Category Archives: Music

Various artists’ The Music of Wales, The Folk Collection, and The Music of Wales, The Classic Collection

Nos da. Croeso I Gymru. To those of you not fluent in Welsh that means “Good morning. Welcome to Wales.” Wales has always been a kind of forgotten sibling to England, Scotland and Ireland. But the Welsh language is as … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Various artists’ The Music of Wales, The Folk Collection, and The Music of Wales, The Classic Collection

Pigyn Clust’s Perllan (Orchard)

This is an exquisite album. It’s difficult to decide whether the instrumentals or the vocals are more compelling — rest assured that both are lovely, and the combination is at once exciting and restrained. This disc will appeal both to … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Pigyn Clust’s Perllan (Orchard)

Llio Rhydderch’s Melangell, and Boys From The Hill’s Boys From The Hill

Tim Hoke wrote this review. Welsh music isn’t something that’s easily found, at least not where I live. I have found that it’s usually worth the effort when I do manage to track some down. I was thrilled to hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Llio Rhydderch’s Melangell, and Boys From The Hill’s Boys From The Hill

The Mavericks’ Moon & Stars

The Mavericks’ Moon & Stars is the music you put on as the cookout is winding down on a perfect summer night, the music to chill with as you finish that final beverage and talk quietly with your friends as … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on The Mavericks’ Moon & Stars

Bruno Råberg Tentet’s Evolver

Here’s yet another superb recording from a large jazz ensemble. It’s been a good year for those, and it’s only just June! After a critically acclaimed nonet album in 2002, bassist, composer, and educator Bruno Råberg spent the ensuing 20 … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Bruno Råberg Tentet’s Evolver

Tony Trischka’s EarlJam: A Tribute To Earl Scruggs

The story of this album has so many layers to it, it’s hard to know what to put in and what to leave out in a limited scope review like this. I’ll try to give as brief an introduction as … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Tony Trischka’s EarlJam: A Tribute To Earl Scruggs

Duo Emilia Lajunen & Suvi Oskala’s Toisjalkainen

The duo of Emilia Lajunen and Suvi Oskala are known in their homeland and elsewhere around the globe as masterful interpreters of the historical fiddle repertoir of central Finland. Just by playing this music, both the well known repertoire and … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Duo Emilia Lajunen & Suvi Oskala’s Toisjalkainen

Todd Haynes’s Velvet Goldmine, David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and The Man Who Sold The World

I have seen Velvet Goldmine three times, and the last time I watched it, I asked if I could review it for GMR. When the two vintage Bowie CDs were thrown in, they swallowed the bait whole. So, out came … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Todd Haynes’s Velvet Goldmine, David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and The Man Who Sold The World

Téa Hodžić Trio’s Stay Awhile

The Téa Hodžić Trio is the first project for these three musicians as a trio, although they’ve been performing together as members of other ensembles for several years. Lead singer and guitarist Téa Hodžić is a native of Sarajevo in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Téa Hodžić Trio’s Stay Awhile

Aly Bain’s First Album, Lonely Bird, and Aly Bain & The BT Scottish Ensemble’s Follow the Moonstone

Alistair Brown wrote this review. I have a vivid memory of Aly Bain at a folk festival in the 1970s. He was taking part in one of these compare and contrast workshops so common in Canadian festivals. On stage with … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Aly Bain’s First Album, Lonely Bird, and Aly Bain & The BT Scottish Ensemble’s Follow the Moonstone