Anthony Lazaro

Ever since it’s triumphant premiere in January 1960, Frederick Ashton's La fille mal gardée has been esteemed as one of his happiest creations. This is a charming piece, elegantly performed, a village love affair set in the idyllic Constable landscape of Ashton's imagination. Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta would be show-stoppers in almost any suitable role, but as Lise and Colas they are superb. William Tuckett and Jonathan Howells, in the comic roles of Simone and Alain respectively, are every bit as arresting, both displaying a certain genius for knockabout. The luminously colourful Osbert Lancaster designs, together with the vitality of The Royal Ballet’s dancing and vibrant playing from the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House under the baton of Anthony Twiner, serve to augment the harmless good fun at which Ashton excels.

Before starting to write haunting music for his songs, Anthony Joseph wrote music for the spoken voice: poetry, in other words. This influence is palpable; he isn’t just a singer. He is a guru, a Caribbean wizard who exhorts, uplifts the soul and sends it flying around his African brass and percussion. The legacy of James Brown, Sly Stone or Sun Ra is present but his charisma, his passion for live performance makes Anthony Joseph one of most singular amongst all unique soul artists. "Apart from sex and certain LSD trips, there’s nothing better than being on stage with musicians who give it all they’ve got to a screaming audience."

Jordi Savall, Nigel Rogers, Anthony Bailes - A Musicall Banquet 1610 (1977) {EMI "Reflexe" CDM 7 63429 2 rel 1991}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 246 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 124 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 1991 EMI Classics / EMI Electrola / EMI Reflexe | CDM 7 63429 2
Classical / Renaissance / Baroque

"Furnished with a varietie of delicious Ayres, collected out of the best authors in English, French, Spanish and Italian". Robert Dowland the son of Dowland "The English Orpheus" was the compiler of this fine anthology dedicated to Sir Robert Sidney, once Lord Chamberlain. In an age of "conceit" It was common enough to select some contrasting idea or image and apply it to an unrelated concept—hence the title "Musicall Banquet" which Robert Dowland charmingly describes as "like a careful confectionary", continuing that "as neere as might be I have fitted my Banquet for all tastes".