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April 2006
Look for "Rick's Pick" 
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| CLASSICAL |
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| $8.99 |
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| Title: |
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Magnificat I; Salve Regina; Credo; Tulerunt Dominum, etc. |
| Label: |
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Naxos
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Composer:
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Nicolas Gombert |
| Performer: |
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Oxford Camerata / Jeremy Summerly |
| ISBN: |
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9786309963031 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309963031 |
| UPC: |
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00747313273225 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNAXO8557732 |
| Cat.#: |
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8.557732 |
| Period: |
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Renaissance |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Everyone knows and (quite rightly) loves Josquin and Palestrin, but for some reason Nicolas Gombert remains known primarily to those obsessed with Renaissance polyphony. If your collection has a whole where Gombert belongs, here's a high-quality and budget-priced opportunity to fill it. The Oxford Camerata is one of the brightest points on the Naxos roster, and this recording is among the group's finest. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Piano Trios Complete |
| Label: |
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Brilliant Classics
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Composer:
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Franz Joseph Haydn |
| Performer: |
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Van Swieten Trio |
| ISBN: |
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9786309962720 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309962728 |
| UPC: |
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00675754878221 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDBRIL92794 |
| Cat.#: |
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92794 |
| Period: |
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Classical/Early Romantic |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New (10-discs) |
| Comments: |
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Recorded over the last two years, this wonderful 10-disc set brings together all of Haydn's piano trios at a super-budget price, all of them performed by a shifting cast of stellar players that includes cellist Jaap ter Linden, fortepianist Bart van Oort and flutist Marion Moonen. The sound quality is superb, as are the majority of the performances, and the combination of low price and convenient packaging are icing on the cake. If the Brilliant Classics label keeps this up this level of value for money, it will be a serious commercial rival to Naxos before too long. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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Salzburg Sacred Music |
| Label: |
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MDG (dist. Koch)
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Composer:
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |
| Performer: |
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Kolner Kammerchor; Collegium Cartusianum / Peter Neumann |
| ISBN: |
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9786309902832 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309902830 |
| UPC: |
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00760623134628 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDMDGR3321346 |
| Cat.#: |
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MDG 332 1346-2 |
| Period: |
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Classical |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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This fine disc brings together three of Mozart's less frequently recorded sacred works (the Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, KV 339; Missa Solemnis, KV 337, and Regina Coeli, KV 276) along with a nicely-played church sonata, all performed and recorded beautifully. Check your catalogs -- you may not actually have these in your collections already, and they're all well worth having. (RA) |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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Concertante all harpa e flauto; Symphony #31; Symphonie Concertante |
| Label: |
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Harmonia Mundi
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Composer:
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |
| Performer: |
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Freiburger Barockorchester |
| ISBN: |
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9786310072517 |
| ISBN-10: |
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631007251X |
| UPC: |
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00794881798520 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDHMD HMC901897 |
| Cat.#: |
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HMC 901897 |
| Period: |
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Classical |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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There are already people complaining about the onslaught of Mozart recordings that are hitting the market this year, and it's true that it feels a little bit like being attacked with cream puffs. But why complain about the opportunity to catch and eat all the cream puffs you want? Unlike the Salzburg Sacred Music collection reviewed elsewhere in this issue, this disc really does consist mainly of confections (and ones that you're likely to already own in difference recordings), but the exquisite period-instrument performances documented here make this one especially noteworthy. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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String Quartets Op 2 no 4-6 |
| Label: |
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Naxos Records
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Composer:
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Ignaz Pleyel |
| Performer: |
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Enso Quartet |
| ISBN: |
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9786310009759 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310009753 |
| UPC: |
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00747313249725 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNAXO8557497 |
| Cat.#: |
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8.557497 |
| Period: |
