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Post by jhar26 on Jan 16, 2010 8:41:27 GMT -5
The same vien as the listening thread. This works well on other forums. Simply post what you have been buying or are considering buying! An eight DVD 'collectors set' of Judy Garland performances. I know a good deal when I see one, so I regularly buy box sets if the price is right. And with the current crisis in the cd/dvd industry it often is these days. Anyway, most of this stuff is taken from the 26 episodes of the weekly "Judy Garland Show" she did for television in 1963 and 1964. There are two earleir television shows as well - one with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and one with Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers. One disc covers duets with the likes of Mel Torme, Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee. There's a Christmas episode that was part of the above mentionned series and the Palladium concert she did with daughter Liza Minnelli in 1964. Judy was already past her peak when most of this stuff was recorded of course. Decades of drug abuse had clearly taken it's toll on both that glorious voice and her physical appearance. But even a Judy Garland at 50% is still worth seeing and hearing.
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Post by egoodstein on Jan 16, 2010 11:49:12 GMT -5
Most recent purchases: from the Glyndebourne label, a very well done IMO live recording of 'L'Elisir d'Amore' by Donizetti feat. Mirella Freni and Luigi Alva, cond. by Carlo Felice Cilario (rec. in '62). I'm enjoying a lot. Also just got yesterday Yannick Nézet-Seguin and Rotterdam Phil. Orch. playing Ravel: Daphnis & Chloe; La Valse/'Valse nobles & Sentimentales'/'Mere l'oye'. Very lyrical reads-- I have to listen more to decide. I like some of N-S's other albums, part. of French rep. Pop: roots/country duo fr. Nashville Jeff and Vida, 'Selma Chalk'; they're a little like Buddy & Julie Miller, but grittier w. a few albums-- this def. their best I've heard. Also downloads of stuff by Melissa Mathes-- also fr. Nashville but a pop singer, her album 'Mercury' from '99 and other various stuff as 'Rarities.' Very good songwriter IMO-- sounds a little like an 'updated' Jackie de Shannon-- a lot of production on records but she handles it. Those jazz albums I already mentioned -- plus also a very cool EP by 'Tenor Madness,' which features singer Hannah Richardson & her hubby, bassist Phil Flanagan. Great 'no muss/no frills' jazz singing a la Rebecca Kilgore w. a little more bluesy base. Ed
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Post by arjan on Jan 16, 2010 13:33:29 GMT -5
Don't know if anyone remembers Bettie Serveert - they still exist, released their 9th album a few days ago. It's currently my #1 album of 2010. Of course it's also the only one on the list so far Still, it's a good album, one of the most rocking albums they did. It's got 9 songs and clocks 38 minutes, though one of the songs is 9 minutes long so that leaves about 29 minutes for the other 8. The album is called 'Pharmacy of Love'.
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Post by egoodstein on Jan 16, 2010 14:42:53 GMT -5
I didn't know Bettie Serveert stilll around-- I like 'em & that sounds good! Thanks for heads up . Ed
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 22, 2010 5:35:41 GMT -5
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Post by egoodstein on Jan 22, 2010 10:25:33 GMT -5
Hope you enjoy 'Gypsy' Gaston!! Ed
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 24, 2010 8:32:05 GMT -5
Hope you enjoy 'Gypsy' Gaston!! Ed I wish I could say otherwise, but I don't, Ed. I think Gypsy is a fine musical, but no matter how hard I try, I can't digest that (in my opinion) terrible voice of Ethel Merman. For me she's just a big ugly noise and nothing more.
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Post by erik on Jan 24, 2010 14:07:07 GMT -5
Unbroken--Katharine McPhee And now, something completely different ( ): The Soul Of Tango, consisting of works by Luis Enrique Bacalov and Astor Piazzola. Featuring Virginia Tola (soprano), Bacalov himself (piano), and Juan Jose Mosalini (bandoneon), with Gisele Ben-Dor conducting the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra.
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Post by arjan on Jan 29, 2010 13:10:36 GMT -5
An album from last year, but hard to get through normal channels. Finally got it. And it's good. A few songs in Italian, most in English.
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Post by egoodstein on Jan 30, 2010 1:13:30 GMT -5
Hope you enjoy 'Gypsy' Gaston!! Ed I wish I could say otherwise, but I don't, Ed. I think Gypsy is a fine musical, but no matter how hard I try, I can't digest that (in my opinion) terrible voice of Ethel Merman. For me she's just a big ugly noise and nothing more. **Ah well, too bad. If you can find it (I think still pretty available in Europe anyway) , you might try the Angela Lansbury London production version from '90's if interested. If not exactly a 'pretty' voice, she has an effective B'way voice IMO and very good in the role too-- & without those 'Mermanesque' affectations. Not perfect either esp. in the minor roles, but I'm fond of it. I like EM in this and Annie Get Your Gun especially, but also don't always wanna hear her 'bellowing.' Ed
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 30, 2010 6:23:39 GMT -5
I wish I could say otherwise, but I don't, Ed. I think Gypsy is a fine musical, but no matter how hard I try, I can't digest that (in my opinion) terrible voice of Ethel Merman. For me she's just a big ugly noise and nothing more. **Ah well, too bad. If you can find it (I think still pretty available in Europe anyway) , you might try the Angela Lansbury London production version from '90's if interested. If not exactly a 'pretty' voice, she has an effective B'way voice IMO and very good in the role too-- & without those 'Mermanesque' affectations. Not perfect either esp. in the minor roles, but I'm fond of it. I like EM in this and Annie Get Your Gun especially, but also don't always wanna hear her 'bellowing.' Ed Thanks for the tip, Ed. Even though I don't like Merman at all, I don't regret buying this recording. It's sort of an important historical document I suppose, so it's good to have it from that perspective. Merman and Blossom Dearie are the opposite extremes of great American songbook singers, and they are the two big names of the 'genre' that I dislike the most. I like virtually anyone else that one is supposed to like with the exception of Jeri Southern who's voice I also find extremely unatractive, although to a somewhat lesser degree than Merman or Dearie.
