The Cinematic Orchestra hail from London, and their sound matches their name splendidly. Rare is the band who can work comfortably in both electronica and something akin to soundtrack music. Some try, but they don’t quite pull it off as elegantly as these lads do.
Month: June 2015
[Article/Music] The Rise and Fall of Easy Listening
Marc Myers at the Wall Street Journal writes on one of the most maligned genres, Easy Listening.
[Art] ‘The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah’, 1832 (Mezzotint) – by John Martin
Something rather beautiful from English painter John Martin.
[Article] Nina Simone Documentarian Reveals Singer’s Shockingly Violent Temper
Nina Simone was always worth celebrating as a wonderful musician. She was also, unfortunately, a bit of a monster to her daughter. What Happened, Miss Simone?, will show a balanced view of her public and private persona.
[Video] Swans – Mona Lisa, Mother Earth
I suppose some would call this The Swans’ ‘Joy Division’ phase. The album, The Burning World, showed a marked change in direction from a band who had previously sounded like the equivalent of a drunken brontosaurus stumbling into his cave after a healthy drinking binge (and yes, that’s a good thing). Since they reformed, their sound continues to adapt and grow. They are as vital a band now as they were in the beginning.
[Sample] Marco Lucchi – Preludes and Fanfares
Beautiful dark ambient my Italian composer Marco Lucci.
[Video] Fela Ramsome Kuti & The Africa ’70 – Afrodisiac
Quite a monster of an album by Nigeria’s finest, Fela Kuti. The track listing for this album is:
01 “Alu Jon Jonki” – 12:41
02 “Jeun Ko Ku (Chop ‘n Quench)” – 7:14
03 “Eko Ile” – 6:41
04 “Je’nwi Temi (Don’t Gag Me)” – 13:15
[Video] Heldon – In Wake Of King Fripp
I never quite agreed with Heldon (a.k.a. Richard Pinhas) being labeled as the French Robert Fripp. He’s his own man, and has come up with some rather amazing sounds on his own. Still, it’s quite something to hear Richard perform this paean to Frippertronics.
[Art/Literature] Lot 51: Borges, Xul Solar, and the occult.
Those who know me well will know that I’ll crow on happily about my favorite writer, Jorge Luis Borges. The Paris Review’s Maria Bustillos pens an article on the erstwhile writer, his Argentine, friend and countryman, Surrealist painter Xul Solar, and their interest in the occult.
[Video] Keith Jarrett Trio – Here’s That Rainy Day (Rare)
Something melancholy from Keith Jarrett seems appropriate after hearing about the loss of a good friend yesterday afternoon.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 