Diana Krall is sheer class. Her piano swings, whilst her vocal colours and phrasing are immaculate and distinctive. Here's a nice little number; one I can envisage being played in some dimly lit club with Tom Waits leaning on the bar.
It is entitled, 'Stop This World', and is on her, 'Girl in the Other Room' album.
As usual, click on comments to listen.

Sometimes in art, moments of the highest creative expression occur. So it was that when Miles Davis and five other superlatively gifted musicians entered the Blue Note studio in 1959, something magical took place. Any jazz fan will instantly know that I am referring to the classic 'Kind of Blue' album. From the very first notes of the very first track you know that something special is taking place.

Although Davis was not the most technically accomplished trumpeter (in comparison with, for instance, to Dizzy Gillespie or Clifford Brown), he was a restless innovator and an inspirational band leader. For this project he worked with pianist Bill Evans, and, together, they drew up musical 'sketches' of the album's tracks. These were only introduced to the other musicians on the day of the recording. This was a deliberate strategy, to try and encourage spontaneity and improvisation - it worked, and then some! As one critic has observed, from the outset, the music has a zen-like transcendence, and it is, indeed, the music of visionaries - of people who saw futher than we could ever do, and took us along for the wonderful ride.

Before, you listen to the opening track, So What, I think it only right to acknowledge the other musicians active in this very special collaboration. They are: Paul Chambers, bass; John Coltrane, tenor sax; Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley,
alto sax; and James Cobb, drums.

If you have never heard this before, I almost envy you your moment of revelation. I remember the first time I heard this, and I was instantly captivated and transported. I hope you will know the pleasure of such a moment, too.

Click on comments to listen - and why not open another window, keeping this one playing as you continue on your way.

I see absolutely no reason to confine oneself to particular geographies, cultures or genres of music. I am glad to have adopted this attitude some time ago, as it has allowed me to discover some wonderful musical treasures. One of my favourite 'finds' is the Estonian classical composer, Arvo Part. For me he is quite simply, a genius. His music tends to be tonal, immensely sad and contemplative. He is also a great manipulator of suspended silence. If you wish to find out more about him and his work, go here: Additional Information

Hopefully, by now you are listening to 'Cantus in Memorium Benjamin Britten'.

Just as composers such as Copeland and Roy Harris often evoke a sense of the open expanses of America in their music, so to Part's work makes me think of the Baltic lakes and forests - as well as the immensity of God as conceived by his musical imagination.

David Sylvian, formerly singer of Japan, is, in my opinion, one of the most gifted and innovative British musicians around today. I accept that his is a distinctive style; and not to everybody's taste. However, if you are not familiar with his work, check this track out. It is entitled, 'When Poets Dreamed of Angels'. Click on comments to listen.