Cardi B

July 2022 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

(Screenshot of the trailer for Grand Théâtre de Genève’s 2022 production of Turandot by There Stands the Glass.)

Top Ten Albums (released July 1-25)

1. Moor Mother- Jazz Codes

My review.

2. Anna Butterss- Activities

Illicit.

3. Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison and Ted Nash- Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley

My review.

4. Kirk Knuffke Trio- Gravity Without Airs

Afloat with Michael Bisio and Matthew Shipp.

5. Kali Malone- Living Torch

Simmering drones.

6. ZZ Top- Raw

Live at Gruene Hall in 2019.

7. Flo Milli- You Still Here, Ho?

I’ve been here for years.

8. Katalyst- Jazz Is Dead 013

Clean slate.

9. Plínio Fernandes- Saudade

My review.

10. Ty Segall- Hello, Hi

Swinging sixties.



Top Ten Songs (Released July 1-25)

1. Charles Stepney- "That's the Way of the World"

My childhood was based on a lie.

2. Jimetta Rose & The Voices of Creation- "How Good It Is"

Blessings.

3. Emmanuel Jal with Nyayiena William and Elizabeth Nyajuok- "Ebul"

“A little bit of courage, a little bit of knowledge.”

4. DJ Premier with Remy Ma and Rapsody- "Remy Rap"

Def.

5. Cardi B with Kanye West and Lil Durk- "Hot Sh*t"

Supa dupa fly.

6. Megan Thee Stallion featuring Future- "Pressurelicious"

Pressed to get it.

7. Ciara featuring Coast Contra- "Jump"

Set this thing off right.

8. Fred Again- "Jungle"

Wild.

9. Dochii- "B*tch I'm Nice"

Fact.

10. Lil Uzi Vert- "Issa Hit"

Yeah, it is.



Top Ten Performances (July 1-24)

1. The Salvation Choir at Theis Park

My review.

2. Show Me the Body with Soul Glo, Wifi Gawd, Ebony Tusks and Piss Kinks at recordBar

My review.

3. Phillip Greenlief with Midwestern and the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society at Bushranger Records

My review.

4. Animal Collective with Spirit of the Beehive at the Truman

My review.

5. Alex Cunningham, Seth Davis, Damon Smith, Evan Verplough and Weasel Walter at Charlotte Street Foundation

My Instagram clip.

6. The Dave Scott Quartet and Arnold Young’s RoughTet at Westport Coffee House

My review.

7. Lyle Lovett and Chris Isaak at Starlight Theatre

My Instagram snapshot.

8. Lester “Duck” Warner and Eclipse Trio at the Blue Room

My Instagram clip.

9. Dylan Pyles at Manor Records

My Instagram photo.

10. Midwest Chamber Ensemble at Prairie Baptist Church

Baroque in the afternoon.



Last month’s survey is here.

August 2020 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

Screenshot of Garsington Opera’s production of David Sawer’s “The Skating Rink”- #156 in my daily opera marathon- by There Stands the Glass.

Screenshot of Garsington Opera’s production of David Sawer’s “The Skating Rink”- #156 in my daily opera marathon- by There Stands the Glass.

Top Five Albums

1. Bill Frisell- Valentine

My review.

2. The Stooges- Live at Goose Lake: August 8, 1970

My review.

3. Ellen Fullman and Theresa Wong- Harbors

Dark drones.

4. Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids- Shaman!

My review.

5. Brian Scarborough- Sunflower

My review.


Top Five Songs

1. Caroline Shaw and David Lang- "When I Am Alone"

My review.

2. Drake featuring Lil Durk- "Laugh Now, Cry Later"

Baby.

3. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion- "WAP"

Game-changer.

4. Gayngs- "Appeayl 2 U"

It’s got that whip appeal.

5. Miley Cyrus- "Midnight Sky"

Radiant.


Top Five Livestreams

1. Robert Wilson performs John Cage’s “Lecture on Nothing”- National Sawdust

2. Bang on a Can Marathon- Jeremy Denk, Wu Man, Oliver Lake, etc.

3. Dayna Stephens, Omer Avital and Anthony Pinciotti- Smalls

4. Washed Out- waterside in Georgia

5. Dee Alexander and John McLean- at home in Chicago


I conducted the same exercise in July, June, May, April, March, February and January.