Sun Ra and the All-Stars in Berlin, 1983

A find from Network Awesome, an all-star concert from 1983 led by Sun Ra of masters from various free-jazz schools (if I may use such a contentious term). From the Arkestra Marshal Allen on alto, drummer Clifford Jarvis, and the ever underappreciated John Gilmore on tenor; from the Art Ensemble of Chicago Lester Bowie on trumpet and Don Moye on drums and percussion; from Ornette Coleman's universe Don Cherry on trumpet; representing the Coltrane school Archie Shepp on tenor sax and Richard Davis on bass; and the odd man out, post-bop drummer extraordinaire Philly Joe Jones.

Top 2 from December 9, 2013

Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde, the opening song from Das Lied von der Erde by Gustav Mahler; performed by Placido Domingo with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting.

This is a recording I was prepared to hate, what with Mr. Three Tenors, his over-the-hill John Denver recording self, it is sometimes easy to forget what a great musician P. Dingo is. This is terrific. He's a biting fiery drunkard giving a gutsy performance. Salonen is fantastic all the way through Das Lied. It's the kind of performance I was expecting from Boulez, richly detailed, all the birdsongs and such, but with more oomph than the master eventually delivered.