track Archive

Tim GARLAND – One – Edition Tim GARLAND – One – Edition

Tim GARLAND – One – Edition Tim GARLAND – One – Edition

Tim GARLAND – One – Edition EDN1072, 56:11 (6/6/16) ***: (TIm Garland; soprano and tenor saxophone/ Asaf Sirkis; drums & percussion/ Jason Rebello; piano, keyboards/ Ant Law; nylon string guitar and 12 & 8-string guitar) Energetic tenor playing on a muddled, fusion-flavored  session. I first encountered Tim Garland as part of an unusual but fine trio which consisted of Geoff Keezer on piano, Joe Locke on vibraphone, and Mr. Garland on tenor and soprano saxophones. Playing in a chastened, post-bop idiom, these musicians employed both brains and brawn.  The tenor playing made a most agreeable impression. Thus, I was happy to see Garland surface on the reputable Edition label out of England with the euphonious trio of Jason Rebello, Asaf Sirkus, and Ant Law. The first track, Sama’i For Peace, opens up with a funky 10-beat groove with added middle-eastern percussion. The soprano makes the first solo statement with the vehemence and self-assurance of a master. The bustling rhythm section are mobilized into action by the performance, and the piece ends with a great swirl of percussive energy.  Midway through, however, I discerned some extra keyboard voicings which provoked the skeptical raising of an eyebrow. The second track, Bright New […]

Eight Christmas CDs for the 2016 Holidays

Eight Christmas CDs for the 2016 Holidays

Eight Christmas CDs of Note, Holidays 2016 “Song of the Nativity” – The Sixteen/ Harry Christophers – Coro COR16146, 73:58 (10/14/16) [Distr. by Naxos] *****: This wonderful Christmas offering comprises some of the best modern carols and choral works of the modern age, sung to absolute perfection by a noted and very reliable ensemble. The sound is first rate and the dynamic range of this group never fails to astound. Fortunately, there are also seven traditional carols thrown into the mix, and they are taken, as directly as possible, from the classic Oxford Book of Carols from 1928. After all the Christmas albums that turn these gems inside out with never-ending permutations and cleverly assembled variances, hearing them in this form, sans ego and overly-stoked imagination, is a real and very genuine pleasure. This album will serve as a balm to over-jaded holiday sensibilities, and help to recapture the real meaning of the season. TrackList: Bullard, A: And all the stars looked down Chilcott: Shepherd’s Carol Davies, Walford: O Little Town of Bethlehem Gardner, John: When Christ was born of Mary free Ireland: The Holy Boy Jackson, Gabriel: The Christ-child Lauridsen: O magnum mysterium MacMillan: The Strathclyde Motets: O Radiant […]

Jeff Libman, guitar – Strange Beauty – CellarLive

Jeff Libman, guitar – Strange Beauty – CellarLive

Jeff Libman, guitar – Strange Beauty [TrackList follows] – CellarLive CL040916, 51:01 ***: A straightforward release with a strong unimpeded style.  (Jeff Libman – guitar; Michael Kocour – piano; Ben Hedquist – acoustic bass; Dom Moio – drums) There is a maxim in George Bernard Shaw’s play Man And Superman which goes as follows:” He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches”. Fortunately, this does not apply to Jeff Libman, who is Clinical Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University. In this release for the CellarLive label entitled Strange Beauty, Libman shows unequivocally that he can do, and does so with a vision and creativity. While this session should not be construed as breaking any new ground, it is nevertheless straightforward, and showcases a strong unimpeded style from all the participants. Leading off with John Lennon’s “And I Love Her,” the melody is set out in 3/4 time with Libman running through the theme and not straying far from centre. Pianist Kocour makes the most of his solo time. ”A Portrait Of Jenny” has a samba style that works well, and sets a frame for Libman’s Latin-flavoured guitar runs. Kocour’s piano solo is effervescent and avoids clichés. Three […]

