The Decemberists‘ live CD a mixed bag

The Decemberists
“We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11)”
(EMI)

If anyone ever needed proof that live albums have worth, they should check the marketplace: The Who’s ``Live at Leeds (Super Deluxe Edition)" now fetches $300 on the Internet. Still, despite the many classic live albums that have been released, they‘re often a mixed bag, and that’s the case with the Decemberists’ new 20-track collection from their 2011 tour.

PRO: The performances showcase a band with a remarkably broad vocabulary, even on stage. Arrangements include brass, saxes, guitars, organ, electric piano, pedal steel, violin, accordion, mandolin, harmonica and bouzouki. Lyrics include the words parapet, penitent, palanquin, moribund, rhapsodical and fontanelle.

CON: With nearly every song, the studio version is superior.

PRO: Frontman Colin Meloy makes amusing references to Keith Urban and Christopher Cross.

CON: He also indulges in you-had-to-be-there patter.

PRO: There are no drum solos.

CON: There’s a glockenspiel solo.

PRO: It lasts only eight bars.

CON: Meloy invites audience participation. Then he does it again. And again.

PRO: The album ends on a good note -- actually all 12 notes _ as the band concludes “I Was Meant for the Stage" with blatty, squealing, liberating cacophony.

(AP)

Shayne reveals other musical talent

Shayne

“Shayne’s World”

(Sony Music)

Shayne, the Canadian K-pop singer known for his sweet voice, turns into a rapper on his new mini album titled “Shayne’s World.” Shayne gained fame through the South Korean TV show “Star Audition: The Great Birth.”

In his title song “I See You,” co-written by Yoon Hae-joon and Maxx Song, the 19-year-old surprises his fans by rapping in clear Korean.

The singer’s sweet but sad voice shines on another ballad, “That’s How I Live,” and also “Summer Love” which was featured in Korean film “Love Fiction” starring Ha Jeong-woo and Gong Hyo-jin. He also sings an English version of “Summer Love,” which could help him appeal to fans outside of Korea.

His new album, which hit the shelves Wednesday, definitely shows he has more talent than we think. But what will be next?

(christory@heraldcorp.com)

Pianist Kim plays Rachmaniov

Julius-Jeongwon Kim

“Rachmaninov, Shostakovich Piano Concertos”

(Deutsche Grammophon)

Julius-Jeongwon Kim, Korean pianist and professor, released his first album with Deutsche Grammophon, a German classic record label, on March 8. The new album includes Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Minor composed by Sergei Rachmaninov and Piano Concerto No.2 in F Major op. 102 by Dmitry Shostakovich. With the album Kim becomes the first Korean to record Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.5. It is actually Rachmaninov’s 2nd symphony arranged as a piano concerto by Alexander Warenberg in request of the composer’s grandson.

The album was recorded in Abbey Road Studios in London last year in collaboration with London Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Michael Francis. Kim is the winner of Boesendorfer International Piano Competition. Pianist played with Vienna Concert, London Symphony and Nurnberg Symphony. Kim has been praised of his performance with warm emotions, creative ideas and passionate energy.

(Joowonc@heraldcorp.com)