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Classical |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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You couldn't really call him an obscure composer, I guess, but I'm not sure Ignaz Pleyel has ever gotten all the respect he deserved. Mozart thought highly enough of Pleyel's string quartets to write to his father recommending that he check them out; to see why, pick up this excellent recording of three of the opus 2 quartets by the masterful Enso Quartet, who could have been miked just a bit more closely but who play with both technical accuracy and spirited energy. Very, very nice. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Lockerbie Memorial Concert |
| Label: |
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GB Records (dist. Allegro)
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Composer:
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Various Composers |
| Performer: |
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Gavin Bryars; Hilliard Ensemble; Fretwork |
| ISBN: |
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9786310050386 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310050389 |
| UPC: |
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00723721213756 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDAGROGVB3 |
| Cat.#: |
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BCGBCD03 |
| Period: |
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Modern; Renaissance |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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This stunning concert recording was made in 1998 in honor of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing. The program is a combination of Renaissance and early baroque works by the likes of Henry Purcell, Pierre Busnois and Nicolas Gombert along with more astringent modern pieces by Gavin Bryars, some in premiere performances and others in premiere arrangements for viol consort. The performances are deeply felt and gorgeously recorded at Westminster Cathedral in London. Very strongly recommended to all classical collections. (RA) |
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| $8.99 |
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| Title: |
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Lament for Jerusalem |
| Label: |
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Naxos
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Composer:
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John Tavener |
| Performer: |
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Angharad Gruffydd Jones; Peter Crawford; Choir of London and Orchestra / Jeremy Summerly |
| ISBN: |
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9786310055435 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310055437 |
| UPC: |
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00747313282623 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDNAXO8557826 |
| Cat.#: |
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8.557826 |
| Period: |
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Modern |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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I confess that I've always found the man himself kind of annoying -- the hair, the half-baked mysticism, etc. And too often his music strikes me as kind of a New Age version of Arvo Pärt. But this cri de coeur over the multilayered tragedies in the Middle East is well written, beautifully performed and genuinely affecting. A fine introduction to the work of one of our era's more puzzling talents. (RA) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Sinfonia Melodica |
| Label: |
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Deutsche Grammophon
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Composer:
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Georg Philipp Telemann |
| Performer: |
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Albrecht Mayer; Rüdiger Liebermann; Berliner Barock Solisten / Rainer Kussmaul |
| ISBN: |
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9786309908988 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309908987 |
| UPC: |
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00028947759232 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDUMG B000576102 |
| Cat.#: |
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B0005761-02 |
| Period: |
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Baroque |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Often, modern-instrument interpretations of baroque works come across as sodden and heavy. But just as the period-instrument movement has come of age, so have many modern-instrument groups learned how to play in an idiomatic style with instruments that were designed to play the music of the late romantic period. The Berliner Barock Solisten demonstrate how it should be done on this excellent and hugely entertaining collection of rarely-recorded Telemann concertos; the pieces themselves just serve to remind you what an endlessly charming and inventive composer he was. Highly recommended to all classical collections. (RA) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Piano Works |
| Label: |
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Bridge
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Composer:
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Johann Sebastian Bach |
| Performer: |
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Andrew Rangell |
| ISBN: |
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9786310000985 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310000985 |
| UPC: |
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00090404918025 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDBRIDBCD9180 |
| Cat.#: |
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9180 |
| Period: |
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Baroque |
| Genre: |
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Classical |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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I'm a longstanding fan of Andrew Rangell's work as a Bach pianist, and this set of preludes and fugues (along with the French Overture and Italian Concerto) demonstrates why. He plays with a perfect combination of rhythmic sturdiness and flexible grace, and uses the piano's anachronistic dynamic range tastefully. The sound quality on this disc is maybe a little bit shallow when compared to that of, say, Angela Hewitt's recordings for Hyperion, but it's still very pleasant. Recommended. (RA) |
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| $11.98 |
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| Title: |
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O Magnum Mysterium |
| Label: |
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MSR Classics (dist. Albany)
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Composer:
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Various Composers |
| Performer: |
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Tiffany Consort |
| ISBN: |
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9786309366177 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309366173 |
