I think that is a great idea for a thread, Ben. SD Campbell's jazz recommendations and the threads they inspire have been invaluable in my quest for new jazz, and I hope this thread will serve the same purpose with other styles.
My initial recommendations are:
Death in Vegas, "The Contini Sessions" (sort of techno, well recorded).
Crystal Method, "Vegas" (ditto)
Billy Bragg & Wilco, "Mermaid Avenue" (they set several Woody Guthrie lyrics to music. Not really that obscure, but well worth a listen.)
Dan Tyminski, (solo album, can't recall the name offhand. Tyminski is an incredibly talented bluegrass musician who plays guitar and mandolin in Union Station, Alison Krauss's band.)
Neko Case and Her Boyfriends, "Furnace Room Lullabye" (sort of nuvo Patsy Cline-style twang with smart lyrics and a kick-ass girl singer)
Elvis Costello, "When I was Cruel" (ELvis goes back to his rock and roll roots and a reconstituted incarnation of the Attractions; bitterly funny lyrics set to catchy power pop rhythms.)
I look forward to hearing other people's musical picks. |
That's where I'm standing, Ben.
I'm always in research for new music and preferably non-monochromatic.
Most-likely for the "other" kind of music you have to do more thorough research.
I curently possess Philip Johnston band CD recorded on 1994. I wouldn't say that this is an audiofile CD rather than saying the simply that such performance and music has a divine spirit. During auditioining you will see a bunch of the colours that you've never heard before.
Try to check this CD on cdnow.com or amazon and if no success try to submit the wish list to a number of websites.
Wilco is excellent suggestion as well.
Also if you're not still familiar get Lounge Lizards(do not mix with Austin Lounge Lizards!)
The famous avant-grade band Pere Ubu impressed me so much. |
A good friend of mine has been producing some bands here in Los Angeles for the past several years on his own recording label. The most well-known of these bands is probably The Blue Hawaiians with whom he produced their first two releases. He's currently working with a couple different artists on some new music, and lucky for me he's given me CDs of their latest mixes during the various recording stages for me to enjoy. The music and recordings are in such an evolutionary phase that the names of the bands themselves haven't even been cemented yet.
Most of his bands are surf oriented, but the artists he's currently in studio with are creating music I can only describe as a blend of surf and jazz meets classical and space-music. Very very neat stuff, and I'm constantly playing these CDs here at work and in the car. I love 'em! They haven't been mastered yet so they don't always sound good on my system at home. I can't wait until they're finished.
You can visit his website at: www.PascalRecords.com. |
Hi, Ben:
Thanks for the gracious comment, and I think your idea to garner recommendations for newer music is excellent. Since I too get tired of listening to jazz and classical by the same group of artists, I am looking forward to some fresh input.
Best regards,
Scott C- |
Try to start researching ECM label catalogue. I believe that this label has its own music that is in the most cases has a fantastic recording quality. Among the most recommended performers I would pick Meridith Monk, Dino Saluzzi, Michael Mantler, David Darling, Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jan Garbarek and many others. I currently possess arround 90% of ECM released material. |
Dominic Miller- Classic Guitar
Alana Davis- Rock (amazing vocals, with deep lyrics)
Anika Moa- Rock (shes a hit in Australia/New Zealand, and this is a great freshman album from a newbie...hope her stuff takes off)
David Gray- Rock (He's been around for some time, but only recently found fame. All his albums are amazing...real talent here. If you like Dave Matthews, you'll love DGray)
Dido- Rock (just amazing vocals, and I wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating crackers either;))
Moby- "Play" Great album, not my usual taste, but one can't ignore talent when crap like BSpears is crammed down our throats.......................ok, you had your moment of lust, now get your minds out of the gutter...:)
Everything But The Girl- Their Greatest Hits is well worth owning.
I could go on and on...I will certainly give some of your recommnedations a try. |
Interesting classical/crossover: Ahn Trio, three sisters,piano,cello,violin. Their album "Ahnplugged"
was very cool, from L Bernstein( a dissonant piano trio) to
D. Bowie. Not avant garde but fun music( that is if you think a dissonant piano trio "fun", just like Webern to me is fun music). |
OK...a few things I've been listening to lately which incorporate sounds that are diverse but could very well have a lot of crossover appeal; all recorded rather nicely as well.Phil Ranelin: early '70's jazz grooves from a Detroit jazz musician that mined an early jazz-fusion sound. Interesting stuff to come out of nowhere. The re-mix album lovingly compiled by modern producers/mixologists and electronica artists is suprisingly cool as well.Edith Frost: Female indy-musician creating truly sublime tunes. The recent 'Wonder Wonder' is just that; at turns spooky and whimsical, great songs with a touch of country and a patina of psych scattered throughout. Her earlier, much sparser disc of moody, mostly acoustic pop (w/ slight 'experimental' leanings) 'Calling Over Time' is also very, very nice.Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Lots of stuff out, but their current offerings continue to turn out excellent compositions. Jazz with a heavy dose of traditional African stylings, completely free but somehow still calm as the eye of a storm. Any jazz musician that can turn out a cover of 'All Blues' on thumb piano is A-Ok by me.The Necks: Three piece ensemble (bass, piano, drums) from Australia with a pretty heavy cult following. Anything I've heard from them would come highly reommended by my househould as a taste of one possible 'future of jazz'. They do things with the power of repetition and the dynamics of restraint that continue to surprise me. Look at their website at www.thenecks.com for a much better idea and description of their sound than what my meager words could convey.Four Tet/Capitol K/Sad Rockets: All very nice, organically styled electronica artists...if you're inclined to dig into that particular genre.The Walkabouts: 'Train Leaves at Eight' + 'Satisfied Mind' - Recently re-discovered these two great discs comprised of cover tunes by these very under-appreciated purveyors of a unique brand of Americana (even though not ALL of their stuff has lived up to their potential). 'Train Leaves at Eight' digs into both traditional and recent European songs; everything from Mikis Theodorakis to Neu is given the Walkabouts treatment. Satisfied Mind is comprised of a mostly traditional folk & roots music (Carter Family, Charlie Rich, etc.) mixed in with some unusual selections and interpretations of songs by modern artists as well. Wizz Jones: A British folkie of the '60's - '70's often whispered in the same breath as Davey Graham, Bert Jansch, etc. Picked up his "Magical Flight' disc based on a recommendation and it really is nice stuff. A bit overly lush at times for my taste, but it sounds surprisingly fresh even today. Great playing and excellent sound as well. Well...there's my, as they say, 'two cents' worth. Actually more like a couple nickels or even a long winded half dollar really, seeing as I got into an e-rambling mode. Enjoy the sounds! |
Should be able to find this in the sale bin.
Nancy Wilson, "Best Of..."
Cira 1962. Stunning! |
Because of their relative obscurity, I have mentioned most of these in other, various threads. But, hey, I'll mention them again:
Curve - Why this band is not selling millions of albums boggles my mind. Layered guitar and synth stuff anchored by bass guitar. A large part of the draw is Toni Halliday's icy vocals, and fairly subtle hooks. All their albums are good.
At the Drive In's "relationship of command" - It will remind you of rage against the machine, but ATDI's album is actually good.
Type O Negative's "Bloody Kisses" - This album was pretty big for what it is. And what it is a very well done tounge-in-cheek, overt goth album, ending with the hit 'black no. 1', a ten minute song about a girl colouring her hair black. On the album is also a cover of Seals and Crofts 'Summer Breeze'.
Prick - Their (only) album is hard for me to describe. AMG describes some of the songs as industrial metal, but they are really not as hard as that implies. Maybe a more melodic, mellower Ministry. Maybe.
