Posts Tagged Instrumental
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February 20, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
UNWIND Chisholm/Meehan/Dyne: Orange
UNWIND: Chisholm/Meehan/Dyne Orange Rattle I first heard Hayden Chisholm (saxophones) – well at least first really took notice on the glorious collaborative album Small Holes In The Silence featuring Hannah Griffin’s voice and Norman Meehan’s piano. The music was sparse, the lyrics drawn from famous New Zealand poems. Griffin and Meehan have an ongoing project in collaboration with Bill Manhire. Chisholm was the silent star of […]Archive
February 17, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Matt Brewer: Ganymede
Matt Brewer Ganymede Criss Cross Master bassist and composer Matt Brewer has been making ‘heady’ art-filled jazz music across the last two decades as sideman and leader, and importantly as a writer, working with the likes of Dave Douglas, Christian McBride, Greg Osby, Brad Mehldau and many more. Most recently he’s been creating dizzyingly wonderful larger-ensemble workouts, but here it’s […]Archive
February 12, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Manins/Samsom/Benebig/Lockett: SHUFFLE
Manins/Samsom/Benebig/Lockett SHUFFLE Rattle The Rattle label continues to defy the odds, making quality product (actual CDs, lovely covers, liner notes, packaging and production – never ‘just’ the music) and shining a light. Jazz, Maori music, contemporary classic – call it “art” music if you want a catch-all maybe, I like to think of the boutique […]Archive
January 31, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 120: Barry Adamson – “Moss Side Story”
I already know I’ll be listening to this a lot more – I love it. Instantly. Which is no great surprise. I used to have a few Barry Adamson solo albums – and have followed most of his work and appearances. Anyone that can play with the range of artists and engage with a range of audience such as he […]Archive
January 1, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 345
Michael Houstoun, Piano (1979) This is my favourite $1 op-shop find. For now at least. I love Michael Houstoun – amazing talent, I feel lucky thinking about the number of times I’ve seen him perform. He threatens retirement this year but I always enjoy his playing. I love classical piano and Beethoven too – so it’s […]Archive
December 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Orchestra Wellington NEW WORLD (December 1, Wgtn)
Orchestra Wellington NEW WORLD MFC Saturday, December 1 The closing event in Orchestra Wellington’s 2018 program was a suitably epic closer to the “Great and Noble” season, featuring a guest conductor for one piece, a guest soloist in regular concert master Amalia Hall, a world premiere and some stately performances of the classical music world’s […]Archive
November 1, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Ralph Towner: My Foolish Heart
Ralph Towner My Foolish Heart Deutsche Grammophon/ECM One of my all-time favourite albums by anyone ever is Diary by Ralph Towner. What a beautiful and tranquil thing that is. And I found it because, on a whim, I was desperate for more Ralph Towner because, up to that point, and I guess beyond, one of […]Archive
October 20, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Steel House: Steel House
Steel House Steel House ArtistShare Scott Colley (bass), Edward Simon (piano/keys) and Brian Blade (drums) are all master musicians and on their self-titled debut as Steel House they make a set of lithe, loping, languid jazz noises that s are alternately buoyed by Colley’s bass, gliding along under Simon’s strident piano glissandos or pulled into […]Archive
August 31, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Five Songs For Friday: 26 – Chet Baker
I can’t remember when I first heard Chet Baker but I’ve been a fan for a while. A long time. Feels like he’s just been there forever. My whole life. But I would have been a teenager before I first heard him knowingly. And then it was all in. And it’s still the way. Currently […]Archive
August 19, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Tom Rogerson with Brian Eno: Finding Shore
Tom Rogerson with Brian Eno Finding Shore Dead Oceans Tom Rogerson is from the British experimental rock trio Three Trapped Tigers. Where, in that context he was vocalist and keyboardist here he submits his piano offerings – with some synths and electronic ideas – to ambient-music’s overlord Brian Eno. It’s collaboration in that Mercurical Eno […]Archive
July 31, 2018 by Simon Sweetman