Sakya Buddhist Monks

Armonico Consort return to album on Signum with a collection of Handel arias, performed by leading counter-tenor William Towers. A noted soloist in both opera and oratorio, the programme is taken from roles which Towers has sung across his career in various productions across the globe. Towers writes: “It is the life-affirming, live-giving aspect of Handel that I’m aiming to celebrate. So frequently his operas reveal their most devastatingly beautiful and uplifting music when life is at its darkest. Here the arias shine brightest, here we find Radamisto’s ‘Ombra cara’ and the boundlessly optimistic ‘Dopo l’orrore’, looking out beyond the darkest clouds to the faint glimmer of a dawning hope. This is the uncrushable, indomitable spirit that lies in all of us … We just need to take the time to listen.”

A note of caution first to the unobservant purchaser who picks up this CD, believing, in glee, that he has stumbled across a premiere recording of Alessandro Scarlatti's Dixit Dominus, newly come to light - or, if not, possibly by his son, Domenico, usually better known for his keyboard music. These works, indeed premiere recordings, are in fact by Domenico's uncle and Alessandro's younger brother, Francesco.

Armonico Consort return to album on Signum with a collection of Handel arias, performed by leading counter-tenor William Towers. A noted soloist in both opera and oratorio, the programme is taken from roles which Towers has sung across his career in various productions across the globe. Towers writes: “It is the life-affirming, live-giving aspect of Handel that I’m aiming to celebrate. So frequently his operas reveal their most devastatingly beautiful and uplifting music when life is at its darkest. Here the arias shine brightest, here we find Radamisto’s ‘Ombra cara’ and the boundlessly optimistic ‘Dopo l’orrore’, looking out beyond the darkest clouds to the faint glimmer of a dawning hope. This is the uncrushable, indomitable spirit that lies in all of us … We just need to take the time to listen.”

Monks - The Early Years 1964- 1965 (2009) {Light In The Attic Records LITA041 rel 2009} (Remastered & Expanded)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 229 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 87 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 181 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1964-65, 2009 Light In The Attic Records | LITA 041
Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Garage Rock / Proto-Punk / Experimental Rock

The Monks started life as five American GIs stationed in Germany, playing beat music together during downtime. After their discharge Gary Burger, Larry Clark, Dave Day, Eddie Shaw and Roger Johnston formed The Torquays, a band that only morphed into The Monks after a bit of conceptualising, stipulating that the group should become the "anti-Beatles", wearing robes and nooses around their necks (stealing the theatrical thunder from SunnO))) by forty years or so).

Three Monks - The Legend of the Holy Circle (2013) {Black Widow BWRCD159-2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 319 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 127 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 34 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2013 Black Widow Records | BWRCD159-2
Rock / Progressive Rock / Symphonic Rock

After their impressive debut in 2010 'Neo Gothic Progressive Toccatas' comes another slice of pipe organ heaven from this Italian band. Its strictly a trio format (although two different drummers are used) and all 'instrumental' over its 7 tracks and running time of 50 odd minutes. I'm not a classical music lover so this is as close to actually listening to that genre I will ever get. For those familiar with the debut this is not quite as 'raw'. I think they have tried to make the sound a bit softer and introduced synths into the mix which if I recollect correctly were not present on the debut. At times it reminds me of the Japanese trio Ars Nova especially on the more energetic sections.

Birds & Monks features five tenors: Johnny Griffin, Harold Land, Joe Farrell, John Klemmer, and Joe Henderson - and altoist Art Pepper - playing one song apiece (five tunes by Charlie Parker along with Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight"). Pianist Stanley Cowell provides accompaniment (but sits out on the Henderson cut); either Cecil McBee or John Heard are on bass, and Roy Haynes plays the skins. Each of the saxophonists plays quite well, with John Klemmer's version of "'Round Midnight" being the only ballad. This release is easily recommended for bop fanatics.

The Monks - Black Monk Time (1966) {Light In The Attic Records LITA042 rel 2009} (Remastered & Expanded)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 291 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 111 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 284 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1966, 2009 Polydor / Light In The Attic Records | LITA 042
Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Garage Rock / Proto-Punk / Experimental Rock

The one astounding studio album of proto punk/abrasive psych genius from the Monks – a true masterpiece if their ever was one, a record that's been ripped off by myriad more famous groups in both the mainstream and rock underground of the past 40 years! The group's status as discharged G.I.'s informs some of spewed vitriol, but beyond that there's little connection to any trends or scenes, the Monks are true originals in a world of imitators, and that adds a layer of excitement to an already mind blowing listen.