I've been been reading BT's latest draft article for MIG, so I just had to play Fairy Tale of New York'by the Pogues with Kirsty Macoll. It is now officially the most played Christmas song this century in the UK, and is popular through most of Europe, so I was amazed to hear that it is not well known in the States. BT's article is highly recommended to find out more.
An alternative live St Patrck's Day version is available here
Thanks BT - I must have heard the Pogues 8 or 9 times already today. It was constant play for my 3 year old grandaughter to and from nursery - her choice. In between I put the radio on in the car, and guess what, then into some shops, and of course it was being played there too.
Er...so we don't have any concerns that the 3-yr-old will repeat the words scumbag, maggot, or cheap lousy faggot? I imagine (but don't know) that the latter epithet keeps "Fairytale of New York" off US radio stations these days.
- In the 33 minutes of Equus a sensitive individual will find lots of places to visit, the only problem being that those spots keep changing mercilessly due to Capparos and Marchettis compositional decisions. They actually define the opus as a journey through human memory and history, and what better means than a radio snippet, or a famous voice from the past, to throw us back in the cuddling arms of a breathtaking remembrance? Among the voices in attendance there are Sarah Bernhardt, Pierre Schaeffer, Jean-Luc Godard, Charlton Heston and Alfred Hitchcock. Im not saying that everybody was recognized; on the other hand, the disturbing fragmentariness exercised with the appearance of these renowned spirits in the piece gifts it with a unique magnetism. The rest, which is essentially a gorgeous example of classic musique concrete, comes courtesy of the illustrious technical proficiency of the couple. These men are able to convert a splinter of nothingness into art via an apparently improbable equalization, thus rendering a subsonic moan as effective as a mothers heartbeat for a receptive fetus, or a dissonant orchestral stratum the justification of an impermanent enlightenment. A passage at the end of the first movement recalls, curiously enough, Jaroslav Krceks Raab; it is just a coincidence. And theres also a layer of subliminal atrocity, so to speak, that headphones help to discern in selected sections. The images evoked, the shades of long-ago fulfilling the need of poignancy that every conscious creature should ideally feel at least once in a while, the sudden awareness that veracity and imagination tend to mesh in unbelievable ways, are but three of the many enthralling features of an important chapter in the book of contemporary music, which youll want to possess without further doubts."
- Touching Extremes.
A mix of xmas songs Brittleblood put together for his own purposes for Xmas 2009. He included a copy when I bought some CDs from him a while back. No real idea what the track listing is but it's pretty eclectic, cool and a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
"The Egyptian world-power was humbled with the Ninthplague: The thick darkness. Nowadays, The worldwide powers are annihilated with 'The Epidemic Symphony No.9': The heavy gloom. It's useless to put trust in the modern luminaries of fallacious science, haughty politics, faint economies, and arrogant religions. Because the light coming out from the power is blind and nothing can be done against powerful light of reason."
- (Maurizio Bianchi, October 2005) - From Drone Records.
I want Alma Adentro. Jane Bunnett's Cuban album is also showing up on some top 10 lists, haven't heard it yet.
A "crate-digger's" reissue that lives up to the hype. Dreamy and soulful. 'Jingle Bells Pts I and II' would be a great gospel addition to your Christmas playlist
I'm sure you did. I think the album drop occurred just two days ago on Friday. Also, be careful on searches for Zenon's stuff. His name and many of his album titles have foreign language accent marks, which sometimes come out weird on a website.
Streaming from Bandcamp from the Destination Out catalogue, kindly rec'ed by Doofy @ the Bandcamp thread:
Recorded live by Jost Gebers on June 9th, 1981, at the Epiphanienkirche in Berlin-Charlottenburg.
"Spellbinding combination of church organ and percussion is unlike anything you've heard. Recorded in a cathedral, brilliant classical organist Hans-Günther Wauer and world-class percussionist Günter "Baby" Sommer summon a series of cosmic drones, hypnotic soundscapes, and spiralling cascades of echoing notes. It evokes vintage Tangerine Dream and Popol Vuh, while remaining simply sui generis."
