Beit: Masada Volume Two (USA 1994) (DIW Japan 1994)

Masada Book One

Volume two of the original Masada book is another high powered set of John Zorn's Klezmer infused take on Ornette Coleman's classic jazz. "Piram" kicks of the set in great fashion with it's chaotic sax and trumpet, although I have heard it better on the live albums. "Hadasha" is the set highlight and is a slow burning and magnificently laid back affair. "Lachish" is another that I prefer the live version and is far more avant-garde and free sounding than the first two and "Rachab" is slower but is one of those European sounding pieces that feels like it never gets going and doesn't flow smoothly, but not too bad a track, there are plenty of interesting things going on. "Peliyot" has one of those excellent Masada Greg Cohen Bass grooves although it's not backed up by equally groovy brass, which is more chaotic. And so it goes, as the rest of the album continues along these lines, a mixed set of quality jazz but somewhat more chaotic sounding than the first volume. Not as many great melodies to really get the attention but another great volume in this series. Rating 3.5./5.

Kirwans Hut (Again) - 14-15th September 2013

Uncle Roddus Tramping Diary:tramp No.138

Kirwans Hut (Again) - 14-15th September 2013

So good to finally get out in the hills again after nearly 5 months of working nearly every weekend through the winter. Thought I'd start off the season with a moderately easy trip up to a favourite hut that I had been intending to visit during the winter while there was snow about and also hoping to entice out some people who had been interested in doing some trips but weren't up to the usual harder trips I normally tackle. After putting off this trip the previous weekend due to weather and the fact that my new hot house had arrived and I wanted to make a start on getting it erected, I managed to entice a couple of friends to accompany me. Alan, a participant from several earlier trips was keen for another visit to kirwans hut and Lesley, whom I was sure this would be a trip that she could handle. Unfortunately her husband had to stay home due to their sheep lambing. 

Lesley and I arrived at Capelston carpark at just past 10:30am as I had indicated to Alan, who was coming from Greymouth. Alan's car was already there but he had started off ahead of us, Me presuming he figured we would catch up with him at some point. The track is a very well formed bench track that had been built to take men and equipment up onto Kirwans hill late in the 19th century to mine quartz. The weather was cool but mostly fine as we set off up the track, noticing the very recent track damage from the very heavy rains that had had earlier in the week. There were no real problems walking the route but DOC will have quite a bit of maintenance to do over the summer. As we climbed the gradual incline up the track we got to experience a couple of short localised light hail storms before finally catching Alan not far over the half way point. After introductions we continued on over the saddle and up into the very mossy silver beach forest of the upper regions of the hills.

We arrived at the hut around 4:00pm after just over 5 hours of tramping with a height gain of 1000M but over a long distance.

The first thing I noticed as the hut came into view was that all the old wooden framed latticed windows has been replaced with new double glazed aluminium sliding windows. I was disappointed with this as the old windows gave the hut much more character but I suppose there must have been a good reason for it. We spent a pleasant night in the warm hut with the fire keeping us warm and the two Ecology Phd's keeping the conversation interesting while the an unexpected but welcome snow fell outside.
Sunday arrived after a quite windy night and a nice covering of snow. Alan, Lesley and myself left the hut at about 7:50am and after leaving our packs at the junction, we headed up onto kirwans hill to enjoy the fabulous views on offer. The trip out was fairly uneventful but the day was pleasent and we made the car in just over 4 hours.

The river still slightly swollen from the heavy rain earlier in the week.

My new car.

Found this old mine shaft, had to have a look.

This washed out creek looked fresh enough to have happened from the rains earlier in the week.

A well formed track.

Ah! Look, there is Uncle Alan.

Apparently they held the Olympics here sometime. 

Approaching the Hut.

And the first thing I notice is the new windows.

A bit of snow overnight.

Heading off on Sunday.

Just popping up to the hilltop.

Brrr!!!

Devo - Freedom Of Choice (USA 1980)

Off The Shelf.

