Balladeer

Mary Lou Williams - Asch Recordings Disc 2

Hal McKusick - The Complete Barry Galbraith, Milt Hinton and Osie Johnson Recordings (Lone Hill)

John LaPorta - Complete Debut Recordings (Lone Hill)

Kirk Knuffke & Jesse Stacken - Satie (Steeplechase)

Helmut Brandt Combo - Berlin Calling (Sonorama)

Tin Hat Trio - Book of Silk (Ropeadope)

Patrick Saussois & Rhoda Scott - The Look of Love: A Tribute to Burt Bacharach (Djaz Records)

As you all note rightfully Dionne was definitely his songstress. I also loved Aretha interpretation of "Say a little prayer" - the definiton of a perfect pop song! Finally I´ve been impressed by Elvis Costello´s album "Painted from memory" in honour of Burt Bacharach.. Without those Bacharach melodies this earth would be a poorer. RIP PS @Ken Dryden: It would be nice if you could upload Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz with Bacharach! Please let us know.

Julia Bullock - Walking in the Dark (Nonesuch)

Josh Tatsuo Cullen - “Scenes in Tin Can Alley: Piano Music of Florence Price” (Blue Griffin)

------------------- Great session, great fun, great album!

Nels Cline - Lovers (Blue Note)

Lovely early stuff! "Madeline" (from The Jazz Message of) remains one of my all time favourite tenor ballads.

Lhasa De Sela - The living road

Still one of my favourite guitarists. Some very good recordings as a leader. But aside, from the outstanding trios with Chet Baker and NHOP in 1979 Doug recorded several exellent other albums as a sideman. Do you know for instance "Love & Pieace - the music of Horace Parlan" (Steeplechase) with Bob Rockwell? If not, give it a try.

Moreno Torroboa - Guitar Concertos Vol 2 (Naxos) Wonderful production, the Concierto de Castilla is a dream!

Jeff Beck played one of my alltime greatest instrumental ballads of the Seventies, "Cause we´ve Ended as Lovers" , what sound, sustain and imaginative power, a sublime gem! RIP, Jeff Beck

Marcel Campion - Copain Django (Fremeaux)

Max Bruch - Double Concerto for clarinet, viola and orchestra (Brilliant Classics) Giovanni Punzi, Vincenzo Milletari & Copenhagen Phil.

Bill Frisell - Disfarmer (Nonesuch) Love the pervading folksy country twang on this one

Marc Ribot - Silent Movies (Pi Records)

Philip Catherine with Paulo Morello & Sven Faller - Pourquoi (Enja/Yellowbird) Subtle, wonderful sounds on electric guitar, nice flow, gorgous pieces - PC is a gentle giant on this late masterpiece

Richie Beirach & Gregor Hübner - Testaments (O-Tone) Disc 1

John Prine - In Spite of Ourselves (Oh Boy)