If music be the food of love, play on;*
Duke Orsino is asking for more music because he is frustrated in his courtship of Countess Olivia. He muses that an excess of music might cure his obsession with love, in the way that eating too much remove's one's appetite for food. (* From Twelfth Night Act 1, scene 1, 1–3 ).
Much in the same way I find that sitting down with some good music is one of the best ways of reducing the stress and worries of the day.
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Much in the same way I find that sitting down with some good music is one of the best ways of reducing the stress and worries of the day.
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Afro Celt Sound System: From the very first time I was introduced to this band it became a firm favorite with me. The mixture of modern techno, Celtic and African themes makes this a 'World Music' tour de force and I feel they can offer something for everyone. truly wonderful musicianship. My favorite albums are Volume 2:Release & Anatomic.
Andwella: In the seventies I bought an LP called 'Worlds End' by this band and I've been listening to it ever since. Psychedelic folk rock(?) - well whatever its classification great music, element of the progressive genres, with orchestration al la Moody Blues, with a few Jazz themes. This will always be on my play-list!
Big Big Train: For me this was truly a wonderful find, listening to some live streamed prog rock INTERNET radio, I heard some music which evoked thoughts of Yes, Pink Floyd, Marillion and (early) Genesis. Bold sweeping stories, grand musical soundscapes, this was the album The Underfall Yard. It gets played continually, though I have to say I've not been so impressed with their other releases.
Michael Brecker - Pilgrimage: Recorded whilst he was gravely ill, this was to be has last album - intense, complex and oh so wonderful. Supported by the likes of Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci and Jack DeJohnette, meant it was always going to be a good album, but the the very circumstances seem to add extra energy to the proceedings.
Joe Cocker - Sheffield Steel: I've never really been a fan of Joe Cocker, but with this album recorded in the Compass Point Studios (Bahamas) featuring Sly Dunbar (drums) & Robbie Shakespeare (bass) and a host of other interesting musicians it is another one of those albums which I always seem to reach for. A true classic from the 80's when there was so much rubbish being pushed out, every track is sheer quality.
Mo Foster - Bel Assis: The first solo outing for British session musician, noted primarily for his jazz/fusion & rock bass work. Having been involved with so many big artists and films over the years this was alway going to be a superbly crafted album. Supported by many wonderful musicians, including Ray Russell and Simon Phillips (who made up the group RMS) Gary Moore and Rod Argent, among others this is a smooth, soulful, beautiful set of Mo Foster compositions.
Dave Grusin - Mountain Dance: Dave Grusin has written many wonderful film scores & TV show themes over the years, such as The Graduate, Three Days of the Condor (one for my Best Films list) Tootsie, On Golden Pond, The Goonies & over forty more. However, one of the LP's I reach for regularly is Mountain Dance, not only for it's vibrant recording but mainly for the shear cohesiveness with which the band members play. Not quite jazz, not quite easy listening, not quite MOR - just very good music and the better the stereo the better the music.
Crusaders - Street Life: My all time favorite Crusaders LP and not just because of the inclusion of Randy Crawford's vocals on the title track (though they are wonderful) but again it's the way the band plays together with my favorite track being Rodeo Drive (High Steppin'). In truth there isn't a weak moment from start to finish and I adore Joe Samples keyboard work - then again I always was one for a well played Fender Rhodes.
Nanci Griffith - Last of the True Believers: I was given this CD for simply turning up at a local Naim Audio dealers and asking for one of the listed 'recommended' CD's. Well I'm glad I made the effort, as it was a freebie I decided to try someone I'd not heard anything of before and this was that choice. What a good choice it turned out to be, like many of the above it's one of those albums that seems to always get a regular play. Whilst I can't say NG has a great voice, she can put across a song and these folk/country ballads have great lyrics, plus the band is very good as well.
