Nip Tuck 1x01

It would be all too easy to simply write this off as a mere exploitation knock-off designed to catch naive hippies. It certainly is that, but it also has the hand (and voice) of Curt Boettcher all over it, and it features Mike Deasy, heavy L.A. session cat and sometime-member of Phil Spector's Wrecking Crew on guitar, musical arrangements and producing. Consisting of about half covers and half originals, the album could hardly be considered truly psychedelic (mostly thanks to the Boettcher vocals) but it is quite interesting in its own way. Deasy's arrangements are strange and wonderful with some hot guitar playing and liberal use of the echoplex. He gives "Louie Louie," the quintessential simple rock & roll tune, a wildly elaborate arrangement, virtually re-creating the tune entirely…

For this enjoyable set, guitarist Tuck Andress and singer Patti Cathcart perform a wide-ranging program of material, falling between jazz, folk and pop. Highlights include Lennon & McCartney's "Honey Pie," Dori Caymmi's "Like a Lover," "On a Clear Day," a Jimi Hendrix medley, and their version of "Glory Glory." Although the vocal/guitar duets are sparse, the music is quite complete without the addition of other instruments…

Guitarist Tuck Andress and vocalist Patti Cathcart created a bit of a stir with this set, their debut recording. Patti's powerful folk singing and Tuck's self-sufficient guitar make for a very appealing duet on such numbers as Bob Dorough's "I've Got Just About Everything," Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," "Better Than Anything," "My Romance" and "Takes My Breath Away." Although they would record other worthwhile albums, this is still their definitive release, jazz-oriented but also crossing over toward folk and new acoustic music.

Vasily Petrenko is one of the most significant and galvanizing musicians alive. He became famous for his transformative work at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the oldest orchestra in the United Kingdom, where he refashioned the orchestra's sound, reconnected the organization to its home city and presided over a huge increase in ticket sales. Vasily is one of the most acclaimed classical recording artists alive and has won numerous accolades for his recordings of Russian repertoire, including two Gramophone awards.