Proceedings Music

Marianne Faithfull doing Melanie Safka doing Marianne Faithfull is what you get when Mick Jagger's ex-girlfriend performs on a majestic version of "Ruby Tuesday" backed up by the London Symphony Orchestra. It's a reunion of sorts for Jagger and Faithfull, as the lead singer of the Rolling Stones follows his ex with a similar version of "Angie," with deeper textures than the original pop hit. This release is a worthwhile addition to the Rolling Stones' catalog of music. Sure there are "symphonic" albums of music by Creed, the Beatles, Depeche Mode, heck, even Symphonic Star Trek, but this package, all in black with silver ink, of course, is something special. "Angie" is downright eerie. Perhaps the late Michael Hutchence wasn't the best choice to open up the voices, beginning with his rendition of "Under My Thumb," but at least he's not awful…

Returning anew to the original record it's fascinating to re-discover how provocative Pink Floyd's classic remains, and to hear how well this quartet's collective interplay served that music. And how beautifully Sam Yahel's organ-while not the dominant voice, surely a prominent presence-sets the aesthetic tone for these proceedings: nothing rushed or forced or extravagant…elegant and swinging and exploratory, never stepping on anyone's toes-deceptively laid back and responsive, always listening intently, with plenty of rhythmic vitality…a sensibility he shares with collaborators Mike Moreno, Ari Hoenig and Seamus Blake, which goes a long ways towards explaining why their take on Pink Floyd's music is so engaging and stands up so well to repeated listenings.

Frank Zappa - Does Humor Belong In Music? (1986) {1995 Ryko Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 434 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 139 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 65 Mb
© 1995 Rykodisc / The Zappa Family Trust | RCD 10548
Rock / Experimental Rock

DOES HUMOR BELONG IN MUSIC? was digitally recorded live with no overdubs on a 1984 tour. It is not the soundtrack to the video of the same name. Although it has some of the same songs, they are different versions.
Who better than Frank Zappa to ask the question DOES HUMOR BELONG IN MUSIC? Recorded on his 1984 world tour, this disc is a wonderful documentation of one of Zappa's best (and smallest) '80s bands. Long-time Zappa guitarist/vocalists Ike Willis and Ray White, keyboardists Alan Zavod and Bobby Martin, bassist Scott Thunes and drummer Chad Wackerman form an incredibly agile ensemble under the strict baton of their leader. Zappa himself turns in many stunning guitar solos in the midst of continuous shenanigans.

Copenhagen Art Ensemble - Shape Of Twelve - Music by Lotte Anker (1997) {Dacapo DCCD9430}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 330 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 135 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 26 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1997 Dacapo | DCCD9430
Jazz / Modern Jazz / Jazz Sinfonietta / Small Combo

SHAPE OF TWELVE consists of 8 compositions by saxophonist Lotte Anker (who, along with trombonist Ture Larsen, is one of the artistic directors of the Copenhagen Art Ensemble). The works were composed during 1988-1997 and are mostly of medium length (five tracks clock in between 6 and 7 minutes). The Copenhagen Art Ensemble is described in the liner notes as a “’jazz sinfonietta’ – that is, a group of about a dozen musicians combining the complexity of the traditional big band with the mobility of the small combo.” (Jakob Levinsen) This is a very accurate assessment of the music on this disc and is a capsule review in itself. The instrumentation of the Copenhagen Art Ensemble is essentially 3 trumpets, 4 saxophones, 3 trombones, piano (acoustic and electric), acoustic bass, and drums (with the winds players doubling on flugelhorn, clarinet, flute, and tuba).

Most any music production with Ray is going to be great, but there are a few problems with this show. The audio mix is a bit dull, with very little presence on the singers and players. Trying Pro Logic II on the stereo track and turning up the center channel just made it worse. Though there is plenty of .1 signal for the subwoofer. The image quality is very soft focus, especially noticeable on the long shots of the stage.