On a label like E’G Records, which featured some of the mightiest bands of the 1980s like Killing Joke, King Crimson and Brian Eno, The Penguin Café Orchestra were something of a charming anomaly. Sitting between classical, New Age music and avant-pop, they cut a singular path and made some absolutely beautiful recordings. After the death of leader Simon Jeffes, the band floated in and out of activity for a decade. It seems that Jeffes’ son, Arthur, is leading a new incarnation of the band, and a brand new recording is due shortly. You can order the new album, The Imperfect Sea, at their Bandcamp website..
[Music] Cristóbal de Morales – Mass for the feast of St. Isidore of Seville
Cristóbal de Morales is among my favorite Spanish composers of the Renaissance era. Saint Isodore of Seville, the patron saint of the Internet, happens to be one of my favorite saints. I’m surprised I missed this composition.
[Literature] T. S. Eliot reading Ash Wednesday
I wish goodwill and a prosperous Lent to my Roman Catholic friends. T.S. Eliot reads his poem, “Ash Wednesday,” which fits the day well.
[Music] David J. & René Halkett – David J. & René Halkett (20th Anniversary Edition)
Bauhaus bassist David J collaborated with an original member of the Bauhaus movement, painter and poet René Halkett, for this rather interesting collaboration.
[Music] Larry Coryell – Spaces
Larry Coryell, one of the founders of fusion, passed away last week. We post this video to give a taste of what was lost by his departure. RIP.
[Literature] Paul Bowles – Their Faces Are Masks
He walked through the streets, unthinkingly seeking the darker ones, glad to be alone and to feel the night air against his face. The streets were crowded. People pushed against him as they passed, stared from doorways and windows, made comments openly to each other about him-whether with sympathy or not he was unable to […]
via Their faces are masks (From Paul Bowles’ novel The Sheltering Sky) — Biblioklept
[Music] Geometric Vision – Joy
Geometric Vision are a post-punk band out of Naples, Italy whose grungy sound fits their home terrain rather fittingly.
[Music] John Cale – Fragments Of A Rainy Season (Reissue)
This must be John Cale day. His seminal live album, “Fragments Of A Rainy Season,” has been remastered, and apparently re-sequenced as well. Go to Domino Records’ website to read the full press release.
[Music] John Cale Announces 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Velvet Underground & Nico
It’s amazing to think that this album, which sold pitifully when it was first released, influenced almost everyone who bought it to form a band, so the legend goes. I’m very happy to hear John Cale himself had a hand in preparing this seminal release by The Velvet Underground & Nico. I simply hope the remastering is good.
[Music] Moreno Veloso – Coisa Boa
It looks like Moreno Veloso is the chip off the old block, said block being the legendary Caetano.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 