Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Words Project II

Words Project II has been selected as one of the best CD's of 2008 by Richard Kamins, who writes for the Hartford Courant. Click here to see the actual write-up.

Words Project II- Sam Sadigursky (New Amsterdam Records) - Multi-instrumentalist Sadigursky (who excels on saxophones and clarinet) creates intricate yet accessible musical backgrounds for this collection of 10 poems. The scope of the verses range from the sublime (Sadi Ranson Polizotti's "Such Fruit - The Ritual") to the forceful (Dunya Mikhail's "The War Works Hard") to the ridiculous ( a musical setting for Miss Teen USA contestant's Caitlin Upton's answer to a question about finding the United States on a world map.) The music is not loud but has much force and never fails to complement the words. You really need to listen to this CD a number of times to take it all in, to hear how the rhythm section dictates the flow on many tracks and how the textures can be so rich (for instance, the blend of clarinet, accordion and banjo on "The Dream Keeper" and Bill Campbell's exquisite cymbal work underneath on the same track.) There's plenty of music to be found in this project and it's quite good. For more information, go to www.samsadigursky.com.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

holiday thought

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials. -- Lin Yutang

Friday, December 12, 2008

Pandora



A lot of people know about Pandora, but I've come back to it recently and am astonished at what comes out of the old box. By entering artists or songs you like, it allows you to create personalized radio stations, free of any commercials, which play songs by artists deemed similar or related to the one entered. While each song is playing, there is a link that allows you to purchase it (or skip it if it doesn't appeal to you). It's remarkable what comes up and is a great way to hear new stuff, remember some forgotten corners of your record collection, and perhaps sell some records or songs on the other end.

Check it out.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Monk's rules to his band

I wish I knew how to increase the size of this... It's worth getting your spectacles out for though.



via Alan Elliott

Monday, December 8, 2008

Wednesday 12/10 @ Cornelia St. Cafe

Sam Sadigursky - saxophone
Jacob Sacks - piano
Dave Ambrosio - bass
Ted Poor - drums

Karlie Bruce - vocals

Wednesday 12/10 at Cornelia St. Cafe
two sets - 8:30 PM + 9:45 PM
29 Cornelia St.
www.corneliastreetcafe.com

$10 cover


I had a sinking feeling that something was missing from my life, but couldn't put a finger on it until I put Sam Sadigursky's "Word Project II" on to listen and I remembered the power that words have to bring beauty and meaning into life. Of course this force can be amplified by combining it with great music, and Sadigursky, whose first Word's Project was a revelation and one of the better releases of 2007, is back with another release that may even surpass the first one. - Brad Walseth, jazzchicago.net

Friday, December 5, 2008

cold, long winter ahead

It seems everywhere you look people are bracing for a difficult road ahead. I thought of this poem by Bertold Brecht earlier today, translated by John Willet. May we all embrace our broken world and never stop singing.

MOTTO

In the dark times
Will there also be singing?
Yes, there will be singing
About the dark times.


Bertolt Brecht. German 1898-1956.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008