| 1. No Volveré |
| 2. Gracias a la Vida |
| 3. Nocturnal |
| 4. Canción Mixteca |
Nocturnal,Alejandro Marcovich,Escuchalo,Latin,Rock,Rock/Pop
Average customer rating:
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Nocturnal
Heltah Skeltah Manufacturer: Priority Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003AB5 Release Date: 1996-06-18 |
Tracks:
- Intro (Here We Come)
- Letha Brainz Blo
- Understand
- Who Dat?
- Sean Price
- Clan's, Posse's, Crew's & Clik's
- Therapy
- Place To Be
- Soldiers Gone Psycho
- The Square (Triple R)
- Da Wiggy
- Gettin Ass Gettin Ass
- Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka
- Prowl
- Grate Unknown
- Operation Lock Down
- Bonus Track 1
Amazon.com
Boot Camp Clik's Heltah Skeltah turn out willfully low-tech, floss-free music. The duo's philosophy ("Undastand / To be the man ain't even in the plan") is sort of a corner-dweller's adaptation of Tribe's credo ("beats, rhymes & grime"), with a hefty dose of weed and some potential violence thrown in for good measure. Noted underground producers, including Evil Dee, Mr. Walt, and the Alkaholiks' very own E-Swift, help give form to the album's snaky vibe, which progresses under palpable clouds of blunt smoke. Ruc and Roc's lyrics are not overly complex, centering on cipher battles ("Clan's, Posse's, Crew's & Clik's"), turf wars ("Grate Unknown"), and an amusingly wack attempt at a booty call ("Getting' Ass, Getting' Ass"). The criminally underrated Vinia Mojica, also heard gracing Common's hipster classic, Like Water for Chocolate gets some run here, singing the hook on "Therapy." --Rebecca LevineCustomer Reviews:
Part III Of The Boot Camp/Bucktown Series (Rating: 9 out of 10- -4.5 stars).......2007-07-17
The duo, Ruck and Rock, never slips on the rhymes either (even though I believe that Ruck is a little better than Rock). "Therepy" is a dope track that features singer Vinia Mojica. "Sean Price" featuring Illa Noyz and "Leflaur Leflah Eshoshka" showcase the duo with excellent guest appearances. The latter track features the Origonoo Gun Clappaz (combining with them they are known as The Fab 5). "Clans, Crews..." is funny track about people bringing their crews and thinking they're hard. The album's closer track "Operation Lock Down" is another one of my favorites, with a dark beat by Alkholik's member E-Swift. As the next track closes off the album with Ruck and Rock talking to a fan on how hip hop is changing (thats what the bonus track is).
They're aren't too many bad parts on this album. The first three or four tracks of the album is unbalanced, but it quickly picks up after that. Also, like the editoral reviewer, I thought the Rock and Vinia Mojica booty call skit (Gettin A** Gettin A**) went nowhere.
Nocturnal is a dope album from the BCC. Albums like this reminds why '96 was such a good year in hip hop. Especially when hip hop was changing into the bling era, this album was probably slept on. This is one of those albums you can play all the way through with out skipping a lot of tracks, if any. Fans of BCC will enjoy this as well. Peace.
Lyrics: A
Production: A-
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A
Top 5 Tracks:
1. Operation Lock Down
2. Therepy (featuring Vinia Mojica)
3. Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka (featuring O.G.C.)
4. Sean Price (featuring Illa Noyz)
5. Clans, Posses, Crews, & Cliks
Honorable Mention Track:
1. Crate Unknown
BCC Classic.......2005-12-08
Operation Lock Down.......2005-10-17
MASTERFUL DEBUT.......2005-10-11
Actually, the entire soundscape for 'Nocturnal' is rightfully implied in the album title: very stark, dreary, eerie, dark, and reminds me of the entire BCC in the studio with a huge buddah smoke session going on. I agree with one of the other reviewers who said that Ruck and Rock both sound just blunted while trading verses.
'Nocturnal' is straight hip hop: there's no socio-political activism, no "Jesus Walks", no mother/daughter dedications -- Just straight up grimy, street, "hoodies and Timbs" hip hop, which means 'beats and rhymes'. Period. Da' Beatminerz provided a lot of production on here, which explains a lot of the dark, eerie musical backdrops the emcees drop lyrics over.
