The Library CD Shelf
Fall of the Moon
Marcel Khalife
An homage to Mahmoud Darwish
Nagam Records
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
$19.78 www.rockpaperscissors.biz
Lebanese master of the oud (a type of lute) Marcel Khalife presents
Fall of the Moon, a poignant, 2-CD tribute to Khalife's departed
friend and collaborator, the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. A
fervent supporter of the Arab Spring political movement, Khalife sings
in support of protesters in Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Syria,
promoting a brighter future in which human rights are rightly
respected. The songs experiment with elements of Western chamber
music, jazz, or even rock amid the traditional cultural rhythms and
Khalife's unique personal touch. Fall of the Moon is an emotionally
compelling album, highly recommended especially for private and public
library international music collections. The tracks are "The Pigeons
Fly" (9:40), "And We Love Life" (9:43), "The Stranger's Bed" (4:50),
"Oh, My Proud Wound" (3:40), "Mohammad" (9:02), "Houriyeh's
Instructions" (13:07), "Jahar Kah" (2:13), "Now, in Exile" (12:13),
and "Two Guitars" (5:39) on the first CD, and "Fall of the
Moon" (7:23), "A Song On My Mind" (5:00), "Remember" (1:55), "Her
Eyes" (7:34), "The Poem of the Land" (3:55), "Waltz for Rita's
Winter" (8:35), "Palestinian Mawwal" (4:29), "The Most Beautiful
Love" (6:43), and "In Damascus" (4:27) on the second CD.
Gragnani: Sonatas for Guitar and Violin
Franco Messena, violin
Massimo Scattolin, guitar
Newton Classics
c/o Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
www.naxosaudiobooks.com
B007C7FE9G, $15.26, www.amazon.com
Filippo Gragnani (3 September 1768 - 28 July 1820) was an Italian
guitarist and composer.
Gragnani was born in Livorno, the son of Antonio Gragnani. Coming from
a family of notable luthiers and musicians, he studied music in his
home town with Giulio Maria Lucchesi, first studying the violin then
later devoting himself to the guitar, becoming known as a virtuoso
performer. According to church records, Filippo Gragnani is buried at
the Church of St. Martino di Salviano. Gragnani first published works
for guitar and chamber music in Milan around the beginning of the 19th
century with the publishers Ricordi and Monzino. During these times he
travelled to Germany and then eventually settling in Paris by 1810.
There he befriended and became a pupil of Ferdinando Carulli, to whom
he dedicated three of his guitar duets and who in turn also dedicated
some duets to Gragnani. Little is known about Gragnani after 1812
although the "Registro dei Morti" (Register of Deaths) of the Church
of St. Martino di Salviano in Livorno indicates he died on 28 July
1820. Naxos of America is a premier producer of inexpensive classical
music and audio books. As part of their 'Newton Classics' series,
"Gragnani: Sonatas for Guitar and Violin" showcases the talents of
guitarist Massimo Scottolin and violinist Franco Messena as they
perform Filippo Gragnani's Sonata No. 1 in D; Sonata No. 2 in C; and
Sonata No. 3 in A. These superb performances are flawlessly recorded.
"Gragnani: Sonatas for Guitar and Violin". An exemplary example of
Early Romantic composition, and with a total running time of 45
minutes, 45 seconds, "Gragnani: Sonatas for Guitar and Violin" is very
highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library CD
music collections.
Heilt Nye Vel
Elin Furubotn
Ozella Music
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207
Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$16.26 www.flipswitchPR.com
Heilt Nye Vel is an immersive album by Norwegian singer-songwriter
Elin Furubotn, with the assistance of close collaborator and talented
Norwegian sax player Karl Seglem, and additional friends contributing
with percussion, bass, electric guitar, piano, accordion, synth,
euphonium-horns, trumpet, flugelhorn, acoustic guitar, and cello -
different songs feature different medleys of instruments supporting
Furubotn's melodious voice. Furubotn's dulcet singing conveys a love
of life and music and that transcends language barriers, in this
smooth as silk listening experience. Heilt Nye Vel is highly
recommended especially for international music collections. The tracks
are "Akkurat Det Som Er Na" (4:04), "Helt Nye Vel" (3:43), "Eg Ser Du
Leite" (4:41), "Slepp Tvilen Fri" (2:51), "Tankane Har Fargar" (4:54),
"Treet" (3:37), "Ei Stille Na" (3:42), "Malt Dagen Din" (3:39), "En
Drom" (4:02), "Du Vett Godt Ka Eg E Sure For" (4:46),
"Stillheten" (1:55), "New Path" (3:42), and "I See You
Looking" (4:43).
Meditation
Nazarenes
I Grade Records
www.igraderecords.com
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$8.99 MP3 download / $TBA CD www.flipswitchPR.com www.amazon.com
Meditation is a reggae album from the Nazarenes (brothers Noah and
Medhane Tewolde), who celebrate the African-roots culture that has
evolved over time in Jamaica's downtown black neighborhoods. With
Meditation, the Nazarenes seek to share the enduring sense of
connection, community, and spirituality as a means of meaningful
communication within a multicultural world. Songs feature lyrics in
English and the classical Ethiopic language of Ge'ez. A wonderful and
exciting addition to international music collections, Meditation is
highly recommended for spiritual and reggae music lovers everywhere,
as well as for public library CD collections. The tracks are
"Meditation", "Food", "It's Too Late", "Mother", "On My Way", "The
Lord Said", "Mamy Blues", "Alive", "Everlasting", "Politrickcians",
"Get Together", "Destiny", "Lonesome Lady", and "Love JAH".
