Thursday, December 27, 2018

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (Michael Bublé) (LP 285)

Michael Bublé Christmas (CD - Reprise,  2012) ***

Genre: Jazz 

Places I remember: HMV in Llandudno, this Christmas  


Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas





Gear costume: Jingle Bells (with the Puppini Sisters) 

Active compensatory factors: Okay, I m not a fan, generally, of 
Michael Bublé's type of jazz vocal, but, I was won over by the featured track. 

In fact I've been singing it non stop over Christmas, having bought the CD for my wife from the HMV in Llandudno while on holiday after she complained that I had no Christmas music in the car.

My dad would have loved it, as so would my mum - those Puppini Sister vocals would have have instantly reminded her of her fav Andrews Sisters.

Michael is effortless, and smoooth. Great for easy listening at Christmas while touring around North Wales with her indoors.

Where do they all belong? May be worth a search to see what else is available in the swing genre from this guy. He's just put out a new album of love songs that I'll most definitely be avoiding but that potential proper jazz album (if it exists) could be good.

Monday, December 24, 2018

A Christmas cracker

Slight deviation for this edition of goo goo. Please join with me in celebrating by the fire wih a delightfully festive top 5 selection.

1 John Lennon/ Yoko Ono - Happy Xmas (War is Over)





2 Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmas time





3 George Harrison - Ding Dong Ding Dong





4 Yoko Ono - Listen, The Snow Is Falling





5 The Beatles - Christmas Time Is Here Again

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

A dream within a dream (Alan Parsons Project) (LP 284)

 Alan Parsons Project Tales Of Mystery And Imagination (Vinyl - Mercury, 1976) ****

Genre: Prog rock 

Places I remember: Chaldon Books and Records (Caterham on the hill) 


Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles:
 (The system of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether




Gear costume: The Raven  

Active compensatory factors: I admit to being slow to discover the merits of the Alan Parsons Project. 



Original cover 
In the seventies I was suspicious and more into the heavier music of the time. APP seemed light weight in comparison to Rory Gallagher frinstance.

But over time I've come back to APP albums. I played my son's copy a few times at home in NZ and realised what I'd been missing out on - namely Beatles inspired prog pop songs.

Where do they all belong? This one (with the slightly revamped cover) is a slightly revamped version Alan Parsons put out in 1987. 

I can't tell the difference myself but I'm sure he's added some spit and polish to what is a fine album anyway.

Producers can't help themselves sometimes.



Thursday, December 13, 2018

Together we can make such sweet music (LP 283)

The Supremes and The Four Tops The Magnificent Seven (Vinyl - Tamla Motown, 1970) ***

Genre: Soul  

Places I remember: Chaldon Books and Records (Caterham on the hill)  


Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: River Deep Mountain High





Gear costume: Stoned Soul Picnic 

Active compensatory factors: 
No Diana Ross on this one - she'll pinged off to her solo career by now. Instead we have the wonderful soulful team of Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong being joined by Jean Terrell. 

The Four Tops are as you were and the two groups, seven singers, mesh well together on a range of covers.

Everything sounds effortless.

Where do they all belong? They'd follow this up with The Return of...which I'll feature presently - as soon as I buy it from Chaldon Books and Records!

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Secret love (Oscar Peterson) (LP 282)

Oscar Peterson The Trio (Vinyl - Pablo, 1974) ****

Genre: Jazz  

Places I remember: Chaldon Books and Records  


Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Blues Etude (sounds like Coltrane's frenetic blast during Chasing The 'Trane, but on piano)





Gear costume: Come Sunday

Active compensatory factors: While working at Marbecks Records in the late seventies, shipments of records from Pablo came in, in large quantities.


All were recording brilliantly, all used iconic black and white photos on the covers.

Knowing dad was a jazz fan I bought a few Oscar Peterson, Errol Garner, Duke Ellington titles for him. Although, not this featured Peterson album.

He would have really appreciated the dexterity on display her. Peterson is in breath taking form and displays his talents over a range of jazz styles.

Where do they all belong? He was extremely prolific, but the Pablo material is all top notch.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Dig some sides? (Grant Greissman) (LP 281)

Grant Geissman Cool Man Cool (CD - Futurism Records, 2009) ****

Genre: Jazz 

Places I remember: Great bargain: 99p from Fives - Leigh-on-sea, on the weekend.


Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/ Gear costume: Cool Man Cool



 

Active compensatory factors: What is cool jazz? Well, take a listen to the above track and have a look at the audience - they know cool when they hear it!

Something great happening here and I'm not just saying that because the CD only cost me 99p. I started listening to it on my ipod while travelling to Warwick for work.

The train was packed, the people smells interesting, the body-spam unwelcome, the guy beside me, large - and yet I was blissfully miles away thanks to Grant Geissman's lovely cool jazz.

That comes from his guitar and the soothing sounds from his combo. Cool!

Where do they all belong? Try some Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond for more cool man jazz.