Lola Astanova

Bassoonist Lola Descours, prize-winner of the prestigious Tchaikovsky competition in 2019, performs an all-Russian programme of music transcribed for bassoon and piano. A passionate advocate for the bassoon and its often underestimated capacity for colour and expression, Lola Descours performs repertoire of great variety, including Glinka, considered to be the first great Russian composer, as well as lyrical Tchaikovsky, romantic Rachmaninov, powerful Scriabin and sardonic Shostakovich. The programme is brought up to date with a dream-like piece by contemporary Russian composer Lera Auerbach. Lola Descours is partnered in this recital by pianist Paloma Koulder, with whom she has made several of the arrangements heard on the album.

Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One is the eighth studio album by The Kinks, one of the most influential rock acts of all time, and was recorded and released in 1970. A concept album, it is a satirical appraisal of the music industry, including song publishers, unions, the press, accountants, business managers, and life on the road. This classic album appeared during a transitional period for the Kinks, and was a critical and commercial success. 50th anniversary Digipack CD release contains the original album new remaster from original HD master tapes plus alternate mono track versions and two new Ray Davies mixes. Features the hit singles Lola and Apeman. Produced in association with The Kinks, with audio and visual content curated by Ray Davies.

Carrie Rodriguez is a Texan singer-songwriter and violinist whose repertoire includes country, folk and rock, but is at her best when she explores her Mexican roots. Her great aunt Eva Garza, a Spanish-language singing star in the 1940s, inspired Rodriguez to “create my own blend of Tex-Mex music”. It’s a mix of classic Mexican songs, many slow and unashamedly emotional, and her own compositions, which are often in the ranchera tradition. The opener, Perfidia, shows how well Rodriguez has succeeded. She revives this tuneful, well-worn song of betrayal with pained, attacking vocals, helped by strong harmony work by Raul Malo and glorious twanging guitar by the great Bill Frisell. Elsewhere, there’s a powerful treatment of the 30s love song Noche de Ronda. Rodriguez’s compositions have a dash of country-blues and include a tribute to the ranchera star Lola Beltrán. This is a fresh, confident set.