Quincy Jones - The Dude: Quality, pure and simple -
Van Morrison - A Period of Transition: Now I never used to get "Van the Man" when I was younger, then one evening (late 70's) when listening to the Old Grey Whistle Test, there was a live version of 'The Eternal Kansas City' within a few days I bought the LP - A Period of Transition. This LP has been a firm favourite ever since so over 40 years of listening pleasure, although it doesn't seem to feature on many fans lists. Many critics didn't like this album and it wasn't too well received, but for me this album has a real balance to it and delivers enjoyment from the moment the 'needle touches the groove' . This was flagged by many as a 'come back' album as there had been a three year break in recording - of course I knew nothing of this, not being a fan until this point so approached it on its own merits. Since that moment in the late seventies, my collection of Van Morrison albums has grown and there are many great songs to be found in his works. The other standout album I have is;
Poetic Champions Compose: which is from a decade later and was very different from his previous works having some reflective jazz tracks. One track that may be familiar to many (perhaps) would be "Someone Like You" covered by Rod Stewart, and cropping up in several film, most notable Bridget Jones Diary
Joni Mitchell - Wild Things Run Fast: Along side Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell has the biggest section of LP's & CD's in my collection and the one I tend to play the most is 'wild things'. Whilst it still maintains the jazz feel of much of the previous output it encloses it in a far more 'pop' mainstream guise (well 80's mainstream). Playing is, as aways exemplary and in the 80's this more mainstream feel to the album re-kindled my interest in Joni Mitchell. Given the significant volume of work that Joni Mitchell has produced over the years it will always be difficult to pick the 'best' but as this is the album that get most playtime on my turntable, it has to get my vote!
Renaissance - Turn of the Cards: Now this was classed as "Art Rock" in it's day, mainly I feel due to the lack of the usual guitar based anthems so plentiful within the "progressive" movement erupting around them. This was a sweeping generalisation for all those bands that tried to merge element of the classical and rock genres, these days of course this is more ordinary, but in the 70's far less so. This really is classical in it's grandeur with orchestral themes and classically trained musician - not least the wonderful 5 octave voice of Annie Haslam. There is a purity and honesty about this music that speaks to the heart and soul.
Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees: Way back in the mid 70's when this was released it was an instant must have LP. I've been playing regularly since then, so nearly 35 years of musical pleasure and it still sounds as fresh to me today as it did all those years ago. Wonderful ballads, up tempo R&B numbers, great session musicians & superb production. I would also whole heartedly recommend the "Live Greatest Hits" DVD which is not only beautifully filmed but the standard of musicianship is great & Boz Scaggs' voice is still doing the business.
John Martyn - Solid Air: In my youth, this was the end of party chill LP, when everyone was just sitting about chatting & enjoying the mellow feeling of having a wine filled evening with great company. This album is in many ways a true British classic of the 70's and is one recommended in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (as indeed do quite a few of my albums).
Andwella: In the seventies I bought an LP called 'Worlds End' by this band and I've been listening to it ever since. Psychedelic folk rock(?) - well whatever its classification great music, element of the progressive genres, with orchestration al la Moody Blues, with a few Jazz themes. This will always be on my play-list!
Big Big Train: For me this was truly a wonderful find, listening to some live streamed prog rock INTERNET radio, I heard some music which evoked thoughts of Yes, Pink Floyd, Marillion and (early) Genesis. Bold sweeping stories, grand musical soundscapes, this was the album The Underfall Yard. It gets played continually, though I have to say I've not been so impressed with their other releases.
Michael Brecker - Pilgrimage: Recorded whilst he was gravely ill, this was to be has last album - intense, complex and oh so wonderful. Supported by the likes of Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci and Jack DeJohnette, meant it was always going to be a good album, but the the very circumstances seem to add extra energy to the proceedings.
Joe Cocker - Sheffield Steel: I've never really been a fan of Joe Cocker, but with this album recorded in the Compass Point Studios (Bahamas) featuring Sly Dunbar (drums) & Robbie Shakespeare (bass) and a host of other interesting musicians it is another one of those albums which I always seem to reach for. A true classic from the 80's when there was so much rubbish being pushed out, every track is sheer quality.
Mo Foster - Bel Assis: The first solo outing for British session musician, noted primarily for his jazz/fusion & rock bass work. Having been involved with so many big artists and films over the years this was alway going to be a superbly crafted album. Supported by many wonderful musicians, including Ray Russell and Simon Phillips (who made up the group RMS) Gary Moore and Rod Argent, among others this is a smooth, soulful, beautiful set of Mo Foster compositions.
