Recording of the Month

Recording of May 2002: Are You Passionate?

Robert Baird May 12, 2002 First Published: May 12, 2002

NEIL YOUNG: Are You Passionate?
Reprise 48111-2 (CD). 2002. Neil Young, Booker T. Jones, Duck Dunn, Poncho Sampedro, prods.; John Hanlon, eng.; Aaron Prellwitz, Alex Osborne, asst. engs.; Tim Mulligan, mix, mastering; John Hausmann, Denny Purcell, mastering; John Nowland, A/D transfer. AAD? TT: 65:29
Performance ****?
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of April 2002: Words of The Angel

Robert Levine Apr 14, 2002 First Published: Apr 14, 2002

TRIO MEDIAEVAL: Words of The Angel
Anonymous: Messe de Tournai. Moody: Words of The Angel. Misc. 13th-century monophonic and 14th-century polyphonic works. Trio Mediaeval: Anna Maria Friman, Linn Andrea Fuglseth, Torunn Østrem Ossum, sopranos
ECM 1753 (CD). 2001. John Potter, prod.; Peter Laenger, eng. DDD. TT: 65:45
Performance *****
Sonics *****

Recording of the Month

Recording of March 2002: Swing Live

Thomas Conrad Mar 17, 2002 First Published: Mar 17, 2002

BUCKY PIZZARELLI: Swing Live
Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar; Allen Vaché, clarinet; Peter Appleyard, vibes; Michael Moore, bass; Bernard Purdie, drums
Chesky JD218 (CD), SACD223 (hybrid multichannel SACD), CHDVD222 (DVD-A, not reviewed). 2001. David Chesky, prod.; Barry Wolifson, Nicholas Prout, engs. DDD. TT: 60:00
Performance ****
CD Sonics ***?
SACD Sonics ****? (two-channel), ***** (multichannel)

Recording of the Month

Recording of February 2002: Love, Shelby

Robert Baird Feb 17, 2002 First Published: Feb 17, 2002

SHELBY LYNNE: Love, Shelby
Island ISLF 15426-2 (CD). 2001. Glen Ballard, prod.; Scott Campbell, eng.; Bob Clearmountain, mix. ADD? TT: 42:19
Performance ****?
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of January 2002: J.S. Bach: Morimur

Richard Lehnert Jan 13, 2002 First Published: Jan 13, 2002

J.S. BACH: Morimur
Partita No.2 in d for Solo Violin, BWV 1004; 11 Chorales; Chaconne from BWV 1004 and "Auf meinen lieben Gott" realized by Helga Thoene for solo violin & four voices
Christoph Poppen, baroque violin. The Hilliard Ensemble: Monika Mauch, soprano; David James, countertenor; John Potter, tenor; Gordon Jones, baritone
ECM New Series 1765 (CD). 2001. Manfred Eicher, prod.; Peter Laenger, eng. DDD. TT: 61:42
Performance *****
Sonics *****

Recording of the Month

Recordings of December 2001: Timeless & Poet

Robert Baird Dec 09, 2001 First Published: Dec 09, 2001

HANK WILLIAMS: Timeless
Lost Highway 088 170 239-2 (CD). 2001. Luke Lewis, Mary Martin, Bonnie Garner, prods.; Bob Brockman, Michael Hopkins, Mark Johnson, others, engs.; Hank Williams (no relation), mastering. AAD. TT: 43:19
Performance ****
Sonics *****

Recording of the Month

Bonus Recording of December 2001: Wagner's Ring

Richard Lehnert Dec 03, 2001 First Published: Dec 03, 2001

WAGNER: The Ring of the Nibelung

Norman Bailey, Wotan, Wanderer; Derek Hammond-Stroud, Alberich; Alberto Remedios, Siegmund, Siegfried; Rita Hunter, Brünnhilde; Margaret Curphey, Sieglinde, Gutrune; Gregory Dempsey, Mime; Aage Haugland, Hagen; Norman Welsby, Gunther; Emile Belcourt, Loge; Clifford Grant, Fafner, Hunding; Katherine Pring, Fricka I, Waltraute II; Ann Howard, Fricka II; Anne Collins, Erda, First Norn; Valerie Masterson, Woglinde; Shelagh Squires, Wellgunde; Helen Attfield, Flosshilde; Gillian Knight, Second Norn; Anne Evans, Third Norn; Maurine London, Woodbird; others; Sadler's Wells (Siegfried) and English National Opera Orchestra & Chorus, Reginald Goodall

Chandos CHAN 3065 (16 CDs). 1974–78/2001. John Mordler, Ronald Kinloch Anderson, prods.; Robert Gooch, Stuart Eltham, engs. ADD. TT: 16:53:30

Performance ****

Sonics ***½

Recording of the Month

Recording of November 2001: "Love and Theft"

Robert Baird Nov 11, 2001 First Published: Nov 11, 2001

BOB DYLAN: "Love and Theft"
Columbia (85975) (CD). 2001. Jack Frost, prod.; Chris Shaw, engs. Jeremy Welch, asst. eng. AAD? TT: 57:35
Performance ****1/2
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of October 2001: The Tiki Bar is Open

Robert Baird Oct 21, 2001 First Published: Oct 21, 2001

JOHN HIATT: The Tiki Bar is Open
Vanguard 79593 (CD). 2001. Jay Joyce, prod.; Nico Bolas, eng. Greg Parker, asst. eng. ADD? TT: 44:55
Performance ****
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of September 2001: A Tribute to the Music of Mississippi John Hurt

John Swenson Sep 16, 2001 First Published: Sep 16, 2001

AVALON BLUES: A Tribute to the Music of Mississippi John Hurt
Dave Alvin, Beck, Peter Case, Bruce Cockburn, Justin Earle, Steve Earle, Richard Greene, Ben Harper, Alvin Youngblood Hart, John Hiatt, Taj Mahal, Bill Morrissey, Clare Muldaur, Geoff Muldaur, Jenni Muldaur, David Rawlings, Mark Selby, Chris Smither, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Victoria Williams
Vanguard 79582-2 (CD). 2001. Peter Case, prod.; Francisco Lugo, Dawn Hopkins, Ray Kennedy, Mark Raines, Mark Wilkins, Jeff Landrock, Matt Andrews, David Rawlings, engs. AAD.? TT: 51:29
Performance ****
Sonics ***?