Pursuant to Rushton's and my exchange re. harpsichord music above, these titles were enjoyed over the last couple of weeks:
E. Power Biggs - Bach On The Pedal Harpsichord [Columbia 360-stereo LP, probably mid-60's] In which we learn that 18-century organ composers like Bach often wrote and practiced organ pieces at home on a clavichord or harpsichord with organ-like pedals (the church organ and a man to work the bellows being only an occasional luxury), but that none of these instruments survive today in playable condition. The cover photo depicts the gorgeous modern instrument constructed by John Challis in what appears to be 100% Brazilian rosewood, unadorned, that looks like a harpsichord whose legs perch atop what, at first glance, you might mistake (as I did) for a reflection of the harpsichord's underside in a shiny black floor, until you notice the pedals in place of keyboard manuals.
Igor Kipnis - Bach: Complete Variations For Harpischord/"Goldberg"/In The Italian Style [Angel 2LP, 1973] Got this at an estate sale several years back, bearing a signed personal dedication from Kipnis on the rear cover dated June 14, 1977.
Rafael Puyana - The Golden Age Of Harpischord Music [Mercury Living Presence stereo LP, early 60's]
Rafael Puyana - Bach For Harpsichord [Mercury Living Presence stereo LP, early 60's] I can thank my late father's collection for these last two titles, in pristine condition. "The Golden Age" features many relatively obscure composers and pieces that stray far from a Bach-ian baroque mold.
Continuing on other fronts...
The Osborne Brothers - Modern Sounds Of Bluegrass Music [Decca stereo LP, 1967] The high lonesome sound meets Nashville, with banjo and mandolin backed by a rhythm section including not just acoustic guitar and bass fiddle, but also drums, electric guitar and pedal steel plus piano. The liner notes helpfully offer that this contemporary mix makes "the 'old' sound of bluegrass seem empty and unattractive". Thank goodness they cleared that up.
Jerry Reed - The Unbelievable Guitar & Voice Of... [RCA Victor Dynagroove mono LP, 1967] You might only remember him as Burt Reynolds' truck-drivin' stringbean of a sidekick from the 'Smokey & The Bandit' movies, but if so, you would only know half the story of this consumate entertainer, guitar-wrangler and songwriter, whose gifts are reminiscent of Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell crossed with latter-day Elvis and Jerry Lee. His Atkins-produced debut is a spritely genre-blender that might best be described as soulful country pop, delivered with casual charisma to burn.
James Brown - Nothing But Soul [King stereo LP, 1968] Soul Brother Number One's instrumental albums on Smash, predating this set (whilst his vocal hits were all recorded for King), generally only show his limitations as a wannabe organist and feature forgetable covers of rock and soul tunes not always associated with The Godfather. This less-common set is a whole different story. I don't know if JB truly is the organ player here, but the liner notes do make deliberate mention of his increasing skills on the instrument. Whatever the case, this burner, recorded with his regular horns/guitars/drums band, is head and shoulders above his other instro records and an excellent album in its own right, being both funkier than your typical jazz organ trio and jazzier than most funk instrumentals, with really great original tunes throughout.
Howlin' Wolf - Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog [Chess 2CD compilation, 1994] Collection of 42 rare and previously unreleased vintage tracks spanning from 1951-'69, by the all-time big daddy of the blues.
