antoniodeste

Great record. Personally, it should be seen as a credible and absolute reference manifesto (even though a bit isolated) of the so-called progressive music of those years. As for the diatribe between Emerson, Wakeman (and now Wright is being added....oh dear...) I would suggest to let it go. I guarantee that it's been going on for thirty years now (inconsistently, like the Israeli-Palestinian war) and has built nothing useful or interesting. Moreover, it's idle and warms up the atmosphere. Therefore, I believe that with the current temperatures, it's unnecessary. What do you think?

Well, a feature on the Yellow Jackets was definitely needed, huh... In thirty years, they have produced some beautiful things and should be honored for their positive and creative contribution to the blending of different languages in recent decades. As usual, Symbad, you did a thorough examination and biography of this group, and I hope Ferrante and Haslip can somehow benefit from it. "Greenhouse" is truly a beautiful album. And even more beautiful because at the time they were part of Dave Grusin's roster, and with that label, I listened to them less and less due to a (MVHO) annoying stylistic flattening of some elements of their style and sound. Moreover, Marc Russo had become downright bothersome with his alto (I own a 30-minute video of the group at EUR in Rome, I believe in '89, where the alto player is simply unbearable) and I welcomed the arrival of Mintzer, whom I had met a little earlier in Jaco's Word of Mouth band. If I'm not mistaken, the arrangements for the album were done by Vince Mendoza, to whom a lot of credit is due. I saw the group live about 6 years ago (still with William Kennedy), and the impact was remarkable. Haslip was just a tad below par. As for the latter, I must say I appreciated both works. "Arc" for its serious and elaborate nature, and "Red Heat," which is so Latin that it’s impossible to stay still. Thank you also for the information on the 2005 album "Altered States": I was not aware of its existence. How is it? "Time Squared" was not bad, but three years have passed! What do you think of Baylor compared to Kennedy? Best regards and the "usual" compliments for such an uncommon level of expertise. :)

I ask Justice but also caz: where the hell did you find this record that is set to be released everywhere on September 12?! S.s.s. - Sto Sulle Spine. Thank you for any merciful reassuring responses.

Beautiful and straight to the point, Caz, I didn't know a damn thing about the updates from Zavala and Rodriguez. And I'm not a little pleased because I had somewhat worn out Francis, the show-off, and the live set left me a bit dazed from the crazy noise of the live mix, confused and deafening. Your review was fun and creative, a bit "dada" too, smooth, flavorful, and refreshing. Take care; I'll try to find this material, and then maybe I'll let you know. :) PS: note that this time (unlike with Neu) I didn't skimp on the stars, greedy one. Appreciate it.

"Cute, but nothing compared to Drum and Wires or English Settlement. Well, the Beatles would have had to learn to play like XTC to be XTC, and I don't know if there's a conservatory equipped enough for that :)"... I had never read you before, ngw, but I quoted your post word for word to support and share it, even though I’m a good fan of the Beatles. Your point, however, is technically and objectively correct and credible. It may cause an uproar or seem like a "hot take," but I fear that for the "well-meaning," ngw might be right. :))

I’ve known (not very well) XTC, I believe, for nearly thirty years and I confess it has been a rather inconsistent passion, probably not due to any fault of theirs. I loved "Drums & Wires," "English Settlement," "Black Sea," and so on, but I had sort of lost track of them. Judging by the enthusiasm of this review, I should reconsider them, despite Hal's lukewarm judgment, which, for me, carries some weight. It might be the acoustic climates and/or new directions, but I would be curious to hear Partridge & Moulding in this "unusual" guise. Thanks for the heads-up.

Certo! Inviami il testo che desideri tradurre e sarò felice di aiutarti.

I believe that Brilliant Trees represents (along with "Secrets Of The Beehive" a few years later) one of the peaks of Sylvian's artistic activity. Abandoning the somewhat glamorous and flashy guise of the fascinating experience of Japan, David had this illumination, opening himself to the sounds of the world and to musicians of great and undisputed stature, creating one of the most beautiful works of the entire first half of the '80s. The variety of styles, languages, and expressions combined with the sense of mystery and dream that permeates these trees has provided the Englishman with a working foundation that he has almost never abandoned since, except for the occasional collaborations with Robert Fripp. "Brilliant Trees" should be considered one of the masterpieces of the last twenty years for the value of its harmonico-rhythmic textures and the "opening" of rock elements to something that was no longer rock; it represented a model for many European and American artists and a school from which to learn. And it seems that all of us have learned a lot from this gentleman.

@Mariaelena: I can only be pleased by the way you Puccinianamente conceive the meaning and purpose of music and the beneficial effects it produces on our psyche; however, allow me to point out that I presume and hope that in any case in any of the reviews by the debaseriani (at least those) the things you claim to include in your reviews can be found. It is assumed that correctness, honesty, and sensitivity are at the core of the reviewing "impulse." :-) By the way: could you kindly point me to some of your reviews? I might be a bit slow, but where are they?

@Mariaelena: I read your two posts and, unless you are exaggerating or joking, I truly hope that you can live your life in such a dimension, in such a positive state of mind (even if slightly melancholic). If these feelings/intents are authentic and allow you to observe the world with serenity, know that I ideally share with you what you have expressed.