Here's another favorite percussion album, to go along with the Marimba album I posted a few months ago. This one is more varied, with Phil Kraus playing a variety of instruments - more than a dozen - in solo and in overdub, and with a variety of backing from other instruments.
I wish this record was in better condition - in particular, the first and last few tracks on side two suffer from a lot of noise, but the skill of the performer shines through, and despite the sonic flaws, I find this most enjoyable.
My personal favorites are "Buffoon", with tuned bongo drums making for a unique effect, and "Nola" which is just one of those great songs which would probably work on almost any instrument, but which is particularly suited for those instruments which are designed much like a piano.
The text on the back cover does a fine job of explaning just what is going on in the individual tracks, as well as giving a bit of Phil Kraus' impressive resume, so I will refer you to that text, rather than go on and on about it here.
1.) Phil Kraus - Hindustan (MP3)
2.) Phil Kraus - Dizzy Fingers (MP3)
3.) Phil Kraus - Japanese Sandman (MP3)
4.) Phil Kraus - Jan (MP3)
5.) Phil Kraus - Chinese Lullaby (MP3)
6.) Phil Kraus - Just Flippin (MP3)
7.) Phil Kraus - Kashmiri Song (MP3)
8.) Phil Kraus - Buffoon (MP3)
9.) Phil Kraus - March of the Siamese Children (MP3)
10.) Phil Kraus - Nola (MP3)
11.) Phil Kraus - In a Persian Market (MP3)
12.) Phil Kraus - Liza (MP3)
Can't hear Hindustan without thinking of Tamar.
Posted by: Listner Ralphine | August 24, 2009 at 08:37 PM
And in my humble opinion, Kraus's "Dizzy Fingers" can't touch this version: http://tinyurl.com/ltcta6
Posted by: Jim | August 25, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Thumping post! "The March of the Siamese Twins" - now that's one I'd like to hear...
Do you know what year this LP was printed? I can't see from the sleeves.
Cheerio!
Posted by: Walter Brennan | August 26, 2009 at 03:27 AM
I'm also interested in the year...
Posted by: Brad | August 26, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Hi,
There is no date anywhere on this album, and 20 minutes of searching online turns up a few hits for references to the album, but no date. However, there is a specific date of spring 1957 for another Golden Crest album, "Don Redman's Park Ave Patter", with a label number of CR3017, barely a dozen releases after this one, so I'm guessing 1956 or '57.
Bob
Posted by: Bob Purse | August 27, 2009 at 10:12 PM
you outed tamar's talkover music...naughty
Posted by: michael C | August 28, 2009 at 05:36 AM
Bob, thanks very much.
Posted by: Brad | August 29, 2009 at 10:24 AM