Astor Piazzolla - Astor Piazzolla

Advantages: Gorgeous sultry tango music for late-night listening.
Disadvantages: Only about 40 minutes of music, not to everyone's taste.

...Argentinian Astor Piazzolla was responsible for the creation of "tango nuevo", or new/modern tango, fusing traditional tango music with jazz and classical elements. (If you know of Gotan Project, he was an inspiration for them - they also sometimes play his compositions.) While most of the other albums he recorded are sparklingly precise, this one is slightly rougher round the edges, often slow, sultry, even dirty - and deliberately so, Piazzolla himself said the music on this album was "meant to be played by drunk musicians in a bordello". Which is fair enough, given that is exactly where the tango originated. This is a late recording, made in 1987 (he died in 1992) and features a small group of musicians playing piano, violin, bass, electric guitar, clarinet/alto sax, and bandoneon, which Piazzola himself plays - he did so... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: MacGregor's chameleon-like arrangements render every piece interesting, appealing.
Disadvantages: She remains in obscurity in the US.

...MacGregor's true genius lies—in bringing these pieces to the attention—and mounting interest—of audiences unfamiliar with such unconventional works. It goes without saying that her piano skills are virtuosic, but virtuosity here is beside the point. MacGregor employs her dexterity and artistry to serve her real purpose: to give the listener the overall picture and feel of each work. Through her chameleon-like piano playing she succeeds at this quite marvelously. What's so pleasantly unexpected about this disc is the harmonious juxtaposition of so many dissimilar works. Alisdair Nicolson's high-spirited and jazzy 42nd Street Stomp leads into Astor Piazzolla's alluringly mysterious Libertango, which segues into Byrd's Renaissance era Hughe Ashton's Ground, from which Gyorgi Ligeti's modern Automne a Varsovie takes its cue, then Japanese... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Unusual tracks
Disadvantages: None

...11. Candy - The Astors 12. I Want Someone - The Mad Lads 13. Philly Dog - The Mar-Keys 14. Satisfaction - Otis Redding 15. Things Get Better - Eddie Floyd 16. Let Me Be Good to You - Carla Thomas 17. I'll Run Your Hurt Away - Ruby Johnson 18. You Good Thing (Is About To End) - Mable John 19. Patch My heart - The Mad Lads 20. Crosscut Saw - Albert King 21. I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down - Sam & Dave 22. Groovin' - Booker T & the MGs 23. Give Everybody Some - The Bar-Kays 24. Cold Feet - Albert King 25. I Thank You - Sam & Dave 26. I Got A Sure Thing - Ollie & the Nightingales 27. Big Bird - Eddie Floyd 28. Tribute to a King - William Bell 29. I Ain't Particular - Johnnie Taylor... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful