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| CLASSICAL |
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| $15.99 |
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| Title: |
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Tenebrae Responsories |
| Label: |
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Dorian/Sono Luminus
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Composer:
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Tomas Luis de Victoria |
| Performer: |
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Ensemble Corund / Stephen Smith |
| Cat.#: |
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DOR-93256 |
| Period: |
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Renaissance |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
Great news for classical music lovers -- the Dorian label is back in business, now under the aegis of the Sono Luminus company. One of the label's first releases under this new arrangement is also one of the loveliest entries in the Dorian catalog: a gorgeous new account of Victoria's Tenebrae Responsories by the excellent Ensemble Corund. The singing is warm and expressive, and the recording quality is up to Dorian's usual high standard. Very highly recommended. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Passions: Resurrection History and Dialogues |
| Label: |
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Brilliant Classics (dist. Qualiton)
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Composer:
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Heinrich Schutz |
| Performer: |
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Cappella Augustana / Matteo Messori |
| ISBN: |
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9786310417561 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310417568 |
| Cat.#: |
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92795 |
| Period: |
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Renaissance/Early Baroque |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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Boxed Set (4-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
The third volume in the Brilliant Classics label's ongoing Heinrich Schutz Edition series is a four-disc collection of his three Passion settings and his Resurrection History. Not only is it a convenient and handily packaged compilation of all of Schutz's gospel settings, but the price is unbelievably right and the performances are excellent. Very highly recommended to all classical collections. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Declarations - Music Between the Wars |
| Label: |
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Cedille
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Composer:
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Leos Janacek; Ruth Crawford Seeger; Paul Hindemith |
| Performer: |
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Pacifica Quartet |
| ISBN: |
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9786310562858 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00735131909228 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDCED 092 |
| Cat.#: |
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CDR 9000 092 |
| Period: |
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20th Century |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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The period between the first and second World Wars was a time of considerable tension and angst in Europe and the U.S., a mood that is felt quite clearly in the string quartets on offer here. Yet at the same time, music of the period offered quite a bit of lyrical beauty as well. The Pacifica Quartet convey both sides of the stylistic coin with admirable grace and energy on this program of works by Hindemith (spikier), Seeger (spikiest) and Janacek (sweeter). Highly recommended. (RA) |
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| $8.99 |
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| Title: |
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String Quartets |
| Label: |
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Naxos
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Composer:
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Charles Ives |
| Performer: |
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Blair String Quartet |
| ISBN: |
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9786310608303 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00636943917824 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNAXO8559178 |
| Cat.#: |
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8.559178 |
| Period: |
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20th Century |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Charles Ives always seemed to have a love/hate relationship with small-town America and its music -- although his compositions are filled with apparently affectionate references to hymns, folk songs and village band music, those materials were often folded, spindled and mutilated in ways that imply a deep ambivalence. His first string quartet is an unabashedly sweet and loving take on Salvation Army hymns, whereas his second involves a much more abrasive and aggressive approach to some similar material, and while it's a less accessible work, it's also much more interesting. Both are given very fine performances by the Blair String Quartet. (RA) |
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| $19.98 |
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| Title: |
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Symphonies 1-4; Cello Concerto |
| Label: |
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Harmonia Mundi
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Composer:
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C.P.E. Bach |
| Performer: |
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English Concert / Andrew |
| ISBN: |
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9786310603162 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00093046740320 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDHMD HMU907403 |
| Cat.#: |
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HMU 907403 |
| Period: |
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Classical |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Of J.S. Bach's many talented children, Carl Philipp Emanuel was perhaps the most gifted and certainly the most prolific composer. Unlike his father, he embraced the musical innovations of his time and his works nicely bridge the traditions of the baroque period with the new sounds of the classical style. This disc offers four of his symphonies along with one cello concerto. The English Concert plays wonderfully throughout, though Alison McGillivray's cello sounds just a bit out of tune on the concerto. Recommended overall. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Misterioso |
| Label: |
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ECM
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Composer:
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Valentin Silvestrov; Arvo Part; Galina Ustvolskaya |
| Performer: |
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Alexei Lubimov; Alexander Trostiansky; Kyril Rybakov |
| ISBN: |
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9786310550749 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00028947631088 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDUMG B000732802 |