Fiona Boyes – Professin’ The Blues – Reference Recording

Fiona Boyes – Professin’ The Blues – Reference Recording

Fiona Boyes – Professin’ The Blues – Reference Recording RR-140 HDCD, 54:07 ****: Delta blues and more from another part of the world. (Fiona Boyes – guitars, vocals/ Jim Bott – drums, percussion/ Denny Crow – bass) Blues music began as a regional cultural touchstone. Through jazz, rock and roll and country/western, the once provincial music has been shared with the world. The Rolling Stones named their band after a Muddy Waters song. Fiona Boyes grew up hearing blues music in Australia. With the female blues band The Mojos, Boyes became a star. After winning the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, she broadened her fan, touring and recording for over a decade. Boyes’ latest release, Professin’ The Blues on Reference Recording is a 16-track blues feast. Recorded originally in 24-bit technology, she performs in solo, duet and trio, generating authentic blues chops. For blues integrity, every song was recorded live with no overdubs or separate tracking.  The opening title track is straight-ahead Delta blues on a traditional instrument (National Reso-Phonic guitar). Boyes’ husky vocals bring an emotional depth of feeling. Picking up the Beeton Resonator, “Devil You Know” deals with a bad relationship. The stripped-down effect resonates with the vocals. […]

Presley – The Wonder Of You – Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic Orch. – RCA Legacy

Presley – The Wonder Of You – Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic Orch. – RCA Legacy

A CD compilation of Elvis tracks. Presley – The Wonder Of You – Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic Orch. – RCA Legacy [10/21/16], 51:15 ***1/2: (Elvis Presley – vocals, bass; James Burton – guitar; John Parricelli – guitar; Steve Pearce – bass; Ralph Salmins – drums; Pete Murray – piano; Gen D. Hardin – piano; Reggie Young – guitar; D.J. Fontata – drums; Don Reedman – guitar; Charlie McCoy – organ; Don Reedman – guitar; Nick patrick – guitar; Floyd Cramer – piano; Nick Patrick – percussion;; Jochem Van Der Saag – organ; Tommy Tedesco – guitar; Dennis Linde – guitar; Robin Smith – string arrangements; Chris Walden – orchestral arrangements; Steve Sidwell – brass, string arrangements) The Elvis Presley cultural legacy seems endless. Nearly forty years after his death, new recordings are being released by his estate. This is not a commercialization phenomenon to only Presley. The Beatles released a single with John Lennon on lead vocal as part of the Anthology series. Natalie Cole recorded a version of “Unforgettable” with her iconic father. So it is no surprise that the “King Of Rock And Roll” has gotten into this act. The latest album is The Wonder Of […]

Lee “Scratch” Perry – Must Be Free – Megawave

Lee “Scratch” Perry – Must Be Free – Megawave

A dub/reggae pioneer far from his prime. Lee “Scratch” Perry – Must Be Free – Megawave MEGW0452, 58:45 [9/23/16] ***: (Lee “Scratch” Perry – vocals; Spacewave (AKA John Palmer) – production; The Groovematist (AKA Mechial White) – production (track 2); Karienne Scott – backing vocals (track 2); IAmPhloboi (AKA Kenneth Bankhead) –production (track 12); Subatomic Sound System (AKA John Emch) – production (bonus track)) There are two statements on the back of the digipak for Lee “Scratch” Perry’s latest outing, the hour-long Must Be Free. One statement is true and one statement is misleading. There is a “Parental Advisory. Explicit Content” notice. That is factual, as some of the lyrics contain words or spoken lines meant for mature listeners. The other sentence reads, “File Under Reggae/Dub.” That’s deceptive. The 80-year-old Rainford Hugh Perry (otherwise known as Lee “Scratch” Perry) is one of the pioneers of dub music. Starting in the late ‘60s, Perry implemented sound effects and remixing to generate new instrumental or vocal versions of existing reggae music. But the 13 tracks (plus a bonus cut) on Must Be Free are most often electrontica, while some elements come from the dubstep dance genre (despite the name, dubstep has a […]

Marcello Pellitteri – Aquarius Woman – Marpel Music

Marcello Pellitteri – Aquarius Woman – Marpel Music

Marcello Pellitteri – Aquarius Woman – Marpel Music 0002, 51:17 [10/1/16] ***: An ambitious and emotionally expressive album. (Marcello Pellitteri – drums; Orazio Maugeri – alto sax; Salvatore Bonafede – acoustic & electric piano – Gabrio Bevilacqua – acoustic bass; special guests: George Garzone – tenor sax (1); Veronica Pellitteri – spoken words (3); Nedelka Prescod – vocals (7); Rino Cirinnà – tenor sax (11); Lauren Kinhan – vocals (12); Yvonnick Prene – harmonica (12); Marcello Todaro – electric guitar & spoken word (13) While Aquarius Woman is not a concept album, but it does have a construct behind it. The music is performed by Marcello Pellitteri and friends, as a tribute to his daughter Veronica Pellitteri, who died at age 23 in 2014. The track list is, with two exceptions, built on compositions from Pellitteri and other members of the band and they cover a catholic taste in a post-modern, contemporary jazz category. Opening with an original by Pellitteri “Chasin’ The Zone”, the band gives full measure with a swinging offering that drummer Pellitteri pushes along in a probing fashion. The title track “Aquarius Woman” is a short musical sonnet that features a reading by Veronica Pellitteri in a “voice from […]

