While I'm getting back into the swing of things, I hope you'll allow me to divert your attention toward a couple of recent CD reviews published in Time Out New York. Neither of these discs falls neatly into the "classical" or "new-music" categories. But they're unique, special and memorable, and I can't help but think that both could be of considerable interest to many visitors here.
The first features a voice familiar to most New Yorkers: David Garland, the affable host of WNYC-FM's long-running shows "Spinning on Air" and "Evening Music." The new album, his sixth, is a collection of catchy pop songs featuring brainy lyrics that reference John Cage and comic-book maverick Steve Ditko meaningfully. An impressive list of guest stars includes Sufjan Stevens, who is literally all over the record. You can hear four songs from the album on Garland's MySpace page, and the complete lyrics are on his website (which also provides access to his spectacular "Spinning on Air" archive).
David Garland - Noise in You (Family Vineyard)
Time Out New York, July 18–25, 2007
(purchase at Barnes & Noble)
The second disc, The Words Project by gifted saxophonist-composer Sam Sadigursky, is that rare anomaly: a jazz-and-poetry record that sounds utterly natural and convincing. Just out on Judd Greenstein's New Amsterdam label, this is not a clutch of beat recitations, but rather a collection of impressive song settings featuring verse by Sylvia Plath, Czeslaw Milosz and Paul Auster. In crafting calm, thoughtful compositions that amplify the moods of his texts, Sadigursky extends a challenging trail blazed by the likes of Steve Lacy and Fred Hersch. His band provides relaxed yet alert accompaniment, and his four chosen interpreters -- the awesome Monika Heidemann, as well as three singers new to me, Heather Masse, Becca Stevens and Noam Weinstein -- are just right for the project.
Sam Sadigursky - The Words Project (New Amsterdam)
Time Out New York, August 1–7, 2007
(purchase via New Amsterdam)
Please do take a moment to investigate these very special recordings. (And in a personal aside, if you asked a question in the comments field of the last post, I've provided extensive answers there.)
Playlist:
Grateful Dead - Dick's Picks, Vol. 2: Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH 10/31/71 (Grateful Dead)
Philip Glass - Days and Nights in Rocinha - Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/Dennis Russell Davies; Persephone - Relâche/Joseph Franklin (Orange Mountain Music)
György Kurtág - Stele; Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 9 - BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Ilan Volkov; and Claude Debussy - Printemps; Sergei Prokofiev - Violin Concerto No. 2*; David Matthews - Symphony No. 6; Maurice Ravel - La valse - Janine Jansen*, BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Jac van Steen (recorded live at the 2007 Proms, streamed from BBC Radio 3)
Fairground Attraction - Kawasaki: Live in Japan 02.07.89 (BMG Japan)
Eddi Reader - Peacetime (Compass)
Bill McHenry - Roses (Sunnyside, due out Sept. 11, 2007)
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