I'm taking some good notes here too...thanks folks! I've got some great recommendations from this list over many threads like this! I'll second the recommendation for Biber's Unam Ceylum: Wonderful Disc which I got a while back and couldn't stop playing. In that same purchase (I usually tend to get three or four at once) I also enjoyed Silencio, which is I think is a Nonesuch disc with Gidon Kremer and his ensemble playing some more modern compositions by the likes of Arvo Part.
I had some friends stop by yesterday who wanted to hear my home system, and I always ask when people come by that they bring some of their current favorite disks with them. Great way to share the music and the passion. Here's two notes I took down after yesterday's session having only heard a few cuts of these discs (hence not detailed comments other than that I enjoyed what I heard). I'll certainly get both of these discs:
Roger Waters, Amused to Death (carrying on in the tradition of Pink Floyd...the sound and engineering is unmistakable)
Axiom of Choice, Beyond Denial (both cuts were very powerful, East meets West fusion...reminded me a little bit of Dead can Dance) |
T bone- If you enjoy a modern twist on Fado singing, and you haven't yet heard them, DEFINITELY check out Madredeus. I have too many of their albums, and enjoy all of them so it would be difficult to list a favorite, but there is a good compilation disc called "Antologia". Teresa Salgueiro's vocals are so beautiful at times they will make you weep. "Ainda" is also a favorite album of theirs.
For more traditional Fado singing, but still from a contemporary style, check out the discs by Misia. I love Fado music and had the great pleasure of spending a couple of weeks in Portugal back in 97' where you can still go out any night of the week and listen to traditional Fado. Beautiful country. Very warm and friendly people who live life at a much slower pace than most Western countries I've ever been too. Some of the craziest drivers I've ever encountered though, which is so ironic as everything else about Portugal is so laid back, slow and traditional. Gorgeous music though...you certainly don't need to understand the language to appreciate how beautiful Fado sounds. |
Gabbro - If you like that Biber disc also try "The Seven Words" (Haydn), performed by Rosamunde Quartett on ECM New Series. It is a contemporary take on that piece with no ominous vocals that are usually a part of the piece. It is purely instrumental. Really great performance and recording...another in the same vein of the Biber that stayed on my system(s) for a long time!
Dekay - Some of the older Fado singers (in the traditional realms of Fado) are quite remarkable as well. While in Portugal I got a disc by Maria Teresa de Noronha: WOW! Hard to find here, but worth looking for. She is considered one of the best ever. It's an interesting to hear the older performances of the same traditional songs, in contrast with the same songs by Misia and other contemporaries. I agree, "Ritual" is great! Fado is very emotionally charged and spiritually pure music! Just goes right to the heart! |
Edesilva - If you like Flaming Red then you owe it to yourself to see just how versatile Patty Griffin really is. I am a big fan of hers and have seen her live in a wonderful accoustic performance here in Seattle. One of the best live concerts I've heard in a long while. Anyway, I'd be interested to hear whether you like either of her other two albums as they are MUCH more acoustic-oriented and highlight her vocal range and songwriting even more than Flaming Red does. Those other two are "Living With Ghosts" and "1000 Kisses". IMO both are much 'easier' to listen to than Flaming Red (which took me a while to enjoy as much as I do the other two). I have not tired of any of her albums. A warning to others who may be considering her; Flaming Red is her only 'hard-hitting' "plugged-in" album whereas the other two are accoustic and easily accessable. Outstanding artist and songwriter! Great poetic lyrics! Others in her genre that I also enjoy, though none puts it all together as Patty Griffin does: Patty Larkin (If you like Flaming Red you'd probably like "A-go-go"), Deb Talan, and Dar Williams.
Marco |
I had the opposite experience Edesilva; I was introduced to Patti Griffin through her two accoustic albums, and her largely accoustic performance. Consequently Flaming Red was really hard for me to listen to, but I did come to like it very much. Love the third cut, "Tony" and then the only cut that seems to harken to her accoustic side, "Mary", a song about her grandmother. I haven't heard the song "Silver Bell" but would love to. Is that on an available compilation, or is it something someone put together for you? Anyway, hope you come to enjoy the other two as much as you like Flaming Red.
Best,
Marco |
Hey Rene- Thanks, I've been enjoying this one too as it is a steady
source for new material. Glad you looked into the Fado again...great
stuff!
