Music Reviews

White_Wash – "KFJC Live Mic – 1977" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/30/2019   A Library, CD

Recorded on 2/25/1977 29 mins 50 seconds

Genre: Americana

This recording features strong acoustic guitar work, congas, harmonica and 2 voices.    

Featuring DJs Susan Fox and Sandy Sprague  

Partial list of tracks:
2nd song guitar cover of Donovan song  “There is a Mountain”
Cover of “Folsom Prison”
City

This was pulled from an old CD found in storage and edited to remove excessive guitar tuning between songs by Devlyn on 8/2019. This recording cuts off cold at 29:50 mid song. I faded it down at end.

File name: 77 – White Wash Live – Americana

Cinematic Orchestra, The – “To Believe” – [Ninja Tune]

Medusa of Troy   11/20/2019   A Library, CD

“To Believe” is Cinematic Orchestra’s 5th album and was released 12 years after its 4th one, “Ma Fleur”. The British electro-acoustic jazz ensemble sounds a bit different on this release than their early albums. It sounds less like traditional jazz rhythms, softer and mellower in a higher register of strings. Of the 7 tracks on the album, two are instrumentals, the rest sung by a range of guest performers. Layers of strings and piano and drum start light but build into sweet, cathartic crescendos. The concept for the album is ‘belief in the age of Brexit’ but the specifics of what or who to believe in are not enumerated – “To Believe” seems more about the act versus the object of believing. “Little” is a stand-out instrumental from the album, with an incessant, infectious drum beat from beginning to end. A return to form by masters of nu-jazz.

Heilung – “Futha” – [Season of Mist]

Medusa of Troy   11/20/2019   A Library, CD

Heilung (the German word for ‘healing’) is a 3-member Danish band. Its sound is metal and folk and electronic and noise; instruments include those made with bones, animal skins and swords, as well as relics and temple bells, nature sounds and other items. The lyrics of Futha, Heilung’s second album, are based on Icelandic poetry. Vocalist/lyricist Kae Uwe Faust growls, snarls and throat-singing are impressive, but more impressive are the high clear tones of Maria Franz’s vocals. Instrumentalist/producer Christopher Juul ties it all together sonically. Some tracks include pieces that sound like war chants – “Vapnatak” sounds like a battle re-enactment with a narration at the end. “Futha’s” overall sounds are pagan, tribal and occult, with an emphasis on percussive rhythms – the lyrics are Old Norse, German (modern and Old High) and maybe a bit in Icelandic. Heilung call their genre “Amplified History,” while others tie it to neo-folk. “Futha” was conceived as a feminine contrast to their first album, “Ofnir.” According to the label’s webpage for the album, there’s speculation that a variant of ‘futha’ means a four-letter word for female genitalia. Much of that ‘big yonic energy’ is carried through is mostly on the strength of Franz’s vocals, particularly on tracks 2-4. But the whole album avoids sounding like either just another folk album or just another metal album. There’s something to scare and/or beguile all sorts of listeners on “Futha”.

Barnson, Matthew – “Vanitas” – [Innova Recordings]

Cousin Mary   11/19/2019   A Library, CD

Three pieces composed by Matthew Barnson. The first one for orchestra is mysterious and based on grief – it reminds me a bit of George Crumb’s Black Angels. The other two compositions are for smaller ensembles and are provocative and at times whimsical. Fine examples of original takes on modern classical music.

Eldanka – “Rusty Treasures” – [Self Release]

Cousin Mary   11/13/2019   A Library, CD

Excellent instrumental work from this 4-piece ensemble from Toholampi, Finland (about 500 kilometers north of Helsinki). All original compositions by lead guitarist Mika Jamsa. Twang, surf, jazz influences with some extra instruments and electronics that add interesting touches to the guitars, bass and drums. Something a little different to play in your surf set.

Shea, David – “An Eastern Western Collected Works” – [Sub Rosa]

Cousin Mary   11/13/2019   A Library, CD

David Shea (student of Morton Feldman, collaborator with John Zorn) wrote or recomposed these tracks in 1997. Instruments and samplers show a great variety that includes piano, percussion, Tibetan singing, vibraphone, etc. Captivating, frequently lovely, original, magic!

