Patricia Barber - Modern Cool (1998) [MFSL 2002] PS3 ISO + DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Patricia Barber's Modern Cool was the recording that made Barber an international jazz star. On the initial tour for this album, Barber played a four night stand at The Jazz Standard in New York where she was heard by Bruce Lundvall of Blue Note Records. This led to a string of Barber recordings for both Premonition and Blue Note, worldwide touring and unapologetic critical acclaim from which Barber never looked back. Audiophiles were well aware of Barber from her 1994 Premonition recording Café Blue. Sonically, modern cool copied the café blue playbook: same recording studio, engineer, and recording approach. Musically, Barber added trumpeter Dave Douglas to her stellar working band and showcased her original compositions more than on any previous recording.

The dark, smoky voice of Patricia Barber is quite haunting. On Modern Cool, she mostly sings downbeat songs at slow tempos. All but three songs are her own originals, and they deal with such subject matter as a "homage to beauty" that seems to connect painting one's face with prostitution, loneliness, mindless conformity, the "postmodern blues" and other depressing topics. Even her treatments of "You and the Night and the Music" and "Light My Fire" make one think that she is utterly bored with life. Barber, whose piano playing is mostly very much in the background, comes across on this set as a pop/folk singer. Most of the jazz moments are provided by trumpeter Dave Douglas, who is on half of the selections and adds some much-needed excitement; guitarist John McLean, bassist Michael Arnopol, and drummer/percussionist Mark Walker complete the group. This set is definitely for specialized tastes.

Tracklist:

01 - Touch of Trash
02 - Winter
03 - You & The Night & The Music
04 - Constantinople
05 - Light My Fire
06 - Silent Partner
07 - Company
08 - Let It Rain
09 - She's A Lady
10 - Love, put on your faces
11 - Postmodern Blues
12 - Let It Rain
13 - Out Of This World

Personnel
Patricia Barber - piano, vocal, table knives on strings
Dave Douglas - trumpet
John McLean - guitar
Michael Arnopol - bass
Mark Walker - drums, percussion, prepared drum kit
Jeff Stitely - udu
+ Choral Thunder Vocal Choir

Mastered by Shawn R. Britton at Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Sebastopol, CA.


Thanks to PS³SACD!
Uncompressed SACD ISO size > 2,94 GB
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