Music Review: Harold Budd and Brian Eno: The Pearl

Harold Budd and Brian Eno with Daniel Lanois: The Pearl 2005.

I must admit, there are some things I don’t get.  One of those is modern dance sometimes.  You either like it, or it just falls flat.  Another is some of this new age music.  This is supposed to be easy listening instrumental.  I guess it is easy in that it is slow.  Slow notes, sometimes not even seeming to be tied to the note before, with random sounds, electronic, or birds or something.  I just don’t get it.  I didn’t find it all that relaxing, and sometimes it was actually grating.  This music may be more appropriate for a scary night rather than relaxation.  “The Pearl” is the only song that seem to have cords, albeit broken. 

I could scarcely pick out even one song that I would like to keep except for “An Echo of Night.”  This would make a great sound for Halloween night.  There was some really spooky sound in this one. 

Other than that, the songs seemed to make my tinnitus worse rather than providing relaxation.

Music Review: Jim Brinkman: Grace

Jim Brinkman: Grace, 2005.

Jim Brinkman plays piano.  For the most part this is his piano version of several gospel songs, but on a couple of songs he has guest artists providing vocals.  For example Michael Bolton sing “Hear Me (Tear into Wine) in which he asks God to help turn his troubles into blessings.  Ginny Owens sings “Amazing Grace.”  Mario Frangoulis sings “Ave Maria.”  He sings with a group, Selah, for “Be Thou Near to Me.”  “How Great Thou Art” is a favorite, and with the piano the melody comes out clearly and you remember the words and this song is beautiful.  However the two songs I like the best are strictly piano.  The first is called “Joyful” and is a version of “Ode to Joy.”  I love this music.  The second he calls “Jesu” which is a version of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”  I think these two are a couple of my favorite songs of all time, and his version are very nice.  However in Jesu, he wonders with his fancy playing a couple of times, so I actually prefer Joyful.

Music Review: Carlos Maceiras: Guitarra Latinoamericana

Carlos Maceiras: Guitarra Latinoamericana

This C.D. of guitar music is much more enjoyable than that the previous instrumental I listened too from Chet Atkins.  I have always enjoyed Latin guitar.  However there are a couple of pieces which didn’t work for me.  There are a couple of waltzes, but I always thought that would be dance music.  I have a hard time hearing the beat, and if I had the beat right the music is much to fast to dance to, without physically causing an injury. 

However a couple of the pieces were very nice.  “Terasca I and II” had a very nice feel, and the rhythm kept me entertained.  Also “Sons of Carrilhoes” had a nice feel.  There was one song called “Tango” which started very nicely, but then got bogged down with trying to be artistic, with stops in the music a couple of times.  This song didn’t work for me other than the beginning and the end.  “Guarania” was also a nice song and very relaxing.  This music would be great at playing as a background to relax, like in a store or someplace.  Plenty to like in this album. 

Music Review: Chet Atkins: Relaxin’ With Chet

Chet Atkins: Relaxin’ With Chet, Delta Entertainment, 1999.

This C.D. is very relaxing, and at times too much so.  It is all instrumental, featuring Chet Atkins on the guitar.  Some of the tunes are catchy, while others are repetitive and boring.  The first song, “Blues for Dr. Joe” starts off with a very pleasing bass guitar and then adds lead guitar.  However, the middle of the song degenerates into organ note progression which is very boring.  With luck, the song ends where it started, with another catching blues melody on the guitar.  Another song that has a catchy fell is “Say Si, Si.” 

Chet does an excellent job on the guitar, however most of these songs are just too much, and I seem to get ored quickly, even when the guitar playing is excellent.  Relaxing music is true; however there was no indication on the C.D. case that this was all instrumental.

Music Review: The Americus Brass Band: Music of the Civil War

The Americus Brass Band: Music of the Civil War: Original Instruments, Summit Records, 1991.

This is a brass band using original instruments and playing Civil War era music.  It is very moving.  There are 18 melodies in all.  The “”Fireman’s Polka” included some vocals.  “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground” had such a haunting and melancholy fell is was very nice.  Of course “Dixie’s Land Medley and “Battle Cry of Freedom” are favorites although they are a bit different arrangements, they sound more period.  There are many lively tunes, and then “Amazing Graze” is slow and soft.  It is extremely effective.  I think it starts with a lone trumpet; at least some instrument and then builds.  “Glory Hallelujah” is also very well done and is very lively.  “Kazzodie Ko Whirl” is very long, but it includes a medley of popular songs including “Wait for the wagon” and “Pop, goes the weasel.”  Others of my favorites are “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”  I love this song and they do a good job.  I also like the “Civil War Folk Song Medley.”  There is lots to enjoy here including “Old Susannah.” 

This CD has a good sound overall.  It is instrumental, but manages not to put me to sleep.  It also has some very pleasant tunes, and gives an idea of what a military band of the Civil War era may have played.