I'm starting to get back into the swing of things, even though I'm behind. I should be able to get at least 3 entries a week from now on, except probably next week... but that is due to the fact that I've obtained Ella Fitzgerald sings the Songs of Gershwin, and that is a 3 album epic, so that might need an entry just to itself. Just started listening to it this morning so will see if I can fit that and another one in during the week.

Joan Baez - Joan Baez - 1960
If I had to sum up this album in one world, it would be vibrato. Nearly every line resonates with extremely rapid and well held vibrato, almost like it is her signature. Joan Baez is a folk singer/guitarist, and her voice rings clear and true on each track. While I would say that I find the work impressive looking at it purely from a technical standpoint and appreciation of her voice, I found that the songs did meld into each other a bit. Nevertheless a solid album if this is your sort of thing.

Miriam Makeba - Miriam Makeba - 1960
While from Africa, this doesn't have the drums that I expected to accompany the music. I guess the best way I could describe it would be African folk, and it is very laid back and slow. The focus is on Miriams voice. Megan loved this album when I put it on, but I wasn't as impressed. Of note is that there are some songs, especially The Click Song, where her voice includes clicks that it seems only Africans can make; at first I thought someone was just playing a xylophone or something. Once you realise what they are, it does sound a little weird to hear these clicks in the middle of her soaring voice, and makes for an interesting contrast. But still, I'm just not really excited by this album.

Muddy Waters at Newport - 1960
Of the three I've listened to, this would have to be my favourite. We're talking blues here, and at times when I had this on in the house, I just wanted to strut about the place. His voice (yes, his name is Muddy Waters, not the name of the band) is deep and while restrained still seems powerful and full of energy. I won't say I've listened to the lyrics intently, but I'm not sure what the deal is with the song called 'Tiger In Your Tank'. You put a tiger in someones tank? What? But really, you don't care, because it is delivered with such confidence. Given that this is a live performance, the finale of 'I've Got My Mojo Working' is infectious and you can really hear the crowd getting into it. Do I like it enough to add to my collection? Probably not. But this is my first taste of blues on the list, so it might have opened up a new door for me.

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So that's all I got for now. In future I will try and be a bit more descriptive about how I'm feeling when I'm listening to the albums; I just wanted to belt this one out because I know I am falling behind.

Other musical randomness, I found 7 of the 10 CD's I've been missing for about 5 years. One of which happens to be on this list (Prodigy - Fat of the Land). It's amazing though, I put on a Depeche Mode cd that I haven't replaced since I lost it, and straight off the bat I was singing along to just about every song, knowing the words. I think sometimes I underestimate the impact of music, rhythm and patterns.