Posts Tagged Piano
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September 10, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Phil Broadhurst: Soliloquy
Phil Broadhurst Soliloquy Rattle Phil Broadhurst’s final album was recorded in late 2019 and released in June of 2020 following his death, aged 70, in April. It is a beautiful set of spontaneous compositions, solo piano improvisations that were recorded at home – with thanks to Rattle head Steve Garden and engineer John Kim who […]Archive
September 9, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Steve Barry / Judy Bailey: Elements
Steve Barry / Judy Bailey Elements Rattle Kiwi-born, Australian-based pianist Steve Barry studied under the Australian-based, Kiwi-born Judy Bailey and they quickly discovered kinship so Elements was recorded as a set of spontaneous pieces, duelling pianos working in tandem to create improvisatory works that hint at twilight moods and surprising shadows.Archive
August 16, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 73
Richard Clayderman, Rêveries (1979) Rêveries: It’s from the French – to mean fucking nightmare! Okay, that’s not a literal translation but I feel like it’s close enough. And besides, to own one copy of a particular Richard Clayderman album is a mistake. Right? But to own two (as I found out I do, only just […]Archive
August 11, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 76
George Feyer, Echoes of Spain (1956) I buy these things – little curious, little nonsenses. I only buy them if they’re a dollar or two, never more than $5 certainly. Often you find them for 20c or 50c. And I love these little 10” examples; a nice bite-size. I didn’t know much of anything about […]Archive
August 5, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Monika Herzig: Eternal Dance
Monika Herzig Eternal Dance Savant German-born jazz pianist Monika Herzig won me over here in the weirdest way. Opening an album with an instrumental rendition of Queen’s We Are The Champions is about as perverse as it goes for me in the world of jazz – particularly as I’m an avowed Queen-hater. But it works. […]Archive
August 3, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Connie Han: Iron Starlet
Connie Han Iron Starlet Mack Avenue What an extraordinary talent Connie Han is – and what a band! This is her third album out front and her best to date. And as it bursts from the speakers, with all the surety that jazz was never dead, has not only always had a pulse but is […]Archive
July 16, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Jeff Hamilton Trio: Catch Me If You Can
Jeff Hamilton Trio Catch Me If You Can Capri There’s something so pure about the great jazz trios – I’m an all-day sucker for it. And there’s always been such stateliness to Jeff Hamilton’s work as drummer and bandleader. So I was probably always going to love this – but I reckon it’s Hamilton’s finest […]Archive
July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Andrew McCormack: Solo
Andrew McCormack Solo Ubuntu Music British jazz pianist Andrew McCormack has been releasing records under his own name across the last 15 years. He’s also a member of the Kyle Eastwood Band, has a regular duo with saxophonist Jason Yarde, performs in a variety of small combo setting and leads The Andrew McCormack Trio.Archive
June 6, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Bat For Lashes: The Boys of Summer (Live at EartH, London, 2019)
Bat For Lashes The Boys of Summer (ep) Bat For Lashes I’ve long been a fan of covers that go deep beyond anything resembling a ‘novelty factor’; covers where the artist (always a gifted songwriter of course) takes apart a classic track and rebuild it, not to make it better but simply to better understand […]Archive
May 24, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
V/A: I Still Play
Various Artists: I Still Play Nonesuch Records I Still Play is a compilation of brand new solo piano compositions by composers across jazz, classical, pop and experimental (modern) music that have recorded for the Nonesuch Records label. The majority of the works are performed by classical pianist and composer Timo Andres (who also contributes a […]Archive
April 22, 2020 by Simon Sweetman