2023 was a magnificent year for music releases, but a harsh one for those whom we lost. The latest major artist we lost was The Pogues’ frontman, Shane MacGowan, who died on November 30th. Folk singer Enda Reilly participated in a procession through Dublin in Shane’s honor and was moved Continue Reading
The Drone Pilots #054 – Ghazal
Our friend, the erstwhile lad known throughout Beijing and parts of Western Europe as The Drone Pilots, presents a fine podcast as we begin the wrapup process for 2024. As he so eloquently describes: “Ghazals are a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a repeating refrain word or phrase, Continue Reading
Schola Gregoriana Mediolanensis, Giovanni Vianini – Gloria In Excelsis Deo
We would like to wish our readers, especially those who are Roman Catholic and Protestant, a quiet, happy and blessed (Gregorian Calendar) Christmas, and we look forward to bringing you much more music in 2024. Merry Christmas!
Heritage Bagpipes – The Angel Gabriel
As we celebrate (at least on the Western Calendar) the birth of Jesus, the Christ, I leave you this evening with a traditional tune once performed by Sting under another name (Gabriel’s Message), this time played on bagpipes by staff at Heritage Bapipes.
Triosone – Christmas Lounge Vol.1
One more day before Gregorian Christmas, so we spend it listening to Christmas lounge music, courtesy of Triosone!
Blacknall Arts – Lessons & Carols: Live from Blacknall Church
As Advent nears its finish and we prepare to celebrate the Nativity, we have a rather charming Protestant offering from Blacknall Arts which wouldn’t sound out of place to Fairport Convention fans.
Various Artists – Four Flies Records: Best of 2023
I don’t do year-end lists because of the absolute onslaught of releases I get to hear throughout the year can be overwhelming, but I like when those I admire do it for me. The magnificent Four Flies Records have released a compilation of 15 easy-listening/soundtrack cuts that made a swinging Continue Reading
Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang – Azure
Two masters of drone at their peak after two decades of collaboration. From the duo’s Bandcamp site: “Since beginning to work together as a duo in the early 2000s, Kang and Kenney have collaborated on sound installations, music for orchestra, choir, and mixed ensembles in addition to releasing numerous widely Continue Reading
[Podcast] La Montaña Rusa 49.2023. Kurt Rosenwinkel. Borderlands Trio. Tomasz Stańko Quintet. Jovan Milovanović Quartet. Greg Spero.
La Montaña Rusa 49.2023. Kurt Rosenwinkel. Borderlands Trio. Tomasz Stańko Quintet. Jovan Milovanović Quartet. Greg Spero. Today there will be no reviews as we are having to prepare for Christmas at the school and time is limited, so I share with you the ever-wonderful La Montaña Rusa podcast and a Continue Reading
Li Xing – Lost Track
Li Xing is a Shanghai-based psychedelic noise-rock guitarist who produces a sludgy, powerful album which is reminiscent of Keiji Haino’s mid-period guitar noise era.