Loath as I am to resort to gimmickry, it’s hard to ignore the back-story of trumpeter Tom Harrell’s paranoid schizophrenia. He hears voices, maintains ‘a tenuous contact with reality’, is heavily medicated, and speaks like a zombie who’s just seen a ghost. Until he puts his horn to his lips, when he’s instantly and magically possessed by an utterly coherent aesthetic expressiveness.
Continue reading...Song Of the week
160: Smokey Robinson & Aretha Franklin, ‘Ooh Baby, Baby’ (Live)
Two remarkable voices from the same ‘hood, Smokey and Aretha, velvet and steel, a magical meeting in a magical song. It’s not chemistry, it’s alchemy. Watch it and say a little prayer of thanks for being present at the creation.
Continue reading...287: Moses Sumney, ‘Incantation’
Moses Sumney is the best vocalist I’ve ever heard.
And you know I NEVER exaggerate.
110: Mongolian Throat Singing (The Occidental Tourist)
In which Jeff brings you a taste of Mongolian throat singing as a flimsy excuse to tell a true story about yak molar dice games and that inimitable Mongolian penchant for practical jokes.
Continue reading...004: The Beach Boys, ‘Kiss Me Baby’
Jeff’s latest musical fantasy, the origin.
The realization–currently in the oven. Stay tuned.
286: Joni Mitchell, ‘The Circle Game’
My granddaughter Nogah has me wrapped around her finger, and she knows it. So when she asked me to write a Song of The Week for her high school graduation, it was a no-brainer.
Continue reading...284: Owen Pallett, ‘Oh Heartland, Up Yours!’
Owen Pallett is the most dazzling artist I’ve encountered in years. Think of Jacob Collier, Sufjan Stevens, and Van Dyke Parks!
If those names don’t ring your bells, come take a little walk with me.
027: Lennie Tristano, ‘Wow’
An obscure club date by an obscure pianist and his band, forerunners of cool jazz.
Music for snobs, with some virtuosic playing that would make Paderewski blush.
Ice also burns.