Former Decepticons (an older NY street gang), Ruck and Rock are some pretty pissed off mofos. In fact at times, you can almost feel Rock, with his commanding vocal delivery, being up in your face about to pound your ass and beat the living crap out of you -- I know I felt it. You'll love it: Ruck's straight loco delivery and mesmerizing skills, Rock's towering demeanor, deathly sharp verbal acrobatics, and that commanding presence largely implemented by his deep baritone which carries his wordplay.
If you dig the street-wise Rasta crew BCC, you'll love these two pissed off, angry as hell "naughty" dreads. (Speaking of which, does anyone know what the heck 'Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka' means?!? LOL!) Purchase this now. And as soon as you pop it in, without further ado, Ruck and Rock'll proceed to pound your ass with "Letha Brainz Blo". Peace!
ruck and rock.......2005-09-26
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The 8th Sin
Nocturnal Rites Manufacturer: Century Media ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000PAAI2U Release Date: 2007-06-05 |
Tracks:
- Call out to the World
- Never Again
- Not the Only
- Tell Me
- Not Like You
- Leave Me Alone
- Till I Come Alive
- Strong Enough
- Me
- Pain & Pleasure
- Fools Parade
Customer Reviews:
!!! SUPER EXCELLENT ALBUM FROM VIKINGLANG !!!.......2007-06-21
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Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly
Edgard Varese , Riccardo Chailly , Mireille Delunsch , Sarah Leonard , Royal Concertgebouw Orhcestra , and Asko Ensemble Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000AFR8 Release Date: 1998-09-15 |
Tracks:
- Tuning Up
- Amques (Original Version)
- Po ectronique
- Arcana
- Nocturnal
- Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Orchestral Version)
Tracks:
- Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Original Version)
- Offrandes: Chanson de laut
- Offrandes: La Croix du Sud
- Hyperprism
- Octandre: Assez lent
- Octandre: Trvif et nerveux
- Octandre: Grave - Animt jubilatoire
- Intales
- Ecuatorial
- Ionisation
- Density 21.5
- Drts: 1st Episode
- Drts: 1st interpolation of organized sound
- Drts: 2nd episode
- Drts: 2nd interpolation
- Drts: 3rd episode
- Drts: 3rd interpolation
- Drts: 4th episode
- Dance for Burgess
Amazon.com essential recording
For a composer who is (now) recognizably part of the 20th-century classical canon, the French émigré Edgard Varèse's output was astoundingly meager. Just 15 compositions from his entire life (he destroyed the compositions from his early years, and was a merciless editor of his own material in general) made it out to the listening world. Varèse was caught in the chasm between the music of yesterday and the music of tomorrow: scoring music for modified theremin, steamboat whistles, or air sirens, all balanced with the force of a large orchestra; writing pieces based on the flows of water and wind because that's what shapes the earth; using the concepts of chemical reactions and specific gravity as a basis for his music. Using extremes of contrast, dissonance, and variety in sound, Varèse's pieces had power in the way he attacked and shaped the sound he imagined. From Ionisation (1929), scored almost entirely for unpitched percussion, to the electronic-only, three-dimensionally produced Poeme Electronique (1958), he's provided a foundation that many genres, musicians, and composers were to build from not only for the next 40 years, but inevitably beyond. --Robin EdgertonCustomer Reviews:
Superb with just one reservation.......2006-11-10
Go ahead, test your intelligence..........2006-06-18
The definitive recordings........2005-11-09
Anyway, it's very important for the popular knowledge of this composers to have recordings like this, in which everything works perfectly as if it was a clock. After many years having some good recordings conducted by Boulez (Sony) and Nagano (Erato) mainly, we have now the possibility of listening one of the most musical and technical orchestra & baton of this time: The Concertgebouworkest and Riccado Chailly.
Most of the versions in this 2CDs set are the best I know, specially the orchestral works, played with conviction and precision by the Concertgebouworkest, an orchestra that had some problems with Mr.Chailly when they begin to play this, for them, `rare' music. The way Arcana sounds its incredible, full of power, mistery and perfection, the performing of Ameriques is breathtaking and I can only compare it with the truly outstanding version by Pierre Boulez with the CSO for DG. Deserts is a new dimension in Chailly's hands, really terrible and full of dark emotions.
Of course, there are little things that could be a bit better, like the Spanish sung in Ecuatorial, better sung in Nagano's version, but generally the performing is marvellous and the instrumental and ondes Martenot's playing in this piece is perfect in Chailly's version.
The ASKO Ensemble versions are outstanding too, showing a very modern Varèse. The performing of Ionisation, that great jewel, listened with a good Hi-Fi system is a experience not to be lost.
The recordings are very good, not outstanding, as it sounds like distant sometimes, but clear and with good definition, of course better with good electronics.
Booklet and presentation of the box is marvellous too; as it has to be in real event in recorded music in the last decades.
Sound Splitting Music.......2002-06-25
Chailly is great on much of this music. Ameriques and Arcana are sonic extravagazas. And this is the best recording I've heard of Nocturnal and Ecuatorial. Chailly does a good job with the chamber pieces of the 20s and 30s, though I agree with other reviewers, Boulez is much clearer on Ionisation. Chailly misses some of my favorite parts, and I find it hard to hear the first snare drum theme. (I'm also quite partial to Craft's version, but I don't think it's available anymore.)
I also must add to the chorus of exceptions on the questionable material. The orhestrated version of the solo song has no place on this CD. It doesn't sound like Varese, more like Debussy, and though the song is quite impressionistic, I think we presume too much to orchestrate it and pass it off as "complete" Varese. And neither Tune Up nor Dance for Burgess really add much to our understanding of Varese, and are of questionable value. I suspect that Varese would have destroyed them completely had he been able. Much better to have a recording of the revised version of Ameriques. The revision is so extensive, that a side by side comparison would be illuminating.
All in all, I like this CD. Chailly's take on Varese is big and passionate, something that I think both Boulez and Craft miss. Abravanel comes close to this passion, but Chailly wins because of the gorgeous sonics. I highly recommend this CD to those interested in exploring the unique sound world of Varese.
An aural knockout.......2002-02-01
My favorites are, without a doubt, "Ameriques" and "Arcana," two explosive showpieces that will give your sound system quite a workout. But far from being merely loud, the scores have many beautiful textures (including quiet ones) scattered throughout the orchestra, and Chailly captures much of the glittering detail.
I even like "Tuning Up," which may seem like a less substantial work to most ears. To be fair, if the piece is not the last word in Varèse's imagination, it is clever enough for its short duration, and as with everything on this disc, the orchestra sounds superb and totally undaunted. Their virtuosity is both satisfying and thrilling, especially in such seldom-performed music.
Make sure your neighbors are away before turning up the performance of "Ameriques," though - the last few pages will blow your roof off.
I suspect Varèse would have loved this collection.
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Nocturnal
Four80East Manufacturer: Higher Octave ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000056O1V Release Date: 2001-01-23 |
Tracks:
- Shakedown
- Viaduct
- Bumper To Bumper
- Drive Time
- Sweet Tooth
- Wake And Bake
- On The Strip
- Wait It Out
- First Time
- Hazy Lazy
Amazon.com
As the Boomtang Boys, the Canadian duo of multi-instrumentalist Rob DeBoer and drummer Tony Grace have already made a name for themselves in Europe's techno-pop/jazz dance scene. Here, in another form, their music is still very easy to dance and snap your fingers to, but there's an obvious attempt by the two Canadians to gear Nocturnal to the U.S. smooth-jazz scene. Even so, these 10 tunes have too much energy, and the soloing by DeBoer on guitar and keyboards draws too much attention to the music to make this standard smooth fare. The European influences on these two are easy to spot. Echoes of Dancing Fantasy can be heard on the opening track, and guitarist Ronny Jordan's English imprint is on a number of tunes, especially on the driving "Bumper to Bumper." Funk tools borrowed from London's '90s acid-jazz groups such as the Brand New Heavies and Jamiroquai work the tunes "Drive Time," "On The Strip," and "Hazy Lazy." If Nocturnal catches on in the U.S., it will be on the strength of these tunes as played in dance clubs, a better venue for them than smooth-jazz radio any day. --Mark RuffinCustomer Reviews:
Jim G. Rochester, NY........2004-11-11
HIGHER OCTAVE THE BETTER.......2004-02-29
Funk.....Jazz.....Soul.....great grooves....start 2 finish.......2003-06-24
There aren't enough stars for Nocturnal!.......2003-02-27
As with their other great cd's, The Album (1997) and Round 3 (2002) there isn't a lame track to be found anywhere. Pay special attention to the keyboards, guitar and bass--they're all the same guy! (Rob Deboer)
This is a recording that merits an honored place in every jazz library--GET IT!!!
Repeat.......2002-12-31
Like one of the other reviewers for this CD, I stumbled upon them at one of the listening stations. Listened, grabbed, bought.
