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DIVERSIONS
AVISON ENSEMBLE/Concerti Grossi op. 9 and 10: Oddly enough, even in this day and age, there’s classical music by composers that has still been unrecorded and basically undiscovered. Avison Ensemble specializes in early classical work and highlights Avison heavily as evidenced by this new release in this successful series. World premiere recordings of works created in the last years of his life, it a delightful find for those jaded ears that are thinking there’s nothing new under the classical sun to be found. Warmly played in period fashion with great attention to detail, this is one of those special treats it’s better to just enjoy than pick apart.
21211
IAN & JENNIFER PARTRIDGE/Northumberland and Beyond: If you start with the thesis that every genre needs a Leonard Cohen, then you might not want to gargle with razor blades if you make it thought this program of works from a writer so depressed in the 1980s that he trashed most of his manuscripts. The Partridges know how to sing and play, but please, don’t listen to this recital on a gloomy day if you are feeling even the slightest Seasonal Affected Disorder.
24128
METIER
BARRIOS & CORMANY/20th Century Clarinet: A nice recital for clarinet and piano, the material ranges from Bernstein to Berg and beyond. These two pros are on top of their game and can make this basic instrumentation sound like a lot more. One of the engaging points of this set is the material is well of left of warhorse repertoire giving the listener something sort of new as well as a new perspective. Charming in it’s deceptive simplicity, the best cats always make it look easy.
28505
RURAL RHYTHM
CARRIE HASSLER/CHHR2: Better buckle your seat belts before light hits byte on this set, her debut was no fluke. Whether she was holding back or just honed her chops more with 2 years of road work, Hassler is the future of bluegrass. With playing and singing that can easily rival the great ladies at the fore of the form these days, Hassler doesn’t need to elbow them aside as the drive, passion and pure musicality puts her toe to toe with them. Firmly establishing herself as a front runner, this is not polite bluegrass, this is a high octane excursion that opens the ears and gets the blood flowing. Hot stuff.
RICKY WASSON/From the Heart and Soul: One of bluegrass’ best voices, the Grammy winner and long time J. D. Crowe mainstay, comes with a set that reflectsshowsthe title nicely. Singing about the everyday and tipping the cap to the big guy once in a while along the way, Wasson knows his stuff and knows how to deliver in a most pleasing, warm and friendly way. Delightful organic, back porch music, this is the work of a cat that you’d drive out of your way to a festival to hear. Check it out.
LONESOME RIVER BAND/No Turning Back: 25 years in, the launching pad of a lot of major bluegrass talent shows no sign of this crew slowing down. Always the trend setting kind of bunch, this is super solid work that makes you think about getting down with the ‘world beat’ music within our own borders a little more frequently. Powered by ace players that never drop a lick, this is a group that simply delivers the goods with low key professionalism; the kind that makes you go ‘what was that?’ long after the fact.
PINE MOUNTAIN RAILROAD/Pickin’ Praisin’ Singin’: Retrospective from a top shelf gospel bluegrass crew. Sometimes, this can get a little to insular to the casual listener, the real fan will know this best of set is the real deal for real believers. The kind of down home stuff Granny Clampett would smile approvingly at as she snuck a taste from her jug, it might be off in the margins, but it knows how to work those margins well.
Volume 31/Number 318
September 13, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record
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