The Library Music CD Shelf
Al Doblar La Esquina
Tito Gonzalez y Su Son De Cuba
FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$19.99 www.flipswitchPR.com
Al Doblar La Esquina is the music CD album of Cuban-American musician
Tito Gonzalez and an all-cabbie son band, whose determination and
talent reflect their lifelong love of music despite (or perhaps
because of?) the long hours each member had to put into working for a
living. Poetic lyrics, tremendous skill with the tres (a guitar-like
Cuban instrument), and more fill this wonderful contribution to
international music shelves. An immersed parable within the original
songs hearkens to the importance of committing to and following one's
dream. Highly recommended, especially to anyone who loves stylings of
traditional Cuban music. The tracks are "Busco a alguien" (4:35),
"Para componer un son" (4:11), "Aquel viejo amor" (5:31), "Al doblar
la esquina" (4:44), "Cancion para Bonnie" (2:25), "Fiesta en el
barrio" (2:56), "Cuando tu te fuistes" (3:10), "Cana tabaco y
ron" (6:16), "La despidida" (2:43), "Quiero gozar" (3:40), and
"Evocacion" (3:39).
Riverboat Soul
Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three
Free Dirt Records
c/o Trade Root Music Group, LLC
PO Box 11451, Takoma Park, MD 20913
$16.99 www.freedirtrecords.com www.traderootmusic.com www.pokeylafarge.net
Riverboat Soul is a music CD tribute to the ragtime and jug bands of
the Mississippi River and Missouri culture. Performed on instruments
ranging from the guitar, gitjo, kazoo and harmonica to upright bass,
slide guitar, fiddle, and more, Riverboat Souls' performers capture
the plucky spirit of bands in the days of yore and is sure to delight
anyone who enjoys catchy brewed-from-scratch songs. A pure treat for
fans of the genre, Riverboat Soul is highly recommended. The tracks
are "La La Blues", "Claude Jones", "Won't Make Love at All", "Hard
Times Come and Go", "Two-Faced Tom", "You Don't Want Me", "Sweet
Potato Blues", "Bag of Bones", "In the Graveyard Now", "Migraines and
Heartpains", "Old Black Dog", and "Daffodil Blues".
My Name is Khan
Sony Music
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$9.98 www.mynameiskhanthefilm.com www.flipswitchPR.com
My Name is Khan is the music CD soundtrack of the genre-defying
Bollywood (India's Hollywood) movie of the same title. Unlike most
Bollywood movies, the movie "My Name is Khan" is drama that forgoes
the usual elaborate dance numbers of the Bollywood industry in order
to use its music to illustrate its at times tragic, at times
inspirational story of a loving Muslim couple in America. After the
catastrophe of the September 11th attacks, the love of the hero's life
is so devastated that she leaves him; to win her back, he goes on a
journey across America. The soundtrack reflects the perseverance and
dedication of true love, as well as the desire to educate, uplift, and
transform human understanding. An emotionally moving background score
that perfectly complements a soulful drama about sparking
transformations, My Name is Khan is highly recommended especially for
fans of the movie, and features a wealth of bonus tracks (plus a video
theatric trailer playable on one's PC)!
Music of Miles Davis 1967-1975
Gerry Gibbs and the Electric Thrasher Orchestra
Whaling City Sound
c/o Mixed Media
20 Lockmere Road, Cranston, RI 02910
$18.98 www.mixedmediapromo.com www.whalingcitysound.com
Music of Miles Davis 1967-1975 is an instrumental compendium of 26
selections from 16 classic songs by the legendary Miles Davis, as
performed by Gerry Gibbs and the Electric Thrasher Orchestra -
pianists Andy Langham and Rob Hardt, bassists Brandon Rivas and Essiet
Okon, guitarist Mike Hoffman, and many more contributors. The result
is an extraordinary and passionate tribute, encapsulating the grandeur
of music that a team of dedicated and talented performers have made
their own. A lively and grandiose CD, sure to bring an upbeat tone to
any music library, Music of Miles Davis 1967-1975 is highly
recommended. The tracks are "Nefertiti", "Sorcerer", "In a Silent
Way", "Bitches Brew" (the name of Gibbs' original orchestra), "The
Complete Bitches Brew Sessions", "Live Evil", "Miles Davis at
Fillmore", "Black Beauty - Live at Fillmore West", "Big Fun", "In
Concert: Live at Philharmonic Hall", "A Tribute to Jack Johnson", "Get
Up With It", "Dark Magus", "Circle in the Round" and "The Cellar Door
Sessons".
Aurora
Avishai Cohen
EMI
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$27.98 www.rockpaperscissors.biz
Aurora is an album by Israeli bassist Avishai Cohen, whose recordings
blend his instrumental talent with his powerful voice singing in
Hebrew and Ladino (the Spanish-based language of the Sephardic Jewish
tradition). Though Aurora is jazz at its heart, it reaches out to
other musical genres and traditions. The result is an uplifting,
visionary fusion worthy of the highest recommendation for music lovers
intrigued by new experiences. Aurora is an enhanced CD; it also
contains interviews, photos, and video of Avishai, accessible by
inserting the CD in one's computer. The tracks are "Morenika" (4:33),
"Interlude in C# Minor" (0:59), "El Hatzipor" (6:04), "Leolam" (3:30),
"Winter Song" (4:59), "It's Been So Long" (5:17), "Alon
Basela" (4:05), "Still" (3:35), "Shir Preda" (4:02), "Aurora" (4:23),
"Alfonsina y el Mar" (4:29), "Noches Noches / La Luz" (7:20).
Relentless
Thunder Hill
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017
$15.98 www.canyonrecords.com 1-800-268-1141
Relentless is the latest music CD album from Thunder Hill bringing the
drum and song legacies of the Southern Plains Native American Pow-Wow
tradition to listeners of all walks of life. Recorded live in Thunder
Hill's home state of Oklahoma, Relentless is the next best thing to
experiencing a Pow-Wow in person, and encapsulates the legendary and
enduring spirit of traditional Southern Plains culture. The tracks are
"Grand Entry" (6:29), "Victory Song" (4:45), "Round Dance" (3:21),
"Round Dance" (3:07), "Honor Song" (7:00), "Song for Mahpiya to
'Bubba' Campos" (7:18), "Intertribal" (3:39), "Intertribal" (7:30),
"Intertribal" (4:43), "Contest Song" (3:39), "Honor Song" (6:33), and
"Contest Song" (4:59). Also highly recommended from Canyon Records
Productions are "Zephyr: Peyote Songs of the Native American Church"
by Chillon Paddock and "Hope: Harmonized Peyote Songs of the Native
American Church" by Kevin Yazzie.
Neotropical Nocturnes
Jorge Strunz
Selva, Inc.
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$17.99 www.strunzandfarah.com
Neotropical Nocturnes is a music CD chiefly inspired by tropical Latin
America. Master of the Spanish guitar Jorge Strunz (who happens to be
one half of the acclaimed guitar duo Strunz & Farah) brings together a
tribute to the music of his roots, crafted with minimal accompaniment.
The result is a treat for anyone who loves acoustic guitar, evoking
Latin American tradition performed with Strunz's uniquely magical
touch. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Tocar la Noche" (4:43),
"Velvet Midnight" (5:45), "De Alicia" (5:15), "Idilios" (5:54),
"Teatro del Tiempo" (4:35), "La Finca" (3:51), "Zambriya" (4:29),
"Cielo Playero" (4:20), "Los Temporales" (4:36), and
"Cadenitas" (3:41).
Radiant Sky
Scott August
Cedar Mesa Music
PO Box 691522, West Hollywood, CA 90069
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$15.99 www.cedarmesa.com
Award-winning musician Scott August, best known for his skill and
talent in playing the Native American wood flute, presents Radiant
Sky, a beautifully relaxing album promoting contemplation and
reverence of the sacred spirit within us all. Traditional flutes
combined with gentle pianos, soft guitar playing, and a medley of
exotic instruments crafting delicate harmony make for a wondrous
experience. The perfect choice for listening to while meditating, or
simply unwinding after a long day, Radiant Sky is highly recommended,
particularly to fans of new age music. The tracks are "Calling the
Sun" (3:33), "New Horizons" (6:25), "Arc of Dreams" (6:41), "River of
Stars" (7:37), "Santa Fe" (6:34), "Since the Stars Fell" (4:11),
"Rising from the Plateau" (3:36), "Journey of Solace" (6:52), "A Pale
Radiance" (8:09), and "Searching Beyond" (5:31).
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