Wonderful Songs, Sept'05
31 Aug 2005 02:38 AM / Filed in: Music
Welcome to the second edition of Wonderful Songs, my monthly blog entry outlining ten exceptional songs I listened to during the past month.
This month I would like to stress how both the human voice _and_ the instrument are essential for making wonderful music. For the human voice part, we have entries from two of my favorite scat singers: Al Jarreau and Bobby Mcferrin and also from a trio of very good african singers. For the instrument part, we have guitar, piano, trumpet and saxophone. Wait no longer to treat your ears to some great music.
[Vocal] Circlesong 5, Bobby Mcferrin
From the album Circlesongs
You surely remember "Don't worry, be happy!" from Bobby Mcferrin. Circlesong 5 is very different. It doesn't contain a single music instrument save for the human voice. It's an amazing work. The entire album is amazing if you happen to like scat singing. The music is smooth and relaxing.
[Jazz] Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, Al Jarreau
From the album Accentuate The Positive
Accentuate The Positive is the latest album of Al Jarreau, a wonderful Jazz singer who masters the art of scat singing. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive shows just how he is good at his craft. His voice gets along perfectly with the other instruments in use and it brings a rare sense of harmony.
[Reggae] Turning World, Eric Bibb
From the album A Ship Called Love
Eric Bibb is a Bluesman and A Ship Called Love is his latest work. This contains many gems but what makes Turning World stand out of the lot is its unmistakable Reggae rhythm and sweet lyrics. I was very well surprised when I heard it. I was used to the Blues from that guy, and I just though to myself "Hey! This ain't Blues, this is Reggae and a very good one".
[Jazz] Romeo And Juliet, Stefano di Battista
From the album 'Round about Roma
A masterpiece that tries, and succeed, in capturing the romance of the capital of Italy, Roma, where the artist was born. This alto and soprano sax player is backed by the Symphonic Orchestra of Radio France. Very elegant music that avoids nicely the trap of being too much sentimental.
[Pop] Tapis Volant 1, -M-
From the album Labo M
-M- shows up for the second time in Wonderful Songs. Tapis Volant 1 is an instrumental song like the other songs on the album and it shows -M-'s proficiency in the guitar. Very nice piece.
[Rock] Planet of Women, ZZ Top
From the album Afterburner
I first discovered ZZ Top when I was 15 years old through my brother Aziz and their Eliminator album. I still enjoy listening to them quite a lot. While I consider Eliminator to be their best album ever, Afterburner is made in the same kitchen. Planet of women has a very nice rhythm if you happen to like these bearded Rock lords: nice guitars, drums and everything to make your car trip on Route 66 a pleasant ride.
[World] Where I Came From, Gerald Toto, Lokua Kanza & Richard Bona
From the album Toto Bona Lokua
Dim light. Smells and noises of the African Savanna. Joy and happiness around the village. Relaxing moment. These are some of the few thoughts that come to my mind when I listen to this song. The human voice plays here, again, a central role with these three exceptional singers who make the experience transcendental.
[Smooth Jazz] Indian Summer, Chris Botti
From the album A Thousand Kisses Deep
Chris Botti is a stylist trumpeter who has a very warm and smooth tone. Indian Summer, the first song on album, has a pleasant spacey/dance sound. Moreover, due to Chris Botti's roots in Jazz (as opposed to Smooth or Soft Jazz), it is not too much on the soft side. The trumpet shows that the Jazz part is still present and strong.
[Smooth Jazz] September Second, Michel Petrucciani
From the album Les années Blue Note 1986-1994
Michel Petrucciani, a french artist who died in 1999, fought Osteogenesis Imperfecta by becoming a powerful Jazz pianist. September Second shows how good he was at playing this instrument, from a Smooth Jazz perspective. Of special notice are the drums who back the piano very nicely.
[Classical] Kashmir, London Philharmonic Orchestra & Scholes
From the album Kashmir: The Symphonic Led Zeppelin
Two weeks ago, one of my coworkers who has a huge music collection, brought this CD with him at the office. As a fan of Led Zeppelin, I was wondering how such a weird wedding would play out. I was stunned by this music. While preserving the original spirit of Led Zep' (OK, Robert Plant not singing so it's not as original as you can think of), they bring a nice classical touch to it. Kashmir is one my favorite Led Zep' songs. And I think that this reprise is almost as good as the original one (yes, yes, Robert Plant not singing but if you put aside this fact...).
This month I would like to stress how both the human voice _and_ the instrument are essential for making wonderful music. For the human voice part, we have entries from two of my favorite scat singers: Al Jarreau and Bobby Mcferrin and also from a trio of very good african singers. For the instrument part, we have guitar, piano, trumpet and saxophone. Wait no longer to treat your ears to some great music.
[Vocal] Circlesong 5, Bobby Mcferrin
From the album Circlesongs
You surely remember "Don't worry, be happy!" from Bobby Mcferrin. Circlesong 5 is very different. It doesn't contain a single music instrument save for the human voice. It's an amazing work. The entire album is amazing if you happen to like scat singing. The music is smooth and relaxing.
[Jazz] Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, Al Jarreau
From the album Accentuate The Positive
Accentuate The Positive is the latest album of Al Jarreau, a wonderful Jazz singer who masters the art of scat singing. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive shows just how he is good at his craft. His voice gets along perfectly with the other instruments in use and it brings a rare sense of harmony.
[Reggae] Turning World, Eric Bibb
From the album A Ship Called Love
Eric Bibb is a Bluesman and A Ship Called Love is his latest work. This contains many gems but what makes Turning World stand out of the lot is its unmistakable Reggae rhythm and sweet lyrics. I was very well surprised when I heard it. I was used to the Blues from that guy, and I just though to myself "Hey! This ain't Blues, this is Reggae and a very good one".
[Jazz] Romeo And Juliet, Stefano di Battista
From the album 'Round about Roma
A masterpiece that tries, and succeed, in capturing the romance of the capital of Italy, Roma, where the artist was born. This alto and soprano sax player is backed by the Symphonic Orchestra of Radio France. Very elegant music that avoids nicely the trap of being too much sentimental.
[Pop] Tapis Volant 1, -M-
From the album Labo M
-M- shows up for the second time in Wonderful Songs. Tapis Volant 1 is an instrumental song like the other songs on the album and it shows -M-'s proficiency in the guitar. Very nice piece.
[Rock] Planet of Women, ZZ Top
From the album Afterburner
I first discovered ZZ Top when I was 15 years old through my brother Aziz and their Eliminator album. I still enjoy listening to them quite a lot. While I consider Eliminator to be their best album ever, Afterburner is made in the same kitchen. Planet of women has a very nice rhythm if you happen to like these bearded Rock lords: nice guitars, drums and everything to make your car trip on Route 66 a pleasant ride.
[World] Where I Came From, Gerald Toto, Lokua Kanza & Richard Bona
From the album Toto Bona Lokua
Dim light. Smells and noises of the African Savanna. Joy and happiness around the village. Relaxing moment. These are some of the few thoughts that come to my mind when I listen to this song. The human voice plays here, again, a central role with these three exceptional singers who make the experience transcendental.
[Smooth Jazz] Indian Summer, Chris Botti
From the album A Thousand Kisses Deep
Chris Botti is a stylist trumpeter who has a very warm and smooth tone. Indian Summer, the first song on album, has a pleasant spacey/dance sound. Moreover, due to Chris Botti's roots in Jazz (as opposed to Smooth or Soft Jazz), it is not too much on the soft side. The trumpet shows that the Jazz part is still present and strong.
[Smooth Jazz] September Second, Michel Petrucciani
From the album Les années Blue Note 1986-1994
Michel Petrucciani, a french artist who died in 1999, fought Osteogenesis Imperfecta by becoming a powerful Jazz pianist. September Second shows how good he was at playing this instrument, from a Smooth Jazz perspective. Of special notice are the drums who back the piano very nicely.
[Classical] Kashmir, London Philharmonic Orchestra & Scholes
From the album Kashmir: The Symphonic Led Zeppelin
Two weeks ago, one of my coworkers who has a huge music collection, brought this CD with him at the office. As a fan of Led Zeppelin, I was wondering how such a weird wedding would play out. I was stunned by this music. While preserving the original spirit of Led Zep' (OK, Robert Plant not singing so it's not as original as you can think of), they bring a nice classical touch to it. Kashmir is one my favorite Led Zep' songs. And I think that this reprise is almost as good as the original one (yes, yes, Robert Plant not singing but if you put aside this fact...).