Tír Na HiFi

Astral Weeks is one of the great ones, Fran. I never get bored of playing it. Cypress Avenue and Madame George still send chills down my spine. But, I can't listen to isolated songs from this masterpiece - I have to sit down, play the whole thing through and immerse myself in the whole experience fr...

Many thanks for the kind words, lads. I really feel strongly about last night's performance but I think it sharply divided the audience at the NCH. I could hear some people grumbling about the slow tempi and a perceived lack of structure in the performances and other people were raving about the pla...

Did anybody go to see Ivo Pogorelich at the NCH last night? Personally speaking, I thought it was the most extraordinary concert I have ever attended. On the programme was Chopin's Nocturne No. 2 and Piano Sonata No. 3, Liszt's Mephisto Waltz No.1, one of Brahms's Intermezzi, Sibelius's Valse Triste...

I've been winding down tonight with some very fine jazz singing - namely, Kurt Elling's album, Night Moves. Elling must be the pre-eminent male jazz singer out there right now. He's got immense vocal technique but it's always at the service at the song. Scat singing is something that's very difficul...

A very personal favourite film of mine is Bobby Deerfield. This is regulary slated as one of Al Pacino's worst films but, in my opinion, it is a very moving film and contains a performance of great sensitivity from Pacino (in contrast to most of the films he's been appearing in for at least the last...

Has anybody ever seen The Ninth Configuration? It's a truly fantastic film that's written and directed by William Peter Blatty (he of The Exorcist fame). I first remember seeing it ages ago late at night and when I saw Blatty's name in the credits, I immediately assumed it would be a horror film but...

Some of my favourite Schubert tonight. First off is his chamber masterpiece, the Octet in F major, as played by The Gaudier Ensemble on Hyperion. Beautifully refined playing which does full justice to one of the most perfectly realised compositions in chamber repertoire. (I really must pick up Vikto...

cybot:

pm sent

Listening to this amazing Live in Sweden Lp circa 1970 with it's equally amazing cover (Cliff and Clouds,Cohab Canyon,Utah 1966 by Minor White). http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp125/dermot1/georgerussellsextet-triptoprillargu.jpg Yes, I really like that image as well Dermot. I know absolutely n...

mcq, it is lovely to read of your admiration for Eric Dolphy, I have always loved his work. At times, it feels like one (me) is ploughing a lonely furrow here until you happen along with these wonderful posts, well done and thank you. Seán Many thanks for the kind words, Sean. It's always a pleasur...