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Indiana Jones Trilogy
Various Artists Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00007GZKR Release Date: 2003-01-21 |
Tracks:
- The Raiders March
- The Map Room: Dawn
- The Basket Game
- Marion's Theme
- Airplane Fight
- The Ark Trek
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Anything Goes
- Nocturnal Activities
- The Mine Car Chase
- Finale & End Credits
- Indy's First Adventure
- Escape From Venice
- Keeping Up With The Joneses
- Finale & End Credits
- Anything Goes (Bonus Track)
Amazon.com
Fresh from their box-office triumphs on Close Encounters and the initial Star Wars chapters, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas used their combined studio clout to foster what must have seemed a long shot to some: a revival of the long-moribund action-adventure movie serials of their youth. The resulting exploits of Indiana Jones added another billion dollars or so to their coffers--and offered yet another opportunity for scoring legend John Williams to exercise his preternatural abilities to both inform the films with a nigh-perfect musical sensibility and play to the grandstands with rousing aplomb; "The Raiders March" quickly became one of cinema's most recognizable and enduring melodies. The three generous suites here (performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic under the baton of Nic Raine) re-create Williams's music with faithful energy, from the brass flourishes and Biblical mysteries of the first installment to the bright exuberance of Temple of Doom and the playful recapitulation of The Last Crusade. This 73-plus-minute collection also includes a bonus vocal performance of one of Temple of Doom's key motifs, Cole Porter's "Anything Goes." --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
Good Try.......2007-06-10
They have a little to much energy on the Raiders March (if you own the original soundtrack you'll know what I mean)
Still not bad.
Actually pretty good. .......2006-04-30
No John Williams mean STUPID MUSIC! .......2005-11-02
Not a soundtrack!.......2005-08-04
Well done of the Prague Philh. Orch.!.......2005-04-02
OK, it's not the Boston Pops Orchestra or the London Symphonic Orchestra, and OK, it's not the master himself who is conducting.
But Nic Raine and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra do it very well! They have kept the spirit of the director and the soundtrack-composer. One little detail: the brass-section overdoes sometimes the rest of the instruments...
Conclusion: a must have CD, and the price is OK!
GSX
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Grand Illusion
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000APR54E Release Date: 2005-10-18 |
Customer Reviews:
Great power metal!!!.......2006-01-26
Very catchy, ambitious and intelligent lyrics. This guys are awesome, with tight musicianship and perfect vocals. My version is without de DVD, and i'm a little dissapointed about that, just for this. Recommended if you like Gamma Ray and Primal Fear.
one of the few power metal bands i like.......2005-12-05
"Rites of Power & Passion".......2005-11-14
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Nocturnal
Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002RTP Release Date: 2000-10-17 |
Tracks:
- Quatre pieces breves, Prelude: Lent - Vite
- Quatre pieces breves, II: Air: Lent et bien rythme
- Quatre pieces breves, III: Plainte: Sans lenteur
- Quatre pieces breves, IV: Comme une Gigue: Com moto
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 I: Musingly (Meditativo)
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 II: Agitated (Molto agitativo)
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 III: Restless (Inquieto)
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 IV: Uneasy (Ansioso)
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 V: March-like (Quasi una marcia)
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 VI: Dreaming (Sognanti)
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 VII: Gently rocking (Cullante)
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 VIII: Passacaglia (Misurato)
- Nocturnal after John Dowland,Op 70 IX: Slow and quiet (Molto tranqquillo)
- Son for Gtr Fandangos y Boleros Preambulo: Lento/ Daza: Allegretto - Coda: Beethoven visita
- Son for Gtr Saravanda de Scriabin (Omaggio a Scriabin
- Son for Gtr La Toccata de Pasquini (Alla Toccata):
- All in Twilight: I. 1/8=80
- All in Twilight: II. 1/8=68 (Dark)
- All in Twilight: III. 3/32=46
- All in Twilight: IV. 3/8=100 (Slightly fast)
- Ach, moj Jasienko (Sostenutoo)
- Hej, od Krakowa (Allegretto)
- Jest drozyna (Andantino)
- Patereczka (Allegretto)
- Na jabloni jablka (Moderato)
- Od Sieradza (Allegretto)
- Panie Michale (poco sostenuto - Allegro moderato)
- W polu lipenka (Sostenuto - Precipitando
- Zalotny (Allegretto)
- Gaik (Allegro vivace)
- Gasior (Andantino)
- rektor (Allegro)
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Shadowland
Nocturnal Rites Manufacturer: Century Media ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006IJ49 Release Date: 2002-09-03 |
Tracks:
- Eyes Of The Dead
- Shadowland
- Invincible
- Revelation
- Never Die
- Underworld
- Vengance
- Faceless God
- Birth Of Chaos
- The Watcher
Album Description
