(July 2022) Episode 427 is SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS. His contribution to the emergence of rock-n-roll was primarily his wild and macabre stage performances, making him a pioneer of shock rock. The music was a mix of blues and R&B delivered in his booming operatic baritone, but is more style than substance.
Favorite album: At Home With Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Favorite song: I Put A Spell On You
Most Realistic Song: Constipation Blues
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: just as a novelty
(July 2022) Episode 426 of the “opus project” is MEGADETH, the last of the ‘big four’ thrash bands reviewed, and also the least. I’m turned off by Mustaine’s at-times cartoonish voice. The first few albums have quality speed and grind. While the many albums that follow are peppered with occasional thrashtastic bits, but much of it is pedestrian metal and hard rock. Megadeth does feature in one of my favorite Onion articles.
Favorite album: Peace Sells .. But Who’s Buying?
Favorite song: Holy Wars … The Punishment Due
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: there are parts that kick, but I would fulfill your thrash needs elsewhere
(July 2022) Episode 425 is DONOVAN. The Prince of Hippy Folk Rock. I had only known him through a greatest hits disc, but discovered there is a lot more to enjoy. His first two albums were Dylan clones, but he found his own original voice and style in a series of late 1960s albums, full of flower power, psychedelia, whimsy, and cosmic musings. Even the children’s music has charm. The quality dropped in the 70s and 80s, but a couple of his 21st century albums were strong and creative.
Favourite album: A Gift from a Flower to a Garden
Favourite song: Hurdy Gurdy Man
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: the greatest hits will suffice but you’ll probably enjoy a deeper dive into the 60s albums.
(July 2022) Episode 424 is ROY ORBISON. He’s in the pantheon of early rock-n-roll icons, but also stands apart. For one, his melodic crooner voice contrasted with the bombast of his peers. And his music resided discretely at the intersection of rock, country and pop. Again, I’m not a listener of early rock-n-roll, but his songs don’t sound as much like museum pieces as those of fellow icons. With Lefty, I have now reviewed all the Traveling Wilburys.
Favorite album: In Dreams
Favorite song: Oh, Pretty Woman
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: mostly for historical interest
Episode 423 is JUDITH WEIR. A contemporary British composer who serves as the first female Master of the Queen’s Music; for example, she composed the anthem for the Platinum Jubilee. Unlike most contemporaries her style and form are fairly conservative, but I find a lot that is enjoyable. She has penned several operas and parochial songs; I like the chamber pieces best.
Favourite piece: Music for 247 Strings
Favourite chamber piece: Piano Quartet
Favourite choral piece: Ascending into Heaven
Favourite violin piece: Atlantic Drift
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: interesting but not captivating
(July 2022) Episode 422 is SAM & DAVE. A top soul act with so many songs that have become American standards. The duo format, Sam high and Dave low, brought the call-and-response style over from gospel. It’s not my favorite soul, but it is still very good.
Favorite album: Hold On I’m Comin’
Favorite song: Hold On I’m Comin’
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: no soul playlist should do without
(July 2022) Episode 421 is CARL PERKINS. A huge influence in early rock ‘n roll, particularly rockabilly. His influence on the Beatles is documented by the number of his songs they covered. He also wrote songs that others made huge hits (Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes). I’m not into early rock ‘n roll, but it’s interesting to see what inspired others.
Favorite album: Dance Album
Favorite song: Matchbox
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: only of historical interest
(June 2022) Episode 420 of the “opus project” is TROUBLE. While most 80s metalheads were either accelerating into thrash or blowing out their hair to sing anthems, these guys looked back to the roots of metal. Trouble’s first two albums are as close to Black Sabbath’s heavy sound as you’ll find, particularly Tommy Iommi’s drop-tuned tone. These made Trouble a pioneer of “doom metal.” Their subsequent albums, amidst lineup changes, had more conventional and groove metal approaches, but it’s still not bad.
Favorite album: Psalm 9
Favorite song: Revelation (Life or Death)
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: If you like early Sabbath, you’ll like Trouble
(June 2022) Episode 419 is GEORGE CRUMB. A contemporary American composer (he died earlier this year) known for demanding techniques, both vocal and instrumental, in experimental and avant-garde forms. The far-out nature of his compositions is evidenced in his particular style of notation (see below). It can be an acquired taste, but I enjoy listening to those who expand boundaries.
Favorite piece: Star Child
Favorite orchestral piece: Variazioni
Favorite chamber piece: Sonata for Solo Cello
Favorite piano piece: Metamorphoses, Book II
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: not for everyone, but if you like to challenge yourself
(June 2022) Episode 418 is OTIS REDDING. Indisputably one of the top soul voices of all time, with a voice that could equally evoke happiness and heartache. He died young, so all his recordings were in the mid-60s golden age of soul. While it would have been interesting to hear what he would have done as soul evolved in the 1970s, it means all his music hits that classic tone.
Favorite album: Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
Favorite song: Hard to Handle
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: a must-have for any soul playlist
Opus Project 