Wednesday, May 06, 2009
10 CDs I can't tired of recently
I mean, not only is the music itself appealing, but the entire production itself is as serious as it gets. You can make good music with shitty recording, but in this day and age where you can afford to do it at a reasonable cost, then go out there by all means.
1. Stacey Kent - Breakfast on a Morning Tram
2. Khalil Fong - Love, Love, Love
3. Khalil Fong - Wonderland
4. Khalil Fong - Orange Moon
5. Joanna Wang - Start From Here
6. Crowd Lu - 100 Styles of Life
7. Diana Krall - Live in Paris
8. Diana Krall - When I Look Into Your Eyes
9. Lisa Ekdahl - Give Me That Knowing Smile
10. CMCD001
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1. Stacey Kent - Breakfast on a Morning Tram
2. Khalil Fong - Love, Love, Love
3. Khalil Fong - Wonderland
4. Khalil Fong - Orange Moon
5. Joanna Wang - Start From Here
6. Crowd Lu - 100 Styles of Life
7. Diana Krall - Live in Paris
8. Diana Krall - When I Look Into Your Eyes
9. Lisa Ekdahl - Give Me That Knowing Smile
10. CMCD001
Labels: Crowd Lu, Diana Krall, Joanna Wang, Khalil Fong, Lisa Ekdahl, Stacey Kent
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Friday, December 12, 2008
The Lovers, the Dreamers & Me
Finally, a writeup of the Rebecca Pan x at17 "Jazz Up for the Party" concert. Including hte set list too. Very worthy of check it out here!
Check out my interview of at17 here.
That seems to be a bevy of attractive concerts comcing up: Leehom x HKPO, Lisa Ono, Chick Corea & John McLaughlin, etc.
I've interviewed a few musicians now. It's time to share my thoughts of them.
I recently interviewed Jane Monheit. She was a bit short with the answers. She seemed unsure of her new project.
On the contrary, Stacey Kent was full of life and energy. She was especially fond of her new CD and says she has nurtured it and is watching it grow.
My all-time VIPs: Yao Lee, Howard McCrary, Uncle Ray Cordeiro, Teddy Robin, Lowell Lo
Great and humble: McCoy Tyner,The Yellowjackets, Mimi Lo, Jennifer Palor, Scotty Wright
Can be a little more enthusiastic: Bianca Wu
A bit short on the answers: Sadao Watanabe, Shunzo Onho, Heidi Krenn
In short, I'm a lucky guy!
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Check out my interview of at17 here.
That seems to be a bevy of attractive concerts comcing up: Leehom x HKPO, Lisa Ono, Chick Corea & John McLaughlin, etc.
I've interviewed a few musicians now. It's time to share my thoughts of them.
I recently interviewed Jane Monheit. She was a bit short with the answers. She seemed unsure of her new project.
On the contrary, Stacey Kent was full of life and energy. She was especially fond of her new CD and says she has nurtured it and is watching it grow.
My all-time VIPs: Yao Lee, Howard McCrary, Uncle Ray Cordeiro, Teddy Robin, Lowell Lo
Great and humble: McCoy Tyner,The Yellowjackets, Mimi Lo, Jennifer Palor, Scotty Wright
Can be a little more enthusiastic: Bianca Wu
A bit short on the answers: Sadao Watanabe, Shunzo Onho, Heidi Krenn
In short, I'm a lucky guy!
Labels: at17, gypsy jazz, Jane Monheit, jazz in Hong Kong, Rebecca Pan, Stacey Kent
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Friday, November 21, 2008
This is the season for jazz!
This is another album that moves me these days. Stacey Kent has established herself as a fine jazz singer long time ago. But this album truly showcases her talent as an artist!
In a recent interview, she told me this was her most satisfying album in terms of personal musical achievement. I could not agree more. The selection of the songs is careful and well-paced. There's only one or two songs that would lose the audience's interests. For the most part, this album is engaging, fun, and easy to listen to.
Easy? Yes, it soothes the ears and that's not a big thing. Some people try to make things complicated (in a bad way) but Stacey keeps it simple. The songs "The Ice Hotel," the title track, and 2 others are co-written by her husband/tenor sax player/producer Jim Tomlinson and award-winning author Kuazo Ishirugo. "The Ice Hotel" won the 1st prize of International Songwriting Competition.
But the two songs that hit me the most is "Landslide" (see previous entry) and "Samba Saravah." I always love a nice bossa nova beat. But when it's delivered well, it's more than a joy. It's heaven. Stacey did just that!
It's about timing, restraint, playfulness, and class.
Not to mention that the album was mixed and mastered excellently, which adds to the ful ambiance of the sound.
Some people tell me that Stacey sings better on albums than she does live. I've yet to hear her live. But the mere fact that she put out this album is a monumentary step in her portfolio.
With this album, Stacey Kent has placed herself on another level. She has become a true musician. Highly recommended!
See my related Stacey Kent interview on TimeOut HK here.
Labels: Breakfast on the Morning Tram, Landslide, Stacey Kent
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Tuesday, November 04, 2008
If there was one song that gives me goosebumps every time....
...this would be it!
Landslide (S. Nicks)
I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
till the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail thru the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life
Well, Ive been afraid of changing
cause Ive built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
Im getting older too
Oh, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe the landslide will bring it down
I like the original Fleetwood Mac version, but the new Stacey Kent version really hit me for some reason. Maybe the better acoustic and mixing.
This song has a New England touch that reminds me of the mountains and hills and the grass and the ruralness and the path that I passed through every day to go to the campus and all those memories left behind and do I have any regrets I cannot say I would've done it all differently but what is youth anyway?
I'm getting older too...and more rational....
I love the Muppets equally.
Vote OBAMA!
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Landslide (S. Nicks)
I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
till the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail thru the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life
Well, Ive been afraid of changing
cause Ive built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
Im getting older too
Oh, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe the landslide will bring it down
I like the original Fleetwood Mac version, but the new Stacey Kent version really hit me for some reason. Maybe the better acoustic and mixing.
This song has a New England touch that reminds me of the mountains and hills and the grass and the ruralness and the path that I passed through every day to go to the campus and all those memories left behind and do I have any regrets I cannot say I would've done it all differently but what is youth anyway?
I'm getting older too...and more rational....
I love the Muppets equally.
Vote OBAMA!
Labels: Fleetwood Mac, Landslide, Stacey Kent, Stevie Nicks
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