Out of Our Heads

The men behind the European downtempo outfit Zero 7 – producers Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker – launched their careers in the music industry as tea boys at a London recording studio. Shortly thereafter, however, both were in the thick of action, working alongside a string of well-known British musicians such as the Pet Shop Boys and Robert Plant. They spent the best part of the '90s honing their production skills behind the scenes. Then, after taking on the name of a nightclub in Honduras, the duo gradually began unleashing their own ideas onto an unsuspecting public.

Following several acclaimed albums of Handel’s operatic and choral masterpieces (including a triumphant Giulio Cesare with Natalie Dessay as Cleopatra and the oratorio La Resurrezione with British soprano Kate Royal), French harpsichordist and conductor Emmanuelle Haïm at last brings her fresh, expressive approach to Messiah. Joining her on a musically and spiritually uplifting journey for this long-awaited recording is Haïm’s own choir and period-instrument orchestra, Le Concert d’Astrée, with four of the UK’s finest Handelian singers. Having begun her career as a brilliant harpsichordist and protegee of Baroque pioneers William Christie and Christophe Rousset, Haïm has a long history with Messiah.

With 100 hit tracks spanning five discs, this budget set, which has a decided British lean, has no real discernible theme, but features plenty of rock and pop classics like Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street," Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman," Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle," Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat," and the Band's "The Weight," as well as British hits from the Buzzcocks, the Ruts, and the Waterboys.

The Vienna Boys’ Choir, one of the world's oldest boys’ choirs, maintains its status as a living tradition after more than 500 years. Haydn and Schubert both started their musical careers there; Antonio Salieri was a member of the admissions jury. What is captivating about these recordings is both the clarity of textual and musical declamation and a very special, authentic charm deriving from the slight Viennese accent. Performances by the Vienna Boys’ Choir are not only a matter of perfect pronunciation and intonation, but also of a musical sensuality that is vital to interpretations of Haydn and Schubert, yet frequently overlooked.

The new, super deluxe edition of Live’s sophomore album, Throwing Copper, is now out via Radioactive/MCA/UMe. The new edition of the album marks the 25th anniversary of the record’s initial release.