Zeeba Neighba
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Charles Mingus - Pithecanthropus Erectus (1956)
What are you listening to? October 2021
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George Duke - Guardian of the Light (1983)
The last thing I need is more CDs. Especially CDs by artists already well represented in my collection. Especially now, during the re-ripping process when I'm listening to more of my stuff than I have in a long time and thoroughly enjoying getting reacquainted with some gems.
However, a few weeks ago, I sort of did a quick-through listening of Duke albums in my collection and this one kept popping up on-line. The cover intrigued me. The title reminded so much of Lord Of Light by Roger Zelazny that I read 30+ years ago while I spent 3 weeks as the VP if a global multi-conglomerate F500 company while the actual VP was on vacation (long story but a great time for me) and I've always had fond memories of that book. Then I learned Duke fashioned this album as a sort of Jazz Fusion rock opera with a storyline about something or other and a couple of grand sweeping songs. At that point, it was inevitable I was going to buy this, so I gave in and ordered it. The only thing pushing me away from this was an almost universal MEH about the reviews.
It arrived late yesterday and I'm giving it a flisten. While I understand why some of the reviewers didn't find this very appealing, I have a feeling it's going to be a freaky favorite for me. It sounds like Duke embraced every indulgence he had (musically and otherwise) and ran with it. On first listen, some of seems looser linked to the overall theme than should be, but I like those songs so I'm overlooking any perceived flaws so far. I think I love it - but it's going to take a couple more listens to sort it out. I'm glad to finally be around for the ride.
What the cover and overall feel of the effort most reminds me of are the early Rick James albums. Not really the sound, but the fact that the musician was part of the fantasy/sci-fi/comic-book underground and was mixing it into his music expression to various degrees. I'm sure there are also similarities (thematically if not really musically) to be found in some Prog Rock music, but sadly I don't know much about enough of that to make the connections.
The last thing I need is more CDs. Especially CDs by artists already well represented in my collection. Especially now, during the re-ripping process when I'm listening to more of my stuff than I have in a long time and thoroughly enjoying getting reacquainted with some gems.
However, a few weeks ago, I sort of did a quick-through listening of Duke albums in my collection and this one kept popping up on-line. The cover intrigued me. The title reminded so much of Lord Of Light by Roger Zelazny that I read 30+ years ago while I spent 3 weeks as the VP if a global multi-conglomerate F500 company while the actual VP was on vacation (long story but a great time for me) and I've always had fond memories of that book. Then I learned Duke fashioned this album as a sort of Jazz Fusion rock opera with a storyline about something or other and a couple of grand sweeping songs. At that point, it was inevitable I was going to buy this, so I gave in and ordered it. The only thing pushing me away from this was an almost universal MEH about the reviews.
It arrived late yesterday and I'm giving it a flisten. While I understand why some of the reviewers didn't find this very appealing, I have a feeling it's going to be a freaky favorite for me. It sounds like Duke embraced every indulgence he had (musically and otherwise) and ran with it. On first listen, some of seems looser linked to the overall theme than should be, but I like those songs so I'm overlooking any perceived flaws so far. I think I love it - but it's going to take a couple more listens to sort it out. I'm glad to finally be around for the ride.
What the cover and overall feel of the effort most reminds me of are the early Rick James albums. Not really the sound, but the fact that the musician was part of the fantasy/sci-fi/comic-book underground and was mixing it into his music expression to various degrees. I'm sure there are also similarities (thematically if not really musically) to be found in some Prog Rock music, but sadly I don't know much about enough of that to make the connections.
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Weather Report - Sweetnighter (1973)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Jacqueline du Pre and the London Symphony Orchestra under John Barbirolli (1965)
Difficult for me to not wonder about du Pre’s career shortened by multiple sclerosis and how today she would have had so many potential disease modifying medications available to help
Oh but what music she made
Difficult for me to not wonder about du Pre’s career shortened by multiple sclerosis and how today she would have had so many potential disease modifying medications available to help
Oh but what music she made
Stevie Wonder - Music Of My Mind (1972)
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