38 Results for : raspy
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Chasing Light
Mark Knippel: Marenje* The following note is provided by the composer: "Marenje is a traditional welcoming song of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. My composition is based solely on the opening material of the original song. The entrances of the first two guitars are exactly what would be played on the mbira [traditional African instrument consisting of a wooden soundboard with 22 to 28 metal keys] and marimba. One of the techniques of Shona music that I employed is having the same material played on two instruments offset by one eighth note. This idea permeates my composition, as it is one of the ideas of their music that I found especially striking." Marenje, begins as a whispering, euphoric murmur, as if you are walking into a bustling street market, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds. A minute into the piece, all four guitars crescendo into a fully-blossomed, gently-jiving, jovial sonic soundscape that grows in intensity, and culminates in a quasi-percussive, exuberant, upper register ostinato played by one guitar, fluttering over the other three like a liberated bird-of-paradise. Garry Eister: Chasing Light* Garry Eister writes the following note for Chasing Light: "Chasing Light uses a grab bag of techniques, including irregular meters, meant to evoke the rhythmic feel of Eastern European dances. The outer movements are in E minor. The middle movement is in E-flat minor, which, by it's 'sinking down' a half step below the movements that surround it, helps impart the feeling of isolation and stillness that it's title indicates. The final movement is meant to convey a sense of urgency, of running or driving as fast as possible toward the Western horizon in an attempt to delay the setting of the Sun." Throughout Chasing Light, a sense of combative harmony pervades. Each guitar is autonomous, yet interconnected with the others. Through coherent use of imitation, unison, accent, textural variation, and overlapping melodic lines, Eister creates a robust quartet in which each guitar is of equal importance, fighting and playing with one another in an ecstatic cloud of sound. Mark Knippel: Attained Elusiveness* Unlike Marenje, Attained Elusiveness possesses none of the effervescent giddiness that permeates the former. Instead, it features Steve Reich-like transient sonic fractals that flash and evaporate as snowflakes on a windowpane, elusive, yet, for a fleeting moment, attained. Darin Au: Chasing Dragons The most straightforward composition on the album, Chasing Dragons soars in a self-assured, flowing arc. There may be dragons, but they are observed in transit, as if from a hangglider. Punctuated by raspy rasgueados, spiky accents, and icy harmonics, an ominous nether world is hinted at, yet never entered. A great distance is traveled over a brief period of time. Christopher Gainey: Flowing Through: Rhapsody on a theme of Egberto Gismonti* Christopher Gainey shares the following note: "I have always loved [Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti's] Agua e Vinho, and I was fascinated by how different performers used it as the basis for very individual embellishment/improvisation. In essence, Flowing Through is a set of variations on Agua e Vinho, with one exception, when the theme comes in at the end of the piece, it is placed together with material from the first variation that reconfigures the original theme into a ternary form (Agua e Vinho forming the 'A' section, while it's variation forms a 'B' theme). The notation fluctuates between precisely notated music and much more flexible, somewhat indeterminate, methods of notation that allow the ensemble some interpretive freedom." Karol Szymanowski: Mazurkas, Op. 50, Nos. 1 and 3 Arranging solo piano works for guitar quartet is, at first glance, counterintuitive. The luminescent sonority of the piano is markedly different than the brighter sound of the classical guitar. However, the two mazurkas that guitarist Patrick O'Connell selected and arranged transfer strikingly well to four guitars. The hushed dynamics (rarely exceeding mezzo-piano), combined with rich, colorful modal layering, allow opportunity for the guitars to explore hues and colors beyond the scope of the original piano. Through the use of idiomatic guitar techniques, such as artificial harmonics, and through exploitation of the guitar's broad timbral palette, new insight into Szymanowski's music is gained. Andrew York: Pacific Coast Highway Like Lotus Eaters, Andrew York's Pacific Coast Highway is melody-centered and harmonically stable. A self-confident first guitar both plays with and battles against the remaining guitar "trio." The first half of the piece is placid, daydreamy, the second