Valera, Kiki – Vivencias En Clave Cubana – [Origin Records]

aarbor   11/13/2019   CD, International

This is Kiki Valera’s Debut solo album. He is a Cuban master of the Quatro a 4-stringed chordophone now living in Seattle. He is a member of the Familia Valera Miranda – a century-old music dynasty which is known for Son Cubano, the infectious Cuban call and response song form which blends Spanish (song style and meter) and African (rhythm) musical traditions. Valera was exposed to Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery and Chick Corea through cassette tapes while in school and those jazz inspirations influence his cuatro solos. Valera is joined here by childhood friend, reknowned Cuban vocalist Coco Freeman. Valera and his ensemble pair 12 original songs with lovely instrumental work – put on your dancing shoes. AArbor

Rautavaara, Einojuhani – "Cantus Arcticus" – [Catalyst]

Hemroid The Leader   11/11/2019   A Library, CD

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara (pronounced AY-no-yu-hah-ni ROW-ta-vah-ra) was born in Helsinki on Oct. 9, 1928. Cantus Arcticus & Symphony No. 5 performed by the Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra. String Quartet No. 4 performed by the Sirius String Quartet.

Canticus Arcticus (1972) is a Concerto for Birds and Orchestra. Foggy & textural gradients. 3 movements, 17 min.

String Quartet No. 4 (1975) cool postwar quartet, Schoenberg 12-tones. Indeterminate pitches. Meditative. Different from the usual Western stuff. 3 movements, 22 min.

Symphony No. 5 (1985) is big and ambitious, a little disjointed here and there, maybe from the large scale. Entertaining and likeable. Maybe listen to the first half. 31 min.

African Rhythm Messengers 1/2 – "KFJC Live Mic At SJ America Fest – 1995" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/10/2019   A Library, CD

African Rhythm Messengers 54:13

July 4th 1995  Live Remote from San Jose America Festival

Featuring KFJC DJs, Grawer and Earl Grey

“African Rhythm Messengers is a group of musicians headquartered in Nigeria. Their music mixes Caribbean, Reggae and African beats.” AllMusic.com They released a CD entitled Bottom Belle in 1998.”

Best Known songs written by Rex Lawson:

This recording was digitized from an archival VHS tape by Devlyn on 9//19/2019.

African Rhythm Messengers 2 – "KFJC Live Mic From SJ America Fest – 1995" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/10/2019   A Library, CD

African Rhythm Messengers   Disk 2/2    57:33

July 4th, 1995 live KFJC Remote recording from the San Jose America Festival.

The recording features KFJC DJs, Grawer and Earl Grey.

“African Rhythm Messengers is a group of African musicians based in Nigeria. Their music mixes Caribbean, Reggae and African beats. They released a CD entitled Bottom Belle in 1998.”

Best Known songs were written by Rex Lawson:
Last song on this CD is the traditional song: Onye Ga Gba Egwu

Digitized from an archival VHS tape by Devlyn on 9/19/2019.

Bucket of Blues Sax Blowout KFJC Live Mic 2/2 – 1987 – "KFJC Live Mic" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/10/2019   A Library, CD

1987_SAX_Blowout- A KFJC Live Mic_at_JJs_Blues_Cafe Disk 2/2 XXXXX

Recorded at JJ’s Blues Cafe in Mountain View CA

Features JJs house band, Bucket of Blues, including: Deacon Jones  (organ and MC ) Our best guess this is: “Melvyn “Deacon” Jones (December 12, 1943 – July 6, 2017) an organist and founding member of Baby Huey & the Babysitters in Chicago”  Wikipedia   

Jamie Brian,

Mr Sticks

Sax Blowout starts with Terrible Tom (Probably TJ Politzer (SAX) of the Fabulous sundogs) Songs includes “I feel Good”

Noel Coutoura (SAX) comes on later

Bucket of Blues vocalist Rick Baker added in the end

The original tape runs out before the concert ends and is faded out.

Digitized from archival VHS tape by Devlyn. Some tape hiss when folks are talking. Not really noticeable when music is going, Concert is broken up into 2 CDs.

PRI – "KFJC Live Mic – 1983" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/9/2019   A Library, CD

PRI – A KFJC Live Mic recorded on 2-5-1983  41 mins & 18 seconds

Genre: Punk/Metal

This recording was pulled from an old CD found in KFJC storage. The recording was labelled with the band name and the date recorded. No information about where it was recorded or information about what any of the tracks are found in the recording. Remastered by J Devlin 8/2019

We are assuming it is a recording of P.R.I.. (Peaceful Revolution Impossible), a Metal /Rock band out of Dallas, Texas performing in this period.

Loved Ones & Rosie Flores, The – "KFJC Live Mic At SXSW – 1994" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/8/2019   A Library, CD

SXSW KFJC Live Mic CD 1  847188

Recorded on March 18, 1994

In 1994, KFJC Recorded and engineered performances at the South by South West Music Fest and broadcast those recordings live on KFJC airwaves and on 50 other radio stations that picked up the feed. Following is a Best of: KFJC Special featuring sets pulled from that live broadcast.

Recorded at @ Lazona Rosa Club in Austin Texas.

Track 1. The Loved Ones@ Lazona Rosa (39.16 mins) Blues 3-18-94. The Loved Ones were an Oakland-based Blues band formed by vocalist Bart Davenport, bassist Michael Therieau, rhythm guitarist Nick Rossi, lead guitarist Xan McCurdy and drummer John Kent. Their last album was Better Do Right in 1994.

Track 2. Rosie Flores and the Bad Boys -@ Lazona Rosa- Rockabilly (15 mins of a 1 hr concert was found on this tape) Flores is an American rockabilly and country music artist. She is joined on this recording by members of the Flatlanders (Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock).

Track 3. 3. Zero Gravity Stinger (for an upcoming show)

This CD was digitized from a VHS archival tape originally aired as a Mayhem special on 5/14/94 hosted by DJ  Earl Grey       

Bucket of Blues With Brian David – "KFJC Live Mic – 1987" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/7/2019   A Library, CD

Bucket of Blues with 2 extra Sax players  (TJ Politzer and Noel Coutoura)

Recorded 12/22/1987    (36:03)               847010

This concert is broken up into 2 CDS. There is some tape hiss when folks are talking. Not really noticeable when music is going  

Recorded at JJ’s Blues Cafe in Mountain View CA

Tape starts with the club house band Bucket of Blues including: Deacon Jones on organ and MC for the night. ( Our best guess this is: “Melvyn “Deacon” Jones (December 12, 1943 – July 6, 2017) an organist and founding member of Baby Huey & The Babysitters in Chicago”  Wikipedia   

With David Brian, Vocalist from Palo Alto CA. Singing: Erving Berlin’s White Christmas at 28 mins

Slack, Errol & Alexandria – "KFJC Live Mic – 1988" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/7/2019   A Library, CD

Alexandria & Errol Slack-Blues Band – A KFJC Live Mic from 1988

Recorded Jan 27, 1988                  847100

1 hr 5 minutes

No info on tape about how, where, or who recorded this. Likely recorded at JJ’s Blues, an Iconic San Jose blues bar where other KFJC Blues music was recorded in this period

Band Members: Errol Slack (organ), Alexandria Renate (vocals),

Fair amount of tape hiss that is noticeable during conversations.

Flayed Choirmaster, The – “Walking Case Study” – [Pet Goat Records, The]

whngr   11/6/2019   A Library, CD

Aural pet abuse.

A piercingly shrill keening reminiscent of a high-powered flash charging up before your uncle blinds you in the annual Thanksgiving family photo begins the assault on your furbabies’ sanity but quickly evolves into synthesized balloon squeaks and other abstractions. Echos, white-noise, bleeps, bloops, and crunches. Strobes, peels, shimmering squelches and later unintelligible muffled yells. Shards of sonic glass piercing the Tympanic Membrane, as Spot attacks the speaker and Fluffy claws first the door and then your face in a frenzied search of egress. A superb album for anxiety inducing enthusiasts of unstructured knob twirling and fader fingering by noise artist Sam Clifton. Reminds this miserable volunteer of an advanced AI’s death sonnet or perhaps a Wednesday evening at KFJC.

Slack, Errol – "KFJC Live Mic – 1988" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/5/2019   A Library, CD

Errol_Slack_Blues_Band-A KFJC Live Mic from 1988

Recorded 02/17/1988  

42 mins

Recorded at JJ’s Blues Club an iconic San Jose Blues Bar

Band Members: Errol Slack (organ), Alexandria Renate (vocals), Melique (Percussion), ET (Bass).

White Wash – "KFJC Live Mic – 1977" – [KFJC Live Mic]

Devlyn   11/5/2019   A Library, CD

847043

White Wash Live – a KFJC Live Mic from 1977

Recorded on 2-25-1977

DJs Susan Fox and Sandy Sprague  

Length 29:50

Style:Americana

Recording features strong acoustical guitar work, congas, harmonica & 2 voices.    

Partial list of tracks:

2nd song is a guitar cover of Donovan song  “There is a Mountain”

Cover of “Folsom Prison”

City

Mermaidens – "Look Me In The Eye" – [Flying Nun]

humana   11/3/2019   A Library, CD

I know so little about this fantastic band from Wellington, New Zealand. I see two women and a man on the CD cover, but I don’t know their names. I just know that together they write and perform downtempo (and pleasingly oft-changing tempo) songs that summon images of an undersea world–figuratively, that is. The amazing lead female vocals take your emotions for a ride while the guitars and percussion help you ride the changing currents. I particularly enjoyed “Milennia” and “The Cut,” but each song has its own charm. Dive in.

Battle of The Surf Bands Vol 8 [coll] – [KFJC]

Cousin Mary   11/2/2019   A Library, CD

From the 8th KFJC surf battle held in May of 2019. Each of the 13 bands has a track on the CD and a video of a track on the USB drive. Held every 2 to 3 years for the surf music community to say thanks to KFJC for its support.