Here's one from the archive. The CD version of the 3rd album I ever owned, bought for me by my mother for Xmas as "Whip It" was the big hit off this disc and I was right into it. I loved this album then and 33 years later, I am still digging it and still can sing along with most of the lyrics. I am quite suprised to the recording quality, this being probably the first time I have dusted this off since I bought the Cyrus about 9 Years ago. This early example of electro pop was firmly rooted in 60 pop but seeded with disco influences to produce a collection of outstanding catchy 3 minute pop songs but with Devo's quirky offbeat style. Side one was always the side that got hammered when I was a teen, it definitely had the best songs,and side two was a little more offbeat and so didn't quite gel with this 14 year old. Listening now, I still prefer side one but can appreciate the technicalities of the songs on side two.  It's so great to dust off something like this and just totally re-connect with the music in the moment and this just fitted so well tonight. If you have never heard this then get it Now. Rating 5/5. 

Sun Ra & His Omniverse Arkestra - Destination Unknown (USA 1992)

The Sun Ra Discography.

Trying to catch up with all the Sun Ra CDs that have arrived the last few months and I am way behind, not hardly even looked at the large selection of Transparency releases that I obtained.
Another live set from the end of Ra's life, this was the second to last album released in his lifetime. The set kicks of with a very accessible and excellent Ra Groove in "Carefree" followed buy Ra soloing on piano with some support from brass and light percussion later in the piece, a somewhat more avant-garde piece although still more accessible than so much of the earlier music. The Arkestra sound tight and also more conventional, especially on the cover songs with Ra taking us back to his earliest influences and well as some of his earlier repertoire. So a good mix and a set that, although unmistakably Sun Ra, is starting to sound more like a contemporary Jazz group. Another good album for Ra Newbys to ease them in. Rating 3.5/5.

Sun Ra - Live At Pit-Inn _ Tokyo, Japan 08.08.198 (Japan 1988)

The Sun Ra Discography.

Yet more Ra, this from very late in his career, this live concert recorded and released via Japan. Sun Ra had mellowed a bit by this stage of his life and so there is quite a lot of more conventional swinging grooves going down here along with some vocal chants and some mild chaos. Overall a nice enough set with some enjoyable Ra grooves and some songs from way back in his catalogue.Rating 3.5/5.

Sun Ra - Monorails & Satellites (USA 1968)

The Sun Ra Discography.

A reasonably rare event in the Sun Ra cannon is a solo piano album, but that is exactly what we have here and although it is not one that I would go all gooey over, I do like to hear him solo. I always enjoy his far out solo's on many of the Archestra recordings although there isn't too much of the really way out stuff here, there is some good stuff to wrap your ears around that is a little less than conventional.
With so much less happening on a solo recording it becomes much easier to stay with the playing even when it gets weird and I find it quite absorbing. A good record and a bit more accessible. Rating 3.5/5. 

John Zorn - Kristallnacht (USA 1992)

The John Zorn Discography.

Zorn's deepest and most serious album is his musical representation of the event named in the albums title. A disgusting and despicable event that was a forerunner of something even more horrific. Understandably the music here isn't easy listening even by Zorn's standards(referring mostly to track 2) and it is a difficult record to just sit and "enjoy" due to the images it provokes and the events it represents.  The first track perhaps set the tone for Zorn's later Masada project, before it gets almost taken over by what could be German propaganda speech recordings, But is is the second track that really represents the event with its crescendo of broken glass sounds and other less audible noise which makes for an almost unlistenable piece, although it does get a bit more bearable later on in the piece. The album is highly regarded within the Zorn Discography and after skipping "Never Again" and sitting with the music for several listens the rest of the set does impress and isn't as gloomy as the title suggests. Fairly chaotic and verging on industrial, like on "Barzel" which sounds like a cross between Mezbow and Throbbing Gristle but mostly the set has a classical feel. There are even some light heart moments if you listen carefully. A real eclectic set and most impressive. Rating 4.5/5.

John Zorn - The Noble Prize Winner - Filmworks XXIV (USA 2010)

The John Zorn Discography.

Although scored for a film, this laid back set is pretty much a straight up Jazz release with piano, vibes and drums. Although the themes seem to be repeating a bit throughout the record and it all sounds a bit the same, the music itself is very enjoyable and very John Zorn. I am thoroughly enjoying this set  and a great one to put on when entertaining as there isn't any thing here to frighten the guests. Another great release in the huge Zorn discography and rated 4/5.  

