#^d 2016-06-27
#^h Music Week
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<p>Music: Current count 26732 [26705] rated (+27), 438 [440] unrated (-2).</p>

<p>Been sick the last couple days. Probably just one of those passing bugs,
but it's really kicked my ass. I started a Weekend Roundup yesterday, but
couldn't finish (or even get very far into the thing). Lots to say about
the whole "Brexit" thing, but no point trying until I feel up to it.</p>

<p>Phil Overeem liked the extended 3-CD <i>It's Too Late to Stop Now</i>,
so I gave it a try. I can't say that all the redundancy is worth it, but
I can't find much fault either. It was enough to get me to do a deep dive
into all the Morrison I had missed -- almost everything from 1983-1999.
Turns out the best of that stretch is another live double. Only one I'm
still aware of missing is <i>You Win Again</i> (with Linda Gail Lewis).</p>

<p>Rhapsody Streamnotes is due by the end of the month, which is to say
Thursday. I don't feel up to wrapping it up right now, but hopefully will
recover somewhat by then. (Otherwise there's always backdating.)</p>

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

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

<ul>
<li><b>Adele: <i>25</i></b> (2015, XL): [r]: <b>B</b></li>
<li><b>Ben Adkins: <i>Salmagundi</i></b> (2016, Ben Adkins Music): [cd]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Alchemy Sound Project: <i>Further Explorations</i></b> (2014 [2016], ARC): [cd]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>Kris Allen: <i>Beloved</i></b> (2015 [2016], Truth Revolution): [cd]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Lou Caputo Not So Big Band: <i>Uh Oh!</i></b> (2015 [2016], JazzCat 47): [cd]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>Andrew McAnsh: <i>Illustrations</i></b> (2014-15 [2016], self-released): [cd]: <b>B-</b></li>
<li><b>Jason Palmer/Cedric Hanriot: <i>City of Poets</i></b> (2014 [2016], Whirlwind): [cd]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Tyshawn Sorey: <i>The Inner Spectrum of Variables</i></b> (2015 [2016], Pi, 2CD): [cd]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Allen Toussaint: <i>American Tunes</i></b> (2013-15 [2016], Nonesuch): [r]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Harvey Valdes: <i>Point Counter Point</i></b> (2016, self-released): [cd]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
</ul>

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

<ul>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>It's Too Late to Stop Now: Volumes II, III, IV &amp; DVD</i></b> (1973 [2016], Legacy, 3CD): [r]: <b>A-</b></li>
</ul>

<p><b>Old music rated this week:</b></p>

<ul>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>Inarticulate Speech of the Heart</i></b> (1983, Warner Brothers): [r]: <b>B</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast</i></b> (1983 [1984], Mercury): [r]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>A Sense of Wonder</i></b> (1985, Mercury): [r]: <b>B-</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>No Guru, No Method, No Teacher</i></b> (1986, Mercury): [r]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>Poetic Champions Compose</i></b> (1987, Mercury): [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison &amp; the Chieftains: <i>Irish Heartbeat</i></b> (1988, Mercury): [r]: <b>B-</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>Enlightenment</i></b> (1990, Mercury): [r]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>Hymns to the Silence</i></b> (1991, Mercury, 2CD): [r]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>A Night in San Francisco</i></b> (1993 [1994], Polydor, 2CD): [r]: <b>A-</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison With Georgie Fame &amp; Friends: <i>How Long Has This Been Going On?</i></b> (1995, Verve): [r]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison/Georgie Fame/Mose Allison/Ben Sidran: <i>Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison</i></b> (1996, Verve): [r]: <b>B+(*)</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>Back on Top</i></b> (1999, Point Blank): [r]: <b>B+(***)</b></li>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>Magic Time</i></b> (2005, Geffen): [r]: <b>B+(**)</b></li>
</ul>

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

<p><b>Grade changes:</b></p>

<ul>
<li><b>Van Morrison: <i>Too Long in Exile</i></b> (1993, Polydor): [r]: [was: B+] <b>A-</b></li>
</ul>

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

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

<ul>
<li><b>The Corey Kendrick Trio: <i>Rootless</i></b> (self-released)</li>
<li><b>Ron King: <i>Triumph</i></b> (self-released): July 8</li>
<li><b>Allison Lewis: <i>Seven</i></b> (self-released)</li>
<li><b>Os Clavelitos: <i>Arriving</i></b> (self-released)</li>
<li><b><i>Putumayo Presents: Blues Party</i></b> (Putumayo World Music)</li>
<li><b>Scott Reeves Jazz Orchestra: <i>Portraits and Places</i></b> (Origin)</li>
<li><b>Jim Snidero: <i>MD66</i></b> (Savant): advance, August 26</li>
<li><b>Sound Underground: <i>Quiet Spaces</i></b> (Tiny Music): September 15</li>
<li><b>Peggy Stern: <i>Z Octet</i></b> (Estrella Productions): July 8</li>
<li><b>Brahja Waldman: <i>Wisdomatic</i></b> (Fast Speaking Music)</li>
</ul>