CD Review – The Maiden of Stonehenge, by Michael Brant DeMaria

This CD is a soundtrack to Florida’s Pensacola Little Theatre production of the same name co-written and coproduced by psychologist and recording artist Michael Brant DeMaria.

 

The play revolves around a young girl in Ancient Britain who sets out in search of acceptance and a new start, embarking on a deeply personal journey of exploration and self-discovery that culminates at the iconic assemblage of mythical stone structures in England.

 

As befits the mystical story and setting, the music is appropriately dark and mysterious, its nocturnal enchantment truly coming alive during a nighttime drive on forest roads beneath a starry sky. Given that the play revolves around an excursion, the album is ideal as a soundtrack for traveling. DeMaria works from a sonic reservoir full of keyboards and synthesizers, flutes, percussion, and chants, resulting in a rich, thought-provoking, otherworldly sound. Maggie Crain, the lead actress from the play, also provides serene vocals on a couple of tracks.

 

Judging from the song titles, themes, and story strands explained in the liner notes, I imagine that the music on this CD brings the play to life like no standard soundtrack could. However, the album also stands on its own as a penetrating piece of art conducive to pause and reflection.

 

--Raj Manoharan

TV – Goodbye Carly

This Thanksgiving weekend marks the end of an era as iCarly concludes five and a half glorious seasons as the most popular show in Nickelodeon history. The series has been so successful that its reach has expanded well beyond its niche network fan base and demographic, ensuring its place in the annals of pop culture.

 

The show revolves around teenage friends who produce a popular Internet variety show. However, the focus is not so much the Web program as it is the friends themselves, as well as their peers, family members, and schoolteachers. This is why the show is so relatable to kids and adults. Also, the fact that the main characters produce a Web show is far from far-fetched in this day and age. Not many people can relate to attending a performing arts high school or living on a cruise ship. But anyone can have a Web site or a blog – even me.

 

The show’s widespread success is also due to the fact that it is actually funny. This is no surprise considering that the series’ creator and executive producer is Dan Schneider, who starred as one of the high school students in the 1980s ABC sitcom Head of the Class before becoming one of Nickelodeon’s most successful writer-producers. In fact, I dare say that iCarly is far superior to most of the sitcoms on network television today.

 

It has been a pleasure to watch these talented kids grow up. And the show wouldn’t be what it is without the excellent grown-up actors as well, especially Jerry Trainor (who resembles Jerry O’Connell and has the comic elasticity of Jim Carrey) and Tim Russ (who played Vulcan security officer Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager and who here as Principal Franklin implores his students to “study hard and prosper”).

 

Even though two of the teenage actors will continue playing their characters in two new Nickelodeon shows, it just won’t be the same. The kid and adult ensemble cast have a unique chemistry that will be hard to replicate, if ever.

 

Farewell, iCarly, and thanks for the laughs.

 

--Raj Manoharan

Please Stand By

My thoughts and condolences go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who didn't make it, as well as to all those who are enduring and suffering extreme hardship as they deal with the loss of their homes and struggle to survive without the basic necessities of life.

As far as I know, all of my family, friends, and colleagues in this area are fine, and I am thankful for that.

I myself had a couple of close encounters, and so I am thankful that I am able to write this, even as there are damages and other issues to contend with.

To all the artists who have sent me copies of their CDs and not seen reviews yet, please bear with me. It will be at least a couple of weeks before I get going again. In addition, I have a huge backlog, so it may be a couple of months before you see your reviews. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Again, I send my best to all those recovering in the New York Metropolitan/Tri-State Area, as well as up and down the East Coast and other affected areas/regions.

Raj

To All My Fellow East Coasters

Batten down the hatches and brace for impact.

See you on the other side.

Raj

CD Review – Eleven Drops, by Paz del Castillo

The latest release from Paz del Castillo features eleven solo piano tracks that reveal the artist to be a dynamic composer and performer and a master of taste and subtlety.

 

For Castillo, the title of the album conveys the idea that each tune on the album is like an individual drop of water that represents a different aspect of her life, mood, and/or personality. This is absolutely the case because the songs run the gamut of emotions and feelings, from inner peace and calm, to mystery and discovery, to wonder and awe.

 

The title is also apt in the sense that, although each number is unique and distinct, the album flows from one track to the next with a consistency and effortlessness that result in a unifying whole, like drops of water becoming a steady stream. Castillo’s dexterity and creativity engage the listener from beginning to end, making this a satisfying and enlightening experience.

 

This is another worthy offering that will be appreciated by aficionados of solo piano music.

 

--Raj Manoharan

TV, Music – Tis the Season, Charlie Brown

It’s that time of year again – the period from late October through late December where we go through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, complete with pumpkin picking and trick-or-treating, Butterball and football, and decked halls and snowfalls. In terms of entertainment, we have costumes, parades, and the Rockettes, along with numerous television specials and holiday music releases. However, nothing captures the pop culture spirit of the season like the Charlie Brown TV specials. Good old Chuck, Linus and Lucy, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang epitomize the holidays like no one else.

 

If you don’t have the time (or the stomach) to watch all the holiday programming that will be overwhelming the airwaves over the next couple of months, your best bets are the Charlie Brown specials, including It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown; A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving; and A Charlie Brown Christmas. These are all available on DVD, but there’s something magical about watching them on network television during the season.

 

In terms of holiday music, you can’t do better than the soundtracks to the Charlie Brown specials. As enjoyable as holiday releases by major and independent artists can be, they don’t compare to the beauty and innocence of the scores for the Peanuts specials. There are several albums that cover the music of the Peanuts shows, but I really recommend the actual soundtracks to the programs composed and performed by Vince Gauraldi. Like the shows, his timeless Charlie Brown recordings exude the peace, contentment, and happiness of the holidays.

 

--Raj Manoharan

CD Retro (Fan) Review – World Gone Strange, by Andy Summers

I’ve been listening to a bunch of old Andy Summers albums in between my regular CD reviews, and this one has really been resonating with me. In fact, as I get older, I find myself returning to it again and again. It's the most focused, consistent, and guitar-centric album of Summers’ entire solo discography.

 

There’s no flash or pizazz here – just classy, elegant electric guitar music, with hints of jazz, blues, and funk. There isn’t one lackluster tune on the CD. It is flawless from beginning to end.

 

Summers’ spot-on backing band includes Tony Levin on bass, Mitchell Forman on keyboards, and Chad Wackerman on drums, with guest performances by Eliane Elias on piano, Victor Bailey on bass, Nana Vasconcelos and Manola Badrena on percussion, producer Mike Manieri on marimba, and Bendik on soprano saxophone.

 

Andy Summers has a varied body of work, all of which is enjoyable, some more than others. I consider this to be his most timeless and universal. It’s my favorite.

 

--Raj Manoharan