Interactive Poll #9 - Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar

Anoushka Shankar & Patricia Kopatchinskaja – Raga Piloo – very enjoyable.  It’s a long and well executed conversation between instruments.  My cat was blissing out to this until that damn lawnmower (the neighbor’s) started outside.

Alice Cooper – Grand Finale – This song is proof of the talent of this band that would unfortunately be overshadowed by the persona that was to be created as time went on.

Kazu Matsui – Legend of the Lake – Was not available (?)

Tokyo Groove Jyoshi – What is Hip? – Funky & Fresh.  Japanese delight!  Excellent mix of cultures.  Probably posted most likely with Mick in mind, but is made of the stuff that I love in catchy music.  Contender!

Ludovico Einaudi – In un’altra vita – Lovely, new age style piano with flowing riffs and melody. 

Kaleidoscope – Taxim – great psychedelic rock with mix of western and mid-Eastern influences.

Janko Nilovic – Underground Session – Excellent fusion and a bit of an impressionistic vibe, the sort of thing that I love.  Mix of Western music and African rhythms.  The improvisational sections are not afraid to go off the rails and the symphonic jazz style is very appealing.  Contender.

Era – Tono – amazing violin work, definitely a showcase of talent.  I love how it goes out of control and how easily it all gets reigned back in.

Allman Brothers Band – In Memory of Elizabeth Reed – One of my favorite jams from them which I know too well.

George Benson – Six to Four – Again another one that is quite familiar to me already since I am an avid George Benson fan. 

Peace & Quiet – Looney Tunes – Another excellent rock jam, this time one that I wasn’t already familiar with.  Excellent find!

Bryan Beller – Casual Lie Day – smooth fusion groove.  Glad to hear the addition of horns later that sets this above the typical and usual talent showcase piece.  Yet it shows off his unique style as it continues and has a nice bass run.

Scorn – Forever Turning – Love the uneasy feeling of this, the impending suspense that the music brings.  Since I’m also an Art Zoyd fan, I’ll be looking into more of this.

Marla Leigh – Rhythms of Tof Miriam – Love this one a lot.  I was going to post something similar to this by another artist, but that will be saved for a later time.  Contender.

Philip Glass – Caught – Again, I’m quite familiar with Glass’ works, but not so much with this one.  Nice dramatic and cinematic feel.

Taylor Davis – Nebulous – Another amazing instrumentalist and yet another great talent showcase of a track.

Pelle Gunmundsen- Holmgreen – Planteaux pour deux – Bicycle horns and a cello….I wear a pan head for a reason….Push it down the stairs and see what it sounds like.  Another contender, but in the end, the bicycle horn section was a little too long and my mind started to wander until she changed instruments, but otherwise, I’m hooked.

Here are my top 3:

1. Janko Nilovic – Underground Session
2. Marla Leigh – Rhythms of Tof Miriam
3. Tokyo Groove Jysoshi - What is Hip?
4. Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen – Planteaux pour deux (honorable mention)

Excellent posts made this a tough pick once again.  Can’t wait to see what comes next.