|
| CLASSICAL |
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
Complete Works |
| Label: |
|
Signum U.K.
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Thomas Tallis |
| Performer: |
|
Chapelle du Roy / Alistair Dixon |
| ISBN: |
|
9786309080486 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309080482 |
| UPC: |
|
00635212006023 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDSGM 060 |
| Cat.#: |
|
SIGCD060 |
| Period: |
|
Renaissance |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
Boxed Set (9-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
Yes, it's expensive (and you should check to make sure you didn't by the discs individually when they were initially released). And yes, the box in which these nine CDs are sold is flimsy and (inexplicably) offers no title information on its spine. But the music, the music. There are many fine Tallis performers out there, but very few that approach the depth of feeling and richness of tone achieved by Chapelle du Roy under Alistair Dixon. Singing one voice per part -- a notoriously unforgiving approach -- they achieve both spiritual passion and stunning tonal purity, especially on a revelatory account of Tallis' famous 40-part motet Spem in Alium. Find the money somewhere. Write a grant if you must. (RA) |
|
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
Christmas Oratorio |
| Label: |
|
CPO
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Georg Gebel |
| Performer: |
|
Cantus Thuringia; Capella Thuringia/Klapprott |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308657641 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308657646 |
| UPC: |
|
761203999323 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDCPO 999993 |
| Cat.#: |
|
999 993-2 |
| Period: |
|
Baroque |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
On those rare occasions that Georg Gebel shows up on recordings at all, it's usually as one of several makeweight composers on collections that are headlined by other, more famous contemporaries. The CPO label is to be commended for this delightful program, which pairs Gebel's Christmas and New Year's oratorios, neither one of which will change the way we think of German baroque music but both of which are eminently worthy of attention, and both of which are performed beautifully on this excellent disc. Recommended to all classical collections. (RA) |
|
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
Tafelmusik/Musique de Table (Complete) |
| Label: |
|
Brilliant Classics (dist. Qualiton)
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Georg Philipp Telemann |
| Performer: |
|
Musica Amphion/Belder |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308562792 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308562793 |
| UPC: |
|
675754729226 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDBRIL921177 |
| Cat.#: |
|
92177 |
| Period: |
|
Baroque |
| Genre: |
|
Classical Music |
| Release type: |
|
New (4-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
It's hard to know where to start praising this magnificent release: the unbelievable budget price (four well-packed, newly-recorded discs for $24)? The stellar quality of both performance and recording? The admirably compact packaging? The equally admirable and compact liner notes? Suffice it to say that any library that does not yet own the complete Tafelmusik collection on CD should snap this one up immediately, and even if you do have it already, this one is worthy of serious consideration as an alternate version. (RA) |
|
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
Six Concertos for Five Flutes |
| Label: |
|
Accent (dist. Qualiton)
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier |
| Performer: |
|
Barthold Kuijken; Marc Hantai; Frank Theuns; S. Saitta; D. Etienne |
| ISBN: |
|
9786304557112 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6304557116 |
| UPC: |
|
4015023241619 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDNAXO553639 |
| Cat.#: |
|
ACC 24161 |
| Period: |
|
Baroque |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Despite the album's title, there aren't actually any works for five flutes on this program -- just several pieces for one, two and three flutes, with and without basso continuo. The composer being Boismortier, the pieces are elegant and lovely in an inimitably French way, and the soloists being Kuijken, Hantai and Theuns, the playing is exquisite. (The label being Accent, the production is the same.) Highly recommended to all classical collections. (RA) |
|
|
 |
| |
| $7.99 |
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| Title: |
|
Berliner Messe |
| Label: |
|
Naxos
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Arvo Part |
| Performer: |
|
Elora Festival Singers/Edison |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308768583 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308768588 |
| UPC: |
|
747313229925 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDNAXO8557299 |
| Cat.#: |
|
8.557299 |
| Period: |
|
20th Century |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
This is a very handy collection of some of Estonian composer Arvo Part's most accessible and moving sacred works. The glorious Berliner Messe for choir and orchestra is the centerpiece, but his Cantate Domino Canticum Novum is no less lovely, and his setting of the De Profundis text is also wonderful. The performance and sound quality are both excellent. Highly recommended. (RA) |
|
|
 |
| |
| $7.99 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Shaker Loops; The Wound-Dresser; Short Ride in a Fast Machine |
| Label: |
|
Naxos
|
|
Composer:
