Mark Stryker of The Detroit Free Press sent the following comment about the current DVD in Doug's Picks: In honor of your DVD - Sinatra and Peggy Lee. "Ooh." Among all the other good things in this clip: Sinatra's chops. How about that effortless low F at 1:54. Ooh. … [Read more...]
Archives for June 10, 2008
Picks, Illustrated
Please direct your attention to the center column, where under Doug's Picks you will find new recommendations for three CDs, a DVD and a book. … [Read more...]
CD: Jovino Santos Neto
Jovino Santos Neto, Alma do Nordeste (Adventure Music). Based for some years in Seattle, the pianist, flutist and composer returns to his native Brazil and collaborates with eleven of his countrymen. The music is based in the baiãos, forrós, xotes and other rich forms of Northeastern Brazil. It is … [Read more...]
CD: Ed Reed
Ed Reed, The Song Is You (Blue Shorts). His career was derailed by a troubled life, but as he approaches his eightieth year, Reed's second CD confirms that he is a singer who serves the song. Not a great vocal technician, he specializes in phrasing and interpretation that penetrate to the heart and … [Read more...]
CD: Brubeck Brothers
Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Classified (Koch). The band headed by bassist/trombonist Chris and drummer Dan Brubeck is in top form on seven new quartet compositions, an impressive chamber suite and a stirring ensemble version of their father's "Blue Rondo a la Turk." Guitarist Mike DeMicco, pianist … [Read more...]
DVD: Peggy Lee
Fever, The Music of Peggy Lee (Capitol). This quasi-documentary sketches Peggy Lee's life and career. Its greatest contribution is the use of performance clips, interviews and informal films to create a portrait of a gifted artist whose human warmth matched her talent. She was terrific even in a … [Read more...]
Book: Glenn Gould
Katie Hafner, A Romance on Three Legs (Bloomsbury). The story of Glenn Gould's search for the perfect piano allows us to know the great pianist--and great eccentric--a little better. The book is a superb piece of reporting, its subtext a meditation on the compelling nature of … [Read more...]