| UPC: |
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00681585110829 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDMSRCMS1108 |
| Cat.#: |
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MS 1108 |
| Period: |
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Various |
| Genre: |
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Classical Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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This is a lovely collection of a capella settings on the Christmas theme "O Magnum Mysterium" ("How great a mystery"), a text that has received the attention of such eminent composers of the past as Palestrina, Byrd, Scarlatti, and (perhaps most famously) Victoria. Along with such predictable fare, this program also includes less common works by Poulenc (his wonderful Quatre Motets pour le Temps de Noël), Morten Lauridsen and Nicholas White. The eight-voice Tiffany Consort sings beautifully and is wonderfully recorded. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Mass in G Minor and Other A Capella Works |
| Label: |
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Telarc
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Composer:
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Vaughan Williams; Messiaen; Tavener, et al. |
| Performer: |
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Atlanta Symphony Chamber Chorus / Norman Mackenzie |
| ISBN: |
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9786310006178 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310006177 |
| UPC: |
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00089408065422 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDTELA80654 |
| Cat.#: |
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CD-80654 |
| 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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This is a lovely collection of (mostly) modern sacred choral music, featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams' exquisite Mass in G Minor along with motets by Durufle and Copland and John Tavener's Song for Athene; the program is bracketed by two settings of "O Sacrum Convivium," the first by Olivier Messiaen and the second by Thomas Tallis. The Atlanta Symphony Chamber Chorus is in exceptionally fine voice on this recording, and the modern yet approachable repertoire will be a sure crowd-pleaser. Highly recommended. (RA) |
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| COUNTRY/FOLK |
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| $11.98 |
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| Title: |
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Classic Railroad Songs From Smithsonian Folkways |
| Label: |
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Folkways
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Artist:
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Various Artists |
| ISBN: |
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9786309864758 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309864750 |
| UPC: |
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00093074019221 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDFOLK740192 |
| Cat.#: |
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SFW CD 40192 |
| Genre: |
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Folk |
| Release type: |
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Compilation |
| Comments: |
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You know exactly what to expect: songs in a variety of folk and trad-country styles from the usual Folkways suspects: New Lost City Ramblers, Pete Seeger, Leadbelly, Doc Watson, Rosalie Sorrels, Woody Guthrie. This particular collection focuses on songs with railroad themes, some familiar ("Rock Island Line," "John Henry") and others delightfully obscure. (RA) |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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Fortuneteller's Melody |
| Label: |
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Lyric Street
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Artist:
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SHeDAISY |
| ISBN: |
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9786310047034 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310047035 |
| UPC: |
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00720616506221 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECD206 1650622 |
| Cat.#: |
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2061-65062-2 |
| Genre: |
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Country & Western |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Coming on a little bit more rockish than they have in the past, this Utah sister trio remains one of the freshest, sassiest and hookiest country acts going. Song titles like "God Bless the American Housewife" (slyer than you might think) and "She Gets What I Deserve" give you an idea of what to expect. Count on demand from the country fans among your patrons. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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The Truth Will Set You Free |
| Label: |
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Rounder
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Artist:
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James Hand |
| ISBN: |
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9786310030661 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310030663 |
| UPC: |
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00011661324121 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECD116 6132412 |
| Cat.#: |
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11661-3241-2 |
| Genre: |
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Country & Western |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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James Hand writes and sings in a style that is powerfully, indeed almost creepily, reminiscent of Hank Williams. Now, there are two kinds of country music fans: those who will see that statement as an insult to the man's originality and those who will see it as the deepest possible praise. I lean towards the latter view, and suspect that many of your patrons will as well. (RA) |
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| $24.98 |
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| Title: |
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The Essential Chieftains * |
| Label: |
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RCA Victor/Legacy
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Artist:
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The Chieftains |
| ISBN: |
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9786309987785 |
| ISBN-10: |
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630998778X |
| UPC: |
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00828767539829 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDCOLM75398 |
| Cat.#: |
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82876 75398 2 |
