Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Intruding on a Silence

RELAXING and ENJOYABLE. Colin Chin's CD Intruding on a Silence is far from an intrusion.  It's  a perfect picture of Jim Fisher, sitting at his desk on a spring day, a gentle breeze coming through the open window, and this music wafting through the house. All is right with the world....

Chin, a talented composer, synthesist  and guitarist, presents soft tones that leave you in peace. The electronic tunes carry a melody which you can hum along to and carry throughout the day.

I'm not usually drawn to new age or electronic music, but I enjoyed this. The list of tunes on the CD include:

  • In Heaven's Wake
  • Ayers Rock
  • Farewell to Innocence
  • The Belly of the Beast
  • Point of  Egression
  • A March Through the Queens Garden
  • In Search of Things Lost
  • Love Sonnet
  • The Alluvial Plains
All worth a listen. 

Released in 1990 on the Narada Mystique label. Chin's work is mostly from the 80s and 90s.


Monday, April 10, 2017

CD 101.9 Presents Columbia & Sony Jazz Collection

Hmmmm.  How did I miss this CD? As I sat and listened to its mellow jazz sounds, I realized I really liked it.  I must have been busy chasing little kids around in circles.

The 101.9 Presents Columbia & Sony Jazz Collection includes tunes by the following artists:

  • Grover Washington, Jr. - Strawberry Moon
  • Ross Traut / Steve Rodby - Up On The Roof
  • Full Circle - Music For Little People
  • Takeshi Itoh - This Is The Night
  • Milton Nascimento - La Bamba
  • Ramsey Lewis -Bernice
  • Wynton Marsalis - Lazy Afternoon
  • Kirk Whalum - The Promise
  • The Zawinful Syndicate - And So It Goes
  • Hubert Laws - I Love My Daddy
  • Eddy Gomez - Forever
  • Steve Gadd - Strength
Every song on the CD was enjoyable. A quick look showed the individual recordings difficult to find. I especially enjoyed the jazzy version of Up On the Roof and La Bamba.

Released in 1989. Take a chance to listen to the CD if you get a copy of it. I hope you enjoy it.


Friday, April 7, 2017

Wes Montgomery - Compact Jazz

The CD Wes Montgomery - Compact Jazz is a collection of the great jazz guitarist's work, posthumously released in 1987 by Verve Records. After returning home from a national tour, he passed away unexpected at the young age of 43.

I truly enjoyed the music of this self-taught musician. The warm tones and chords of his playing, intertwined with popular songs of the day - as well as his own compositions - made me smile. My favorites were  Sunny, The Shaddow of Your smile, and Goin' Out of My Head. Guess it says something about my age, that I can remember the original vocal tunes.  Highlighted by Montgomery's musical additions, the tunes sounded much more amazing to me.

I hope you can obtain a copy. You won't want the music to end. LISTEN HERE


Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique)

I really like Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique). It would be difficult to find somebody who did not like the melodic and stirring tones from the 19th  century Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. So I think I will concentrate on all the Italian musical terms in this piece I do not know.  Music scholars are probably rolling their eyes, but at least I am taking the time to find out.


  • pathetique - passionate or emotional; not pathetic as I originally thought.
  • adagio - slow tempo
  • andante - moderately slow, even tempo
  • moderato assai - at a moderate tempo
  • andante come prima - tempo indication; moderate as before
  • andante mosso - movement, more lively
  • allegro vivo - with life and vigor
  • moderato mosso - moderate movement
  • allegro non troppo - fast, but not too fast
  • allegro con grazia - fast with grace
  • allegro molto vivaci - very fast and lively
  • adagio lamentoso -  slowly and sadly
  • polonaise - a slow dance of Polish origin
And now I know....

The CD was released in 1987 on the Telarc label.  It was recorded by the Cleveland Orchestra, and conducted by Christoph von Dohnanyi.



Chick Corea Compact Jazz


Jim loved, loved, loved the music of jazz musician Chick Corea. He idolized the 22-time Grammy winning jazz legend, pianist and composer. I think if dreams really could come true, he would have been a musician just like Chick. I, on the other hand, had to work to see the good in his work. Which is why I dreaded listening to Chick's Compact Jazz.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear many good and artistic sounds, but was taken aback by its erratic combinations. The beautiful music was so intense, I had the feeling of being caught in a very busy day at work. Although I heard his compositions many times, I did not recognize it beyond the wild sounds.

Released in 1987 on the Polydor label, the CD includes the following:
  • Captain Marvel
  • Captain Senor Mouse
  • Armando's Rhumba
  • 500 Miles High
  • Love Castle
  • Vulcan Worlds
  • No Mystery
  • Spain
So dear Jim, I'm afraid we will continue to "agree to disagree" on this artist. While I recognize his talent, and quite beautiful sections, the music of Chick Corea just doesn't come together for me. Listen to a few of the tunes here.