GREGORY PECK Centennial Collection – To Kill a Mockingbird & Cape Fear + Extras, Blu-ray (1961 & 2/2016)

GREGORY PECK Centennial Collection – To Kill a Mockingbird & Cape Fear + Extras, Blu-ray (1961 & 2/2016)

A fine remastering of one the most important films ever made. GREGORY PECK Centennial Collection – Remastering of To Kill a Mockingbird & Cape Fear + Extras, Blu-ray (1961 & 2/2016) Cast: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Brock Peters, Robert Duvall, Phillip Alford Studio: Universal Pictures 61181322 (10/11/16) 2 discs Directors: J. Lee Thompson & Robert Mulligan Producers: Sy Bartlett & Alan J. Pakula Writers: James R. Webb & Horton Foote Music: Bernard Hermann for both films Video: 1.85:1 for 16:9 screens, black & white Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 & 2.0 & mono, French DTS-HD MA 2.0 Subtitles: French, Spanish, English for the hearing impaired, All regions Extras:  A Conversation with Gregory Peck, Fearful Symmetry: The Making of To Kill a Mockingbird, Academy Award Best Actor Acceptance Speech, American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, Excerpt from Tribute to Gregory Peck, Scout Remembers, Feature Commentary Track with Director Robert Mulligan & Producer Alan Pakula, 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics, Theatrical Trailer, BD-Live, My Scenes, Pocket BLU App Length: TT: 236 min. Rating: *****  The big thing is not only the wonderful remasterings of both great motion pictures, but also the many extras concerning the terrific contributions which Gregory Peck made to the first film,  and as a […]

Dave Holland, doublebass – Aziza – Dare2

Dave Holland, doublebass – Aziza – Dare2

Dave Holland, doublebass – Aziza  [TrackList follows] – Dare2 DR2-009, 68:34 (10/14/16) ****: (Dave Holland – bass/ Lionel Loueke – guitar/ Chris Potter – saxophones/ Eric Harland – drums) Dave Holland Quartet keeps the intensity alive. With legendary Bassist Dave Holland celebrating his 70th birthday this year, we might reasonably expect him to settle down and apply himself to something a little more sedate and reflective. Perhaps, a “Gateway Trio Unplugged does Bob Dylan,” or better yet an orchestral version of “Conference of the Birds with lyrics by Rumi.” But that isn’t Dave; Instead, we get another version of the Dave Holland Band, now stripped down to a quartet, playing some of the most raucous, funky, and spirited jazz of the year. The record under review appears on his own label, which he founded in 2005. His long tenure with ECM, a label on which Dave’s brand of energy jazz seemed to be incongruous, and seems to be over. We might wonder if this signals a new direction in his music. The answer is no. There is no swerving or slowing for Mr. Holland. Joining the band is Lionel Loueke. Lionel is originally from Benin and arrived in United States […]

Esperanza Spalding – Emily’s D+Evolution – Concord

Esperanza Spalding – Emily’s D+Evolution – Concord

Esperanza Spalding – Emily’s D+Evolution [TrackList follows] – Concord CRE-38265-02, 45:29 (3/04/16) ****: Enter stage right: Esperanza’s artistic evolution! While jazz is predominantly the style you’ll hear emit from her work, Esperanza Spalding transcends the genre on her new full-length album, Emily’s D+Evolution, which shows many alternative and rock-influenced styles, with a passionate theatrical element to the sound. Spalding worked closely with producer Tony Visconti, David Bowie’s primary producer, on several tracks on the album – which could have helped give her this edge. Lyrically, the album pays tribute to her journey by telling the story of Emily, which is Esperanza’s middle name, but also the spirit-muse whose story unfolds throughout this incredibly complex album. At first listen, I initially was unsure of allowing the music to guide my ear on the journey – as it was difficult to define what I was hearing! What pulled me in was giving my attention to the vocals, which have a beautiful unfettered quality displaying her intuitive confidence in every track. Emily sings from the heart. Whether singing as more of a melodic accompaniment, or stealing the stage with her a cappella speak-acting – you can tell that there is not one regretful […]

