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Cecile McLorin Salvant – The Window – Mack Avenue Records

by Audiophile Audition | Sep 4, 2018 | Jazz CD Reviews

A shooting star jazz vocalist- blending fireworks with a sly vulnerability…

The Marx Brothers = The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup – Blu-ray (3)

by Audiophile Audition | Oct 23, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

A Silver Screen Blu-ray collection of the first five (and funniest) Marx Bros. movies. The Marx Brothers = The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup – Blu-ray (3) (1929-1933/2016) Cast: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont Directors: Victor Heerman, Norman Z. McLeod, Joseph Santley, Robert Florey, Leo McCarey Studio: Paramount/ Universal Studios Home Ent. 61181320 (10/18/16) Video: 1:33 for 4:3 B&W Audio: English mono PCM Subtitles: English SDH, French Extras: See below Length: TT: 408 min. Rating: ***** At least three of the four Marx Brothers are the reigning kings of comedy on film and they remain one of the most iconic comic teams of all time. And these – their first five films for Paramount – are the most hilarious of all their work – the later ones for MGM get more serious are are not filled with comedy sketches, witty dialogue and plenty of gags like these five. The first one, from 1929, was actually the first all-talking and music sound film – The Jazz Singer only has a part with sync sound. And this was when many films had the sound on separate discs that had to be synced […]

What Happened, Miss Simone?, Blu-ray + CD

by Audiophile Audition | Aug 27, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

A terrific documentary on the life of this important vocalist in jazz, plus a CD of some the songs most associated with her career. What Happened, Miss Simone?, Blu-ray + CD (2015) Director: Liz Garbus Cast: Nina Simone and many of her friends and family Studio: Netflix/RadicalMedia/Moxie Firecracker Prod./Universal/Eagle Vision Blu-ray EVB335429 (9/2/16) + standard CD (2 discs) Video: 1080i for 16:9 screens, HD color & B&W Audio: English DTS-5.1 HD-MA, PCM stereo (CD – 44.1K/16-bit stereo) Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese Rating: ***** The story of her life and career is shown thru bits of archived interviews, extensive footage of her performances, and new interviews with family, friends and colleagues. Simone started out as a little black girl classical pianist of great talent, beginning at the age of four, who was turned away by Curtis Institute due to her race. She became a jazz and pop pianist, a unique vocalist, songwriter, singer, performer, civil rights activist, wife and mother, victim of abuse and a black icon. Simone’s career in music began when she had to earn money and began by playing and singing jazz and blues in nightclubs. She was considered by many to be too black, short […]

DVORAK: Sym. No. 9 in e minor, “From the New World”; Sym. No. 8 in G Major – Czech Philharmonic Orch./ Frantisek Stupka – Praga Digitals stereo-only

by Audiophile Audition | Aug 6, 2016 | Classical CD Reviews, SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

For those unfamiliar with the veteran Czech conductor Stupka, these two Dvorak performances provide a brilliant introduction. DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 in e minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”; Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 – Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/ Frantisek Stupka – Praga Digitals stereo-only SACD PRD/DSD 350 134, 78:23 (8/12/16) [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] *****: The name of Czech conductor Frantisek Stupka (1879-1965) certainly did not convey to me the same authority as I had accorded Vaclav Talich, Karel Ancerl, and Rafael Kubelik, but these performances – of the “New World” Symphony (6 January 1964) and the G Major Symphony (8 January 1959) – have changed my perspective. Stupka – having made his reputation with the Czech String Quartet – served as co-director of the Czech Philharmonic from 1946-1956 and director of the Moravian Philharmonic, the latter of which remained an “Eastern” ensemble without recorded documentation. The live broadcasts here preserved by Praga prove instantly refreshing and eminently affectionate readings of repertory that once more – under an inspirational conductor – throw off any sedimentation or ossification from long-wrought familiarity. The reading of the New World Symphony proceeds linearly but with inflamed interior voices from the […]

Susie Arioli – Spring – Spectra Musique

by Audiophile Audition | Feb 18, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Susie Arioli – Spring – Spectra Musique SPECD 7854, 46:41 ****: An unpretentious yet slick session from a singer who deserves a wider audience. (Susie Arioli – vocals; Don Thompson – piano, vibes; Terry Clarke – drums; Neil Swainson – bass; Reg Schwager – guitar; Phil Dwyer – tenor sax; Kevin Turcotte – trumpet; Andy Ballantyne – alto sax; Shirantha Beddage – baritone sax; Kelsley Grant – trombone ) There are many reading this review who will be completely unaware of the Canadian singer Susie Arioli. You will not be alone, as she has generated little exposure outside of Montreal where she currently resides. That is unfortunate, as she is a singer of taste, with a bright and expressive voice. Her latest release, Spring, is a strong outing, made all the more enjoyable as she is supported by a veritable who’s who of Toronto-based jazz musicians. With a mixture of original compositions, along with both better and lesser-known numbers from the standard American repetoire, Arioli delivers a song set that shows she knows how to connect with a lyric. Opening with her own tune “Loverboy” which swings along is fine fashion, Arioli and the band show that she has a […]

Roy Orbison – One Of The Lonely Ones – Universal – vinyl

by Audiophile Audition | Jan 29, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Roy Orbison – One Of The Lonely Ones – Universal 00602547233042, 33:43 [12/4/15] stereo vinyl ***: Previously unreleased 1969 album surfaces on vinyl. (Roy Orbison – guitar, vocals; plus many others) Roy Orbison is an intricate part of the original rock and roll landscape. His rockabilly structures share a common bond with Southern-based artists like Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins. His inspiration was drawn from the pathos of country music. Songs like “Only The Lonely”, “Pretty Woman”, “Crying” and “Blue Bayou” were heartfelt revelations with a personal message. Orbison remained vital into the Sixties. But like a lot of American rock and roll stars, the British Invasion pushed them aside. It was more than ironic that the very musicians idolized by British rockers, became its most notable casualties. Orbison, whose “near-operatic” twangy tenor had no equal pushed back on this and continued to record and tour. In 1965, he left Monument Records and signed (an alleged $1M deal) with MGM records. While not as commercially successful, Orbison scored 12 MGM-era singles, 10 studio albums and maintained relevance. There were dark times for the Kentucky singer that included the death of his wife (in a motorcycle accident) and a second tragedy […]