| Cat.#: |
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ECM 1959 |
| Period: |
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Modern/20th Century |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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This aptly-titled disc contains five contemplative and darkly beautiful pieces for various combinations of clarinet, violin and piano. The Silvestrov works are perhaps the darkest, and the Arvo Part piece (a rearrangement of his Spiegel im Spiegel) the most sweetly and simply lyrical. All are very fine, and beautifully performed. The production style is what one has come to expect from Manfred Eicher: warm and richly resonant, in this case a nice counterweight to the sometimes chilly ascetism of the music. Very highly recommended. (RA) |
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| $27.99 |
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| Title: |
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Philemon & Baucis |
| Label: |
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Ambroisie/Naive
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Composer:
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Christoph Willibald von Gluck |
| Performer: |
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Les Talens Lyriques / Christophe Rousset |
| ISBN: |
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9786310608815 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00822186000953 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNAIVAM9995 |
| Cat.#: |
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AMB9995 |
| Period: |
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Classical |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
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This is a fascinating (if frustratingly incomplete) revival of a commissioned opera originally titled Feste d'Apollo and written for the court at Parma. The performances and recorded sound are excellent, and a premiere recording of unknown work by this major composer is always welcome -- but here's hoping that someday someone will record the whole thing. (RA) |
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 |
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| $11.98 |
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| Title: |
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Missa: O Pulchritudo; Messe Solennelle |
| Label: |
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Cedille
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Composer:
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Gian Carlo Menotti; Louis Vierne |
| Performer: |
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William Ferris Chorale / William Ferris |
| ISBN: |
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9786310630687 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00735131700122 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDCED 7001 |
| Cat.#: |
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CDR 7001 |
| Period: |
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20th Century |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New/Reissue |
| Comments: |
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Both of these masses are infrequently recorded, and the Menotti work is particularly interesting for having been recorded live (in 1982) with the composer in attendance. (He was reportedly so moved by the performance that he fell to his knees.) The Menotti recording has never been commercially released before this; the Vierne was originally issued in 1988. Both pieces are powerful and beautifully performed, though some listeners might wish for a bit less distance and more detail in the choral sound. Recommended. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Ludi Musici |
| Label: |
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Ambroisie/Naive
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Composer:
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Samuel Scheidt |
| Performer: |
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Les Sacqueboutiers / Regis Singlit |
| ISBN: |
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9786310608884 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00822186000960 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNAIVAM9996 |
| Cat.#: |
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AM9996 |
| Period: |
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Renaissance |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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A perennial favorite of brass ensembles of both the modern and period-instrument variety, Scheidt's Ludi Musici is a sweet and lovely collection of dance movements featuring lots of delicate syncopation, elegantly layered part writing and winning melodies. When recorded on period instruments, much depends on the cornettists' and sacbut players' ability to keep their notoriously difficult instruments on pitch -- and Les Sacqueboutiers are very impressive in that regard. Excellent. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Violin Concerto in D Op. 35; Serenade Melancolique, Op. 26; Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34; Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op. 42 |
| Label: |
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Pentatone (dist. Naxos)
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Composer:
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Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky |
| Performer: |
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Julia Fischer; Yakov Kreizberg; Russian National Orchestra |
| ISBN: |
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9786310713786 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00827949009563 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDPNAT5186095 |
| Cat.#: |
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PTC 5186 095 |
| Period: |
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Romantic |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Julia Fischer continues to develop into one of the most exciting and impressive young violinists on the classical scene today. Her brilliant account of Tchaikovsky's D major concerto and three more minor pieces sets a standard for clarity and expressiveness, and the sound quality on this SACD recording is exceptional. Very highly recommended. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Griselda |
| Label: |
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Naive
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Composer:
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Antonio Vivaldi |
| Performer: |
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Ensemble Matheus; Jean-Christophe Spinosi |
| ISBN: |
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9786310608914 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00709861304196 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNAIVOP30419 |
| Cat.#: |
|
OP 30419 |
| Period: |
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Baroque |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New (3-discs) |
| Comments: |
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The Naive label continues its welcome series of recordings of Vivaldi operas, many of which have rarely if ever been recorded in their entirety. The latest provides yet more evidence that the popular perception of Vivaldi as mainly a producer of concertos is shockingly shallow. Well performed, well recorded, beautifully packaged and nicely priced, this set can be confidently recommended (along with the other installments in the series) to all classical collections. (RA) |
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| COUNTRY/FOLK |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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Best of Tim Buckley |
| Label: |
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Rhino
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Artist:
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Tim Buckley |
| ISBN: |
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9786310543918 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00081227411626 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDELEK74116 |
| Cat.#: |
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R2 74116 |
| Genre: |
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Folk, Folk-Rock |
| Release type: |
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Best of |
| Comments: |
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Tim Buckley was one of the most interesting musicians to come out of the 1960’s California folk scene, possessed of a great voice and a penchant for experimentation. He recorded his first album in 1966, and covered a lot of musical ground before his heroin overdose in 1975. He started as a folkie, but eventually incorporated rock, jazz, and avant-garde influences into an iconoclastic body of work that spanned nine markedly different LPs. Rhino’s compilation presents a good overview of this important artist’s career. (GH) |
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| Title: |
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Holy Heathens and the Old Green Man |
| Label: |
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Topic
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Artist:
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Waterson:Carthy |
| ISBN: |
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9786310705576 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00714822056229 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDTOPI562 |
| Cat.#: |
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TSCD562 |
| Genre: |
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Folk |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
Few, if any, interpret British folksong as well as Waterson:Carthy, the magical quartet featuring Martin Carthy on guitar, Norma Waterson on vocals, their daughter Eliza Carthy on fiddle and mandolin, and Tim van Eyken on melodeons. This is a brilliant collection of mostly traditional material thematically centered on the Christmas season. The arrangements are elegant and engaging, the delivery impeccable, the talent unsurpassed. Not merely folk interpreters, they also aim to educate about the material, as Martin’s liner notes place each song in folkloric perspective. Traditional seasonal fare doesn’t get any better than this. (GH) |
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|
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| $13.98 |
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| Title: |
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Whiskey or God |
| Label: |
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Palo Duro (dist. Fontana)
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Artist:
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Dale Watson |
| ISBN: |
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9786310067407 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00806820080129 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDPLDR801 |
| Cat.#: |
|
0801 |
| Genre: |
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Country & Western |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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If you haven't experienced Dale Watson yet, this is a perfect opportunity. His gravelly voice and dark, sometimes Biblical themes bring to mind a honky-tonk version of Nick Cave, but he takes himself much less seriously, and his music is much more fun as a result. C'mon now, admit it -- I had you from "honky-tonk version of Nick Cave." (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Catch Tomorrow |
| Label: |
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Compass
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Artist:
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Dale Anne Bradley |
| ISBN: |
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9786310560557 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00766397444529 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDCOMS974445 |
| Cat.#: |
|
4445 |
| Genre: |
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Bluegrass |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Dale Anne Bradley has one of the most powerful voices (male or female) in bluegrass music today, and that, combined with her ability to move effortlessly between straight tradgrass and more adventurous material makes her one of the genre's brightest stars. This may be her best album yet. (RA) |
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| $30.98 |
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| Title: |
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Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (Deluxe Edition) |
| Label: |
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Universal Music Group
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Artist:
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Lucinda Williams |
| ISBN: |
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9786310593814 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00602517045347 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDUMG B000737802 |
| Cat.#: |
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| Genre: |
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Alt Country, Rock |
| Release type: |
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New/Reissue (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
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Lucinda Williams’ 1998 release Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is a remarkable evocation of an archetypal South, where images of cotton fields, juke joints and broken homes are peppered with references to Robert Johnson, Hank Williams, and Loretta singing on the radio. Against this landscape characters struggle with loss and heartbreak, all rendered in poetic language and delivered with tough guitars and singing mandolins. This deluxe edition adds extra cuts and a second disc that captures a live 1998 concert from the World Café, proving that you can improve on a masterpiece. Very highly recommended. (GH) |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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These Four Walls |
| Label: |
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Nonesuch
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Artist:
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Shawn Colvin |
| ISBN: |
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9786310481715 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00075597993721 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNONEN79937 |
| Cat.#: |
|
79937-2 |
| Genre: |
