Month: January 2021

KREISLER: LIEBESLIED {Cover} (by Vanessa-Mae: The Classical Collection, Part 1)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:54 Min.

This instrumental track appears on Disc 2 on Vanessa-Mae’s 2000 Classical Collection, Part 1 album. Fritz Kreisler composed the tune. Nicholas Cleobury and The New Belgian Chamber Orchestra also appear on this track.

REVIEW:

Unsurprisingly, Vanessa-Mae’s violin performance sounds exquisite. Imbued with first-class orchestral work, this rendition of “Liebeslied” is very much a satisfying advertisement for this complete three-disc album.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

KREISLER: LIEBESFREUD {Cover} (by Vanessa-Mae: The Classical Collection, Part 1)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:10 Min.

This instrumental appears on Disc 2 on Vanessa-Mae’s 2000 Classical Collection, Part 1 album. Fritz Kreisler composed the tune. Nicholas Cleobury and The New Belgian Chamber Orchestra also appear on this track.

REVIEW:

Vanessa-Mae once more displays her stellar talents on the violin. Imbued with first-class orchestral sound, this rendition of “Liebesfreud” makes an ideal advertisement re: finding the complete three-disc album.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows

LITTLE DANCING GIRL (by The Harry Connick, Jr. Trio: Lofty’s Roach Soufflé)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 7:32 Min.

It’s the tenth track off The Harry Connick, Jr. Trio’s 1990 instrumental album, Lofty’s Roach Soufflé. With Connick, Jr. on piano, the trio consists of Benjamin Wolfe (bass) and Shannon Powell (drums). Connick, Jr. also composted this tune.

REVIEW:

Soft and wistful, “Little Dancing Girl” is likely this album’s most contemplative track. There’s a melancholic stretch where the tune goes noticeably faint at times. This creative effect doesn’t ruin listening so much, as it just may require turning up the volume. Also, the track prolongs itself more than necessary, as it easily could have been at least a minute or two shorter. Despite lacking the zest of some of this album’s other tunes, “Little Dancing Girl” still offers a solid, low-key treat for jazz enthusiasts.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

MAGIC OF LOVE (by BrunuhVille: Aura)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:27 Min.

Released by Portuguese composer, BrunuhVille, it’s the third track off his 2013 album, Aura.

REVIEW:

“Magic of Love” isn’t distinctive so much, as it’s a beautifully tranquil continuation from the album’s prior two tracks. Impressively, it takes on a far more epic tone in the closing moments. BrunuhVille’s timeless work on this track would be ideal for an European historical romance film.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

LITTLE LIAR (by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts: Up Your Alley)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:59 Min.

It’s the third track from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ 1988 Up Your Alley album.

REVIEW:

With a spot-on rock melody outshining its vague lyrics, “Little Liar” comes off all too repetitive. Also, one might also notice Jett’s uneven vocal performance. Initially, she goes softer for a tune that is borderline ballad – it’s a welcome approach, considering how many of Up Your Alley’s tracks blend together. Yet, during this tune’s mid-section, Jett’s husky voice sounds at times practically hoarse. Her vocals, fortunately, return to normal headed into the tune’s finish. Overall, “Little Liar” is likable, but a distinctively 80’s melody is most certainly its best asset.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

NOAH’S DOVE (by 10,000 Maniacs: MTV Unplugged)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:07 Min.

This live 1993 performance of 10,000 Maniacs comes from their MTV Unplugged album recorded from the same-named cable TV series. Natalie Merchant was still the group’s lead vocalist at the time.

REVIEW:

This low-key, piano-driven ballad enjoys a beautiful sound, though Natalie Merchant’s soft vocals are initially almost too faint to be audible. Once her thoughtful voice comes to life, this tune transforms into possibly the album’s underrated gem. Concluding their MTV Unplugged concert, 10,000 Maniacs chose this album’s finale well.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

HOLD ME TONIGHT (by Carly Simon: Have You Seen Me Lately?)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:17 Min.

From her 1990 album, Have You Seen Me Lately?, Carly Simon wrote and performs this track.

REVIEW:

This track is vintage Carly Simon. Her vocals are timeless, as “Holding Me Tonight” sounds as though it could easily have been recorded anytime in the 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s. As much as Simon’s fans will enjoy this breezy tune, it’s not likely that casual listeners will be disappointed. For any easy listening or romantic pop playlists, “Holding Me Tonight” earns a spot.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

MAGIC THEATER (by Jan Hammer: Beyond the Mind’s Eye)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:45 Min.

This instrumental is Track # 3 on Jan Hammer’s 1991 jazz fusion album, Beyond the Mind’s Eye.

REVIEW:

Though it’s hard to pin down Jan Hammer’s distinctively cool style, “Magic Theater” should very much appeal to his fanbase. Its upbeat funkiness, with some touches of epic instrumental sound, might well draw in new fans, too. For New Age-themed jazz enthusiasts, “Magic Theater” offers a neat option for home and road trip playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

KNIGHT RIDER 2000 (by Jan Hammer: Drive)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:53 Min.

This upbeat Jan Hammer jazz instrumental was recorded for NBC’s 1991 same-named David Hasselhoff-Edward Mulhare reunion film, Knight Rider 2000. This tune would subsequently appear on Hammer’s unrelated 1994 jazz fusion album, Drive.

REVIEW:

While this track doesn’t include a reprise of Knight Rider’s distinctive TV theme, its classy jazz sound is undeniable. Jan Hammer also ingeniously inserts the right sense of poignancy celebrating Michael Knight’s reunion with a refurbished KITT. While much of the Drive album serves up nice yet generally forgettable entertainment, downloading this track is well worth its inclusion on any road trip tunes playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

NO HOLLY FOR MISS QUINN (Enya: Shepherd Moons)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 21, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:43 Min.

It’s the sixth track on Enya’s 1992 Shepherd Moons album.

REVIEW:

It’s beautifully performed by Enya. Simultaneously gentle and downbeat, Enya imbues the piano-driven “No Holly For Miss Quinn” with a wondrous feminine melody. It would make an ideal theme poignantly narrating a film or TV female character’s life in some form of solitary transition.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars