While Ian Anderson has put out several albums of new material in recent years, he seems happy to rework old successes too. Reviving classic Jethro Tull material for string quartet is a striking new twist. The result is a serious lark: lighthearted but with plenty of creative depth.
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Music Review: Mehmet Ali Sanlikol & Whatsnext? – ‘Resolution’
With a definite split in personality over the nine tracks that compose the album – something to be expected perhaps when we’re talking about an album that dances from big band jazz to Turkish folk melodies to something that’s almost reggae – 'Resolution' is definitely one of the more interesting listens I’ve happened upon in months.
Read More »Music Reviews: Vivaldi Concerti from Gli Incogniti, Sacred Motets by Giaches de Wert from Stile Antico
Two new releases show the continuing vitality of music of centuries past.
Read More »Concert Review: Yoshiki Classical Special with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall
Yoshiki has used emotional trauma as the raw material to build the rest of his life and art. It also serves as the centerpiece of his Classical Special show, which, like his concerts with X Japan, has a resonant energy that remains with one long after the program has ended.
Read More »Music Review: Laura Dubin Trio – ‘Live at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival’
On a fizzy mix of traditional jazz (mostly originals) and standards (Gershwin, Cole Porter, Fats Waller), bebop, and classical and romantic piano music by the likes of Mozart, Chopin, and Ravel, the pianist and her trio take enormous joy in finding surprising connections.
Read More »Are You Listening? 2016 in Music: Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bright Light Bright Light, David Bowie, Melanie C, Hikaru Utada, Beyoncé and more
Here are my highlights in popular music from 2016. It includes records by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bright Light Bright Light, David Bowie, Melanie C, Hikaru Utada, Beyoncé, and many more!
Read More »Music Review: Pianist Tania Stavreva – ‘Rhythmic Movement’
On top of a capacious talent, the Bulgarian-born, New York-based pianist has a distinctive sensibility evidenced by her choice of repertoire, which encompasses works by composers from her homeland as well as contemporary new music and her own compositions.
Read More »Music Review: Neave Trio – ‘American Moments’
Fine musicianship and rich, live sound make this new album an enlightening introduction to some seldom-heard but very worthwhile music by composers born in, or who made a strong mark in, the United States.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jazz Roundup – El Toro, Victor & Penny, Daniel Smith
Coruscating Latin rhythms with a four-mallet attack, folk-jazz from a guitar-ukelele-vocal duo, and baroque-jazz crossover from the late bassoonist Daniel Smith
Read More »Concert Review: PUBLIQuartet – ‘The New Baroque’ at the Met Cloisters (NYC, 11/5/2016)
The members of this adventurous quartet proved themselves masters of tonal variation, broad technique, and compositional creativity in a fascinating program that transformed and adapted Bach and Haydn and presented modern works that nod to the Baroque.
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