|
|
John Adams |
| Performer: |
|
Bournemoth Symphony Orchestra/Alsop |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308815645 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308815640 |
| UPC: |
|
636943903124 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDNAXO8559031 |
| Cat.#: |
|
8.559031 |
| Period: |
|
20th Century |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
It seems difficult to imagine that John Adams' 1980s compositions have been around long enough to qualify as "American classics," but that does seem to be the case. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra brings a nice energy to these works, though the all-important woodblock seems to be losing the pulse from time to time on Short Ride in a Fast Machine, and I'm not sure I'd have selected The Wound-Dresser for this particular program. Great version of Shaker Loops, though. (RA) |
|
|
 |
| |
| $16.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Works for Flute |
| Label: |
|
EMI Classics
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Richard Strauss; Charles-Marie Widor; Cesar Franck |
| Performer: |
|
Emmanuel Pahud; Eric Le Sage |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308852565 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308852562 |
| UPC: |
|
724355781321 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDEMIC57813B |
| Cat.#: |
|
5 57813 2 |
| Period: |
|
Romantic |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Flutist Emmanual Pahud and pianist Eric Le Sage are highly sympathetic interpreters of these pieces, two of which (the Strauss and Franck) are actually adaptations of sonatas originally written for violin and piano. Everything is played with a nice balance of elegance and emotion, and Pahud's tone is brilliant but not hard. Very, very nice. (RA) |
|
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
Triple Concerto; Choral Fantasy; Rondo in B Flat Major |
| Label: |
|
Warner Classics
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Ludwig van Beethoven |
| Performer: |
|
Pierre-Laurent Aimard; Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Harnoncourt |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308814921 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
630881492X |
| UPC: |
|
825646060221 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDWSM 60602 |
| Cat.#: |
|
60602-2 |
| Period: |
|
Romantic |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
The program may be strictly potboiler, but as both Aimard and Harnoncourt have already demonstrated with their wonderful three-disc set of the complete Beethoven piano concertos, there's plenty of juice to be wrung out of this repertoire yet. A little bit more oomph in the audio mix would have been nice, especially on the Choral Fantasy, but overall this is a very fine performance and recording. (RA) |
|
|
 |
| |
| $11.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Mass In D Major |
| Label: |
|
Supraphon
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Antonin Dvorak |
| Performer: |
|
Prague Philharmonic Choir/Matl |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308554322 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308554324 |
| UPC: |
|
675754736125 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDSUPP3787 |
| Cat.#: |
|
SU 3787-2 231 |
| Period: |
|
Romantic |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
Reissue |
| Comments: |
|
Recorded in 1988 and originally issued in 1992, this is a good performance but a weak recording of Dvorak's popular mass, along with four briefer, small-scale settings of sacred texts. The choir and soloists are all in fine voice, but the sound quality is rather muffled and distant. (RA) |
|
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
Early Symphonies |
| Label: |
|
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |
| Performer: |
|
Concentus Musicus Wien/Harnoncourt |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308837494 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308837490 |
| UPC: |
|
828766397024 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDDHM 63970 |
| Cat.#: |
|
82876 63970 2 |
| Period: |
|
Classical |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
The novelty appeal of this two-disc set is obviuous: these symphonies were written by the precious Mozart when he was between the ages of 8 and 12. But Nikolaus Harnoncourt and his venerable period-instrument ensemble resist the temptation to play them as novelties, and reveal the impressive level of structural and emotional sophistication that these works contain. No, they're not as good as his later symphonies. But they're better than a good many of those by his contemporaries. And he was, for crying out loud, between the ages of 8 and 12. (RA) |
|
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
Quem Queritis?: A Liturgical Drama In Medieval Florence |
| Label: |
|
Tactus (dist. Allegro)
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Various Composers |
| Performer: |
|
Ensemble San Felice/Bardazzi |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308736520 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
630873652X |
| UPC: |
|
723721035655 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDAGROTCT200001 |
| Cat.#: |
|
TC 200001 |
| Period: |
|
Medieval |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
"Whom do you seek?" was the question posed by the risen Christ to the three Marys when they went to his sepulchre to look for his body. This medieval liturgical drama is based on that scene and consists of instrumental and vocal selections taken mostly from the 12th century Florentine manuscript Antifonario Arcivescovile. Beautifully performed and recorded, this disc should find a home in any early music collection. (RA) |
