Counting Woody Pines

Raised bilingually in Aberystwyth, West Wales, Georgia's haunting voice has earned her favourable comparisons with the melancholy folk sirens of the late 60s. Her unusual fingerpicking style of playing the harp was inspired more by the guitar on Bert Jansch, Meic Stevens and old folk revivalist records than by the classical method she was taught as a child. Yet 'Week of Pines' is not just a tribute to these.

Mosaic's new collection from bandleader Woody Herman is, flat out, one of the most unique sets we've ever issued, thanks to a rare opportunity it gives us to combine the treasures of a few different music libraries. "The Complete Woody Herman Decca, Mars and MGM Sessions (1943-1954)" presents Woody on seven CDs over a remarkable span of his development: at the very beginning of his career leading a band that would become one of the most enduring in music; a few years later, in the studio and in concert at Carnegie Hall, when the band was enjoying its much-deserved, worldwide renown; and during the Third Herd period, when Woody was not only running his own band but his own record operation as well.

ABOVE THE PRAIRIE…the fifth album to date from Iowa-born, Minnesota-based indie-folk group THE PINES…arrives like a harvest moon over the Great Plains, a sonic palette stretching from the hard ground to the bright stars. The follow-up to 2012's critically-acclaimed Dark So Gold, the album's distinctly Midwestern texture and song sensibility present 10 new originals exhibiting the lyrical richness, sweeping instrumentals, and darkly beautiful collaborations that have won the band fans worldwide. Recorded in Iowa and St. Paul, MN, Above the Prairie explores the space between the vastness of the plains and the interstellar world, exploring the isolated farms and small towns of the prairie and the dignity of those who choose to remain.

Included in the new collection are the mid- to late-1970s recordings saw him break through as an inspiring and influential musician and bandleader. Also included are the Muse sets from his return to the label from 1983 through 1987, where as a mature musician he displayed his range on the instrument and his appreciation for music of many jazz disciplines. The "Complete Muse" concept allows us also to present Woody's very first set from 1965 when he was just 20 years old. Originally recorded for Blue Note but returned to Woody by Alfred Lion when the record company founder experienced remorse over selling his label, it became a Muse set years later.

So complex and substance-affected was their evolution, Bardo Pond have been creating their dreamy riffs for 26 years alongside a myriad of side projects and their prolific Record Store Day releases. Returning with a career defining album, ‘Under The Pines’ sees them delve into the subconscious with their transcending cosmic post-rock.

One of the most gifted and innovative jazz musicians of his generation, trumpeter Woody Shaw navigated the rapidly fluctuating jazz scene of the '70s and '80s to create a lasting body of work that extends his influence well beyond his tragic death at age 44.

In This Land Sings, GRAMMY Award-winning composer Michael Daugherty has created an original musical tribute to the singer-songwriter and political activist Woody Guthrie (1912–1967). Traveling the backroads of America from coast to coast with a guitar and harmonica, Woody Guthrie performed folk songs of love, wandering and social justice during the Great Depression and the Second World War. Daugherty has composed his own original songs and instrumental interludes that give haunting expression, ironic wit and contemporary relevance to political, social and environmental themes from Guthrie’s era. Under the baton of GRAMMY Award-winning conductor David Alan Miller, the Albany Symphony’s new music ensemble Dogs of Desire, joined by soprano Annika Socolofsky and baritone John Daugherty, give a poignant and rousing performance.

Woody Herman,one of the shining lights of the big band era,has the release of 25 cuts from his 1945-47-period band,otherwise known as the First Herd and some from his Second Herd.The name"herd" was a moniker that had been kicking around the offices of "Metronome"(along with Downbeat the best source for music info) for years.It wasn't until around 1944 that the name started getting on going use in the music industry.His first well known band was referred to by many as "the band that played the blues" in the /30s and early /40s.When he switched labels from Decca to Columbia in Feb/45 he hired some of the best musicians he could find and boy what recordings came out of those sessions;and those arrangements! Fast moving and progressive swing with high end trumpets and beautiful harmonic runs,with a solid rhythmic back beat.It was the most successful band Woody ever had.Due to personal problems he disbanded the Herd in early 1947 but came back later in the year to put together another band known as the "Four Brothers" or the Second herd.Again the progressive/aggressive arrangements were on the table and the band blew with wild abandon.