Audiogoners-some musical recommendations

Because of their relative obscurity, I have mentioned most of these in other, various threads. But, hey, I'll mention them again:

Curve - Why this band is not selling millions of albums boggles my mind. Layered guitar and synth stuff anchored by bass guitar. A large part of the draw is Toni Halliday's icy vocals, and fairly subtle hooks. All their albums are good.

At the Drive In's "relationship of command" - It will remind you of rage against the machine, but ATDI's album is actually good.

Type O Negative's "Bloody Kisses" - This album was pretty big for what it is. And what it is a very well done tounge-in-cheek, overt goth album, ending with the hit 'black no. 1', a ten minute song about a girl colouring her hair black. On the album is also a cover of Seals and Crofts 'Summer Breeze'.

Prick - Their (only) album is hard for me to describe. AMG describes some of the songs as industrial metal, but they are really not as hard as that implies. Maybe a more melodic, mellower Ministry. Maybe.

Headcase's 'Mushi Mushi' - Experimental album by the bassist for Curve, Dean Garcia. Makes for good late night background music.

Gregorio Paniagua's 'La Folia De La Spagna' (Harmonia Mundi) - I really don't know that the hell this thing is about. It and features sound from the guitar, flute, violin, a chainsaw and a jeep. Nice sound quality and a really bizarre and fun album. I actually first heard it at Albert Porter's, and I just had to get it. Hard to find on vinyl (but if i can get it anyone can), but easy to find on CD.

Rasa-Devotion-
Elend-The Umbersun-
El Camaron/Paco De Lucia-Castillo de Arena-
Al Di Meola-Cielo e Terra-
Vas-In The Garden Of Souls-
Sussan Deyhim-Madman of God-

his second CD, Second Nature, with which I am most familiar and combines a number of influences, Classical, South American, Jazz. Picked up a copy when I saw Dominic play at our old high school, and it has rewarded repeated listenings. Much of what is beautiful about his songs and playing is fairly subtle, but man they sure grew on me...and what a great recording.

"Uninvisible" by Modeski, Martin, Wood is an absolutely top notch mix of jazz, funk, space, and a little hip hop. Very, very accessible stuff.

Stereophile's recording of Beethoven's thirty two sonatas is excellent on 10cds for $65-70. Don't know if you've ever heard of him, but this guy Beethoven knew his way around a sonata.

There is only one artist in the bluegrass/altcountry that I listen to regularly, Guillian Welch, whose most recent "Time the Revelator" is filled with new songs that sound like they must be old as dirt classics. Incredible singer songwriter...the Nick Drake of Blue Grass.

For some low-fi recordings of songs that it is impossible to play too loud, the White Stripes self titled and White Blood Cells are the best of the garage rock types.

I'm off to listen to Joe Henry's "Scar"...you'd be well advised to do the same!

John Hammond "Wicked Grin" (Blues vocalist sings Tom Waits songs in an album produced by Waits. "Jockey Full of Bourbon" worth the price by itself.).

Penguin Cafe Orchestra "Greatest Hits" (this band has been around since the early 80's. Sort of oddball but compelling and listenable instrumental music.)

"The Myth of Fingerprints" Soundtrack (collection of atmospheric instrumental music and two or three vocal standards by people like Bing Crosby. "Le Roi D'Ys", a French chanson from the 40's (two versions), is worth the price by itself.)

St. Germain (Blue Note, can't recall the album name. samples classic jazz riffs in making accessible, listenable and interesting electronica.)

I second Fly Fish NZ's recommendations re: Joe Henry and Gillian Welch. They should not be missed. Welch's earlier efforts, "Revival" and "Hell Among the Yearlings" are also great.