Music Soundcheck
Welcome to Seven in Seven, where each Thursday in this space we would typically take a look at concerts coming to the region over the next week. With most shows on hold due to the pandemic, here’s a look at seven of the best albums being released Dec. 4:
1 Sigur Rós — “Odin’s Raven Magic”
“Odin’s Raven Magic” is a long-awaited collaboration between Sigur Rós, Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir, Icelandic music legend Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson and Steindór Andersen, one of Iceland’s most respected chanters of traditional epic narrative. The work, which draws from the band’s roots in orchestral and choral traditions, grew out of Hilmarsson’s longstanding fascination with one particular chapter of Iceland’s Medieval literary canon known as the Edda, entitled “Hrafnagaldur Óðins,” or “Odin’s Raven Magic,” named after the Norse god’s two ravens that flew over the Earth to survey and bring information back to him. It has since become part of Sigur Rós’ own mythology, existing only in snippets found online by fans. This definitive release, taken from a live recording of the 70-minute score from Paris’ La Grande Halle de la Villette, finally brings the important work to light.
2 The White Stripes — “Greatest Hits”
The first-ever official anthology of recordings from the iconic rock duo The White Stripes collects 26 previously released songs for an essential, careerspanning set. Included among them are standards like “Seven Nation Army,” “Fell in Love With a Girl,” “Hotel Yorba,” “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” and “Icky Thump.” Made up of “brother and sister” Jack and Meg White (later outed as ex-husband-and-wife), the pair got started in the late-’90s but didn’t take off until the turn of the century when the garage rock revival really kicked in and they were slotted in with other up-and-comers like The Strokes and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The Stripes called it a day in 2011.
3 Adam Rudolph — “Focus and Field”
“Focus and Field” sees visionary composer and percussionist Adam Rudolph drawing inspiration from Jo Ha Kyu, the spiritual concept behind Japanese Noh theater. The live album features Rudolph’s new eightpiece ensemble, an offshoot from his Go: Organic Orchestra. It was recorded at New York City’s Roulette in March, mere days before the world seemed to stop with the impact of the global pandemic. The fragile yet utterly captivating mood summoned by Rudolph and his ensemble seems in
retrospect to be prescient, a stunning showcase of the healing and communal powers of spontaneous composition.
4 L. A. Edwards — “Blessings From Home, Vol. 1”
Nashville-based quartet L.A. Edwards’ new EP, “Blessings From Home, Vol. 1,” is collection of rollicking rhythms, robust riffing and passionately plainspoken lyrics. On it, the band’s own life stories come through via personal experiences, memories and moments. Throughout the record, the group was joined by none other than Ron Blair and Steve Ferrone, bassist and drummer from Tom Petty’s band The Heartbreakers.
5 Craig
Wedren — “Sabbath Sessions Vol. 1”
Shudder to Think frontman and film and television composer Craig Wedren launched the Sabbath Sessions podcast series earlier this year, born out of the introspection of his longtime mindfulness and wellness practices and uniting many different strands of his varied musical aptitudes. The 13-episode collection of musical meditations represent his first explorations of ambient choral music, where he developed his technique of sampling and looping his famously elastic voice, resulting in a unique kind of sound bath. His new album of improvised meditative music, “Sabbath Sessions Vol. 1,” is meant to complement the podcast series.
Sigur Rós: “Stendur æva”
The White Stripes: “The Hardest Button To Button”
Adam Rudolph: “Mu Wi”
L.A. Edwards: “Trouble”
Craig Wedren: “Days of Awe”
Bill Evans: “Spring Is Here”
The Coathangers: “Wife Eyes”
6 Bill Evans — “Live at Ronnie Scott’s”
Recorded in 1968, Bill Evans’ “Live at Ronnie Scott’s” is the third collection from the label Resonance featuring previously unheard recordings by the great pianist’s short-lived trio from that year with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Drawn from DeJohnette’s personal archives, this collection contains 20 dazzling tracks captured during the Evans trio’s month-long 1968 residency at the saxophone impresario’s eponymous Soho club.
7 The Coathangers — “The Coathangers” (Deluxe Edition)
Fourteen years ago, four young Atlanta women picked up instruments without any prior musical experience or lofty aspirations and decided that they were going to start a band so that they could play a friend’s party. The house show led to more shows around town, and the fiery live sets of this feisty band known as The Coathangers begat a self-titled album. Recorded during a single graveyard shift at a local studio and mixed the following night, the LP was a raw, rowdy and celebratory affair. What it lacked in polish it made up for in its undeniable energy and charisma, felt even more so with the bonus tracks on this deluxe edition.