Record Reviews
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  | ROBERT WYATT ~ …FOR THE GHOSTS WITHIN (LIMITED EDITION WITH DVD) DOMINO 263 (Barcode: 5034202026365) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010
10th album by the great British musician Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, who seems to be able to re-invent himself time after time and remain a shining star now in the fifth decade of his glorious music-making career. This project, which is a collaboration with Israeli saxophonist Gilad AtzmonFind albums by this artist and violinist Ros StephenFind albums by this artist (both are credited equally with Wyatt as the album´s creators), presents a series of original composition as well as re-works of Jazz standards, exquisitely arranged, richly orchestrated and beautifully performed by the participating musicians, which include among others bassist Richard PryceFind albums by this artist and Stephen´s Sigamos String QuartetFind albums by this artist. This is a wonderfully weird music, brilliant and completely unpredictable, changing moods, tempi, colors and musical influences constantly. From Middle Eastern to Celtic, from Canterbury to Klezmer to Chamber, everything goes, but all in excellent form and taste. A true masterpiece of contemporary music, beyond genres, classification and time… What more need I say?
| | CD+DVD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBERT WYATT ~ COMICOPERA DOMINO 202 (Barcode: 5034202020226) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007
9th album by Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, which is yet another triumph in his outstanding career over the years, presenting an imaginary three-parts opera abut life and its unexpected aspects, craziness, absurd, love and so on. Supported by an incredible team of musicians from all over the world (UK, Brazil, Norway, Cuba, Colombia, Spain and Israel – bassist Yaron StaviFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Gilad AtzmonFind albums by this artist) Wyatt creates a continuous stream of relatively short tunes, many richly orchestrated, which is quite different from most of his previous works, which have been mostly intimate in their sound scope. The music is mostly composed by Wyatt, with a couple of tunes by Brian EnoFind albums by this artist and two folk songs used as well. Wyatt and his wife Alfreda BengeFind albums by this artist are responsible for most of the great lyrics, but a Garcia LorcaFind albums by this artist poem is also used, which exemplifies Wyatt´s deep love and appreciation of the Spanish and Ibero-American culture. The music, still very much typical Wyatt, has also another dimension to it at times, being more closely related to contemporary Classical, probably due to the orchestral arrangements. Overall it´s a complex work, which requires several listening sessions to truly appreciate it and is definitely some of the best music recorded lately in complete contrast to the surrounding overwhelming shallow output created nowadays. Brilliant stuff!
| | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBERT WYATT ~ CUCKCOOLAND DOMINO 47 (Barcode: 5034202204725) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 2002 - 2003 Released: 2008
8th album by Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, recorded six years after the last album (Wyatt seems to be keeping his followers purposely on the edge) and another minor masterpiece. Wyatt seems to have found finally the perfect formula for creating his unique music: using his wife´s poetry as lyrics and cooperating with Jazz (this time notably with two Israelis – saxophonist Gilad AtzmonFind albums by this artist and bassist Yaron StaviFind albums by this artist) and Rock veterans like Brian EnoFind albums by this artist, David GilmourFind albums by this artist and Phil ManzaneraFind albums by this artist. The political statements are still there, but less aggressive (not less painful or truthful of course), well even the most fierce revolutionaries get old in time. The music is fresh, vibrant, whimsical and magical, same as always and stimulating as ever. Of course Wyatt´s music never was intended for mass consumption and musical charts. It takes time and patience, as well as open-mindedness and musical liberalism in order to fully appreciate this kind of Art. Considering the fact that Wyatt has been at the center of musical activity for five decades, his position in the Pantheon is assured, regardless of what some critics may think about him and his music. This is beautiful, stimulating music, which shows that not everything in music is lost in the 21st Century!
| | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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