Author: ernopepper

520. The Silver Apples

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(September 2023) Episode 520 of the “opus project” is THE SILVER APPLES. This duo is known for being one of the first groups to use electronically-generated sound (via a home-made proto-synthesizer) as the basis for pop/rock songs, through a couple of obscure late 1960s albums that were later seen as influential in the development of electronic and synth music.  “Pop/rock,” however, is misleading as the songs are unconventional, even avant-garde, with surreal lyrics. They reunited in the 1990s for a reissue and some new, similarly eclectic, recordings.  This music is unique.

Favorite album: The Silver Apples

Favorite song: Oscillations

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: Mostly of historical interest I think, although those who appreciate enigmatic music may want to check it out.

519. The Muffs

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(September 2023) Episode 519 is THE MUFFS, the perfect combination of pop-punk and power-pop,* melding the tone of the former and the melodicism of the latter.  Kim Shattuck’s snotty snarl hits just the right attitude which, along with the unadorned delivery, makes it endearing. Their kicker tempo is what brings you in, but it’s Shattuck’s gift for melodic lines (and lyrics) that will keep you and make you want to revisit.

Favorite album: Blonder and Blonder

Favorite song: Agony

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: I do. I wish I had known them (and seen them) in the 1990s rather than finding them decades later.

* I know some people might say one is a subset of the other, but it’s my blog = my definitions.

518. Valerie Coleman

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(August 2023) Episode 518 is VALERIE COLEMAN, a contemporary composer and flutist who cofounded the wind quartet Imani Winds.  Not surprisingly, many of her compositions, whether solo, duo or group, feature the flute.  She has also penned works for strings for orchestra and chamber. Consistent with the voice of a flute, her works are generally lively and breezy, in contrast to the disquieted ambience I often hear from contemporaries I’ve reviewed.

Favorite piece (chamber): Shotgun Houses

Favorite orchestral piece Umoja, Anthem of Unity

Favorite solo/duo piece: Fanmi Imèn

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: Give it a try, especially if you like flute.

517. Merle Haggard

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(August 2023) Episode 517 is MERLE HAGGARD. If I have to go country I will choose outlaw country, with which Haggard is identified as a leader of the Bakersfield sound.  He was a very prolific songwriter, many of which became classics, resulting in 66 studio albums (this was a long episode), which stayed fairly consistent in quality across the years.  His career accompanies an amazing personal story of overcoming a troubled youth, having famously watched Johnny Cash perform at San Quentin prison. His songs “Okie from Muscogee” and “The Fighting Side of Me” gained him a conservative political audience although he denied the intention and resisted the association. Recognizing his gifts, to my untrained ear he comes off as more normie country (and thus less appealing) than other outlaws like Nelson, Jennings and Cash.

Favorite album: Mama Tried

Favorite song: Working Man Blues

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: A sampler will do for the casual listener.

516. Steppenwolf

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(August 2023) Episode 516 is STEPPENWOLF. Their fame is well-earned from two big hits, the anthemic “Born to be Wild” with its proto-metal riff and the psychedelic funk of “Magic Carpet Ride.” Steppenwolf’s late 60s albums of slightly acidic rock epitomize the sound of the Woodstock era, including some political messaging. Other than those hits, though, there is little to distinguish the music, other than John Kay’s gravelly baritone. They continued through some forgettable albums into the mid-70s.

Favorite album: The Second

Favorite song: Magic Carpet Ride

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: I own their greatest hits record but realize I haven’t put it on in decades, so I guess that tells me that the two hits are enough.

515. George Gershwin

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(August 2023) Episode 515 is GEORGE GERSHWIN.  If America had a soundtrack, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Porgy and Bess” would surely be on it. He bridged classical and popular music, creating audience favorites played from living rooms to Broadway, movies and concert halls. The music is indelibly evocative of the Art Deco and the Jazz Age. That said, it’s not my favorite. I’m just not into Broadway musicals and related musical forms.  So I recognize Gershwin’s artistry but don’t tune into it.   

Favorite piece Rhapsody in Blue

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: Essential for any understanding of 20th century American music. If you like Broadway you’re probably into Gershwin, even though I’m not.

514. Cathedral

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(August 2023) Episode 514 is CATHEDRAL, a heavy metal band from England who made their mark with a debut album (Forest of Equilibrium, 1991) of classic doom metal with low, slow plodding riffs amid dark themes.  They modulated their style to more normal metal and prog metal, with a return to the delicious doom sound on their sixth album (Endtyme, 2001).

Favourite album: Endtyme

Favourite song: Melancholy Emperor

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: Try the 1st, 2nd or 6th albums for doomy goodness, but pass on the rest.

513. Ween

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(August 2023) Episode 513 is WEEN. This is Weird Rock, one of those acts that makes you wonder: how does someone think up this stuff?  This duo out of Pennsylvania attacked the peak alt/indie years with satire, irreverence and deconstruction, evoking what Zappa’s Mothers did to the counterculture era.  They did so from every angle: rock, prog, punk, soul, funk, island music, country (a whole album!), etc. Like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, you have no idea what the next song will bring. On first approach I can’t decide whether they are subtly subversive geniuses or try-hards that don’t quite hit the mark. It will take more listens. Although I suspect that will lead me to the former.

Favorite album: The Mollusk

Favorite song: Dr. Rock

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: It is worth a try, and I may offer a firmer recommendation after subsequent listens.

512. Tomaso Albinoni

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(July 2023) Episode 512 is TOMASO ALBINONI, a Venetian composer in the Baroque era, a contemporary of Bach and Vivaldi. By background he was more an amateur rather than professional musician, but was a prolific composer of operas, cantatas and chamber pieces (although many have been lost).  I like the collections of concerti best. What his works lack in technical complexity they make up for in melodic beauty; Bach composed some works based on Albinoni’s themes. 

Favorite piece: Concerto, Opus 6, No. 11 in A Major (I, II, III, IV)

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: If you also enjoy Baroque you will like Albinoni. It’s a highly orthodox style, and I admit I’m not expert enough to notice the differences.

511. João Gilberto

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(July 2023) Episode 511 is JOÃO GILBERTO. If you don’t recognize the name, you know him as the man behind the most popular version of “The Girl from Ipanema,” sung by his then-wife Astrud, although the song was written by fellow Brazilian Antônio Carlos Jobim, the other “father” of bossa nova.  Gilberto synthesized bossa nova and jazz into a distinctive style, so cool and suave.  He sang in such a soft voice, in part to let you hear his subtly complex guitar work, which is guaranteed to relax you. His recordings included many collaborations, including the famous and excellent one with saxophonist Stan Getz.

Favorite album: Getz/Gilberto

Favorite song: Águas de março

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: Cool music to relax by or to brighten a social gathering