Recording of the Month

Recording of March 2006: Verdi: La Traviata

Robert Levine Mar 11, 2006 First Published: Mar 11, 2006

VERDI: La Traviata
Anna Netrebko, Violetta; Rolando Villazón, Alfredo; Thomas Hampson, Germont; others; Vienna Philharmonic, Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Carlo Rizzi

Deutsche Grammophon B0005529-02 (2 CDs). 2005. Rainard Maillard, prod.; Jurgen Bulgrin, eng. DDD. TT: 2:04:13

Performance ****

Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of February 2006: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Robert Baird Feb 12, 2006 First Published: Feb 12, 2006

NEKO CASE: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Anti 86777 (CD). 2006. Neko Case, Darryl Neudorf, prods.; Craig Schumacher, Chris Schultz, engs. AAD. TT: 34:55

Performance ****½

Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of January 2006: Wagner: Tristan und Isolde

Richard Lehnert Jan 14, 2006 First Published: Jan 14, 2006

WAGNER: Tristan und Isolde

Plácido Domingo, Tristan; Nina Stemme, Isolde; Mihoko Fujimura, Brangäne; René Pape, Marke; Olaf Bär, Kurwenal; Jared Holt, Melot; Ian Bostridge, Shepherd; Matthew Rose, Steersman; Rolando Villazón, A Young Sailor; Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Antonio Pappano

EMI 5 58006 2 (3 CDs, 1 DVD). 2005. David Groves, prod.; Jonathan Allen, John Dunkerly, Roland Heap, engs. DDD. TT: 3:46:29

Performance *****

Sonics ****½

Recording of the Month

Recording of December 2005: Takk

Robert Baird Dec 11, 2005 First Published: Dec 11, 2005

Geffen B0005345-02 (CD). 2005. Sigur Rós, prods.; Birgir Jon Birgisson, Kenneth Vaughan Thomas, engs. AAD. TT: 65:34

Performance ****½

Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of November 2005: Electric Blue Watermelon

Robert Baird Nov 13, 2005 First Published: Nov 13, 2005

NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS: Electric Blue Watermelon

ATO (According To Our) Records 0026 (CD). 2005. Jim Dickinson, prod.; Roland Janes, Pete Matthews, Kevin Houston, engs. AAD? TT: 49:23

Performance ****

Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of October 2005: At Carnegie Hall

Thomas Conrad Oct 16, 2005 First Published: Oct 16, 2005

THELONIOUS MONK QUARTET WITH JOHN COLTRANE: At Carnegie Hall

John Coltrane, tenor sax; Thelonious Monk, piano; Ahmed Abdul-Malik, bass; Shadow Wilson, drums

Thelonious/Blue Note 35173 (CD). 2005. Michael Cuscuna, T.S. Monk, prods.; unknown eng. AAD. TT: 51:36

Performance *****

Sonics ***

Recording of the Month

Recording of September 2005: Not In Our Name

Thomas Conrad Sep 17, 2005 First Published: Sep 17, 2005

CHARLIE HADEN LIBERATION MUSIC ORCHESTRA: Not In Our Name

Charlie Haden, bass; Carla Bley, piano, arranger, conductor; Seneca Black, Michael Rodriguez, trumpet; Miguel Zenón, alto sax; Chris Cheek, Tony Malaby, tenor sax; Curtis Fowlkes, trombone; Ahnee Sharon Freeman, French horn; Joe Daley, tuba; Steve Cardenas, guitar; Matt Wilson, drums

Verve B000494902 (CD). 2005. Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, Ruth Cameron, prods.; Gerard de Haro, eng. DDD? TT: 68:55

Performance ****

Sonics ****

Recording of the Month

Recording of August 2005: Fair & Square

Robert Baird Aug 14, 2005 First Published: Aug 14, 2005

JOHN PRINE: Fair & Square

Oh Boy OBR-034 (CD). 2005. John Prine, prod.; Gary Paczosa, prod., eng.; Thomas

Johnson, Brandon Bell, asst. engs. AAD? TT: 62:16

Performance ****½

Sonics ****½

Recording of the Month

Recording of July 2005: Area 31

Robert Baird Jul 17, 2005 First Published: Jul 17, 2005

DAVID CHESKY: Area 31

The Girl from Guatemala, Flute Concerto, Violin Concerto

Wonjung Kim, soprano; Jeffrey Khaner, flute; Tom Chiu, violin; Anthony Aibel, Area 31

Chesky SACD288 (SACD/CD). 2004. David Chesky, David Eggar, prods.; Barry Wolfson, eng.; Rick Eckerle, second eng.; Nicholas Prout, mastering, editing. AAD? TT: 56:31

Performance ****½

Sonics *****

Recording of the Month

Recording of June 2005: Haunted Heart

Robert Baird Jun 12, 2005 First Published: Jun 12, 2005

RENÉE FLEMING: Haunted Heart

Renée Fleming, vocals; Bill Frisell, guitar; Fred Hersch, piano, arrangements

Decca B00004406-02 (CD). 2005. Renée Fleming, prod.; Elliott Scheiner, prod., eng.; Peter Doris, Aya Takemura, Brian Montgomery, Anthony Ruotolo, asst. engs. DDD. TT: 63:58

Performance *****

Sonics ****