Sketches Of Spain                                                CD

Miles Davis  arranged and conducted by Gil Evans

1960/1997 Columbia/Legacy Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Miles Davis's impact on jazz is almost incalculable. From his early days as a sideman for Charlie Parker, through his groundbreaking Birth of the Cool sessions, to his stunning small groups of the '50s and '60s, through to his electric renaissance, the trumpeter, bandleader, and composer has left a deep mark on all who came after. He is one of jazz's true giants. Sketches of Spain, though one of Davis's most commercially successful sessions, is also one of his most controversial. Re-teaming with arranger and composer Gil Evans, who played such a pivotal role in Davis's 1949 Birth of the Cool recordings, Davis recorded a series of large group albums beginning in the late '50s, including Porgy and Bess, Miles Ahead, and Quiet Nights. Sketches of Spain, with its emphasis on flamenco, rich orchestrations, and relaxed tempos, is certainly one of Davis's most mellow recordings (he even works out on fluegelhorn), and proved to have broad appeal. To some critics, however, the project was "elevated elevator music." An expanded version of the album, featuring alternative tracks and unreleased material, was issued in 1997 by Columbia Legacy. --Fred Goodman

1. Concierto de Aranjuez 2. Will O' the Wisp $0.99   3. Pan Piper, The $0.99   4. Saeta $0.99   5. Solea 6. Song of Our Country - (bonus track) $0.99   7. Concierto de Aranjuez (Part One) - (alternate take, bonus track) 8. Concierto de Aranjuez (Part Two-Ending) - (alternate take, bonus track) $0.99

D amn!                                                                                                         CD

Jimmy Smith

1995 Verve/Polygram Records

After an absence of 23 years, Jimmy Smith returned to Verve (the label that saw many of the jazz legend's finest efforts in the '60s) with this 1995 recording. Backed by cast of superb musicians--including Roy Hargrove on trumpet and the late Arthur Taylor on drums--Smith sounds better than ever here. He displays not only his legendary technical prowess on the Hammond but also a looseness and vigor well in keeping with his Verve legacy.

The selection of tunes speaks volumes. This set is deeply entrenched in the purest traditions of innovative jazz and funk--from a crisply arranged reading of "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" to Dizzy Gillespie's "Woody 'N You," Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man," and Bird's "Scrapple From The Apple." The players swing relentlessly, drawing inspiration from and giving new life to the classics they interpret. While Hargrove and saxophonists Ron Blake and Mark Turner give standout performances, it is ultimately Smith's show. He unfurls his rhythmic and harmonically complex, mind-bogglingly fluid keyboard lines with the flourish befitting a proper homecoming.

Recorded at the Power Station, New York, New York on January 24-25, 1995. Includes liner notes by Richard Seidel.

Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Abraham Burton (alto saxophone); Tim Warfield, Ron Blake, Mark Turner (tenor saxophone); Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton (trumpet); Mark Whitfield (guitar); Christian McBride (bass); Arthur Taylor, Bernard Purdie (drums).

JazzTimes (10/95, p.88) - "...There's a palpable joy in these grooves..."

 

CHANTERAI
Music of Medieval France
Sonus

Dorian

 Whyzdom - From the Brink of Infinity:

This is some very well done female-fronted symphonic power metal.

 

ELOQUENCE
Bill Evans

Fantasy

Joshua Judges Ruth                                                           CD

Lyle Lovett

1992 MCA Records

In the wake of the stylistic curveball that was LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND, the Texas singer/songwriter took the opportunity afforded by his newfound fame to indulge in as many different musical styles as he pleased on JOSHUA JUDGES RUTH (an ...    Full Descriptionalbum title drawn from three books of the Bible, that slyly tips its hat to Lovett's penchant for detailing woman trouble). He combines the progressive country leanings of his first two albums with the jazzy style of his previous album, but along the way he throws in gospel and R&B influences as well.

No one can describe heartbreak from a cool, literary distance like Lovett, and "She's Already Made Up Her Mind" and "She's Leaving Me Because She Really Wants To" are breakup songs worthy of minimalist author Raymond Carver. On the lighter side, "Church" is a light-hearted gospel romp that's remains one of Lovett's biggest crowd-pleasers, and "She Makes Me Feel Good" closes the album on the closest thing to an up note that a lovable cynic like Lovett can muster.

Personnel includes: Lyle Lovett (vocals, acoustic guitar); Dean Parks (acoustic guitar); Ray Herndon, Billy Williams (electric guitar); Leo Kottke (guitar); Jay Dee Maness (pedal steel guitar); John Hagen (cello); Plas Johnson (tenor saxophone); Matt Rollings (piano); Leland Sklar (bass); Russ Kunkel (drums); Ricky Lee Jones, Emmylou Harris, Sir Harry Bowen, Sweet Pea Atkinson (background vocals).

	1.	I've Been to Memphis	$0.99
	2.	Church	$0.99
	3.	She's Already Made up Her Mind	$0.99
	4.	North Dakota	$0.99
	5.	You've Been So Good up to Now	$0.99
	6.	All My Love Is Gone	$0.99
	7.	Since the Last Time	$0.99
	8.	Baltimore	$0.99
	9.	Family Reserve	$0.99
	10.	She's Leaving Me Because She Really Wants To	$0.99
	11.	Flyswatter / Ice Water Blues	$0.99
	12.	She Makes Me Feel Good	$0.99

 Finally getting to listen to Dreamland's brand-new one.  So far, I really like it a lot!

