Screenshot of Lise Davidsen in the trailer for the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La forza del destino.”
The Top Ten Albums of February
1. Heems- Lafandar
My review.
2. Lee “Scratch” Perry- King Perry
My review.
3. Hera Hyesang Park- Breathe
The soprano’s imaginative song cycle.
4. Kali Malone- All Life Long
A secular service.
5. Joel Ross- nublues
Blue notes.
6. James Brandon Lewis Quartet- Transfiguration
The saxophonist with Aruán Ortiz, Brad Jones and Chad Taylor.
7. Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas and Ted Nash- Tell the Birds I Said Hello: The Music of Herbie Nichols
My review.
8. Arcangelo- Handel: Theodora
A revelatory new recording of the 1750 oratorio.
9. Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh and Tyshawn Sorey- Compassion
Piano trio nonpareil.
10. DJ Harrison- Shades of Yesterday
My review.
The Top Ten Songs of February
1. Little Simz- “Mood Swings”
Schizophrenic.
2. GloRilla- “Yeah Glo!”
Glow-up.
3. Terrace Martin- “Kill Bill”
Smooth jazz revival.
4. Scott H. Biram- “Inside a Bar”
Set ‘em, Joe.
5. Sierra Ferrell- “I Could Drive You Crazy”
Insane earworm.
6. Ducks Ltd.- "On Our Way to the Rave"
Another jangle-pop miracle.
7. Thee Sinseers- “Hold On”
Little bit o’ soul.
8. Hatis Noit featuring Armand Hammer- "Jomon (Preservation Rework)"
Ancient to the future.
9. Gabito Ballesteros and Natanael Cano- "Proyecto X"
Trippy corrido tumbado.
10. Logan Richardson- “Black to the Point”
My album review.
The Top Ten Performances of February
1. Militarie Gun, Pool Kids, Spiritual Cramp and Spacing at recordBar
My review.
2. Folk Alliance International Conference, Day One (Willi Carlisle, Justin Adams and Mauro Durante, Freedy Johnston)
My review.
3. Jeremy Denk at the Folly Theater
My review.
4. Folk Alliance International Conference, Day Three (Jolie Holland, Ensemble Sangineto, Mitsune)
My review.
5. Folk Alliance International Conference, Day Two (Trond Kallevåg, Louisa Stancioff, Humbird)
My review.
6. Jackie Myers, Rich Wheeler and Jeff Harshbarger at the Market at Meadowbrook
My Instagram snapshot.
7. Desmond Mason, Angela Ward, DeAndre Manning and Jaylen Ward at the Blue Room
My Instagram clip.
8. The Kansas City Wind Symphony at Village Presbyterian Church
My Instagram snapshot.
9. Pinnacle Winds at St. Peter & All Saints Episcopal Church
My Instagram clip.
10. Mire Pral at the Market at Meadowbrook
My Instagram clip.
The previous monthly recap is here.