another batch

[jfb]

Pretty soon I'm going to have to stop evaluating CDs and start packing them. But meanwhile:

Pet Shop Boys, "Paninaro '95". 3-song single.
Semisonic, Feeling Strangely Fine. With "Closing Time" and several less-overplayed songs.
Todd Snider, Happy to Be Here. Alt-country, often funny.
John Scofield, A Go Go. Groove jazz, with Medeski, Martin & Wood.
Her Space Holiday, Manic Expressive. Space pop.
Frank Sinatra, In the Wee Small Hours. Ballads.
Jane Siberry, Maria. Kate-Bush-like singer, with jazz combo.
Richard Shindell, Somewhere Near Paterson. Singer-songwriter, also in Cry Cry Cry. "Transit" is a great song.
Matthew Shipp Quartet, Pastoral Composure. Interesting piano-based jazz group.
Sparkle, s/t. R&B, produced by R. Kelly.
Duncan Sheik, Phantom Moon. His Nick Drake record; so introspective he had to move to Nonesuch. Lyrics by Steven Sater, guest appearance by Bill Frisell, lots of acoustic guitar and strings.
Omar Sosa, Inside. Solo improvisations by Cuban piano genius.
World Party, Goodbye Jumbo. Often Beatlesque, but with more Prince than usual.
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, s/t. Banjo jazz.
Shirim Klezmer Orchestra, Naftule's Dream. Innovative arrangements blend klezmer, jazz, classical, etc.
Joni Mitchell, Hejira. Blends jazz, pop, and folk; just before the wild experimentation of Don Juan's Reckless Daughter and the jazz-centered Mingus.
Sun Ra Arkestra, Reflections in Blue. Standards, gone crazy. Sun Ra's vocal on "I Dream Too Much" is wonderful.
Stereolab, Mars Audiac Quintet. Well, what can one say?
Sting, Brand New Day. A nice pop album.
Sade, The Best of Sade. So influential they named a radio format after her. Pre-Lovers Rock.

I'm going to the post office today, so if you answer fast I can slip some of these in with previous requests.

Comments

[jfb.livejournal.com]

You've found a way to feel bad about getting a bunch of cool stuff for free.

I already sealed the envelope on the McSweeney's, so the Semisonic will have to wait until next time.

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

Feeling bad is a talent of mine. It's the one thing I can feel good about because I do it so well... but feeling good about it makes me feel bad because then I failed at feeling bad, so then I can feel good again... (Slightly paraphrased from something I forget.)

No worries, no rush. Thanks for the stuff.