Michael Hedges – Watching My Life Go By (Appearing “Woman Of The World”)
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC | 24bit/96kHz & 16bit/44kHz
Label: Open Air Records / OA-0303 | Release: 1985 | Genre: Country-Folk
Following the success of Michael Hedges’ Grammy-nominated Aerial Boundaries, the guitarist took on a new challenge and released Watching My Life Go By, his first recording to feature the musician taking on vocal as well as instrumental duties. Subdued, almost uncharacteristically restrained, Hedges the singer/songwriter doesn’t quite live up to Hedges the avant-garde or self-proclaimed “violent acoustic” guitarist. This being the artist’s first attempt at a vocal recording, it is understandable that what amounts to a musical learning curve sometimes gets the better of him. But that is not to say that the music of this 1985 Windham Hill release is substandard in a general sense — quite the opposite, really. However, when compared to Hedges’ brilliant instrumental work, there exists only the slightest discrepancy. That being said, there are still moments worth mentioning on this release, chief among them being “Woman of the World” and “Streamlined Man.” Both of these tracks feature more confident vocal performances and very insightful lyrics. A bit of a learning experience, Watching My Life Go By might not be Hedges’ finest offering; however, the record still features plenty of great performances of heartfelt material.
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Michael Hedges – Aerial Boundaries
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Label: Windham Hill Records / WH-1032 | Release: 1984 | Genre: Acoustic-Fusion
It’s a pleasure to introduce one of the brightest members of the Windham Hill label, Michael Hedges. “Aerial Boundaries” is the most important works of this curious guitarist. I say curious about this strange way of playing the guitar, with a good friend called this way of playing as “percussive guitar” (for those strums and blows the lid, and use the guitar like a piano). In a clean technique in implementation, apart from playing a strange guitar called “harp guitar”. The album is very even with well-known pieces from his repertoire (the album that should be a fan of Hedges). A few days ago, reviewing Youtube submissions of this guitar player, I found that has a string of clones … but Hedges, is one.
Ah! and on top, is a great singer.
Jan Akkerman – Profile
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC | 24bit/96kHz & 16bit/44kHz
Label: Sire Records Company / SAS 7407 | Release: 1972 | Genre: Progressive-Rock
What can a man do with a guitar?
Being referred to as one of the best guitarist on the globe this moment had to come: the ultimate guitar solo record. To be more specific: the ultimate guitar side of a record.
Side one is filled with the Fresh Air piece, roughly based on some strange concept I don’t understand really well. The sub-parts itself however correlate with their titles. The song opens with psychedelic keys played by Akkerman himself on Fender piano, a great atmospheric start. Soon the Wrestling to get out part begins and a non-melodic jazz extravaganza is about to unfold. The title being the best way to discribe Akkerman’s guitarplaying: it’s like a mad rage to do the extreme. You will hear sound you’ve never heard before and speed beyond the imaginable. The basslines by Bert Ruiter (Focus) and drums by the masterfull Pierre van der Linden guide us to the best of hard jazz/rock or heavy fusion (which do you prefer?). I love the groovin’ bassplaying. Fresh air – blue notes for listening is again a track with a title that doesn’t need no explanation when you’ve heard it. One of the few relaxing tracks of the album. Jan Akkerman drops the speed for atmospheric guitar play, reminding me a bit of Robert Fripp. This is a welcome piece of music between two storms. For after this we’ll get to hear some more Akkerman solo’s of mad musicianship. This is the best track Jan Akkerman ever recorded in my opinion.
Side two. I don’t listen to it very often but it is a midiocre collection of lute and blues songs which don’t mach at all. I’m not even goin to tell something about it.
Conclusion. Now.. can a one side record make a masterpiece. I think in this case it does. The Fresh Air suite is a progressive masterpiece, a Fusion end point (this is fusion in the extreme) and a guitar axeman track of the highest skill. One of my most important records in my collection. Five stars! (but just for side one).
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Glass Harp – Glass Harp (Appearing: Phil Keaggy)
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Label: Decca / DL 75261 | First Pressing | Release: 1970 | Genre: Psychedelic-Rock
One of the first Christian-themed pop/rock acts, Glass Harp included singer/guitarist Phil Keaggy, bassist Dan Pecchio, and drummer John Sferra. Formed in 1969 in Youngstown, OH, the group — a free-form power trio in the tradition of Cream, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and fellow Buckeyes the James Gang — quickly developed a strong local following, and in 1970 they signed to Decca to issue their self-titled debut LP. Synergy followed a year later, but after 1972’s It Makes Me Glad Glass Harp disbanded; Keaggy went on to enjoy considerable success as a CCM solo act, while Pecchio later co-founded the Michael Stanley Band. Glass Harp’s original lineup came together for a reunion concert in 1988.
allmusic.com
About vinyl issues.
Enclosed paper inner sleeve has black & white silhouettes of the band members facing the other way on one side and lyrics printed on the other side
Back cover has 1970 date on the bottom and lists some detailed credits in the lower left corner, but is missing band member, roadies, viola & back cover photography credits present on the later 1971 pressing.
Many copies of these rarer 1970 pressings have a “Sample Copy” sticker on the back cover
This (Gloversville, NY) pressing has smaller print on the Decca rainbow label and the song times match up exactly with those displayed on the back cover (Identical to the 1971 Gloverville, NY pressing).
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Donovan – Fairytale (1965)
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Label: MALS 867, Marble Arch Records / MAL 867 | Release: 1965 | This Issue: 1969 | Genre: Country-Folk
Fairytale is Donovan’s second album. It was first released in the United Kingdom on October 22, 1965 through Pye Records (catalog number NPL 18128). The U.S. version of Fairytale was released by Hickory Records (catalog number LPM 127 [monaural] / LPS 127 [stereo]) in November 1965 with a slightly different set of songs. Peter Eden and Geoff Stephens produced the album.
Fairytale finds Donovan evolving his styles further towards British folk, especially on songs such as “Summer Day Reflection Song” and “Jersey Thursday”. “Sunny Goodge Street” foreshadows the jazzy feel and descriptions of life in urban London that Donovan would continue to explore over the next two years. For release in the United States, Hickory Records added a cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “Universal Soldier” and removed a cover of Bert Jansch’s “Oh Deed I Do”.
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Diane Dufresne - Turbulences (1982)
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Label: RCA Victor / PL 37610 | Release: 1982 | Genre: Chanson-Pop
A popular French-language performer with a career that stretched out to nearly five decades, Diane Dufresne studied voice and art in Paris before returning to Montreal (her birthplace, born September of 1944) to start her career in music. Her debut in Montreal, in 1969’s Clemence Desrochers’ Les Girls, led to a collaboration with composer Francois Cousineau and lyricist Luc Plamondon (the latter of which would last through most of her career). Dufresne released her debut album in 1972, followed with quick second in 1973. A successful debut single, “J’ai Rencontre l’Homme de Ma Vie,” contrasted with a lukewarm reception of a performance opening for Julien Clerc in Paris the following year. Mixed reviews aside, Dufresne soldiered on, and her steady stream of mid-’70s full-length releases earned her a high place in the Quebec pop vocal scene. Her missteps in Paris were pushed aside with a triumphant return there in 1978 that would be captured on two separate albums. Along with her recording career, she also appeared on-stage in musicals and in television specials throughout the decade. She shifted focus in the ’80s, staging shows and ending her collaboration with Plamondon. The ’90s would find Dufresne returning to the stage as a solo performer, as well as a songwriter. She toured and performed in Canada and France, playing individual shows as well as making the odd festival appearance. She continued her work into the 21st century, winning many awards along the way.
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The Incredible String Band – Earthspan (1972)
Vinyl rip in 24 bit/96 kHz | 810 Mb | FLAC tracks | Full LP Artwork
Reprise Records – MS 2122 (Original US) (1972) | Folk, Rock
TRACKLIST:
A1 My Father Was A Lighthouse Keeper
Backing Vocals – Mike Heron , Robin Williamson Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Songwriter – Malcolm Le Maistre Producer [Strings], Violin, Cello – Robin Williamson
A2 Antoine
Organ [Church], Vocals – Mike Heron
A3 Restless Night
Electric Piano, Arranged By [Horn] – Mike Heron Lead Vocals – Robin Williamson
A4 Sunday Song
Drums – Brian Davidson Lyrics By – Licorice McKechnie Oboe, Mandolin – Robin Williamson Vocals – Likky Vocals, Organ, Composed By – Mike Heron
B1 Black Jack David
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Mike Heron Bass, Cymbal [High Hat], Handclaps – Stan Lee (4) Handclaps – Jack Ingram Mandolin – Malcolm Le Maistre Violin – Robin Williamson
B2 Banks Of Sweet Italy
Bass, Hardingfele [Hardanger Fiddle] – Robin Williamson Organ – Mike Heron Vocals – Likky Whistle – Malcolm Le Maistre
B3 The Actor
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano, Viola, Composed By – Robin Williamson Lead Vocals, Lyrics By – Malcolm Le Maistre
B4 Moon Hang Low
B5 Sailor And The Dancer
Guimbri, Flute [Chinese] – Robin Williamson Harmonium, Songwriter – Malcolm Le Maistre
B6 Seagull
Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electric], Lead Vocals, Organ [Hammond], Accordion – Mike Heron (2) Backing Vocals – Malcolm Le Maistre Bass – Likky Guimbri, Whistle – Robin Williamson
Supersister – Present From Nancy – 1970
Vinyl Rip in 24 Bit-96 kHz | Redbook 16 Bit-44 kHz | FLAC | Cue | SCANS | 728 MB + 197 MB
1970 / Genre: Prog-Rock – Canterbury Scene – Polydor – NL
Supersister was a band from The Hague, (Netherlands), playing progressive rock ranging from jazz to pop. The most predominant band members were Robert Jan Stips (keyboards, vocals), Sacha van Geest (flute), Marco Vrolijk (drums) and Ron van Eck (bass).
