02 March 2010
By Lyov
In Blues, Jazz
The Genius Sings The Blues
The Genius Sings the Blues is an album by Ray Charles, released in October 1961 on Atlantic Records. The album was his last release for Atlantic, but one of his most memorable, compiling twelve blues songs from various sessions during his tenure for the label. The album showcases Charles’s stylistic development with a combination of piano blues, jazz, and southern R&B. The photo for the album cover was taken by renowned photographer Lee Friedlander. The Genius Sings the Blues was reissued in 2003 by Rhino Entertainment with liner notes by Billy Taylor....
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Blues, Jazz, piano, Ray Charles, rhythm and blues, Soul, The Genius Sings The Blues
10 February 2010
By Lyov
In Pop
The Beekeeper
After Scarlet’s Walk, Tori Amos’ 2002 ambitious sonic travelogue that took her to all 50 states, penning loveletters to America along the way, the fiery earth-sprite has fashioned another high-minded concept album, tying her 19 songs–and one not-so-hidden track–into a garden motif that’s part a retelling of Alice in Wonderland, another A Little Shop of Horrors, chronicling her rather autobiographical protagonist’s journey through what seems to be an overgrown labyrinth of the subconscious as she experiences a series of life-altering events and emotions. In addition, living in Cornwall for the past decade has certainly had an effect on Amos, she even takes inspiration from Daphne Du Maurier’s classic novel Jamaica Inn, which takes place on that rugged seacoast, but the greatest change is the grit in her voice; on a song like “Hoochie Woman,” she sounds like she’s channeling Chrissie Hynde–a welcome change from some of the preciousness of her earlier work. She also surprises with the steely, eloquent resolve on a song like “Goodbye Pisces” one of the better break-up songs in recent memory. The Beekeeper returns the quirky singer to the same whimsical terrain of 1992’s Little Earthquakes, but with much stronger storylines and a much more assured and nuanced voice. Her best yet....
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alternative, female vocalists, piano, Rock, singer-songwriter, The Beekeeper, Tori Amos
15 January 2010
By Lyov
In Jazz, Pop
The Pursuit
Now officially anointed as the new Dudley Moore, being a talented British pianist about to wed a much taller blonde, Jamie Cullum returns after a four year break with The Pursuit, his fifth and best album yet. A gleeful and deft big band version of Cole Porter’s classic “Just One Of Those Things” kicks off proceedings with a new Cullum-composed introduction, an indicator of his current confidence. And on this evidence it’s warranted. First single, the soft-rocking “I’m All Over It” deserved greater success, while the jaunty “Wheels”, inspired by the credit crunch, neatly encapsulates the varied moods of The Pursuit. A funereal reading of “If I Ruled the World” owing far more to Elvis Costello than Harry Secombe, is followed by “You and Me Are Gone”, a tribute to Louis Prima’s turn on the soundtrack of The Jungle Book that’s as much fun as its inspriation. A cover of Rihanna’s hit “Please Don’t Stop The Music” is as vulnerable and full of longing as the original even as he makes it his own, yet “Mixtape”, a tribute to the varied music Cullum loves, is an upbeat, even extravagant pop song not miles from Ben Folds. “We Run Things” is slighter–Cullum can’t really do threat–but the concluding “Music Is Through”, effectively a house tune anchored by his brother’s stand-up bass, neatly combines several genres to great effect. The playing is great throughout, the songs well chosen and arranged, the result entirely satisfying. If marrying pop and jazz without contrivance was the target, then The Pursuit has succeeded perfectly....
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british, Jamie Cullum, Jazz, piano, Pop, singer-songwriter
15 December 2009
By Lyov
In Jazz
Christmas Songs
On 2005’s CHRISTMAS SONGS, Diana Krall applies her sultry vocals and nuanced piano lines to a strong set of holiday classics. In addition to turning in a stirring performance of “The Christmas Song” that would make Nat “King” Cole proud, Krall eases into a swaying version of “Winter Wonderland” and a lush rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” With its dynamic arrangements and pitch-perfect mix of pop and jazz, this album stands alongside other timeless Yuletide outings....
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Blues, Christmas Songs, Diana Krall, female vocalists, Jazz, piano, vocal jazz
11 December 2009
By Lyov
In Jazz
Parkdale
Liner Notes:
I’ve been living here since the move from Montreal, 4 years ago. It’s a harsh neighbourhood – but then again, so is life. In this city that values aesthetic functionality and uniformity over allowing its history to be told through age and decay, Parkdale has largely managed to resist the gentrification that has hit much of Toronto. Some maintain that the tide is inevitable. I believe that as long as there is a place for the stalwart halfway houses and homes for those deemed mentally or emotionally “unstable”, Parkdale won’t see the marginalization of certain members of society, the way so many other neighbourhoods have. And in the end, I hope this is exactly what will allow for its preservation, in all its complexities and myriad stories. Like it or not, beyond the homogenized, picture-perfect bullshit that creeps up everywhere to call itself reality, lies the actual, true core – often harsh and ugly and full of contradictions, yet incredibly beautiful in its realness and resilience. So to me, Parkdale is a window into the soul of a city – complex, fragmented and above all, honest.
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Elizabeth Shepherd, female vocalists, Jazz, Nu Jazz, Parkdale, piano, vocal jazz
01 December 2009
By Lyov
In Jazz
Red Hail
Emerging keyboardist Tigran Hamasyan is truly a virtuoso performer who minces no musical words, and never holds back on his immense talent. Aratta Rebirth is his second release as a leader, in this case with the group dubbed Red Hail, embracing his Middle Eastern heritage, playing modern jazz based on folk tunes that stretch far beyond their origins....
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armenian, avishai cohen, Jazz, piano, progressive jazz, Red Hail, Tigran Hamasyan
21 November 2009
By Lyov
In Pop
Careful Confessions
Her sound has been described as everything from Norah Jones to Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple to Alicia Keyes. It is tempting to make comparisons but she’s much more than a carbon copy. In fact, she is anything but. Influenced by soul, jazz, rock, and pop-her writing is bold, honest, and edgy. Intelligent, unpredictable lyrics and melodies delivered courtesy of a truly soulful and powerful voice, Sara’s music is something that definitely sets her apart....
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acoustic, Careful Confessions, female vocalists, piano, Pop, Sara Bareilles, singer-songwriter
Jazzamor
Ana Moura
Ayo
Silje Nergaard
March 8
