Commemorative CD 2016

The producer of Commemorative CD 2016, Jo passed to me a red hot copy to me for my thoughts. Knowing him, the selection of tracks has an implicit objective; to educate general public on variety of music and to broaden music listening horizon. I know he also wanted to attract new visitors with new diversity of music.

Without further ado, here's go.  

Track one, Norfolk Country Line

Acoustic guitar broke the silence, McLeod “Ever go down to Norfolk country line?”, his voice, not particularly deep nor husky but rather penetrating, McLeod has done enough to attract me. This composition has its root in country blue with a story telling like delivery. Duet with a low voice female, “Our love!” that’s the climax when both shoot at the high notes. The harmonica sings beautifully. I couldn’t ask for a better arrangement. A very nice piece, easy on ear, it couldn’t be any better to start off this commemorative CD. First track matters, it either promotes further listening or chucking the CD aside. 

Track two, Fireworks

Her shady voice and delivery resembles Susan Wong. Her voice is slightly nasal and gravelly. The double bass, hmmm, a little gluey and thick for my taste. I got poor double bass articulation. Slow tempo, it’s a treat listening to this Bossa Nova in one lazy afternoon, it relaxes the mind. Singing articulation is not necessary for Bossa Nova. Never mind what she sings, just floating on her voice. The cymbal is commendable though.

Track three, La Campanella, No. 3 in g-sharp minor from Grand Etudes de Paganini

A light and nimble playful piano is composed by Franz Liszt in his true admiration for the “super human” Mr. Paganini’s masterly violin skills and techniques, prompted Liszt to duplicate a copy of Mr. Paganini’s image onto himself; he is an equally talented piano maestro. As such, this piano composition comprises of high level of technicality to reflect his flamboyance.

The flying notes with a variation of key strike forces, the pianist is playing with a wonderful continuity. You will be amazed by his virtuosity the run at the closing. It gets your heart pumping. Bravo, bravo.

Track four, The DJ

Breathy voice, most Gaelic songs are sad. She sings so close to the mic, as such, the image is bigger than life (without accentuate the volume). This is my least preferred track in this CD.

Track five, Adja da Li Znaes pametis

The Middle East guitar style led me to suggest a world music. I see myself relaxing on a veranda with a desert view. The recording is remarkably open, with great ambiance subtleties. The unique guitar strumming induces paralytic sensation, so as when the guitar picks up the pace. Who could not have guessed the hallmark of MA Recording? I always love MA Recording’s way of treating the natural decay.

Track six, Looking For A Home

Hear the guitar vibrato, fascinating. Country boys always have their way with guitar note bending, others music genre doesn’t do that much. “I have been down so many times ”, “Wouldn’t leave me alone, never hurt nobody” I couldn’t help feeling the backup vocal is stealing the show, the song came alive. Folks, listen to the separation between the main and backup vocal. The vocal harmonization is marvelous nevertheless. This is a tale of a convict looking for a home.

Track seven, Body and Soul

Back to mainstream jazz, I could spot nice music instrument localization. She stands singing half foot to my right. Her voice is full and relatively free of grain. Then, there is a bass trombone, that’s a little unusual. I can imagine a night out drinking in a jazz pub.

Track eight, Isn’t It Little late

Another Gaelic number, the wooden percussive instrument is regulating my heart beat. Oh! The texture.

Track nine, The Dog Song

An electric guitar intro and a sparse voice, what do you get? It sounds like the mix of soul and blues. The guitar is electrifying and tenacious.

Track ten, Espelho quebrado

A song in foreign language, presumably, a Latin. It’s a Portuguese. Maria sings her heart out. Sweet and feminine, this track melts iron hearts. Accompanied by a sax, it tells a broken love and helpless.  

Track eleven, Golden Spear Steel Horse

This is an ancient Chinese home welcoming piece, featuring drums at the center stage. Pipa has a magical way of speaking to you, so zen and so rich in harmonic due to the twisted notations. The tranquility disappears with the war drums come in the action, bring about intensity and drama. The grandeur of stage, this is no easy task.

Track twelve, Come Together

Now, this sounds familiar. Listening to this acoustic steel strings guitar repertoire, the playing style reminds me of the legendary late Michael Hedges. Aggressive play and attack on the strings.

Track thirteen, Meanwhile

Begins with percussive notation, follows by the moving drum strokes. A gentle double bass on the left and a cymbal on the right join in, the sax on the far right come in onto the scene. The cymbal opens a new dimension of space like it always does. The recording captures the essence of the music. The ripple quality of the drum is so inviting. You got to loosen your mind and flow with the music, this is free will jamming.

Track fourteen, Vranjanka

The opening double bass is so imposing as if running over you, the gain of recording is notably up by a few notches. A skillful display of double bass virtuosity, the notes are weighty. This should be the favorite show piece track, no doubt about it.

Track fifteen, Lord’s Tundra

Bass guitar time, this brings me back to Brian Bromberg CD. Feel the music.

Track sixteen, Mass in B Minor

This mass chorale appeals to Bach fans. Bach is known for his vocal music, he is one of the most important figures in Baroque period. His works have great influences on the later generation of composers. In this piece, you will hear the synchronization of voices, male and female, higher octave and lower octave. Your system is put to the test on its ability on stay resolute producing this massive work. A wall of singing heads and feel the solemn and heaviness of this piece. 

This year selection comprises many tracks featuring double bass. Generally, double bass is tuned to E1 which responds to 41.2Hz. This frequency is within most speakers reach. Beside one heavy Chinese piece, the rest are equally challenging on harmonic reproduction. Be patience with the tracks, the music will slowly grow on you. It is the matter of the degree of how well your system in managing micro details, micro dynamics and ambience retrieval. Combine these aspects leads you to a new dimension of musical pleasure, spatial and spacious. The talk about music transporting listeners to a virtual TIME and SPACE is true as you continue to work your system towards that goal.

I wanted to take time to thank Jo for his time and effort on this CD. He is one of the good guys that believe in giving back to the social, continues to contribute and share his knowledge for the good of the audio community in general even though he has retired from showcasing his LS3/5a to the general public in KLIAV show. Look, he doesn't have to do if he doesn't want to, you get what I mean. Not forgetting the generous sponsors too, thank you.