Peter Brendler, doublebass – Message in Motion – Positone

Peter Brendler, doublebass – Message in Motion – Positone

Peter Brendler, doublebass – Message in Motion – Positone PR8156, 56:39 (7/15/16) ****: The bass leads the way. (Peter Brendler – doublebass/ Rich Perry – tenor sax /Peter Evans – trumpet /Vinnie Sperrazza – drums /Ben Monder – guitar) It is easy to overlook the bass in a jazz ensemble. It is the least noisy and attention-grabbing instrument. However, its importance can hardly be overstated. As always when I discover a new bassist, I listen in on my Sennheiser 600 headphones with rapt attention to the footfalls of the walking bass, which are a sure path through the music. The quarter-notes are a way of finding the complexities of the harmony. I like to think of the bass – especially in the absence of a chordal instrument– as the brains of the ensemble which thus thinks from the bottom up.  A superior bassist exemplifies Henry David Thoreau’s dictum that “walking is a kind of thinking.” As long as the bass stays on the trail, one cannot get too lost. The CD under review here “Message in Motion” offers a good example of ‘basic’ virtues. The leader of the group, Baltimore-based Peter Brendler, was unknown to me before this debut recording […]

High Risk – Dark Territory – Greenleaf Music

High Risk – Dark Territory – Greenleaf Music

“Welcome to the future.” High Risk – Dark Territory [TrackList follows] – Greenleaf Music GRE-CD-1049, 40:10 [7/8/16] ****: (Dave Douglas – trumpet, producer; Jonathan Maron – electric and synth bass; Mark Guiliana – acoustic and electric drums; Shigeto – electronics) Trumpeter Dave Douglas knows more than a bit about heading into unknown or new terrain. He makes that clear on Dark Territory, the sophomore release with his quintet dubbed High Risk, which includes Douglas, Jonathan Maron (electric and synth basses), acoustic and electric drummer Mark Guiliana and electronics music expert Shigeto (AKA Zachary Shigeto Saginaw). The 40-minute, seven-track album is an acute creation which blends avant-jazz with electronics and shadowy atmospherics. The title comes from Fred Kaplan’s 2016 book, Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War, which quotes former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and his description of cyber espionage as a “dark territory” with no light, invisible enemies, and catastrophic consequences. The Dark Territory record has been issued as a compact disc, vinyl LP and as a digital download. This review refers to the CD configuration. The sense of imminent danger, of possible threats on the horizon, can be felt on the nearly seven-minute opener, “Celine,” where Douglas’s healthy […]

Audio News for August 26, 2016

Sony Is Advertising a Hi-Res Turntable – There cannot be such a thing as a hi-res turntable. It may be designed to convert vinyl discs to audio files, but it is not therefore hi-res. Vinyl may often sound fantastic, but it is not hi-res and never will be. Post-iPod Players – Both new and experienced audio fans are flocking to hi-res audio players for music while on the go. Rather than the old-fashioned MP3 players like Apple’s iPod, they have sophisticated electronics such as DACs, making them capable of reproducing hi-res audio that the iPod cannot handle. The hi-res mobile players have also become cheaper and more feature-packed recently. Hi-res correctly refers to anything in digital audio files which is more than the standard 44.1K/16-bit of compact discs. (The current low-end hi-res is considered to be 48K/24-bit.) The bit depth is usually pushed up to 24-bits and the sampling to at least 96K, which results in clearer, richer and more authentic audio. Enthusiasts sometimes compare hi-res audio to so-called 4K video (actually UHD) in terms of better sound quality, clarity, and authentic audio. Such players now range from $150 to $6000. Tracks can be streamed via services like Tidal and […]

