Ragtime Music

This is a nice "classic" touch for any birthday celebration--great musical treatment of a most familiar tune!

I was desperately looking through the internet for a tango "happy birthday" and the tune was there, in this album. After I purchased the cd, I read the booklet included and there I found mentioned that "the album's title is not merely a reference to the popular tune, but a celebration of the ensemble's anniversary". So, I was happy to have finally found a tango "happy birthday" but I was also disappointed because this was not the playful album I was looking forward to listen to.
But this is a bit unfair for this excellent orchestra.
If what you are looking for is innovations on the romantic classicals... well this could be it. The point is that this is an album for listeners who know their way into classical music.
Other than that I should suggest that innovation regarding any classical music "playful" album would be to capture the listener's interest with more daring ways than that.

I bought it out of my own devotion to Gidon Kremer and another one for a food friend's birthday. Kremer never let me down. This is another outstanding CD and a perfect birthday gift, even for non-classical lovers. However, to be very honest, I am not totally satisfied with all the tracks but still it's highly recommended. I would say it is an almost-must-have for your CD shelf. The variation of the traditional 'Happy Birthday' is fantastic if not too commercial.

If you enjoy parodies, this will be the perfect album for you. The jokes played on the various composers are amusing and refreshing, especially for music students who bore their brains out analysing these composers. Take a fresh view and enjoy! Even though they may seem meaningless initially, they grow onto you soon enough; and you will start asking - why not?

My God...I will be too grateful to anyone who can show me where I can get the printed music of the "Happy Birthday" variation ....

Reviewer's Note: This is my first experience with music of this type. it is unlike anything else you will hear, and my descriptions of it are from the perspective of someone completely unfamiliar with the genre. A Latin Mass set to modern harmonic counterpoint and world beat rhythms make for one of the most innovative and refreshing listens you'll have in a very long time. I will review the first movement in detail, and the rest of the work as a general statement...

Qui Tollis The blend of electronic textures, world beat, and eerily haunting and beautiful harmony will sweep you away to an ethereal world. After a few seconds of whispering the lyric, the main vocal theme begins over a rich, warm synth soundscape. The main theme is something of an incantation, relaxed and formal. The atmosphere is one of otherworldly reverence. It is joined by a massively complex, micrometered harmony layered in to reinforce the theme. Now there's an intense, djemba-based world beat underneath, compelling you further into the world, the spatial effect harkening a distant and slightly alien sky. Question and answer vocal harmonics pepper the beginning of the percussive section, then the beat wanders away from you, bidding you farewell. A provocative and yearning beginning to a fascinating journey. The production values are as crisp, taut, and precise as all but the most fastidious could wish for. There are no mixing issues whatsoever. The voices are mellifluous, vibrant, and soothing, and the musicianship is absolutely first-rate.

The rest of the work is as intense as the opening movement. This eclectic fusion of chant, vocal harmony, worldbeat, and electronic music is one of the most interesting works I have ever come across.

I give this work my highest possible recommendation!

Reviewer's Note: This is my first experience with music of this type. it is unlike anything else you will hear, and my descriptions of it are from the perspective of someone completely unfamiliar with the genre. A Latin Mass set to modern harmonic counterpoint and world beat rhythms make for one of the most innovative and refreshing listens you'll have in a very long time. I will review the first movement in detail, and the rest of the work as a general statement...

Qui Tollis The blend of electronic textures, world beat, and eerily haunting and beautiful harmony will sweep you away to an ethereal world. After a few seconds of whispering the lyric, the main vocal theme begins over a rich, warm synth soundscape. The main theme is something of an incantation, relaxed and formal. The atmosphere is one of otherworldly reverence. It is joined by a massively complex, micrometered harmony layered in to reinforce the theme. Now there's an intense, djemba-based world beat underneath, compelling you further into the world, the spatial effect harkening a distant and slightly alien sky. Question and answer vocal harmonics pepper the beginning of the percussive section, then the beat wanders away from you, bidding you farewell. A provocative and yearning beginning to a fascinating journey. The production values are as crisp, taut, and precise as all but the most fastidious could wish for. There are no mixing issues whatsoever. The voices are mellifluous, vibrant, and soothing, and the musicianship is absolutely first-rate.

