When veteran film composer Mychael Danna entered 2006, he probably thought his tradition-drenched, Renaissance-inspired score to this film about the opening chapter of "the greatest story ever told" would be heard by more people than the quirkier one he wrote for Little Miss Sunshine. But Sunshine was a Best Picture Oscar nominee and this one proved to be just a reasonably popular Jesus story. Recorded in Los Angeles, The Nativity Story score artfully blends native Middle Eastern instruments like Persian and Turkish ney flutes with more traditional pre-Baroque European ones like the viola de gamba, vielle, harp, and recorders. Danna's dual intent seemed to be to ground the story in its geographical roots while also underscoring the power the story had over the Western world in subsequent centuries.
Even in the glory days of Yes and when the fabulously talented Rick Wakeman appears on live stages and performances in live shows and tapes throughout his career you realize you are dealing with a piano master, and tour de force of sound and stage. Wakeman brings glory and humanity to his craft as always on Piano Portraits as he masterfully reworks famous songs, and some a poignant tribute to the late great David Bowie which are particularly awe-inspiring as most of the pieces here are quite moving and engaging with all the stylistic bravado one could expect from Mr. Wakeman.
Un Regard 9 is the title of both the CD and DVD from Lara Fabian's 2005/2006 tour of the same name which followed her 2005 studio release, titled 9. The CD and DVD were both released separately and together as a limited edition box set. The CD and DVD were both recorded live on 29 March 2006 at the Zenith in Paris. The CD presents 15 live performances plus a brand new song, "Aime," recorded in a studio in Montreal, Quebec.
Guitar maestro Josh Smith has always been inventive in his work, but he goes the extra mile on this one by delivering the feel of one of his live performances even though this CD was recorded within the confines of his new Flat V Studios…