Marcus Miller & Les Claypool - - - Tommy The Cat
Sunday, February 1, 2026
VOICE OF VENUS ENSEMBLE RELEASED A FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE ON THEIR LATEST ALBUM
Voice Of Venus' "Chromosome 4" includes a piece entitled 'FZ', an obvious reference / tribute to Frank Zappa.
CELESTIAL PLANES
Celestial Planes is
- Roeland Celis (guitar)
- Hendrik Vanattenhoven (bass)
- Matthias De Waele (drums)
The trio released their first album last year, "Object Perdu".
Keep an eye out for them !
Keep an eye out for them !
THE MET ORCHESTRA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JAMES LEVINE
The MET Orchestra, conducted by James Levine.
Performing the music of Richard Wagner.
- The MET Orchestra, conducted by James Levine: "Wagner - Overtures & Preludes"
(1993, cd, --, deutsche grammophon)
- The MET Orchestra, conducted by James Levine: "Wagner - Orchestral Music"
(1997, 2cd, --, deutsche grammophon)
In retrospect, I have to admit that it may not have been the best idea to give these records a listening session during my first cup of coffee of the day,...
I turned out to be more receptive during a second (afternoon) session.
Beautiful recordings and a great sound from the orchestra.
Being only vaguely familiar with Richard Wagner's music, I did like the déjà vu effect.
In short, both recordings provide an excellent way to gain more insight and to enjoy Richard Wagner's works.
Here's the opera version of 'Ride Of The Valkyries'
(an inspiration for John Williams' 'Imperial March', used in the Star Wars Darth Vader scenes)
Saturday, January 31, 2026
NORAH JONES
I recently received digital copies of two Norah Jones albums: "Begin Again" (2019) and "Visions" (2024).
Very enjoyable.
Here's a live fragment, promoting "Begin Again" on The Today Show.
'All This Time" from "Visions":
And from 2013,
Anoushka Shankar & Norah Jones - 'Traces Of You'.
Magical.
GREETING FROM THE RESIDENTS
a message from New Ralph Too / The Residents
It's that time again! Another urgent broadcast from the small cupboard in which New Ralph Too currently resides.
You may have heard that The Residents had a less than ideal festive season when one of their number was taken seriously ill, meaning the postponement of their ESKIMO tour. Everything was ready to go, band and crew were stocking up on tour bus snacks and honing their video game skills but alas.... I'm sure you'll join us in wishing the Eyeball in question a speedy recovery, and meanwhile the tour is being rescheduled as we speak - please keep an eye on the band's social media, these newsletters and residents.com for new dates, ticket information and so on.
Elsewhere in The Residents' universe the band continues ever-onwards, that being the only way they know. The newly recorded 'Eskimo Folk Tales' mini-album is almost upon us, and they continue to work on their next full length album, which currently has a working title so rude we daren't feed it into the algorithm here. The band seem very excited about both releases - rest assured you'll be the first to know as they develop.
And of course, the guys' next pREServed release will be here in February - you can check out and pre-order 'Animal Lover: Evolution Edition' right here if that's your thing:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/the-residents-animal-lover-evolution-edition-3cd-box-set
A 3CD set including two discs of demos and outtakes charting the album's long gestation, it's unlike any other pREServed release in the sheer depth of insight. BUY OR DIE!
And finally, The Residents are well aware of the imminent 50th Anniversary of their 'Third Reich 'N Roll' masterpiece, released on Ralph Records on February 1st 1976. Can it really be?! FIFTY big ones?! Well yes it can, and to acknowledge the ocular occasion the band would like you to have this special concentrate of the 'The Third Reich 'N Roll' RDX mix they produced for a vinyl reissue of the album some years ago. Stripped back, full of detail lost in the original mix and sounding clear as a bell, they hope you'll enjoy it almost as much as the original. You can find it right here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qigm3kkz6qtazhmoxt7mv/THE-RESIDENTS-3RNR-50RDXCONCENTRATE.mp3
That's all for now - as ever, please get in touch if you feel the urge, and continue to keep that third eye clear and set to 'receive'.
Your Pals @ NRT
It's that time again! Another urgent broadcast from the small cupboard in which New Ralph Too currently resides.
You may have heard that The Residents had a less than ideal festive season when one of their number was taken seriously ill, meaning the postponement of their ESKIMO tour. Everything was ready to go, band and crew were stocking up on tour bus snacks and honing their video game skills but alas.... I'm sure you'll join us in wishing the Eyeball in question a speedy recovery, and meanwhile the tour is being rescheduled as we speak - please keep an eye on the band's social media, these newsletters and residents.com for new dates, ticket information and so on.
Elsewhere in The Residents' universe the band continues ever-onwards, that being the only way they know. The newly recorded 'Eskimo Folk Tales' mini-album is almost upon us, and they continue to work on their next full length album, which currently has a working title so rude we daren't feed it into the algorithm here. The band seem very excited about both releases - rest assured you'll be the first to know as they develop.
And of course, the guys' next pREServed release will be here in February - you can check out and pre-order 'Animal Lover: Evolution Edition' right here if that's your thing:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/the-residents-animal-lover-evolution-edition-3cd-box-set
A 3CD set including two discs of demos and outtakes charting the album's long gestation, it's unlike any other pREServed release in the sheer depth of insight. BUY OR DIE!
And finally, The Residents are well aware of the imminent 50th Anniversary of their 'Third Reich 'N Roll' masterpiece, released on Ralph Records on February 1st 1976. Can it really be?! FIFTY big ones?! Well yes it can, and to acknowledge the ocular occasion the band would like you to have this special concentrate of the 'The Third Reich 'N Roll' RDX mix they produced for a vinyl reissue of the album some years ago. Stripped back, full of detail lost in the original mix and sounding clear as a bell, they hope you'll enjoy it almost as much as the original. You can find it right here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qigm3kkz6qtazhmoxt7mv/THE-RESIDENTS-3RNR-50RDXCONCENTRATE.mp3
That's all for now - as ever, please get in touch if you feel the urge, and continue to keep that third eye clear and set to 'receive'.
Your Pals @ NRT
Friday, January 30, 2026
ZAPPA / BEEFHEART / MOTHERS - - - DEBRA KADABRA
RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK
Kicking off the day with two extraordinary albums by Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
"Vibrations in the Village: Live at the Village Gate".
Recorded live at the Village Gate in New York City on November 26-27,1963 with pianists Horace Parlan, Melvin Rhyne, and Jane Getz, along with bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Sonny Brown.
Released in December 2025.
And, "Seek & Listen: Live at the Penthouse"
Recorded live at the Penthouse jazz club in Seattle on September 8 and 15, 1967 with pianist Rahn Burton, bassist Steve Novosel and drummer Jimmy Hopps.
Also released in December 25.
Both albums got released on the Resonance record label, also available on Bandcamp.
A superb way to start the day.
-- info: Danny Mathys
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