Blue Mitchell & Sonny Red – Baltimore 1966 – Uptown

Blue Mitchell & Sonny Red – Baltimore 1966 – Uptown

A perfect blend of sweet and sour… Blue Mitchell & Sonny Red – Baltimore 1966 – Uptown UPCD.83, 70:52 ****: (Blue Mitchell- trumpet; Sonny Red- alto sax; John Hicks- piano; Gene Taylor- bass; Joe Chambers- drums) For lovers of straight-ahead jazz and hard bop in particular, Uptown Records has continued to release superb live sessions based out of Baltimore from the 1960s through the 70s. These were Sunday afternoon concerts put on by the Left Bank Jazz Society. Due to the fact that the sessions were on Sunday afternoons and not too far away from New York City, the Society could bring in the best talent and first rate backing musicians. Recorded sound quality could be a bit “iffy” but many of the Uptown issued Left Bank dates feature a nicely mixed full sound stage. Such is the case with the new Blue Mitchell/Sonny Red quintet recording from March 20, 1966. (We typically hear Mitchell backed by Junior Cook, former mates with one of Horace Silver’s best hard bop aggregations.) Blue is noted for his warm, lyrical tone that is fully expressed on ballads. Sonny Red was a bop-oriented alto saxist who had a relatively short career, passing away in […]

Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane, Matthew Garrison – In Movement – ECM

Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane, Matthew Garrison – In Movement – ECM

Family, friendship, musical camaraderie: all part of the latest from Jack DeJohnette. Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane, Matthew Garrison – In Movement [TrackList follows] ECM 2488, 54:21 [5/6/16] ****1/2: (Jack DeJohnette – drums, piano, electronic percussion; Ravi Coltrane – tenor, soprano and sopranino saxophone; Matthew Garrison – electric bass, electronics) What would the jazz world be without drummer, composer and forward-thinking Jack DeJohnette? Certainly a less interesting music universe, that’s for sure. He’s played hard-bop, avant-garde (he was an important member of the Chicago improvisational scene which led to the formation of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), fusion (with Charles Lloyd and then Miles Davis), and has collaborated with countless artists (Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, John Abercrombie, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield and a host of others). DeJohnette has had a lengthy sojourn on ECM, and his latest for that label is the 54-minute eight-track In Movement. For this late 2015 studio date, DeJohnette pulled together a stellar trio. DeJohnette is heard on drums, piano and electronic percussion; Ravi Coltrane is on tenor, soprano and sopranino saxophones (this is his first ECM-related project); and Matthew Garrison is on electric bass and contributes electronics (also the […]

Warren Wolf, vibes – Convergence – Mack Avenue

Warren Wolf, vibes – Convergence – Mack Avenue

Warren Wolf, vibes – Convergence – Mack Avenue MAC 1105 67:51 ****: A sure-footed investigation of a smart jazz aesthetic (Warren Wolf – vibes, marimba 5/6/9/10/11, Fender Rhodes 2/9, piano 9; Christian McBride – bass 1/2/3/5/6/7/8/9/10; Brad Mehldau – piano 1/2/4/5/7; John Scofield – guitar 1/7; Jeff “Tain” Watts – drums 1/2/5/6/7/8/9/10) There was a period back in the 1970s or so, when rock supergroups were all the rage with the likes of Cream, Traffic, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young among others. Jazz never quite went in that direction apart from the unintended exception of The Quintet ( which came together for one performance only at Massey Hall, Toronto in 1953, and the historic recording that followed) and perhaps VSOP. One never quite thought of the classic Bill Evans Trio or Oscar Peterson Trio or the original Miles Davis Quintet along those lines although it would have been possible to do so. The Warren Wolf release Convergence has combined star power and individuality, and thus  has all the attributes of a supergroup. Thankfully no such promotional efforts have detracted from the breadth and scope of the originality of the music coming from this band. With a judicious mix of original […]

Randy Weston – African Cookbook – Atlantic/ PurePleasure

Randy Weston – African Cookbook – Atlantic/ PurePleasure

A tasty musical stew from Randy Weston… Randy Weston – African Cookbook – Atlantic/ PurePleasure PPAN SD1609 – stereo vinyl (1964) ****: (Randy Weston – piano, celeste; Ray Copeland – trumpet, Flugelhorn, arranger; Booker Ervin – tenor sax; Vishnu Wood – bass; Lenny McBrowne – drums; Big Black – congas, vocal on “Congolese Children”; Sir Harold Murray – percussion) It is quite surprising that Randy Weston could not find a label to release his 1964 recording, African Cookbook. It features the superb tenor saxist, Booker Ervin, as well as trumpeter, Ray Copeland, who ably handled the arrangements. The music was very approachable and combined straight ahead jazz in a bluesy vein along with African rhythms provided by Big Black and Sir Harold Murray. Weston had to issue the album himself on his small label, Bakton. Eight years later, Atlantic Records made the smart decision to give a wider reception to the album and it met wide acceptance. PurePleasure Records, out of England, who recognize historical quality in their reissue series, recently decided to provide an audiophile upgrade to 180 gm vinyl using their ace mastering engineer Ray Staff. The acoustics are superb and the percussion and horns benefit, as well […]