Headcase's 'Mushi Mushi' - Experimental album by the bassist for Curve, Dean Garcia. Makes for good late night background music.
Gregorio Paniagua's 'La Folia De La Spagna' (Harmonia Mundi) - I really don't know that the hell this thing is about. It and features sound from the guitar, flute, violin, a chainsaw and a jeep. Nice sound quality and a really bizarre and fun album. I actually first heard it at Albert Porter's, and I just had to get it. Hard to find on vinyl (but if i can get it anyone can), but easy to find on CD. |
Rasa-Devotion-
Elend-The Umbersun-
El Camaron/Paco De Lucia-Castillo de Arena-
Al Di Meola-Cielo e Terra-
Vas-In The Garden Of Souls-
Sussan Deyhim-Madman of God- |
his second CD, Second Nature, with which I am most familiar and combines a number of influences, Classical, South American, Jazz. Picked up a copy when I saw Dominic play at our old high school, and it has rewarded repeated listenings. Much of what is beautiful about his songs and playing is fairly subtle, but man they sure grew on me...and what a great recording.
"Uninvisible" by Modeski, Martin, Wood is an absolutely top notch mix of jazz, funk, space, and a little hip hop. Very, very accessible stuff.
Stereophile's recording of Beethoven's thirty two sonatas is excellent on 10cds for $65-70. Don't know if you've ever heard of him, but this guy Beethoven knew his way around a sonata.
There is only one artist in the bluegrass/altcountry that I listen to regularly, Guillian Welch, whose most recent "Time the Revelator" is filled with new songs that sound like they must be old as dirt classics. Incredible singer songwriter...the Nick Drake of Blue Grass.
For some low-fi recordings of songs that it is impossible to play too loud, the White Stripes self titled and White Blood Cells are the best of the garage rock types.
I'm off to listen to Joe Henry's "Scar"...you'd be well advised to do the same! |
John Hammond "Wicked Grin" (Blues vocalist sings Tom Waits songs in an album produced by Waits. "Jockey Full of Bourbon" worth the price by itself.).
Penguin Cafe Orchestra "Greatest Hits" (this band has been around since the early 80's. Sort of oddball but compelling and listenable instrumental music.)
"The Myth of Fingerprints" Soundtrack (collection of atmospheric instrumental music and two or three vocal standards by people like Bing Crosby. "Le Roi D'Ys", a French chanson from the 40's (two versions), is worth the price by itself.)
St. Germain (Blue Note, can't recall the album name. samples classic jazz riffs in making accessible, listenable and interesting electronica.)
|
I second Fly Fish NZ's recommendations re: Joe Henry and Gillian Welch. They should not be missed. Welch's earlier efforts, "Revival" and "Hell Among the Yearlings" are also great. |
A blondie meets the other blondie and asks:
Do you know these guys such as Bethoven, Mozard, Bach?
Yes! They compose music for our cell-phones! |
Two finds, that I am very happy with are:
Ida - Will You Find Me?
Lambchop - Is a Woman
Both of these albums are a little mellow, with a nice mix of instruments, and ever changing in their structure. I especially like Ida. Both of these are real finds. I disagree with All Music Guide which says these are not their best albums, I think they are. AMG is right in stating that these are a couple of the best groups of the 90's.
I love these posts, keep it up! |
MCLAUGLIN DIMIOLA DELUCIA...VERVE
if you like classical guitar at all just buy this
THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT...self titled
A really good jazz bass player(Christian McBride) a hip hop type drummer and classical type keyboardist make for an addictive listen
BECK...MUTATIONS Becks semi acoustic album(meaning not so much electronica)
THE TREY GUNN BAND...THE JOY OF MOLYBDENUM King Crimsons
current bass player with his own band hard to describe probably more socially acceptable than most of crimsons material
JOHN SCOFIELD...WORKS FOR ME Jazz guitar crossover with a smokin band making some cool jazz funk jams
thats it for now....later |
