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Reviews (5)
20 March 2007
Midnite Vultures
The music on this CD is a strange mix of Prince style funk and Beck's more usual take on hip hop. An odd combination, but when it works is at worst interesting and at best innovative and exciting. Not his best CD, but not his worst either - good fun and not to be taken too seriously.
04 May 2007
Milk Eyed Mender
This is a very good CD of American folk music with a difference. Newsom's voice, although not to everyone's taste, is distinctive and sang with a strong American country accent. This blends perfectly with the harp that she plays quite superbly, as well as the songs where she plays piano, harpsidchord, or electric piano.
It is a very diverse CD, including 'pop' songs,a traditional folk arrangement, and songs that mix a number of American traditions including country, blues and bluegrass. There is also a strong sense of American minimalism that comes through particularly in the harp playing on songs such as 'Bridges and Balloons' and '"En Gallop"'.
The highlight of the CD is the song 'Sadie', about a dog (I think), it is brilliantly constructed, lyrically arresting and sung with a restrained passion reminiscent of the best country singers such as Nancy Griffith.
The constant thread of the CD are the lovingly crafted melodies that intertwine with the virtuoso harp parts. At its best, this CD is sublime and ethereal in a way that I have not come across since Beck's 'Sea Change' CD. If you like American popular music, and are looking for something a little different, you may really like this CD.
30 April 2009
Steve Reich Octet
The main reason to buy this CD is for the Octet that Reich later revised for orchestra renaming the piece 'Eight Lines'. The version on this CD is the original chamber music using only eight soloists, and although not recorded to modern day standards, the clarity of the eight lines of music is very apparent because of the excellent performances of the players. Well worth a listen if you like Reich's music, the Octet I think is a very good example of his work from the 70s and is very listenable.