half intense, excited. Evocative of the seemingly infinite Californian Pacific Coast Highway, the musical terrain is ever-changing, winding, rocking, and rolling. Andrew York: Lotus Eaters Andrew York's Lotus Eaters was written for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ), and possesses the carefree charm of a late summer backyard barbecue. Through harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic constriction, it gains a spatial freedom, with evocations of Wes Montgomery, Ali Farka Touré, and Al Di Meola flickering like fireflies throughout the piece. As an added bonus, SFGQ has added two minutes of infectious improvisation to the original. Clarice Assad: Bluezilian Clarice Assad describes Bluezilian as follows: "I wrote Bluezilian for LAGQ, in 2005, as an encore piece. At the time, I had just broken a foot and was unable to walk or get out much. Feeling a bit down and constrained, I decided to work on a piece that would be light and fun, almost cartoonish-something that, in certain spots, would make me want to giggle. I purposely made the decision to use and abuse musical clichés. The piece is a musical satire that draws connections between American popular styles and Brazilian rhythmic and harmonic sensibilities. All parts, as simple as they may be, are filled with nuances to be explored, and the parts themselves communicate between one another." Bluezilian is a highly-caffeinated, animated whirlwind trip: accents kick, glissandi jolt, trills zap, and chords smack. It sounds as if a cartoon volcano was erupting in a harmonic kaleidoscope of plucks and strums. But it also sings and dances, swells and spins. Rarely has a such a short piece contained so much exuberant energy. Liner notes by Patrick Durek * Premiere recording and dedication to the San Francisco Guitar Quartet.- Shop: odax
- Price: 25.37 EUR excl. shipping
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Nu Beginnings
The budding sensation Nubian never ceases to amaze, as he captivates the hearts and minds of listening audiences along his uncharted journey to the forefront of the music world. Nubian, singer/songwriter has dedicated his talents to composing music that will not only entertain the masses but present each individual with the challenge of rising to new heights of consciousness and social awareness. His soulful raspy tone has been described as echoing the cries of humanity thus earning him the title "voice of the people". Born Sean Alexander Wallace, Nubian is one of four children in a family from the parish of St. Andrew Jamaica. Many of his formative years as a youth growing up were spent in the turbulent and multicultural community of South Jamaica Queens N.Y., as a result of his family's exodus from the island shortly before his birth. When asked, Nubian stated "the diversification of my music is a direct result of my life experiences". His first exposure to music was at the age of nine, playing the alto saxophone in his school band. In 2003 he began playing the guitar, writing and recording original music. In the fall of 2005 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Shortly after departing school Nubian enlisted in the U.S. Military. These days his mission is to conquer the world of music with a vibrant "One-Drop" pulse, combined with sweet cultural lyrics in fashion with the tradition of Roots Reggae music combined with Lovers Rock.- Shop: odax
- Price: 15.97 EUR excl. shipping
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Ridah Muzic
The title Ridah Muzic describes the feel of the album which is mainly an album you can pop in the CD player in your car and ride around town handling your business, it's an inspiration to your hustle, it's the kind of music you roll down your windows and turn up your system to. The first track 'Vegas Heat' is a mid tempto bass heavy all purpose banger, you can bang this one in the car or the club and get the same reaction. The production on this track sounds like timbaland in his golden days and comes courtesy of Down South producer Dj Xman. '7:02' is a west coast neck breaker describing the 24 hour party scene in Las Vegas, with R & B singer Bluzi laying down the smooth chorus and his fellow camp members Demon, Epick and G fatigue (rip) assisting in filling out the track nicely. ' Bout that Dough' features Mopreme Shakur the brother of Tupac Shakur and R&B singer G Money who also recorded tracks with Tupac. In 'Read em like a Book' he talks about the reality of being a rapper and the hypocricies of the music game, he also takes a jab at commercial radio ' 20 g's to get radio play man that's b**l s**t, what ever to the fans choosing, and you wonder what's wrong in hip hop and why the bad music'. 'Get This Money' is a hustlers anthem, it's motavational music no matter what business you are in and Docwel's raspy voice and precise delivery compliments the slow hypnotizing instrumental. The quality of the overall album is amazing and Ridah Muzic is an album that will not let down.- Shop: odax