Here's a few more recent discoveries that I've been introduced to in the
past few months:
My jazz-loving audiophile buddy brought over some classics audiophile
selections I had not heard, and very much enjoyed:
Joe Pass, "Virtuoso" - Great Jazz guitar. I think this one's
available in XRCD.
Sonny Rollins, "Way Out West" - Classic Jazz with 'western'
lyrical overtones.
Tom Waits, Real Gone - As Rsbeck said, little more to be said. Waits at
his best...stepping back from the two previous releases,
"Alice" and "Blood Money", to tunes more similar
to "Bone Machine" and "Mule Variations". If you
don't like Waits, no reason to go here, but if you do, you will not be
disappointed.
Lhasa - "Living Road" Rene, and others, you will like this one
if you enjoy Madredeus and Fado. Her first release, La Llorona, is
fantastic as well and a frequently played favorite for me.
One more I don't think I've mentioned. In the vein of traditional Persian
percussion, and challenging to find, Chemirani Trio's CD titled
"Qalam Kar". This one was gifted to me from an Iranian
friend who purchased it over there. EVERY person I've played this for
wants a copy and is wowed by this CD. Audiophiles are astounded by
the dynamics and spatial quality, as well as the music. This recording is
mostly percussion - I believe the trio is a father and his two sons who
play traditional Persian drums (Dumbek, I think it is called). This will
make anyone reconsider what percussion can sound like...a definite
must-have for anyone who loves percussion. Just remarkable! Great
music to move and work to by true masters of the instruments.
Marco |
Hey Rene - Nice of you to notice...I have not had much time to post recently because we've been working on a major renovation of our house since August 1 (actually well before, but the pros took over then). Anyone who's been through a major renovation will understand the lack of time. I've actually taken on a lot of my own work along with the subs, trying to keep pace with the demand of the pros. Up untill a few weeks ago when the drywall started, we were living in our house the entire time. Fun, stressful...like standing in a cold shower with your wife and tearing up five-hundred dollar bills. I didn't know Jim White had a new release out. I loved the previous one and if you have not heard it, definitely pick it up. I think the title is "No Such Place". His new title is hilarious! If you like White you may also enjoy Robert Earl Keen. I will check out Ali Khan. My Iranian friend has introduced me to some really wonderful Persian music. I recently did a photo shoot for a local concert for a very gifted Oud player named Hossein Omoumi. The CD available here of his is very beautiful, but not for everyone. It is quite a meloncholy instrument, especially played solo as it is on this CD. I do wish Waits performed himself more often. The last concert here in Seattle was in the 90's I think. It sold out faster than any concert in history as I recall from the radio. I also enjoy the early work, but my personal favorites are from the Swordfishtrombone - Rain Dogs phase where he began collaborating with his wife. Back to work! Marco |
Mindy Smith is great russ. Dolly actually joins her on her own song "Joliene" which is a great version of that song.
I'll add one that I think I may have already mentioned on another thread: Joanna Newsom. She's definitely a love her or hate her kind of singer, largely because of her voice, which is a high-pitched little girl voice..kind of like an eight year-old singing. The songs are wonderful, as is her harp playing. If you listen to the lyrics very long you'd quickly realize this is no eight year-old. An unusual combination for sure, but it didn't take long for me to love it. If you try it, don't give up after a few minutes, which I'd hazard a guess some may be inclined to.
Marco
Marco |
Yes, sorry I forgot to mention the title, which is indeed "The Milk-Eyed Mender" (thanks Drubin). I think she self-published two earlier CD's, but I've never heard either. The Mindy Smith, by the way, is titled "One Moment More".
Marco |
Some good friends just introduced me to the music of Jeffrey Foucault. His two albums, Stripping Cane and Miles from the Lightening, cut right to the top of my frequent rotation list. From Wisconsin, mostly acoustic guitar and great songwriting, and a voice like Bruce Springsteen might wish his own would smooth out to. Folksy, Americana, great acoustic guitar and lyrics, down to earth. Great stuff. Also plays in the band, Redbird who's self-titled album is also wonderful.
Marco |
Some good friends invited me to see an outdoor performance by Kelly Joe Phelps. Since then his solo acoustic CD's have been making the frequent rotation on my player. Hot damn this guy has a way with the slide guitar! Raspy voice and down-home honest lyrics that touch the soul. My kind'of artist. Highly recommended if you are a fan of folk, blues, guitar, slide guitar. The three CD's in my order of preference (though they're all great) are: "Shine-eyed Mr. Zen", "Lead Me On" and "Roll Away the Stone". Can any fans comment on his other more recent albums, or offer further recommendations?
