What are you listening to? October 2022

[Ojai Sam]

Christa Ludwig & Leonard Bernstein - An Evening Of Brahms Songs (rec. 1972, rel. 1977)

We tend to think of Leonard Bernstein as a conductor and a composer, but his genius extended to the piano as well. This album captured him on a cool summer evening in Vienna (yes, I looked up the weather) as accompanist to Christa Ludwig. The results are magnificent. Bernstein had enough power to hold his own with the ebullient German soprano, whom NPR described as having "a voice of exquisite richness and, when needed, breathtaking amplitude. She had the ability to impart dramatic urgency to a performance, the hallmark of a great singer." Here, the dynamic duo unlocked all of the inherent romance and drama in these gorgeous songs.

Buyer's Note: this 1977 album has never seen digital release except in Japan, presumably for licensing reasons. The recording quality is so good for this live performance that I'm really glad I tracked down the CD.

on the Sam-O-Meter. Two geniuses at the height of their power.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Christa Ludwig & Leonard Bernstein - An Evening Of Brahms Songs (rec. 1972, rel. 1977)

We tend to think of Leonard Bernstein as a conductor and a composer, but his genius extended to the piano as well. This album captured him on a cool summer evening in Vienna (yes, I looked up the weather) as accompanist to Christa Ludwig. The results are magnificent. Bernstein had enough power to hold his own with the ebullient German soprano, whom NPR described as having "a voice of exquisite richness and, when needed, breathtaking amplitude. She had the ability to impart dramatic urgency to a performance, the hallmark of a great singer." Here, the dynamic duo unlocked all of the inherent romance and drama in these gorgeous songs.

Buyer's Note: this 1977 album has never seen digital release except in Japan, presumably for licensing reasons. The recording quality is so good for this live performance that I'm really glad I tracked down the CD.

on the Sam-O-Meter. Two geniuses at the height of their power.

An evening of Brahms songs? What? So that means one song? He's not exactly the most succinct of composers

 

[Ojai Sam]

Here’s the program for this concert. Apparently Johannes could crank out hits under 3 minutes when he needed to:

Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103 (12:35)
A1.1 I - He, Zigeuner, Greife In Die Saiten Ein!
A1.2 II - Hochgetürmte Rimaflut
A1.3 III - Wisst Ihr, Wann Mein Kindchen
A1.4 IV - Lieber Gott, Du Weisst
A1.5 V - Brauner Bursche
A1.6 VI - Röslein Dreie In Der Reihe
A1.7 VII - Kommt Dir Manchmal In Den Sinn
A1.8 VIII - Rote Abendwolken

A2 Der Tod, Das Ist Die Kühle Nacht, Op. 96, No. 1 3:21

A3 Immer Leiser Wird Mein Schlummer, Op. 105, No. 2 3:09

A4 Feldeinsamkeit, Op. 86, No. 2 3:45

A5 Ständchen, Op. 106, No. 1 2:07

B1 Liebestreu, Op. 3, No. 1 2:40

B2 Madchenlied, Op. 107, No. 5 1:49

B3 Sapphische Ode, Op. 94, No. 4 2:22

B4 Ruhe, Süssliebchen, Im Schatten, Op. 33, No. 9 5:45

B5 Die Mainacht, Op. 43, No. 2 3:45

B6 Von Ewiger Liebe, Op. 43, No. 1 4:28

 

[Ojai Sam]

Choir Of King's College, Cambridge (Stephen Cleobury, dir.) -Handel: Coronation Anthems (comp,. 1727, rec. 2001)

These majestic works have been played at every coronation since Handel wrote them for George II, so we will be hearing them again soon.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Choir Of King's College, Cambridge (Stephen Cleobury, dir.) -Handel: Coronation Anthems (comp,. 1727, rec. 2001)

These majestic works have been played at every coronation since Handel wrote them for George II, so we will be hearing them again soon.

View attachment 8554

Ready to rock out to "Zadok the Priest"

 

[axolotl]

Ready to rock out to "Zadok the Priest"

Needs more timpani.

This note was written on Youtube seven years ago.

Can you imagine when the Queen eventually passes away, and Charles becomes King. As he walks through Westminster Abbey on the day of his coronation, and 95% of the viewing public are going to be thinking to themselves, 'Why the bloody hell are they playing the Champions League theme?!?!' It'll always be Zadok the Priest to me.

 

[axolotl]

Baleen ~ Follow Me Blind (2005)

 

[Ojai Sam]

New Symphony Orchestra of London (Anthony Collins, cond.) - Orchestra Showpieces In Hi-Fi (1957)

RIYL Boston Pops ala Fiedler

The music is a lot more cheerful than this portrait.

 

[axolotl]

William Duckworth ~ The Time Curve Preludes (Neely Bruce, Piano) (1990, Lovely Music)



More than you'll ever want to read:

Album Notes: The Time Curve Preludes

Not the version I have:

William Duckworth: The Time Curve Preludes, by R. Andrew Lee

24 track album

recordings.irritablehedgehog.com

 

[axolotl]

Arvo Pärt ~ Alina (1999)

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Dungen - En är för mycket och tusen aldrig nog (2022)

 

[axolotl]

Intonarumori ~ Material: Rumbles Roars Explosions Crashes Splashes (2002)




Experimental music by Kevin Goldsmith (Intonarumori)

Spoiler

Material by Intonarumori is not the same as Intonarumori by Material, which is a Bill Laswell project.

 

[axolotl]

Godspeed You! Black Emperor ~ G-d's Pee AT STATE'S END (2021)

 

[Ojai Sam]

Jake Hooker & The Outsiders - Recorded Live May 21, 2000 (2000)

We heard from Jake's dad, Tommy Hooker, in this space a little while ago. For his debut album, Jake released a sterling live set from the Southern Junction Steak House & Bar in Rockwall, Texas.



"We offer in-house aged, hand-trimmed steaks in several cuts plus chicken and pork. Once you choose your cut, head up to the meat case, the envy of any butcher. Then take that cut to the fully stocked seasoning table to make it just the way you want. The magic happens when that meat sizzles on the indoor hickory charcoal grill and you cook it to perfection. There's plenty of room for your friends to cook alongside, so the party never ends. For the less adventurous, our experienced cooks will prepare the steaks while you enjoy drinks, music, and dancing!"

And on Wednesdays...





The music? Pure Texas honky tonk, of course. The audience knows the local repertoire forwards and backwards, shouting out requests for deep catalog Texas artists like Darrell McCall, Johnny Bush and Curtis Potter. The Outsiders included the late Bobby Flores on fiddle and Gary Carpenter on steel, with Jake himself handling the electric bass.

on the Sam-O-Meter. Pop a cold Lone Star or three and crank up the Wurlitzer.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

King Tubby - 100% Of Dub (2003)

 

[axolotl]

Steve Roach ~ Truth & Beauty (1999)

Truth & Beauty, by Steve Roach

10 track album

steveroach.bandcamp.com

 

[axolotl]

Brad Mehldau ~ The Art of the Trio, Volume 3: Songs (1998)

 

[Worm]

https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/jethro-tull/thick-as-a-brick/

I am so bad, forgot how to do this. But GREAT ALBUM.

 

[Worm]

"Alexa, play Melanie, the bird song"... and she does.

 

[Worm]

Rare Earth, I am on a late 60s-early 70s roll.