Category Archives: Reviews

CD review: a special woman’s work – woodwind artist Clare Daly’s concept album

Artist: Claire Daly Quintet
Title: Mary Joyce Project: Nothing To Lose
Label: Daly Bread Rec
Genre: Jazz
Reviewed by Jeremy Siskind

Woodwind artist Clare Daly’s concept album, The Mary Joyce Project: Nothing To Lose, based on the inspiring arctic-exploring biography of Daly’s father’s first cousin, is conceived and performed with palpable sincerity and warmth. The music consists mainly of vamp and riff-based tunes for jazz quartet augmented by beat-boxer Napoleon Maddox, whose breathy sounds somehow recall the arctic vastness of Joyce’s journeying; in addition, many of the pieces utilize an American Indian-style pentatonicism to set the mood, even including some chanting and sled-dog yipping. The record is highlighted by the purring warmth of Daly’s baritone saxophone sound (she also plays some flute), readings of some of Joyce’s journal entries over vamps, and very solid rhythm section work by Mary Ann McSweeney and drummer Peter Grant.

Another concert review: Homayoun Shajarian and the Hesar Ensemble @ Town Hall

Date: February 18th, 2012
Venue: Town Hall (NY)

Reviewed by Aida Shahghasemi

The inspiring combination of the young talents in the Hesar Ensemble and that of Homayoun Shajarian lifted the spirits on a cold New York  night at Town Hall. Alireza Ghamsari’s compositions and Homayoun Shajarian’s  vocal capacity had shown their considerable compatibility over the past few years through the release of records such as Naghshe Khial (2005) and Aab,  Naan, Aavaz (2008), selections of both of which were a staple of this concert.

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Concert review: Homayoun Shajarian, a renowned Persian classical music vocalist, and his Hesar Ensemble back in NY!

Date: February 18th, 2012
Venue: Town Hall (New York)

Review by Piruz Partow

Music passed through family can be a very special thing. Like many Persian musical families, Homayoun Shajarian, son of Iran’s most famous vocalist Ostad Mohammad Reza Shajarian, carries with him a fantastic musical tradition and this was evident in his performance with the Hesar Ensemble. Obviously expectations are high when you are the great Shajarian’s son. Homayoun has definitely been under the watchful eyes of his father; performing in his fathers group as a vocalist and zarb player for decades now. Homayoun Sharijan had already had some wonderful performances away from his fathers shadow most notably with Ostad Hamid Motabassam’s Simroq project. So even with high expectations, this performance did not disappoint and in fact assured that this great vocal tradition will be carried on for another generation.

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CD Review: Kiosk – a pioneer of Iran’s underground music movement, presents a compilation of new songs and old favorites, recorded live at the legendary jazz club, Yoshi’s of San Francisco in 2010

Triple-DistilledArtist: Kiosk
Title: Triple Distilled – Live at Yoshi’s “Seh Taghtireh”
Label: 9821 Productions
Genre: World/Persian contemporary

Review by Piruz Partow

Kiosk‘s live recording at the world famous Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland is a fun listen with upbeat   energy and spirit. For the non-Farsi speaker, a lot can be lost with this recording, so it is recommended to refer to the Kiosk website that conveniently gives translations of the song. This record has a lot of gypsy spirit to it compared to other recordings by Kiosk that are more rock and funk oriented. With heavy violin and accordion this album really shows a heavy influence in the Jazz Manouche or Gypsy Jazz that was created by the great Django Reinhardt in Europe in the mid 20th century. A real highlight on the record is a guest appearance by Bruno Pelletier who plays in a very gitan/gypsy style on several tracks. Where some live albums tend to hold a band back and show their limitations, this record shows how versatile and diverse Kiosk is. The sound quality and arrangements are top notch with quality musicianship filled with both intensity and control. This record is a must for any farsi speaking music lover.

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Concert review: Jessica Lurie Ensemble…skillfully wove elements of jazz, soul, folk, rock, and world music into a constantly surprising musical tapestry

Date: February 18, 2012
Venue: 92nd Street Y Tribeca (NY)

Review by Jeremy Siskind

Jessica Lurie‘s set at the 92nd Street Y Tribeca, which previewed her upcoming CD, Megaphone Heart, skillfully wove elements of jazz, soul, folk, rock, and world music into a constantly surprising musical tapestry. Lurie, a virtuosic saxophonist, flautist, and vocalist, boasted an equally rich and personal tone on all three instruments. Her band, whose members’ backgrounds include both jazz and non-jazz experience, was anchored by a dynamic rhythm section of rising-star drummer Allison Miller and broad-toned bassist Todd Sickafoose, who also co-produced her album.

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