#^d 2014-10-06
#^h Music Week
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<p>Music: Current count 23893 [23870] rated (+23), 526 [521] unrated (+5).</p>

<p>Actually, the week for me ended on Friday, October 3.</p>

<p><hr class="brk"></p>

<p>New records rated this week:</p>

<ul>
<li><b>Marcia Ball: <i>The Tatooed Lady and the Alligator Man</i></b> (2014, Alligator): sings blues, plays boogie-woogie, spins a fine yarn then goes for the filler [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>François Carrier/Michel Lambert/Alexey Lapin: <i>The Russian Concerts Volume 2</i></b> (2013 [2014], FMR): more if you want more, but start with superv <i>Vol. 1</i> [cd]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Jack Clement: <i>For Once and for All</i></b> (2014, IRS Nashville): the late Nashville producer reclaims a few of his songs, with genteel smiling cowboy aplomb [r]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Neil Cowley Trio: <i>Touch and Flee</i></b> (2014, Naim Jazz): Brit piano trio for fans of EST and Jarrett continue to keep semipopular jazz respectable [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>Mark Elf: <i>Returns 2014</i></b> (2013 [2014], Jen Bay Jazz): guitarist who admires Tal Farlow backed by David Hazletine, Peter Washington, Lewis Nash dream band [cd]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Alice Gerrard: <i>Follow the Music</i></b> (2014, Tompkins Square): pioneering harmony woman of bluegrass belatedly strikes out on her own, ancient and ragged [r]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Prince: <i>Art Official Age</i></b> (2014, Warner Brothers): wondered if he was done, but give him a major label and he'll lay out some major label funk for you [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>Prince/3rdEyeGirl: <i>Plectrum Electrum</i></b> (2014, Warner Brothers): "all-female power trio" means they know Cream's basslines but don't sing like Jack Bruce [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>Matthew Shipp: <i>I've Been to Many Places</i></b> (2014, Thirsty Ear): yet another solo piano record, louder than ever in case you didn't get the point yet [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>Tricky: <i>Adrian Thaws</i></b> (2014, !K7): discovers own name and recovers old tricks for a wide range of poses, must be some kind of midlife crisis [r]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Ulf Wakenius: <i>Solo: Momento Magico</i></b> (2013 [2014], ACT): solo guitar, goes for thick chords to add gravitas to an intrinsically light album [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
</ul>

<p>Recent reissues, compilations, and vault discoveries rated this week:</p>

<ul>
<li><b><i>Bambara Mystic Soul: The Raw Sound of Burkina Faso 1974-1979</i></b> (1974-79 [2011], Analog Africa): obscurities from the heart of the heart of West Africa [r]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>The Evergreen Classic Jazz Band: <i>Early Tunes 1915-1932</i></b> (1995 [2014], Delmark): Seattle trad jazz band with banjo and tuba, makes the old songs zing [cd]: <b>A-</b></li>
<li><b>Charlie Haden/Jim Hall: <i>Charlie Haden/Jim Hall</i></b> (1990 [2014], Impulse): live in Montreal a year late for Haden's big fête, but this is more about the guitarist, drawing him out [r]: <b>A-</b></li>
<li><b><i>The Rough Guide to Arabic Jazz</i></b> ([2014], World Music Network, 2CD): rougher than need be, especially with the scene-stealing Cuban ringer the best cut by far [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b><i>The Rough Guide to Bollywood Disco</i></b> (1965-93 [2014], World Music Network, 2CD): dance dance dance with a pre-disco highlight that reminds me of Chubby Checker [r]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b><i>The Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara [Second Edition]</i></b> (1980-2013 [2014], World Music Network, 2CD): label annoying as ever, not that they can't program a songlist [r]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Wild Jimmy Spruill: <i>Scratchin': The Wild Jimmy Spruill Story</i></b> (1956-63 [2014], GVC, 2CD): various singers sharing Spruill's guitar, a still vital r&amp;b period compiled [cd]: <b>A</b></li>
</ul>

<p>Old records rated this week:</p>

<ul>
<li><b>Ruby Braff: <i>Linger Awhile</i></b> (1953-55 [1999], Vanguard): early sessions led by Buck Clayton and Vic Dickenson, showing the company he keeps and progress [r]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Matthew Shipp/Guillermo E. Brown: <i>Telephone Popcorn</i></b> (2005 [2008], Nu Bop): piano-drums duo, half of David Ware's quartet, not quite finished [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
</ul>

<p><hr class="brk"></p>

<p><b>Unpacking:</b> Found in the mail last week:</p>

<ul>
<li><b>Alessandro Collina/Rodolfo Cervetto/Marc Peillon/Fabrizio Bosso: <i>Michel on Air</i></b> (ITI)</li>
<li><b>Lajos Dudas Trio: <i>Live at Porgy &amp; Bess</i></b> (Jazz Sick)</li>
<li><b>Lajos Dudas Quartet: <i>Live at Salzburger Jazzherbst</i></b> (Jazz Sick)</li>
<li><b>Eric Hofbauer: <i>Prehistoric Jazz Volume 1: The Rite of Spring</i></b> (Creative Nation Music)</li>
<li><b>Eric Hofbauer: <i>Prehistoric Jazz Volume 2: Quintet for the End of Time</i></b> (Creative Nation Music)</li>
<li><b>Will Holshouser/Matt Munister/Marcus Rojas: <i>Introducing Musette Explosion</i></b> (Aviary): November 1</li>
<li><b>Bill Watrous/Pete Christlieb/Carl Saunders: <i>A Beautiful Friendship</i></b> (Summit)</li>
</ul>