Jazz vocalist, Zara McFarlane, names American jazz singer and pianist Sara Vaughan as one of her main inspirations, and she will pay tribute to her this evening at Herbie Miller’s Downtown Jazz at the F.
Albums of the Year 2020: Maria Schneider Orchestra - Data Lords | reviews, news & interviews Albums of the Year 2020: Maria Schneider Orchestra - Data Lords
Albums of the Year 2020: Maria Schneider Orchestra - Data Lords
A dazzling double album from the acclaimed composer, arranger and bandleader
by Peter QuinnWednesday, 06 January 2021
Exploring malign influence and unfathomable beauty: Data Lords
One of the great ironies of 2020 was that, in a year in which the importance of music – as escape, as release, as comforter – was amplified like no other, vast swathes of musicians saw their livelihoods disappear overnight.
One of the great ironies of 2020 was that, in a year in which the importance of music – as escape, as release, as comforter – was amplified like no other, vast swathes of musicians saw their livelihoods disappear overnight.
Last modified on Fri 18 Dec 2020 05.54 EST
Susie Gillespie at the loom in her Devon workshop Photograph: Jeremy Walker/Jeremy walker
Selected by architect
Sarah Wigglesworth
In February, about four weeks before lockdown, I attended a five-day course in weaving linen run by textile artist Susie Gillespie. Held at a farm near Totnes where they grow their own flax, we flayed, spun, dyed with natural dyes, and then wove a piece of cloth, all in five days. It was incredibly fulfilling, calming, meditative, quiet but also communal, with eight of us all working together but with entirely different interests, aesthetics and skills. Wonderful.
The best record sleeves of 2020
Our favourite album designs from the past year include intimate portraits, flammable record sleeves and the ‘Photoshop interface of the future’ 15/12/2020 8:45 am
If the last few years have seen music slip away into the obscurity of streaming, this year it’s been hauled back in. With the pandemic turning the music industry upside down, listeners have embraced Bandcamp Fridays – the music platform’s regular fee-waiving initiative – while charity vinyl sale Secret 7” brought in £134,000 for its final edition.
In consideration of where their money is going, music fans have also engaged with a way of consuming music that encourages greater appreciation for albums and releases in their entirety. That of course includes record sleeves and album art – and thankfully this year has seen some excellent designs. We look back at ten of our favourites from 2020.