Variations
Peter M. Kolar
World Library Publications
3708 River Road, Suite 400
Franklin Park, IL 60131-2158
9781584595946 $17.00 www.wlpmusic.com
Variations is the solo piano debut album of Peter M. Kolar, consisting
of both popular Christian hymns and Kolar's original compositions.
Filled with the richness of a concert-worthy performance, Variations
experiments with original stylings on classical themes, and is an
absolute treasure for anyone who loves piano or spiritual music.
Highly recommended, especially for public library music CD
collections. The tracks are "Variations on Ich Glaub An Gott" (8:07),
"The Lord Is Rich in Kindness" (6:29), "Variations on the Passacaglia
from Misa Luna" (7:50), "Variations on Hymn to Joy" (7:36), "Fugue in
G Minor" (2:04), "Variations on Dix" (7:36), "Variations on Beach
Spring" (7:18), "Peace in A Major for Piano and Three
Woodwinds" (4:49), "Treasures Out of Darkness" (3:35), "Variations on
Lambilotte" (5:26), "Meditation on 'Bilingual Intercessions'" (6:18),
and "Meditation on 'Keep in Mind'" (8:12).
Inhale Slowly
Tim White and Joe Paulino
WhiteGates Music
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$16.00 www.inhaleslowly.com www.amazon.com www.cdbaby.com
Inhale Slowly is a beautiful instrumental album by the multitalented
musical duo of Tim White (playing bamboo flutes, sitar, guitar, and
esraj) and Joe Paulino (playing piano, synthesizer, and percussion).
Crafted by the principle of "world fusion", in which any global
harmonic styling is fair creative game, Inhale Slowly is meant
especially to facilitate relaxation, meditation, and spiritual
healing. A wonderfully calming listening experience, especially ideal
for helping one unwind after a long, hard day, Inhale Slowly is highly
recommended. The tracks are "Morning Chai" (16:41), "Hidden
Oasis" (8:58), "In-Joy" (17:02), "Island Pulse" (8:42), and "Inhale
Slowly" (16:28). 1 hour, 7 min.
Choban Elektrik
Jordan Shapiro, Dave Johnsen, Phil Kester with Eva Salina Primack &
Jesse Kotansky
Privately Published
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207
Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$21.35 www.flipswitchPR.com
The progressive rock band Choban Elektrik ("Electric Shepherds") has
released a self-titled album showcasing their unique international
style. Drawing upon elements of Albanian, Macedonian, Greek, and
Armenian musical tradition as well as jazz, funk, and rock, Choban
Elektrik has created a wildly exciting medley. Choban Elektrik is
especially recommended as a lively, Balkan addition to international
music collections. The tracks are "Valle e Shqiperise se Mesme", "Moj
Xhemile", "Kopanitsa", "Beratche from Prespa", "Mom Bar", "Koftos",
"Steve's Gajda", "Cobankat", "Ibraim Odza/Pusteno", "Jasino
Demiralievo Oro", and "Stankena Tehova".
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
www.canyonrecords.com
Three excellent music CD albums from Canyon Records continue their
laudable endeavor to share Native American music with the world at
large. Six-time Grammy nominees Northern Cree present "Dancerz Groove:
Cree Round Dance Songs" ($16.75), a rhythmic, intense album of Round
Dance jams with a binding theme of love, heartache, and pride in one's
heritage. The tracks are "Sing with Me" (5:14), "Gold Digger" (4:15),
"Hey B :)" (5:50), "Facebook Drama" (4:49), "Stacked for the
Jack" (4:41), "Thank Heaven I'm an Indian Boy" (4:12), "Dance with
Me" (3:54), "Tyrique" (4:34), "Dancerz Groove" (5:59), and "Earth
Angel" (7:28). Wayne Silas, Jr. presents "True" ($21.32), an album of
round dance songs in accordance with the traditions of his ancestors.
Lyrics that tell the tale of the love-lorn weave through this album
that brims with the emotion and desire to stay in touch with one's
roots no matter how complex and confusing the modern world becomes.
The tracks are "Stacked" (5:22), "Can-Am Affair" (3:58), "U Got it
Right" (4:47), "Pretty Lady" (4:03), "Fanatic" (3:52), "My Right
Hook" (4:00), "Phoenix Crush" (3:18), "Nina Mosaeh" (4:24), "Love
Medicine" (5:02), "Bow-Chick-A-Wow-Wow" (4:03), "My Sweet
Baby" (4:06), "Ask Dad" (3:41), and "The Justice League" (3:54). Dine
Singer Louie Gonnie offers "Pathway to Destiny: Songs of Healing and
Contemplation" ($16.75), an album of songs cultivated from the ancient
traditions of the Dine as well as the healing compassion of the Native
American Church. The songs embrace a spiritual connection to the inner
world within all human beings, and overflow with reverence and love.
The tracks are "White Cone" (3:02), "Discovering Years" (4:15),
"Southern Winds" (3:03), "Pathways" (4:28), "Waterfalls" (4:03),
"Serago" (2:59), "Star People Dance as the Moon Sings" (2:16), "Tsidi
Dineh" (3:04), "Kalogi" (3:59), "Odyssey" (4:04), "Our Glory and
Pride" (3:27), "Falling Leaves" (3:38), "Corn Pollen Road" (4:25), and
"Swirling Smoke" (4:49). All three albums are top-quality, highly
recommended additions to Native American music collections.
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