|
|
 |
| |
| $18.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Lagrime Di San Pietro; Melancholia |
| Label: |
|
Chrisophorus (dist. Qualiton)
|
|
Composer:
|
|
Orlando di Lasso |
| Performer: |
|
Ensemble Hofkapelle/Procter |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308553431 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308553433 |
| UPC: |
|
675754737726 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDCSPS77255 |
| Cat.#: |
|
CHR 77255 |
| Period: |
|
Renaissance |
| Genre: |
|
Classical |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
This multi-part work, centered on the imagined regrets of the apostle Peter following his denial of Christ, is one of the most celebrated works of Orlando di Lasso, an ambitious composition that many believe is Lasso's greatest achievement. On this disc it is paired with a collection of dour aphorisms entitled Melancholia. The all-male Ensemble Hofkapelle sings strongly under the direction of Michael Proctor, and the recording quality is excellent. Recommended to all early-music collections. (RA) |
|
|
| COUNTRY/FOLK |
|
 |
| |
| $17.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Red Colour Sun |
| Label: |
|
Compass
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Pauline Scanlon |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308815768 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308815764 |
| UPC: |
|
766397439327 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDCOMS974393 |
| Cat.#: |
|
7 4393 2 |
| Genre: |
|
Folk Music |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Pauline Scanlon has been singing in accordionist Sharon Shannon's band for some time, and makes her solo debut with this powerful album. Red Colour Sun combines muscular folk-rock with gentler traditional fare and original material that walks an interesting line between the two styles. Scanlon's voice is breathy and sweet, and her accompanists are superb. Very nice indeed. (RA) |
|
|
 |
| |
| $10.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
S.A.M. (Get Down) |
| Label: |
|
Arhoolie
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Sam Brothers 5 |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308575112 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308575119 |
| UPC: |
|
096297904428 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDKHI ARH9044 |
| Cat.#: |
|
9044 |
| Genre: |
|
Country/Folk |
| Release type: |
|
Reissue |
| Comments: |
|
It's hard to know how to categorize this one, which has its roots in traditional Cajun music and zydeco but draws heavily on 1970s soul and R&B elements as well. The (mostly quite young) Sam Brothers play with amazing energy and an infectious, loose-limbed glee. Perhaps not essential for all collections, but any collection with an interest in African American or Cajun music should definitely own this CD reissue of a 1979 LP. (RA) |
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|
 |
| |
| $17.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
The Revolution Starts Now |
| Label: |
|
E-Squared
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Steve Earle |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308617256 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308617253 |
| UPC: |
|
699675156527 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDKHI ATM51565 |
| Cat.#: |
|
ATM-CD-51565 |
| Genre: |
|
Country/Rock |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Recorded very quickly with his touring band, the Dukes, as an explicitly political record intended to influence the election, this album works best when Earle tells stories and uses characters to make his points ("Home to Houston" and "The Gringo's Tale"). Even the more sloganeering songs still sound terrific, and the faux Caribbean seduction song "Condi, Condi" has to be heard to be believed. A minor work by a major artist. (SA) |
|
|
 |
| |
| $17.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
On Christmas Night |
| Label: |
|
Philo Records/Rounder Records
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Cherish The Ladies |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308888762 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308888761 |
| UPC: |
|
011661706125 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECD116 6170612 |
| Cat.#: |
|
|
| Genre: |
|
Christmas Music |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
This respected Irish-American quintet starts with a handful of well-known Christmas tunes, surrounds each with reels and Irish melodies, and the result is a set of marvelous arrangements of such seemingly diverse selections as “Distressed Soldier/Angels We Have Heard On High/The Fairy Reel.” Rich harmonies round out this refreshing seasonal offering. (GH) |
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|
 |
| |
| $16.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Cold Blow These Winter Winds |
| Label: |
|
Green Linnet
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Various Artists |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308712876 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308712876 |
| UPC: |
|
048248122924 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDRD 481229 |
| Cat.#: |
|
GLCD 1228 |
| Genre: |
|
Celtic/Christmas |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