The Cracow Klezmer Band - Sanatorium Under The Sign Of The Hourglass (Tzadik 2005)

More From Tzadik.
The John Zorn Discography.

This one should belong in the John Zorn Discography as he composed all the songs here. Not sure if these are Masada related compositions but this set would sit particularly well in the Book of Angles series.

These guys really let rip on many of these tracks with some of this being a really bouncy set of uptempo Klezmer numbers played extraordinarily well and the rest being more slower atmospheric numbers. Overall a pretty good set although I am enjoying the faster songs much more as the album feels like its' petering out as it slows down. Again, recommended for fans of Zorn's Masada music. Rating 3/5.

The lounge lizards - Queen Of All Ears (USA 1998)

Something not from Tzadik.

Since hearing am impressive track from this album via another blog some months back, I have acquired several of this legendary New York downtown groups recordings. This was their last album with their debut coming out in 1981. This is not Jazz but it has jazz sensibilities, not pop but some catchy melodies, not avant-garde but some cool experimentalism. Pretty hard to pigeonhole this music but it is very impressive and has a fairly laid back ambience. A great addition to my collection and very worthwhile checking out if you like some quirky quality off beat music.Rating 4/5.

The Beauty Room - The Beauty Room II (USA 2013)

A recent arrival.

The second album from the most pleasant and inoffensive sons of Steely Dan. This MOR isn't something I would usually be attracted to but I do like Steely Dan and these guys do a fantastic impersonation but are genuine enough to be their own band. It really doesn't matter what genre, if a band is this good I will be into it. Not quite as catchy as Coldplay and slightly less jazzy than Steely Dan but just a genuinely nice album. Play at dinner parties or when your Grandma visits and you can listen to some quality music without offending anyone. Rating 3.5/5.

Dora Juarez - Cantos Para Una Dispora (Tzadik 2013)

The Tzadik Catalogue.

Back to the Tzadik catalogue and this release in the in the Radical Jewish Culture series kicks off with a very impressive display of wordless acapella vocal pyrotechnics from this young lady before segueing into a lovely ethnic sounding folk song. The ethnic feeling to the music stays throughout the set but the music goes to many other strange and unusual places and is very inventive and quirky. Dora has a fabulous voice and uses to to wonderful effect. A wonderful and quite beautiful recording. Rating 3.5/5.

Queens Of The Stone Age - ..Like Clockwork (USA 2013)

Another new release.

Wasn't sure if I was gonna pick this one up at first. It had been 5 years since the last QOTSA and their last album, while Ok, didn't set the world alight, but I have immensely enjoyed several of their previous releases. This set won't upset their regular fan base, although is has a mellower vibe than their earlier music. It is still classic Queens... and an enjoyable and worthwhile addition to their catalogue of desert rock. I am growing to like this album quite a lot and QOTSA are still one of the premier contemporary Rock bands. Rating 4/5.

Arbouretum - Coming Out of the Fog (USA 2013)

Something different for a change.

Here is another of those bands that exist for some time and release several albums before I get to hear about them. This album is their 7th since 2006 so they obviously have had some small amount of success to keep them productive and producing albums. This release is another that was brought to my attention via Uncut Magazine and their slow burning Americana inflected indie pop has been an enjoyable listen over the last few weeks since it arrived. A strong set of well crafted songs of mostly slow tempo but full of nice melodies. Nothing groundbreaking or all that original but just a strong album of its genre. Rating 4/5.

Cold Specks - I Predict A Graceful Expulsion

Another recent release.

I was working out at the gym the other day and I have to suffer the unending stream of indie pop/rock, R'n B and Rap that plays on the TV via the local music channel. I was thinking how so bloody boring and predictable is so much of the commercial tripe they play on these things. There are so many of these artists and they all start to sound the same. I think it takes something special to stand out from the crowd and it may not have to be totally original but occasionally someone pops up from the murky depths and impresses me immensely. Cold Specks was brought to my attention via an Uncut Magazine CD earlier this year and I finally got my hands on a copy of this debut last week. This woman has a great voice and has matched her soulful croon to some lovely laid back but richly textured folksy pop songs and has captured my interest and given me some wonderful music to enjoy. Rating 4/5.