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Popular Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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These Four Walls is singer/songwriter Colvin’s strongest outing in a decade, a solid set of well-crafted, melodic material that showcases her fine voice. She’s joined by long-time collaborator John Leventhal, who co-wrote most of the songs and plays nearly all the instruments (and who also adds similar magic to Rosanne Cash’s The Wheel). Consistent and compelling. (GH) |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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Straight to Hell |
| Label: |
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Curb
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Artist:
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Hank III |
| ISBN: |
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9786309541871 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00715187886926 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDCURB78869 |
| Cat.#: |
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D2-78869 |
| Genre: |
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Country & Western |
| Release type: |
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New (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
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He may be more foul-mouthed than his grandpa, but Hank Williams III is arguably truer to the family legacy than his father, Hank Williams Jr. (of "Are you ready for some football?" fame). His latest album is a typically ratty and obnoxious blend of punk-rock attitude and vintage country songcraft, sung in a voice that echoes (but doesn't duplicate) that of the original Hank. The "2-disc set" sticker is a bit misleading -- the second disc consists of one song -- but the parental advisory sticker isn't misleading at all. (RA) |
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| JAZZ |
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| Title: |
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The Wonderful World Of Louis Armstrong [Box] |
| Label: |
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Time Life Music
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Artist:
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Louis Armstrong |
| ISBN: |
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9786310619156 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00610583191523 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDTLIFM19270 |
| Cat.#: |
|
M19270 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz/Pop |
| Release type: |
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Boxed Set (3-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
What makes this two-CD, one-DVD box set special isn't really the musical content itself: we've all heard Louis Armstrong's classic renditions of "Hello, Dolly" and "Stormy Weather" and, heaven knows, "What a Wonderful World." What's noteworthy is the exquisite sound quality of these remastered tracks, and also the very fun DVD collection of movie and TV appearances from the 1930s through the 1960s. There are lots of good Louis Armstrong box sets available, but this is as good a multimedia overview of his career as you're likely to find. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Carnegie Hall Concert |
| Label: |
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ECM
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Artist:
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Keith Jarrett |
| ISBN: |
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9786310549071 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00602498562246 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDUMG B000736202 |
| Cat.#: |
|
1989/90 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
Pianist Keith Jarrett’s live solo recordings constitute their own sub-genre in the jazz canon, an unparalleled body of improvisational work staggering in its creative depth and beauty. His recent Carnegie Hall Concert is a 10 part, hour-long improvisational suite followed by five additional selections. Ranging from soft, gentle movements to thunderous, intense volleys, this stands with the best of Jarrett’s solo material. Very highly recommended. (GH) |
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| Title: |
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Bubbemeises: Lies My Gramma Told Me |
| Label: |
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Label Bleu (dist. Harmonia Mundi)
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Artist:
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David Krakauer & Socalled with Klezmer Madness |
| ISBN: |
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9786310712499 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00794881779420 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDHMD LBLC6677 |
| Cat.#: |
|
LBLC 6677 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz/World Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
Clarinetist David Krakauer leads what is easily the most adventurous and exciting klezmer group working right now, a band that promiscuously combines jazz, hip hop, funk and klezmer sounds to create an exhilaratingly danceable mishmash that never gets stale. On his latest album he shares lead billing with DJ Socalled, whose samples and turntable manipulations are more prominent in the mix than they have been on previous efforts. The result? Even more brilliant insanity than before. Spectacular. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Fearless Leader |
| Label: |
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Prestige Records/Concord Jazz
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Artist:
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John Coltrane |
| ISBN: |
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9786310549033 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
|
00888072300590 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDPSGR630059 |
| Cat.#: |
|
PRCD6-30059-2 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz Music |
| Release type: |
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Boxed Set (6-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
Between May 1957 and December 1958, saxophonist John Coltrane recorded 11 LPs worth of material for the Prestige label. While ‘Trane wasn’t a superstar yet, he was already a stunningly creative soloist and inspired bandleader, and each of these six CDs resonates with beautiful, expressive playing from ‘Trane and a strong cast of sidemen. An excellent booklet includes an essay by Coltrane scholar Lewis Porter and complete discographical information. This essential, wonderfully accessible material documents one of the giants of the jazz canon just as his star was beginning to shine. Very highly recommended. (GH) |
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|
 |
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| $15.99 |
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| |
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| Title: |
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Focus |
| Label: |
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Motema (dist. Redeye)
|
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Artist:
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Marc Cary |
| ISBN: |
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9786310282831 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
|
00181212000054 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDMTEM5 |