| Genre: |
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Celtic/Pop |
| Release type: |
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Compilation (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
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I know, I know -- what's more obvious than a Chieftains best-of? But this one really is noteworthy and is very nicely conceived. Two discs, the first focusing on their trad recordings and the second on their (sometimes ill-conceived) collaborations with such pop stars as Sting, the Corrs, Elvis Costello and (yikes) Jackson Browne. Come on, you know you have to have it. And you may find that you enjoy this rendition of "The Rebel Jesus" despite yourself. Then again, maybe you won't. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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La Musique |
| Label: |
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Arhoolie
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Artist:
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Pine Leaf Boys |
| ISBN: |
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9786309987013 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309987011 |
| UPC: |
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00096297052020 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDARHO520 |
| Cat.#: |
|
520 |
| Genre: |
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Cajun |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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If you love traditional Cajun music but don't mind hearing it subtly spiced up with electric guitar and the occasional jazzy blues lick, then the Pine Leaf Boys are for you -- they manage beautifully the difficult trick of bringing modern elements to the music without sounding like they're trying to "update" it. Brilliant. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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Try A Little Kindness |
| Label: |
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Rounder
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Artist:
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Bobby Osborne |
| ISBN: |
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9786310030715 |
| ISBN-10: |
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631003071X |
| UPC: |
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00011661055223 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECD116 6105522 |
| Cat.#: |
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11661-0552-2 |
| Genre: |
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Bluegrass |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Geez -- Bobby Osborne is 75 years old, and his high tenor voice is still as sharp and clear as it was twenty (maybe even forty) years ago. And on top of that, he can still make you forget how many times you've heard "The Fields Have Turned Brown" and "Mansions for Me." No bluegrass collection should be without his latest, on which he debuts his new backing group, the Rocky Top X-Press. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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Haven |
| Label: |
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World Village (dist. Harmonia Mundi)
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Artist:
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Flook |
| ISBN: |
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9786309981196 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309981196 |
| UPC: |
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00713746805722 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDHMD 468057 |
| Cat.#: |
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468057 |
| Genre: |
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Celtic |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Just when you think this band can't get any better, they manage to release a new album even more exciting than the previous one. What gives Flook the edge over the competition is both the flute-and-whistle front line (the two timbres blend so beautifully that it's amazing more Irish groups don't go this route) and its ability to draw from disparate folk traditions without sound like it's trying self-consciously to "push the envelope." All the tunes sound natural and unforced, and everything is infused with a joyful energy. Highly recommended. (RA) |
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| JAZZ |
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| $19.49 |
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| Title: |
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Brightness of Being |
| Label: |
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Elefant Dreams
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Artist:
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Paul Bollenback |
| ISBN: |
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9786310141060 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310141066 |
| UPC: |
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837101124850 |
| Cat.#: |
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ED4548 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Beneath the straight-ahead surface of his music, guitarist Paul Bollenback has always had something of a taste for adventure. On his sixth album he indulges that taste by arranging material from classical works by Puccini and DeLeon, as well as putting his unique touch on tunes by Stevie Wonder and Neil Young. Then there are his originals, which are great as always. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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The Word Is Out |
| Label: |
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Heads Up
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Artist:
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Jaco Pastorius Big Band |
| ISBN: |
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9786310065601 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310065602 |
| UPC: |
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00053361311025 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDHEAD3110 |
| Cat.#: |
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HUCD 3110 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Jaco Pastorius' reputation as a bassist so overshadows his legacy that it can be easy to forget what a brilliant arranger he was. This all-star big band features many musicians who played in Pastorius' own groups before his tragic death in 1987, and though the arrangements they play are their own, they draw conspicuously on Pastorius' style -- a tightly conceived but joyfully eclectic sound that always belied the darkness that was roiling inside of him. Guest players include Peter Erskine, Jimmy Haslip, Mike Stern, Toots Thielemans and Hiram Bullock. (RA) |
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| $20.00 |
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| Title: |
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Groet |
