It's been a long while since I posted anything -- I blame work and the winter doldrums for this. Recently I picked up this on www.yourmusic.com -- outstanding Miles Davis funkiness! Live at the Cellar Door, in Washington DC in 1971. 6 cds of three concert nights. Not meant to be absorbed in one sitting, but it is more involving than some of the previous box sets of Miles, where the alternate takes, breaks, and conversation can be a bit much, even for a Miles fan like myself. I get them because I can have the music in nice compact boxes. This one documents what was originally the "Live Evil" album, and is the best of Miles' forays into jazz rock -- one of the best examples of a time where music boundaries and definitions of what one genre should sound like were dissolving. Listen to Miles' punctuations and the heavy funky bass and drum lines. Check it out!

Carl Orff recommendation

This 2 cd set has been on my playlist for some time now. I love Carl Orff -- and not because Carmina Burana has been used and abused so much in movie previews. I actually like Catulli Carmina more -- it sounds more spiritual and uplifting, as opposed to the Burana. The chorus, the contstant rhythm throughout the piece is compelling. This set predates Jochum's famous 60's work on the same label -- these were recorded in the mid 50's, in mono, so the sound isn't as full bodied or as powerful. But the performances are dynamic and alive; this is a wonderful set well worth searching!

Matisse show at the Met

Been a while since the last post. I went up to NYC over the weekend, and spent most of Saturday soaking in art -- most of it at the Met, where I saw this fantastic little show on Matisse and the collection of fabrics and textiles he owned. They were an important element in his work -- because it stimulated his composition, sense of color, and how he approached the human figure. I'm surprised that this is seen as a "new" idea in understanding Matisse, but maybe it is because I come from a similar background -- my mother used to work in the clothing industry, and I remember going with her to the fabric stores all the time. The paintings are known, but there are a lot of drawings and works that I hadn't seen before, lots from private collections that are superb.

My lp listening this week

This is a great lp. Bass is tremendous and the playing is intense. Piano concertos!

Jazz in Paris

Dusty Groove has a nice series of cds called Jazz in Paris, recordings made in France during the 50's thru the mid 70's, and featuring artists like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Mary Lou Williams, Art Blakey, Max Roach, and lesser known artists like Henri Criolla, Bobby Jasper, Don Byas, Lou Bennett, Rene Thomas, etc. My favorite right now is a Rene Thomas disc that features Lou Bennett on organ. Smokes like a US made Presige soul jazz session! Dig it!

A Strange and silly movie of Mrs Wardh

This was a disappointing movie. After reading the hype about it on various sites, like DVD Drive in, I picked this up at Best Buy thinking I was in for a treat, especially since it stars the beautiful actress Edwige French. Well, she's gorgeous in it, but spends most of her time wandering around in a daze as she tries to avoid an ex lover who still continues to haunt her (I think Ivan Rassimov), taking up a new beau (George Hilton), all the while being married to a diplomat (again I think Manuel Gil). A serial killer is terrorizing the city, and the movie leads you (and out heroine) to believe that it is one of the three men. But the silly pseudo Hitchcockian Maguffins (false trails) serve to confuse the viewer. Is Edwige nuts or is one of her beaus a psycho? Lots of topless scenes with her writhing with Hilton, or getting the bejeezus knocked out of her by Rassimov, as there is a lot of sadomasochism stuff in their relationship. A plot that tries to be cleverer than it is, the viewpoints change 3/4 of the way through the movie, to a conclusion that makes as much sense as the more recent Wild Things, but without the winking knowingly at the audience. I called the ending before it happened, which is always bad. Issued as part of a new Sergio Martino Collection by NoShame films, it is an average giallo mystery but without the tension or suspense of a Mario Bava. Look for All the Colors of the Dark for a much superior giallo, also starring Edwige French.

Peer Gynt

I saw this recent review in classicstoday.com, and put in an order. I loved the suite, and I am really interested in hearing how the complete version is. A detailed report soon!