music The Oscar Peterson Quartet A Time for Love Live in Helsinki, 1987 Mack Avenue The final gig of a long international tour that began with four concerts in Brazil, this date was the 14th of a European tour that took the quartet all over mainland Europe and Scandinavia. Anyone with any knowledge of jazz knows that the magic of consistent performing only makes the synergy and empathy of an ensemble—both substances this quartet has in mindblowing quantity—better and better. That always dwarfs the fatigue factor, and sometimes results in sheer magic on a different plane. That’s clearly what happened during this spectacular concert. As Kelly Peterson says: “Performing with joy and vivacity, they determined to make every concert better than the previous one. This night in Helsinki is a glorious example of that”—and a stunning addition to the continuing legacy of this beloved master of music. Christian McBride Live at the Village Vanguard Mack Avenue Christian McBride—versatile doible-bassist—describes this sizzling live recording, made at the famed Village Vanguard club, as “noholds-barred swinging” and it’s hard to disagree. His taut, springy playing is set here within his Inside Straight band, with saxophonist Steve Wilson, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, pianist
Peter Martin and Carl Allen on drums. They hit the ground running with the opening “Sweet Bread” and rarely let up, although “Ms Angelou” is Wilson’s persuasively lyrical ballad for the late, celebrated poet and activist. A real show-stopper is “Gang Gang,” book-ended by Wilson’s clarion alto, with vibes and drums swirling intensely. “Uncle James” is a mellower affair, swinging easily to sashaying brushes and brightly cascading keyboard before vibes and soprano sax saunter in to have their say, while McBride himself cuts loose big-time, sparring gleefully with Allen in the closing “Stick & Move.”
tember, 2021. This 2-CD set is completed with four pieces taken from the first concert of the tour’s 2nd leg in Albany. The DC performance highlights a band in ferocious form, with a powerful, energetic set with some arrangements reworked and differing from previous tours. Featuring a restored middle section of “Larks’ Tongues In Aspic Part One” that had not been played since 1973, substantial keyboard arrangements, Tony Levin on upright bass during “Neurotica,” giving the piece extra swing, there’s an emotional set closer, “Starless,” and and immensely powerful “21st Century Schizoid Man” as an encore.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Barn Reprise Barn’s ten songs encompass all that Neil Young with Crazy Horse are known for: beautiful romantic acoustic ballads; powerhouse electric rockers and insightful rollicking tunes that stick with you. The album was recorded in a remote, restored, 19th century log barn. Niko Bolas was parked adjacent to the barn, in an exquisite analog mobile recording truck, Le Mobile ready to capture and mix the album on the spot.
Blake Shelton Body Language Warner Nashville Body Language has already yielded Platinum-certified No. 1 smash “Happy Anywhere” with Gwen Stefani. The deluxe edition also features brand new single “Come Back As A Country Boy.” The anthem boasts a “muscular lead voice... driving rhythm and gritty melody” (Billboard) as it extolls the virtues of living the country lifestyle, rooted deep within the Oklahoma native.
King Crimson Music Is Our Friend: Live In Washington D.c. & Albany Dgm Named for the tour from which the performances were taken, Music Is Our Friend is an official bootleg featuring King Crimson's final North American appearance in Washington, DC in Sep-
Manuel de Falla Various artists Warner Classics Manuel de Falla is regarded as the greatest Spanish composer of the 20th century. Established in Paris from 1907 to 1914, he met Debussy, Ravel and Dukas and steeped himself in their works. Exploring and
capturing Hispanic musical idioms he invented scores for lavish ballets, colour-saturated orchestras, splashy voices, refined pianos, thus contributed greatly to universal modernism. Setting his main works in their diverse context, this edition invites exploration and discovery. It spans almost a century of recording history, encompassing a host of great instrumentalists, singers, conductors and orchestras, many of them from Spain and France. And among legendary sessions from which he gained fame is Falla himself at the piano, still astonishing today. Hall & Oates Live at The Troubadour BMG Recorded in May 2008, Live at the Troubadour sees Daryl Hall and John Oates return to the legendary Los Angeles venue they first played as a support act in the 70s. Reissued on double CD and released for the first time on triple LP, the set sees the duo delve into their extensive back catalogue, delighting fans with nearly two hours of hits reimagined in a stripped back format, laying bare the beauty of their classic songwriting and mastery of their craft as live performers. The recording includes incredible live performances of “Maneater,” “Out of Touch,” “You Make My Dreams (Come True),” and many more. n ICON | DECEMBER 2021 | ICONDV.COM
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