Baroque jazz, a new way
author: John O'Connor
My two favorite forms of music are the Baroque and jazz. This is not the first group to combine them, but this is probably one of the more creative. Ward Swingle did it in the 60s with the Swingle Singers, and a group of west coast jazzmen recorded a pure jazz album on Baroque instruments in the 50s. A French jazz pianist, Jacque Laussier (sp?) did a series of jazz trio readings of Bach in the 60s as well. This, though, is different in a good way. Real Baroque and preBaroque pieces, rearranged to include jazz beats and even jazz improvisation. Really excellent. I thought I was a recorder player until I heard Evelyn Nallen. Wow!!! The other musicians are just as good. Buy this CD. Wonderful swinging music, with more than a touch of Baroque. Lovely stuff!!!!!!!
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Can't Be Sad
author: Genevieve Randall
For anyone who loves early music, baroque and also jazz...tons of fun. It's a delight to hear the fusion of sounds. I get a little image of a guy in tights and a powdered wig shakin' his booty, doin' jazz hands on a sunny day at the castle.
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Wonderful Diversion
author: Bren
A style and sound all their own, and well worth a listen. You can't go wrong with this one!
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Music for Shy People(tm)
author: A F Carr
This isn't dance music, or jazz, or classical. It's all three, somehow. They're British. So, they don't quite have the same aesthetic as you or me. Something new to the ear. They have their own ideas about what music should sound like. They play 'medieval' instruments like recorder and harpsichord. Somehow, despite all the surface oddity, the music is approachable and compelling. It's the sort of thing you might put on in the background and then find later that you're listening to it intensely.
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