Dreamland - Exit 49:

 Coronatus - Lux Noctis:

Product Description

On PBS (Indianapolis' WFYI 20.1)   -   Live By Request John Fogerty

A lot of great tunes (in between the send us money parts).  Band includes Billy Burnett (name sounds familar) on guitar and drummer, who John announced as the greatest rock drummer or something like that, Kenny Aronoff.  Greatest or not, definitely no slouch. 

Now, to listen to thier newer one....

Coronatus - Porta Obscura:

Enlightenment                                                                     CD

Van Morrison

1990 Polydor Records

After spending most of the '80s delving deep into Celtic imagery, Van Morrison made ENLIGHTENMENT, using the early rock 'n' roll and R&B of his youth for inspiration. "Real Real Gone" quotes lines from songs by James Brown, Wilson Pickett and ...    Full DescriptionSolomon Burke to reflect getting squarely hit by Cupid's arrow, while "In The Days Before Rock 'N' Roll" is where Morrison gets truly nostalgic about the music of his youth. As usual, the imagery used by the Belfast Cowboy is sharp and buttressed by gorgeous string arrangements.

Morrison's ruminations on love and life traipse some of the same dark corners as Frank Sinatra's more melancholy '50s work. The near-whispered vocals and low rumble of harmonica on "See Me Through" are soaked with a spiritual restlessness that contrasts the sweetness of "She's My Baby" and the upbeat spirit of "Youth Of 1,000 Summers" (a song ripe to be used as a comeback by any number of '60s soul vets).

	1.	Real Real Gone	$0.99
	2.	Enlightenment	$0.99
	3.	So Quiet In Here	$0.99
	4.	Avalon Of The Heart	$0.99
	5.	See Me Through	$0.99
	6.	Youth Of 1000 Summers	$0.99
	7.	In The Days Before Rock'n'Roll	$0.99
	8.	Start All Over Again	$0.99
	9.	She's My Baby	$0.99
	10.	Memories	$0.99

His Band And The Street Choir                                               CD

Van Morrison

1970/1990 Warner Bros. Records

The dark night of the soul that culminated in ASTRAL WEEKS found its counterpart in Morrison's next two albums, the seminal MOONDANCE and its subsequent sister, HIS BAND & THE STREET CHOIR. Both released in 1970, these latter two albums defined ...    Full Descriptionthe folk/soul/blues amalgam that would prove to be the foundation of Morrison's music. The photos inside the sleeve reveal Van as country gentleman, looking at home and (dare we say it) happy. This image is furthered by his then-wife Janet Planet's liner notes, which paint a picture of Van as a man reborn.

The music more than bears this out. The tunes here are among the most soulful in Morrison's repertoire. The classic opener "Domino" finds him wailing over a punchy horn section and insistent, percolating rhythms, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Van rocks his way through the R&B-inflected "Blue Money," gets down on the funk workout "I've Been Working," and waxes lyrical on "If I Ever Needed Someone," which seems to be both a gospel song and love ballad simultaneously. HIS BAND & THE STREET CHOIR is perhaps Morrison's most open, exuberant recording.

	1.	Domino	$0.99
	2.	Crazy Face	$0.99
	3.	Give Me a Kiss	$0.99
	4.	I've Been Working	$0.99
	5.	Call Me up in Dreamland	$0.99
	6.	I'll Be Your Lover, Too	$0.99
	7.	Blue Money	$0.99
	8.	Virgo Clowns	$0.99
	9.	Gypsy Queen	$0.99
	10.	Sweet Jannie	$0.99
	11.	If I Ever Needed Someone	$0.99
	12.	Street Choir	$0.99

Quiet Nights                                                           CD

Diana Krall

2009 Verve Records

Product Description

Diana Krall's 12th album Quiet Nights is an intimate recording of ballads and bossa novas from the team that brought you her best-selling GRAMMY Award-winning CD The Look of Love. Accompanied by her quartet and orchestra, Diana turns her sensual vocals and consummate piano skills to "The Boy from Ipanema", "Walk on By"and other classic tunes. Quiet Nights is initially available as a limited edition CD including 2 bonus tracks - her stunning rendition of the Bee Gee's "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" and the standard "Every Time We Say Goodbye". Also available on LP pressed on 180 Gram Vinyl.

	1.	Where Or When	$0.99
	2.	Too Marvelous For Words	$0.99
	3.	I've Grown Accustomed To His Face	$0.99
	4.	Boy From Ipanema, The	$1.29
	5.	Walk On By	$1.29
	6.	You're My Thrill	$0.99
	7.	Este Seu Olhar	$0.99
	8.	So Nice	$0.99
	9.	Quiet Nights	$0.99
	10.	Guess I'll Hange My Tears Out To Dry	$0.99
	11.	How Can You Mend A Broken Heart	$1.29
	12.	Everytime We Say Goodbye	$0.99

ACTUS TRAGICUS, BWV 106
ACH WIE FLÜCHTIG, ACH WIE NICHTIG, BWV 26
Johann Sebastian Bach
Hans-Martin Linde, blockflöte
Münchener Bach-Chor
Münchener Bach-Orchester
Karl Richter, dir.

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CHARACTERS
John Abercrombie

ECM