Indebted 2

Recorded on location at Buddy Guy's Legends in the blues capital of the world, Chi-town, this DVD captures the inexhaustible Guy leading an all-star band through an electric set of highly-charged blues classics. The Saturday Night Live Band is featured with G.E. Smith, Lenny Pickett, Johnny Johnson, and more. Recorded at legendary bluesman Buddy Guy's Chicago establishment, Buddy Guy's Legend, this release sees the Grammy-winning artist playing some of his most-loved, classic songs. Included are "Damn Right, I've Got the Blues," "My Time After Awhile," and "I've Got News for You." Also performing is the Saturday Night Live Band featuring G.E. Smith, Lenny Pickett and Johnny Johnson.

Franz Xaver Scharwenka - Piano Music Vol.1 - Seta Tanyel (2002) {Hyperion-Helios CDH55131 rec 1991}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 178 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 148 Mb
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© 1991, 2002 Collins Classics / Hyperion Records / Helios | CDH55131
Classical / Romantic / Early 20th Century / Piano

'The recorded sound has all the freshness needed for this music' (Pianist). 'Seta Tanyel plays her well-contrasted selection with obvious affection and persuasive charm … playing of outstanding drive and verve' (International Record Review). Hyperion's series of the solo piano music of Xaver Scharwenka (reissued from Collins), played by Seta Tanyel, is worth getting to know for everyone who appreciates romantic piano music. It reveals Scharwenka as a deft craftsman with plenty of good ideas and deep knowledge of how to utilize the potential of his instrument to full effect. Volume 1, however, is far from the strongest installment in the series, and if you started with this one, were disappointed and decided to stop investigating, I encourage you to reconsider - volume 2, for instance, is definitely superior (though Scharwenka's concertos and chamber works are superior still).

Falling is an impressive debut album, particularly for a singer/songwriter who didn't even start guitar lessons or writing songs until she was almost thirty. Most debuts are derivative of or at least readily comparable to bigger names, but it's hard to place Damon next to any convenient benchmarks. The confident layered production and mix of pop smarts with artiness recalls Kate Bush in sensibility, perhaps, though Damon's voice doesn't sound at all like Bush's, and her material is less pretentious. While the songs tend toward the gently melodic side and the lyrics toward the give-and-take struggles of romantic and sexual relationships, there's an uneasy kick to the way they're spun, perhaps influenced by her own extensive academic work in psychology. Her voice has an appealing shy sultriness, and while her foreign accent is noticeable, actually it sounds kind of cool, without impeding the vocal clarity.

The piano music of Joaquín Rodrigo is rarely heard and practically unknown compared to his guitar works. This disc by Artur Pizarro should help rectify the oversight. None of the works here are as substantial as Rodrigo's concertos, but the colorings and expressions are just as rich as in those larger works. Many of these are indebted in some way to other composers. The first piece is an homage to Isaac Albéniz's Torre Bermeja (Crimson Tower), appropriately entitled In the Shadow for the Crimson Tower. Rodrigo wrote the glowingly resonant Sonada de adiós in memory of Paul Dukas, one of his teachers.

Don Cherry - Complete Communion (1965) {Blue Note 22673 rel 2000, Ron McMaster}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 266 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 97 Mb
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© 1965, 2000 Blue Note / Capitol | 7243 5 22673 2 3 | Blue Note Connoisseur CD Series
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Cornet

Arguably the best of Cherry's albums for Blue Note – and a real masterpiece of soulful avant playing! The group features Cherry on cornet, Gato Barbieri on tenor (and he's incredible, by the way!), Henry Grimes on bass, and Ed Blackwell on drums. Grimes and Blackwell are more than just timekeepers – and deliver a lot of the melody of the session, yet still never lose their sense of swing. Barbieri's fragile raw tone proves to be a good one to work with Cherry, even if there are a few touches of Ornette in his playing. The album's divided up into 2 long suites – "Complete Communion" and "Elephantasy" – both of which are excellent. A real treat – with no sloppiness, lots of fresh ideas, and a good sense of both freedom and control!