The rest of the work is as intense as the opening movement. This eclectic fusion of chant, vocal harmony, worldbeat, and electronic music is one of the most interesting works I have ever come across.

I give this work my highest possible recommendation!

This is one of those artists that come along once in a very long time! I'd like to say what other artists he is like, but this music is very unique and original. I do know if you like Dead Can Dance, Deep Forest, and Lisa Gerrard's work - you'll love Matthew G Davidson! Don't expect his music to be "like" theirs, I've not heard anything quite like it. I'm buying 3 more CDs to give as gifts. If you like out-of-the-ordinary, original, ethereal music - you'll love Blue Forrest Mass!

I have not stopped listening since discovering this CD. His work is fabulous! It's very rich in intricacies and layered with many levels of interesting rewards for the mind!

Matthew G Davidson takes sounds and concepts that are ancient in nature and updates them by weaving colorful tones and rhythms that reach out and touch the soul releasing it to experience an enlightened journey through time and space!! The vocals in his work are in Latin and do not distract you from, but enhance the overall experience. This is definitely a treat not to be missed. If you have not heard Matthew G Davidson, you are missing something that should be experienced by anyone who appreciates original, creative, and new music!

Matthew G Davidson is definitely going on my frequently played list!

If you are like me, you probably discovered RGD in a backwards sort of way. You probably enjoy the music of one of his students (like Woody Mann, Ernie Hawkins, Jorma Kaukonen, Bob Weir, et al) and want to taste a little from the source. This is a really nice collection of performances done late in the life of RGD, but they're still fresh and alive. I mean, here's this guy...late 60s, blind, picks guitar with only one finger and a thumb, and he belts out incredibly soulful, complex rags & bluesy tunes. This CD isn't overloaded with his more gospel side, which I think is a plus. As another reviewer said, you need to get this CD even if you only want to hear just the Reverend's rendition of Cincinnati Flow Rag. Incredible stuff. Hesitation Blues is a hoot, as this old early 20th century song gets done in a really humorous way (in contrast to Jorma's more straight-forward lyrical arrangement.} I wasn't bothered by the crown noise as much as others, because they're just laughing at the really funny stuff. When I'm 70, maybe I can get away with performing the song (poorly) in this way.

Anyhow...get it and enjoy.

Rev. Gary Davis influenced many guitarists of different generations. This album is a fine sampling of his talents. The album is a mixture of songs and instrumentals on 6 string and 12 string guitar, plus one song with a banjo accompaniment. Some songs are performed before a live audience.

The outstanding track is "Cincinnati Flow Rag", surely one of the best recorded examples of ragtime blues guitar. It's full of invention and demonstrates Davis' stunning technique to the full. Anyone who plays the guitar should listen to this. There are other virtuoso guitar instrumental solos ""Walkin' Dog Blues", Twelve Sticks", "Buck Rag", and "C-Rag". "Buck Dance" and "Wall Hollow Blues" have some spoken vocals. "Whoopin' Blues" is an unusual instrumental - I think there are 2 guitars on this, but I could be underestimating the great man. "She's Funny That Way" is a song with banjo accompaniment.

The other tracks are songs with guitar backing. "Hesitation Blues" is a well covered song, but this version is somewhat spoiled by the over-load crowd noises that sometimes drown out Davis. It's also rather over-long at 11 minutes plus. "Whistlin' Blues" begins as a story, followed by a bottleneck guitar solo, using an unusual tuning. For guitarists, my copy of this album came with a tab book, with transcriptions of "Walkin' Dog Blues", "Buck Rag", "Cocaine Blues", "Hesitation Blues" and "Baby Let Me Lay It on You".

This is a fine album to hear how the guitar can be played by a master of the instrument. The sound quality is good, apart from over-loud audience noises in places, and tape hiss on a couple of tracks. 71 minutes playing time in all. It's worth buying for "Cincinnati Flow Rag" alone.

this is a great cd.it shows rev.davis(one of the all-time great finger pickers)in a lot of different moods.a super,wide ranging selection of songs recorded from concerts to in his living room.in short you get the whole gamut.walking dog blues,she"s funny that way just some really great songs.if you like finger style blues give this one a try.