The band started as “Sweet OK Sister” in 1968 as a school band with singer and songwriter Rob Douw, who soon thereafter left. The remaining members continued as a more serious musical quartet under the name Supersister. Their style was progressive rock (in Canterbury Scene style) in which ‘Stips’ keyboard plays a dominant role. The album “Present from Nancy” is their enjoyable and sparkling debut; Enjoy this new upgrade rip!
Note > There are gapless tracks; gapless burning is essential to seamless play the album..
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Shankar – Vision (1984)
Vinyl rip in 24 bit/96 kHz | 870 Mb | FLAC tracks | LP Artwork
ECM Records – ECM 1261, ECM Records – 811 969-1 (Original GER) (1984) | Contemporary Jazz, Ambient
Tracklist
A1 All For You 6:36
A2 Vision 13:43
B1 Astral Projection 5:43
B2 Psychic Elephant 11:50
B3 The Message 7:32
Personnel
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Palle Mikkelborg
Percussion, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Saxophone – Jan Garbarek
Violin [10-string Stereophonic Double], Percussion, Composed By – Shankar
Santana – Caravanserai (1972)
Vinyl rip in 24 bit/96 kHz | 1040 Mb | FLAC tracks | Full LP Artwork
Columbia – CQ 31610 (1972) (US, Quadraphonic) | Jazz-Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Side one
“Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation” (Tom Rutley, Neal Schon, Michael Shrieve) – 4:28
“Waves Within” (Doug Rauch, Greg Rolie, Carlos Santana) – 3:54
“Look Up (To See What’s Coming Down)” (Rauch, Rolie, Santana) – 3:00
“Just in Time to See the Sun” (Rolie, Santana, Shrieve) – 2:18
“Song of the Wind” (Rolie, Santana, Schon) – 6:04
“All the Love of the Universe” (Santana, Schon) – 7:40
Side two
“Future Primitive” (José Areas, Mingo Lewis) – 4:12
“Stone Flower” (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Santana, Shrieve) – 6:15
“La Fuente del Ritmo” (Lewis) – 4:34
“Every Step of the Way” (Shrieve) – 9:05
Personnel
Carlos Santana: lead guitar (2-4,8,9), guitar (5,6,10), vocals (6), percussion (1,8)
Neal Schon: guitar (1,3-6,8-10)
Gregg Rolie: organ (2-6,8,10), piano (6), vocals
Michael Shrieve: drums (1-6,8-10), percussion
José “Chepito” Areas: percussion, congas (7), timbales (2-4,6,7,9,10), bongos (8)
Douglas Rauch: bass (2-6), guitar (2,3)
Tom Rutley: acoustic bass (1,6,8-10)
James Mingo Lewis: percussion (1,8,9), congas (2-10), bongos (7), vocals (6), acoustic piano (9)
Armando Peraza: percussion (8), bongos (9)
Douglas Rodrigues: guitar (2)
Wendy Haas: piano (1,8)
Hadley Caliman: saxophone intro (1), flute (10)
Rico Reyes: vocals (6)
Lenny White: castanets (6)
Tom Coster: electric piano (9)
Tom Harrell: orchestra arrangement (10)
Michael Garrison – Images – 1986
Vinyl Rip in 24 Bit-96 kHz | Redbook 16 Bit-44 kHz | FLAC | Cue | No Log | Scans | 925 MB + 259 MB
1986 / Genre: Electronic – Progressive Electronic / Ariola Records – DE
A longstanding American exponent of sequencer-based music, Garrison has released over a half-dozen albums of high-energy electronics. Strongly influenced by European innovators like Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream, this Oregon-based artist enjoys propelling listeners into rhythmic travels along the space-time continuum. “The tracks on this album are not all consistent in quality, but there is enough to enjoy if you appreciate this genre!”
Note > There are gapless tracks; gapless burning is essential to seamless play the album..
