She
was a mother, alright.
So
long and farewell to one of the most famous and beloved television
matriarchs of all time.
Here
she comes, Frank!
--Raj
Manoharan
Monday, April 18, 2016
CD Review – Ardas (Prayer), by Prabhu Nam Kaur
Pleasant
vocals and authentic ethnic instrumentation bring this CD of sacred
Sikh music – “Gurbani Kurtan” – to blissful fruition.
In addition to Prabhu Nam Kaur's fine voice, masterful harmonium playing, and original compositions, the album features the talents of Snatam Kaur as composer, Amar Khalsa on flute and vocals, Arjan Khalsa on guitar and mandolin, Hargobind Singh Khalsa on tabla, Ramdass Khalsa on bass, clarinet, nylon string guitar, keyboards, shaker, and vocals, Sahib Amar Khalsa on viola and vocals, Nalini Teresa Marie on udu, and Jasprit Singh on sitar.
This recording provides a cathartic experience for those interested in calming, meditative, exotic new age music.
--Raj Manoharan
In addition to Prabhu Nam Kaur's fine voice, masterful harmonium playing, and original compositions, the album features the talents of Snatam Kaur as composer, Amar Khalsa on flute and vocals, Arjan Khalsa on guitar and mandolin, Hargobind Singh Khalsa on tabla, Ramdass Khalsa on bass, clarinet, nylon string guitar, keyboards, shaker, and vocals, Sahib Amar Khalsa on viola and vocals, Nalini Teresa Marie on udu, and Jasprit Singh on sitar.
This recording provides a cathartic experience for those interested in calming, meditative, exotic new age music.
--Raj Manoharan
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Peggy Morgan (1950-2016)
Peggy
Morgan was one half of the Hawaiian-based instrumental music duo
Acoustic Ocean, two of whose albums I had the privilege of reviewing
on this site.
Morgan may no longer be with us in body, but she will always be with us in spirit through the music she touched others with through her recordings, and through the love she gave to her family, friends, and loved ones such as her musical partner Bette Phelan.
I have hope and faith that she's at peace now, making sweet, beautiful, eternal music.
www.rememberingpeggymorgan.com
--Raj Manoharan
Morgan may no longer be with us in body, but she will always be with us in spirit through the music she touched others with through her recordings, and through the love she gave to her family, friends, and loved ones such as her musical partner Bette Phelan.
I have hope and faith that she's at peace now, making sweet, beautiful, eternal music.
www.rememberingpeggymorgan.com
--Raj Manoharan
CD Review – All Roads, by Harnam
This
is not your typical, meditative, transcendental, new age album. In
fact, it is far from it.
Composer, guitarist, and singer Harnam follows in the hallowed tradition of the best singer-songwriters from the 1970s. Like many of the country/folk/pop/rock fusion pioneers of that era, Harnam's music is timeless. However, he does one-up many of those six-stringers with his ambidextrous talents on 8-string, 12-string, and baritone acoustic guitars.
Harnam's easy listening melodies and natural, unassuming vocals make this record accessible to anyone who likes good singing and songwriting regardless of worldview.
Harnam also layers his appealing sound with rich instrumentation from Chris Erbacher on banjo and pedal steel, James Henry on percussion, Charity Kahn on piano, Siri Kartar on banjo and pedal steel, Paul Lamb on electric bass, Daryn Rover on acoustic and electric guitars, Simrit on background vocals, Suzy Thompson on fiddle, Benjy Wertheimer on esraj, Tim White on bamboo flute, and Jake Wood on drums.
This is a fine album whether you're seeking philosophical solace, good music, or both.
--Raj Manoharan
Composer, guitarist, and singer Harnam follows in the hallowed tradition of the best singer-songwriters from the 1970s. Like many of the country/folk/pop/rock fusion pioneers of that era, Harnam's music is timeless. However, he does one-up many of those six-stringers with his ambidextrous talents on 8-string, 12-string, and baritone acoustic guitars.
Harnam's easy listening melodies and natural, unassuming vocals make this record accessible to anyone who likes good singing and songwriting regardless of worldview.
Harnam also layers his appealing sound with rich instrumentation from Chris Erbacher on banjo and pedal steel, James Henry on percussion, Charity Kahn on piano, Siri Kartar on banjo and pedal steel, Paul Lamb on electric bass, Daryn Rover on acoustic and electric guitars, Simrit on background vocals, Suzy Thompson on fiddle, Benjy Wertheimer on esraj, Tim White on bamboo flute, and Jake Wood on drums.
This is a fine album whether you're seeking philosophical solace, good music, or both.
--Raj Manoharan
Monday, March 21, 2016
The Monkees to Celebrate 50th Anniversary This Year with New Album and Tour
Hey,
hey, they’re The Monkees, you never know where they’ll be found,
so you’d better get ready, they may be comin’ to your town.
You heard that right. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the classic music/comedy TV series that birthed the “Prefab Four,” Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Michael Nesmith are recording a new Monkees album called Good Times! (which is scheduled to be released on June 10).
In addition, Dolenz and Tork will hit the road for a Monkees tour from May through October.
Good Times! is the first new Monkees album in 20 years and the third Monkees reunion album in 29 years, following Pool It! from 1987 (featuring Dolenz, Tork, and the late Davy Jones) and Justus from 1996 (featuring all four Monkees).
--Raj Manoharan
You heard that right. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the classic music/comedy TV series that birthed the “Prefab Four,” Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and Michael Nesmith are recording a new Monkees album called Good Times! (which is scheduled to be released on June 10).
In addition, Dolenz and Tork will hit the road for a Monkees tour from May through October.
Good Times! is the first new Monkees album in 20 years and the third Monkees reunion album in 29 years, following Pool It! from 1987 (featuring Dolenz, Tork, and the late Davy Jones) and Justus from 1996 (featuring all four Monkees).
--Raj Manoharan
Sir George Martin (1926-2016)
Of all the Fifth Beatles, you, Sir, were the classiest.
--Raj Manoharan
--Raj Manoharan
CD Review – Coming Home, by Peter Jennison
Veteran American soldier
and pianist Peter Jennison's second album is just as moving and
poignant as his first, perhaps even more so.
Like his previous release, the new entry was written during Jennison's tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, resulting in a thoughtful musical perspective unlike most.
The tone of the record is very reverent and almost elegiac, thanks especially to Jennison's intricate, lyrical compositions and masterfully understated performance style.
The highlight of the album is Jennison's amazing take on “Taps,” with the horn part really stretched out and Jennison filling in the spaces with his ivory reverie. This is the most beautiful version of the song I've heard. Jennison really makes it his own, giving it dramatic breadth and turning it into a breathtaking work of brilliant radiance.
In addition to Jennison, the CD features the talents of producer Will Ackerman on guitar, Charlie Bisharat on violin, engineer Tom Eaton on bass and keyboards, Eugene Friesen on cello, Jill Haley on English horn, Jeff Haynes on percussion, Jeff Oster on flugelhorn, and Noah Wilding, Heather Rankin, and Rory Sullivan on vocals.
--Raj Manoharan
Like his previous release, the new entry was written during Jennison's tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, resulting in a thoughtful musical perspective unlike most.
The tone of the record is very reverent and almost elegiac, thanks especially to Jennison's intricate, lyrical compositions and masterfully understated performance style.
The highlight of the album is Jennison's amazing take on “Taps,” with the horn part really stretched out and Jennison filling in the spaces with his ivory reverie. This is the most beautiful version of the song I've heard. Jennison really makes it his own, giving it dramatic breadth and turning it into a breathtaking work of brilliant radiance.
In addition to Jennison, the CD features the talents of producer Will Ackerman on guitar, Charlie Bisharat on violin, engineer Tom Eaton on bass and keyboards, Eugene Friesen on cello, Jill Haley on English horn, Jeff Haynes on percussion, Jeff Oster on flugelhorn, and Noah Wilding, Heather Rankin, and Rory Sullivan on vocals.
--Raj Manoharan
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