HutchFan

David Oistrakh - The Complete EMI Recordings (EMI Classics) Disc 12: - Édouard Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole - with Jean Martinon & the Philharmonia O - Max Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 - with Lovro von Matačić & the London SO

Now spinning: Albert Roussel: Psalm 80; Bacchus et Ariane (Suite No. 2) / Serge Baudo, Orchestre de Paris (Connoisseur Society / Pathé Marconi EMI, 1976) Prompted to pull this LP from the shelf to compare Baudo's Bacchus et Ariane with Martinon's.

Next up: Ravel: Daphnis & Chloe, Suite No. 2; Roussel: Bacchus & Ariadne, Suite No. 2 / Jean Martinon, CSO (RCA, 1965) Recordings made during Martinon's ill-fated tenure with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where was he was Music Director from 1963 to 1968. Martinon was the first new MD after Reiner's long run. That would've been a tough act for anyone to follow. . . . Regardless, I'm an admirer of Martinon's music-making -- particularly when it comes to French repertoire like this.

Now spinning: Woody Herman - Feelin' So Blue (Fantasy, rel. 1981) Recordings from three different sessions, 1973-75. Leftovers, I assume -- but not barrel scrapings. The music sounds pretty darn good. For instance:

First spin of some new-to-me vinyl: Spanish Music for Voice & Guitar / Elizabeth Suderburg (sop), David Starobin (g) (VOX/Turnabout, rec. 1977)

I love that music -- and that recording -- too.

Brazilian Trio - Constelação (Motéma, 2012) MERRY CHRISTMAS to all who celebrate the holiday.

Masahiko Satoh - Pavane Lachrymae (Denon, 1978) solo piano with electric piano, harpsichord, and synthesizers added in various combinations

I like the music because it's groovy and soaring. I think it has a sort of "airiness" that's very appealing. (The titles reflect this up-in-the-air theme: "Flight Time," "Sky High" -- even the title of the album itself.) . . . It's sunny party music for the backyard on a Sunday afternoon rather than heavier stuff for a house party on Saturday night. In that regard, it lives in the same neighborhood as Roy Ayers' music. . . . Plus the Mizell Brothers don't take over the album like they often (usually?) did. It's still very much Byrd's record. . . . Lastly, I like how Byrd use voices for flavor on this album, rather than making them the focus of the music -- as on the Blackbyrds albums.

Wow. "Bleak" and "energy sapping" are not words one usually associates with Christmas music! I've been listening to some early-70s soul jazz, which is neither bleak nor energy sapping. Quite the opposite, in fact! and this again:

Now spinning: Nancy Wilson - Something Wonderful (Capitol, 1960)

Not sure whether this has already been posted . . .

Rush's final studio album from 2012. It's a slammin' HARD ROCK record, as much metal as it's prog. The band was very proud of it. They felt they'd made a record that compares favorably with their late-70s and early-80s classics. . . . And then it turned out to be their last.

Right on, Joe. That's a terrific record!

NP: Berigan made such a gorgeous, MASSIVE sound on the trumpet. . . . His Time-Life 3-LP set made me a Berigan convert. I just picked up this CD overview to supplement the Berigan LPs in my collection.

Excellent on both counts -- music and spirits.

Soooooo good. Wonderful. I'm with you, @jazzbo. Well said. . . . Ellington is a magnificent composer, but -- like Strayhorn said -- his instrument was his orchestra. So, for me, the greatest performances of his music will always be by his band. Then again, I freely admit my bias. If I'm taking ONE musician/composer/band to my desert-island (in any genre), it's Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra.

Just now finished listening to the first cut. You're right. It's fantastic. I love this band with Stenson, Jormin, and Hart. I have All My Relations and The Call. But I'd never gotten 'round to Canto. Glad I finally got it.