What are you listening to? March 2024

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Jefferson Airplane - After Bathing At Baxter's (1967)

Jefferson Airplane - After Bathing at Baxter's - album cover
 
Various Artists - In Afrika (1962)

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Vinyl Spin of the Day.

Jim Reeves became a big star in South Africa, even starring in a film about the Kimberley Diamond Rush.

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RCA released this album of local songs to capitalize on his success there. Floyd Cramer and Chet Atkins were along for the ride.
 
Pat Metheny - Side Eye NYC (2021)


For some reason, I've never been a Metheny fan. Not "not been a fan" in the sense that I listened to his music and did not like it. But in the sense I simply did not seek him out to listen to in the first place. That, and whenever I heard something by him, I appreciated his talent and skill, but never really connected with the music.

One of my oldest non-childhood friends is a huge Metheny fan. When I was first navigating my Jazz immersion, this friend (not a huge Jazz fan himself at the time) recommended Metheny. Long ago, I ripped a couple of his Metheny CDs to my then-computer and gave them a few whirls. When that computer died and all its music with it, I rarely listened to Metheny again.

Last night, that friend took me as a third wheel to a Metheny concert. Because of my non-connection with Metheny, I was a little worried I'd not enjoy the show as much as I "should." In the lobby I got a beer while my friend bought his date a tee shirt and himself an autographed Metheny CD. He insisted on buying me the CD also, and as much as I insisted on the non-autographed cheaper version, he over-insisted on the autographed one for me as well. When Pat came out and I realized it was a solo show, my trepidation heightened. When Pat opened with a long monologue that included a warning that swaths of the evening would be "very slow and sparse", I wondered if I should have ordered three beers instead of one.

The show was good. monologue breaks were fun. I enjoyed the evening a lot. Listening now to this album purchased at the show, I'm liking this even better. Here, Pat has James Francies on keyboards+synths and Marcus Gilmore on drums. Having the young guys (both of whom I've heard often and enjoy) might make a difference. Pat's playing is masterful as well. Just a really really really good album.
 
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Marc-Andre Hamelin - Schumann: Carnaval - Fantasiestücke - Papillons (comp. 1835, rec. 2005)

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Krystian Zimerman – 4 Balladen · Barcarolle · Fantasie (comp. 1835, rec. 1988)

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I played these two albums together this morning. Both number among the "1001 Classical Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die" (#277 and #279 if you are keeping score at home). Both Schumann and Chopin found the keys to emotional revelation in the greatly enhanced sonic capabilities of the piano. The Kawai website aptly describes this as a technological revolution:

This revolution was in response to a preference by composers and pianists for a more powerful, sustained sound. This was made possible by the ongoing Industrial Revolution, with resources such as high-quality piano wire for strings, and precision casting for the production of massive iron frames that could withstand the tremendous tension of the strings, suddenly available in great quantities. The upright piano with diagonal strings was invented in London in the early 1800s and they became very popular for domestic music-making and practice because of their compact size and affordability.

In 1826, felt (a more consistent material than leather) was first introduced for use in hammer coverings, which permitted wider dynamic ranges as hammer weights and string tension increased. Over time, the tonal range also increased from the five-octaves of Mozart’s day to the seven-octave range found on today’s pianos.

Piano technique evolved during the transition from harpsichord/clavichord to fortepiano playing, and continued through the development of the modern piano. Changes in musical styles and audience preferences over the Classical and Romantic periods, as well as the emergence of virtuoso pianists, contributed to the evolution of the piano and the various ‘schools’ of piano playing.

A major innovation that helped create the powerful sound of the modern piano was the use of the large cast iron frame mentioned earlier, which sits atop the soundboard. This single cast iron frame was patented in 1825 and allowed the use of thicker and more tense strings. The use of three strings for the middle and treble registers enhanced richness of the sound, while copper winding around a steel string in the bass registers increased the mass of the string, increasing the depth and tone of the sound without noticeably changing the string’s stiffness.
 
Roy Clark - Live! (1967)

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Vinyl Rip of the Day.

This album was recorded live at the Caravan East, Albuquerque (now a public library).

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Roy is vigorously backed by Rodney & The Blazers, a surf band with Little Richard overtones. The result is a great overlooked concert recording that shows both Roy's Vegas style standup act and his guitar chops to great advantage. For anyone who doesn't know Roy other than as a barnyard buffoon on Hee Haw, this album will be a revelation.

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