Recording of the Month

DR. JOHN: Mercernary

Blue Note 3 54541 2 (CD). 2006. Dr. John, prod.; Mark Bingham, eng. AAD? TT: 49:45

Performance ****½

Sonics ****½

TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony 6, Serenade for Strings

Daniele Gatti, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Harmonia Mundi HMU 907394 (SACD). 2006. Brad Michel, prod.; Chris Barrett, Craig Silvry, engs. DSD. TT: 77:09

Performance *****

Sonics *****

MOZART: Violin Concertos 3–5

Violin Concertos 3–5, K.216, 218, 219

Andrew Manze, violin; The English Concert, Andrew Manze, dir.

Harmonia Mundi HMU 807835 (CD). 2006. Robina G. Young, prod.; Brad Michel, eng. DDD. TT: 75:45

Performance *****

Sonics *****

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 ****

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

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 ****

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 ***