| Label: |
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Data (dist. Toondist)
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Artist:
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Guus Janssen / Han Bennink |
| UPC: |
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8713897900958 |
| Cat.#: |
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DATA:051 |
| Genre: |
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Free Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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The Netherlands has produced many great genres of art and their jazz musicians cannot be ignored. Pianist Janssen and drummer Bennink, recorded here for a live radio broadcast, have been creating classic and improvised jazz material for decades. At times both rythmic and surprising, this CD contains some true foot-stomping gems. Every track brings something new to the ear. Highly recommended. (DC) |
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| Title: |
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The Door, The Hat, The Chair, The Fact |
| Label: |
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Cryptogramaphone (dist. Rykodisc)
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Artist:
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Ben Goldberg Quintet |
| ISBN: |
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9786309983381 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6309983385 |
| UPC: |
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00671860012627 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDRD 600126 |
| Cat.#: |
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CG126 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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Anyone creative enough to hang with Tin Hat Trio is always worth a listen. Clarinetist Goldberg has permanently joined Tin Hat (as the trio is now known) and was also once part of the wonderful New Klezmer Trio. This CD is Goldberg's tribute to Steve Lacy, an inspiration to an entire generation of jazz musicians and listeners. Each track shows Goldberg's innovation and determination to bring justice to this tribute. One hears, so many years after Goldberg's early music, that he has picked up so many influences and has brought them into a truly wonderful sound collection. Really worth a purchase for libraries. (DC) |
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| $16.98 |
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| Title: |
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Hey, Look Me Over |
| Label: |
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Arbors (dist. Allegro)
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Artist:
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Harry Allen - Joe Cohn Quartet |
| ISBN: |
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9786310043050 |
| ISBN-10: |
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6310043056 |
| UPC: |
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00780941133325 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDAGROARB19333 |
| Cat.#: |
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ARCD 19333 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
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The Arbors Jazz label has built an enviable position for itself as the vanguard label for swing and traditional jazz, and this album is a perfect example of why that's so. This lovely quartet session features saxophonist Harry Allen and guitarist Joe Cohn with bassist Joe Forbes and drummer Chuck Riggs, playing a great set of standards. The group plays with a light but powerful sense of swing and impeccable taste, and are beautifully recorded. Recommended to all jazz collections. (RA) |
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| $18.98 |
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| Title: |
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The Ultimate Adventure |
| Label: |
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Stretch/Universal
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Artist:
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Chick Corea |
| ISBN: |
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9786309974822 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309974823 |
| UPC: |
|
00013431904526 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDSTRH9045 |
| Cat.#: |
|
SCD-9045-2 |
| Genre: |
|
Jazz |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Keyboardist Corea’s latest is a concept album based on a fantasy novel by L. Ron Hubbard. Drawing heavily on Spanish and North African motifs, Corea creates a potent mix of percussion, keyboards, and woodwinds in this nicely textured recording. There’s lots of classic Corea tucked in the mix, with plenty of hints of his earlier electric and acoustic themes. While much sounds familiar, The Ultimate Adventure resonates with a fresh, percussion-driven flavor that shows that Corea hasn’t lost the creative magic that’s made him a jazz icon. Recommended. (GH) |
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| Title: |
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The Soul of Nina Simone |
| Label: |
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RCA
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Artist:
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Nina Simone |
| ISBN: |
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9786309639387 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309639382 |
| UPC: |
|
00828767197326 |
| Prod.#: |
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BEDFRCA 71973 |
| Cat.#: |
|
8287671793 2 |
| Genre: |
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Jazz |
| Release type: |
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New/Reissue |
| Comments: |
|
This DualDisc offers a double dose of Nina Simone. The audio CD features a representative selection of her (mostly) 1960s work on RCA and Phillips, including blues, small group sessions, and larger orchestral works. While a good collection, it’s far from definitive. The DVD, however, is indispensable Simone. It opens with two selections from her 1960 appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, including her amazing vocal/piano workout on the Bach-drenched “Love Me Or Leave Me.” It also includes two live TV selections from 1968 and four tunes from the 1969 Harlem Festival. The Harlem set is Simone at her passionate best, mixing artistry and politics on riveting versions of “Revolution,” “Four Women,” and “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black.” Very highly recommended. (GH) |
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| ROCK/POP |
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| Title: |
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Separate Ways |
| Label: |
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Verve Forecast
|
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Artist:
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Teddy Thompson |
