Here's the thing—
I had about 6 records in mind for this (all released this month)
and some are less popular than this, more explosive, accessible
(and, well... Yaeji was on the board but I ended up not liking that record as much as I wanted)
but I might just make a short update in our 2023 thread with some recent recs—
I thought 'what do we need people to hear, experience, etc'—
and Ichiko Aoba's recent live album is that.
I hadn't always loved Ichiko Aoba's music, though I think I understood the appeal for folks who prefer that type of minimalist-style stuff. This live recording blew me out of the water though, I was expecting something peaceful but this is so much more than that. "Celestial" and "mesmerizing" are perfect words to describe it. Looking forward to watching more videos of this performance.
This is by far my favorite of Aoba's music that I've heard so far (by far). _________________ 51 Washington, D.C. albums!
Thanks EyeKanFly—
I'd thought through what I was going to write up for a handful of other options, but I went with this last-minute and had near nothing planned
It was pre-coffee and I just whipped up whatever I could and nothing was coming to mind... it's only a couple sloppy lines, all kinda hammered— kept running around synonyms.
I think this might end up being my favourite work by Aoba as well— up there with Windswept Adan and her other live release '0%' anyway— I've only watched three of the songs (out of album order too), but I'm hoping to just plug it into my TV next weekend and watch it like a concert.
I'll post my runner-ups in the 2023 thread soon. (Not like I can't use them in future threads, but yeah—).
Here's the thing—
I had about 6 records in mind for this (all released this month)
and some are less popular than this, more explosive, accessible
(and, well... Yaeji was on the board but I ended up not liking that record as much as I wanted)
but I might just make a short update in our 2023 thread with some recent recs—
I thought 'what do we need people to hear, experience, etc'—
and Ichiko Aoba's recent live album is that.
This is a performance of air.
It needs room, but once it has the space to be, it's something celestial—
In recognition of sakura season,
in recognition of spring,
in recognition of anew,
something mesmerizing—
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
We seem to have not much in common overall, but this would be a strong point of overlap right here. I can't even claim an appeal for being into this particular style, but I do like this very much.
Post subject: Re: ALC #6: Ichiko Aoba With 12 Ensemble (Live At Milton Cou
Fischman wrote:
We seem to have not much in common overall
Maybe post-60s, but we have lots in common before that — Blakey, Brown, Rollins, Coltrane, Mingus, Gillespie, Dorham, Ellington, Morgan, Montgomery, Peterson, Hendrix —
Either way, glad you liked it—
I really should have something better written for it.
There's this reverb palette in most audio workstations called 'upper echelon' (or something along those lines)— typically focusing on loosening the mix's higher end, panning it to distant edges— and it's a bit roomier than the acoustics at Milton Court, it coats most of the mix, but it's inauthentic— I feel what Aoba achieved here is what they wanted that plug-in to mimic. It's like she's singing a full-bodied cloud into the auditorium.
She's mic'd differently than the ensemble— and I'm sure there's a bit of trickery here n there to land the final result (layering the variance)— but for a live recording the sound is masterful.
I hadn't always loved Ichiko Aoba's music, though I think I understood the appeal for folks who prefer that type of minimalist-style stuff. This live recording blew me out of the water though, I was expecting something peaceful but this is so much more than that. "Celestial" and "mesmerizing" are perfect words to describe it. Looking forward to watching more videos of this performance.
This is by far my favorite of Aoba's music that I've heard so far (by far).
Well said. It's my fave, too. I've always liked her music, especially 2020's アダンの風 (Windswept Adan), but none of her albums blew me away. I guess what I missed was a dose of warmness, maybe even fluidity. And it's exactly what this recording has, in spades. These compositions are always moving, evolving and always sound refreshingly "celestial and mesmerizing" as EyeKanFly put it. Gotta agree with Hayden, it's a masterful recording. Good rec, I'm not sure if I would've found time to play it outiside of ALC. _________________ Overall chart Fake overall chart
Predictably gorgeous. I've been meaning to finally listen to this since it dropped so thank you for reminding me to actually do that Hayden. I don't have much to say that hasn't already been said. I can confirm that Gowi was on the Ichiko Aoba train way early, and thanks to her recommending me 0% back in 2014, I've also been on said train, and while my favorites of hers have been the more stripped down works rather than the more lush, heavily orchestrated ones (which I really like too don't get me wrong), this was just really stunningly beautiful and didn't feel at all overdone even with a whole ass string ensemble surrounding her. Not quite 0% level as far as Aoba goes (although I may be biased given that that was my first experience with her, again big shoutouts Gowi) but yeah it's a feat to make me cry with music in a language I don't understand. The only other person I can think who's had that effect on me is Vladimir Vysotsky, so I consider that high praise.
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— Blakey, Brown, Rollins, Coltrane, Mingus, Gillespie, Dorham, Ellington, Morgan, Montgomery, Peterson, Hendrix —
