'74 And Sunny

This budget-priced two-for-one collection presents a pair of mid-1970s albums by Floridian singer-songwriter Lobo (born Roland Kent Lavoie): JUST A SINGER (’74) and A COWBOY AFRAID OF HORSES (’75). Highlights of the set include the breezy light-rock tunes “Rings” and “Don’t Tell Me Goodnight,” songs that embody Lobo’s sunny, laid-back sound.

Aptly titled, 'The Great Vocalists Of Jazz & Entertainment', culls 748 of the absolute finest recordings by top singers of the pre-rock era of the '30s, '40s & '50s.

Having made their LP debut with half an album's worth of repackaged oldies, the Sweet then followed through with an entire disc of the things, drawing from both their own recent back catalog and that of songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, to create a record of almost unholy pop pleasure…

The Guitar Play-Along Series will help you play your favorite songs quickly and easily! Just follow the tab, listen to the audio to hear how the guitar should sound, and then play along using the separate backing tracks. The melody and lyrics are also included in the book in case you want to sing, or to simply help you follow along. The audio is available online for download or streaming, and it is enhanced so you can adjust the recording to any tempo without changing pitch! …

The two Bodorova pieces are patently sincere, deeply moving and subtle. Bodorová demonstrates a simplicity of utterance that bring her close to the souls of Finzi (Introit), Macmillan (Gowdie) and Pärt (Cantus). The Terezin Requiem refers to the Holocaust with Terezin (or Theresienstadt) being the model 'camp' which Hitler had filmed to show how happily confined the Jews were. Two devotional (not contemplative) movements frame a fast one. The baritone Nigel Cliffe has a meaty voice adept at the sort of hieratic melisma called for by the composer……….My recording of the month.

Rob Barnett @ musicweb-international.com