.
As a guitar player I'm a huge fan of Reverand Gary Davis's unique guitar talents. However, I find most of the collections have emphasis on gospel and religious tunes, and for that reason most of his recordings are primarily of historical and instructional interest to me rather than actual "entertainment" value.

I bought this CD to get greater exposure to the Rev. playing ragtime. This very listenable CD truly is entertaining on a level where it can be enjoyed by guitarists as well as casual listeners. This is a great place to start for someone who wants to better understand all the excitement about Rev Davis as a guitarist - what a master virtuoso! Sounds almost like Scott Joplin music being played flawlessly on a guitar - with all of the good time feel!

Major Pleasant Surprise (for a guitar player) - The booklet that comes with the CD has tablature for 5 of the songs: "Walkin' Dog Blues", "Buck Rag", "Cocaine Blues", "Hesitation Blues" and "Baby Let Me Lay It on You" - so if your chops are up to it you can play along with the Rev!!!

A great well recorded collection of the Rev playing Ragime and Uptempo Blues at what sounds to me like various live shows. (Ok - at 11 minutes Hesitation Blues is a LITTLE long - but where else will you hear the Rev borrow and refine verses from Bo Carter's baudy masterpiece "All Around Man" and include those lyrics into one of his own performances??)The bonus inclusion of the tablature makes this CD a real treat!

This CD was my intro to the reverend, and what a treat he is. Unfortunately, the crowd noise really detracts from the music on several cuts. He rates five stars, but the crowd gets a minus one.

If you are like me, you probably discovered RGD in a backwards sort of way. You probably enjoy the music of one of his students (like Woody Mann, Ernie Hawkins, Jorma Kaukonen, Bob Weir, et al) and want to taste a little from the source. This is a really nice collection of performances done late in the life of RGD, but they're still fresh and alive. I mean, here's this guy...late 60s, blind, picks guitar with only one finger and a thumb, and he belts out incredibly soulful, complex rags & bluesy tunes. This CD isn't overloaded with his more gospel side, which I think is a plus. As another reviewer said, you need to get this CD even if you only want to hear just the Reverend's rendition of Cincinnati Flow Rag. Incredible stuff. Hesitation Blues is a hoot, as this old early 20th century song gets done in a really humorous way (in contrast to Jorma's more straight-forward lyrical arrangement.} I wasn't bothered by the crown noise as much as others, because they're just laughing at the really funny stuff. When I'm 70, maybe I can get away with performing the song (poorly) in this way.

Anyhow...get it and enjoy.

Rev. Gary Davis influenced many guitarists of different generations. This album is a fine sampling of his talents. The album is a mixture of songs and instrumentals on 6 string and 12 string guitar, plus one song with a banjo accompaniment. Some songs are performed before a live audience.

The outstanding track is "Cincinnati Flow Rag", surely one of the best recorded examples of ragtime blues guitar. It's full of invention and demonstrates Davis' stunning technique to the full. Anyone who plays the guitar should listen to this. There are other virtuoso guitar instrumental solos ""Walkin' Dog Blues", Twelve Sticks", "Buck Rag", and "C-Rag". "Buck Dance" and "Wall Hollow Blues" have some spoken vocals. "Whoopin' Blues" is an unusual instrumental - I think there are 2 guitars on this, but I could be underestimating the great man. "She's Funny That Way" is a song with banjo accompaniment.

The other tracks are songs with guitar backing. "Hesitation Blues" is a well covered song, but this version is somewhat spoiled by the over-load crowd noises that sometimes drown out Davis. It's also rather over-long at 11 minutes plus. "Whistlin' Blues" begins as a story, followed by a bottleneck guitar solo, using an unusual tuning. For guitarists, my copy of this album came with a tab book, with transcriptions of "Walkin' Dog Blues", "Buck Rag", "Cocaine Blues", "Hesitation Blues" and "Baby Let Me Lay It on You".

This is a fine album to hear how the guitar can be played by a master of the instrument. The sound quality is good, apart from over-loud audience noises in places, and tape hiss on a couple of tracks. 71 minutes playing time in all. It's worth buying for "Cincinnati Flow Rag" alone.

this is a great cd.it shows rev.davis(one of the all-time great finger pickers)in a lot of different moods.a super,wide ranging selection of songs recorded from concerts to in his living room.in short you get the whole gamut.walking dog blues,she"s funny that way just some really great songs.if you like finger style blues give this one a try.

.
As a guitar player I'm a huge fan of Reverand Gary Davis's unique guitar talents. However, I find most of the collections have emphasis on gospel and religious tunes, and for that reason most of his recordings are primarily of historical and instructional interest to me rather than actual "entertainment" value.

I bought this CD to get greater exposure to the Rev. playing ragtime. This very listenable CD truly is entertaining on a level where it can be enjoyed by guitarists as well as casual listeners. This is a great place to start for someone who wants to better understand all the excitement about Rev Davis as a guitarist - what a master virtuoso! Sounds almost like Scott Joplin music being played flawlessly on a guitar - with all of the good time feel!

Major Pleasant Surprise (for a guitar player) - The booklet that comes with the CD has tablature for 5 of the songs: "Walkin' Dog Blues", "Buck Rag", "Cocaine Blues", "Hesitation Blues" and "Baby Let Me Lay It on You" - so if your chops are up to it you can play along with the Rev!!!

A great well recorded collection of the Rev playing Ragime and Uptempo Blues at what sounds to me like various live shows. (Ok - at 11 minutes Hesitation Blues is a LITTLE long - but where else will you hear the Rev borrow and refine verses from Bo Carter's baudy masterpiece "All Around Man" and include those lyrics into one of his own performances??)The bonus inclusion of the tablature makes this CD a real treat!

This CD was my intro to the reverend, and what a treat he is. Unfortunately, the crowd noise really detracts from the music on several cuts. He rates five stars, but the crowd gets a minus one.

I first heard MB on a sampler way back. Then I bought the Electric Flag stuff and we were off on a trail to here! What a trip! Buy ANYTHING that associates MB with the wealth of other "greats". Naftalin, Gravenites, ALL of the "Flag", Butterfield etc etc (oh and another etc just for good measure...Buddy Miles...and miles and miles!) These are the guys that "worked" so that blues could live on! Oh...and ignore the sound quality on the live stuff...if you can,t recognise the greatness you shouldn't be even bothering. Follow the trail like I did and the rewards will be SO satisfying. MB - you went too soon ...but what a legacy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike Bloomfield was one of the few truly inventive young blues players (the other is Peter Green) who powered the psychedelic revolution of the mid-60s. He pioneered the raga-inspired guitar jam with "east west" (with Paul Butterfield's band) as well as the hot-dog blues instrumental on "supersession" (with Al Kooper). Then he kind of lost it personally. This record, as I understand it, was made in his later years and though the jaw-dropping fluidity of his early playing had subsided, he more than makes up for it through a commitment to melody and stylistic diversity. From a surprisingly mournful slide workout on Leo Sayer's "When I need you" to his understated homage to Duke Ellington on "Mood Indigo," this disc is really superb. Beautiful electric and acoustic blues instrumentals with no additives or filler. Get it!

So generally Michael Bloomfield is known for his fiery jaw-dropping electric guitar playing with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band or his projects with Al Kooper, Bob Dylan, and The Electric Flag.

What you get here is not the fire in that sense. You get beauty. Michael Bloomfield loved the blues and here he shows off that love with some beautiful insrumentals. Some of them are reserved, some of them display the passion that inspired his most notorious fretwork. All of these instrumentals though just superbly played with a reverence for, and an understanding of, the blues. It's beautiful. Equally haunting and satisfying, especially when you consider that most of this stuff was recorded nearer the end of Bloomfield's life when he was often erratic as an artist due to chemical influences and depression. A few tracks here have appeared elsewhere and "Memphis Radio Blues" is alternately known as "WDIA" but this a really nice set although there are few details about the sessions involved. From what I've ascertained this a compilation of some previously released, and perhaps some unreleased, instrumentals he recorded from 1977 or so until his death in 1981.

Melody is king here, as it should be with all great blues artists. This probably shouldn't be your first stop if you want to learn more about Bloomers (check out "Don't Say I Ain't Your Man!"), but it won't be a wrong one whenever you make it.