New Depression Songs
Seems to me most musicheads always have a reserve of bands, solo artists, string quartets, jazz soloists that they know but haven’t really seen or connected with. You know `em but you don’t.
Robert Baird
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Jay Bennett
Sad to hear of the death of guitarist/keyboard player/singer/songwriter/mad genius Jay Bennett at age 45. I don’t want to be a hater here but like many others, his portrayal in the Wilco film, <I>I Am Trying To Break Your Heart</I>has always been very problematic for me.
Recording of May 2009: House of a Thousand Guitars
<B>Willie Nile: <I>House of a Thousand Guitars</I></B>
Circle P/River House RHR9904 (CD). 2009. Willie Nile, Brad Albetta, Frankie Lee, Andy York, prods.; Stewart Lerman, Rich Pagano, prods., engs.; Rich Lamb, eng. AAD? TT: 52:36
Performance ****½
Sonics ***½
Doug and Gaff
Tribute records are only as good as the person being feted. Their success or failure is also directly linked to how much energy the performers put into the project. Most tributes operate via telephone and UPS, meaning everyone uses the telephone to figure out what song they want to cover, and then UPS (or if you’re really sexy and rich, Fedex) delivers the finished tape. Actually, in some really impersonal cases, the music might be sent via email. Gee, ain’t this `ol digital world great?
Louder...or at Least Easier on the Eyes Than Words
There wasn't space in the May issue of Stereophile for all these photos of the gorgeous and very talented Eliane Elias so here are a few more to ogle. And while you do, I know you'll all be doing it because you respect her as an artist. Seriously though, her new record <I>Bossa Nova Stories</I> is wonderful.
Recording of April 2009: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
<B>JASON ISBELL: <I>Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit</I></B><BR>
Lightning Rod/Thirty Tigers LRR-99682 (CD). 2009. Jason Isbell, prod.; Matt Pence, prod., eng. AAD? TT: 52:09<BR>
Performance ****½<BR>
Sonics ****
SXSW, Part 1
Another South by Southwest is in the books. My 21st out of a possible 23 festivals. Let me start with three acts that were among the most prominent participants there in terms of appearances. It seemed like every time I turned around—day, night, those sunny, warm Austin spring afternoons when the free drinks flow freely and the good times roll—there would be Raul Malo, the Heartless Bastards and/or M. Ward playing yet another gig.
Recording of March 2009: Arvo Pärt: In Principio
<B>ARVO PÄRT <I>In Principio</I></B><BR>
<I>In Principio</I>, <I>La Sindone</I>, <I>Cecilia</I>, <I>vergine romana</I>, <I>Da Pacem Domine</I>, <I>Mein Weg</I>, <I>Fur Lennart in memoriam</I>.<BR>
Tõnu Kaljuste, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra<BR>
ECM New Series 2050 (CD). 2009. Manfred Eicher, prod.; Teije van Geest, Margho Kolar, engs. DDD. TT: 70:44<BR>
Performance *****<BR>
Sonics *****
Sounds Like?
I can see the scene now, Gary, the mighty Max, the Big Man, all standing around the studio, looking at their feet, afraid to tell Bruce that one of his new songs, the otherwise very charming, “Outlaw Pete,” has a melody very similiar to the one found in KISS’ “I Was Made For Lovin’ You Baby,” their successful quasi-disco single off their otherwise weak 1979 stylistic stumble, <I>Dynasty</I>.
Recording of February 2009: Cardinology
<B>RYAN ADAMS: <I>Cardinology</I></B><BR>
Lost Highway B0012195-02 (CD, LP, 7" EP). 2008. Tom Schick, prod., eng.; Noah Goldstein, asst. eng. AAD?, AAA. TT: 40:29<BR>
Performance ****<BR>
Sonics ****