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Post by egoodstein on Jan 30, 2010 12:32:21 GMT -5
**Well, that's the 1st time I've seen Merman and Blossom Dearie mentioned in the same sentence !! I have to be in the mood for Blossom and Jeri Southern (& Ethel for that matter), but at times I enjoy them a lot. I think they create their own worlds of the music they do-- not that easy. Southern true doesn't have a 'nice' voice I agree, but interesting phrasing decisions because of it, a little like the later Carmen McRae in decision-making, if not in sound (CM I have trouble liking after about 1965, but respect a lot). I sort of like comparing/contrasting her to Peggy Lee's 'smoldering conversational style' (JS was a fave of Peggy's). Though I imagine you think she sounds like a BAD Peggy ;D. I feel that way at times myself! I LIKE the fragility of Dearie's voice often-- though not for every song where the girlish sound seems at odds with the content--and for the often humorous aspects. I also respect all of them for their piano & arranging abilities, if in later years Dearie had become too predictable and 'samey' in arrangements , if often good ones (that aside from her well-known quirky and disagreeable personality). I suspect Southern quit because her voice completely gave out-- several planned returns never materialized. Dearie is listed often as an influence by some recent singers I like even more and who arguably swing more: Janet Seidel (Australian-- who takes a lot from Peggy Lee/Doris Day too-- I think BD's influence is also in Janet's piano playing); Darryl Sherman (voice similar timbre true-- owes even more to Mildred Bailey tho-- good pianist too); and Rebecca Kilgore (who doesn't sound like her at all-- but maybe for the 'no frills' aspect)-- & others I'm forgetting. Ed
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Post by erik on Jan 31, 2010 14:00:00 GMT -5
Bernstein. Mahler. 'Nuff said.
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Post by egoodstein on Jan 31, 2010 15:58:30 GMT -5
My most recent purchases are: Classical: 2 discs by Pavel Haas Quartet of Janacek String Quartets and pieces for string quartet. Great-- talented young quartet (from Prague). Emma Kirkby and London Baroque-- Handel 9 German Arias, Gloria & Trio Sonata. Very nice--EK visiting again the German arias & interesting comparison w. disc from '90's. Beautiful playing by LB. Glenn Gould Edition of lieder by Hindemith/R. Strauss /Ernest Krenek w. three different & fave vocalists of his: soprano's Roxolana Roslak (with whom GG rumored to have an affair) & Lois Marshall. These done for Canadian Radio-- rereleased '95. Quite interesting to hear him in these contexts as strong accompanist-- if Marshall's interps of RS's '4 Last Songs' are not the strongest ever, and a bit hampered by sound mix that could use remastering. The Hindemith songs (GG faves) esp. are beautiful. Jazz: (on border of contemp. classical): pieces both improvised and composed by husband and wife duo, pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and violinist Mark Feldman, 'Oblivia.' Early judgement-- really excellent tho it took me a few listens to really get into. John Geggie Trio: Across the Sky (may have mentioned)-- Canadian bassist a fave of mine-- very clever combo of post bop and more lyrical moments-- I enjoy a lot. Duo album of clarinetist Gabrielle Mirabassi and pianist Stefano Battaglia, 'Fiabe' ('Fables') from late '90's or so. Lovely and at times very exploratory duos. GM brings a different dimension to jazz clarinet. SB a long time fave of mine. Pop: Yuka Honda 'Heart Chamber Phantoms'-- mostly instrumental experiments in electronica with pop/rock overtones & edges at times-- not as 'dancey' as some of her stuff. Very interesting arranger IMO using pop/improv and a bit of oriental stuff. Sean Lennon on drums/electronics too (he's ok!) & nice trumpet & various from Michael Leonhart. Carolina Chocolate Drops w. Sanofa Strings, 'Colored Aristocracy.' Old timey backwoods Carolina jug band blues/folk akin to Elizabeth Cotton and such. A friend gave me an earlier album of theirs a couple years ago. They're a trio usually though expanded w. another guy here-- very good at this rather forgotten aspect of blues tradition (very different from Delta blues-- but significant part of Appalachian folk trad.)-- this one less 'rough,', slightly more complex/long pieces with a lot of intense instrumentation. Hot Soup 'Way You Like It' & 'Soup Happens.' Clever modern folk trio from Washington DC area/Maryland with 'cabaret' edge, fun and sometimes moving songs-- very like Chenille Sisters, Uncle Bonsai or 4 Bitchin' Babes-- nicely worked out vocals even on sometimes weaker (lyrically) songs. I like this kind of stuff sometimes . Ed
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Post by arjan on Feb 3, 2010 12:22:49 GMT -5
The new Juliana - pre-ordered on her website and delivered 2 weeks before given release date. It's quite a different album from Juliana. Almost acoustic, most songs just her and a guitar, not in a 'Made in China' rough way but, well, acoustic. Takes some getting used to.
