Kevin Henry

From the start of this CD, a very spirited version of Lionel Hampton's "Boogie Woogie" (here renamed "Boogie #427), through a set full of boogie-woogie piano (even on non-blues tunes), blues ballads, and New Orleans-style R&B, this is a delightful outing. Kevin McKendree's piano style mixes together boogie-woogie, Ramsey Lewis, and Ray Bryant without sounding like a copy of any of them. He and drummer Big Joe Maher (who recalls Ray Charles and Charles Brown) each take two vocals, including one apiece with the backing of a tasteful three-voice vocal section. The other players are fine, but it is McKendree's piano (occasionally augmented by organ) that keeps the excitement really going. Highlights include a laid-back "Let's Get Go Stoned," "Just Before Sunrise," "Fool's Paradise," and "Sixty Sharp Knives." This accessible outing is well worth checking out.

Recorded by Sean Murray at the HR Recordings “Music Room” , Madrid. September 20th and 21st, 2024. Soundfield microphones. C. Bechstein Piano, (1899) Piano preparation by Mario Izquierdo Manzano. (Pianos Izquierdo S.L.) Violoncello by Martin Schleske, 2017. München. Germany. Special thanks to Sandy Gibbons.

Recorded by Sean Murray at the HR Recordings “Music Room” , Madrid. September 20th and 21st, 2024. Soundfield microphones. C. Bechstein Piano, (1899) Piano preparation by Mario Izquierdo Manzano. (Pianos Izquierdo S.L.) Violoncello by Martin Schleske, 2017. München. Germany. Special thanks to Sandy Gibbons.

…Parrott parades his smooth and integrated forces with less instant theatricality. Instead we have here a typically homogeneous and unfolding scenario: how organically and gently "Tis Nature's voice" emerges, with Rogers Covey-Crump expressing the passions with a wonderful air of mystery. So too, "Soul of the world" — what a transcendent concluding passage — which has never been bettered for atmosphere and clarity of ensemble. The solo singing here is good (there is some exquisite work from Emma Kirkby and from tenors Charles Daniels and Paul Elliott in "In vain the am'rous flute").

The real-life relationship between two of the most controversial literary figures of the 20th century forms the basis for this drama. Anaïs Nin (Maria de Medeiros) is a struggling author trying to finish her first book, a study of the work of D.H. Lawrence. She also has a keen sexual curiosity that is not being satisfied by her sweet but unexciting husband, Hugo (Richard E. Grant). Through Hugo's friend Richard (Kevin Spacey), Anaïs is introduced to Henry Miller (Fred Ward), a writer from America who shares Anaïs' passion for both eros and literature; she is later introduced to June (Uma Thurman), Henry's wife and a practicing bisexual. While Anaïs is attracted to Henry, to her surprise, she's even more strongly drawn to June; June, however, must return to America, and with her approval, Henry and Anaïs begin an affair. Anaïs' newfound sense of sexual liberation leads her to several new lovers over the next several months, but she and Henry find themselves pursuing the same object of affection when June returns to Paris. Henry & June's frank but tasteful treatment of sexual themes led the MPAA to threaten the film with an X-rating; instead, the film became the first feature released with the revised NC-17 classification.