Recording of the Month

MOZART: Requiem


Christine Schafer, soprano; Bernarda Fink, alto; Kurt Streit, tenor; Gerald Finley, bass; Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Concentus Musicus Wien; Nikolaus Harnoncourt


Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 82876 58705 2 (SACD/CD). 2004. Friedemann Engelbrecht, prod.; Michael Brammann, Josef Schutz, engs. DDD. TT: 50:23
Performance ****


Sonics *****

K.D. LANG: Hymns of the 49th Parallel


Nonesuch 79847-2 (CD). 2004. k.d. lang, Ben Mink, prods.; David Leonard, John Morrical, engs. AAD? TT: 47:24


Performance ****½


Sonics ****

CHRIS STAMEY: Travels In the South


Yep Roc 2033 (CD). 2004. Chris Stamey, Jefferson Holt, prods.; Don Dixon, Greg Elkins, prods., engs.; Tim Harper, Brian Paulson, John Plymale, Wes Lachot, Logan Matheny, Dan Korneff, engs. AAD. TT: 52:30


Performance ****


Sonics ***

HESPÈRIAN XXI: Villancicos y Danzas Criollas de la Iberia Antigua al Nuevo Mundo (1550-1750)


La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Hespèrian XXI, Jordi Savall


Alia Vox CD 9834 (CD). 2004. Nicolas Bartolomée, prod.; Nicolas de Beco, eng. DDD. TT: 77:03
Performance ****½


Sound *****

THE SUBDUDES: Miracle Mule


Back Porch 70876-18410-2-2 (CD). 2004. Subdudes, Freddy Koella, prods.; Warren Dewey, eng. AAD? TT: 52:13


Performance *****


Sonics ***½

THE BEATLES: Let It Be...Naked


Apple/Capitol CDP 5 95227 2 (2 CDs). 2003. George Martin, orig. prod.; Glyn Johns, orig. eng.; Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allen Rouse, reissue prods., mix; Steve Rooke, reissue mastering. AAD. TT: 57:00


Performance *****


Sonics *****

TOM HARRELL: Wise Children


Tom Harrell, trumpet, flugelhorn, balafon; Jimmy Greene, tenor sax, flute; Xavier Davis, piano, Fender Rhodes, clavinet, kalimba, organ, synth bass; Ugonna Okegwo, acoustic bass, electric bass; Quincy Davis, drums


With: Cenovia Cummins, Antoine Silverman, violin; Juliet Haffner, viola; Daniel Miller, Jeffrey Szabo, cello; Mondre Moffett, Kamau Adilifu, trumpet; Luis Bonilla, trombone; Douglas Purviance, bass trombone; John Clark, Vincent Chancey, French horn; Howard Johnson, tuba; Myron Walden, alto sax; David Schumacher, baritone sax; Gil Goldstein, accordion; Marvin Sewell, electric guitar; Marcel Carmago, acoustic guitar; Reuben Rodgers, fretless bass; Milton Cardona, congas; Joe Gonzalez, bongos; Café, congas, berimbau, balafon, oudu, tambourine, percussion; Claudia Acuña, Jane Monheit, Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson, vocals


Bluebird 82876-53016-2 (CD). 2003. John Snyder, prod.; Joe Ferla, eng. DAD. TT: 63:34


Performance ****


Sonics ****