Fascinating tunes of late (in constant rotation - leave a comment or your own tunes...)

1. "Piano Concerto No. 2" - Bela Bartok (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)  

Dynamic, propulsive and breathtaking.  The andante second movement is especially beautiful featuring haunting stacked fifth interval chords in several sections.  Piano and tympani sections abound....   wow.  Conducted by Pierre Boulez.  I just got all three of Bartok's piano concertos so I've got some heavy listening to do!  Concerto No. 1 was borderline atonal...  but not so out I could not hear raw beauty.  No. 3 is almost tonal...  Bartok really changed and explored music through-out his career.  One of the greatest composers of all time in my book.

2. "Revelation" - Paoli Mejias, "Mi Tambor"
   
It is always a treat to discover a really good piano player you've never heard of before.  NYC based Luis Perdomo plays great on this tune by composer/saxophonist Miguel Zenon.  I'm checking out Luis' solo projects!

3. "Goldberg Variations" - J. S. Bach
   
Performed by pianist Simone Dinnerstein.  I discovered her by an invitation on myspace...  she gives an incredible performance.  This is my first exposure to this masterpiece by Bach...  probably the greatest composer who ever lived.  Where have I been?

4. "Dust Breeding (1.316)+" - Stars of the Lid, "Avec Laudenum"

This is really good ambient music, total chill, great for meditation and prayer

5. "I Will Surround You" - Stars of the Lid, "Avec Laudenum"

A zone of warm comfort... more great ambient music from this Belgian duo.  I have most of their CD's now...  their music is creeping into my own...  ambient music is a new country for me...  a complete departure from jazz...

6. "The South of Everywhere" - Jonathan Kreisberg, "The South of Everywhere"

The title cut from this rising NYC based guitarist... engaging writing and playing... pianist Gary Versace takes a great solo.  I used to play with Jonathan when he was in his late teens in Miami Beach...  still in high school, he was an outstanding player back then!  Suddenly, I feel older.

7. "End Credits" - Alan Silvestri (sound track from the movie "Cast Away")

"Cast Away" is of my favorite movies...  the score is incredibly haunting and really tugs on my emotions. After seeing the film again recently,  I ran to download the theme from iTunes.

8. "Beautiful Day" - U2, "All That You Can't Leave Behind"

I usually don't listen to much rock music these days but this tune is exceptional.  The lyrics are faith affirming. uplifting and reveal secrets on repeated listening.  Great production.  It's been out a while and I'm just catching up. 

9. "You Want Some Tea, Granpa?" - Joe Zawinul, "My People"

An exquisite ballad with the idiosyncratic quirky chord voicings that so distinguish Joe's playing...  he also sings through a vocoder...  it has a edgy robot like quality but also totally human sounding.    

10. "Now We Are Free" - Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard (from the movie "Gladiator")

Here is another uplifting and anthemic theme from one of film scoring's most gifted composers.  It fits perfectly in the final scenes of the movie, which is also one of my favorites.

11. "Patience" - Ray Lyon, "In The Day of Small Things"

Last and least in this set is a new bossa I wrote... due on my next CD...  its hard to talk about your own music but repeated listening to this satisfies a deep need, and expresses exactly what I want it to say musically.  It's a good thing to be uplifted and blessed by your own music!