While working as a buyer at Aron’s Records in Hollywood during my youth, I came across ECM Records. Up until then, the only thing I had ever heard off of the label was Keith Jarrett’s The Köln Concert. As I was able to listen to promo versions of new releases, I came across Anouar Brahem, but forgot about him for over a decade. My friend, Max Franosch, whose photographs grace a few classic ECM releases, reminded by of his work via a post several years ago, and I’ve been following his music intently ever since.
Author: Rudy Carrera
[Video] Blind Willie Johnson – Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed
Pure gravel, sounding more like a preacher from down South rather than a typical blues-man, here’s Blind Willie Johnson tearing things up with a type of blues sermon.
[Video] Naná Vasconcelos – Saudades
Naná Vasconcelos is, perhaps, the finest jazz percussionist in the world. Having collaborated with the likes of Brian Eno, Jon Hassell and Don Cherry, among so many others, he has also been an extremely prolific composer and performer in his own right. This particular album is tonight’s soundtrack as I talk with my own Brazilian.
[Article] Notes and Music The words of Virgil Thomson, composer and critic
Algis Valiunas of The Weekly Standard writes on one of the most ‘American’ of composers, as well as an essayist par excellence, Virgil Thomson, who is rightfully remembered by those who love literary criticism, especially when it comes to the arts. His fame deserved to be spread to laymen as well.
Rod McKuen, mega-selling poet and performer, dies at 81
Sure, people thought he was corny, and some of his poems were a bit… well… difficult to read without either giggling or smirking on occasion. But those albums of his… Truly masterful easy listening.
RIP, Rod McKuen. News on his passing can be read here, courtesy of Yahoo!
[Sample] Thou – Heathen
Amazing noisy sludge from Louisiana, Thou seem to be keeping to a trend of quasi-religious metal band names. They’re impressive at any rate.
[Video] Peter Brötzmann / Shoji Hano / Tetsu Yamauchi / Haruhiko Gotsu – Dare Devil
Peter Brötzmann was my introduction to free jazz. The genre is full of brutal music, and it seems that Herr Brötzmann is its (vodka) king. It’s for a good reason. He is a tireless skronker, has more energy in his 70s that many fellow travelers do in their 30s. He also knows whom to collaborate with.
In this piece for the Japanese record label DIW (an old favorite of mine), he collaborates with Shoji Hano, Tetsu Yamauchi and Haruhiko Gotsu in a piece that melds free jazz together with a sort of broken blues. Yes, it’s a mess, but a lovely one.
[Podcast] ‘Queasy Listening 20150126’ by Cloudy Grey
Queasy Listening 20150126 by Cloudy Grey on Mixcloud
If you are a fan of post-Industrial avant-garde music, Cloudy Grey is going to be mandatory listening for you. Their ‘Queasy Listening’ series is an amazing walk back in time, and is doing a fine job hipping the kids to newer artists as well.
With so many amazing podcasts, it’s time to consider interviewing a few of these people for more exposure.
[Blog] I Love Typography
Typography is a passion of mine, if only as an observer. I love the printed page and the art people can make with letters. On that note, I Love Typography highlights some of the best craftsmen of the trade.
[Video] Aphrodite’s Child – The Four Horsemen
In honor of the passing of the legendary Demis Roussos, as well as admiring the musicianship of Vangelis Papathanassiou, who was a monster keyboard player for Aphrodite’s Child before softening with Chariots of Fire.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 