Tag Archives: compact discs
Speak Softly and Carry a Guitar: The Bitch Magnet Reissues
The 1970s and 80s were full of loud rock and metal bands with larger-than-life personalities. Or to put it more bluntly, let’s say image-conscious bands full of egomaniacs, on stage with oversize drum sets, walls of amplifiers, and elaborate light … Continue reading
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Contrasting Early and Late Art Pepper
Many musicians’ careers go like this: early efforts bristling with rawness and urgency, a successful creative peak where a bit of polish is added but doesn’t overwhelm, and then a long downward slope where earlier ambition is replaced by simply … Continue reading
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Discovering a New Drummer: Marcus Gilmore
Lately I’ve been listening to Vijay Iyer’s 2005 album Reimagining. Even though Iyer is a one-of-a-kind pianist, since I’m a drummer, let’s be honest, I’m paying lots of attention to the drummer, Marcus Gilmore. Instead of the standard, swingin’, ding-dinga-ding … Continue reading
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I (Somewhat) Hate Being Irish
Perhaps the only holiday I dislike as much as Christmas is St. Patrick’s Day. I also loathe being Irish. That’s right. Amongst other things, I have little pride in my ancestors’ alcoholism, bad skin, belligerence, and boiled potato cuisine. But … Continue reading
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The Best Way to Show Off the Endearing Charms of the Euphonium
On Valentine’s Day, I went to a taping of the inspiring radio show From the Top, where young classical musicians perform with and are interviewed by pianist Christopher O’Riley. Amidst all the talented string players and pianists, I was thrilled … Continue reading
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A Dozen Albums You Might Have Missed from 2011
This isn’t a “Top Ten” list because it has twelve items. And it’s not a “Best Of” list either. It’s just a dozen music CDs from 2011 that I thought were worth checking out and talking about. Battles – Gloss … Continue reading
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It Used to Be Easier to Write Songs About Getting Away From It All
Since I’ve been listening to a lot of Gene Krupa and Anita O’Day lately, I’ve enjoyed their version of the 1941 song “Let’s Get Away From It All.” You might know the tune, though, from Frank Sinatra’s Top 10 hit version … Continue reading
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The Piano Quartet: A Winning Combination
If an orchestra is like a giant horde of laborers erecting a mighty pyramid and a recital by a soloist is like a spider weaving an intricate web, then a chamber music performance is like a few proud workers building … Continue reading
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Getting Started with Walter Braunfels
The millions dead and the countless lives ruined are enough reason to abhor the Nazis, but the suppression in the 1930s and 40s of music by certain composers adds even more to the long list of offenses. In addition, critical … Continue reading
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