Malcolm 2.0

Spanning the years 1994 to 2014, The RCA Sessions comprises 16 cuts in a CD/DVD retrospective that includes tracks from each of his previous 10 full length albums and 1 EP. Unlike the usual anthology of original recordings, Holcombe re-recorded the selected songs at the legendary RCA Studios in Nashville, TN in the fall of 2014. Included is the live performance favorite, "Mouth Harp Man", which is exclusive to this release, as well as well as the popular tracks "Goin' Home", "Who Carried You", and a very special duet with Irish folk great, Maura O'Connell, of Holcombe's classic, "A Far Cry From Here".

Acclaimed North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Malcolm Holcombe, "a troubadour seemingly from another age" (Elmore), released 'Come Hell or High Water'. Featuring collaborations with celebrated roots-music couple Iris DeMent and Greg Brown, the 13-track album is trademark Malcolm. Chiseled out of a life abundant in both hard times and sweet ones, with an ache of loveliness and loneliness, of torment and hope, woven throughout, his songs paint vivid portraits, turning them into haunting, brooding, moving affairs. Recorded at Dagotown Recorders in Boston, MA, 'Come Hell or High Water' was produced by Marco Giovino and Jared Tyler. Holcombe was joined in studio by Jared Tyler (mandola, dobro, classical guitar, harmony vocals), Marco Giovino (drums, percussion), Iris DeMent (harmony vocals) and Greg Brown (harmony vocals).

The fourth and final installment in a complete edition of Debussy songs might not seem to be a chartbuster, but that's just what this release by British soprano Lucy Crowe has become, and it deserves every bit of its success. In fact, you might even pick this one over the other three if you're looking to sample Crowe's approach: the program is exceptionally well put together, and it begins with Debussy's first published song, Tragédie, of 1881. There are several other early songs, giving insight into the young Debussy's romantic life as well as hints of the musical language to come and some real experiments (you could sample the Rondel chinois). From there, the program proceeds to later music but is not strictly chronological: instead Crowe leads you onto a path of extremely quiet songs wherein Debussy challenges the soprano to reside in her upper register, and Crowe meets the challenges beautifully. The tension is remarkable, with just a single piano solo and a pair of songs to Debussy's own texts (Nuits blanches, or Sleepless Nights) with baritone Christopher Maltman to break it. The music broadens out with some later songs, ending with Debussy's swan song, Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maisons, of 1915. The contributions of pianist Malcolm Martineau are substantial; he produces some truly eerie sounds in the quieter pieces. Highly recommended and often haunting.

Malcolm McLaren was an English impresario, visual artist, performer, musician, clothes designer and boutique owner, notable for combining these activities in an inventive and provocative way. He is best known as a promoter and manager of bands the New York Dolls and the Sex Pistols.
1st CD is full of the compositions and arrangements of Malcolm McLaren including his original lyrics and most often his spoken contributions to the pieces. He is certainly a creative musician and conceptual artist. The remake of Serge Gainsbourg's "Je T'Aime …Moi Non Plus" is very well done. The album also features Catherine Deneauve, the actress; Sonia Rykiel, the clothing designer; and Francoise Hardy, the French pop star sing with him on various selections.
The 2nd CD is the instrumental mixes.