I should have known it
would go the way it did. Something in my gut knew, but I didn't want
to listen. Disgusted yet not surprised. No matter what anyone says
it's a turning point for me. Not sure all the forms it will take
ultimately, but the transformation is well underway.
No need to be more
specific on the above topic. Maybe that time will come some day. Not
today though. If there is any one creed I can get with it's this:
“The real purpose of
art is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable.”
I've got no immediate clue
who said that, but I don't care. If life has any value whatsoever,
that value is derived from the humanities – the creative endeavors
designed to uplift and transform darkness into light. And since we're
in for more dark times the focus ought to be on the best and most
transforming arts.
So, in keeping with the
original theme of the blog – here are the plastic waffles of uplift
lately.......
The bass blasting off this Sousa quad LP would be the envy of any heavy metal group.
Hyperion LPs are almost always a home-run. Really can't go wrong with whatever is in the grooves. This is a favorite to visit other worlds and dimensions.
Vaughn Williams never seems to let me down. I don't have to be in a particular mood to hear this music.
One of these days I need to watch the VHS tape of Otto Klemperer's life again. It would be better than keeping up with the news. Only thing I want to know is - should I get my baseball glove to catch the nuclear bomb heading my way? Give me a minute to kiss my family goodbye at least......
I'd like to see more people dressing like Moondog and listening to his music. There's a movement waiting to happen........
Its been awhile since I spun these Barber and Ives records. Despite the cover art, there's some great music here.
I snagged a copy of this Victor Herbert album off discogs to hear the massive soundstage captured on this Living Stereo LP. Through my Bogen tube amps it did NOT disappoint. Astounding!
The dramatic ending of this record literally blew the needle out of the groove. Surprised the heck out of me. I played it again to make sure it wasn't just a skip. Crazy!!
These 70s era RCA gold disc re-pressings are really pretty good! Bartok / Reiner / CSO is never a bad combo either....
Haskil and Grummiaux are such a fab pair. I love this record. Makes me want to move permanently to wherever this vibe exists all the time. Just slip crackers under the door. I'll be fine.
Milhaud is fun to listen to - love those jazz influenced chords. Record cover looks like a photo from an antique voodoo lounge.
Alwyn is a new composer to my ears. I need to revisit this and a Symphony No. 1 record I have. I recall some good melodic material here.
First time hearing some Tippett. Curious stuff. Not sure where I land with this music yet. More spins needed.
I loved this Griffes album. More spins to this planet in the future guaranteed.
Sometimes a rough-looking mystery platter can surprise you. I became quite enamored of this album - spun it a bunch of times. Really old Supraphon pressing. Cover falling apart. Never heard Janacek's string quartet pieces before. I'd go for more. Good melodic stuff here, despite the primitive recording.
Another surprise home run record here. Pressed in the US, but recorded in Europe. Mastering by Bob Ludwig. Really fine pressing. Fantastic music. What a deal for a buck! I was reminded how much I love Piano Trios. Never heard these pieces before.
I was recently gifted a pile of well-kept classical LPs from a serious music lover. Most performances were new to me even if the pieces were familiar - which is ALWAYS fun! Since I keep turntables in many locations (except the car or bathroom) I can dig into records often. And that is a good reason to keep breathing!
I love these "Greatest Hits" albums! It's fun to hear parts of larger pieces out of their original context once in awhile.
It had been a while since I've spun some Dvorak. Nice vintage mono sound from this London LP!
Copland is a favorite composer of mine as well. Not too familiar with these pieces which is great because I'll spin this often.
I'm ready to imagine a better reality as Terry Riley's music suggests. Let's hope we get there some day.
As for modern music - there are FEW bands I can pledge allegiance to anymore. THIS IS ONE!
I'm hoping to catch the Bevis Frond on their upcoming US tour. It's only been 20 or so years since they've been here. The new album is a joy in a very troubled world. There are more sonic adventures to report on the road ahead. Let us not talk falsely now.....the hour is getting late. Until next time....
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