I think the standard narrative on Ultravox is that after the seminal Vienna album they were on a steady decline. I've been relistening to some of the post-Vienna albums, and up to and including Lament I tend to think they have some stronger material than some give them credit for, though it remains true that Vienna was exceptional. This new one, though, I'm with the critics - it sounds kind of warmed over and not that exciting.
I don't listen to much hip hop (and I realized today that almost all of the hip hop I have is not from the US), but this is really worth a listen.
ETA , in fact if you really listen to it, it's very moving in places.
An excellent version of the standard, Lullaby of Broadway, accompanied by a big band, shows how Amy Winehouse could have become a great jazz vocalist. I'll see if I can find it on You Tube
I'm pleasantly surprised by the album. It's not really my style, so I figured it would be one that I download from drip.fm, listen to a couple times, then forget about, but I think it will stick with me for awhile.
BC: - "5 Pieces is the first full-length release from Toronto's progressive acoustic jazz ensemble Muskox, who continue to develop the sound established on their previous three EPs. 5 Pieces finds Muskox further exploring Mike Smith's densely crafted pieces, with subtly shifting meters and deftly realized minimalist textures that seem curiously at odds with the woody acoustic sound of the group's unique instrumentation. Droning harmoniums give way to delicately mathematical banjo-driven chamber music and minimalist calypso reductions, all the while led by compelling themes that provide each piece with its own inner logic."
Doofy - he's very good value live. I saw him a couple of years or so ago, two hour plus set, both electric and accoustic, traditional West African and contemporary blues. Enjoy!
I just bought this again on CD (which also lets me download it again, so I'm getting the FLAC) having already some time back bought it as MP3s. It remains one of my very favorite things.
Comments
Heat Wave - Sweets
Fania from Gu!
Craig
I've always found this to be an underrated Beck album.
Craig
I think the standard narrative on Ultravox is that after the seminal Vienna album they were on a steady decline. I've been relistening to some of the post-Vienna albums, and up to and including Lament I tend to think they have some stronger material than some give them credit for, though it remains true that Vienna was exceptional. This new one, though, I'm with the critics - it sounds kind of warmed over and not that exciting.
I don't listen to much hip hop (and I realized today that almost all of the hip hop I have is not from the US), but this is really worth a listen.
ETA , in fact if you really listen to it, it's very moving in places.
An excellent version of the standard, Lullaby of Broadway, accompanied by a big band, shows how Amy Winehouse could have become a great jazz vocalist. I'll see if I can find it on You Tube
Regulators! Mount up!
Craig
Amazon added a mobile mp3 site today; I can purchase and download direct to my phone. So I hadda try it out.
Craig
I'm pleasantly surprised by the album. It's not really my style, so I figured it would be one that I download from drip.fm, listen to a couple times, then forget about, but I think it will stick with me for awhile.
Craig
- "5 Pieces is the first full-length release from Toronto's progressive acoustic jazz ensemble Muskox, who continue to develop the sound established on their previous three EPs. 5 Pieces finds Muskox further exploring Mike Smith's densely crafted pieces, with subtly shifting meters and deftly realized minimalist textures that seem curiously at odds with the woody acoustic sound of the group's unique instrumentation. Droning harmoniums give way to delicately mathematical banjo-driven chamber music and minimalist calypso reductions, all the while led by compelling themes that provide each piece with its own inner logic."
This is NYOP on Bandcamp till the end of the month
followed by
Just found this on Guv - 1966, right after New Thing at Newport. Crazy, man.
Greg, I just snapped up some tickets to see Vieux next month!
I just bought this again on CD (which also lets me download it again, so I'm getting the FLAC) having already some time back bought it as MP3s. It remains one of my very favorite things.
First
Prinzhorn Dance Shool - Clay Class
Then
Horrid Red - Celestial Joy
Now
Suuns - Zeroes EP
Craig