| ISBN: |
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9786310004822 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6310004824 |
| UPC: |
|
00075021039919 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDUMG B000413202 |
| Cat.#: |
|
B0004132-02 |
| Genre: |
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Popular Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
The gene pool has been very kind to Teddy Thompson. The son of ironic British folkies Richard and Linda Thompson, his folks’ influence is tucked deep in his songwriting, as evocative wisps of darkness and redemption run through tunes like “I Should Get Up” and “Altered State.” His dad, guitar wielding genius that he is, adds plenty of electric fretboard pizzazz to this outing, and his mum sings a lovely duet with Teddy on the hidden extra track, an Everly Brothers’ cover. Despite the genetic disposition, Teddy is creating his own, distinctive version of folk-rock, crafting beautifully original tunes that crackle with depth and purity. Oh, this is good stuff. Very highly recommended. (GH) |
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 |
| |
| $14.98 |
| |
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| |
|
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| Title: |
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Smoking Popes At Metro [CD & DVD] |
| Label: |
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Victory
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Artist:
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Smoking Popes |
| ISBN: |
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9786309994202 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309994204 |
| UPC: |
|
00746105029521 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDVICY295 |
| Cat.#: |
|
VR295 |
| Genre: |
|
Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
|
New (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
The Smoking Popes had established themselves as Chicago-area legends when leader Josh Caterer got religion and disbanded the group (going on to make several excellent recordings with his new band, Duvall). This CD/DVD set documents the group's joyful reunion show at a venue it had played frequently back in the day, and finds the quartet revisiting some of its most beloved quirky pop-punk material. Live albums are often disappointing, but this one's a gem. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Santana III (Legacy Edition) |
| Label: |
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CBS/Legacy
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Artist:
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Santana |
| ISBN: |
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9786309989246 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309989243 |
| UPC: |
|
00827969027028 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDCOLM90270 |
| Cat.#: |
|
82796 90270 2 |
| Genre: |
|
Latin Rock |
| Release type: |
|
New/Reissue (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
Santana’s third album was the last to include the original lineup that had dazzled music fans with its blend of Latin percussion, excellent arrangements, and Carlos Santana’s brilliant guitar playing. The Legacy Edition reissue includes an expanded version of the original LP, plus a second disc that captures an extraordinary 1971 Fillmore concert. This is a staple of Latin rock, where the band flexes its percussive muscle while showing the breadth of its influences, covering tunes by Latin jazz master Tito Puente and bop/R&B saxophonist Gene Ammons. The live set serves as a bridge of sorts: with a cover of Joe Zawinul’s “In A Silent Way,” Carlos gives some hint of where he would head with his next studio recording, 1972’s jazzy, introspective Caravanserai. Very highly recommended. (GH) |
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 |
| |
| $16.98 |
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| |
|
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| Title: |
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Racin' The Devil |
| Label: |
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Alligator
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Artist:
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Lee Rocker |
| ISBN: |
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9786309942012 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309942018 |
| UPC: |
|
00014551490722 |
| Prod.#: |
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BECDALLI514907 |
| Cat.#: |
|
ALCD 4907 |
| Genre: |
|
Rock |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Lee Rocker gained fame as the stand-up bassist for the Stray Cats in the 1980s, but his solo work has shown him to be much more than a solid sideman. This latest release finds him exploring familiar territory -- rockabilly, blues, amped-up country, roots rock -- and demonstrates again what a fine singer he is. He's no slouch as a songwriter, either. Recommended. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Fabric Live 26 |
| Label: |
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K7 Studio
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Artist:
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The Herbaliser |
| ISBN: |
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9786310046471 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6310046470 |
| UPC: |
|
00802560005224 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDK7 FAB52 |
| Cat.#: |
|
52 |
| Genre: |
|
Rap, Hip-Hop |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
The Herbaliser is a duo consisting of DJs Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba, and their contribution to the consistently fine Fabric Live series is a brilliant mix of dancehall, hip hop, soul and breakbeat madness that includes the legendary Coldcut remix of Eric B. & Rakim's "Paid in Full," an obscure James Brown number, J-Sands' wicked appropriation of "Southern Lady," and the Jackson 5's "It's Great to Be Here." A must for your next staff party. (RA) |
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|
 |
| |
| $14.98 |
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| |
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| Title: |
|
Beat Konducta Vol. 1-2 |
| Label: |
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Stones Throw (dist. Caroline)
|
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Artist:
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Madlib |
| ISBN: |
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9786310052502 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6310052500 |
| UPC: |
|
00659457213329 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDSTNT2133 |
| Cat.#: |
|
2133 |
| Genre: |
|
Rap, Hip-Hop |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
In some ways this is a typical attention-deficit hip hop DJ mix, with elements of vintage soul, Afropop, and glitchy breakbeats thrown together in one-and-a-half to two-minute snippets. But the source material is often surprising and sometimes kind of minimalistic. The result is more abstract than you might expect, but consistently funky and interesting. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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What You Will |
