The Galaxy Playlist

May 15, 2006

More newish stuff today. I've been trying to get this version of Purcell's The Tempest onto the show for months. It's not so much opera as it is musical theater - this is really an example of opera in development, yet we can clearly see the lines of development from here to the great Italian operas of Handel.

Composer's name is listed where notable (i.e. Classical Performance, Jazz Performance).

For more information on any of the rock, pop and Jazz music featured on this program, I frequently utilize AllMusic , an excellent free database holding a huge plethora of information about music and the artists that make it.

Composer Performer Title Genre Label Notes
Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695)
Meredith Hall, Gillian Keith, Rosmarie van der Hooft, Nills Brown, Michael Colvin, Brett Polegato, Paul Grindlay, Robert Stewart, Norman Engel, the Arcadia Baroque Ensemble, Kevin Mallon, cond.
The Tempest (alt. title: The Enchanted Island), Z. 631, opening with Overture, Z. 770, and closing Chacony, Z. 730
Classical, Early Baroque, Early Baroque Opera
Naxos, 2000
This adaptation of Shakespeare's great play was long attributed to Purcell, but it was nevertheless quite popular during the 1690s. If this had been written by Purcell, it would stand along among his works with its Italianate da capo arias (no other such work by Purcell exists). The work is still quite enjoyable as an example of early opera, preceeding Handel by just a few years (and no doubt serving as an inspiration for Handel and his contemporaries). Also, we have here a rare opera written in English. The performers have added to the opera an overture to an unknown work of Purcell's, and a chacony, considered to be among the finest examples of Purcell's writing.
The Dixie Chicks
Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)
Country/Bluegrass, Contemporary
Monument/Columbia, 2002
Flatt And Scruggs
'Tis Sweet To Be Remembered
Bluegrass, Traditional
Columbia, 1951
Lefty Frizzell
Mom and Dad's Waltz
Country, Classic, '50s
Columbia, 1951
Johnny Cash
Don't Take Your Guns To Town
Country, Classic, '50s
Columbia, 1958
Grandpa Jones
Don't Bring Your Banjo Home
Country, Classic, '50s
Decca/MCA, 1959
The Carter Family
Keep On The Sunny Side
Country, Classic, '30s
Arhoolie, 1939
From a radio transcription, only 30 seconds long (a bummer!)
Johnny and June Carter Cash
Jackson
Country, Classic, '60s
Columbia, 1967
Homer & Jethro -w- June Carter Cash
Baby It's Cold Outside
Country, Classic, Comedy, '40s
RCA Victor, 1949
Johnny and June Carter Cash
If I Were A Carpenter
Country, Classic, '60s
Columbia, 1969
The Carter Family (June, Helen and Anita Carter -w- Mother Maybelle Carter on autoharp, also with Cash regulars Ray Edenton (r. guitar), Marshal Grant (bass) and Fluke Holland (drums)
Ring of Fire
Country, Classic, '60s
Columbia, 1965
A lovely rendition of June's composition, with exquisite harmonies from her sisters, and an excellent autoharp part from their mother.
POD
Southtown
Rap-Metal
Atlantic, 1999
Alice In Chains
Again
Metal
Columbia, 1995
Refused
Liberation Frequency
Metal, Hardcore
Burning Heart/Epitath, 1998
Lead singer Dennis Lyxzen now sings for International Noise Conspiracy
At The Drive In
Pattern Against User
Rock, Emo
Fearless, 2000
Nirvana
Curmudgeon
Rock, Grunge
Sub Pop/Geffen, 1991

 

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Last Update: May 15, 2006

Email: saxman@siu.edu

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