This the 300th post on Musically Speaking ignores my informal policy against the reviewing of singles. Typically teasers for a forthcoming album, singles take up a lot of oxygen, and I prefer to wait for the album’s release. However, when singles of the exceptional quality of Vox Sambou’s “Limbe” and Starling Arrow’s “Wild Sweet” appear, I am obliged to share.
On November 13, Bébé La La—the singing/songwriting duo of Alicia Ultan (vocals, guitar, viola) and Maryse Lapierre (vocals, harmonium)—will celebrate the duo’s 10th anniversary two years late with a CD release party for their new album, A Curious Series of Unexpected Events. They’ll be joined by Micky Patten (bass); Joe Chellman (drums); Alicia’s twin, cellist Jacqueline Ultan (coming in from Minneapolis); Laura DiMauro (guitar); and other guest artists. It may be two years later than planned, but it’s worth the wait.
Ernesto Cervini and Bruce Barth, two musicians whom I have long admired, and Yosef Gutman Levitt, a brand-new acquaintance, have new albums that deserve attention.
The latest releases from three vocalists with quite different backgrounds—Doug Wamble, Cheryl Richards, and Roxana Amed—offer satisfying musical explorations.
Continuing with multiple short reviews to try to make up some of the ground lost over the summer, I’ve got a few that stretch across several styles: Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra, Sorry for Laughing, and Miguel Zenón.