Listening via my iPad so limited music available to me, as I have only added about 20 albums to it, so now listening to Ali and Toumani by Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate.
Comments
You're doing it wrong Craig. Bobobo.
Craig
I really like this, so I must not forget it amongst all the other music I have!! It will make my top ten of the year.
An alternative live St Patrck's Day version is available here
Still listening to last years lists. Not ready for this years lists. Cough cough. Sigh.
Olivier Capparos & Lionel Marchetti - Equus (Pogus Records 2009)
- In the 33 minutes of Equus a sensitive individual will find lots of places to visit, the only problem being that those spots keep changing mercilessly due to Capparos and Marchettis compositional decisions. They actually define the opus as a journey through human memory and history, and what better means than a radio snippet, or a famous voice from the past, to throw us back in the cuddling arms of a breathtaking remembrance? Among the voices in attendance there are Sarah Bernhardt, Pierre Schaeffer, Jean-Luc Godard, Charlton Heston and Alfred Hitchcock. Im not saying that everybody was recognized; on the other hand, the disturbing fragmentariness exercised with the appearance of these renowned spirits in the piece gifts it with a unique magnetism. The rest, which is essentially a gorgeous example of classic musique concrete, comes courtesy of the illustrious technical proficiency of the couple. These men are able to convert a splinter of nothingness into art via an apparently improbable equalization, thus rendering a subsonic moan as effective as a mothers heartbeat for a receptive fetus, or a dissonant orchestral stratum the justification of an impermanent enlightenment. A passage at the end of the first movement recalls, curiously enough, Jaroslav Krceks Raab; it is just a coincidence. And theres also a layer of subliminal atrocity, so to speak, that headphones help to discern in selected sections. The images evoked, the shades of long-ago fulfilling the need of poignancy that every conscious creature should ideally feel at least once in a while, the sudden awareness that veracity and imagination tend to mesh in unbelievable ways, are but three of the many enthralling features of an important chapter in the book of contemporary music, which youll want to possess without further doubts."
- Touching Extremes.
Dick Griffin - "Time Will Tell"
Maurizio Bianchi, Nobu Kasahara, Hitoshi Kojo - The Epidemic Symphony No. 9
"The Egyptian world-power was humbled with the Ninthplague: The thick darkness. Nowadays, The worldwide powers are annihilated with 'The Epidemic Symphony No.9': The heavy gloom. It's useless to put trust in the modern luminaries of fallacious science, haughty politics, faint economies, and arrogant religions. Because the light coming out from the power is blind and nothing can be done against powerful light of reason."
- (Maurizio Bianchi, October 2005) - From Drone Records.
Un Festin Sagital - Ni
Thanks Bad Thoughts; I had to double check it was your rec because it seems outside your normal circle; but it is yours.
Will Collier Septet - "Those Who Wait"
Emilio Marinelli Trio - "Clouds Digger"
Miguel Zenon - Alma Adentro
A "crate-digger's" reissue that lives up to the hype. Dreamy and soulful. 'Jingle Bells Pts I and II' would be a great gospel addition to your Christmas playlist
Fyi, there was a huge label drop of MarsalisJazz on emusic a couple days ago. A bunch of Miguel Zenon were a part of it.
NP:
Colin Stetson - New History Warfare Vol. 2: The Judges
Xan Campos Trio - "Orixe Cero"
Stream here...
http://xancampos.bandcamp.com/album/orixe-cero.
Recorded live by Jost Gebers on June 9th, 1981, at the Epiphanienkirche in Berlin-Charlottenburg.
"Spellbinding combination of church organ and percussion is unlike anything you've heard. Recorded in a cathedral, brilliant classical organist Hans-Günther Wauer and world-class percussionist Günter "Baby" Sommer summon a series of cosmic drones, hypnotic soundscapes, and spiralling cascades of echoing notes. It evokes vintage Tangerine Dream and Popol Vuh, while remaining simply sui generis."
- Really fascinating stuff !