Articles by Scott Gudell
Ute Lemper: Pirate Jenny
by Scott Gudell
Germany's optimistic yet fragile Weimar Republic period was wedged between two brutal wars during the early 20th century. Extending from 1918 to 1933, it was proudly called the Jazz Age and the Golden Twenties and offered an abundance of free-flowing entertainment choices. It was also a time of inflation, chaos and conflict dominated by economic instability and political extremism. Although German cabaret had its origins at the beginning of the century, its true glory days reigned during those ...
Continue ReadingLucian Ban and Mat Maneri: Transylvanian Dance
by Scott Gudell
Classical composer Bela Bartok was fascinated by folk melodies he heard throughout his native Transylvania at the close of the 19th century / beginning of the 20th century. Similar to when American musicologist Alan Lomax journeyed into the rural communities of the US (and other counties), Bartok journeyed deep into his native countryside to research and collect songs. He eventually archived approximately 3600 pieces on the then-prevalent cylinders. It was not long before he incorporated some of those sounds into ...
Continue ReadingStephane Wrembel: Triptych, featuring Jean-Michel Pilc
by Scott Gudell
If Stephane Wrembel's early influences partially evolved from guitarists in classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, it was not long before the French-born guitarist was drawn forever to the creative and romantic sounds of gypsy jazz master guitarist Django Reinhardt. Elements of Reinhardt's often brisk style would drift in and out of many of Wrembel's releases. Dreamers of Dreams, his 2014 release (Water Is Life Records, the artist's label), featured not only stand out cuts such ...
Continue ReadingSharon Isbin: Live in Aspen
by Scott Gudell
Ground Zero for guitarist Sharon Isbin has long been anchored in the world of western classical music. Her training was extensive and, beginning in the mid-1970s, she began winning several prestigious awards. Although she began releasing albums in the late 1970s, it took until just before the turn of the century--1999--before she secured her first Grammy nomination. She did not win the top honor that year but it is an amazing accomplishment to be nominated in and of itself. But ...
Continue ReadingRon Carter & Art Farmer: Live at Sweet Basil
by Scott Gudell
If one wanted to capture a 'who's who' snapshot of the jazz icons of the mid-'70s, into the '80s and beyond, one of the best ways to start was to see if they had added their name to the list of artists who recorded and/or released a 'Live at Sweet Basil' collection. The New York City club debuted as a restaurant in 1974 and, within a few years, artists including Art Blakey, Gil Evans, Cecil Taylor, McCoy Tyner, Mal Waldron ...
Continue ReadingRich Ruth: Water Still Flows
by Scott Gudell
Firstly, Michael Ruth goes by the name of Rich Ruth. When asked about the conversion from Michael to Rich, Ruth had a clear and simple response “I chose to go by Rich Ruth because I felt it had a more distinct ring to it and Rich is my mother's maiden name as well as my middle name." As for influences, at times it seems Ruth believes he is channeling sounds and vibrations from a higher order. When citing the inspiration ...
Continue ReadingThe Blues Period: The First Decade of Nola Blue Records, 2014-2024
by Scott Gudell
Start with a degree in Business Administration and Management and you might just wind up running and owning a record company. Sounds like a long shot but that's what happened to Sallie Bengtson in 2014 when her passion for all things blues--especially if it has something to do with New Orleans--inspired her to visit the city. “It started with the atmosphere--it's a gumbo of the architecture, the food, the music and the spirit. “It's 'my' place" she recalled during a ...
Continue ReadingArve Henriksen: The Touch of Time
by Scott Gudell
Nordic trumpeter Arve Henriksen has played jazz, metal, folk, eclectic world music--with a nod to Japanese flute--and more. That caused at least one DJ to tell Henriksen “you are the musical chameleon." He will politely acknowledge that statement but has consistently returned to his chosen ground zero of ambient jazz dominated by subtle improvisation. When Henriksen started playing in the '80s, he often collaborated with other musicians based, like him, in Norway. Since he began recording at the turn of ...
Continue ReadingJoe Hisaishi: A Symphonic Celebration: Music from the Studio Ghibli films of Hayao Miyazaki
by Scott Gudell
Many movie directors have forged tight bonds with musicians/composers and crafted long lasting and trusted partnerships. Director Hayao Miyazaki is the creator, architect and wizard behind the curtain of arguably the greatest film animation studio on the planet, Japan's Studio Ghibli (with all due respect to, and an occasional photo finish with, Disney.) Joe Hisaishi is the intuitive composer of dozens of film scores including numerous projects with Studio Ghibli. Together, they've mastered the delicate art of combining image and ...
Continue ReadingSinikka Langeland: Wind And Sun
by Scott Gudell
Pause. Trust your inner self to guide you. Prepare to avoid the constant bombardment of a multitude of society's mind and body piercing assults. If you're not sure where to start, Sinikka Langeland is willing to help guide you. A master of the kantele (a Nordic instrument with similarities to plucked string instruments such as a zither or dulcimer,) Langeland has released a dozen albums since the mid-1990s with Wind and Sun being the 2023 addition to her canon.
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