Record Reviews

MATTHEW FISHER ~ MATTHEW FISHER / STRANGE DAYS ANGEL AIR 510 (Barcode: 5055011705104) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1980 - 1981 Released: 2018 This is a reissue / remaster of the third and fourth albums by the British keyboardist / songwriter Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist, primarily known as one of the founders of the legendary British band Procol HarumFind albums by this artist and co-composer of one of the most iconic Rock songs of all time “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”. The first album, recorded in 1980, is still very close in its concept to the classic Procol Harum sound and style, with beautiful ballads and intricate instrumental arrangements. Fisher’s ability to weave wonderful melodies is fully intact and although the material is more Rock / Pop oriented than the Prog attitude, which was dominant in the earlier work, it is still great Classic Rock material. Fisher wrote all the ten songs himself. The second album, recorded just a year later, is somewhat more New Wave oriented, with a less elaborate instrumental support, but still remains as an excellent collection of songs, which sound great despite the time that passed since. Fisher co-wrote all but two of the ten songs with the ex-ZombiesFind albums by this artist bassist / vocalist Chris WhiteFind albums by this artist. Overall, this is a nice reminder of the many talents that flooded the British Rock scene in its formative years, following their fate and work in later days. Perhaps not essential material, but definitely worthy being revisited with a nostalgic tear in the eye corner. They don’t write songs like that anymore!

Updated: 19/04/2023Posted: 19/04/2023

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DIZZY GILLESPIE ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.25 POLSKIE RADIO 2057 (Barcode: 5907812249793) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 Released: 2016 This is the twenty-fifth installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. The tracks presented here were recorded live on December 7, 1965 during the eighth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw. The Dizzy GillespieFind albums by this artist Quintet included also saxophonist / flautist James MoodyFind albums by this artist, pianist Kenny BarronFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris WhiteFind albums by this artist and drummer Rudy CollinsFind albums by this artist. Of the seven tracks five are original compositions by Gillespie, one is by Moody and one is by Brazilian Godfather of Bossa Nova Antonio Carlos JobimFind albums by this artist. The Quintet plays a superb set, with Gillespie, the Godfather of Bee Bop, expanding the basic Jazz lines with World Music elements, being one of the earliest pioneers of Jazz-World Fusion. His love of Cuban and other Latin music motifs made him one of the great propagators of Latin Jazz. All the members of the Quintet are of course top class musicians. Especially interesting is the young Barron at the piano, later to become one of the great American pianists of all time. The historic importance of this album is to emphasize the crucial role that the Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw played for the entire Jazz scene behind the Iron Curtain. It was the only opportunity for the thousands of musicians and hundreds of thousands of fans living in the Socialist Countries to hear top Western Jazz musicians. The picture of the thick crowd in front of the Sala Kongresowa in Warsaw, trying desperately to get in, is something I will remember as long as I live. The yearning for Jazz was a yearning for Freedom, an expression of individuality and a window of hope in those long dreary years of the Socialist Regime. Therefore the Jazz Jamboree is something way beyond just a music festival, it should be remembered as a symbol of struggle for Freedom, and this is how the people organizing it envisaged it. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.

Updated: 03/10/2016Posted: 03/10/2016

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VAN MORRISON ~ LIVE AT ORANGEFIELD: BE JUST AND FEAR NOT ORANGEFIELD 5061030860472 (Barcode: 5061030860472) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2014 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by legendary Northern Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, recorded in 2014 during his performance at his alma mater Orangefield Secondary School in Belfast, Northern Ireland, just before it was about to close its doors, fifty-five years after he performed there for the first time in 1959. He is accompanied by a splendid group of musicians, which includes keyboardist Paul MoranFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dave KearyFind albums by this artist, bassist Paul MooreFind albums by this artist, drummer Bobby RuggieroFind albums by this artist, a brass section comprising of saxophonist Chris WhiteFind albums by this artist and trombonist Alistair WhiteFind albums by this artist and backing singers. The album presents sixteen tracks, all but two original songs by Morrison. The sound quality of the live recording is brilliant and Morrison and his band are in absolute top form. Morrison performs some of his favorite songs he wrote over the years, and considering the quality and quantity of the material he managed to accumulate, it is no wonder that the music is absolutely delightful and moving, as obviously the concert could be seen as a retrospective journey, which touches all his admirers, even if these songs were already performed many times. He is simply unbeatable as far as writing great songs and singing them, which go directly to the heart. Overall, this is an obvious must have for all Morrison fans the world over, especially since this album offers a wonderful flow and festive atmosphere, which can be felt for the entire duration. If you love Morrison, there is no need to think twice as it does not get any better. This album was released on a new record label owned by Morrison, called OrangefieldFind albums on this label Records, which is not widely distributed and can be a bit more difficult to find, so buying directly from the label seems to be the best option. Enjoy!

Updated: 08/02/2025Posted: 08/02/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

VAN MORRISON ~ NEW ARRANGEMENTS AND DUETS EXILE 044003379664 (Barcode: 044003379664) ~ IRELAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2014 - 2019 Released: 2024 This is the 46th studio album by the legendary Northern Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, which are a selected from the vault of previously unreleased recordings, and others were newly re-arranged for a Big Band sound. They include duets with Kurt EllingFind albums by this artist, Willie NelsonFind albums by this artist, Curtis StigersFind albums by this artist and Joss StoneFind albums by this artist, and the new Big Band arrangements were done by Chris WhiteFind albums by this artist or Paul MoranFind albums by this artist. The album emphasizes more explicitly than usual Morrison’s affinity to Jazz and the material is all carefully selected and offers the usual level of excellence, which he never ceases to deliver. Despite his advanced age, Morrison is still in great shape and hopefully will still continue to record new material. Although this album offers archival material, it is still a great piece of music, which for his many fans, myself included, delivers in full. Overall, this is a collection of material from the vault, but the usual level of excellence is absolutely still here and it is a great pleasure to be able to listen to this music. Although the album was savagely criticized by “music critics”, for me it as good as anything Morrison released before. Keep it coming!

Updated: 11/11/2024Posted: 11/11/2024

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend