Rodrigo and Steely Dan 'Aja'

We listen to a lot of music here at Hillhouse.
Currently we are alternating between two very different styles.
As I have mentioned, Robin is performing the 'Concierto de Aranjuez' next year.
Part of the preparation involves listening to many different interpretations.
So when I can't hear Robin playing through the piece himself, or working on parts of it, then I frequently hear recordings by various artists.
Robin does, of course, have his own interpretation, but it's always good to hear others performances.

But it's not all work.
We are also revisiting one of the best albums ever made, 'Aja' by Steely Dan.
We have listened to this album for many years, but on one of Robin's recent trips abroad, he happened to come across a documentary about the making of Aja, which offered a wonderful insight into this remarkable recording.

Although released in 1977, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker created a classic album which sounds as fresh today as it did 31 years ago.

This is due not only to the incredible quality of composition and intelligent lyrics, but also to featuring some of the greatest session players around.
Joe Sample, Wayne Shorter , Steve Gadd and Tom Scott, to name but a few.

If you are unfamiliar with the 'Aja' album, then I strongly recommend that you get yourself a copy immediately.
Meanwhile, we shall continue to alternate between Rodrigo and Steely Dan. Not a bad backdrop to my work.

Concert Comments and George Bush's Eyebrow

The final concert went very well and Robin has had some very nice comments.
He was delighted to meet a member of the audience afterwards that is an eminent jazz guitarist. I shan't identify him, as he is after all there on holiday, but he enjoyed the concert very much and they spent some time 'talking music'.
To receive compliments on your performance from a distinguished musician in his own right, is very nice indeed.

This chap is a friend of the legendary jazz guitarist, Lee Ritenour, who has many recordings to his name and has done session work with some of the best around. Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Dizzy Gillespie and Pink Floyd to name just a few.
So they had plenty to talk about.

Another lady said that Robin, "Played with so much soul that she could see it rising out of his body."
Whilst one couple announced, "We enjoy your playing very much, we're in the next room."
However, they added that both their children play guitar, so they were used to hearing it, and that they had been to both concerts and thoroughly enjoyed them.
I hope they enjoyed the scales and arpeggios as much...

Also a chance meeting with an American gentleman proved amusing.
Robin had just convinced himself that no one would notice him doing some laundry. He found the laundry room and was just loading up the machine, a sight I would dearly loved to have seen, when this man came in and said incredulously, "A guitarist like you has to do his own washing!"....Yes, please don't discourage this new found skill...

Last night it was Mark Merchant's turn.
Robin was just about to go out to watch Mark's show, when 10 minutes before it was due to start, there was a knock at the door.
There he stood, clutching George Bush, minus his right eyebrow.
Knowing that this particular guitarist never travels without superglue, in case of any nail damage, Mark was hopeful for some emergency repairs.
It worked.
George Bush now has perfectly symmetrical eyebrows once more, and went on to give an excellent show, with the help of Mark of course.
Life's never dull on board Crystal Symphony!

Donald Fagen - The Nightfly

Prompted by my title yesterday, 'The Goodbye Look', we have been listening to Donald Fagen's 'The Nightfly'. We have both known this album for years, but as is often the case, you listen to something endlessly for a while, and it can be some months/years before you return.
I'm glad we did I'd forgotten just how great it is.

This was his first solo album after leaving Steely Dan and it was released in 1982.
I can't believe how fresh it still sounds.
Apart from the music being fantastic, and some of the coolest grooves around, the lyrics are also incredible.

Most of the tracks are a retrospective tribute to his youth in the 50's and 60's, with 'I.G.Y' taken from a news report that in the future it would be possible to travel by underground train from New York to Paris.
The whole concept is a wonderful one, and rather than tell you all about it, I suggest you buy it, sit back, and enjoy the journey.