original songs, all written (music and lyrics) by Nash. Nash is supported by a formidable team of musicians, which includes vocalist Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, guitarists David LindleyFind albums by this artist, David Crosby and Dave MasonFind albums by this artist, Neil Young on piano, bassist Tim DrummondFind albums by this artist, drummer John BarbataFind albums by this artist and numerous others. The songs are somewhat darker and more introvert that those on his debut album, but all are superbly crafted and executed. Each and every one of these songs is a microcosm of inventive songwriting and lyrical sensitivity that Nash is blessed with. His exceptional harmonic and melodic aesthetics and his social awareness are strongly present in the fabric of the lyrics, as always. At the time of its release this album was received coldly by the music critics and to this very day is not considered as one of his best achievements, which of course is a complete poppycock, as this music withstands the test of time formidably and remains an archetypal example of Classic Rock. How sad that nobody makes music like this any more…

Updated: 26/10/2018Posted: 10/09/2018

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PRINTMAKERS ~ WESTERLY BASHO 46 (Barcode: 832929004629) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 This is a beautiful debut album by the British Jazz ensemble The PrintmakersFind albums by this artist, which comprises of top Jazz musicians spanning several generations: the wonderful vocalist / lyricist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, pianist / composer Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mark LockheartFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve WattsFind albums by this artist and drummer James MaddrenFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tunes, three of which were composed by Iles with lyrics by Winstone, two with music by Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist and lyrics by Winstone, one tune each composed by John TaylorFind albums by this artist and Iles, both without lyrics, a song by Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and finally two are the ensemble´s interpretations of familiar Pop songs, one each by Paul SimonFind albums by this artist and Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live in a room of a country house and offers superb sound quality. The album is dedicated to the memory of the great Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. The music is everything one might expect from this formidable lineup: superb vocals and excellent playing from start to finish, elegant, somewhat restrained and always exactly with the right dose of emotional involvement and professional musicality. There is an obvious affinity and respect between the participants and a harmonious teamwork, which truly pays off. On the two tunes that do not feature lyrics, Winstone performs her fabulous vocalese parts, which are her trademark since many years. There is plenty of opportunity for great solo parts by Lockheart, Iles and Walker, and the rhythm section keeps the music flowing gently but precisely in time and in perfect harmony. Although the entire album is characterized by a relaxed, calm atmosphere, the music is rich and full of intrinsic vitality. Stylistically one might consider this to be "mainstream Jazz", but this music has absolutely nothing in common with the American version of mainstream Jazz, which of course is all for the best. It is great to see Winstone active and at full power, as if for her time is standing absolutely still. Having enjoyed her work for five decades, I can say that her music making is a safe heaven of good taste and aesthetic excellence, one of a very few of such kind. This album is relatively little known by Jazz connoisseurs, and therefore it is wholeheartedly recommended to all true music lovers and British Jazz enthusiasts to grab a copy as long as it is still in circulation.

Updated: 29/05/2018Posted: 29/05/2018

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JAMES TAYLOR ~ THE WARNER BROS. ALBUMS 1970-1976 RHINO 603497852390 (Barcode: 603497852390) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1978 Released: 2019 This Box Set offers a reissue of the six albums recorded by the iconic American singer / songwriter / guitarist James TaylorFind albums by this artist, released on the Warner Bros.Find albums on this label label. Following the recording of his debut album on the BeatlesFind albums by this artist´ owned AppleFind albums on this label Records, Taylor signed with Warner Bros. and released his second to seventh album on that label, which were hugely successful and established him as one of the voices of the Woodstock Generation. The albums were carefully remastered under the supervision of the Peter AsherFind albums by this artist, who was Taylor´s manager and produced the first three albums in this Box Set, which is carefully designed and includes detailed information about recording dates and personnel, which sadly is not always the case with Box Sets of this kind. This Box Set includes some of the most beautiful songs written by American music makers over time. Most of the songs were written by Taylor, but he also used a few songs by other songwriters. His idiosyncratic voice knows no equals to this date and his heartfelt singing lost nothing of its magic touch. He was accompanied by the absolute crème de la crème of instrumentalists and his albums were carefully arranged and produced. In retrospect these six albums are all absolute gems, which lost nothing of their power of expression and intrinsic delicate beauty during the years that passed since they were recorded. Taylor´s music impersonates American Classic Rock at its best, incorporating, mostly subconsciously, elements of Country & Western, Blues, Jazz and other indigenous American music sources with Pop and Rock, creating a unique style of his own, but one that corresponded to the music made in America at the time by many other Artists like Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist, Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, Carole KingFind albums by this artist, Carly SimonFind albums by this artist (to whom he was married at the time), Simon & GarfunkelFind albums by this artist, Stevie WonderFind albums by this artist and others. Many of these artists made appearances on the albums included here, the most surprising being probably Jazz guitar virtuoso John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, who contributed one of the songs and played guitar on it. Overall this Box Set is a true treasure chest of superb music, which deserves a proud place in any serious music collection. For me this is of course a voice of my Generation, but the music is absolutely relevant also today and hopefully some young listeners will discover this timeless piece of Art. Beyond essential!