- Price: 18.61 EUR excl. shipping
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Roy Howard
Reviews: i just finished listening to your CD for the fifth time....awesome! Roy has the most unique voice! I love it, man. Raw. Nice stories in his songs. This song just fills me with happiness. I want to dance around the room. This is just so damn catchy. I love this. I want to dance dance DANCE! Brilliant pop songs...Roy has a great sense of timing, pitch and delivery. This is a very uplifting tune with catchy lyrics and a great hook. A pop song in the true sense ( 3 minutes of catchy beat, melody and hook) which will get the listener humming the tune in the grocery store. I could hear this played on the radio. Excellent guitar and well placed harmonies. Very catchy. Great raw and raspy soulful voice, surrounded by great playing! This track has power and a great feel. Roy sings with a lot of character. It makes me want to get out take a slow ride and wind down the windows and let the wind blow through my hair. There is a sunny, warm mood to the songs that makes you smile, tap your foot and nod along. Wow, a concise song with a hook and production value! About time. Nice mood, energy, and the lyrics are great! Love the vocal/lyric! This is a HUGE step above most of the pop rock I've heard. A song with an actual STORY? Roy's songs put me in a better mood. Great songs, great performances. I Danced to What Would It Hurt! Powerful uptempo country rock song with a very catchy hook. Excellent guitar playing, vocals, lyrical message with a sense of humour. I played it over and over. Pop songs with a spice of Country and Reggae and it works great. This song is amazingly bouncy, it has a catchy hook with the chorus, with a country twang to it. This music totally catches you off guard. Fabricated Beauty: if FX ever needs an alternative theme tune to 'Nip/Tuck' they need look no further!!!! This song contains no hidden meanings whatsoever, in fact I was amazed that Roy Howard was able to come up with so many ways to describe the various plastic surgery options available to women. Geat depth of voice, more country meets pop...great literary and humorous enthusiasm.- Shop: odax
- Price: 14.46 EUR excl. shipping
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Beyond the Covers
Andre Bisson - Beyond the Covers is a collection of great classic Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Rock, and Soul songs with Andre's arrangements and his band Andre & the J-Tones. Musicians on the record: Andre Bisson (Vocals/Guitar), Dan Rodrigues (Guitar), Kevin Freer (Bass), Anthony Giles (Drums, Tambourine, Conga's), Jackie Chalmers (Alto/Tenor Saxophone), Loretta Hale (Trumpet) Andre Bisson originally from the Sault Ste Marie Area moved to Hamilton, Ontario to study music and continue with a career in the music. In his early teens he performed 50's Rock 'n' Roll music such as, Elvis, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. He accomplished a lot at by age 17, André came 11 out of 150 in the Collingwood Elvis Competition, and at 18 he joined and played in a rhythm and blues band in Sault Ste Marie. Some great musicians that he has opened up for are, Jason McCoy, Diane Chase, and Beverley Manhood. When he came to Hamilton he started a 6 piece Rhythm & Blues band called Andre & the J-Tones Rhythm & Blues Experience which includes a rhythm section as well as a Trumpet and Saxophone, the band now continues to play in Hamilton, the GTA, Niagara Region, Sault Ste Marie/Porquis Junction, Durham Region, Kincardine, Ottawa area, and Grand River area. Along with his originals, the band also performs music from Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, The Commitments, The Blues Brothers, The Temptations, Joe Cocker, Stevie Wonder, CCR, The Guess Who, Bill Withers, James Brown, and so much more. With a great presence André's vocals have the power of Wilson Pickett as well as the gentle sound of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, the great talent of arranging, guitar playing, business knowledge, and of course his gutsy, raspy, and passionate/soulful voice. André has no problem delivering his songs with a heavy groove line making everyone in the room sit up and listen.- Shop: odax
- Price: 24.46 EUR excl. shipping
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Ragtop Monterey
