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Archive for 2007

If only there were a thirteenth day … : New American Guitar Ensemble, A Collection of Favourite Christmas Carols

Posted in reseña on August 5, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Full product information for this item, together with my review, my ranking of the product, and any reader comments, can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

This unsung compilation of carols is played with understated and brilliant poise by Lewis Ross, self-styled ‘Master of Guitars’ and ‘Practitioner of Musick’ of the New American Guitar Ensemble.

Ross tosses off fifteen traditional Christian carols that embellish the religious legacy of Christmas—Santa Claus is not invited here and does not appear—with his highly accomplished touch on classical guitar. (more…)

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big things start small: We Delight

Posted in reseña on August 5, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Full product information for this item, together with my review, my ranking of the product, and any reader comments, can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

This private-label collection of Messianic Jewish worship services highlights the tenor voice of the author and a moving collection of biblical texts that are sung in both Hebrew and English. (more…)

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perfect in every way: Handel – Semele / Battle, Horne, Ramey, Aler, McNair, Chance, ECO, Nelson

Posted in reseña on August 5, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Full product information for this item, together with my review, my ranking of the product, and any reader comments, can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

It was going to take a massive earthquake or food poisoning to derail this lineup of Nelson, Battle, Horne, Ramey, Aler, Chance, Mackie, the inimitable Sylvia McNair, Doss, the Ambrosian Opera Chorus, and the English Chamber Orchestra.

Alas, the seismic meters were calm and the seafood impeccably washed. (more…)

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pure: Joni Mitchell, Blue

Posted in reseña on August 5, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Full product information for this item, together with my review, my ranking of the product, and any reader comments, can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

Driving home in the wee hours from the Indy airport, there is no better accompaniment that Joni Mitchell on Blue.

Seldom are whimsy and reflection caught so well without damaging the wings. (more…)

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smoky merlot: Diana Krall, The Girl In The Other Room

Posted in reseña on August 5, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Full product information for this item, together with my review, my ranking of the product, and any reader comments, can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

Good grief, Elvis Costello, you’d better treat this lady well.

The room fills with rich smoke as Diana Krall sings, but it isn’t the guy slouched in the corner with the Habano. It’s what happens when Krall does this kind of singin’. (more…)

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fat and sassy: Cross ATX Basalt Black Selectip Pen with Chrome Plated Appointments

Posted in paterfamilias, reseña on August 5, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Full product information for this item, together with my review, my ranking of the product, and any reader comments, can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

Some pens are fat, some are thin, and most people have a preference.

If you like a fat pen, this handsome black-and-chrome item is a good candidate. (more…)

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making the most of after-market in-car satellite radio: Accurian cassette adapter from Radio Shack

Posted in paterfamilias, reseña on August 4, 2007| Leave a Comment »

I spend a lot of time in the car and love music and spoken audio. My 2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 has excellent sound but no satellite radio. I recently sprang for a Sirius radio off the shelf from Costco and then had reliable Jason and the guys at Auto Outfitters take care of the installation. I use a cassette adapter wired to the radio for sound input and the hiss was bringing the quality level of the music down to the barely tolerable level. (more…)

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rrhythmia: the habit of being really mad

Posted in clarity, denkschrift, rrythmia, textures on August 4, 2007| Leave a Comment »

For a Latin American woman, this is the worse place to be.

Marta’s husband was a respected professional. He had cultivated a career in one of Costa Rica’s government agencies and grown accustomed to the perks that go with it. He was affable, smooth, and just handsome enough to get through doorways and into hearts without appearing to push. His salary was enough to provide for some extra help in taking care of their mentally handicapped daughter, though not to relieve Marta of most of the extra burdens that little Anita brought to her life. (more…)

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otherworldly: Schindler’s List (a motion picture soundtrack)

Posted in reseña on August 4, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Full product information for this item, together with my review, my ranking of the product, and any reader comments, can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

In retrospect, it was probably inevitable that John Williams and Itzhak Perlman should come together in the making of the soundtrack for Stephen Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, arguably the finest motion picture ever made. How could the theme and its treatment do with other than film music’s established master and one of the greatest violinists of all time? (more…)

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When a white boy dances: introducing the parties

Posted in my hometown, when a white boy dances on August 4, 2007| 1 Comment »

It has been a life’s goal, since getting married at twenty-three years of age, to learn ballroom dancing. It’s been on Linda’s and my to-do-someday list for all these years.

When I brought up the possibility of taking the plunge several months ago, my colleagues and their wives were too busy and my wife felt it wasn’t the moment. A more prudent soul might have taken some counsel from this unanimous withdrawal from what seemed to me a splendid idea. But I decided I was just gonna’ have to do this thing myself. (more…)

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