(January 2022) Episode 379 is SLAYER. 1980s music generally sucked, but it did bless us with thrash metal, in which Slayer reigned (in blood). I like my metal at the extremes and Slayer goes there with speed, speed, speed, with a full package of death and devil themes. And they seamlessly transitioned through groove metal too. So good.
Favorite album: Reign in Blood
Favorite song: Angel of Death
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: essential in the metal genre
(January 2022) Episode 378 is JOAQUÍN RODRIGO. You’ll recognize him from the main theme of Concierto De Aranjuez (used by Miles Davis, Chick Corea), a piece that sentimentally evokes a Spanish pastoral landscape. He elevated the guitar in classical repertoire, and it is my favorite part of his works, although amazingly he never mastered the instrument. Also amazing: he was blind and composed in Braille.
Favorite piece: Concierto De Aranjuez
Favorite solo guitar piece: Toccata para guitarra
Favorite solo piano piece: Cinco Sonatas de Castilla
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: Strongly recommend the guitar works
(January 2022) Episode 377 is SISTER ROSETTA THARPE. I’m not into the gospel message but the music can have a certain power, and is worth studying for its common roots with blues, rock, R&B and soul. Tharpe played an influential role in that history by putting her bluesy electric guitar out front and bringing the music into secular venues.
Favorite album: Gospel Songs
Favorite song: Strange Things Happening Every Day
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: for students of the history of rock and soul
(January 2022) Episode 376 is TOWNES VAN ZANDT. Amidst the flowering of new musical styles in the 60s came Van Zandt’s folk-tinged country (or is it country-tinged folk?) with its melancholy tone delivered in his earnest voice. Whatever you call it, it is stellar songwriting. His personal life struggles add a tragic veneer to the music.
Favorite album: Townes Van Zandt
Favorite song: I’ll Be Here In The Morning
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: yes, for a taste of authentically American music
(January 2022) Episode 375 is DENGUE FEVER. I had no idea there was such a thing as Cambodian psychedelic rock until I was introduced to this band. Dengue Fever combines a couple of indie hipsters from LA and a Cambodian immigrant singer. Their music recreates the sound of that scene from the 60s and 70s (until undone by Pol Pot), a mix of surf-style guitar, fuzzy keyboards, world music rhythms and lyrics sung (mostly) in Khmer in a Eastern pentatonic style. It’s an odd mix that works.
Favorite album: Escape from Dragon House
Favorite song: One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: if you like hearing styles you’ve never heard before
(December 2021) Episode 374 is ANNA THORVALDSDÓTTIR. Her compositions are like ecosystems of sound, evocative of nature and landscapes – a description you will understand if you’ve been to her native Iceland. Her music is direct and powerful, often unsettling, and sometime includes electronic and visual elements in an avant-garde approach.
Favorite piece: Aequilibria
Favorite solo piece: Sola
Favorite ensemble piece: Spectra
Favorite vocal piece: Ad Genua
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: yes
(December 2021) Episode 373 is RIDE. Their debut album Nowhere was a landmark of shoegaze, albeit more melodic than My Bloody Valentine, and that’s what made me take notice. But they quickly discarded that sound for unremarkable (IMO) alt rock and later lush pop.
Favourite album: Nowhere
Favorite song: Black Nite Crash
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: just Nowhere
(December 2021) Episode 372 is AL GREEN. Simply one of the best soul voices ever. His early 1970s albums are canon for soul music. He later moved on into religious music which is not my cup of tea.
Favorite album: I’m Still in Love with You
Favorite song: Take Me To The River
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: early 70s are a must for any soul review
(December 2021) Episode 371 is NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV. One of the members of the Russian composer version of the Rat Pack, he is considered a master of symphonic orchestration, including the well-known “Scheheradaze.” He is also known for his operas which incorporate folk and supernaturalism — you’ll recognize the tunes “Procession of the Nobles” and “Flight of the Bumblebee.” His compositions are not soiled by the sappy string sounds that characterize others like Tchaikovsky.
Favorite piece: Scheheradaze
Favorite opera: The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: a solid choice among romantic-era Russian composers
(December 2021) Episode 370 is WILLIE NELSON. An American icon. His gentle baritone warms up any song. He is incredibly prolific (this episode was almost 100 albums long), including countless collaborations with country heroes, outlaw buddies, family members and pop stars. His music covers almost every style of country as well as pop standards, jazz and gospel. My favorite recordings are the stripped-down affairs, just Willie’s voice, with spare accompaniment, telling plain and earnest stories.
Favorite album: Red-Headed Stranger
Favorite song: Sunday Morning Coming Down
Favorite song written by Willie: Angel Flying Too Close To the Ground
Favorite song written by Willie made famous by someone else: Crazy
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: required if you wish to absorb the breadth of American music.
Recommended albums: Both Sides Now, Red-Headed Stranger, The Sound In Your Mind, The IRS Tapes, Spirit, Teatro, Songbird, Moment of Forever, Country Music, December Day
