January 26, 2004

Mike Stern's Voices

With Mike Stern's upcoming show at Blues Alley looming, I've been trying to familiarize myself with more of his repertoire. I've been listening to his prior album Voices for a few days, and I do like what I'm hearing. The overall feel of the album is reminiscent of Pat Metheny's work -- much more so than Stern's earlier outings.

Stern is pretty clearly walking down the world music street; and that's just peachy with me, as I rather like world music. Featured heavily in the first two tracks on the disc is Richard Bona, an artist from Cameroon who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Elizabeth Kontomanou and Phillip Hamilton round out the vocal work for the remainder of the album.

Some highlights:

  • Spirit is probably the best track on the disc; an open declaration of humanity.
  • What Might Have Been is a melancholy sojourn through pining over possibilities. You can feel the cigar smoke wrapping around your body as you sit at the bar, nursing a whiskey and thinking of your lover who just left you.
  • Wishing Well is probably the most Metheny-esque of all the cuts. The guitar tone is spot on for Pat’s sound and the vocal track moves with the guitar in synchronized harmony

Posted by Casper at January 26, 2004 11:43 AM
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