| Cat.#: |
|
MTM-00005 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
Lovely and impressionistic piano-trio jazz with a strong world-music undercurrent. Cary is a pianist who can both swing powerfully and write intellectually, but he and his rhythm section also bring a variety of ethnic influences to the group's sound -- check out the tabla on "Self Preservation." Interesting and fun. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Critical Mass |
| Label: |
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Dare2 (dist. Sunnyside)
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Artist:
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Dave Holland Quintet |
| ISBN: |
|
9786310439808 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
|
| UPC: |
|
00016728305822 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDSSCI283058 |
| Cat.#: |
|
SSC 3058 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Dave Holland is not only one of the most venerable and respected bassists in the jazz community; he is also one of its most gifted composers, as he has demonstrated time and time again on his recordings as a leader. He does so yet again on this lovely, sophisticated and swinging quintet date, which features saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks and vibraphonist Steve Nelson, among other luminaries. The sidemen's compositions aren't bad either, particularly Potter's complex and lovely "Vicissitudes." Highly recommended to all jazz collections. (RA) |
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| $14.97 |
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| Title: |
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The Messenger |
| Label: |
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Consolidated Artists Productions
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Artist:
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Nick Moran Trio |
| Cat.#: |
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CAP 996 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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When the trio lineup consists of guitar, organ and drums, you can be pretty confident that funk will be on the menu. And that's certainly the case with the debut release from guitarist Nick Moran and his trio, but there's much more as well -- slippery modal abstraction, swinging bebop, tender and contemplative ballads. And he plays like a house on fire. Highly recommended. (RA) |
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| $15.98 |
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| Title: |
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Someone to Watch Over Me |
| Label: |
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Landor (dist. Allegro)
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Artist:
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Pavao Quartet |
| ISBN: |
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9786310514239 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00827912045925 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDAGROLND277 |
| Cat.#: |
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LAN277 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz/Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Although this program consists entirely of jazz standards, it wouldn't be entirely accurate to call it a jazz album -- and not just because the performers are a string quartet. String quartets have been recording idiomatically jazzy renditions of jazz compositions for years. But these arrangements, while they certainly contain some swinging passages and bent notes, have a very strong whiff of the Romantic to them -- it's jazz as 19th-century chamber music. And it's very nice. (RA) |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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Metheny Mehldau |
| Label: |
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Nonesuch
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Artist:
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Pat Metheny & Brad Mehldau |
| ISBN: |
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9786310512891 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00075597996425 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNONE79964 |
| Cat.#: |
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79964-2 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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This collaboration between guitarist Metheny and pianist Mehldau joins two highly creative and individualistic stylists, with wonderful results. Metheny’s highly distinctive style blends perfectly with Mehldau’s beautiful piano work on a series of compelling duets, with a rhythm section joining in for two cuts. It’s a unique collaboration that recalls a classic pairing from 1963, Bill Evans and Jim Hall’s masterpiece, Undercurrent, where an earlier generation of fret and keyboard masters joined forces with memorable results. Recommended. (GH) |
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| ROCK/POP |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Wild Orchids |
| Label: |
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Inside Out
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Artist:
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Steve Hackett |
| ISBN: |
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9786310512501 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00693723791722 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDIOUT237917 |
| Cat.#: |
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79172 |
| Genre: |
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Rock |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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It wouldn't be exactly accurate to say that former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett has turned his back on his prog-rock roots -- but he is certainly putting more emphasis on the "rock" than the "prog" part of his pedigree here, and more power to him. Guitarists in particular will have loads of fun trying to parse the specs of his effects rack, and transcribing his fun and inventive solos. Recommended. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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7 |
| Label: |
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Crippled Dick Hot Wax (dist. Forced Exposure)
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Artist:
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Various Artists |
| ISBN: |
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9786310473062 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00881390600328 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDCRID103 |
| Cat.#: |
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CDHW 103CD |
| Genre: |
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Dance, DJ |
| Release type: |
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Compilation |
| Comments: |
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This charmingly quirky compilation of UK singles by largely forgotten bands from the immediate post-punk period will bring a nostalgic tear to the cheek of almost any Gen-Xer -- not because the songs are remembered specifically (though the odd obsessive will have a copy of Brian Brain's "Jive, Jive" hidden away in a trunk somewhere) but rather because the sound is so distinctive. That awkward beat, those clicky guitars, the self-conscious warble in the voice -- it's the sound of 1980. And it's being revived. Here's your chance to let your patrons return to the well. (RA) |
