Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Stingray Music highlights LXXXII

Wednesday morning highlights heard through U-verse:

Alt Country-Americana
  • Shaking-The HawtThorns (K.P. Hawthorn's vocals suggest a blend of Maura Kennedy and Nicki Bluhm.) 
Canadian Indie
  • Superstar-Rosemary Fairweather (Compellingly breathy, whispery vocals.)
  • Running Into Love-Taylor Knox (This 2017 release has an '80s New Wave feel in the vocals and guitar.  Modern English's "I Melt With You" could segue with it.)
Caribbean Vintage Vibes
  • Zandoli-Marius Cultier (An intriguing stew of international and jazz influences come together in this whirling dervish of a tune.  A strong rhythm section underscores the vocals.)
Chamber Music
  • Franz Schubert: Four Impromptus, Op. post. 142, D.935: I. Allegro moderato (Paul Lewis, piano) (Sorrow gives way to hopefulness, but this energetic movement ends on an ominous note.)
Cool Jazz
  • Toute Ma Joie-Les Blue Stars featuring Blossom Dearie (The English translation is "All My Joy," and it's sung impeccably.  I hope it isn't disrespectful that the vocal stylings remind me of the 1950s animated, singing concessions jingle, "Let's all go to the lobby to get ourselves a treat.")
  • Hiram-Chuck Loeb featuring Will Lee (The haunting guitar line reminds me of Kerri Anderson's "Labyrinth.")
Folk Roots
  • Lay Down Your Weary Tune-Jessica Rhaye And The Ramshackle Parade (A faithful, pleasantly sung cover of the Bob Dylan tune.)
Jazz Masters 
  • Gershwin Medley-The Modern Jazz Quartet (An elegant, vibraphone and piano-centered tribute.)