Purple Electric Violin Concerto Vol.2 - Ed Alleyne-Johnson

Advantages: Amazing playing and interpreations of popular songs
Disadvantages: Can become a little repetitive in "one-sitting"

...Ed Alleyne-Johnson is an artist you're either familiar with, or have never heard of. Apparently he has recently had significant airplay on Radio 2, (though I couldn't vouch for this having not heard him on the station). I myself stumbled across this talented musician one day when I was wandering around Chester and heard what I thought was an small orchestra busking near the Cross, (for anyone unfamiliar with Chester, the Cross is a favourite spot near the City-centre for buskers of all kind). What I thought was an small travelling orchestra turned out to be a solo-violinist playing a purple electric violin, (which reminds me a lot of the B.C. Rich style guitars for any guitarists out there) with an array of FX boxes playing all parts live, then with the aid of his home-built kit repeating passages and playing over the top with another... Read review

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Advantages: Stunning
Disadvantages: None

...true classic rock classics. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", "Kashmir" and "Freebird" are just three of the nine. They're not exact recreations either, they've got an interesting twist, almost a lilt, which is good, because a direct copy played on the electric violin wouldn't sound right. Reflections really is a reflection. It's not the same thing, but it's not exactly diminished either. In the same way that a reflection of the moon is almost more romantic than the moon itself, Alleyne-Johnson's "Freebird" is somehow more 'Freebird' than the original. It's an extremely relaxing album, brilliant as background music, unlike every other album I've reviewed I can listen to it whilst I write without being distracted every so often, but equally worthwhile as music on its own for listening to. "Kashmir", in particular, is impressive, possibly... Read review

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Advantages: Mutter's eloquence and sensitivity in older recording are enhanced here.
Disadvantages: None at all!

.... ********************* NOTE: To commenter #3, posted comment today, 27-8: the message I left in your gb, sir, should sufficiently clarify the situation. ---------------------------------- CD Notes: JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833 - 1897) Konzert für Violine und Orchester D-dur op. 77 Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major 1 1. Allegro non troppo (22' 55) Cadenza: Joseph Joachim, rev. Ossip Schnirlin 2 2. Adagio (9' 20) 3 3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace - Poco più presto (7' 55) ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810 - 1856) Fantasie für Violine und Orchester C-dur op. 131 Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra in C major Transcription: Fritz Kreisler 4 Moderato semplice ma espressivo - Allegro marcato - Molto tranquillo - Tempo primo - Cadenza - Molto tranquillo (13' 12) ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER, Violine New York Philharmonic KURT MASUR... Read review

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