Cecilia Bartoli in London last night was a sheer delight.
The sell-out Barbican show, part of a European tour to promote her new album, Sacrificium, focussed on an obscure collection of Baroque pieces by unknown composers written for castrati.
So Bartoli’s set list was recherché, to say the least. And, let’s face it, some of the music was mediocre, forgettable.
Even so, the performances all evening were magical, demonstrating to the max the great Roman mezzo’s mellow tone, enviable range and peerless control. And her remarkable bond with a smitten audience.
Like all the best shape-shifting musicians, from Bob Dylan to Miles Davis, Bartoli bravely follows her muse, regardless. Her new collection unearths hitherto invisible musicians, just as she has championed unknowns like Salieri and Malibran in recent years.
Like Dylan, she chooses not to tour the world churning out crowd-pleasing hits shows. And her core fanbase thanks her for that – and for consistently challenging, extending them.
The band – the Milanese chamber orchestra Il Giardino Armonico - were spectacularly good foils: I’d be very happy to see them without a singer to support.
A perfect 10, then?
Not quite. Someone needs to have a quiet word about the diva’s cross-dressing. The concept might be appropriate for the role in hand, but the kit itself did the singer few favours.
And the Barbican management surrounded the players on stage with about 80 paying guests.
Mistake: they were a distraction. If the venue should ever repeat the error, it should at least vet the incumbents to ensure we’re forced to gaze only at hand-picked, stylish citizens.
Regular visitors to Music for Grown-Ups might remember reading similar glowing reviews here of other Bartoli London gigs over the years: Cecilia is a firm favourite of this website.
And last night confirmed what we already knew - Ms Bartoli is probably the leading singer on the world stage.
Brava Bartoli!
Gerry Smith
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Monday 23 November 2009
Two free Dylan exhibitions - London’s Trafalgar Square
Readers who happen to be in central London with half an hour to spare will be interested in two free Dylan exhibitions very near Trafalgar Square, the heart of London’s tourist district.
Hard Rain is a travelling open air exhibition (ie viewable 24/7) mounted on the Courtyard railings of St Martin-in-the-Fields church, juxtaposing each line of Dylan’s classic song with a striking photograph illustrating “Our Headlong Collision With Nature”. It closes on 13 December.
The project is documented in a book of the same name, by Mark Edwards; the third edition is on sale (discounted) in the shop in the Crypt, in normal retail hours.
www.hardrainproject.com
If you visit Hard Rain in normal gallery hours, you can also pop across the road to the National Portrait Gallery to view the small exhibition of Barry Feinstein Dylan photographs, Real Moments.
If you can make half a day for it, so much the better: the National Portrait Gallery has a breathtaking permanent collection, too.
www.npg.org.uk
And, from one of the newsagents in the area, why not pick up a copy of the new issue of UNCUT, which has yet another Dylan cover feature?
In central London at the moment, Dylan’s everywhere…
Gerry Smith
Hard Rain is a travelling open air exhibition (ie viewable 24/7) mounted on the Courtyard railings of St Martin-in-the-Fields church, juxtaposing each line of Dylan’s classic song with a striking photograph illustrating “Our Headlong Collision With Nature”. It closes on 13 December.
The project is documented in a book of the same name, by Mark Edwards; the third edition is on sale (discounted) in the shop in the Crypt, in normal retail hours.
www.hardrainproject.com
If you visit Hard Rain in normal gallery hours, you can also pop across the road to the National Portrait Gallery to view the small exhibition of Barry Feinstein Dylan photographs, Real Moments.
If you can make half a day for it, so much the better: the National Portrait Gallery has a breathtaking permanent collection, too.
www.npg.org.uk
And, from one of the newsagents in the area, why not pick up a copy of the new issue of UNCUT, which has yet another Dylan cover feature?
In central London at the moment, Dylan’s everywhere…
Gerry Smith
Monday 16 November 2009
Bob and Miles from Sony: Bootleg Series v Miles boxes
Thanks to Chris Gill:
“Good to know that there’s at least one other Dylan fan out there who’s also a serious lover of Miles’ music!
“I agree with your assessment of how Columbia treats its Dylan and Miles riches.
“Dylan fans have fared better than Miles freaks in one major respect: the Bootleg Series sets are more coherent, enjoyable and better value than the series of Miles boxes documenting every take, every false start, every cough and fart in the Columbia studio.
“I’m still grieving, though, over the way in which Warner, Miles’ last label, was forced to pull its eagerly-awaited box of late Miles gems.”
(13 November)
Bob Dylan and Miles Davis: Sony’s big box sets compared
As far as Bob Dylan and Miles Davis, its major assets, are concerned, Sony does a creditable job managing the treasures locked away in its priceless vaults.
However much hardcore fans might moan about the slow drip-feed of the unreleased Dylan riches, Columbia Legacy is to be commended on its Bootleg Series.
Columbia Legacy also manages its Miles Davis assets pretty astutely, though some Miles aficionados whinge that Sony has released too much inconsequential blathering by the Prince Of Darkness!
But the imminent release of the Complete Miles Davis Columbia Album Collection will leave Bobfans drawing unfavourable comparisons with the Zim equivalent, 2003’s Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissues Series.
The two reissue projects are similar in key respects – all the albums in both collections have remarkable upgraded sound and both boxes reintroduce the original album artwork, in seductive card formats.
But, in other ways, the new Miles box is more compelling:
* it pulls together all of the label’s Miles albums – Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissues Series was selective, with only 15 titles, against the Miles box’s whopping 52, many of them double albums!
* many of the Miles albums carry worthwhile bonus tracks – the Dylan reissues eschewed any.
* even if you already own most of the original recordings, the incentives to buy the Miles box are persuasive – a newly released live DVD, a couple of previously unreleased CDs-worth of music, a substantial 250 page book by two leading Miles experts, and striking packaging.
* value: the “street” launch prices of the two boxes are similar, but the Miles box gives you far more bang for your buck.
Bottom line: I already had virtually all releases by both musicians. I passed on the Dylan box; I’ve ordered the Miles box.
Gerry Smith
“Good to know that there’s at least one other Dylan fan out there who’s also a serious lover of Miles’ music!
“I agree with your assessment of how Columbia treats its Dylan and Miles riches.
“Dylan fans have fared better than Miles freaks in one major respect: the Bootleg Series sets are more coherent, enjoyable and better value than the series of Miles boxes documenting every take, every false start, every cough and fart in the Columbia studio.
“I’m still grieving, though, over the way in which Warner, Miles’ last label, was forced to pull its eagerly-awaited box of late Miles gems.”
(13 November)
Bob Dylan and Miles Davis: Sony’s big box sets compared
As far as Bob Dylan and Miles Davis, its major assets, are concerned, Sony does a creditable job managing the treasures locked away in its priceless vaults.
However much hardcore fans might moan about the slow drip-feed of the unreleased Dylan riches, Columbia Legacy is to be commended on its Bootleg Series.
Columbia Legacy also manages its Miles Davis assets pretty astutely, though some Miles aficionados whinge that Sony has released too much inconsequential blathering by the Prince Of Darkness!
But the imminent release of the Complete Miles Davis Columbia Album Collection will leave Bobfans drawing unfavourable comparisons with the Zim equivalent, 2003’s Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissues Series.
The two reissue projects are similar in key respects – all the albums in both collections have remarkable upgraded sound and both boxes reintroduce the original album artwork, in seductive card formats.
But, in other ways, the new Miles box is more compelling:
* it pulls together all of the label’s Miles albums – Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissues Series was selective, with only 15 titles, against the Miles box’s whopping 52, many of them double albums!
* many of the Miles albums carry worthwhile bonus tracks – the Dylan reissues eschewed any.
* even if you already own most of the original recordings, the incentives to buy the Miles box are persuasive – a newly released live DVD, a couple of previously unreleased CDs-worth of music, a substantial 250 page book by two leading Miles experts, and striking packaging.
* value: the “street” launch prices of the two boxes are similar, but the Miles box gives you far more bang for your buck.
Bottom line: I already had virtually all releases by both musicians. I passed on the Dylan box; I’ve ordered the Miles box.
Gerry Smith
Friday 13 November 2009
Bob Dylan and Miles Davis: Sony’s big box sets compared
As far as Bob Dylan and Miles Davis, its major assets, are concerned, Sony does a creditable job managing the treasures locked away in its priceless vaults.
However much hardcore fans might moan about the slow drip-feed of the unreleased Dylan legacy, Columbia Legacy is to be commended on its Bootleg Series.
Columbia Legacy also manages its Miles Davis assets pretty astutely, though some Miles aficionados whinge that Sony has released too much inconsequential blathering by the Prince Of Darkness!
But the imminent release of the Complete Miles Davis Columbia Album Collection will leave Bobfans drawing unfavourable comparisons with the Zim equivalent, 2003’s Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissues Series.
The two reissue projects are similar in key respects – all the albums in both collections have remarkable upgraded sound and both boxes reintroduce the original album artwork, in seductive digipak format.
But, in other ways, the new Miles box is more compelling:
* it pulls together all of the label’s Miles albums – Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissues Series was selective, with only 15 titles, against the Miles box’s whopping 52, many of them double albums!
* many of the Miles albums carry worthwhile bonus tracks – the Dylan reissues eschewed any.
* even if you already own most of the original recordings, the incentives to buy the Miles box are persuasive – a newly released live DVD, a couple of previously unreleased CDs-worth of music, a substantial 250 page book by two leading Miles experts, and striking packaging.
* value: the “street” launch prices of the two boxes are similar, but the Miles box gives you far more bang for your buck.
Bottom line: I already had virtually all releases by both musicians. I passed on the Dylan box; I’ve ordered the Miles box.
Gerry Smith
However much hardcore fans might moan about the slow drip-feed of the unreleased Dylan legacy, Columbia Legacy is to be commended on its Bootleg Series.
Columbia Legacy also manages its Miles Davis assets pretty astutely, though some Miles aficionados whinge that Sony has released too much inconsequential blathering by the Prince Of Darkness!
But the imminent release of the Complete Miles Davis Columbia Album Collection will leave Bobfans drawing unfavourable comparisons with the Zim equivalent, 2003’s Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissues Series.
The two reissue projects are similar in key respects – all the albums in both collections have remarkable upgraded sound and both boxes reintroduce the original album artwork, in seductive digipak format.
But, in other ways, the new Miles box is more compelling:
* it pulls together all of the label’s Miles albums – Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissues Series was selective, with only 15 titles, against the Miles box’s whopping 52, many of them double albums!
* many of the Miles albums carry worthwhile bonus tracks – the Dylan reissues eschewed any.
* even if you already own most of the original recordings, the incentives to buy the Miles box are persuasive – a newly released live DVD, a couple of previously unreleased CDs-worth of music, a substantial 250 page book by two leading Miles experts, and striking packaging.
* value: the “street” launch prices of the two boxes are similar, but the Miles box gives you far more bang for your buck.
Bottom line: I already had virtually all releases by both musicians. I passed on the Dylan box; I’ve ordered the Miles box.
Gerry Smith
Thursday 5 November 2009
More on: New Age rock: But Is This Music for Grown-Ups? #1
Thanks to Phil Swann:
“You ask: But is this music for grown-ups?
“I’d say – not a chance.
“An essential ingredient of music for grown-ups is that it’s original. This kind of stuff is just so derivative. How can people listen to this when they can spend the same time listening to the original music?”
“You ask: But is this music for grown-ups?
“I’d say – not a chance.
“An essential ingredient of music for grown-ups is that it’s original. This kind of stuff is just so derivative. How can people listen to this when they can spend the same time listening to the original music?”
Wednesday 4 November 2009
New Age rock: But Is This Music for Grown-Ups? #1
The record label have sent me details of a new album “which transforms popular rock bands like Bob Dylan, The Beatles and U2 into relaxing meditation music.”
But is this music for grown-ups?
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Information and song samples:
www.modernmeditations.com
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:
Slated for release November 17, the ³Modern Meditations² series¹ ³Rock Classics² and ³Modern Classics² 12-track collections feature meditative renditions of some of rock music¹s best-known
and most beloved songs. Also available on November 17 is an album dedicated to the songs of The Beatles. Aimed at introducing a brand new, modern rock perspective on ³new age² music fare, the ³Modern Meditations² series will be available for purchase at all traditional music retail outlets and online services, as well as distributed to many high-end lifestyle retailers.
Featuring the work of renowned producers from across the globe, ³Modern Meditations² has transformed contemporary rock favorites into meditation music for the rock & roll generation. Shimmering rock guitars and warm percussion create lush instrumental soundscapes. While yoga, Pilates, and meditation have all entered the mainstream, the music has not. The ³Modern Meditations² series aims to introduce an alternative to traditional new age fare to the growing modern rock audience.
The first of two compilation releases, ³Rock Classics,² features serene instrumental versions of songs from classic rock¹s most revered artists including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Led Zeppelin and many others. ³Modern Classics² dives into the contemporary rock catalog with tranquil renditions of songs by The Verve, U2, The Cure, Oasis, R.E.M., Nirvana and more.
But is this music for grown-ups?
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Information and song samples:
www.modernmeditations.com
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:
Slated for release November 17, the ³Modern Meditations² series¹ ³Rock Classics² and ³Modern Classics² 12-track collections feature meditative renditions of some of rock music¹s best-known
and most beloved songs. Also available on November 17 is an album dedicated to the songs of The Beatles. Aimed at introducing a brand new, modern rock perspective on ³new age² music fare, the ³Modern Meditations² series will be available for purchase at all traditional music retail outlets and online services, as well as distributed to many high-end lifestyle retailers.
Featuring the work of renowned producers from across the globe, ³Modern Meditations² has transformed contemporary rock favorites into meditation music for the rock & roll generation. Shimmering rock guitars and warm percussion create lush instrumental soundscapes. While yoga, Pilates, and meditation have all entered the mainstream, the music has not. The ³Modern Meditations² series aims to introduce an alternative to traditional new age fare to the growing modern rock audience.
The first of two compilation releases, ³Rock Classics,² features serene instrumental versions of songs from classic rock¹s most revered artists including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Led Zeppelin and many others. ³Modern Classics² dives into the contemporary rock catalog with tranquil renditions of songs by The Verve, U2, The Cure, Oasis, R.E.M., Nirvana and more.
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