Not only is Jan. 31 Philip Glass’ birthday, but it’s also the most wonderful time of the month where we showcase the latest music to have reached our ears. But first, a tribute to guitarists and musicians Tom Verlaine and Jeff Beck, who both passed away this January.
Hear music from the new record by multi-instrumentalist, composer, and collaborator Meg Baird, Furling, which may evoke summer hazy spaces, years-long daydreams, adventures in folk fringes, and ‘ecstasy in bloom' (Bandcamp liner notes.) Then, listen to new music by violinists Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy, from their record Nakshatra, which draws from South Indian classical music, Western chamber music, and jazz.
There's also music by producer, composer, pianist, and electronic music pioneer Ryuichi Sakamoto, which chronicles of his ongoing battle with cancer and marks the days on which he felt like making music again. Listen also to Manchester-based hybrid trio GoGo Penguin, and a single from their forthcoming album, Everything Is Going to Be OK. Plus, hear music by Kenyan composer/sound artist Nyokabi Kariuki, along with music from guitarist Stephen Ulrich from a record of instrumentals that framed stories from the public radio show, This American Life. These, and much more. - Caryn Havlik
Program #4709, New Releases, Jan. 2023 (First aired 1/31/23)
ARTIST: Angelique Kidjo, Filharmonie Brno; Dennis Russell Davies, conductor
WORK: Glass: Symphony No. 12, "Lodger" [1:16]
RECORDING: Glass: Symphony No.12
SOURCE: Orange Mountain
INFO: philipglass.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Jeff Beck
WORK: Where Were You? [3:14]
RECORDING: Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop
SOURCE: Epic Records
INFO: Available via AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, YouTube Music
ARTIST: Tom Verlaine
WORK: Little Dance [3:16]
RECORDING: Warm and Cool
SOURCE: Rykodisc
INFO: Available via Amazon.com
ARTIST: Stephen Ulrich
WORK: Earthly [3:50]
RECORDING: Music from This American Life
SOURCE: Barbes Records
INFO: stephenulrich.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Meg Baird
WORK: Ashes, Ashes [6:11]
RECORDING: Furling
SOURCE: Drag City
INFO: megbaird.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Payadora Tango Ensemble
WORK: Romani Waltz [3:25]
RECORDING: Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango
SOURCE: Six Degrees
INFO: payadoratangoensemble.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: GoGo Penguin
WORK: Glimmerings [4:01]
RECORDING: Everything Is Going to Be OK
SOURCE: Masterworks | Due out April 14, 2023
INFO: https://gogopenguin.lnk.to/EIGTBOK
ARTIST: Ryuichi Sakamoto
WORK: 20210310 [6:54]
RECORDING: 12
SOURCE: Milan Records
INFO: Available via AppleMusic, Amazon.com, Spotify, YouTube Music
ARTIST: Nyokabi Kariũki
WORK: Nazama [2:32]
RECORDING: Feeling Body
SOURCE: due out March 3, 2023
INFO: nyokabikariuki.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Trina Basu & Arun Ramamurthy
WORK: Sri Kamalambike [7:05]
RECORDING: Nakshatra
SOURCE: Spinster
INFO: basumurthy.bandcamp.com