Folk-psych from 1977. The band Love is not the legendary Los Angeles band fronted by Arthur Lee, but a Japanese group who churned out at least one magnificent album before disappearing into the aether.
Music
[Music] Ivan & Pricila – Mana
Quite folk rock from this Brazilian duo who released their album as a private pressing in 1985.
[Music] S.P.K. – White Island
Though late period SPK went into a horrible period of commercial dance music which was, to be frank, an atrocity, they managed to safe a great deal of face with their final works.
[Music] Lily Pons – The Echo Song
The Franco-Italian opera singer Lily Pons was a staple at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, as well as on television during the 1950s.
[Music] Pale Saints – Fine Friend (All Virgos Are Mad version)
Fuzzy, modern psychedelia. Shoegaze music really was a beautiful thing for a while. The Pale Saints were at the top of their game when this piece came out.
The compilation this track is featured on is definitely worth a purchase.
[Music] Uri Caine & Masada String Trio – Jazz in Marciac 2008
A stunning bit of live footage here. Though the stars of the video are John Zorn’s Masada String Trio, pianist Uri Caine utterly dominates the first half of the show with gorgeous improvisation.
The lineup for the night:
Uri Caine – Piano
Mark Feldman – Violin
Erik Friedlander – Cello
Greg Cohen – Double bass
John Zorn – Direction
[Music] Sophia Mavrogenidou & Alfio Antico – Ninna Nanna
A gorgeous interpretation of a classic Italian lullaby by Greek-Czech vocalist and flautist Sophia Mavrogenidou & Italian percussionist Alfio Antico
[Music] Irma Thomas – Time Is On My Side
Though The Rolling Stones‘ version is more famous, this version by Irma Thomas packs quite a whallop!
[Music] Steve Hogarth & Richard Barbieri – Your Beautiful Face
Richard Barbieri never disappoints. From his work in Japan to all of the wonderful projects he’s worked on since, he’s shown to be a thoroughly underrated synth player. There’s always hope he’ll reach a bigger audience.
The surprise here, for me, is Steve Hogarth. I’m not a huge fan of Marillion (at least since old singer Fish left the band in the late ’80s), but really, Hogarth’s voice sounds like a perfect compliment to the electronic underpinning Barbieri provides. A lush work.
This one is dedicated to my Mari, who has given me a year of happiness.
[Music] Swans – Cry Me A River
So haunting it’s damn near a suicide dirge. Former Swans co-vocalist Jarboe performs one of the most bleak, desolate covers of this classic torch song penned by Arthur Hamilton.