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Joe Satriani – Not Of This Earth (Featuring “Memories”)
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC | 24bit/96kHz & 16bit/44kHz
Label: Relativity / 88561-8110-1 | US Release: 1986 | Genre: Hard-Rock
I chose the hit “Memories” from this LP, because is where one can find all the versatility and virtuosity of Satriani.
And not in vain to remember: Satriani before starting his solo career, he was nothing more and nothing less than the teacher of renowned guitarists, like names some to Eddie Van Halen and the first guitar of Frank Zappa, Steve Vai. Why don’t say the amount of guitarists “copy” of Satriani?
This is his first plate (1986), but my issue is the second, in “blue vinyl”.
Jim Hall – Concierto (1975)
Vinyl rip in 24 bit/96 kHz | 740 Mb | FLAC tracks | LP Artwork
CTI Records – CTI 6060 S1 (US Pressing) (1975) | Jazz, Bop
Tracklist
A1 You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To
Written-By – Cole Porter 7:04
A2 Two’s Blues
Written-By – Jim Hall 3:48
A3 The Answer Is Yes
Written-By – Jane Hall 7:36
B1 Conceirto De Aranjuez
Written-By – Joaquin Rodrigo* 19:17
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Paul Desmond
Arranged By – Don Sebesky
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Roland Hanna
Trumpet – Chet Baker
Jan Garbarek, Kjell Johnsen – Aftenland (1980)
Vinyl rip in 24 bit/96 kHz | 880 Mb | FLAC tracks | LP Artwork
ECM Records – ECM 1169, ECM Records – 2301 169 (1980) (Original German) | Contemporary Jazz
Tracklist
A1 Aftenland 7:14
A2 Syn 6:42
A3 Linje 1:58
A4 Bue 2:04
A5 Enigma 3:39
B1 Kilden 7:33
B2 Spill 4:21
B3 Iskirken 6:48
B4 Tegn 4:54
Organ [Pipe Organ], Music By – Kjell Johnsen
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute [Wood Flute], Music By – Jan Garbarek
Greenslade – Spyglass Guest
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC | 24bit/96kHz & 16bit/44kHz
Label: Mercury / SRM 1-1015 | US Release: 1974 | Genre: Symphonic-Rock
Unlike many fellow reviewers, I don’t think at all that “Spyglass Guest” is a major artistic turndown in Greenslade’s career; while not being obviously as brilliant as its two preceding albums, it is full of good musical ideas, and the energy is still there, palpable and shining brightly. I can’t deny that the level of energy has decreased a bit: the reason for that is that an important fracture was starting to show the cracks in the band’s integrity – Greenslade and Lawson replaced their mutual complementation for a state of sheer rivalry, with each one of them barely contributing in the instrumentation for the pieces written by the other. But I can tell by the opening track ‘Spirit of the Dance’ that the essence of the band’s musical personality remains untouched, and also that the rules of exquisiteness and melodic sensibility continue to trace and shape Greenslade’s direction. Actually, I regard the sequence of tracks 1-5 as fantastic. After the effective, catchy opener, comes the first sung track titled ‘Little Red Fry-Up’, one more showcase for Lawson’s precise keyboard skills and peculiar singing. The absence of Greenslade’s performing input and the presence of a guest guitar soloist on this one reveal an increasing interest in the band for assuming a rockier direction for their jazz- oriented prog. as well as the aforementioned internal tension between both keyboardists. Then comes ‘Rainbow’, perhaps the eeriest piece ever in Greenslade’s history: nowhere does Lawson get as ethereal as in this number. Its first section consists of a dialogue between grand piano and synth multi-layers, caught under a storming rain and shades of percussion and drums; then comes the second section, in which Lawson lays his soft electric piano lines while his voice resounds in both the lead and the backing chorale roles. A really inventive way to translate the transition from rain to rainbow into a musical context. ‘Siam Seesaw’ also includes a spirit of serenity in the main motif that opens up and closes down the track, in which the harpsichord, electric piano and acoustic guitar display an elegant dialogue; this Reeves-penned number is properly enhanced by a faster bluesy interlude. The album’s tour-de- force ‘Joie de Vivre’ finds the band incorporating some folky sources into a symphonic context: Graham Smith’s impeccable violin interventions sure help to build this particular element up. The following three numbers prove not to be able to keep up with the level of musical magic achieved by the preceding pieces. Had ‘Red Light’ been developed further, it wouldn’t have been reduced to a nice Lawson effort to approach the Steely Dan thing. ‘Melancholic Race’ goes more places, but it doesn’t match the splendour of the previous instrumentals, while the closure ‘Theme for an Imaginary Western’ (a cover of a Jack Bruce bluesy ballad) is simply OK, which means that the listener is left without an outstanding climax to leave them truly amazed. Overall rating: 3 ½ – 4 stars.
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