Joe Turner – The Boss Of The Blues – Atlantic Records (1956) /Pure Pleasure (2015)

Joe Turner – The Boss Of The Blues – Atlantic Records (1956) /Pure Pleasure (2015)

Joe Turner – The Boss Of The Blues – Atlantic Records (1956)/Pure Pleasure PPAN 1234 (2015), 44:49 mono vinyl *****: This is a perfect mixture of blues and jazz! (Joe Turner – vocals; Joe Newman – trumpet; Lawrence Brown – trombone; Pete Brown – alto saxophone; Frank Weiss – tenor saxophone; Pete Johnson – piano; Freddie Green – guitar; Walter Page – bass; Cliff Leeman – drums; Jimmy Nottingham – trumpet; Sheldon Powell – tenor saxophone) The genesis of rock and roll can be traced to converted R&B players like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. They amalgamated blues, gospel and jazz to form a populist, rollicking free-for-all genre that has lasted six decades. Quintessential rockers have paid tribute to the early pioneers, especially blues artists. Notable performers like The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt did their best to sustain this legacy, often recording and touring with their heroes. But even the rock and roll legends have a common thread to the past.  A lot of blues and jump swing artists learned their craft from jazz, and in particular big band jazz. Possibly the greatest link between jazz/blues and rock and roll is Big […]

Teddy Edwards – Feelin’s – Muse/Xanadu/Elemental

Teddy Edwards – Feelin’s – Muse/Xanadu/Elemental

The feelin’s right… Teddy Edwards – Feelin’s – Muse/Xanadu/Elemental 906077, 40:18 (1974) ****: (Teddy Edwards – tenor sax; Conte Candoli – trumpet; Dolo Coker – piano; Ray Brown – bass; Frank Butler – drums; Jerry Steinholz – congas and percussion) Teddy Edwards has never received enough accolades as a heavyweight straight-ahead jazz tenor sax player. Perhaps it was because he primarily stayed on the West Coast throughout his career, and did not get the New York exposure needed to be a breakout star. Nevertheless, Edwards made many standout albums and recorded well into his 70s. Feelin’s, recorded in 1974, is a welcome reissue in the Xanadu Master Edition series. Edwards has a super backing group comprised of Conte Candoli on trumpet, the iconic Ray Brown on bass, and the relatively unheralded Dolo Coker on piano, Frank Butler on drums and Jerry Steinholz on percussion. Recorded on March 25, 1974, at Wally Heider’s Hollywood Studio, this session consists of four Edwards’ originals, a blues from Ray Brown, and a nice cover of “Georgia on my Mind.” “Bear Tracks” is taken at a relaxed shuffle beat. Teddy blows some ultra low notes, much like those of a tugboat horn. “April Love” is […]

The American Friend, Blu-ray (1977/2016)

The American Friend, Blu-ray (1977/2016)

One of the best films by German director William Wenders. The American Friend, Blu-ray (1977/2016) Director: William Wenders Cast: Dennis Hopper, Bruno Ganz, Lisa Kreuzer Studio: Wm. Wenders Foundation/Janus Films/The Criterion Collection 793 [1/12/16] (Distr. by Orange Media) Video: 1.66:1 for 16×9 screen, 1080p HD color Audio: German, English & French DTS-HD MA 5.1 Subtitles: English Dubbed: French & German Extras: 2002 commentary track by Wenders & Hopper, New Wenders interview, New Ganz interview, Deleted scenes with commentary by Wenders, Theatrical trailer, Illustrated booklet with essary by author Francine Prose Length: 126 min. Rating: ****1/2 Wenders says in his interview that he wanted to make films of various books by Patricia Highsmith (who died in 1995) but they were all already optioned. Several of her novels have resulted in films, beginning with Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train. Finally she gave him a new one and this is it. Wenders substantially altered the book, which is the third in the Tom Ripley series. Hopper plays Ripley and is The American Friend, and Bruno Ganz plays a naive Hamburg picture framer. (Ganz is not German but Swiss.) They are two exceptionally different protagonists. In the extras Wenders explains that at the start […]