Warrenton, Virginia's Andy Budd may be an artist of some obscurity but he shouldn't be. Andy is firing on all cylinders on his third studio album, Ragtop Monterey. Great songs and great musicianship abound on this CD. There are no blistering or moaning solos, and this let's the authenticity of the lyrics shine through. Andy may not be a professionally trained vocalist but his vocals fit perfectly with the folk driven style of Americana that he writes. Budd exhibits a maturity and a depth of style far beyond most of what you hear in the Alt. Country/Americana genre today. Listeners will also like Andy's sense of playfulness. While he is a serious songwriter, he doesn't take himself too seriously. Veteran Producer Chip Hardy (Waylon Jennings, Reba McIntyre, George Strait) gives us a real taste of that Nashville Sound, the likes of which hasn't come off of Music Row in decades. Chip's experience really shines through in the mix and thoughtful arrangements. Ragtop Monterey was recorded at Nashville's Studio 515 where Chip put together a wonderful assemblage of some of Nashville's best studio and touring players backing Andy, including Smith Curry on dobro, banjo, mandolin,and steel. Coleman Murphy is spectacular on electric guitar. Andy Most and Mike Waldren provide the exceptional acoustic guitar work. Mike Kelly provides subtle harmonies and legendary Hank Singer provides a haunting fiddle. From the opening burst of bluegrass style guitar picking and the raspy vocals on the new-grass "Old Freight" and throughout this disc, Andy Budd has crafted an incredible blueprint for a near-flawless roots record. Standout tracks include the lively title track "Ragtop Monterey", the mournful 'Godspeed", the nostalgic & funny "If You Did That Today" ' and the hysterical (although not PC) "He's Still Missing Her (but his aim is getting better)" This is a CD that keeps growing on you with each listen. Fans of Hayes Carl, Early Jimmy Buffett, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, Todd Snider would probably enjoy this CD. Andy Budd's "Ragtop Monterey" is a keeper for sure.- Shop: odax
- Price: 18.50 EUR excl. shipping
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Here Comes the Band
From the Children's Music that Rocks web site: Here Comes the Band ***Stephen Cohen*** A red-jacketed band of half-human, half-animal musicians comes marching down the street, accompanied by a couple of oversized birds ... what an awesome introduction to Stephen Cohen's Here Comes the Band! With a smoky-voiced delivery, vocal phrasing a little like Rickie Lee Jones, and an intimate coffee house presentation, Portland resident Stephen Cohen whams, tickles, and strums the strings of his guitar, which acts as much a percussion instrument as a keeper of melody, intertwined with the tinkles, knocks, and wobbles of his handmade musical gear. Rhythms are suspended and sometimes done away with entirely in several songs, tying together everything in a cohesive dream-like collection of thoughts put to music. Sound too heavy for a kids' album? Au contraire, my little ones, for that's the amazing thing about this CD: yer tiny kids can sing right along with every single song on the album, while grownups can bask in the glow of Cohen's musical inventiveness. Even though Cohen has been recording since 1979, Here Comes the Band is his first album specifically for kids. Soon-to-be Toddler Time classics include the mantra-like 'Give Me That Toy!', the boppity 'Mr. Knickerbocker' and 'Baseball, Baseball'. The controlled chaos of 'The Elephant Walk' mirrors, coincidentally, sounds produced by bands of the Elephant 6 collective (Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, etc.), while the ethereal 'Rain, Rain, Rain' fully utilizes Cohen's self-created percussion inventions. The three-part thread 'Here Comes the Band / There Goes the Band / Sleepy Dreams (of the Band)' that runs through the CD gives Cohen a chance to name check his old group, the Talk Talk Band. By using a few tunes culled from some of his grownup albums, real life and fiction and Many Hats, Cohen shows his trust in kids' taste and intelligence. He's not making music for children, but just making music. Not only do you get Cohen's wonderful songs, the CD is also packaged with a lyrics booklet full of artwork by Christopher Shotola-Hardt, instructions on making your own instruments, and explanations of everyone's duties in the making of a CD ('The producer chooses the songs...'). Check out more of Cohen's work, it's pretty inspiring and amazing. Posted by Warren Truitt @ 1:21 PM From the Zooglobble web site: November 08, 2006 Review: Here Comes the Band - Stephen Cohen Based in Portland, Oregon Stephen Cohen has been making art of one sort or another for nearly 30 years. Creating music, musical instruments, and visual art, Cohen integrates these three into his performing career. This is exactly the kind of person that should be making kids' music. On his recently-released Here Comes The Band, Cohen gives reason to be optimistic for the future of music for families. A heady