PHILIPS – Off The Record

Nina Simone – Pastel Blues (CD)

Tasos Samiotis — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:18:07 +0000

Nina Simone is hands down one of the best Blues singers of the 20th century and only artists the likes of Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith had the power to lay a soul bare like she could! This is no better exemplified than on Pastel Blues’ stripped-down album opener “Be My Husband,” which was later covered famously by Jeff Buckley. Also featured on this beloved 1965 Philips Records release are dazzling interpretations of songs directly related to the aforementioned songstresses including “Nobody Knows When You’re Down And Out,” originally sung by Smith and Holiday’s signature song “Strange Fruit,” not to mention the traditional spiritual “Sinnerman,” which remains one of Simone’s most popular recordings.

1. Be My Husband
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
3. End Of The Line
4. Trouble In Mind
5. Tell Me More And More And Then Some
6. Chilly Winds Don’t Blow
7. Ain’t No Use
8. Strange Fruit
9. Sinnerman

Alfred Brendel / Abbado / London Symphony Orchestra – Schumann: Piano Concerto In A Minor And Weber: Konzertstuck (LP)

Administrator — Tue, 17 May 2016 17:06:48 +0000

In January 2016, Decca celebrated Alfred Brendel’s artistic achievements by releasing his complete Philips recordings in a single 114CD set for the first time. Now, Decca proudly presents iconic Brendel albums from the analogue era on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl.

Presented with original artwork and pressed at optimal GmbH, each release has been carefully mastered from original analogue sources at Abbey Road Studios with lacquers cut by Sean Magee. This LP includes Brendel, Claudio Abbado and the London Symphony Orchestra’s performances of Schumann’s Piano Concerto In A Minor And Weber’s Konzertstuck.

1. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54 – Allegro Affettuoso
2. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54 – Intermezzo (Andantino Grazioso)
3. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54 – Allegro Vivace
4. Konzertstück In F Minor For Piano And Orchestra, Op. 79 – Larghetto Affettuoso
5. Konzertstück In F Minor For Piano And Orchestra, Op. 79 – Allegro Passionato
6. Konzertstück In F Minor For Piano And Orchestra, Op. 79 – Adagio
7. Konzertstück In F Minor For Piano And Orchestra, Op. 79 – Tempo Di Marcia
8. Konzertstück In F Minor For Piano And Orchestra, Op. 79 – Più Mosso
9. Konzertstück In F Minor For Piano And Orchestra, Op. 79 – Presto Giocoso

Alfred Brendel – Bach: Italian Concerto And Chromatic Fantasy And Fugue (LP)

Administrator — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 17:29:54 +0000

An exclusive artist for the Philips label since 1969, Alfred Brendel’s discography is now among the most extensive of any pianist, reflecting a repertoire of solo, chamber and orchestral works by the major composers from the central European tradition from Bach through to Schoenberg.

In January 2016, Decca will celebrate Brendel’s artistic achievements by releasing his complete Philips recordings in a single 114 CD set for the first time. In addition, Decca will proudly present 4 iconic Brendel albums from the analog era on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl. Presented with original artwork and pressed at optimal GmbH, each release has been carefully mastered from original analog sources at Abbey Road Studios. Every effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the original intentions of the musicians and recording engineers.

1. Concierto “Italiano” En Fa Mayor, BWV 971 – Allegro – Andante – Presto
2. Preludio Coral “Ich Ruf Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ”, BWV 639
3. Preludio (Fantasía) En La Menor, BWV 922
4. Fantasía Cromática Y Fuga En Re Menor, BWV 903
5. Preludio Coral “Nun Komm’ Der Heiden Heiland” BWV 659
6. Fantasía Y Fuga En La Menor, BWV 904