Updated: 10/08/2019Posted: 10/08/2019

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

THIEVES` KITCHEN ~ THE WATER ROAD TK 4 (Barcode: 634479659010) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 4th album by British (well almost) Prog band Thieves` KitchenFind albums by this artist, which comes five years after their splendid previous release ShibbolethFind albums with this title – quite a long time of course, but plainly worth the delay in view of the result. TK are one of the very few bands, which manages to make giant leaps between consecutive albums, all in the right direction. Each of their albums has not only been different stylistically and conceptually, but they consistently keep growing up and expanding their musical and lyrical vocabulary. Whereas the last album took them into the ambitious RIO direction, this one takes another turn and brings the band very closely to Scandinavian Prog, with Isildurs BaneFind albums by this artist and AnglagardFind albums by this artist coming to mind almost immediately. The fact that the band has a Scandinavian member (ex-AnglagardFind albums by this artist keyboards player) and a few of the guest musicians on this album are Scandinavians as well might have something to do with this, but I prefer to give them the credit for choosing this path as part of their intentional direction-seeking. In view of the fact that Scandinavian Prog is definitely the most advanced and aesthetically rewarding on the contemporary Prog scene, TK could have chosen no better bearing than this. Fronted by the remarkable vocalist Amy DarbyFind albums by this artist, the band includes also four exceptional instrumentalist: Phil MercyFind albums by this artist – guitars, Thomas JohnsonFind albums by this artist – keyboards, Andy BonhamFind albums by this artist – bass and Mark RobothamFind albums by this artist – drums. Although Darby’s vocal parts are the most striking and immediately noticeable feature, there are plenty of great instrumental parts here, which are worth listening to attentively. Darby (as I already mentioned in my review of the previous album, her first with TK) continues the great tradition of outstanding unconventional female vocalist like Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist (Julie DriscollFind albums by this artist) and Annette PeacockFind albums by this artist. On this album she also occasionally reminds me of Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, another great model to follow. As if her singing abilities are not sufficient, Derby also wrote all the original lyrics on this album (two of the tracks feature lyrics translated from Chinese and one uses Sanskrit) and took care of the elegant and exquisite graphic design of the album’s artwork (and the band’s web site). Definitely a talented lady! The music is mostly contemplative, slowly developing the intricate melodies, with plenty of breathing space and long instrumental passages. Expanding the band with guest musicians playing flute, cello, oboe, saxophone and other instruments, the music receives a loving treatment and intimate chamber character. Kudos to TK for creating this beautiful piece of music. I only hope that many people will enjoy this album as much as I have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

NORMA WINSTONE ~ IT`S LATER THAN YOU THINK PROVOCATEUR 1037 (Barcode: 5038491103721) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2006 British singer Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist has been my favorite Jazz singer for almost 40 years now, ever since I heard her performing in the late 1960s in the midst of the burgeoning British Jazz scene at the time. I always followed her extraordinary career closely and of course collected all her recordings, which in retrospect constitute a massive body of marvelous music. At the peak of the British Jazz scene in the late 1960s – 1970s she sang with the best: Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist, Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, John SurmanFind albums by this artist and many others, contributing not only her extraordinary vocal performances but also her talent as a lyricist. With the decline of the local scene she continued on the European scene, both as a soloist and with the trio AzimuthFind albums by this artist (with her husband, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist). She is an enormously versatile performer, feeling at ease in any environment, from classic Jazz standards to Avant-Garde explorations. I always found her to be the most sensitive, highly musical and open-minded interpreter of both the music and the lyrics, which turn everything she touches into High Art. Happily for the music lovers, her talent and abilities seem to be untouched by time and she’s able to deliver her best up to this very day, which is well documented on this album as well. Accompanied by the splendid NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist (Northern German Radio Big Band resident in Hamburg), one of the best Jazz Big Bands in the world today, Norma delivers a wonderful set of songs, all brilliantly arranged by Colin TownsFind albums by this artist, who also conducted the band. The choice of material is fascinating and quite challenging as well, as Norma performs songs written by such dissimilar composers as Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, Leonard CohenFind albums by this artist, Randy NewmanFind albums by this artist and Jaco PastoriusFind albums by this artist. Her highly personal delivery and the beautiful arrangements metamorphose these songs into completely new musical vistas, to the delight of any sensitive listener. The Big Band is used intelligently and skillfully, to serve as a perfect companion to her vocal delivery, without being overwhelming, in spite of its inherent might. The musicians are all virtuosi and highly experienced soloists, which is clearly evident from the instrumental solos, and include such renowned Jazz musicians as saxophonist Christof LauerFind albums by this artist and pianist (and my dear friend of Polish origin) Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist. The recording and sound quality are stunning and resemble the sonic excellence of other European labels like ECMFind albums on this label Records. For me this is a great example of a perfect album – the music, the musicians and a voice of a Diva – what else can one ask for? Essential food for the soul.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend

MARGO ZUBER ~ CISZA SJ 077 (Barcode: 5905489720522) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz vocalist / songwriter Margo ZuberFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in an unusual setting with the vocalist supported by Hammond organist Kajetan GalasFind albums by this artist, pianist Mateusz PalkaFind albums by this artist and drummer Grzegorz PalkaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, eight of which are original songs, one composed by Zuber, five co-composed by Zuber and Galas and two composed by Galas, all with lyrics by Zuber. The ninth, a bonus track, is an interpretation of the iconic “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” composed by Charles MingusFind albums by this artist with words by Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. Despite the fact that Galas is one of my favorite Polish Hammond players and I absolutely love his playing here, and both Mateusz Palka and Grzegorz Palka are excellent and by now very experienced instrumentalists, and together they manage to provide a very interesting and unusual instrumental accompaniment on this album, the rest of it does not work for me. The compositions are way too similar to each other, which makes the album sound samey and flat for the entire duration. The vocal parts have a very limited range, both emotional and musical. There are some touching moments of course, especially the brilliant piano touches, but not enough to support a lasting interest in the music for the entire duration. It is a matter of taste I suppose, but sadly I remained unconvinced, although I did listen to the very end waiting for the bonus track, which sadly wasn’t able to save the day. Overall, despite an honest effort on my side I remain unimpressed, which of course is entirely my fault. I hope to be proven wrong next time and thank everybody for their efforts.

Updated: 25/03/2024Posted: 25/03/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend