26.9.09

Virtuoso - David Garrett


Virtuoso - David Garrett
New Age/Instrumental | 1 CD | FLAC, none LOG, none CUE | 232 MB - MP3 | 320 Kbs | 64 MB
Publisher: Decca | 2007 | RapidShare

Part maverick, part genius, total virtuoso, the 25-year-old Garrett has released the LP to reflect the various musical tastes that have come to inspire him, whether its through his own interpretations of popular classics such as Carmen and Paganini, or classic film themes, including Morricone’s La Califfa ot Bernstein’s Somewhere.

No matter what he’s playing, though, Garrett excels and the best thing that can be said about the album is that it’s fun and capable of a much wider appeal than just fans of classical music.

Take his brilliant interpretation of Carmen Fantaisie, with Paco Pena, that’s a firm album highlight; one that’s delivered with plenty of South American passion, as well as a vibrancy and enthusiasm that’s utterly addictive.

Likewise, the fun, frivolous Csardas – Gypsy Dance, which begins slow, only to set a lovely pace that’s evocative of Hungarian travellers dancing over camp-fires.

Duelling Banjos, meanwhile, is an absolute romp – a virtuoso game of musical one upmanship between a flamenco influenced acoustic guitar and Garrett’s own dazzling violin. Early on, it’s particularly playful and prone to delivering much delight, before going utterly nuts for the frenzied, almost moonshine middle section.

It’s moments like these that ensure the album catches you off guard and fall for its charms, no matter how sceptical you may have been in the first place.

But as energetic and lively as Virtuoso can be, there’s also moments of serene beauty, in which Garrett’s violin positively weeps. Album opener La Califfa, from Morricone, is both cinematic and breathtakingly beautiful, while his version of Pachelbel’s Canon is a virtual masterclass.

Paganini Rhapsody will, of course, be familiar to anyone who watches The South Bank Show – and delights for exactly that reason. While Somewhere is terrific for lazy, hazy Sunday afternoon listening and an exquisite interpretation of the West Side Story classic.

And let’s not forget Garrett’s thrilling delivery of The Flight of The Bumble Bee which is as brilliant in CD form as it’s said to be live.

Tracks:

01. La Califfa
02. Carmen Fantasie
03. Nothing Else Matters
04. Csardas - Gypsy Dance
05. Duelling Banjos
06. Pachelbel's Canon
07. Paganini Rhapsody
08. Somewhere (West Side Story)
09. The Flight of the Bumble Bee
10. Serenade
11. Toccata
12. You Raise Me Up
13. Eliza's Song

24.9.09

Ahma (Maria Kalaniemi)


Ahma (Maria Kalaniemi)
Jazz/Instrumental | 1 CD | FLAC, none LOG, none CUE | 311 MB - MP3 | 100 MB
Publisher: Intuition | RapidShare


The accordion has never sounded as good as it does beneath Maria's expert cuticles, helped on by all the top players from the Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department, which comprises the band Aldargaz. Sibelius? That's in Helsinki, Finland, mate.

The playing is inspired, and more akin to jazz than any World Music mask you make it wear. Instrumental on the whole, there are times when a da dada voice comes in to make itself a part of the orchestration, as in the jig-like 'Melos', king of the bar room set. Jovial, social, a real swing at the fences.

A far cry from the one that follows it, a moody 'Lovina' that seems to sweep the Finnish countryside, using the soft violin as a divining rod for locating old ghosts, while the accordion which brushes the main tune on in gentle dabs stays well out in front, never afraid, only yearning.

Ahma is said to combine Finnish folk, jazz improv and Argentinean tango into Maria's 3rd solo release, and the first cd for the great NorthSide label. Oh yes, the melodies are superb, almost multi-layered, needing more than one listen to hear everything going on behind the ears. 'Namas' itself takes traditional music further than the typical ballad, melting lush components together for a rich landscape of sounds that are of their own time. Not now. Not then. They are of a different definition of classical (music), a beauty to behold. Timo Alakotila's piano and Olli Varis' acoustic guitar are only several compartments into which your thinking mind will fall and try to fathom its way out.

They call her Queen of 5-Row Accordion. Maria's talent is obvious, but the mark of a Good queen is to surround herself with the best musicians the world has to offer. Already a good one, this would then have to make her Great.

Tracks:

01 Ahma
02 Ängskär
03 Huuma (Los Mareados)
04 Kaamos (Polar Night)
05 Melos
06 Lovina
07 Nibe
08 Bingjö
09 Kamppi
10 Namas
11 Nautilus
12 Arctic Paradise

20.9.09

The Economist (September 19th - September 25th 2009)


The Economist (September 19th - September 25th 2009)
English | PDF | 154 Pages | 5 MB - MP3 Audio | 134 MB

Vandalism
A protectionist move that is bad politics, bad economics, bad diplomacy and hurts America. Did we miss anything?


Magazine: download
Audios: download
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13.9.09

The Economist (September 12th - September 18th 2009)


The Economist (September 12th - September 18th 2009)
with A special report on Indonesia

English | MP3 Audio | 164 MB

Wall Street
Wall Street and the City of London survived thanks to state support. Now they need to be weaned off it


Magazine: download
Audios: download
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The Economist (September 5th - September 11st 2009)


The Economist (September 5th - September 11st 2009)
with Technology Quarterly

English | PDF | 5,5 MB - MP3 Audio | 181 MB

The vote that changed Japan
The electorate has thrown out not just a party but a whole system


Magazine: download
Audios: download
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