Marco |
Antony - This guy (gal - he is transgender) must be channeling Nina Simone! He (physically she is a he) did a cover on the Leonard Cohen documentary, "I'm Your Man", of the song, "If it be Your Will". His voice is hauntingly beautiful. I picked up a couple of his CD's with his band, Antony and the Johnsons. The material is not for everyone, full of melancholy and longing. His voice is unfaultering and gorgeous throughout. The CD, "I am Bird Now" won the Mercury Music Prize for best album of 2005.
Also, notably excellent in the Cohen film is Teddy Thompson (son of Richard and Linda). I picked up his first solo album and have been enjoying it very much. I actually was more taken by the two Cohen songs he performs in the film, which are great performances...actually only one song is in the film, but two are on the soundtrack, which is also a must-have Soundtrack album for any Cohen fan...an outstanding and diverse group of covers.
Marco |
Tbooe - I do enjoy HEM as well. If you like her stuff, and you have not heard Vienna Teng, check her out too. I have no idea how Citibank feels about the latter.
Marco |
Marco, I am familiar with Vienna Teng. I like her as well. You have good taste in music! I'll give you a few more in the same vein that I'm pretty sure you'd like if you share those tastes: Over the Rhine, "Ohio" The Innocence Mission, "Umbrella" Rosie Thomas, "When I was Small" There are other good selections by all three--these are just the favorites that pop to mind. Marco |
Hey Albert - I have Steve Tibbets CD, "A Man about a Horse" which I keep going back to trying to "get it", as it were. I have enjoyed it more as I listen to it, but really had a hard time with it early on. Is it similar to the ones you've recommended? ECM consistently pushes the envelope and at the same time puts out some GREAT music. Are you a fan of Marc Ducret? If you don't know him check out his album "Detail" for some rather progressive improv fusion guitar. It's a superb recording as well. Interesting you bring this up; my wife and I were just talking about abstract art, poetry and music that doesn't follow convention. I think it's more difficult if you try to fit it into something you can understand. If you just let it wash over you and see what comes of it the results can often be surprising. It definitely requires allowing yourself to go out of a comfort zone. Another group I enjoy in that regard is "Rachels". Marco |
Thanks, Albert. I'll check out one of the other Tibbets releases you recommend. I realized I haven't contributed any 'discoveries' to my own thread in quite some time. Looking back over my library, a couple of recent favorites have been: Damien Jurado "Where Shall you Take Me?" (dark, poetic, and frankly a bit creepy. Think Iron&Wine and Sun Kil Moon, but with a real dark bent.) Fly Fly (a Mark Turner collaboration trio of sax, bass and percussion - very nice jazz trio that was passed on by a local audiophile. Energetic and accessible jazz - nothing progressive, just good jazz.) Marco |
Pehare - How does "Cardinology" compare to "Heartbreaker"? I really like the latter, but have not warmed up a couple of his other CD's (Love is Hell and Easy Tiger) with The Cardinals. I also enjoyed his contributions to the anniversary release of The Cowboy Junkies "Trinity Sessions". Since I started this thread and haven't contributed anything in a while I'll add a few: Serena Ryder - Great, young female vocalist from Canada in the footsteps of Maddeline Peyroux and Norah Jones, with a pinch of Amy Winehouse... but with certainly with her very own voice. She has a great covers album from 2006 that is a bit pricey,titled, "If Your Memory Serves You Well" - just gorgeous! My friend just gave me a copy of Cat by jazz vocalist Catherine Russel. For those who like female vocals in the realms of classic jazz, this is a great album. In the realms of the really quirky and odd, I've really enjoyed Kimya Dawson, who has multiple contributions to the Juno soundtrack. This is definitely not for everyone, but I think she's great...quirky, fun, child-like but with a cutting edge. She's categorized under "Anti-folk". If this intrigues you check her out on the Juno soundtrack, or on her own CD, Remember That I Love You. She was formerly with The Moldy Peaches. Again, not for everyone. On classical I've really enjoyed an A'goner's recommendation for Kissin's renditions of Chopin. Marco |
