Music with Mingyao



Who else is feeling ambivalent about Air's latest album? Moon Safari and Talkie Walkie were both delightful to listen to - the essential spacey sounds of the band were apparent but different and unique in the different albums. I remember sitting in the car listening to the first two tracks (venus, cherry blossom girl) of Talkie Walkie with hui for the first time and we were both blown away. hmm...whilst Pocket Symphony is a good album, it doesn't bring something new to the duo's sound. Whist some people feel that the album is a removal of excesses to the bare essence of what air is, i'm not convinced - it sounds too similar to strains of Talkie Walkie and it doesn't take my breath away. I hope i will get something more out of it the more i listen to it.

Last night we were disappointed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra at the Esplanade, part of the Mosaic Music Festival (looking through the Arts Festival highlights, we both agree that the Mosaic Festival has brought in all the exciting acts, rendering the music section of the Arts Festival a tad bland). First, the band wasn't as tight as expected - too casual for a concert, like playing in a lounge, mingyao says. Then there was a guest singer, Freda Payne, who nearly killed us with her singing. Jazz verteren maybe - honestly we'd never heard of her her before this and we wish we never heard her - her renditions of 'ain't got that thing' and the other sweet favourites were too throathy and 'hard' in her singing - like a cabaret singer! mingyao aptly describes - it was physically very painful to hear her - the supposedly natural singing that should come with jazz felt very tired.

Byron Stripling

saved the night. That man was awesome! A hundred points for showmanship. The band picked up and became tighter immediately when he came on to sing and play his trumpet and lead the band. The trumpet sounds were crisp, sharp and very fluid. Byron Stripling had such energy and presence it resonated throughout the hall and you could feel how happy everybody was to listen to him. He told the audience a story of how Louie Armstrong could afford to buy a mansion but later decided not to because he wanted to stay in his old neighbourhood and he realised how the best things are free - then he broke into a very uplifting version of 'what a wonderful world' - man, i will never listen to that song in the same way again. Apparently he is the conductor of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and is a lead singer with the Count Basie Orchestra. MICA! Please bring them in!

Another great moment in the night was when one of the tenor saxaphonists had a solo and when he sang - so emotional i could cry - he puts his voice into his playing, i said. - a musician's instrument is his voice, mingyao confirms. The lighting of the stage was beautiful - loved it when they switched to the yellow and white lights - felt like light flooding through a loft.