Grasshopper

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  • Here since 11 august 2004

 Santana's guitar seems more aggressive and biting compared to studio albums, but it does not lose an ounce of its legendary clarity.

 A single perceived flaw will not shift my judgment on an album of imposing proportions and great quality, which was and remains a masterpiece.

Santana's Lotus captures a peak moment in his career after a spiritual transformation influenced by guru Sri Chimnoy. Recorded live in Osaka 1973, the double album is a vibrant fusion of Latin rock and jazz, showcasing extraordinary musicianship and rhythmic intensity. The passionate performance excites with extended improvisations and seamless track transitions. Despite a slight critique of one track's unusual rendition, the album remains a monumental masterpiece. Experience the electrifying fusion of Santana's Lotus—listen now and immerse yourself in this legendary live masterpiece!

 The melancholic main theme of the 'Scottish' symphony gradually attains an unexpected agitation, intertwining with another majestic motif.

 The entire 'Italian' symphony is illuminated by an 'Italian' or at least 'Mediterranean' atmosphere, created from Mendelssohn’s fantasy and travel impressions.

This review explores Felix Mendelssohn's Symphonies No. 3 'Scottish' and No. 4 'Italian', highlighting their distinct atmospheres inspired by his travels. The 'Scottish' symphony evokes misty, brooding moods while the 'Italian' symphony bursts with Mediterranean cheerfulness. The reviewer prefers the emotional depth of the Scottish symphony and praises Claudio Abbado's interpretation with the London Symphony Orchestra. Both works showcase Mendelssohn's blend of classical elegance and early romantic expressiveness. Discover Mendelssohn’s masterful symphonies inspired by Scotland and Italy—listen and experience their distinct moods today!

 "A friendly contest of skill between the vibraphonist and the guitarist to see who can draw the most magical and colorful effects from their instrument, a competition with neither a winner nor loser."

 "At least as far as I’m concerned, it’s the point of absolute excellence of this masterpiece which, while being a triumph of rhythms, rarely offers dizzying ones, probably to not scatter or overshadow even a little the purity of the two solo instruments’ sound."

Reunion is a celebrated jazz-fusion album featuring a dynamic collaboration between vibraphonist Gary Burton and guitarist Pat Metheny. The album blends refined jazz styles with Latin rhythms and highlights the virtuosity and friendly competition between the musicians. Supporting players add depth, and the compositions showcase a range of moods from lively samba to serene ballads. This 1989 release is praised as a masterpiece for its balance of technical skill and emotional expression. Discover the timeless jazz fusion magic of Gary Burton and Pat Metheny's Reunion — listen now and experience their masterpiece.

 It feels like being in the middle of 2005, and yet all of this is from an album of 1970.

 An exquisite album to rediscover, perhaps especially for those who only know Neil Young’s Harvest and its magical spirit of the land.

Neil Young's 1970 album After The Gold Rush remains a timeless masterpiece combining folk and rock with deep social and environmental themes. It marks a shift from his previous rock sound to more varied folk ballads, supported by his band Crazy Horse. The album's prophetic lyrics about nature, society, and love resonate strongly even decades later. Often overshadowed by Harvest, this album is prized for its poetic depth and musical expression. Listen to Neil Young’s After The Gold Rush and experience a classic folk-rock journey full of heartfelt lyrics and timeless messages.

 Glenn Gould favored the driest, most rigorous, unadorned romanticism, revealing the mighty architecture of Brahms' music.

 Even with Brahms, the resonances, legatos, and 'pianistic' tricks are minimized, yet the typically romantic charm and strong emotions remain intact.

This review praises Glenn Gould's distinctive approach to Brahms' piano works, highlighting his sober, architectural style that respects romanticism but with minimal embellishments. Gould balances emotion and structural clarity, offering a fresh perspective on Brahms' Ballades, Rhapsodies, and Intermezzos. The review also notes Gould's witty self-interviews, which add an entertaining layer to his recordings. Overall, the album exemplifies Gould's genius and perfection in classical music interpretation. Discover Glenn Gould’s masterful Brahms interpretations—listen to the album and experience a fresh romantic classic!

 It is beautiful to see poetry and music emerge together, already perfectly fused, yet it is also a very rare phenomenon.

 The undeniable Celtic charm of the entire album is due to a skilful use of the two acoustic guitars of Branduardi himself and his faithful Maurizio Fabrizio.

Angelo Branduardi’s 1986 album 'Branduardi canta Yeats' beautifully marries the poetry of W.B. Yeats with Celtic-inspired folk music. The album showcases sophisticated acoustic arrangements, delicate instrumentation, and skillful translations by Branduardi’s wife. Despite its early release ahead of the Celtic boom and Branduardi’s Italian background, it remains a hidden gem with deeply evocative and nature-inspired ballads. Listen to Angelo Branduardi’s enchanting tribute to Yeats and immerse yourself in Celtic-inspired poetic folk music.

 The word 'undercurrent' suggests a subterranean current, invisible on the surface, yet endowed with a powerful magnetism.

 This exemplary essay of 'chamber jazz' the guitarist serves the pianist and vice versa, with a tacit understanding exchanging soloist and accompanist roles.

The review praises 'Undercurrent' as a timeless jazz masterpiece marked by subtlety and elegant musical interplay. Bill Evans and Jim Hall showcase impeccable technique and mutual respect, creating a balanced, refined duet. The album’s understated nature elevates classic standards into compelling chamber jazz. It's recognized as a model of refinement and enduring enjoyment since its 1962 release. Listen to 'Undercurrent' and experience the sublime dialogue of two jazz legends in perfect harmony.

 "Ivan made up for [his falsetto] with his guitar technique, unique among singer-songwriters."

 "The album is more than pleasant, and is a good starting point for those who want to know this somewhat underrated author before the Market proceeds to bury him in oblivion."

Ivan Graziani’s 1978 album Pigro captures vivid portraits of Italian provincial life with unique guitar technique and sincere storytelling. Despite his falsetto voice, Ivan creates compelling, ironic yet tender characters through rock-influenced tracks. The album is recommended as a starting point to explore this underrated singer-songwriter of the Italian golden era. Tracks like "Paolina" and "Monna Lisa" stand out for their emotional depth and vibrant arrangements. Explore Ivan Graziani's Pigro and experience timeless Italian rock storytelling—listen now and dive into its unforgettable characters!

 "For all six and a half minutes of 'Hotel California'... we are immersed in the haze of a warm Californian sunset."

 "An album steadily declining, but since 'highs and lows even out,' decent overall."

This review praises the iconic 'Hotel California' title track as a masterpiece representing the American West Coast myth. It acknowledges the album's technical skills and melodic inventiveness but points out a gradual decline in quality towards the latter tracks. While some songs shine, others feel repetitive or overly sweet, resulting in a decent yet uneven overall experience. Explore the iconic sounds and stories of Eagles' Hotel California—listen now and discover the highs and lows of this classic rock masterpiece.

 If their eyes are capable of going into ecstasy in front of a Monet painting, it is unclear why their ears should not do the same with the clean and rarefied notes of Claude Debussy.

 With Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, the risk of missing a note was practically nil, and the result simply divine.

The review praises Claude Debussy's Preludes for piano as a sublime musical counterpart to impressionist art, inviting listeners to experience vivid visions through sound. Each prelude is described as an evocative scene or mood rather than a literal depiction. The reviewer highlights the brilliance of pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli’s detailed and nuanced interpretation, recommending it as a definitive performance. The piece encourages broader cultural appreciation beyond specialized audiences. Dive into the enchanting world of Debussy's Preludes and experience piano music like a gallery of vivid impressions.