The violin and cello duo cannot be considered as a musical rarity; yet it is also far from one of the most popular instrumental combinations in Western classical music. It is a challenging ensemble for both those composing for it and those venturing in the performance of its repertoire. It is a duo which invites counterpoint: the deep nature of both instruments and their vocation is to melodic singing, to the sustained lines which translate the human being’s aspiration to vocality into instrumental music. In consequence, to undertake a composition for violin and cello duo is also to implicitly accept the challenge of polyphony, and to affirm one’s mastery of its most intricate secrets.
42 original albums (+4 EPs and 27 Singles) gathered on 20CDs ‘Jazz From America On Disques Vogue’ reviews the revolutionary passage from the 78 rpm to the Long-Play era. A totally cool little package – one that features 20 different CDs, each done as a different tiny replica of a 10" LP that originally appeared on the Vogue Records label overseas! Vogue was well-known for recording important sessions by American jazzmen in Paris in the early 50s – but this package brings together work that was recorded in America by many of the same artists, and issued by Vogue in unique packages overseas – many of which are replicated here, along with bonus material too! The set features 20 CDs, but includes 40 different albums – as each CD features tracks from original 10" album releases – with full details on tracks, personnel, and other information in the large booklet provided – a great complement to the records by artists who include Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Red Norvo, Lester Young, Mahalia Jackson, Spirit Of Memphis Quartet, Wynonie Harris, Earl Bostic, Charlie Parker, Charlie Christian, Art Tatum, Erroll Garner, Sidney Bechet, Miles Davis, and others!
Kai Hansen formed Helloween in 1984, playing guitar and singing on the speed metal band's first four albums. He left in early 1989, however, and founded Gamma Ray with vocalist Ralf Scheepers (formerly with Tyran Pace). The duo intended to record a one-off project that Hansen originated while in Helloween, so they recruited bassist Uwe Wessel, drummer Matthias Burchardt, and several other musicians…
A unique mixture of desperation and serenity that has always been present in his music; the title track and "Emma" are the first ones to get to your head, but then comes the time also for "Desperate Times", "The Last Thing on my Mind" and almost all the others…