Triple J Like A Version

A collection of moody and magnificent covers of Cave’s landmark compositions by Primal Scream, Sharon Van Etten, Giant Sand, Mark Lanegan, My Morning Jacket and more.

All-star jams can go two ways. They either turn out a muddled mess, or inspire everyone involved to new heights of musical synergy. Fortunately for blues, R&B, and soul fans, Triple Trouble belongs firmly in the latter category. It helps that Castro, Jones (guitar), and Hall (sax, harmonica) have different strengths, which complement one another nicely. It also helps having the renowned Double Trouble on board; one couldn't ask for a tighter, tastier backup band. Together, this group ranges all over the musical map, from traditionally-inflected blues ("Raised in the Country") to James Brown-style funk ("Cold Funk"). With Telarc Records clean, crisp production every note comes out clear, showcasing these three artists to their best advantage. They might not be superstars, but they've got their mojo workin'.

La Stravaganza, under their director/harpsichordist Siegbert Rampe, are a Hamburg-based ensemble. Their performances of the six Brandenburg Concertos, together with the Triple Concerto in A minor (BWV 1 044), and a version of the Fifth Brandenburg which predates by about three years Bach's presentation copy to the Margrave, provide stimulating and mainly satisfying listening. It is perhaps a pity that the earlier version of the First Concerto was omitted from the recording, since it reveals significant textual variants from the Brandenburg, above all the scoring of the second of the two Trios.

Italian Concerto, BWV 971 : Among the best known of Bach’s solo harpsichord works, the Concerto each Italienischen Gusto was published in 1735, as the first half of the second volume of the Clavier-Übung (with the French Overture as the second half).

The Kooks are finally back, announcing the release of their fifth album Let’s Go Sunshine. It’s their first album in four years.