What I was Listening to - Vol #6

Carreras Domingo Pavarotti in Concert, Decca Records, London, 1990 (430-433-2)

Going back to my opera collection, I began to listen to this marvelous CD yet again.  As many of you know, this CD is a recording of the landmark concert held July 7, 1990 at the Terme di Caracalla (the Baths of Caracalla) in Rome.  The world's three greatest tenors, Jose Carreras, Placedo Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti came together (by some great miracle) to perform some of opera's best known music.  These greats were accompanied by two full orchestras (the Orchestra del maggio musicale fiorentino and the Orchestra del Teatro del Opera di Roma) under the baton of the great Zubin Mehta.  Although many people have seen subsequent performances by this foursome (if you include Mehta), one has to appreciate the time, effort, and hard work that went into brining these three together the first time.  Although prior to the concert egos were likely a great obstacle, the final performance that night was superb.  Even the encore brought out the best in these three.   For any opera fan (or classical music fan) this is one you must have in your collection.

Carlo Maria Giulini Conducts, Deutsche Grammophon, 1978/80 (429-268-2)

This CD has two recordings.  The first is Giulini conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in Beethoven's 6th Symphony or what is better known as the "Pastoral" symphony.   The other is Giulini conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Schubert's 4th Symphony, also known as the "Tragic" symphony.  Both of these are great performances by two very impressive orchestras.  I have to admit that I've found it very difficult to find recordings by the LA Philharmonic, but I truely enjoy the ones I do find.  I purchased this particular CD because I enjoy Guilini's rendition of the "Pastoral".   In either case, this is a definite winner.   About the only problem is that it's a DG recording, which puts the price up there.

Miscellaneous Artists - Sweet Emotions, Instinct Jazz, 1997 (EX359-2)

I've made a recent foray into acid jazz.  This particular CD has contributions from 14 different acid jazz artists including Soundscape UK, Count Basic, Gota, James Taylor Quartet, and RAD.  I found this CD to be interesting, but just short of the 3-song rule.  There is a good cut from Count Basic (Chasing the Sunset) and another from Exodus Quartet (Fly).  However, I can't really recommend this one to everyone.  If you're a big acid jazz fan, you might want to add this to your collection.  Otherwise, I'd look elsewhere.

Warren Hill - Devotion, RCA Records, 1993 (07863-66321-2)

Any fan of sax jazz would enjoy this particular release.  This one definitely passes the 3-song rule.  Warren Hill's technique isn't really all that special.  It's clean and has good emotion.  I think what makes this CD a winner is the choice of songs, the majority which were written by Warren Hill and Sam Purkin.  In the liner notes Hill dedicates this CD to his Tamara, his "wife-to-be".  Maybe his heart was really into this one.  Whatever the reason, there are some really smooth cuts.  "The Passion Theme", which got lots of air time on jazz radio stations is definitely a winner.  Other good cuts include "Uncontrollable Urge", "Your Place or Mine?", and a very nice rendition of the Eric Clapton hit "Tears in Heaven".

  What I was listening to (#1)

  What I was listening to (#2)

  What I was listening to (#3)

  What I was listening to (#4)

  What I was listening to (#5)

  What I was listening to (#7)

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