Dave Grusin - Mountain Dance: Dave Grusin has written many wonderful film scores & TV show themes over the years, such as The Graduate, Three Days of the Condor (one for my Best Films list) Tootsie, On Golden Pond, The Goonies & over forty more. However, one of the LP's I reach for regularly is Mountain Dance, not only for it's vibrant recording but mainly for the shear cohesiveness with which the band members play. Not quite jazz, not quite easy listening, not quite MOR - just very good music and the better the stereo the better the music.
Crusaders - Street Life: My all time favorite Crusaders LP and not just because of the inclusion of Randy Crawford's vocals on the title track (though they are wonderful) but again it's the way the band plays together with my favorite track being Rodeo Drive (High Steppin'). In truth there isn't a weak moment from start to finish and I adore Joe Samples keyboard work - then again I always was one for a well played Fender Rhodes.
Nanci Griffith - Last of the True Believers: I was given this CD for simply turning up at a local Naim Audio dealers and asking for one of the listed 'recommended' CD's. Well I'm glad I made the effort, as it was a freebie I decided to try someone I'd not heard anything of before and this was that choice. What a good choice it turned out to be, like many of the above it's one of those albums that seems to always get a regular play. Whilst I can't say NG has a great voice, she can put across a song and these folk/country ballads have great lyrics, plus the band is very good as well.
Quincy Jones - The Dude: Quality, pure and simple -
Van Morrison - A Period of Transition: Now I never used to get "Van the Man" when I was younger, then one evening (late 70's) when listening to the Old Grey Whistle Test, there was a live version of 'The Eternal Kansas City' within a few days I bought the LP - A Period of Transition. This LP has been a firm favourite ever since so over 40 years of listening pleasure, although it doesn't seem to feature on many fans lists. Many critics didn't like this album and it wasn't too well received, but for me this album has a real balance to it and delivers enjoyment from the moment the 'needle touches the groove' . This was flagged by many as a 'come back' album as there had been a three year break in recording - of course I knew nothing of this, not being a fan until this point so approached it on its own merits. Since that moment in the late seventies, my collection of Van Morrison albums has grown and there are many great songs to be found in his works. The other standout album I have is;
Poetic Champions Compose: which is from a decade later and was very different from his previous works having some reflective jazz tracks. One track that may be familiar to many (perhaps) would be "Someone Like You" covered by Rod Stewart, and cropping up in several film, most notable Bridget Jones Diary
Joni Mitchell - Wild Things Run Fast: Along side Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell has the biggest section of LP's & CD's in my collection and the one I tend to play the most is 'wild things'. Whilst it still maintains the jazz feel of much of the previous output it encloses it in a far more 'pop' mainstream guise (well 80's mainstream). Playing is, as aways exemplary and in the 80's this more mainstream feel to the album re-kindled my interest in Joni Mitchell. Given the significant volume of work that Joni Mitchell has produced over the years it will always be difficult to pick the 'best' but as this is the album that get most playtime on my turntable, it has to get my vote!
Renaissance - Turn of the Cards: Now this was classed as "Art Rock" in it's day, mainly I feel due to the lack of the usual guitar based anthems so plentiful within the "progressive" movement erupting around them. This was a sweeping generalisation for all those bands that tried to merge element of the classical and rock genres, these days of course this is more ordinary, but in the 70's far less so. This really is classical in it's grandeur with orchestral themes and classically trained musician - not least the wonderful 5 octave voice of Annie Haslam. There is a purity and honesty about this music that speaks to the heart and soul.
Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees: Way back in the mid 70's when this was released it was an instant must have LP. I've been playing regularly since then, so nearly 35 years of musical pleasure and it still sounds as fresh to me today as it did all those years ago. Wonderful ballads, up tempo R&B numbers, great session musicians & superb production. I would also whole heartedly recommend the "Live Greatest Hits" DVD which is not only beautifully filmed but the standard of musicianship is great & Boz Scaggs' voice is still doing the business.
John Martyn - Solid Air: In my youth, this was the end of party chill LP, when everyone was just sitting about chatting & enjoying the mellow feeling of having a wine filled evening with great company. This album is in many ways a true British classic of the 70's and is one recommended in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (as indeed do quite a few of my albums).