| Label: |
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Cuneiform
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Artist:
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Ahleuchatistas |
| ISBN: |
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9786309891129 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
630989112X |
| UPC: |
|
00045775022123 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDCUNE20221 |
| Cat.#: |
|
Rune 221 |
| Genre: |
|
Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
Maybe you're too young to remember the glory days of New York's downtown avant-rock scene in the early 1980s, or maybe, unaccountably, you remember them without pleasure. Either way, you owe it to yourself to hear this wonderful new recording from the Ahleuchatistas (great band name -- think Charlie Parker, y'all). These three youngsters seem to be channeling the spirits of Fred Frith, Bill Laswell and Fred Maher, who recorded a similarly funky, spiky and fun album in 1981 under the name Massacre. Difficult, yes, but challenging, no -- for all its weird jumpiness, this is friendly and inviting music that will be sure to have your patrons nodding their heads and tapping their feet. Granted, they'll be tapping in 15/8 time, but still. (RA) |
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|
 |
| |
| $18.98 |
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| |
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| Title: |
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Youth |
| Label: |
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Epic/JDub
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Artist:
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Matisyahu |
| ISBN: |
|
9786309926029 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309926020 |
| UPC: |
|
00827969769522 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDCOLM97695 |
| Cat.#: |
|
8-2796-97695-2 |
| Genre: |
|
Rock/Reggae |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
One of the unlikeliest pop-music success stories of the past decade, Matisyahu is a Hasidic reggae singjay who brings the rhythmic power of modern and roots reggae music to bear on deeply personal messages of decidedly non-Rastafarian religious devotion. His independently-released live album yielded a shockingly huge hit in "King Without a Crown," which reappears on this album in a studio version. Bill Laswell is the producer, which ensures a rich, bass-heavy and often rockish mix that will distract you from Matisyahu's occasionally off-key singing. Very nice. (RA) |
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|
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| Title: |
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Blow N Chunks |
| Label: |
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ROIR
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Artist:
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Flipper |
| ISBN: |
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9786306291663 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6306291660 |
| UPC: |
|
00053436827116 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDROIR8271 |
| Cat.#: |
|
RE126CD |
| Genre: |
|
Rock, Hardcore Punk |
| Release type: |
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Reissue |
| Comments: |
|
Any former punk teen worth their salt probably got as giddy as I did when they saw this 20+ year old album re-released on CD. Perhaps it was because this reviewer was at CBGB's in November 1983, where these performances were recorded. One could say Flipper were "ahead of their time" but that isn't really true. Flipper were of their own time. It's just that their time still holds up pretty well. One can hear where so many bands came up with their sound after listening to this. The recording quality is not great (although it has been remastered) and it may not contain the band's major (well, bigger than normal) hit, "Sex Bomb", but this CD is still a remarkable time capsule of a musical experience long gone. Flipper rules! (DC) |
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| Title: |
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Wholeness & Separation |
| Label: |
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Vertebrae Productions (dist. Bayside)
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Artist:
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Halou |
| ISBN: |
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9786310055978 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6310055976 |
| UPC: |
|
00806403337725 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECD33RD3377 |
| Cat.#: |
|
|
| Genre: |
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Rock, Alternative Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
Ever wondered what a collaboration between Portishead and the Cocteau Twins would have sounded like? No? Well, you should check this out anyway: cooing, whispery vocals moistly insinuate lovely melodies into your ear while rough-edged breakbeats slam away safely in the far distance and heavily distorted guitars ebb and flow around you like ragged and windblown cloudbanks. Very cool. (RA) |
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|
| WORLD/ETHNIC |
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 |
| |
| $42.98 |
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| |
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| Title: |
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Golden Afrique, Vol. 1 |
| Label: |
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World Network (dist. Harmonia Mundi)
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Artist:
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Various Artists |
| ISBN: |
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9786309341365 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309341367 |
| UPC: |
|
00785965106027 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDHMD 27677 |
| Cat.#: |
|
27.677 |
| Genre: |
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World Music |
| Release type: |
|
Compilation (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
The subtitle “Highlights and Rarities from the Golden Era of African Pop Music (1971-1983)” pretty much says it all. Volume 1 focuses on the west African scene – Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Chad, and Togo – and the famous (Les Ambassadeurs, the Rail Band, Youssou n’Dour’s Etoile de Dakar, Orchestra Baobab) do not outshine the more obscure performers, since it seems that no second rate music was recorded during this period. Informative notes in German, French, and English are included, but beware the packaging – a 5.5 x 9.75” long box. (SA) |
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|
 |
| |
| $14.98 |
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|
