tgd@clyde.UUCP (Thomas G. Dennehy) (12/22/83)
Can't help cranking out
those lists dept:
-----------------------
I haven't listened to nor studied EVERY album released in
the last year or so; hence, any attempt to list the n best
or worst efforts would be superficial and silly.
Instead, here are some recordings I'm glad to have purchased
in the last 12 months (or so). They are in no particular
order.
o+ TEHILLIM - Steve Reich and Musicians - A rich tapestry of
reeds, voice, and precussion. Anyone calling this
minimalism had best be prepared to pay for that
transgression. Go ahead. Make my day.
o+ BALLAD OF THE FALLEN - Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, etal. -
Wonderfully sloppy large ensemble arrangements of
traditional Central American folk melodies. The politics of
this album piss me right off, but that will be the subject
of a more detailed posting.
o+ THE PHOTOGRAPHER - Phillip Glass - At times, this sounds
like what Flashdance might have been had Steve Reich done
the score.
o+ INFLATION BLUES - Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition - Two
reed players (neither, unfortunately, being Arthur Blythe)
and selected use of the bass clarinet make this baby pure
joy.
o+ STANDARDS, VOL I - Keith Jarrett - As terrific a trio
session (Gary Peacock on bass, Jack DeJohnette on
precussion) as one might ever want. Hope Vols. 2 through
infinity are on the way.
o+ WHAT'S NEW - Linda Ronstadt - A for effort. C+ for letting
Nelson Riddle walk all over her. Still, Miss Ronstadt is to
be applauded for song selection, guts, and appearing on
every stupid talk show and TV special trying to sell this
one. May the big bucks be hers.
o+ JUST THE FACTS AND PASS THE BUCKET - The Henry Threadgill
Sextet - Seven (that's right, seven) musicians playing great
raucous jazz.
o+ GLADRAGS - Katia and Marielle Labeque - Ragtime arranged
for two pianos with classical phrasing. Technically superb.
o+ HAYDN/HUMMEL/L. MOZART CONCERTOS - Wynton Marsallis
(trumpet soloist) National Philharmornic Orch. (Raymond
Leppard cond.) - The album of the year (ignore my opening
caveat). Marvelous. Enchanting. Stays crunchy even in
milk. Mr. Marsallis' jazz release "Think of One" isn't too
shabby either, but it PALES when compared to his artistry
here.
Happy Holidays to all.
------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Dennehy AT&T BL Whippany, NJ {whuxb|clyde}!tgd