#78 Miles Davis - Bitches Brew

Columbia, 1970

Jazz Fusion

This record may not be for everyone, but I love it. It's intense and weird and wonderful, and can be appreciated on so many levels.

My friends and I discovered this album in high school, courtesy of Mr. B's excellent teaching. Juele managed to rip a cassette somewhere, and we'd tour around in her parent's van. Listening to this record late at night driving rural roads is pretty surreal. Complimenting our own night travels, the music seems to encapsulate thousands of years of history. There is beauty and strength and pride and sorrow and anger. This album is an experience.

I taught African Canadian Studies a couple of times in recent years, and I feel like that experience (an incredible experience) has added a new dimension to my listening when I play this record. I felt like I knew a fair amount of history beforehand, but I learned so, so much more; and when I listen to this album, I feel some of that same thrill of discovery and amazment at the truly wonderous history of Africa and peoples of African descent. Of course, I can only speculate about Davis' intentions. Suffice it to say, this is a unique and really exciting album, and is well worth keeping in the collection.

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#32 Prokofieff, Strauss - Peter and the Wolf, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks

Camden, year unknown Genre: Classical Performed by the Boston Symphony conducted by Serge Koussevitzky, narrated by Richard Hale This lp is in terrible condition---even after cleaning, it's crackling and hiccoughing, even skipping. It's tough, because I LOVE this recording, but this one will have to be purged. Let it be known, however, that this lp has been loved. It was a formative education piece for me, teaching me both about music and about narrative. It also taught me that you should always watch you back in unfamiliar places, and not underestimate the unknowns in your surroundings. It also taught me that representing animals with instruments is hilarious. Dad listened to it when he was a kid, and played it for us when we were kids. Maybe I'll make some kind of art with this one.

#59 Geoff Berner - Victory Party

Mint Records, 2011 Canadiana Klezmer Punk I bought this record, along with Berner's book "Festival Man", when he played at the Company House (RIP) on Gottingen Street. That's another show/artist I was made aware of thanks to Peter, so thanks pal! This show was wicked awesome, and "Victory Party" is equally so. It's barely contained, but perfectly contained, klezmer infused chaos; each song a story that pulls your strings like a puppet. Geoff Berner is a Canadian gem. Oh, and Festival Man is a great read.

Shout Out to Jampy

I got this sweet record stand for Christmas from Stu. Created by Jampy (my excellent birthday twin) and featuring Dartmouth's own Three Sisters (Tuft's Cove smokestacks), it helps me display whatever wicked wax I'm spinning. Very cool.

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