What's your latest "Discovery"

Hey Rene- Thanks, I've been enjoying this one too as it is a steady
source for new material. Glad you looked into the Fado again...great
stuff!

Here's a few more recent discoveries that I've been introduced to in the
past few months:

My jazz-loving audiophile buddy brought over some classics audiophile
selections I had not heard, and very much enjoyed:

Joe Pass, "Virtuoso" - Great Jazz guitar. I think this one's
available in XRCD.

Sonny Rollins, "Way Out West" - Classic Jazz with 'western'
lyrical overtones.

Tom Waits, Real Gone - As Rsbeck said, little more to be said. Waits at
his best...stepping back from the two previous releases,
"Alice" and "Blood Money", to tunes more similar
to "Bone Machine" and "Mule Variations". If you
don't like Waits, no reason to go here, but if you do, you will not be
disappointed.

Lhasa - "Living Road" Rene, and others, you will like this one
if you enjoy Madredeus and Fado. Her first release, La Llorona, is
fantastic as well and a frequently played favorite for me.

One more I don't think I've mentioned. In the vein of traditional Persian
percussion, and challenging to find, Chemirani Trio's CD titled
"Qalam Kar". This one was gifted to me from an Iranian
friend who purchased it over there. EVERY person I've played this for
wants a copy and is wowed by this CD. Audiophiles are astounded by
the dynamics and spatial quality, as well as the music. This recording is
mostly percussion - I believe the trio is a father and his two sons who
play traditional Persian drums (Dumbek, I think it is called). This will
make anyone reconsider what percussion can sound like...a definite
must-have for anyone who loves percussion. Just remarkable! Great
music to move and work to by true masters of the instruments.

Marco

MINDY SMITH. Relatively new on the singer-songwriter scene. Listen to "Angel Doves", track seven on her only major release "One Moment More" on your super hi-fi system. If you like female vocals, you will hear the voice of an angel. Breathtaking.

I can't stop listening to this record. Unfortunately it is not available in any high-resolution format.

Also, I was curious, so I went to see her live in SF recently. All the industry execs were there, arms crossed at first. By the end of the show they were drooling on themselves as if they just saw the next Norah Jones or something. I was completely floored by her stunning voice.

"In Touch", Ray Holman, Ramajay Records... A very well recorded blend of steel pan and more traditional jazz instruments, this is for anyone with an interest or curiosity about steel pan music.

Hi Marco, nice to see that you are still around. I haven't seen any posts of you
lately.

I really love this thread. Nice to see that it got revived again. Thanks for your
new suggestions, I will have to check out the Chemirani Trio's CD. I am
always looking for new Middle Eastern and Indian classical music. Another
Indian classical musician I can recommend to you is Amjad Ali Khan. I saw
him live here in ABQ with his two sons, which are both playing Sarod as well.
Amazing concert.

Also another CD I have to pick up sometime is: Jim White "Drill A Hole In That
Substrate And Tell Me What You See". I have been hearing the single "Static
On The Radio" a few times on Radio Free Santa Fe, and it got really stuck in
my head.

And yes the new Waits is pretty good. Although I am still more a fan of his
older records. I just really like the story telling in his older albums (Closing
Time, Heart of Saturday Night). I really enjoyed his early years albums as well,
which offer prerelease versions of his songs. Only Tom and himself in very
intimate recordings. On the other hand I am looking forward to a stage show
of Black Rider next Saturday in Calgary (even if Tom won't be there).

Hope to hear more suggestions here...

Rene

Hey Rene - Nice of you to notice...I have not had much time to post recently because we've been working on a major renovation of our house since August 1 (actually well before, but the pros took over then). Anyone who's been through a major renovation will understand the lack of time. I've actually taken on a lot of my own work along with the subs, trying to keep pace with the demand of the pros. Up untill a few weeks ago when the drywall started, we were living in our house the entire time. Fun, stressful...like standing in a cold shower with your wife and tearing up five-hundred dollar bills.

I didn't know Jim White had a new release out. I loved the previous one and if you have not heard it, definitely pick it up. I think the title is "No Such Place". His new title is hilarious! If you like White you may also enjoy Robert Earl Keen.

I will check out Ali Khan. My Iranian friend has introduced me to some really wonderful Persian music. I recently did a photo shoot for a local concert for a very gifted Oud player named Hossein Omoumi. The CD available here of his is very beautiful, but not for everyone. It is quite a meloncholy instrument, especially played solo as it is on this CD.

I do wish Waits performed himself more often. The last concert here in Seattle was in the 90's I think. It sold out faster than any concert in history as I recall from the radio. I also enjoy the early work, but my personal favorites are from the Swordfishtrombone - Rain Dogs phase where he began collaborating with his wife.

Back to work!

Marco