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cranial radio
Cranial Radio
May 22, 2005
Today we’re listening to
Joshua Redman, Freedom in the Groove. I’m lucky enough to (a) have a passionate tutor in jazz, my husband, who listened to jazz as a young man when he could have been listening to rock and roll; and (b) attend a jazz concert series run by a couple of aging white guys who are devoted to jazz, as well. As a result, I’ve heard many of the illuminati of the jazz world live—Milt Jackson, Dave Brubeck, Ahmad Jamal, Monty Alexander, John Clayton, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, David “Fathead” Newman, Benny Green, Regina Carter, Chick Corea. As well, we’ve heard a bunch of truly inspiring younger people, including Joshua Redman. I’ve had the chance to hear him three times, and each time was a revelation. Today, we’ll be showcasing “One Shining Soul” and “Streams of Consciousness.”
Patty Scialfa, 22nd Street Lullaby. I was a fan of Ms. Scialfa’s first solo recording, Rumble Doll. I love her voice, which has a vibrato that seems to leave room for heartbreak. I love her tough/tender girl thing. This recording is more of the same, which can be pretty great, if the same is a good thing to begin with. Tracks on today’s broadcast: “Love (Stand Up),” “City Boys,” and “Romeo.”
Björk, Medulla. This is quite an astounding recording, although you have to give into its premise, which is that it’s all about the human voice. I love how she can move from the rawest sound to one that’s almost sacred. We’ll listen to this whole recording, because it’s all fantastic.
Joni Mitchell, The Beginning of Survival. I confess that, although I have been a lifelong, devoted listener to Joni, she has irritated me of late with her arrogance and crotchety, ungenerous responses to current music. If you check out the CD she put out for Starbucks, the one where she chose the songs, basically you can see her contempt for contemporary music, even of the folks who love and admire her. I sort of get how it happens—she’s basically been misunderstood for her risks, and I guess screwed by her record company. Anyway, leaving all that aside: she released this recording, which is basically culled from recordings post-Hejira. It’s a greatest hits of recordings that in no way were hits. These are her scolding, commenting songs—and they sound just great next to one another. She has said these are her best work, and while I won’t agree with that statement, I will agree that these stand with her best work. We’ll be listening to “Sex Kills,” “Cool Water,” “The Beat of Black Wings,” and “Impossible Dreamer.”