The concert on which this CD is based was performed in Edinburgh in December of 2003 and broadcast on BBC Scotland. Performers include concert organizer Rory Campbell, Mary MacMaster, Eliza Carthy, Andy Lang and many others, and the material ranges from familiar traditional songs to modern and obscure tunes, all of them delivered with spirit, affection and skill (though I'm not sure we really needed a Celtic version of "Blue Christmas"). (RA) |
|
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
An American Christmas |
| Label: |
|
Loft (dist. Allegro)
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Tudor Choir |
| ISBN: |
|
9786307923877 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6307923873 |
| UPC: |
|
617145106025 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDAGROLOF1060 |
| Cat.#: |
|
LRCD 1060 |
| Genre: |
|
Christmas Music |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
The sweet-and-sour, rough-hewn sound of shapenote hymns from New England and Appalachia may not be what most people think of when they think about Christmas, but this wonderful collection might help change minds in that regard. In its vocal approach, the Tudor Choir strikes a nice balance between refinement and "authenticity," and the tunes are an equally nice assortment of familiar and obscure songs. Excellent. (RA) |
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|
| JAZZ |
|
 |
| |
| $17.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
People Behave Like Ballads |
| Label: |
|
MaxJazz
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Rebecca Martin |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308719981 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308719986 |
| UPC: |
|
610614011929 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDRD 140119 |
| Cat.#: |
|
MXJ 119 |
| Genre: |
|
Jazz |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Exploring the shadowy borderland between jazz and folk-rock, guitarist and singer-songwriter Rebecca Martin is given shimmeringly lovely accompaniment by a shifting ensemble of jazz players on her third album, which offers mainly moody songs that grow on you as you listen. Recommended. (RA) |
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|
 |
| |
| $15.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Hideout |
| Label: |
|
Milestone
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308815935 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308815934 |
| UPC: |
|
025218934022 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDFMP 189340 |
| Cat.#: |
|
MCD-9340-2 |
| Genre: |
|
Latin Jazz |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Percussionist and bandleader Henry "Pucho" Brown has been at the helm of one of the world's premier Latin jazz bands for four and a half decades. On his latest album he looks back to the Harlem of the 1950s and 1960s, when he was a teenager just starting out as a musician. The program veers wildly from traditional Cuban tunes to straight-ahead jazz and horn-heavy funk. Great stuff. (RA) |
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|
 |
| |
| $17.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Let Yourself Go |
| Label: |
|
Zoho (dist. Allegro)
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Judi Silvano |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308828430 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308828432 |
| UPC: |
|
880956041223 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDAGROZMR200412 |
| Cat.#: |
|
ZM 200412 |
| Genre: |
|
Jazz |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Judi Silvano sings -- most of the time, anyway -- with a winningly straight and clear tone, and has selected a fine program of standards and Broadway tunes on which she is ably accompanied by an all-star big band. Only on "Let's Fall in Love" does her voice get a bit mushy and over-romantic. Everything else is delivered with warmth, humor and consummate artistry. Recommended. (RA) |
|
|
 |
| |
| $16.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Sunday at Iridium |
| Label: |
|
Arbors
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Bob Dorough |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308939242 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308939242 |
| UPC: |
|
780941130522 |
| Prod.#: |
|
ARCD 19305 |
| Cat.#: |
|
ARCD 19305 |
| Genre: |
|
Jazz |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Anyone who watched Saturday-morning TV in the early 1970s will recognize Bob Dorough's voice; he was the music director and composer of many of the songs for the legendary Schoolhouse Rock TV segments that tried to teach us about adverbs and conjunctions in between Bugs Bunny and Roadrunner cartoons. This disc documents one of his regular Sunday sets at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York, singing and playing piano at the head of a fine quartet. He even pulls out one of his Schoolhouse Rock songs. Very nice. (RA) |
|
|
| ROCK/POP |
|
|
|
| Title: |
|
Faking The Books |
| Label: |
|
Caroline Distribution
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Lali Puna |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308437571 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308437573 |
| UPC: |
|
880918412627 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDCDISMMU44 |
| Cat.#: |
|
|
| Genre: |
|
Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
This is Lali Puna's third album. Valerie Trebeljahr's soothing voice and the group's sweet melodies pull together the exciting mix of raucous guitar, vintage synths, garage rock drumming and glitchy elements. Lyrically it finds them exploring the world's deceptive, darker side which makes for a rich listening experience. (DB) |
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|
 |
| |
