2012 Additions to Your Music Collection


The year is coming to an end and I just want to comment about some of the music I purchased. Every recording mentioned is highly recommended.

Feel free to talk about what you came across in 2012.

Bob Dylan -- Love And Theft, Original Mono Box Set, Time Out Of Mind. Can't say enough good things about Mr. Dylan. He's been so good for so long.

Boz Scaggs -- Dig. Boz can be hit or miss, but this is definitely a hit. Bass to die for.

Buddy & Julie Miller -- Written In Chalk

Cassandra Wilson -- Silver Pony. She's a national treasure.

Cocteau Twins -- Stars & Topsoil. A nice compilation.

Curtis Mayfield -- Superfly. I've never owned this record and after finally getting I realize for forty years I've denied myself a truly great record.

Dave Alvin -- Live From Austin TX. Kind of a greatest hits by one of the greatest living singer/songwriter.

Dream Academy -- Remembrance Day. I got a serious soft spot for their sound.

Esperanza Spalding -- Chamber & Radio Music Society. She's seriously talented and very entertaining.

Abercrombie/DeJohnette/Holland -- Homecoming, In the Moment. The sound even better 35 years after their first recordings.

Gretchen Parlato -- In A Dream, The Lost And Found. Sometime collaborator with Esperanza Spalding. There are some nice YouTube videos of them performing.

Hubert Sumlin -- Heart & Soul. If he had never played with Howlin' Wolf he would still be considered a top tier bluesman. He's an artist I will really miss.

Jack Wilkins -- Merge, Trioart. If you like jazz guitar he's a must hear.

James Blood Ulmer -- No Escape From the Blues.

Les Nubians -- Nu Revolution. A little like Sade, but more upbeat and a younger sound.

Macy Gray -- Covered.

Marshall Crenshaw -- Jaggedland. Another great record by Crenshaw.

Miles Davis Quintet -- Live In Europe 1967. Transitional period Miles.

Ojos De Brujo -- Aocana, Techari Live. Can't really describe it, but they are amazing. Techari also has a concert DVD. I don't see were they have ever played in the US.

Otis Rush -- All Your Love I Miss Loving.

Pete Anderson -- Daredevil, Even Things Up. Classy guitar roots rocking.

Red Hot Chili Peppers -- Mother's Milk. I've finally gotten into the RHCP.

Robbie Robertson -- How To Become Clairvoyant. Not great, but very, very good.

Roxy Music -- Complete Studio Recordings. A must have if you're a fan. A nice thing, they didn't remaster to make it loud.

Shelby Lynne -- Tears, Lies And Alibis. This is real country music.

Steve Cropper -- Dedicated - A Salute To the 5 Royales. Thank you Mr. Cropper for introducing me to their great music.

Swing Out Sister -- Beautiful Mess.

Tears For Fears -- Secret World.

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974. A definitive box set.
128x128onhwy61
Not new but new to me
Tindersticks Curtains if you like Nick Cave or Leonard Cohen.
Only I find Stuart Staples to be much more musical.
Pat Metheney & Anna Maria Jopek, "Upojenie", is one of the most incredible CD's I've ever heard; from a sonic standpoint as well as musically.
One item I would draw your attention to,that I just bought:

The Decca Sound

A box of 50 of the top SXL recordings from the great era of Decca recordings. On the UK Amazon site, it costs £95, that's about £2 a CD. This is really great stuff and wonderful CD mastering. It's a limited issue, that will shoot up in price, once it is sold out.
Ben Howard

Angus Stone

Lord Huron

Tift Merrett

Latest from each is outstanding. if you have not heard Lord Huron you are in for a treat.

Neal
Received this month: All good, a few special. All have very good sound.

1. A Perfect Match -- Ella and Basie
A perfect voice under complete control! We will never see the likes of Ella again. Perfect!
WARNING: contains Sweet Georgia Brown :)

2. Songs for Distinque Lovers -- Billie Holiday
laid back performance, Romantic ballards. Ben Webster and 'Sweets" Edison on board.

3. The Nutcracker -- The Royal Ballet w/Miyako Yoshida
My favorite nutcracker. Reminder: The Battle of the Nutcrackers on Ovation next week.

4. The Beethoven Journey piano concertos Nos. 1 & 3 -- Leif Ove Andsnes/piano

5. Mozart Piano Concertos Nos. 9 & 21 -- Mitsuko Uchida

6. A Carnege Hall Christmas Concert -- Battle, von Stade, Marsalis, Previn
Sooooo Good. A Christmas CD that can be listened to all year. Great LIVE ambience. It's a pity all this country's great art is performed before the same crowd in NYC. They could have done this in Texas!!

7. Vivaldi Sonate da camera a tre, opus 1 -- L'Estravagante
wanted to have something other than the Four Seasons. I like it.

Cheers