Mozart, Concerto 20 - Neil Young - the Byrds - Art Blakey

Piano Concertos.
This is something where Mozart SHINES !
Mozart is excellent with symphonies, he is fabulous with piano pieces, and as a result, he is extraodinary with piano concertos !

In my view, his late concertos are the best : between number 20 and number 25 especially.

Concerto number 20 is fabulous. All three movements are fabulous.
1st movement is epic, the perfection.
2nd movement is quiet, gorgeous.
3rd movement is intense and passionate.

Let's listen to this 3rd movement !
In a version by Alfred Brendel on piano, with sir Neville Marriner and the academy of St Martin in the Fields orchestra.
This album, which also brings the great 23 concerto, is a reference recording of these 2 concertos.
I really enjoy Alfred Brendel's lively playing, which is perfectly suited to these concertos.
Some of you may prefer more intimate or romantic playing, feel free to share your views 🙂

Haydn has also written some great piano concertos, and the filiation can be felt between them... this is for the next publication 😉

Neil Young is one of my very favourite "rock" artists (probably in the top 10, if that means anything...).
His early 70's has been a marvelous period, where he consistently released great albums one after the other.

In this period, "Harvest" album, released in 1972, is his country-folk-rock album. A brilliant album, with Neil Young's unique touch and spirit.
I am completely fond of this album. It has several "hits", but moreover, it has this unique feel, and all (I mean, all) songs are great.
What's more, thanks to Neil Young's "Alabama" track on this album, we've had Lynyrd Skynyrd response "Sweet Home Alabama" ! 🙂

For times when you want to be quiet, somewhat nostalgic, then you just pick "Old Man" track. Just the folk guitar, hypnotic guitar and Neil singing, then the drums, the bass, the banjo slowly come into play, are you are there, fully...

"Mr. Tambourine Man" is one of those few songs that has equally become a huge hit, both for its original composer (Bob Dylan), and as a cover song (by the Byrds).
It's even more unique in that it's actually the Byrds who released it first, thus giving its first public exposure.

Through this song, and through the whole album which shares its name, the Byrds have invented and defined what folk-rock is, back in 1965.
By electrifying folk songs. By blending choruses along with the lead singer. By adding this sweet californian sound.

Let's have a sweet time here on the west coast with "Mr. Tambourine Man" by the Byrds.

Ah, Jazz in the late 50's, what a great period !
Art Blakey is one of those who were in the "hard bop" movement, taking "bop" jazz in the direction of more rhythm, injected with blues influences.

The result is this album, which has the top hits "Moanin'" and "Are You Real", and where all tracks have this swing which makes you smile and makes you move.

Let's make room for "Are You Real", by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.