Audiogoners-some musical recommendations


It'll be noted by some that I occassionally have a go at Audiogon members for their lack of imagination and investigation for checking out new music.
I don't wish to seem arrogant or a know-it-all but I intend (hopefully with some support)to recommend some music that Audiogon members may have missed-it may be recent,it may be old-this should be similar to what Sd Campbell did with Jazz.
I will focus as well on the audio quality and obviously describe the music and how immediate it is etc.-I also intend to pick music that I believe most Audiogon members will like or won't be too stretching-so I won't go too obscure or extreme.
Hopefully for a few dollars some members at least will discover some new music that they might have missed.
Of course it will be nigh on impossible to recommend anything that some members won't own or have heard but hopefully the thread relating to that release can remain active for a while and lead to discussion regarding that release-if you do wish to criticise anything please state why and perhaps consider leaving the thread until there is some feedback from those who have checked it out otherwise it may well be counter-productive.
Anyway hopefully these contributions will be worthwhile and will at least be a positive attempt to aid musical discussion on this site.
I will post my first recommendation later today.
ben_campbell
his second CD, Second Nature, with which I am most familiar and combines a number of influences, Classical, South American, Jazz. Picked up a copy when I saw Dominic play at our old high school, and it has rewarded repeated listenings. Much of what is beautiful about his songs and playing is fairly subtle, but man they sure grew on me...and what a great recording.

"Uninvisible" by Modeski, Martin, Wood is an absolutely top notch mix of jazz, funk, space, and a little hip hop. Very, very accessible stuff.

Stereophile's recording of Beethoven's thirty two sonatas is excellent on 10cds for $65-70. Don't know if you've ever heard of him, but this guy Beethoven knew his way around a sonata.

There is only one artist in the bluegrass/altcountry that I listen to regularly, Guillian Welch, whose most recent "Time the Revelator" is filled with new songs that sound like they must be old as dirt classics. Incredible singer songwriter...the Nick Drake of Blue Grass.

For some low-fi recordings of songs that it is impossible to play too loud, the White Stripes self titled and White Blood Cells are the best of the garage rock types.

I'm off to listen to Joe Henry's "Scar"...you'd be well advised to do the same!
John Hammond "Wicked Grin" (Blues vocalist sings Tom Waits songs in an album produced by Waits. "Jockey Full of Bourbon" worth the price by itself.).

Penguin Cafe Orchestra "Greatest Hits" (this band has been around since the early 80's. Sort of oddball but compelling and listenable instrumental music.)

"The Myth of Fingerprints" Soundtrack (collection of atmospheric instrumental music and two or three vocal standards by people like Bing Crosby. "Le Roi D'Ys", a French chanson from the 40's (two versions), is worth the price by itself.)

St. Germain (Blue Note, can't recall the album name. samples classic jazz riffs in making accessible, listenable and interesting electronica.)

I second Fly Fish NZ's recommendations re: Joe Henry and Gillian Welch. They should not be missed. Welch's earlier efforts, "Revival" and "Hell Among the Yearlings" are also great.
A blondie meets the other blondie and asks:
Do you know these guys such as Bethoven, Mozard, Bach?
Yes! They compose music for our cell-phones!
Two finds, that I am very happy with are:

Ida - Will You Find Me?
Lambchop - Is a Woman

Both of these albums are a little mellow, with a nice mix of instruments, and ever changing in their structure. I especially like Ida. Both of these are real finds. I disagree with All Music Guide which says these are not their best albums, I think they are. AMG is right in stating that these are a couple of the best groups of the 90's.

I love these posts, keep it up!