Record Reviews

MARTIN BARRE ~ 50 YEARS OF JETHRO TULL STORE FOR MUSIC 549 (Barcode: 5055544229573) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is a 2CD album by British guitarist Martin BarreFind albums by this artist, the lead guitarist of the iconic British band Jethro TullFind albums by this artist for the entire duration of the band since the departure of guitarist Mick AbrahamsFind albums by this artist in late 1968. He appeared on all Jethro Tull albums starting with the second album “Stand UpFind albums with this title”. The album was recorded to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Barre joining Jethro Tull and presents songs written by Ian Anderson and originally recorded by the group. This edition adds four bonus tracks not present on an earlier version of this album. The first CD presents thirteen songs performed by an electric quartet, with Barre, vocalist / guitarist Dan CrispFind albums by this artist, bassist Alan ThompsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Darby ToddFind albums by this artist, recorded “live in the studio”. The sound of the quartet is remarkably similar to the sound of Jethro Tull, with Crisp’s voice mimicking very closely Anderson’s vocals. Barre’s guitar, which was obviously an integral part of the characteristic Jethro Tull sound is dominating these tracks. The second CD presents eleven new, acoustic interpretations of Jethro Tull songs, these being very much removed from the original sound. These are performed by Barre with two female vocalists Alex HartFind albums by this artist and Becca CarterFind albums by this artist and vocalist John CarterFind albums by this artist, bassist Paddy BlightFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Josiah JFind albums by this artist. These new arrangements are beautifully fresh and open completely new musical vistas on the familiar material. Overall, this is a wonderful opportunity to revisit the great material Jethro Tull recorded over the years, get a new perspective on some of them and of course above all listen to one of the greatest Rock guitarists of all time, who is absolutely untouched by the tides of time and delivers every time. An absolute must for all Jethro Tull fans!

Updated: 27/04/2022Posted: 27/04/2022

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JOHN CARTER / BOBBY BRADFORD ~ SEEKING HATOLOGY 620 (Barcode: 752156062028) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2006 This long overdue reissue of the legendary debut album by the quartet led by saxophonist / clarinetist / flautist / composer John CarterFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Bobby BradfordFind albums by this artist, with Tom WilliamsonFind albums by this artist on bass and Bruz FreemanFind albums by this artist on drums, is a tribute to the great era of American Jazz, when groundbreaking music was being created there on momentous scale. The quartet was operating under the cooperative name New Art Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, typical of the period´s social / philosophical climate of unity and cooperation on one hand and high appreciation of individual expression and genius on the other. The music expands the tradition already established by Free Jazz pioneers like Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist, Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist and John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, but is completely unique and refreshing. Carter´s virtuosity (my favorite being his clarinet playing) and compositional skills place him immediately at the spearhead of the burgeoning musical revolution taking place at the time, a position he would firmly keep up for decades to come. The interplay between Carter and Branford is reminiscent of the superb dialogue between Ornette Coleman and Don CherryFind albums by this artist, but the level of telepathic conversation seems to be even more intimate. The most amazing aspect of the album is its total lack of aggressiveness; the music tickles the intellect constantly rather than banging the listener right on his head in an attempt to create a shock treatment affect, an approach often used by other Free Jazz / Avant-Garde players. As a result the music is listenable even to a less experienced Jazz enthusiast, who might find most of other Free Jazz experimentation too overwhelming or aesthetically shocking. In retrospect this album is a Jazz masterpiece in every respect and a worthy addition to every serious music collection. Having it available again is a true blessing and a new chance to get acquainted with a true lost treasure.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

DAVID MURRAY ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE VOLUME 3 CAM JAZZ 1042 (Barcode: 8052405142511) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 - 1987 Released: 2016 This superb Box Set collects recordings by the American saxophonist / bass clarinetist / composer David MurrayFind albums by this artist on the Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label labels. It is the third such collection, this time dedicated to recordings made between late 1970s and late 1980s. It includes six albums: "The HealersFind albums with this title" is a duet with pianist Randy WestonFind albums by this artist, "Southern BellsFind albums with this title" is a clarinet quartet with Alvin BatisteFind albums by this artist, John CarterFind albums by this artist and Jimmy HamiltonFind albums by this artist, "InterboogieologyFind albums with this title" is a quintet recording with cornetist Butch MorrisFind albums by this artist, bassist Johnny DyaniFind albums by this artist, drummer Oliver JohnsonFind albums by this artist and vocalist Marta ContrerasFind albums by this artist (on two tracks only), "ChildrenFind albums by this artist" is another quintet recording with guitarist James Blood UlmerFind albums by this artist, pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist, bassist Lonnie PlaxicoFind albums by this artist and drummer Marvin SmithFind albums by this artist and finally the "Live At Sweet BasilFind albums with this title" Vol.1 and Vol.2 feature the David Murray Big BandFind albums by this artist, which includes eleven musicians and conductor Butch Morris. Murray is considered as one of the most influential and prominent American Jazz personalities and a great master of the saxophone and bass clarinet. He started his career playing mostly Free Jazz but later developed a highly individual style, incorporating many different influences, including World Music, Rock and others, and returning to more traditional Jazz styles. He is one of the most prolific recording artists on the American Jazz scene. Most of the music presented here was composed by Murray and the Box Set reflects the incredible diversity of his music, which crosses genres and instrumental settings. Side Note The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label. The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented. However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty. These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!

Updated: 24/06/2020Posted: 24/06/2020

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend