While perusing my stacks for something to listen to tonight I found an album I hadn’t listened to in a while. The Pizza Tapes. David Grisman, Jerry Garcia, Tony Rice. A fusion of bluegrass, jazz, folk, and gospel. Great album, with a lot of history, won’t go into that you can research it on the internet.. It’s an extemporaneous jam session. Lots of enjoyable music here. Grisman has been a favorite of mine for years, In the late 70’s early 80’s I frequently went into Portland to visit music and record stores. On one occasion I was at the old Tower Records store on 82nd Ave when the David Grisman Quintet came to the lobby, set up and performed a set. Wish those stores still existed. Of course I bought one of all his albums at the time and have continued to buy anyone I didn’t have. Good music, Tony Rice is also a great guitarist and Jerry Garcia a legend. These 3 artists are worth listening to if you like this genre.
Tonight’s Music
- Thread starter jgarr4714
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bucketofguts
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I heard that on 88.7 Spindale N.C. WNCW years ago and listen to it a couple times a year. It is a treasure.
Melody, harmony, simplicity, that’s what floats my boat. I listened to 2 vastly different albums tonight but each had so much in common. David Grisman and Tony Rice Tone Poems and Vivaldi For Diverse Instruments. I’ve been a fan of Grisman and Rice for years. Tone Poems encompasses Grisman’s Dawg music, jazz, bluegrass, swing, and classical with just 2 instruments. Rice is phenomenal in his ability to shift between genres, so sad he’s no longer with us. I particularly enjoyed the tracks Grandfather’s Clock and O Sole Mio. And Grisman is a technical wizard. On the Vivaldi album, produced by Reference Recordings, the same simplicity is prevalent throughout with the baroque orchestral instrumentation. If nothing else, Vivaldi is a master at melody and simplicity of harmony. I’ve been lucky to have have attended both symphonic and baroque orchestral concerts and my preference is the baroque. Simplicity, that’s what it’s all about.
I poured some single malt scotch and went to my music room tonight with the intention of listening to some inspiring and exciting music. I found it. My first selection was Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. Seiji Ozawa, Boston Symphony, Serkin. Such a great piece of music, it just makes you feel good and happy to be alive. I heard shades of Beethoven’s 3rd piano concerto and of course the last movement of the 9th. I would have to get out my history books to see where it fits in with those pieces but that doesn’t really matter, it’s enlightening, makes you feel good and makes you forget about problems. Next was Stravinsky and the Firebird. Detroit Symphony conductor Dorati. I can’t believe that this piece instigated a riot in Paris on it’s first performance.. Anyway, the melodic lines, harmony, sturm und drang, is a metaphor to sexual tension and release, much like Wagner’s Tristan Liebestod. At the finale I felt enlightened. What music moves you?
Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" (1913) was the one reputed to have caused a "riot" at its premiere. We can't know for sure what actually happened; but there is still a visceral power to the work – even to jaded 21st Century listeners – which makes the myth plausible. "Firebird" (1910) always a stirring listen.
Nowadays I've been rediscovering classical *chamber* works. We're pointed to well-regarded historic recordings, and yes, the performances are very fine and commendable ... but vintage-recorded cellos, strings, harpsichords, etc. and even pianos can tire the ears and strain patience. There are plenty exceptions of course, like the McGegan Vivaldi recordings mentioned above.
But, check out the newer crop of classical chamber recordings from the past 15 years or so! These recent classical recordings were *made* for Bottlehead amplifiers and the Bottlehead constituency. The recording engineers seem to have finally dialed it in. There's still different schools and philosophies and room for debate – how close-up or distant we want the recordings to be, how dry or reverberant, whether to use modern or period-authentic instruments and practices. But suddenly, with this crop of new and fresh recordings, you don't feel like you're listening out of a sense of duty; you're feeling a renewed sense of curiosity; you want these musicians and ensembles in your living room.
Try:
2019 recording, Reto Bieri & Meta4, Brahms, Clarinet Quintet in B minor (composed 1891)
2025 recording, Modigliani ensemble, Tchaikovsky, Souvenir de Florence (composed 1890)
2026 recording, Moreau ensemble, Schubert Piano Trio #1 (composed 1827)
Nowadays I've been rediscovering classical *chamber* works. We're pointed to well-regarded historic recordings, and yes, the performances are very fine and commendable ... but vintage-recorded cellos, strings, harpsichords, etc. and even pianos can tire the ears and strain patience. There are plenty exceptions of course, like the McGegan Vivaldi recordings mentioned above.
But, check out the newer crop of classical chamber recordings from the past 15 years or so! These recent classical recordings were *made* for Bottlehead amplifiers and the Bottlehead constituency. The recording engineers seem to have finally dialed it in. There's still different schools and philosophies and room for debate – how close-up or distant we want the recordings to be, how dry or reverberant, whether to use modern or period-authentic instruments and practices. But suddenly, with this crop of new and fresh recordings, you don't feel like you're listening out of a sense of duty; you're feeling a renewed sense of curiosity; you want these musicians and ensembles in your living room.
Try:
2019 recording, Reto Bieri & Meta4, Brahms, Clarinet Quintet in B minor (composed 1891)
2025 recording, Modigliani ensemble, Tchaikovsky, Souvenir de Florence (composed 1890)
2026 recording, Moreau ensemble, Schubert Piano Trio #1 (composed 1827)
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Natural Sound
Active member
I Love The Pizza Tapes. Not bad for a couple of guys hanging out "noodling." If you haven't done so, check out Old & in the Way.
Old & In the Way - Wikipedia
If your in the mood for some well recorded chamber music I'll toot my horn a bit for a recording I had the privilege to work on about 10 years ago, Brahms string sextets by Cypress String Quartet with Barry Shiffman and Zuill Bailey, recorded by Mark Willsher and Leslie Ann Jones at Skywalker sound (assisted by Dann Thompson). The recording was done in 24/192 as well as 1" 2 track analog tape. Paul Stubblebine, Michael Romanowski and I were tape ops for this session. Truly a high point of my audio career. Digital version is readily available. Hopefully someday the analog tape version will be released. I left the Tape Project not long after the recording was made and I would guess the two dozen or so reels of tape used for the session are on a shelf somewhere.
A change of pace. Catherine Russell, Strictly Romancin. Awhile back I was reading an article in The Absolute Sound and came across an advertisement for a demo CD from DMP. I purchased it and found Ms. Russell and the Vivino Bros.
Ms. Russell is an incredible musician. Purity of tone, absolute pitch, incredible voice. You could compare her to Streisand or Whitney Houston in quality of tone, not the same style, however. Her voice is a mezzo soprano and has such rich overtones you just want to hear more, it’s like the richest pasta sauce you ever tasted.. This album would be considered 40’s and 50’s pop and big band jazz. This is fun and enjoyable music.
Ms. Russell is an incredible musician. Purity of tone, absolute pitch, incredible voice. You could compare her to Streisand or Whitney Houston in quality of tone, not the same style, however. Her voice is a mezzo soprano and has such rich overtones you just want to hear more, it’s like the richest pasta sauce you ever tasted.. This album would be considered 40’s and 50’s pop and big band jazz. This is fun and enjoyable music.
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