collection of multi-instrumental folk music, Cohen weaves together an album that flows seamlessly from start to finish. The opening title track serves as the prelude to the whole album, with a melody that pops up at least a couple more times later on in the album. It segues almost imperceptibly into 'Give Me That Toy!,' which, thankfully, doesn't tell the young listener to ask politely -- it's written from the child's perspective. And from there into the traditional children's rhyme 'Mr. Knickerbocker,' in which Cohen's distinctive voice (ever-so-slightly nasally and slightly-less-slightly raspy) repeats the phrase 'bobbity, bobbity, bobbity-boo' until it gets lodged in your brain. Another favorite song of mine is 'The Planetarium,' which although is written from the point of the parent taking his son to the planetarium is written with the words of a child ('Then a baby cried and had to go outside / While we watched the lights / Stretch across the black dome sky.') To talk about the lyrics is to miss the album's chief allure, which is it's music. As noted above, some of the musical transitions are seamless. Which isn't to say this is an entirely low-key album. 'There Goes the Band' lists 13 people playing or singing on the track. 'The Elephant Walk' sounds not a little bit like Fleetwood Mac's 'Tusk.' The lullabies at the end of the album are sweet as well. I can't review this album without noting the album packaging, which is one of the best I've seen this year. Lyrics, gorgeous illustrations by Christopher Shotola-Hardt, activities are in the liner notes, along with an explanation of what various people on the album (producer, engineer, visual artist) actually do. The album is most appropriate for kids ages 3 through 9, though it may create fans of parents who are 39. You can hear samples of 5 songs at the album's CD Baby page and hear 'Baseball, Baseball' here. Stephen Cohen's album is a little bit like what might happen if Mr. David and Randy Newman decided to record a kids' album live on Prairie Home Companion. Here Comes the Band establishes a mood and a world that will draw in you and your kids. It may not be the album your family listens to every day for a month, but it will be one you listen to occasionally for many years. Recommended. Posted by SAShepherd at 08:47 PM From 'The Lovely Mrs. Davis Tells You What to Think' blog: January 31, 2007 Here Comes the Band One of the more unique and sophisticated kids' albums I've come across in the last year is Stephen Cohen's Here Comes the Band. Although Cohen has a long career as a musician, songwriter, and artist-in-residence for numerous schools, Here Comes the Band is his first kids' album. Cohen has a somewhat Zanesian (did I just invent a new word?) approach to kids' music -- friends and family joining in to play or sing along, laid-back vocals, a folksy singer-songwriter style. But I'm guessing Cohen is also a fan/follower of composer and instrument-builder Harry Partch. Through the use of sculptural percussion instruments and other sounds, Cohen incorporates sound-as-music, much like Brian Wilson did on Pet Sounds. The title track, which opens the album, sets an intimate tone, and Cohen's voice is raspy, but warm and conversational. The album, overall, is very mellow and sleepy, and the production is reminiscent of Tom Waits. Songs like 'Give Me That Toy!' and 'Baseball, Baseball' are a bit less mellow than than the rest, but I found myself waiting for a more upbeat, energetic track that never came. In fact, the album winds down with not one or two, but four lullabies. The album's liner notes include brief explanations on the various instruments played on each song, including several home-made percussion instruments. There are also simple instructions for playing slide guitar on a regular acoustic guitar, and illustrated how-to's for building your own instruments. Cohen's creative use of sound, combined with sophisticated rhythms and lyrics that express the wonder and innocence of childhood, make music that could easily appeal to listeners of any age. Listen to sample tracks and order your own copy here (CD Baby). posted by Mrs. Davis @ 3:51 PM.- Shop: odax
- Price: 19.46 EUR excl. shipping
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Soul Sides-Essential Collection
WITH THIS RAW DELIVERY AND RASPY TONE,SINGER/SONGWRITER BOBBY WOMACK POSSESSES ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNISABLE VOICES IN SOULMUSIC.NICKNAMED "THE PREACHER",HIS SONGS HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY ACTS AS VARIED AS THE ROLLING STONES,ARETHA FRANKLIN,RODSTEWART,WILSON PICKETT,SAM COOKE,LYNYRD SKYNYRD AND JANIS JOPLIN.THIS COLLECTION CONTAINS ALL HIS KEY RECORDINGS FOR THEMINIT AND UNITED ARTISTS LABELS DURING THE PERIOD 1968-1975.- Shop: odax
- Price: 8.64 EUR excl. shipping
