Tag: music

The Splendor of Southern Gold: Davell Crawford, My Gift to You

On My Gift to You, with a softly carnivalesque sound for a song of personal and cultural history, “Creole Man” indicates diverse ancestry—African, Native American, etcetera.  The sensitive voice of the singer Davell Crawford is greatly appealing.  “River” is uptempo, textured funk; with a marvelous chorus, and the interpolations of Doctor John and Big Freedia and Donald Harrison Jr.   It is true that Davell Crawford, a musician in sacred and secular music, and the grandson of singer-songwriter and trumpeter Sugar Boy Crawford, has performed with Ruth Brown and Anders Osborne; and Davell Crawford is also musical heir to men such as Professor Longhair and James Booker and Allen Toussaint, so celebration and tribute may be a natural inclination.

Voice and Piano of a Musical Messenger: Andy Bey, The World According to Andy Bey

On The World According to Andy Bey, the songs assume a coherent, intelligent caring sensibility and subject, a world in which relationships matter—even if and when relationships are troubled. Love is seen as many things: infatuation, lust, compassion, faith, loyalty, understanding, care, dedication. Meaning is preferred to nihilism. Who or what brings knowledge and joy? What allows people to become themselves? We are encouraged to consider such questions.

Legacy and Love, Memory and Music: George Benson, Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole

Throughout the album, George Benson’s guitar playing is soulful and supple—the notes are clear, concentrated, and sensuous.   Through his playing and the warmth of his singing—and energetic scatting—Benson, supported by the trumpet of Wynton Marsalis, makes Cole’s signature song “Unforgettable” —a composition by Irving Gordon—now Benson’s to claim.  “When I Fall in Love” is a traditionally lush romantic duet, with Idina Menzel, a performer in theater, film, and television. 

Out of Tenderness and Wisdom: Ramzi Aburedwan, Reflections of Palestine

Bouzouk-player Ramzi Aburedwan’s Reflections of Palestine reminds me a little of Spanish music.  (Could it be that the Middle East influenced Spain?  Yes.)  Music is almost always a shared thing, a common treasure.   I can’t say this music is calming, as it is full of detail, intensity, shifts, requiring attention—but it is enriching.

An interview with Donald Greig

The author of Time Will Tell talks about his first novel, the parallels between his work as a lecturer and performer and his plot, on the nature of storytelling, about having musicologists as protagonists, the links between music and writing, and lots more.

Earthy Pleasure Beyond Conflict and Poverty: Cedric Watson and Corey Ledet’s Goin’ Down to Louisiana

The divergent rhythms in “Ma Negresse” give the composition its complexity and charm, whereas “Black Snake,” with drumming by Brad Frank, has a country blues feel.  Watson’s fiddle is the dominant force in the old-fashion country dance song “Calinda.”  The tempo is fast and sends “Madame Faielle” reeling with a lot of energy; and although the song has some lyrics, it is mostly instrumental.