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Post by egoodstein on Feb 3, 2010 16:02:10 GMT -5
Thanks for heads up on new Juliana. I will def. look into that!! Ed
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Post by Andrew on Feb 19, 2010 12:28:26 GMT -5
I haven't been buying much these past few months, due to being furloughed and putting my money towards school instead, but I did allow a very small splurge with my tax return, and bought a Tuck and Patti album (download, not hard copy...I don't have much use for hard copies anymore). It happens to have two of my favorite songs on it, "Take My Breath Away" and "Love is the Key."
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Post by erik on Feb 19, 2010 19:24:50 GMT -5
With a husband like Steve Earle and a big sister like Shelby Lynne, chances are you won't get mistaken for either Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift. Even so, Allison once more stakes her own path as a fine singer/songwriter of her day in the admittedly somber songs on this album, many of which are performed in minor keys.
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Post by egoodstein on Feb 20, 2010 1:43:27 GMT -5
Last couple of weeks:
I just got that new Julianna Hatfield one 'Peace & Love.' Indeed mostly intimate/unplugged-- she plays everything. I'm enjoying quite a bit with repeated listens-- an interesting departure & more complex I think on repeated listens than at 1st impression.
I've just got last week '05 one 'Dooji Wooji' by Lorraine Feather-- almost as good as her new 'Ages.' She really has impressed me recently listening to all her albums.
Very new, just got couple days ago duo album pianist Jesse Stacken/trumpeter Kirk Knuffke doing Monk and Ellington tunes. Very creative & well done-- fr. '08 I this. Also, new one by 'minimalist' pianist Christian Wallumrød Ensemble, 'Fabula Suite Lugano.' That takes careful listening, but I'm liking after a couple listens: he 'refers' to baroque composers like Scarlatti; but also hints of folk, impressionism, & various chamber traditions if group's own 'improv' spin. Might be my fave of his that I've heard.
classical: lovely album of religious music by 18th century Czech composer Vaclav Jacob-- a bit like Vivaldi's sacred stuff; and album of various mostly vocal stuff by Canadian composer Bart Visman-- 'Sables, Oxygene.' Parallels to Part/Lauridson/Taverner, but individual.
Ed
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Post by erik on Feb 21, 2010 14:24:23 GMT -5
Two new ones: First--Naxos has once again struck Gold in terms of contemporary American works, with this Navajo Oratorio by Mark Grey, featuring the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, led by Michael Christie. Second--John Williams' epic score to the hugely successful 1978 blockbuster SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, arguably the best-ever cinematic adaptation of a comic strip.
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Post by egoodstein on Feb 22, 2010 19:38:41 GMT -5
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Post by brendywendy on Mar 2, 2010 18:48:33 GMT -5
I HAVEN'T BOUGHT ANY CD'S SINCE MY DAD DIED..TOO POOR....OH I BOUGHT ONE....I FORGET NOW WHAT IT WAS....HMMMMM I'LL POST WHEN I REMEMBER....IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE MY WISH LISTS....; )
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Post by erik on Mar 3, 2010 10:50:58 GMT -5
Barber, Gershwin, and Andre Previn are bought together on this collection featuring the legendary (and, not surprisingly, tempestuous) soprano Kathleen Battle. Previn himself conducts the proceedings with the Orchestra of St. Luke's.
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Post by jhar26 on Mar 13, 2010 9:14:06 GMT -5
Barber, Gershwin, and Andre Previn are bought together on this collection featuring the legendary (and, not surprisingly, tempestuous) soprano Kathleen Battle. Previn himself conducts the proceedings with the Orchestra of St. Luke's. Does Previn only conduct or are there also compositions from him on this disc? I have his opera "A Streetcar Named Desire" on DVD and it's really very, very good. Much better than I expected it would be actually.
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Post by jhar26 on Mar 13, 2010 9:26:18 GMT -5
The Mozart violin concertos on authentic instruments. Definitely lots of fun, but maybe just missing that little bit extra - that sparkle that still makes me prefer Anne-Sophie Mutter's recent set, HIP or not. A fantastic clarinet concerto makes up most of this disc. Kimmo Hakola is a contemporary Finnish composer and although his works are quite challenging, repeated listening is richly rewarded. That clarinet concerto (almost 40 minutes long) must rank with the best concertos of recent decades. Awesome stuff.
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