Music Reviews

As a general rule, I don't usually review material I don't enjoy. Most of the material reviewed on this page was provided by the label, or purchased myself. If I find a release worth reviewing, I'll review it. My slant on reviewing material is to try to teach the reader something so he/she walks away knowing a little more about the artist.

All reviews originally appeared in the Web E-Zine Cosmik Debris. Cosmik is a broad-based publication embracing a wide variety of musical styles. My tastes primarily revolve around classical, jazz, and rock, so Cosmik provides me with a platform to review literally any current release, no-matter the genre.

Material is presented by artist or composer. I've split material between three general categories: Classical, Jazz, and Rock. These labels are loosely followed as artists like Frank Zappa may actually crossover through all categories. For simplicity, I've placed Zappa under Rock, and keep all work by an artist under one of these general categories.

Classical

• Antonio Caldara - "Christmas Cantata" "Sinfonias Nos. 5 & 6"
  Aradia Baroque Ensemble, Kevin Mallon director
• Gustav Mahler - "Symphony No. 10"
• Meridian Arts Ensemble - "Prime Meridian" (1995)
• Meridian Arts Ensemble - "Five" (1996)
• Meridian Arts Ensemble - "Anxiety of Influence" (1996)
• Gioachino Rossini - "La Cenerentola" (1996) [Video and audio]
• Alec Wilder - "For the Friends of Alec Wilder" (1994)

Jazz

• Arthur Barrow - Bassist Arthur Barrow's 1995 release, "Eyebrow Razor".
• Lenny Breau - Fingerstyle jazz guitar genius Lenny Breau, "Live at Bourbon Street".
• Bunny Brunel - A trio of re-releases by bass virtuoso Bunny Brunel.
• Pat Martino - "Interchange"

Rock 

• Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins - Reviews of MK's "Soap Scum Remover" video
  and "Half Alive in Hollywood" CD. (1996)
• Rush - "Test for Echo" (1996)
• Western Vacation - "Western Vacation" (Re-released 1996. Original release, 1986)
• Steve Vai - "Fire Garden" (1996)
• Lyle Workman - "Purple Passages" (1996)
• Frank Zappa - "Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa" (1996)