So a couple of Fridays ago, my wife went to the New Jersey State Archives to do some genealogical research. Since I did not have any research to do, I decided to head to the Princeton Record Exchange to spend my two-year old gift certificate.
While I didn’t find many new albums I did find nine albums that are not in my music library, from artists I enjoy. Here are the albums group by genre.
New Age
Next – Jeff Oster
The more I listen to the trumpet and other instruments if Jeff Oster the more I like him. There are a lot of other fine musicians like will Ackerman and That help out on this album.
Beyond Boundaries: Guitar Solos – Michael Hedges
Years ago I listening to the Echoes radio program I often would hear a great acoustic guitarist. Often the guitarist would turn out to be Michael Hedges. When I finally bought Michael Hedges album Michael did more singing than playing on the album and I was disappointed. So when I saw an album with Guitar Solos in the title, I snapped it up! Sadly Michael died in an automobile accident in 1997. He was 44 years old.
Bamboo Forest – Deuter
Bamboo Forest is the latest release from New Age musician Deuter. It was released in November of 2017 and features the Shakuhachi a Japanese flute that has been used for hundreds of years in Zen as a meditation practice.
As soon as I heard the flute on the opening track Hollow Bamboo, I knew I was going to love this album!
Heat of the Sun -Strunz and Farah
Strunz and Farah is a guitar duo whose eclectic sound has been described as a cross between world fusion and flamenco. Bottom line they’re good!
Hope to find some exercise music on this one!! AllMusic Review
Americana
The next three albums are from artists whose music I have been listening to for 30 to 49 years!
The Live Album -Robert Earl Keen
It’s hard to say when I first heard this album. I know it was in the Gene Shay show on one of his many stop stops on the radio dial here in the Delaware Valley. I loved “ The Front Porch Song” and the vision of he and Lyle Lovett crawling out int that front porch across from the Presbyterian Church in Texas Station. Byway, I’ve been a fan ever since but this album has never made its way into my music library. AllMusic Review
Live at McCabes 1975- Batdorf and Rodney
Batdorf and Rodney’s album Off the Shelf has been a favorite of mine since my college days. This live albums contains several of my favorites from that album plus several from their second self-titled album. This one should take me back!
Standing Eight – Bill Morrissey
I started listening to the music of Bill Morrissey about the times of the release of his fourth album Inside in 1992. Over the years his self-titled debut album and North his second release have found a home in my music library. Standing Eight is his third release. It was released in 1989 and the opening track “Handsome Molly” is one of my favorite songs. I’m sure after listening to the album a few times a couple more favorites will emerge! AllMusic Review
Jazz
Intensity – Charles Earland
I discovered the music off Charles Earland when I As reviewing the birthdays off Jazz musicians on a daily basis. Anyway Charles is a great jazz organist. And Hammond B-3 is one of those instruments I love.
The aspect of this album that caught my attention when I was first looking at the alum was that it contains the last recording of jazz trumpet great Lee Morgan. The recordings were wrapped up at Van Gelder studios two days before Morgan was shot and killed by his girlfriend.
So far I ave only listened to the opening track but it was great! All Music Review
Mark Whitfield – Mark Whitfield
Mark Whitfield is a terrific jazz guitarist. This is the second of his albums to join my music library! Can’t wait air to give it a good listen. AllMusic Review
All in all, it was a great haul. And the total amount I spent was less than $ 25!!
So here’s an eighteen song playlist with two songs from each of the albums!