Summer Wine

Despite having a title that suggests a new thrash metal direction, Sam Beam’s sixth album as Iron & Wine essays yet more romantic, Americana-tinged songwriting, and it’s cosier than ever. As Beam sings poetically in his goose-down voice, cadences resolve as contentedly as old married couples, even in songs of friction such as Bitter Truth. Call it Dreaming is the most robust thing here, and its emotional clarity – “For all the love you’ve left behind / you can have mine” – ensures it will soundtrack wedding photo slideshows for all eternity. But just as everything threatens to blur into a copper-coloured autumnal haze, Beam adds quirks to keep the beauty in sharp relief: the album’s most elegant vocal melody, on Last Night, is backed by the spartan, impetuous plink of violins and glockenspiel. These songs may be modest – none break the four-minute mark – and undemanding, but their sure-footed craft creates profound, 12-tog comfort.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - New Wine (1987) {MusicMasters 5051-2-C rel 1990}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 291 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 126 Mb
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© 1987, 1990 MusicMasters | 5051-2-C
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Piano

The Quartet (which for the past five years had included clarinetist Bill Smith, electric bassist Chris Brubeck and drummer Randy Jones in addition to the pianist/leader) teamed up with the Montreal International Jazz Festival Orchestra for this live recording. Featured are six Brubeck compositions (including "Blue Rondo à la Turk" and "Koto Song") along with "Take the 'A' Train," all of which was in the Quartet's repertoire. In general the orchestra (which has some members of The Montreal Symphony) does not weigh down the proceedings and the music, although not all that "new," is enjoyable.

Despite having a title that suggests a new thrash metal direction, Sam Beam’s sixth album as Iron & Wine essays yet more romantic, Americana-tinged songwriting, and it’s cosier than ever. As Beam sings poetically in his goose-down voice, cadences resolve as contentedly as old married couples, even in songs of friction such as Bitter Truth.