Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
In Christmas mode this week doing my annual listen of the 6 CDs (150 songs) put out on Collectible Records under the NYC-based oldie station WCBS name. Great mix!
What are you listening to? December 2022
- Thread starter axolotl
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Ojai Sam
Staff member
Jascha Nemtsov - Zaderatsky: 24 Preludes & Fugues (comp. 1937-8, rec. 2018)
This highly remarkable album flew over the transom quite by accident while I was playing the Burgess "24 Preludes and Fugues". It contains the first Baroque revival compositions in modern music. Yet they were never published during his lifetime and did not receive their world premiere until 77 years after they were written. The Stalin regime persecuted Ukrainian Vsevolod Zaderatsky throughout his lifetime, first with multiple arrests and ultimately sending him to a labor camp during the Great Purge on a charge of "presenting fascist music". The "24 Preludes and Fugues" were written in pencil on telegraph forms and first performed for other political prisoners.
This work is a true masterpiece, reflecting a range of emotions that centers around anger, anxiety and frustration, occasionally leavened by humor and playfulness. The variety, complexity and sophistication make it endlessly fascinating. Jascha Nemtsov was the ideal artist to record these pieces, since he was the one who gave them their world premiere. His uncanny ability to get inside the composer's head is reflected in the powerful, individualistic reading he presents for each piece. It may be my imagination, but I think Nemtsov bears a strong physical resemblance to Zaderatsky.
on the Sam-O-Meter. Highest recommendation.
This highly remarkable album flew over the transom quite by accident while I was playing the Burgess "24 Preludes and Fugues". It contains the first Baroque revival compositions in modern music. Yet they were never published during his lifetime and did not receive their world premiere until 77 years after they were written. The Stalin regime persecuted Ukrainian Vsevolod Zaderatsky throughout his lifetime, first with multiple arrests and ultimately sending him to a labor camp during the Great Purge on a charge of "presenting fascist music". The "24 Preludes and Fugues" were written in pencil on telegraph forms and first performed for other political prisoners.
This work is a true masterpiece, reflecting a range of emotions that centers around anger, anxiety and frustration, occasionally leavened by humor and playfulness. The variety, complexity and sophistication make it endlessly fascinating. Jascha Nemtsov was the ideal artist to record these pieces, since he was the one who gave them their world premiere. His uncanny ability to get inside the composer's head is reflected in the powerful, individualistic reading he presents for each piece. It may be my imagination, but I think Nemtsov bears a strong physical resemblance to Zaderatsky.
on the Sam-O-Meter. Highest recommendation.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas - The EMI Years: 1963-1983 (comp. 2009)
Over the past year or two, I've been rediscovering the British Invasion through collections like this one. The Hollies' comprehensive Clarke, Hicks, Nash Years 6 CD box was my gateway drug but, to the surprise of no one here, I've been digging a lot deeper. This 4 disc collection brings to light the high quality work of a group that was much bigger at home than in the U.S. Only Lennon and McCartney's "Do You Want To Know A Secret?" and the rather annoying "Little Children" got much chart action here but they recorded a lot of strong material. My favorite may be their take on "Trains and Boats and Planes" which to my ears tops Jackie DeShannon's lugubrious version.
Over the past year or two, I've been rediscovering the British Invasion through collections like this one. The Hollies' comprehensive Clarke, Hicks, Nash Years 6 CD box was my gateway drug but, to the surprise of no one here, I've been digging a lot deeper. This 4 disc collection brings to light the high quality work of a group that was much bigger at home than in the U.S. Only Lennon and McCartney's "Do You Want To Know A Secret?" and the rather annoying "Little Children" got much chart action here but they recorded a lot of strong material. My favorite may be their take on "Trains and Boats and Planes" which to my ears tops Jackie DeShannon's lugubrious version.
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Golden Drugs - In The Midnight Sun Or Stubbornly Persistent Illusion (2015)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Various Artists - Mad About Christmas
Picked up this entry in the Deutsche Grammophon "Mad About" series from 20 years ago (that series really allowed me to easily delve into some composers pre-streaming) - most of the series (including this one) aren't on Spotify and couldn't even find entries for this set on RYM or Discogs, but a pretty good collection - not many comps combine choral carols with pieces from The Nutcracker and Messiah (granted I suppose one could make a playlist at will) so I've always liked this compilation.
Picked up this entry in the Deutsche Grammophon "Mad About" series from 20 years ago (that series really allowed me to easily delve into some composers pre-streaming) - most of the series (including this one) aren't on Spotify and couldn't even find entries for this set on RYM or Discogs, but a pretty good collection - not many comps combine choral carols with pieces from The Nutcracker and Messiah (granted I suppose one could make a playlist at will) so I've always liked this compilation.
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
It's kitschy Christmas music day - after opening with two volumes of Capitol's Christmas Cocktails, now have moved to
Mitch Miller - Holiday Sing Along with Mitch (1961)
then
Ray Conniff - Christmas with Conniff (1959)
Can Percy Faith be far behind??
Mitch Miller - Holiday Sing Along with Mitch (1961)
then
Ray Conniff - Christmas with Conniff (1959)
Can Percy Faith be far behind??
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass - Christmas Album (1968)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Rotary Connection - Peace (1968)
First listen: a bit of psychedelia, a bit of soul. Some trippy fuzz guitar. Not many traditional Christmas songs - "Silent Night" done...um...interestingly. Several originals fitting the era ("Last Call for Peace", "Christmas Love", "If Peace Was All We Had").
Overall a pretty groovy, trippy psych-soul album (though not for those looking for Andy Williams or Perry Como)
First listen: a bit of psychedelia, a bit of soul. Some trippy fuzz guitar. Not many traditional Christmas songs - "Silent Night" done...um...interestingly. Several originals fitting the era ("Last Call for Peace", "Christmas Love", "If Peace Was All We Had").
Overall a pretty groovy, trippy psych-soul album (though not for those looking for Andy Williams or Perry Como)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Jazzy Christmas this morning listening to Spotify's "Christmas Jazz" playlist - Ella, Wynton, Bird, Billie, Jimmy Smith...several newer artists too
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Frank Black and the Catholics - s/t (1998)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Near Dusk - Through The Cosmic Fog (2022)
This album, while it is stoner rock, isn't juvenile or corny like I thought it would be due to the cover.
This album, while it is stoner rock, isn't juvenile or corny like I thought it would be due to the cover.
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
The cover is less corny due to the circumstance or decision of depicting themselves as doggies.
Nickyboy
Staff member
O Helga Natt, the Sterrs were Brittly Shindig.
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
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