Recording of the Month

Recording of January 1999: ¡Jácaras!

Wes Phillips Jan 24, 1999 First Published: Jan 24, 1999

SANTIAGO DE MURCIA: ¡Jácaras!
Paul O'Dette, Pat O'Brien, Steve Player, baroque guitars; Andrew Lawrence-King, harp, psaltery; Pedro Estevan, percussion
Harmonia Mundi 907212 (CD). 1998. Robina G. Young, exec. prod.; John Hadden, prod., eng. DDD. TT: 78:21
Performance *****
Sonics *****

Recording of the Month

Recording of December 1998: Spyboy

Robert Baird Dec 31, 1998 First Published: Dec 31, 1998

EMMYLOU HARRIS: Spyboy
Eminent EM-25001-2 (CD). 1998. Emmylou Harris, prod.; Buddy Miller, prod., eng.; Dean Norman, Doug Dawson, engs. AAD? TT: 67:07
Performance ****?
Sonics ****?

Recording of the Month

Recording of November 1998: Los Super Seven

Robert Baird Nov 07, 1998 First Published: Nov 07, 1998

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Los Super Seven
Radv/RCA Nashville 67689-2 (CD). 1998. Dan Goodman, exec. prod.; Steve Berlin, prod.; Dave McNair, eng.; Fred Rennert, Steve Gamberoni, asst. engs. AAD? TT: 41:36
Performance ****?
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of October 1998: Orchestre National de Barbès

Larry Birnbaum Oct 18, 1998 First Published: Oct 18, 1998

ORCHESTRE NATIONAL DE BARBÈS: Orchestre National de Barbès
Larbi Dida, vocals; Youcef Boukella, vocals, bass; Aziz Sahmaqui, vocals, percussion; Fateh Benlala, vocals, mandolin; Fathilla Ghoggal, Olivier Louvel, guitar; Alain Debiossat, soprano sax; Toufik Mimouni, Jean Baptiste Ferr, keyboards; Ahmed Bensidhoune, bendir, darbouka; Kamel Tenfiche, vocals, percussion; Karim Ziad, karkabous; Michel Petry, drums
Tinder 42853192 (CD). 1998. Tajmaat, Djilali Aichioune, prods.; Luis Saldanha, Antoine Illouz, Delphine Presle, engs. AAD? TT: 78:33
Performance *****
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of September 1998: Mermaid Avenue

Robert Baird Sep 28, 1998 First Published: Sep 28, 1998

BILLY BRAGG & WILCO: Mermaid Avenue
Elektra 62204-2 (CD). 1998. Billy Bragg, Wilco, Grant Showbiz, prods.; Jerry Boys, eng.; Nora Guthrie, exec. prod. AAD? TT: 49:42
Performance ****?
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of August 1998: Blackjack David

Robert Baird Aug 05, 1998 First Published: Aug 05, 1998

DAVE ALVIN: Blackjack David
Hightone HCD 8091 (CD). 1998. Greg Leisz, prod.; Paul duGre, Dave Ahlert, engs. ADD? TT: 50:24
Performance ****?
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of July 1998: Beautiful Maladies

Robert Baird Jul 19, 1998 First Published: Jul 19, 1998

TOM WAITS: Beautiful Maladies
Island 314-524 519-2 (CD). 1998. Various prods., engs. AAD? TT: 74:00
Performance *****
Sonics ****?

Recording of the Month

Recording of June 1998: Elgar: Enigma Variations

David Vernier Jun 26, 1998 First Published: Jun 26, 1998

EDWARD ELGAR: Enigma Variations, In the South, Coronation March
George Hurst, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Naxos 8.553564 (CD). 1997. Paul Myers, prod.; Dave Harries, eng. DDD. TT: 58:47
Performance ****
Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of May 1998: In the World...

Robert Baird May 02, 1998 First Published: May 02, 1998

OLU DARA: In the World, from Natchez to New York
Atlantic 83077-2 (CD). 1998. Yves Beauvais, Olu Dara, prods.; Danny Kopelson, eng. Tom Schick, asst. eng. AAD? TT: 47:03
Performance ****
Sonics ****(But see final paragraph.)

Recording of the Month

Recording of April 1998: Gone, Just Like A Train

Chip Stern Apr 09, 1998 First Published: Apr 09, 1998

BILL FRISELL: Gone, Just Like A Train
Bill Frisell, electric & acoustic guitars; Viktor Krauss, bass; Jim Keltner, drums, percussion
Nonesuch 79479-2 (CD). 1998. Lee Townsend, prod.; Judy Clapp, eng. AAD. TT: 69:58
Performance *****
Sonics *****