227. Claude Debussy

August 20, 2019April 16, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(August 2019) Episode 227 is CLAUDE DEBUSSY. I enjoy his music more than I should, since I’m not a fan of impressionist art or French culture. But the color and texture of his compositions grab you, sometimes as if they were beings with their own personality. Certain piano pieces, such as the préludes and études, must be exceedingly difficult to perform. He didn’t kill pianos like Liszt or Rachmaninoff, but certainly wore them out. He was ahead of his time.

Favorite piece: Prelude to the afternoon of a faun

Favorite chamber piece: Sonata for cello and piano

Favorite longer orchestral piece: La mer

Favorite piano piece: 12 Ètudes

Compared to expectations: same

Claude_Debussy_atelier_Nadar

226. John Cage

August 10, 2019April 16, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(August 2019) Episode 226 is JOHN CAGE. You’ll never see his compositions on standard repertoires or hear them at the dentist office. But after this episode I am convinced he is the most important composer of the 20^th century, and arguably of all time, for forcing us to question whether there is a difference between music and sound, between directed sound and undirected sound. Why should we value the vibrations of a violin strong over those made by water sloshing through a conch shell? The emphasis of chance in certain work (perhaps his most controversial aspect) ensures that certain pieces can never be played the same twice. Technically, this episode is not complete, as one of his pieces is currently being played on an organ in Germany and not scheduled to end until the year 2640.

Favorite piece: Seventy Four

Favorite period: “numbers” period (last 5 years of his life)

Favorite prepared piano piece: Three Dances

Favorite string piece: Quartets I-VIII

Favorite piece with woodwinds: Eight

Favorite percussive piece: First Construction (in metal)

Favorite use of household items: Water Walk

Compared to expectations: same

CAGE, John - portrait in 1991, Los Angeles

225. King Missile

August 6, 2019April 16, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(August 2019) Episode 225 is KING MISSILE. In its various incarnations, KM is the musical vehicle for poet John S. Hall’s abstract, warped, observational musings. You may recall the novelty song “Detachable Penis,” emblematic of frequent sexual content which comes off as humorously candid rather than perverse. Sure, it’s a joke band, but that sells the music short, which is actually a good listen, while you giggle.

Favorite album: The Psychopathology of Everyday Life

Favorite song: Sex With You

Compared to expectations: same

The_Psychopathology_of_Everyday_Life_(King_Missile_album)_cover_art

224. Sam Roberts

August 5, 2019April 16, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(August 2019) Episode 224 is SAM ROBERTS (and his band). A restorative dose of sunny, roll-the-windows-down classic rock, with some power, a bit of jangle, and a hint of space rock. A quality import from Canada.

Favorite album: Chemical City

Favorite song: The Gate

Compared to expectations: same

Chemcity

223. The Black Keys

July 28, 2019April 16, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(July 2019) Episode 223 of my “opus project” is the BLACK KEYS. I find their initial southern-fried (although they’re from Ohio), bluesy garage rock better in concept than execution due to Dan Auerbach’s reliance on monotonous, laconic vocals. But for me, they pick it up starting with Attack & Release (thanks, Danger Mouse) with a diversified approach and instrumentation. Black Keys satisfies.

Favorite album: El Camino

Favorite song: Gold on the Ceiling

Compared to expectations: same

The_Black_Keys_El_Camino_Album_Cover

222. Joni Mitchell

July 27, 2019April 16, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

(July 2019) Episode 222 of my “opus project” is JONI MITCHELL. Who doesn’t love Joni Mitchell? I love Joni Mitchell. She’s a legend, an inspiration to countless artists (especially women). And yet … when I started this episode I realized I had not put on a Joni album in 25+ years. I guess the confessional singer-songwriter thing isn’t my thing. Her strongest songwriting, of course, is the early-70s folky/hippy stuff. Mitchell’s later journeys into light jazz, synth, EZ listening and re-arrangements of old hits are really not my thing.

Favorite album: Ladies of the Canyon

Favorite song: For the Roses

Worst album: Dog Eat Dog

Compared to expectations: ↓

Joni_Ladies

221. The Standells

July 19, 2019April 16, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(July 2019) Episode 221 of my “opus project” is THE STANDELLS. You may know this mid-1960s garage band from the song “Dirty Water” (you might think they’re from Boston, but they’re not; they’re from LA). Sometimes called the “punk band of the 1960s” (for a clue, listen to “Riot on the Sunset Strip”) due to influences claimed by the Ramones and Sex Pistols. Good stuff.

Favorite album: Dirty Water

Favorite song: Riot on the Sunset Strip

Compared to expectations: same

DirtyWater

220. John Cale

July 2, 2019April 16, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(July 2019) Episode 220 of my “opus project” is JOHN CALE. For being the most avant-garde member of the Velvet Underground, his solo recordings are surprisingly conventional in the pop/rock vein. His early stuff sounds like a blend of Brian Eno, Lou Reed and Roxy Music, but his style and mood varies over five decades (not to mention his output as a producer and soundtrack composer). I find his collaborations (with Terry Riley, Eno, Reed, Bob Neuwirth) among his strongest recordings.

Favorite album: Paris 1919

Favorite song: Paris 1919

Favorite collaboration: Wrong Way Up (with Brian Eno)

Compared to expectations: ↓

JohnCaleParis1919

219. Patsy Cline

June 6, 2019April 12, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(June 2019) Episode 219 of my “opus project” is PATSY CLINE. I dislike country music in most of its forms, but I am fond of some of the early-era artists when the genre was closer to its roots. Cline has such a lovely, clear voice, and the songs are earnest, melodic and unavoidably enjoyable.

Favorite album: Showcase

Favorite song: Crazy

Compared to expectations: same

patsy cline

218. James Brown

May 30, 2019April 12, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

(May 2019) Episode 218 of my “opus project” is JAMES BROWN. The Godfather of Soul, the Father of Funk, the Supreme Showman — all this is true. But if you groove out to James Brown — and I recommend that you do — find a greatest hits album and avoid the regular releases. There is a LOT of filler among and within albums: recycled, regurgitated, rerecorded material, even whole albums without any discernible JB content other than his name on the cover. This was another looooong one (63 albums). As with anything, best when funky.