Batik - Ralph Towner

Advantages: Skilled musicianship, unique interpretations
Disadvantages: None, if you like the genre

.... THE MAN: The 55-year-old Kottke is not a new name on the music scene. But despite a modicum of commercial success he remains somewhat of a cult figure. Like so many of his inspirations and mentors, Kottke seems content to have contributed to a uniquely American musical repository. Most of his early recordings, including this one on the now-defunct "roots" label Takoma, eschew any attempt at mass sales. Nonetheless, though Takoma has ceased to exist, Kottke’s early recordings including this one are easy to find on the likes of amazon.com, CD Now, half.com, etc. A self-taught guitarist who started on the trombone, Kottke has drawn heavily on the likes of Leadbelly, Robbie Basho, Ralph Towner, Joe Pass, and, of course, his true mentor, the inimitable John Fahey, founder of Takoma in a Washington, DC suburb in 1959. But Kottke has also drawn... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: quality
Disadvantages: none

...This is one of the best Gilbert and Sullivan light operas that I have listened to (or performed in). It is about a Lass (Josephine) who loved a foremast hand (common sailor) (Ralph), but Josephine can’t marry him because she is a daughter of the Captain of HMS Pinafore (Captain Corcorran). Because Josephine is the Captain’s daughter she is of a higher social class than Ralph is, also she is supposed to be getting married to the ruler of the Queen’s Navy (Rt. Honourable Sir Joseph Porter). This leaves Josephine and Ralph in a bit of a mess, so they are going to sneak off and get married together that night. But at this time the Captain is also in love with a Portsmouth Bum boat woman (Buttercup), but he can’t let other people know because he is against Josephine having a relationship with Ralph. But in the end Buttercup lets every... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: good music
Disadvantages: repetive

...The story Nature written by Ralph Waldo Emerson is one giant motif in its self. In the story Emerson truly shows his passion in great detail of the bountiful glory of nature. He conveys his massage through deep metaphors and descriptions of nature. The motif or theme of the story is how nature can control your emotions in such a way as if the world around you didn't exist and how your emotions can tie into the way you view life. The story is saturated with messages of peace and love for all things nature has to offer. "Nature always wears the colors of the spirit" is a powerful quote that represents just how devoted Emerson is to showing the reader how powerful your emotions can be towards your life. Through the writing Emerson makes it clear that there can be a light and a dark side of nature. The light side being the... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful