I was exasperated upon discovering no album existed to accompany a so-called “album release concert” by vocalist Lívia Nestrovski and pianist Henrique Eisenmann in the Kansas City area four months ago. Even though the Brazilian duo’s characterization of their appearance in the heart of the Midwest in that fashion was patently nonsensical, I was desperate to confirm my unqualified enthusiasm for their recital at the 1900 Building. Nação is finally here. Sort of. The album streams at Spotify and YouTube, but it doesn’t seem to be available at Amazon, Apple, Bandcamp or Tidal. Nação’s unadorned romantic and playful art songs replicate what the duo sounded like in Mission Woods, Kansas.
February 2022 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency
Screenshot of Abbey Lincoln in the trailer of Nothing But a Man by There Stands the Glass.
Top Ten Albums (Released in February)
1. Joyce DiDonato- Eden
Serpent repellent.
2. The Kahil El'Zabar Quartet- A Time for Healing
3. Binker and Moses- Feeding the Machine
England swings.
4. Sofía Reyes- Mal de Amores
A Mexican mélange of Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande.
5. Big K.R.I.T.- Digital Roses Don't Die
The graying of the Dirty South.
6. Del McCoury- Almost Proud
7. Gidon Kremer- Weinberg: Sonatas for Violin Solo
Eastern European angst.
8. The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago
9. Rokia Koné- Bamanan
Metropolitan Malian music.
10. Bad Boy Chiller Crew- Disrespectful
Cretin hop.
Top Ten Songs (Released in February)
1. Jana Rush featuring DJ Paypal- “Lonely”
Ornette Coleman gets the Chicago footwork treatment.
2. Claire Rousay and More Eaze- “floor Pt. 2”
Android dreams of electric sheep.
3. Rosalía- “Saoko”
Transformation.
4. Cécile McLorin Salvant- "Until"
Time stands still.
5. Pusha T- “Diet Coke”
“That’s a joke, right?”
6. $not and A$AP Rocky- “Doja”
Wildcatting.
7. Maren Morris- “Background Music”
Nashville existentialism.
8. Robert Glasper featuring Yebba- "Over"
My favorite Black Radio III track.
9. Willie Nelson- “I’ll Love You Till the Day I Die”
Backatcha, Willie.
10. Lívia Nestrovski and Henrique Eisenmann- "Sete Estrelas"
Top Ten Movies, Television Broadcasts and Streaming Programming (viewed for the first time in February, in lieu of a full resumption of live music)
1. Jeen-yuhs (2022)
2. Donda Experience Performance (2022)
“Do I look happy to you?”
3. Nothing but a Man (1964)
Ivan Dixon and Abbey Lincoln star in an excruciating study.
4. Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Hypnotic.
5. Cathie Wood interview on CNBC
A robust defense of poor performance.
Bruising double-overtime men’s basketball thriller.
Timeless heartbreak at Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia.
8. Rosita (1923)
Mary Pickford as a Spanish street singer.
10. Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show (2022)
Forgot about Dre.
Last month’s survey is here.