Grasshopper

DeRank ™: 5,88

DeAge™ : 7973 days • Here since 11 august 2004

Paolo Rossi In Italia Si Sta Male

13 mar 07

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He’s right, know-it-all: nowadays you can’t even trust the “true and pure” like Paolo Rossi was (or pretended to be?). In exchange for a bit more visibility, he’s plunged into the common grave of Italian music by proposing a song so utterly insignificant that even an artist who has been hugely overrated for a few years now (if he died at 31, it’s not our fault) had decided to reject it. Maybe he gained a few more spectators for his theater monologues, but from what I heard (from Fazio, of course; I haven’t watched Sanremo since 1983) the operation is really quite shabby. The review highlights its limitations with a good dose of irony.

Thelonious Monk Monk Alone

13 mar 07

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Let it be clear that my 4 has nothing to do with a typo. However, upon further reflection, it was a bit unfair, as the only "flaw" I found in the review was that it was directed straight at the artist. This is not necessarily an objective flaw, but simply something that doesn’t appeal to me. Since a 4 and a half doesn’t exist, I’ll settle for a 5 that averages out.

The Velvet Underground Live MCMXCIII

13 mar 07

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I discovered the classics of V.U. through this album, which holds a certain sentimental value for me. But aside from that, it seems to me that this reunion of indestructible musicians is lacking very little: the technique is impeccable, if anything even improved compared to its golden days. It's true that there's a bit of coldness, but not enough to seriously detract from this excellent mature record, "crafted with skill."

The Police Live!

13 mar 07

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I thought that besides the five studio albums, the Police hadn't left behind anything else for posterity. This knowledgeable and detailed review pushes me to fill the gap and seek out this live recording, or rather these two live recordings, which from what I read are completely different from each other.

Fabrizio De André Tutti Morimmo A Stento

13 mar 07

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Maybe I also tend to write what are considered "flowing" reviews, but I can't see length as a flaw, unless someone is stretching the broth with clichés and useless phrases. Having a lot to say is a good sign for me, and in this case, there is indeed a lot of substance, as befits the masterpiece in question, the most authentic journey into the depths of pain that a singer-songwriter has ever undertaken.

Thelonious Monk Monk Alone

8 mar 07

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P.S. (for the editors) Not to be nitpicky, but Monk was named "Thelonious" and not "Thelonius." It might be better, to avoid future misunderstandings and difficulties in searching, to correct the name.

Ludwig van Beethoven The Piano Sonatas, Vol. III

8 mar 07

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P.S. When I say "so brief they can be termed Sonatine," I refer to sonatas No. 19 and 20, those of Op. 49, composed of only two movements. Sonata No. 9 has more "normal" dimensions but is animated by a similar spirit, very post-Mozartian. Thus, for the sake of precision

Thelonious Monk Monk Alone

8 mar 07

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Like DaveJonGilmour, but I'm less good. In any case, a more than good review, which conveys the rough and "irregular", yet captivating, and in its own way "rigorous" touch of the great Thelonious Monk.

Ludwig van Beethoven The Piano Sonatas, Vol. III

8 mar 07

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Andras Schiff, as far as I know him, has the gift of smoothing everything that he plays, giving, in my opinion, his utmost with Schubert. I am not familiar with these recordings (my 5 goes to the Beethoven Sonatas), but it’s easy to imagine that he has applied his gentle touch to the "severe" Beethoven as well, which is more of a figure of speech. Here, somewhat like in the Bagatelles, there is little to nothing severe or monumental: they are perfect little gems, so brief that they can be defined "Sonatine," in which one can clearly see the extraordinary accuracy of Count Waldstein's prophecy, aptly quoted in this (but is it necessary to say it?) impeccable review.

The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street

7 mar 07

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So, let's recap. GOOD: Rolling Stones, Robert Johnson, Berry, Dylan, Beatles, Young, Lou Reed, and Velvet Underground. BAD: Queen, Eagles, Elton John, Guns'n'Roses, Who, Led Zeppelin, Doors, Allman Brothers Band, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Patti Smith. As a class leader, you really seem too harsh. It's a shame because aside from this Manichaean and somewhat elementary school blackboard of good and bad, the rest of the review of this great album wasn't bad at all.