Honestly making my day to see multiple positive mentions of PPM in here today. I’ve loved them since I was 3-4 years old and used to beg my dad to keep putting on a VHS tape of their 25th Anniversary Concert. I hope someday I can share their music with my own kids too.
Listened to Crying by Roy Orbison, I knew the title track here obviously, but had never heard a full album by him - and this was popping up on a lot of lists here, so was excited to hear it. Title track is of course fantastic. Overall, perhaps a little hit and miss for me, but at its best, there were some superb stuff here, particularly the second side of it, when the tempo raises a bit. “Dance” was probably my favourite track here, outside of the title track, a fantastic rock n roll track, with a huge accompaniment, including saxophone, strings and a great little choral section, full of energy and verve.
i get any and all criticisms of roy's albums but his voice is audio gold and completely wins me over every time
Zero disagreement. He can sing anything. I do think my favorite from him is likely to always be Mystery Girl because of the material Jeff Lynne got him
Man I feel like I’m not gonna be able to contribute to these threads until the 70’s at least haha, lots of blind spots
Picking an album or two mentioned and giving a listen is also a contribution. Don’t have to be an expert or anything.
Listened to Peter Paul and Mary’s self titled record, I recognised the name, but had never heard an album of theirs, so had no idea what to expect really, outside of knowing they were folky. I thought this was lovely, wonderful harmonies and excellent folk music that’s perfect for a little sing-a-long. Their three voices work perfectly in tandem, really wonderful harmonies that elevate their simple ish songs, with a huge amount of charm to them, that do remind me in a good way of lullabies. There are large parts of this that remind me a lot of early Simon and Garfunkel stuff too. Plenty (all?) of the songs here are folk staples that I half recognised, and could vaguely place from here and there. It also has the “I am a man of constant sorrow” track from O Brother Where Art Thou, which was a lovely surprise once I’d placed it! Really really enjoyed this, with almost no specific expectations on it - will certainly be back for more, and it feels like if I’d heard it earlier it could definitely have made my top 3 for the year.
When we get to '64, In Concert is definitely worth the listen. Will certainly contend for me. I'm really happy you enjoyed them. Chuffed, even. One thing that's really jumped out at me falling back in love with them as an adult is how sneaky-greata guitar player Noel "Paul" Stookey is. It's never too flashy for the song, so it's easy to miss.
Did some listening today: Vince Guaraldi Trio - Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus Just an absolute joy to listen to. I honestly sometimes feel like I'm being tricked that something this melodic and easy to enjoy is also critically well-regarded. It doesn't really sound like the Brazilian music it's inspired by, but it's great anyway, and the B side is maybe even better. Also love that his bassist breaks out the bow at times for effect. Francoise Hardy - Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles I honestly am probably too much of a philistine to say much more than I really liked it. The arrangements are simple and her voice is lovely. I've kinda been waiting for something like this honestly. I love when this kind of light French pop shows up in movies and such and never really knew where to go. Quincy Jones - Big Band Bossa Nova I am embarrassed to admit I thought "Soul Bossa Nova" was part of an original score for Austin Powers. It's a really likeable album, though neither fish nor foul. It's a little bossa nova, a little '60s jazz, a little big band swing, a little pop. Really appealing combo though. The version of "Desafinado" especially was good.
Stylistically and genre wise they don't have a lot in common, but they absolutely have some similarities in vocal arranging. Very complex and use smart arrangements to sound like way more voices than they have by not always singing harmonies, but mixing in repeated lines, descants, doubles, etc.
Listening to a ton of jazz today. Just put on Cannonball Adderley Sextet in New York. Revisiting Coltrane and Ready For Freddie and then going to dive into Dizzy on the French Riviera and The Real Ambassadors. Blows my mind that we don't talk about Dave Brubeck and Louis Armstrong doing a jazz musical about the Civil Rights Movement but also it doesn't. Definitely the most anticipated on my list for today though
1. Bill Evans Trio - Moonbeams 2. Howlin’ Wolf - Howlin’ Wolf 3. Dexter Gordon - Go Bob Dylan 1 is cool, I actually really like it, but the next 20 years is gonna be like all Bob at #1 fer me so Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen is all good vibes. Literally Sarah Vaughan - Sarah +2 is worth a listen too. SV backed by just guitar and bass.
I had just asked @cshadows2887 yesterday if he had ever listened to Tjader. I had never heard of him. Gonna try and get to it today
Listened to the Grammy winner for album of the year, a comedy album parodying the Kennedys called The First Family. A few jokes very tied to the era that went over my head but actually REALLY fucking funny. In particular parts about foreign leaders ordering lunch, a White House tour and “After Dinner Conversation” had me belly-laughing. Also revisited Moon Beams by Bill Evans which I now realize is one of his best. He may just be the most romantic of all the jazz legends. “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” in particular is just stunningly gorgeous.
I somehow have only heard their really cool late ‘60s concept album as far as proper albums go. I should hear an actual record in their signature sound
Dick Dale and his Deltones’ Surfer’s Choice was a blast. The surf stuff was the best by far. The ballads and “Sloop John B” were perfectly competent, but less unique and vital