This is the bands fifth release overall and fourth for Century Media. Features colorful, stunning cover art courtesy of Russian artist Leo Hao, with classic metal feel reminiscent of Judas Priest, Helloween and Iron Maiden. 10 tracks. 2002.Customer Reviews:
5 star review.......2006-04-15
Shadowland!!.......2006-04-15
Not better than Afterlife my a**!!!.......2003-10-12
Very little improvement from Afterlife.......2003-02-12
Shadowland is weak!.......2002-10-26
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Sallinen: Complete Works for String Orchestra
Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000014F3 Release Date: 1997-03-18 |
Tracks:
- Complete Works For String Orchestra: Some Aspects Of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funderal March - String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19 Arranged Fro String Orchestra
- Complete Works For String Orchestra: Chamber Music I, Op.38
- Complete Works For String Orchestra: Sunrise Serenade, Op. 63 - For Two Trumpets, Piano And String Orchestra
- Complete Works For String Orchestra: Chamber Music II, Op.41- For Alto Flute And String Orchestra
- Complete Works For String Orchestra: Chamber Music III, Op.58 For Cello And String Orchestra (The Nocturnal Dances Of Don Juanquixote)
Customer Reviews:
Leaning more against tradition than I like.......2001-08-29
Great Music by a Fellow Countryman of the Reviewer.......2000-02-22
A common feature to these three works is that they are all (intentionally) short of thematic material, but it's viewed in many different aspects and varied richly through various possibilities of composition and playing that modern music can provide. Still, Sallinen's work is firmly based on traditions of tonality and melody which have sometimes made him known as a "Neo-Romantic" composer. His music is also easily approachable because of clarity, spontaneity and the unique feel of "joy of invention" that has been its characteristic trademark from the beginning.
In the two remaining works from the 1980s the "Neo-Romantic" epithet becomes more and more justified. Both compositions make use of some material from Sallinen's celebrated operas (The King Goes to France and Kullervo) and there's a slight touch of programme music in themselves, too. Chamber Music III (1986) contains a solo part for cello - a close instrument to Sallinen, whose major works include a concerto for it. This 20-minute work is a series of highly rhythmic and energetic dancing pieces, often with a grotesque or humoristic nature. The briefer Sunrise Serenade (1989) for 2 trumpets, piano and strings might be continuation to "The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juanquixote", being an evocative "Neo-Impressionistic" depiction of the transition from dark to light.
In my opinion, Sallinen has succeeded perfectly in combining musical elements of today and the past. Due to his traditional starting points, this music might be particularly suitable to be listened by those who are afraid of the so called modern music or want to familiarize themselves with it but don't know what to start with. And, as hard as it is to find contemporary music on CD with reasonable prices, this recording by first-class artists should be noticed by every music lover at all.
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Crumb: Ancient Voices Of Children
Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000005IY6 Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Ancient Voices Of Children: El Nino Busca Su Voz
- Ancient Voices Of Children: Dances Of The Ancient Earth
- Ancient Voices Of Children: Me He Perdido Muchas Veces Por El Mar
- Ancient Voices Of Children: De Done Vienes, Amor, Mi Nino? (Dance Of The Sacred Life Cycle)
- Ancient Voices Of Children: Ghost Dance
- Ancient Voices Of Children: Se Ha Llenado De Luces Mi Corazon De Seda
- Music For A Summer Evening: Nocturnal Sounds (The Awakening)
- Music For A Summer Evening: Wanderer-Fantasy
- Music For A Summer Evening: The Advent
- Music For A Summer Evening: Myth
- Music For A Summer Evening: Music Of The Starry Night
Amazon.com
One of the most important and magical song cycles in contemporary music, Ancient Voices of Children, is the setting of a series of haunting texts by the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca for mezzo-soprano, boy soprano, and chamber orchestra. The piece made a huge impression on audiences at its initial performances. Indeed, this recording became something of a cult phenomenon, much like the Górecki Third Symphony today; and if you weren't around for the initial discovery, now's your chance. Music for a Summer Evening uses essentially the same forces as Bartók's Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, and creates an evocative, glittering nightscape. Great stuff.--David HurwitzCustomer Reviews:
An Avant-Garde Must Get.......2003-05-07
About a few years after buying the vinyl record, I was looking through some CDs in a store (after I got my first CD player). I've found the Nonesuch CD that had "Ancient Voices of Children" AND "Music for a Summer Evening (Makrokosmos III)." I didn't buy it because I wanted to get it on sale. Well, time passed. One day, I saw one up for bid on eBay. I think I was the only bidder on it. The jewel case may have a few scratches (which I wouldn't worry about) but the CD itself was like new.
