This German label keeps releasing some wonderfully obscure material. Most of the time, it seems we’re discovering European artists that should have received more attention. In this case, tenor saxist Hans Koller is the artist spotlighted during these concert recordings…
Author: George W. Harris
VOCALISTS FROM A BYGONE ERA…Bryan Ferry: Live In Lyon, Peter Gabriel: Live in Athens 1987
Back in the 70s, Bryan Ferry and Peter Gabriel were two of the biggest names in rock, being the face and voice of Roxy Music and Genesis respectively. Here are a couple concerts that show where their paths took them…
Joey DeFrancesco: One For Rudy
If you’ve been in the jazz scene for awhile, there’s only one Rudy who everyone knows, the revered engineer Rudy Van Gelder, whose studio and mixing style is simply part of the jazz dna. The sound of the drums that…
THE NATURAL…Wilford Brimley w/ the Jeff Hamilton Trio, Mike Jones Trio: Plays Well with Others
YES! That WIlford Brimley! The guy that was in The Natural, The Firm and China Syndrome. And you know what? This guy sounds great! He’s got an avuncular tone and pace, along with a lounge lizard’s sense of timing as…
TWO QUARTETS…Samo Salamon Quartets: Stretching Out
Guitarist Samo Salamon has two different quartets on this double cd set; one being an American team with Donny McCaslin/ts, John Hebert/b and Gerald Cleaver/dr, and the European band fatureing Dominique Pifarely/vio, Bruno Chevillon/b and Roberto Dani/dr. Both recordings are…
Pentultima: Snow Paws
If you’re longing for the days when rock and pop sounded at least halfway intelligent and optimistic, this Australian group lead by Lu Ruello might be right up your alley. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a non-country/bluegrass…
Chris Campbell/Grant Cutler: Schooldays Over
Here’s either a 45 rpm vinyl album or 20 minute download by Chris Campbell and Grant Cutler. They, along with guests Michelle Kinney, Jacqueline Ultan and Joey Van Phillips, make a seven part suite out of the Irish folk ballad…
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band w/ Johnny Mathis @ Catalina’s 12-03-13
So, how do you get into the Christmas spirit in Los Angeles? You could do a lot worse than hearing Gordon Goodwin who Tuesday night started the season off by bringing his Big Phat Band to Catalina’s and taking songs that cover both…
Richie Kaye with Tony LaVorgna: A NYC Subway Christmas
Here’s a festive collection of Christmas songs that will REALLY make you feel like you’re caught up in the season, as guitarist/vocalist Richie Kaye and alto saxist Tony LaVorgna make you feel like you’re hustling through the metro or along…
CHRISTMAS MUSIC TIME!! Tchaikovsky/Ellington/Strayhorn: Nutcracker Suites
To get you into the Christmas mood, we’re dedicating this week to music that reflects the Christmas season. A bunch of new releases and old reissues have recently been released, and what follows is a summary of a bunch of…