| $14.98 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Title: |
|
Attention Dimension |
| Label: |
|
Breaching Whale
|
|
Artist:
|
|
Jack Irons |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308770753 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308770752 |
| UPC: |
|
751937248125 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDBCNGJIR001 |
| Cat.#: |
|
JIR001 |
| Genre: |
|
Rock |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Drummer and percussionist Jack Irons, an alumnus of both the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, collaborated with a handful of friends on this very enjoyable solo debut. The music ranges from funky to impressionistic to frankly hooky and popwise, and would be a welcome addition to any collection with a place for adventurous pop music. (RA) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Lucky Strike |
| Label: |
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Yoshitoshi (dist. Caroline)
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Artist:
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Morel |
| ISBN: |
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9786308846847 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6308846848 |
| UPC: |
|
704865101024 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDYOSH10 |
| Cat.#: |
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YRCDLP10 |
| Genre: |
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Dance, DJ |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Known primarily as a remixer and for his collaborations with dance duo Deep Dish, Richard Morel has his own band, which adds a healthy dose of rock to his club-oriented sound. Lucky Strike is a cohesive album, not a collection of tracks, and it has better lyrics than any house album you will hear this year. Off the beaten path but worth seeking out. (SA) |
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| $19.98 |
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| Title: |
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Rock & Roll Circus (DVD) |
| Label: |
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Abkco Music & Records
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Artist:
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Rolling Stones |
| ISBN: |
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9786308810176 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6308810177 |
| UPC: |
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038781100398 |
| Prod.#: |
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BEDDABKO10039 |
| Cat.#: |
|
1003-9 |
| Genre: |
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Music Video - Pop/Rock |
| Release type: |
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New/Reissue |
| Comments: |
|
Originally shot as a TV special in 1968 but never broadcast, this rock concert interspersed with low-rent circus acts finally makes it to DVD. Brian Jones' last appearance with the Stones is a little rusty, but Jagger's charisma is unmistakeable. Includes performances by the Who, Marrianne Faithful, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, and The Dirty Mac (John Lennon with Eric Clapton on guitar and Mitch Mitchell on drums) plus recently recorded commentary tracks. A real time capsule. (SA) |
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| $13.98 |
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| Title: |
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Mayonnaise |
| Label: |
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Lunatic Works
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Artist:
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Crispin Hunt; Howie B.; Will O'Donovan |
| ISBN: |
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9786308760075 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6308760072 |
| UPC: |
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801190118724 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDIMUS01187 |
| Cat.#: |
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IMADV-01187-2 |
| Genre: |
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Dance, DJ |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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This is an interesting, if not always completely compelling, experiment in pop-electronica fusion; the sound is sometimes surprisingly reminiscent of Brian Eno's early solo work, and sometimes recalls David Sylvian's more restrained experiments. Howie B's quietly funky electronic beats and Hunt's plainspoken vocals are an attractive combination. Not bad at all. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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Real Gone |
| Label: |
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Anti
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Artist:
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Tom Waits |
| ISBN: |
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9786308763038 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6308763039 |
| UPC: |
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045778667826 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDANTR86678 |
| Cat.#: |
|
86678-2 |
| Genre: |
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Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Thank god Tom Waits is not mellowing with age; this record is as unhinged as any he’s done. Foregoing piano, he seems to be striving for a more percussive sound, adding his son Casey on turntables and once again collaborating with inventive jazz guitarist Marc Ribot. Another fine piece of work by a true American original. (SA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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From A Basement On The Hill |
