Our 'listening in' evenings have been a great opportunity to share some recordings and and a bit of saxophone recording history and chronology. A number of you have shared your favourite recordings (see below). Please do add more or feel free to comment.
I've also attached the Word files with details of our previous sessions Listening in - Classical, and Listening In - Jazz.
We listened to:
|
CD title |
Artist |
Selected track |
Chosen by |
|
The Essential Charlie Parker |
Charlie Parker |
Meandering |
Trevor |
|
From Here to There |
Jean Yves Formeau |
Oblivion |
Mike |
|
Officium |
Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble |
Pulcherrima rosa |
Alison |
|
Clarke Boland Big Band |
Clarke Boland |
You Stepped Out of a Dream |
John B |
|
Romantic Sax |
Various artists |
Strawberry Fields for Ever |
John K |
|
The Time is Now |
Rob Buckland/Equivox |
Kuku |
Richard
|
|
Eye for an Optical Theory |
London Saxophonic |
Eye for an Optical Theory |
Hannah |
|
Six by Six |
Paul Towndrow |
Across the Universe |
Julia |
|
Partial Eclipse |
Equinox Sax Ensemble |
Love Song |
Andrew
|
|
Favourite Italian Film Music |
Federico Mondelci |
Four Pictures From New York |
Liz |
|
Miami Sax Quartet Live |
Miami Sax Quartet |
Still Crazy |
Dougie |
Also recommended were
|
Learning to Wave |
Andy Sheppard |
Track 4 (whole album) |
|
Sanctuary |
Christian Forshaw |
Let All Mortal Flesh |
|
Clarke Boland Big Band |
Clarke Boland |
Gloria |
|
In Praise of Dreams |
Jan Garbarek |
In Praise of Dreams |
|
John Harle Plays |
John Harle |
Rumania |
However my desert island disks would be:
1. Blue Rondo A La Turk by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. This piece opens in the time signature 9/8, not grouped as three sets of three quavers in the usual way, but as three sets of two quavers and one set of three quavers, creating a unique jazz rhythm that is really compelling. This is a piece of music where one listen is never enough, I have to listen to it at least twice each time. A Rondo refers to music that is fast and vivacious,normally allegro and this piece is true to its form. Paul Desmond plays superb alto sax. When I first listened to this jazz piece, it reminded me of the classical composer Ravel.
2. Pure Pleasure Seeker by Moloko. This has an awesome baseline. The song opens with the powerful sound of the Contrabass Saxophone, a deep, rich, resonanting sound. Perfect for a dance music bass line with a difference. Moloko are a band known for their unique approach to dance music, the musical arrangements and selection of instruments on the album Things to Make and Do along with Roisin Murphy's amazing vocals sets them apart from other modern dance acts. A tune with saxophone grit and drive.