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| $10.98 |
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| Title: |
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Public Warning |
| Label: |
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Def Jam
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Artist:
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Lady Sovereign |
| ISBN: |
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9786310556871 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00602517055636 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDUMG B000762502 |
| Cat.#: |
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B0007625-02 |
| Genre: |
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Rap, Hip-Hop |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been anxiously waiting for this one to drop ever since I heard her brilliant teaser EP Vertically Challenged. Disappointingly but unsurprisingly, her full-length has been somewhat de-grimed in an apparent attempt to make it more palatable to the American market -- but even with some of the rough edges knocked off, Lady Sovereign's sassy flow and her vinegary accent are still a delight. Check the original versions of "A Little Bit of Shhh" and "Random" for the real deal, though. (An edited version [BECDUMG B000763602] is also available.) (RA) |
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| $14.98 |
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| Title: |
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Everyone Stares [DVD] |
| Label: |
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Hip-O/A&M
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Artist:
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Police |
| ISBN: |
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9786310020457 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00602498799963 |
| Prod.#: |
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BEDDUMG B000617809 |
| Cat.#: |
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B0006178-09 |
| Genre: |
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Music Video - Pop/Rock |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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For those looking for an inside look at the experience of rising pop stardom circa 1980, this collage of Super-8 film footage taken on the road and onstage by drummer Stewart Copeland will fit the bill nicely. If you're looking for a carefully crafted documentary about his former band, the Police, you'll want to look elsewhere -- but diehard fans will get a great kick out of this behind-the-scenes video diary. (RA) |
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| $19.95 |
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| Title: |
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Joy Division - Under Review [DVD] |
| Label: |
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Video Music, Inc.
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Artist:
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Joy Division |
| ISBN: |
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9786310581842 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00823564508795 |
| Prod.#: |
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BEDDVMI SI510 |
| Cat.#: |
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SIDVD510 |
| Genre: |
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Music Video - Pop/Rock |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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The legendary postpunk band Joy Division remains hugely influential, and patrons may well be excited to see a DVD documentary devoted to that group on your library's shelves. Unfortunately, this program feels a bit thrown-together, and while it does offer some interesting musical analysis by the likes of Barney Hoskyns, Mick Middles and John Robb, too much of the video footage is recycled and too much of the commentary feels repetitive. If your library owns the New Order documentary Item (recommended in the February 2006 issue), then you already have a very good introduction to Joy Division's music and probably don't need to add this so-so treatment. (RA) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Risin' with the Blues |
| Label: |
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Zoha Roots (dist. Allegro)
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Artist:
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Ike Turner |
| ISBN: |
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9786310511894 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00880956061122 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDAGROZMR200611 |
| Cat.#: |
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ZM 200611 |
| Genre: |
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Blues |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Ike Turner is now 50 years into his musical career, and while that career has had plenty of ups and downs -- the lowest points of which, he would admit, were his own doing -- all of his experiences seem now to inform a deep feeling for the blues, which is eloquently expressed on this new album. Not that it's all bleakness and despair (his rollicking rendition of the Louis Jordan classic "Caledonia" is a pure hoot), but his stinging guitar lines on "Jazzy Fuzzy" and his bitter delivery on "Gimme Back My Wig" speak volumes. Recommended. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Pretenders |
| Label: |
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Rhino
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Artist:
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Pretenders |
| ISBN: |
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9786310544052 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00081227417826 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDRHIN74178 |
| Cat.#: |
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R2 74178 |
| Genre: |
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Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
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New/Reissue (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
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The Pretenders' 1980 debut was an unforgettable album, one you heard everywhere you went that year. Led by Chrissie Hynde’s tough, aggressive singing and James Honeymoon-Scott’s rapid-fire guitar playing (an original style that evoked Keith Richards and Dave Davies), their eponymous debut established them as a band firmly rooted in London’s punk scene, but with a keen ear for writing catchy pop tunes. This nearly-perfect LP opened with Hynde’s rowdy, sexually tinged “Precious,” but also included the pop hit “Brass in Pocket” and the lovely ballad “Kid.” Easily this band’s best recording, Rhino’s new reissue includes a second disc packed with B-sides, demos, and live takes. Highly recommended. (GH) |
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| WORLD/ETHNIC |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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Zaire-Ghana 1976 |
| Label: |
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Sterns Music
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Artist:
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Zaiko Langa Langa |
| ISBN: |
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9786310448169 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00740042990524 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDSTENRETRO5 |
| Cat.#: |
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RETRO5CD |
| Genre: |
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World Music |
| Release type: |
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Reissue |
| Comments: |
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Zaiko Langa-Langa was part of a new wave of younger artists who were attempting to modernize classic Congolese music in the 70s, partly by ditching the Cuban-flavored horns and focusing on the guitars. Called ‘soukous,’ this music would later evolve into the super-charged but somewhat soulless dancefloor style epitomized by Loketo and Kanda Bongo Man, but this reissue of a relatively early example of the new style still has one foot in traditional rumba. Terrific multiple guitar interplay, with just a hint of the direction Afropop would be taking in the future. (SA) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Bazaar |
| Label: |
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Zoha (dist. Allegro)
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Artist:
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Rez Abbasi |
| ISBN: |
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9786310694849 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00880956061320 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDAGROZMR200613 |
| Cat.#: |
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ZM 200613 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz/World |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Here's another one that could fit in either the jazz or world/ethnic category. Although guitarist Rez Abbasi was born in Pakistan, he was raised in the U.S. and his particular approach to small-ensemble jazz incorporates elements of both cultures. Bazaar features Indian vocals by Kiran Ahluwalia and South Asian percussion from Gautam Siram as well as lots of swinging, straight-ahead postbop jamming. The result is very enjoyable. (RA) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Deliver Me From My Enemies |
| Label: |
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Blood & Fire
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Artist:
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Yabby You |
| ISBN: |
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9786310575124 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00783564005123 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDRD B640051 |
| Cat.#: |
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BAFCD 051 |
| Genre: |
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Reggae |
| Release type: |
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Reissue |
| Comments: |
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Generally regarded as one of Yabby You's finest albums, Deliver Me from My Enemies is finally given the reissue treatment is deserves: remastered, lovingly packaged and expanded by six extended tracks. The Revolutionaries (led by Sly & Robbie) provide powerful backing tracks for Yabby's reedy vocals and Rasta/Christian lyrics, and every track is informed by his trademark blend of joyful proselytizing and dread imprecation. Highly recommended. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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Orientation |
| Label: |
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Sterns Music
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Artist:
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Thione Seck |
| ISBN: |
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9786309883469 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00740042110021 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDSTEN1100 |
| Cat.#: |
|
STCD1100 |
| Genre: |
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World Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Being the second most famous singer in Senegal is not the quickest way to international fame, and Thione Seck has always lagged behind Youssou N’Dour in terms of worldwide recognition. But Seck too is blessed with a great voice, a flair for the dramatic, and a taste for musical dialogue with other cultures. This album represents a blend that is equal parts west Africa, north Africa, the Middle East, and Bollywood, which might sound dubious in theory but in practice somehow makes perfect sense. (SA) |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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Savane |
| Label: |
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Nonesuch
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Artist:
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Ali Farka Toure |
| ISBN: |
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9786310370118 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00075597996524 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNONE79965 |
| Cat.#: |
|
79965-2 |
| Genre: |
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World Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Ever since becoming widely known in the US with 1994’s Talking Timbuktu, his extraordinary collaboration with guitarist Ry Cooder, Toure has been one of West Africa’s most successful musicians. Savane is the last album recorded by the great guitarist, who died of bone cancer in March 2006. Released posthumously, it captures Toure at his best, driving each song with his sinuous guitar playing and hypnotic vocals, accompanied by ngoni players, percussion, and various other instruments. Toure’s song annotations place each selection into context, revealing much about Malian culture and folklore in the process. It’s a beautiful and fitting swan song to this fine musician. Highly recommended. (GH) |
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| Title: |
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Roots Of Rumba Rock: Congo Classics 1953-55 |
| Label: |
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Crammed (dist. Ryko)
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Artist:
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Various Artists |
| ISBN: |
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9786310575070 |
| ISBN-10: |
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| UPC: |
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00876623001225 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDRD C230012 |
| Cat.#: |
|
CRAW 33 |
| Genre: |
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World Music |
| Release type: |
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Compilation (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
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Congolese pop music has been kind of a surprise hit among world music fans this year, and this nicely selected and lovingly annotated collection of Congolese recordings from the 1950s exposes the roots of today's sounds. All are taken from the vaults of the Loningisa label and represent the style of music that was popular in Kinshasa during the period -- lots of sweet harmony singing, infectiously danceable beats and layers and layers of mostly acoustic instrumentation. Highly recommended to all ethnomusicology collections. (RA) |
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