| Label: |
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Anti
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Artist:
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Elliott Smith |
| ISBN: |
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9786308820540 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6308820547 |
| UPC: |
|
045778674121 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDANTR86741 |
| Cat.#: |
|
86741-2 |
| Genre: |
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Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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This album was put together from tracks intended for an album that was almost complete at the time of Smith’s mysterious death. No clues here really, just more of what we’ve come to expect – beautiful melodies, interesting arrangements, and lyrics full of sadness. It’s too bad that this album is the last we’ll hear from this gifted artist, but these songs are anything but leftovers. (SA) |
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| $15.98 |
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| Title: |
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Radical Connector |
| Label: |
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Thrill Jockey
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Artist:
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Mouse On Mars |
| ISBN: |
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9786308682933 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6308682934 |
| UPC: |
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790377013429 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDTJ 70134 |
| Cat.#: |
|
THRILL 134 |
| Genre: |
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Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
German duo Mouse on Mars have been at it for 10 years, achieving some popularity in Europe, but here their work has mostly been thought of as being on the outer fringes of electronica. So it’s quite a shock to find that this album consists entirely of songs with lyrics (in English), featuring a sound that is certainly more accessible than anything they’ve tried in the past. There’s still quite a bit of glitchy abstract noise here, but Radical Connector is edging towards pop, and it deserves to be heard by adventurous listeners. (SA) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Rendezvous |
| Label: |
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Ryko Distribution
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Artist:
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Luna |
| ISBN: |
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9786308841880 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6308841889 |
| UPC: |
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604978006929 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDRD 780069 |
| Cat.#: |
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| Genre: |
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Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
Luna's seventh album is supposedly the group's last, if true, this is a great swan song. While it doesn't break new ground, the album is a gem of dream pop, perfect for repeated listening on a Sunday afternoon. The smart lyrics are filled with wry social observations and are often witty. Musically, the band perfects their dreamy guitar driven sound. (DB) |
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| $24.98 |
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| Title: |
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Festival Express (DVD) |
| Label: |
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Turner Home Entertainment
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Artist:
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Various Artists |
| ISBN: |
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9780780649231 |
| ISBN-10: |
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0780649230 |
| UPC: |
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794043757327 |
| Prod.#: |
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BEDDTHE N7573 |
| Cat.#: |
|
N7573 |
| Genre: |
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Music Video - Pop/Rock |
| Release type: |
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New (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
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Festival Express was filmed in 1970 as an all-star cast of rockers (including the Grateful Dead, the Band, Janis Joplin and Sha Na Na, among others) made its way across North America by train, playing festival shows at various stops along the way. Some of the performances (especially those by the Band) are thrilling, but it's the onboard footage that is especially fascinating, if sometimes depressing. Recommended to all pop music collections. (RA) |
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| $79.98 |
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| Title: |
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History of Rock 'N' Roll (DVD) |
| Label: |
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Warner Home Video
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Artist:
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Various Artists |
| ISBN: |
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9780790794587 |
| ISBN-10: |
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0790794586 |
| UPC: |
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085393499129 |
| Prod.#: |
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BEDDWA 34991 |
| Cat.#: |
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34991 |
| Genre: |
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Rock/Documentary |
| Release type: |
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New (5-discs) |
| Comments: |
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This ten-hour documentary aired originally on the A&E channel back in 1995. It's not perfect -- not all of the interviewees offer much in the way of cultural or musical insight -- but many of the interviews are brilliant and the concert and studio footage alone is worth the price. Taken together, these five discs offer a good (if flawed) overview of the history of American and British pop music since the 1950s. Public and academic libraries alike should make place for this boxed set on their shelves. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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Pilgremage |
| Label: |
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K7 Studio
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Artist:
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Rennie Pilgrem |
| ISBN: |
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9786308744570 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6308744573 |
| UPC: |
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800505134428 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDK7 THC12 |
| Cat.#: |
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RENNCD012 |
| Genre: |
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Dance, DJ |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Rennie Pilgrem is one of the UK's foremost dance-music artists in the "nu breaks" school, meaning that his vision of techno is funky and often dub-inflected rather than thumpy and rhythmically boring. If your patrons can't get enough of those DJ Icey and Adam Freeland releases, then you can anticipate demand for the latest from Pilgrem. Recommended. (RA) |
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| WORLD/ETHNIC |
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| Title: |
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Iala |
| Label: |
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World Village (dist. Harmonia Mundi USA)
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Artist:
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Monica Salmaso |
| ISBN: |
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9786308889844 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308889849 |
| UPC: |
|
713746803520 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDHMD 468035 |
| Cat.#: |
|
468035 |
| Genre: |
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Brazilian |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Just when you think you've plumbed the depths of delight offered by Brazil's various musical traditions, someone like Monica Salmaso comes along and shows you what you've been missing. Her dark, rich voice is beautifully offset by light, swinging instrumental accompaniment that is generally and wisely kept to a minimum. The result is music of heartbreaking loveliness. Very strongly recommended to all collections. (RA) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Oneness |
| Label: |
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Dharma Moon
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Artist:
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Damian |
| ISBN: |
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9786308819612 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308819611 |
| UPC: |
|
827241011721 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDDHRM10117 |
| Cat.#: |
|
DHM0117 |
| Genre: |
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World Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
Yes, that's a panflute on the cover, but don't worry -- there aren't any saccharine, Zamfir-style arrangements of pop and classical tunes here. Damian uses panflute as just one ingredient in a rich stew of multiethnic dance music that also includes the London Symphony Orchestra, breakbeats, synthesized percussion and vocals from a variety of traditions. The combination is funky, hook-filled and just generally delightful. Recommended to all pop collections. (RA) |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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Lif Up Yuh Leg An Trample: The Soca Train from Port of Spain |
| Label: |
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Honest Jon's Records (dist. Caroline)
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Artist:
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Various Artists |
| ISBN: |
|
9786308845741 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6308845744 |
| UPC: |
|
724347365126 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDCDISASW473651 |
| Cat.#: |
|
HJRCD9 |
| Genre: |
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World Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
The prize for Album Title of the Year goes to this brilliant collection of Trinidadian soca and carnival music, which may cause problems in your library if you don't want your staff and patrons forming a spontaneous conga line or dancing around with fruit on their heads. As an added bonus, the booklet includes lots of very cool color and B&W photos from carnivals past and present. (RA) |
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