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| Title: |
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Legends of East Africa |
| Label: |
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Arc Music
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Artist:
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Orchestra Makassy |
| ISBN: |
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9786309127259 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
630912725X |
| UPC: |
|
00743037190923 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDARCM719092 |
| Cat.#: |
|
EUCD 1909 |
| Genre: |
|
World Music |
| Release type: |
|
Reissue |
| Comments: |
|
This is a reissue, with a couple of extra tracks, of a 1982 album by Orchestra Makassy, a group based in Tanzania, led by a Ugandan exile, recorded in Kenya, playing an east African variety of Zairean rumba/souskous. This mixture results in a sound that may be slightly generic, but this was period was the high-water mark for Afropop, and the quality of the music is extraordinary. These recordings were indeed legendary among connoisseurs, and now they are finally available again. (SA) |
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| Title: |
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Most Wanted (The Best of & More) |
| Label: |
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Greensleeves
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Artist:
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Wailing Souls |
| ISBN: |
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9786310848303 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
|
| UPC: |
|
00601811160428 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDGNSV111604 |
| Cat.#: |
|
GRELCD604 |
| Genre: |
|
Reggae |
| Release type: |
|
Compilation |
| Comments: |
|
There's no shortage of Wailing Souls "best-of" compilations out there, but this one improves on most by focusing on twelve-inch versions of the hits -- extended mixes that append dub versions onto the end of the regular song, in one case featuring toasting by the A-list DJ Ranking Trevor. A must for any reggae collection. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Zanzibara 1: A Hundred Years Of Taarab In Zanzibar |
| Label: |
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Buda Musique
|
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Artist:
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Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club |
| ISBN: |
|
9786309916341 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309916343 |
| UPC: |
|
03341348601182 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDAGROBUD860118 |
| Cat.#: |
|
860118 |
| Genre: |
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World Music, Taarab Music, Swahili Music |
| Release type: |
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New |
| Comments: |
|
After so many volumes of the Ethiopiques series, Buda Musique has moved down the Western Coast of Africa to bring us the first (of hopefully many) of Zanzibara, collections of Swahili popular music. This CD is really a mere tease of a recording. While it spans nearly a century of music, it has very few tracks. It introduces the listener to some beautiful tunes, offering a true melange of cultures enveloped in delicious music. But now where are the future volumes? They can't come quickly enough! This series is highly recommended for any library wanting to enhance their world music collection. A real treat. (DC) |
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|
 |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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Endless Vision: Persian and Armenian Songs |
| Label: |
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World Village (dist. Harmonia Mundi)
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Artist:
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Hossein Alizadeh & Djivan Gasparyan |
| ISBN: |
|
9786309981202 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
630998120X |
| UPC: |
|
00713746804725 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDHMD 468047 |
| Cat.#: |
|
468047 |
| Genre: |
|
World Music |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
This live recording features Iranian lute player Hossein Alizadeh alongside the Armenian duduk virtuoso Djivan Gasparyan, along with an assortment of guest musicians and vocalists. The group explores some of the shared musical traditions of both countries through both traditional and improvised melodies, with guest vocalists. The presence of a female singer on some tracks led to a temporary ban on this recording in Iran, but it's easy enough to get here in the U.S. and will make a fascinating and valuable addition to any ethnic music collection. (RA) |
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| Title: |
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Love Supreme |
| Label: |
|
Times Square (dist. Koch)
|
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Artist:
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Asha Bhosle |
| ISBN: |
|
9786309986696 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6309986694 |
| UPC: |
|
00738572905026 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDTSQR9050 |
| Cat.#: |
|
TSQCD9050 |
| Genre: |
|
World Music |
| Release type: |
|
Compilation (2-discs) |
| Comments: |
|
Asha Bhosle is one of the world's most popular singers, a "playback singer" whose performances have been lip-synched by literally hundreds of Bollywood actresses over the past 50 years. Yes, 50 -- Bhosle herself is now 72 years old and still going strong. This wonderful collection brings together recordings from across her career; the first disc focuses on "romantic poetry" and the second on favorite duet recordings (it also features two music videos). An essential addition to any ethnic music collection. (RA) |
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| $17.98 |
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| Title: |
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Chicano Zen |
| Label: |
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Triloka/Artemis
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Artist:
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Charanga Cakewalk |
| ISBN: |
|
9786310017655 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
6310017659 |
| UPC: |
|
00801298207221 |
| Prod.#: |
|
BECDTLKA820722 |
| Cat.#: |
|
TRI CD 82072 |
| Genre: |
|
Latin Music |
| Release type: |
|
New |
| Comments: |
|
It's hard to know exactly how to categorize this richly bubbling stew of Latino and Anglo musical elements. But then, maybe categorizing it isn't really that important. You've got snippets of merengue, Tejano, flamenco, electronica and lounge music in the mix, with guest vocals by such celebrated artists as Lila Downs, Patty Griffin and Michael Ramos, and if the proceedings do bog down occasionally they're generally lots of good, multicultural fun. (RA) |
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© CD HotList 2004 |
