What I was listening to - Vol #4

Brahms Symphony No. 3, London, 1979 (414-488-2)

I'm still working on the Dvorak symphonies (see my previous review), but I was recently watching a re-run of the old "Fawlty Towers" episodes with John Cleese and something from one of the shows got me to re-visit this favorite CD of mine.   In this episode, Cleese's character, Basil Fawlty, is trying to work at his desk while listening to Brahms' Third Symphony.  However, he is continually interrupted for various reasons.  As he attempts to yet again go back to his desk to work, his wife complains to him ....

"How can you work with that racket on?!?!".

To which he replies (in the typical John Cleese manner)...

"Racket!?!?!  Racket?!?!?!, that's Brahms' Third Racket!".

OK, enough British humor.  This is a wonderful performance by the Chicago Symphony under the direction of the great Sir Georg Solti.  Unlike many of the recordings of this particular symphony, this one has some special quality to it that I just can't really place.  It wasn't the first recording I ever heard, and far from the last, but this particular one has been my favorite.  Take it for what it's worth.

Robin Trower - Essential Robin Trower, Chrysalis Records Inc., 1991 (F2-21853)

For anyone who is a fan of '70's guitar rock, Robin Trower is a must in your collection.   Trower was not one of the best, nor was he one of the worst.  His style of play, like many of that era, borrowed heavily from some of the greats.   Trower himself apparently admits absorbing the styles of Hendrix and B.B. King into his playing.  This is a collection of some of Trower's best work including "Bridge of Sighs", "Bluebird", and "I Can't Wait Much Longer".  There's nothing really fancy here.  Just good 'ol guitar rock.  I would definitely recommend this one.


Yellow Magic Orchestra - Solid State Survivor, Alfa Records, 1979 (7-72701-2)

OK, so I know most of you are saying....."Yellow Magic who?"  YMO was a group that became extremely popular during the techno-pop era.  The group was founded by keyboardist Ryuichi Sakamoto, who now has a very successful solo career.   Like Thomas Dolby, YMO's music was heavily dependent on the synthesizer for it's unique sound.  Sakamoto was one of the first to tap its potential as a versatile musical instrument.  The group broke up when techno-pop died and for many years I was not able to replace my vinyl with CDs.  However, many of YMO's songs have now been re-released on CDs.  This particular CD has some of their best hits including "Technopolis", "Rydeen", and "Behind the Mask".  If you want to hear something unique and definitely different, I suggest you give YMO a try.  You might be pleasantly suprised.

The Manhattan Transfer - The Best of the Manhattan Transfer, Atlantic Records, 1981 (19319-2)

As vocal groups go, the Manhattan Transfer is by far one of the greatest and has been one of the longest lived.  Granted that the members of the group have changed over the years.  The original Manhattan Transfer was started by Tim Hauser back in the late 60's and included Gene Pistilli, Marty Nelson, Pat Rosalia, and Erin Dickens.   This group only lasted a couple of years and, to my knowledge, did not have any major hits.  The next incarnation, which most of us are familiar with, included Hauser, Laurel Masse, Janis Siegel, and Alan Paul.  Masse was injured in a car accident in 1978 and did not continue with the group and was replaced by Cheryl Benytne.  The Transfer brought four part harmony to various forms of music, including jazz, doo-wop, and R&B.  The unique idea of blending their voices using the sax section of the Count Baise band as a model gave them a unique sound that has won them several Grammys.  I have heard many great groups that harmonize and sound great, but in my opinion, the Manhattan Transfer seems to have a unique vocal blend and underlying chemistry that makes them stand out.  This collection covers their hits from 1975-81.  You get a great feel for the sax section model in "Four Brothers" and "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square".  For anyone who wants a nice collection of their early work or wants a good intro to their work, this CD is a must.


The Manhattan Transfer - The Manhattan Transfer Anthology, Rhino Records, 1992 (R2-71053)

Keeping with the Manhattan Transfer, this 2 CD set is a near complete collection of their greatest hits covering 1975-87.  In addition to all the titles that appear on the "Best of Manhattan Transfer", this has some other greats such as "Blee Blop Blues", "Mystery", "Spice of Life", "Route 66", "Ray's Rockhouse", and the list goes on and on.   A total of 39 tracks covering their tenure with Atlantic Records (they switched to the Sony label in 1991).  The titles are divided into four groupings: R&B, pop, big band, and jazz.  So you get the entire spectrum of their musical talent.  This CD set reminded me that Rod Temperton wrote a couple of hits for the Transfer.  For those of you who don't remember, Temperton founded the disco group Heatwave back in the 70's.  But Temperton is best known for writing winning tunes for artists such as George Benson, Michael Jackson, and others.   To date, I have never been disappointed by a Temperton composition, and the stuff he wrote for the Transfer was fabulous.  For the hard-core Transfer fan, I would say you should get this CD set rather than the "Best of Manhattan Transfer".

  What I was listening to (#1)

  What I was listening to (#2)

  What I was listening to (#3)

  What I was listening to (#5)

  What I was listening to (#6)

  What I was listening to (#7)

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