I'm glad that I got it on CD. I could listen to the music without any clicks or pops you would hear from a vinyl LP (especially since the music gets very quiet at times). Although you wouldn't get the "warm analog sound" you get from the vinyl. Nevertheless, it does sound very good considering that it's AAD. Whoever likes avant-garde music may want to get this.
One thing I want to let you know. Whoever did the tracking on the CD must've misjudged about the beginnings of "Myth" and "Music of the Starry Night." "Myth" begins at index 8:02 on track 9. Tracks 10 and 11 are the last movement, "Music of the Starry Night." Take note of that when listening to this CD.
Crumb in poetic and eerilie beautiful mood.......2002-06-17
Exceptional.......2002-06-15
Music for a Summer Evening is, perhaps, the lesser signifigant work of the two presented here. Even so, it is an astounding presentation of of Crumb's effective use of extended tequniques, and the ability of his atmospheric writing to stir up strong emotions. Here, Crumb has significantly built on the two pianos/percussion format that Bartok made famous in his Sonata.
Ancient Voices of Children is an important song cycle in the post-WWII repertoire. His extended singing tecniques are used to great effect, and the haunting, mystical effects that he cojours within the limited instrumentation are amazing.
Crumb is one a handfull of composers that can write atmospheric music so well, and pull off these avant-garde tecniques so usefully. If you do not know his music, start with this disc; it's breathtaking.
Just Listen.......2002-06-08
The perfomance is quintessential. Jan DeGaetani was marvelous in this style of music and is sorely missed as a performer. The ensemble is spirited and very precise. The only thing that you miss on this CD is the visual choreography of a live performance, which is hypnotizing.
Macrocosmos III was a new piece to me and is every bit as haunting as other Crumb music. The ending is luminous...en eternal spinning out of music in the Lydian scale.
Be aware, this is avant garde music, though I feel it is quite assessible to those who listen without preconceptions. It is certainly more assessible than Elliot Carter or Boulez. It is not Part or Gorecki...but then not everything has to be. For me, this is not about style but about substance. Crumb moves me every bit as much as more assessible composers. You just have to listen with different ears, that's all.
What is the Opposite of Music? Listen to this and find out!.......2001-11-02
I came at this CD - which I bought thanks to some of the aforementioned 5* which I was foolish enough to believe - with the expectation that it would be modern, avant-garde and probably rather ineffable initially. I am prepared for this, believing that often the best music is not instantly grasped and needs careful auditioning. When I listened to it, however, I found that my expectations were not nearly extreme enough. This is music trying so hard to establish its originality that it appears to have progressed well beyond my definition of what music actually is. It is music as art, as a statement and not music to listen to - think about this a little! Hence my opening line - this is the opposite of music.
Instead, this production seems to be comprised of irrelevant and inconsequential noises, none of them musical. To save you the money, and more importantly the time, I will precis this CD for you:
A womans shriek followed by about 20 seconds of silence.
A sound rather like a large rodent being let loose inside a piano.
Some blocks of wood being banged together.
More shrieking.
More silence.
A voice making a strange sound as if copying a phone ringing.
More silence.
More wood being banged together.
More silence
Etcetera, etcetera, ad nauseam
At some point in this avant-garde nonsense somebody is going to blow the whistle and irreverently point out that the "Emperors New Clothes" do not actually exist. In the service of music, as opposed to "art", I am prepared to do the pointing! This production is nothing more that a deeply unmusical joke against those pseudo-intellectuals who completely miss the concepts of humanity and accessibility in music. "Composers" who write this stuff do so as to hide their lack of musical creativity behind an intellectual argument. Don't believe the hype, leave this one on the shelf!
For those aesthetes and enthusiasts who are intent on heading down a progressive route of "classical" music which yet retains any humanity and sympathy, Part and Gorecki appear to have been able to create music of originality and humanity, proving that it can be done.
Leave this production to those pseuds more interested in wallowing in their own misconceived esoteric intellectualism than in actually enjoying music.
Jazz Music: