A Wee Dram

I have this on a battered cassette, so I'll be replacing it with the CD shortly. Archie Fisher sings folkish songs with a bit of a Scottish burr. For some reason, everytime I hear this album, a few songs invariably make my eyes mist up (same for Jane Siberry, and don't get me started on June Tabor, who can make me actually weep). It's not that the songs are sad necessarily, but there's a sense of tenderness and sentimentality that really gets to me. And a tip o' the tam o'shanter to the independent records stores in my life that led me to discover people like Archie. (Thanks, Thom!)

It's Clobberin' Time!

Growing up reading comics, I always enjoyed the artwork of Jack Kirby (Fantastic Four, Mighty Thor) but I certainly wouldn't want to live in a world that was that exaggerated. I thought the same thing when I first heard the Go! Team -- a great mash-up of schoolyard chants, Spector Wall-of-Sound, James Bond soundtracks and more -- but it's so bright and in-your-face that I can only listen to 2 or 3 tracks before I get ear fatigue. I do enjoy it, but in smaller doses.

Sandy Denny

Come fall, colder weather and darker days, I always dig out my Sandy Denny collection, starting with her first post-Fairport Convention solo album "The North Star Grassman and the Ravens". The sound is murky, the songs tend to drag a bit, and Richard Thompson has his guitar set to "tinny", but for some reason, I really like it. However, as much as I hold that the artist's work is meant to be listened to as they presented it (full album not selected tracks), in this case I really appreciate the program feature on my CD player, because there are a few songs on here that really stink up the rest of the disc. That said, the best tracks are some of my very favorites.

Icy Stillness

I realize that "Icy Stillness" sounds like a Norwegian actress, but I'm actually referring to the sound Brian Eno and Harold Budd came up with for "The Plateaux of Mirror". When Eno began his ambient series of albums, he had the opportunity to use his higher profile to record lesser-known fellow travellers, Harold Budd being one (er, actually 2 -- the album is sub-titled "Ambient #2). After the Christmas music has been put away for another year, I enjoy listening to this disc because Eno's subtle electronic shading of Budd's piano seems perfect for the heart of winter (and a totally different animal than the previously mentioned Jarrett album.)

"I sense expectation in your applause..."

Yes, Keith Jarrett actually said that when my wife and I saw him in concert many many years ago. How were we supposed to react to that -- just walk out? Throw money on stage? Maybe Keith was just cranky because he knew he was about to be blamed for New Age music. Jarrett had released an earlier solo piano album, but "The Koln Concert" was the breakaway hit, and suddenly every piano, guitar or zither player said "To hell with written music -- I'll just improvise for 45 minutes!" Anyone who has spent any time in an elevator or a dentist's office can attest to the fact that this only works if you're extremely talented, like Keith Jarrett. Gotta give the ol' crankster props on this one.