Tag: religious

557. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2024) Episode 557 is GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA, one of the most acclaimed composers of the 16th century (and one of the few I’ve ever heard of). He is also the second oldest composer in the project. Not surprisingly, almost all of his hundreds of compositions are religious, and he is most famous for his 100+ masses (this was a looooong episode). Regardless of whether the message speaks to you, this is beautiful polyphonic music that should stir any soul. There are several ways his compositional style influenced those that followed, include Bach more than a century later, but I’m too much of a dummy to understand how. I just like the angelic voices.

Favorite piece: Missa Papae Marcelli

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: TBH it all sounds the same to me, so try the piece above and go from there.

542. Cat Stevens / Yusuf

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(January 2024) Episode 542 is CAT STEVENS, who has also recorded as YUSUF ISLAM and YUSUF.  I detect four phases of his career. 1967-71: He started out in folky pop before transitioning to singer-songwriter mode with gentle songs and sweet melodies. This era produced his most popular tunes and is also his best. 1972-78: Stevens broadened into pop with more orchestration, but also lost the charm of his peak period. 1995-2004: After his conversion to Islam and two decades away from the recording studio, he made some recordings of religious content. 2006-present: As Yusuf, he returned to secular music and a return to his original form with pleasant results albeit with a time-worn voice (also credit to the guru of comebacks, Rick Rubin).

Favourite album: Teaser and the Firecat

Favourite song: Wild World

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: You can make do with a greatest hits of his first period. But for an interesting diversion, try some albums from the recent decade, like Tell ‘Em I’m Gone.