Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Dave Brubeck - Brubeck Plays Brubeck

Dave Brubeck has had a strikingly original style ever since he appeared on records, avoiding the usual Bud Powell runs and instead expressing his training in classical music and his interest in polyrhythms and polytonality while never forgetting to swing. On his first solo piano record, Brubeck not only plays quite well but introduces such new compositions as "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "One Moment Worth Years" in addition to performing a remake of "The Duke." - by Scott Yanow, AMG

Artist: Dave Brubeck
Album: Brubeck Plays Brubeck
Year: 1956
Label: Columbia (20 Bit Remastered, 1998)
Runtime: 36:06

Tracks:
1.  Swing Bells 3:39
2.  Walkin' Line 2:47
3.  In Your Own Sweet Way 5:01
4.  Two-Part Contention 5:39
5.  Weep No More 3:59
6.  The Duke 2:54
7.  When I Was Young 3:19
8.  One Moment Worth Years 4:55
9.  The Waltz 3:49
All compositions by Dave Brubeck

Personnel: 
Dave Brubeck (Piano)

Friday, September 25, 2015

Oscar Peterson - A Summer Night In Munich

A Summer Night in Munich captures Oscar Peterson and his "NATO quartet" in a triumphant concert performance recorded July 22, 1998 at the Munchen Philharmonika. With a program of seven Peterson originals plus the Ellington-Strayhorn standard, "Satin Doll," this group cooks. "Backyard Blues" and "Nigerian Marketplace" are especially exciting and contemporary-sounding originals, while "When Summer Comes," "Evening Song" and "Love Ballade" are beautiful ballads. Bassist Niels-Henning Oersted Pedersen lays down the nimble-fingered lines for which he is known, while guitarist Ulf Wakenius is a most complementary figure in dialogue with the leader. Drummer Martin Drew keeps the proceedings on track rhythmically, taking a tasty solo turn on the set closer, "Sushi." With this fine recording, Peterson shows that even in his seventies, he's still got the goods. - by Jim Newsom, AMG

Artist: Oscar Peterson
Album: A Summer Night in Munich
Year: 1998
Label: Telarc Jazz
Runtime: 64:09

Tracks:
1.  Backyard Blues (Oscar Peterson) 7:06
2.  When Summer Comes (Oscar Peterson) 9:16
3.  Nigerian Marketplace (Oscar Peterson) 9:46
4.  Evening Song (Oscar Peterson) 6:24
5.  Satin Doll (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn) 8:31
6.  Love Ballade (Oscar Peterson) 8:58
7.  Hymn to Freedom (Oscar Peterson) 6:00
8.  Sushi (Oscar Peterson) 8:04

Personnel:
Oscar Peterson (Piano)
Ulf Wakenius (Guitar)
Niels Henning Oersted-Pedersen (Double Bass)
Martin Drew (Drums)

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Johnny Cash - American III: Solitary Men

The Man in Black shows hints of gray on American III: Solitary Man, his first studio album since being interrupted by a series of serious illnesses in 1997. While the inevitability of aging has been the downfall of many of his contemporaries, Johnny Cash's dark convictions and powerful presence have gone from rough hardwood to solid stone. The stark beauty of his 1994 release American Recordings and the warm, friendly collaborations on 1996's Unchained combine to create two distinct moods: one of living-room jam sessions with invited friends, and another of stark solo (and near-solo) songs highlighting Cash's years and stories. Partnering once again with Tom Petty, the two join together on Petty's own "I Won't Back Down" and the Neil Diamond-penned title track. Cash also lays his lonesome hands on U2's "One" and reunites with fellow outlaw Merle Haggard on the stubborn "I'm Leavin' Now." These duets and well-known covers show an inviting side of Johnny Cash. But the real highlights of the album are those reminiscent of his American Recordings songs; they feature just the man and his guitar, with nothing else to clutter the story. The creaks and despair of the vaudeville song "Nobody" tell of a man who has become hardened by his solitude, while the Palace hymn "I See a Darkness" soars with the passion of a thousand gospel choirs, even though there are only two men singing. Although at times it is difficult to hear past Tom Petty's growl or Sheryl Crow's young harmonies in the more popular songs Cash covers, these obscure prison songs and country ballads sound as honest and heartfelt as his own compositions. At age 68, his warm baritone may waver but his passion never does. - by Zac Johnson, AMG

Artist: Johnny Cash
Album: American Recordings III: Solitary Man
Year: 2000
Label: Universal
Runtime: 42:13

Tracks:
1.  I Won't Back Down (Jeff Lynne/Tom Petty) 2:09
2.  Solitary Man (Neil Diamond) 2:25
3.  That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day) (Harry Beasley Smith/Haven Gillespie) 2:36
4.  One (Adam Clayton/Bono/Larry Mullen, Jr./The Edge) 3:53
5.  Nobody (Egbert Williams) 3:14
6.  I See A Darkness (Will Oldham) 3:42
7.  The Mercy Seat (Mick Harvey/Nick Cave) 4:35
8.  Would You Lay With Me (In A Field Of Stone) (David Allan Coe) 2:41
9.  Field Of Diamonds (Jack Routh/Johnny Cash) 3:16
10.  Before My Time (Johnny Cash) 2:55
11.  Country Trash (Johnny Cash) 1:48
12.  Mary Of The Wild Moor (Dennis Turner) 2:32
13.  I'm Leavin' Now (Johnny Cash) 3:07
14.  Wayfaring Stranger (Traditional) 3:20

Personnel:
Johnny Cash (Vocals, Guitar)
Norman Blake (Guitar)
Mike Campbell (Guitar)
Marty Stuart (Guitar)
Benmont Tench (Piano, Organ, Harmonium)
Laura Cash (Fiddle)
Merle Haggard (Guitar, Vocals)
Larry Perkins (Guitar)
Randy Scruggs (Guitar)
Sheryl Crow (Accordion, Vocals) - 9,12,14
Tom Petty (Guitar, Organ) - 1,2
June Carter Cash (Vocals) - 9
Will Oldham (Vocals) - 6

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