antoniodeste

Curiosity: has there been a review that has received more than 2394 (at the current moment) visits?

Yes, yes, I join the chorus, I don't consider it "fundamental" but it's very funky, wah wah, dense, flashy, and fun. Miles was really starting to get seriously experimental.

Beautiful is Nightwalker 10's analysis of how things have gone since the "nightwalker." However, I suspect that there are more psychological-nervous-emotional difficulties that have complicated his life and career. Let it be clear, these are just speculations and assumptions that I've never been able to shake off my mind. I followed Vannelli with live fervor and enthusiasm from '76 to '80, and then, suddenly, darkness. He was famous as, if not more than, Stevie Wonder (to cite a possible worthy counterpart) and then he vanished into thin air. Something must have happened in his mind and/or his heart for him to plummet so deeply and for so long. I then see him again at Sanremo (and I was all excited) and he sings to me "Black cars look better in shade" (...) and in disbelief, I almost start to cry. Then he becomes a "Great dreamer who never sleeps," and I begin to hope a little. Still some mediocre albums followed, then came "Inconsolable man," and finally, in the new millennium, when I had lost hope and had almost disillusioned myself, he hits me with "Yonder Tree" and "Slow Love," and I rejoice once more. To finish, at least for now, he has the nice idea of a multilingual work and publishes "Canto." I swear I've handled it at least four times and never had the courage to buy it after skimming through a few episodes here and there. Now, I mean, what am I to make of Gino's life and "career," which has gone up and down like a rollercoaster in the last twenty (20!) years? Should I take him when he comes and let him go when he leaves?

If you want, I can tell you whose dog (a collie named Jack) that one on the third floor really is. But then, please don’t go blabbing it all over the place…

Not being a particular fan of Battisti, I must objectively acknowledge that the album in question is to be considered one of the cornerstones of so-called light music (even if "authorship" comes into play) of the 70s in Italy. In my (debatable) opinion, few other artists (De Andrè, De Gregori, the early Venditti) have managed to express the sensitivity of the personal, the visions, and the poetry of Battisti. And for this, he deserves undeniable credit.

I realize it may seem funny, but... MisterNo, in what "format" are you listening to "Unusual Weather"? After suggesting it to you, I checked availability and prices, and it’s not exactly for everyone's budget, nor is it "within reach"; I have an old tape recording, and what about you? (Just to know, of course!) Best regards.

Well, just to show off a bit, I can say that the other solo I know by heart (note for note) besides "I'm going home" by Alvin Lee, is precisely the one in question by Carlos Rios. For MisterNo: instead of "School Days," which I still find exciting, I prefer the following "Quiet Afternoon." Between the two, I prefer Clarke's first one, the one with "Vulcan Princess." Unmissable. If you like Corea, Clarke... well, Return To Forever, don't miss (unless you already have them) "Where Have I Known You Before" and "The Romantic Warrior." If you’re following Fagen 85's (after all good) advice, regarding Manring, I'd suggest "Unusual Weather," his debut. It's still available on vinyl; on CD, there seem to be some difficulties. Additionally, in a similar vein, "Heresay" by Oregon's flautist Paul McCandless (Windham Hill). I mentioned that the list could continue even further.......... happy searching!

Well, if I may share my thoughts, there's quite a leap between Manring and Michael Franks, huh? But I have to say that both are incredibly talented artists, each in their own direction. Regarding the "jazzy" instrumentals requested by Mister No, it could be a good idea, I think, to get close to the Windham Hill stuff from the early '90s; also Will Ackermann's "Past Light" and "Conferring with the Moon," even though they don't belong to a traditionally jazz language; or explore names like Liz Story, Shadowfax, Montreux (since Michael Manring was mentioned) in the strictly instrumental realm; some works from the Yellow Jackets might also suit Mister No. It's honestly not that easy to reconcile "A Remark You Made" with Al Di Meola's earlier style. However, I could suggest a nice album from EMI-Manhattan titled "Soaring Through A Dream" (from '85) with rather Metheny-like sounds. As for the rest, I agree on Steely Dan and especially with Michael Franks, even when it comes to vocals (particularly "Objects Of Desire," "Abandoned Garden," and "Dragonfly Summer"). To wrap it up, I think of something by David Sanborn, easy, pleasant, and epidermic. But, of course, the suggestions could be endless... Bye.

Yes, I can indeed confirm; I found "Incensiere" (if that's what we're referring to) at a convention last week, and I was finally able to assess its more or less intrinsic and temporal value. The work is truly remarkable, perhaps even superior to "Aria," despite maybe a few excesses in the author's falsettos. By the way, more copies of this title were circulating at the fair, although (I was told) it hasn’t been reprinted in large quantities. The Vynil Magic reissue, unlike the more recent EMI one, is NOT copy controlled, however. A question for Lewis Tollani, if he’s reading: it's just a simple curiosity, but do you happen to remember if the cover of the original vinyl had an opening (like a book page) placed on the "front"? Thanks in advance.

Yes, it’s true, I completely missed that. Sorry.:-). I take this moment to ask you for your opinion on his latest (now two years ago) work: "Canto"; how is it? Have you heard it? Bye