Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Music Week

Music: current count 29490 [29476] rated (+14), 378 [368] unrated (+10).

Miserable fucking week. I've developed an itch over much of my body, which dermatologist couldn't identify but it treating symptomatically: various steroid and non-steroid creams and lotions. Marginally better today, but on top of everything else has kept me from feeling like doing much of anything all week. One exception was that I did some cooking.

My nephew Mike, his wife Morgan and sister Kirsten flew into town to try to document my late sister's artwork, which they mostly did in my basement. First night they were working late and getting hungry, so I threw together a quick pad thai -- one of the few dishes I always have ingredients for, and takes less than an hour to prep and cook (mostly prep). I was originally hoping to do a more substantial dinner on Monday before they were to leave, but wound up fixing two more smaller dinners in the meantime: Saturday was shakshuka (eggs poached in Tunisian tomato sauce) and pan-roasted potatoes. Sunday was baked fish topped with tomato, olives and capers, along with roasted potatoes. (I had a bag of Yukon golds to work through). Also made an oatmeal stout cake. Those were just 4-5 people.

For Monday I planned on doing Greek, and finally did some shopping. We wound up crowded with ten adults and a two-year-old baby. I made baked shrimp with feta cheese, roasted brussels sprouts and various root vegetables (red potatoes, sweet potato, carrots, fennel, shallots) with a lemon-caper dressing, green bean ragout, fried lamb liver tidbits, horiatiki salad, and saganaki (fried kefalograviera cheese; also made a batch with haloumi). Also leftover cake.

Mostly listened to oldies last week, except for late nights on the computer. Even then, mostly picked pop records from recent Christgau reviews -- but two A and two A- records fell short for me, each getting two (some three) plays. I didn't find the latest Chopteeth album, but checked out two old ones. Only three records from my jazz queue, and they all got multiple chances.

Unpacking includes records I forgot to list last week.

Kathy's memorial service will be March 31, so things will start to get crazy again as that approaches. I'll probably post a Streamnotes early next week to get it out of the way, but it will be much shorter than usual.

New records rated this week:

  • Car Seat Headrest: Twin Fantasy (2018, Matador, 2CD): [r]: B+(***)
  • Ezra Furman: Transangelic Exodus (2018, Bella Union): [r]: B+(**)
  • Hal Galper Quartet: Cubist (2016 [2018], Origin): [cd]: A-
  • Sergio Galvao/Lupa Santiago/Clement Landais/Franck Enouf: 2X2 (2017 [2018], Origin): [cd]: B+(***)
  • Lucas Niggli: Alchemia Garden (2017 [2018], Intakt): [cd]: B+(*)
  • Superchunk: What a Time to Be Alive (2018, Merge): [r]: B+(**)
  • Yo La Tengo: There's a Riot Going On (2018, Matador): [r]: B+(**)

Recent reissues, compilations, and vault discoveries rated this week:

  • Black Panther: The Album (Music From and Inspired By) (2018, Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope): [r]: B+(***)

Old music rated this week:

  • Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band: Chopteeth (2008, Grigri Discs): [r]: A-
  • Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band: Live (2010, Grigri Discs): [r]: B+(***)
  • Walter Norris/George Mraz: Drifting (1974 [2007], Enja): [r]: B+(**)
  • Walter Norris/Aladár Pege: Winter Rose (1980, Enja): [r]: B+(*)
  • John Surman: Upon Reflection (1979, ECM): [r]: B+(**)
  • John Surman: The Amazing Adventures of Simon Simon (1981, ECM): [r]: B+(*)

Unpacking: Found in the mail last two weeks:

  • Chamber 3: Transatlantic (OA2): March 16
  • Johan Graden: Olägenheter (Moserobie)
  • Lauren Henderson: Ármame (Brontosaurus): March 30
  • Monika Herzig: Sheroes (Whaling City Sound)
  • Il Sogno: Birthday (Gotta Let It Out -17)
  • Jon Irabagon Quartet: Dr. Quixotic's Traveling Exotics (Irabbagast): May 15
  • Martin Küchen & Landaeus Trio: Vinyl (Moserobie)
  • Dave Liebman/John Stowell: Petite Fleur: The Music of Sidney Bechet (Origin): March 16
  • Johan Lindström Septett: Music for Empty Halls (Moserobie)
  • The Maguire Twins: Seeking Higher Ground (Three Tree): March 30
  • Diane Moser: Birdsongs (Planet Arts)
  • Michael Moss/Accidental Orchestra: Helix (4th Stream): March 24
  • William Parker: Lake of Light: Compositions for AquaSonics (Gotta Let It Out): May
  • Sonar With David Torn: Vortex (RareNoise): advance, March 30
  • Joshua Trinidad: In November (RareNoise): advance, March 30
  • Frank Wagner: Floating Holiday (MEII)
  • Håvard Wiik Trio: This Is Not a Waltz (Moserobie)

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