Michael Fremer

Album Reviews
Lanois Project Brings the Funk
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 01, 2011  |  1 comments

The absolutely stunning, immediate and transparent sound is the first thing that hits you about this double LP, 3 sided record, which documents Daniel Lanois’ touring band. That’s partly a result of the stunning sound, yes, but it’s also partly because so much else recorded these days, just plain sucks sonically. The recording has "jump" quality, meaning a few vocals have such verisimilitude you might jump up and feel an adrenaline surge thinking a live human has invaded your listening room (watch out for that on "Sing.")

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Grace and Sophistication From Genre Bending Mini-Orchestra
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 01, 2011  |  1 comments

If you're not acquainted, Pink Martini is either a large band or a "small orchestra" of 12 and occasionally more, created back in 1997 by Portland pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale and the group's lead singer China Forbes. The two began collaborating for fun while at Harvard.

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Decemberists Return to Basics on Latest
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 01, 2011  |  1 comments

Long time Decemberist fans will note the return to basics on this set of sturdy, anthemic Colin Meloy penned Celtic-style folk-rock tunes packed with heroic, pseudo-mythical lyrics and mixed time metaphors.

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Speakers Corner/Analogue Productions 33.3/45rpm Shootout!
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 01, 2011  |  1 comments

The concert promoter, tour organizer, record label owner Norman Granz had a knack for assembling groups that produced successful sessions like this. Benny Green's somewhat defensive annotation tells you the story: Webster had been popular during the big band "swing" era as a member of Duke Ellington's band as its first star tenor saxophonist. He was one of the "big three," the others being Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins.

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Sublime Harmonies From Hollies
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 01, 2011  |  1 comments

Truly, you can live without The Hollies' version of "That's How Strong My Love Is," compared to The Rolling Stones' white boy version, which you can also do without once you've heard Otis Redding do it. 

Continue Reading >
News
Today is Your Last Chance to Watch "Concert For Bangla Desh" Free
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 31, 2011  |  0 comments
Continue Reading >
News
UMG Announces 20th Anniversary "Nevermind" Extravaganza!
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 27, 2011  |  0 comments
Continue Reading >
News
"Concert For Bangladesh" Makes iTunes Debut Today!
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 25, 2011  |  2 comments
Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Zamfir
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 01, 2011  |  1 comments

Viewers of late night American television during the 1970s and 1980s surely know Romanian pan-flutist Zamfir. His albums were direct marketed all over the tube back then. The ads were kitschy, with Zamfir playing pan flute versions of standards. The vibe was Liberace on a pan flute—an image I apologize for leaving you with.

Continue Reading >
Album Reviews
Mobile Fidelity Silver Series Off to Auspicious Beginning
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 01, 2011  |  1 comments

The music made by the Australian group Dead Can Dance during their seventeen year existence resembled soundtracks to imaginary movies. The core duo of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard, who were also an item at the time, moved to the U.K. a year after the group's founding in 1981. They issued their first album on 4AD in 1984. 

Continue Reading >

Pages

X