The Times (UK) Names Nonesuch Albums Among the Decade's Best in Classical, Jazz, World, and Pop

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

The Times (UK) has had its say on the best albums of the decade, covering the best in classical, jazz, world music, and pop, and Nonesuch artists are represented in every one: John Adams at No. 1 on the classical list with Doctor Atomic Symphony; Brad Mehldau and Bill Frisell in jazz; Youssou N'Dour, Orchestra Baobab, "Cachaíto" Lopez, and Amadou & Mariam in world; the Malian duo in pop as well, along with Brian Wilson and Wilco.

Copy

The Times of London has had its say on the best albums of the decade, covering a broad spectrum of styles and sounds over four categories for the best in classical, jazz, world music, and pop, and Nonesuch artists are represented in every one.

Starting at the top, the recent Nonesuch recording of John Adams's Doctor Atomic Symphony by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and conductor David Robertson takes the No. 1 slot on the Times list of the Ten Best Classical Albums of the Noughties. Neil Fisher and Richard Morrison describe the opera from which this orchestral work originated as "stunning" and credit the symphony's "coruscating instrumental power" and "fine lyrical moments."

View the complete Classical Top Ten list here.

---

The decade's best in jazz, according to Times writer John Bungey, includes two Nonesuch releases: Brad Mehldau's Live in Tokyo (2004), at No. 7, and Bill Frisell's East/West (2005), at No. 2.

Live in Tokyo, a solo piano album from Mehldau, was his first release on Nonesuch, and on it, this "ascendant star of American piano jazz sets out his broad musical vision," says The Times, finding "the link between Beethoven and Radiohead on an extraordinary 'Paranoid Android.'"

Frisell's East/West, comprising two sets over two discs, the first from New York's Village Vanguard, the other from Yoshi's in Oakland, proves that "sometimes simplicity carries the biggest clout," Bungey contends. "The second set is good, the first is stunning."

View the complete Jazz Top Ten list here.

---

Over in the world music Top Ten of the decade, Nonesuch projects make up a full four of ten albums on the list. Youssou N'Dour's Nothing's in Vain (Coono du réer), from 2002, is on at No. 9. The Times's David Hutcheon sees it as Youssou's "artistic rebirth," through which "he turned African artists’ eyes inward, to celebrate and strengthen indigenous culture rather than chase foreign patronage."

Two World Circuit / Nonesuch collaborations come in at Nos. 7 and 4, respectively: Orchestra Baobab's Specialist in All Styles, also from 2002 and produced by N'Dour, and Cachaíto, the 2001 album from the Buena Vista Social Club bassist Orlando "Cachaíto" Lopez.

Hutcheon describes the album from Baobab, the first new recording from the Senegalese band in decades, as "the best old-style Cuban album of the decade." (It also happens to include a guest appearance from Buena Vista vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer.) On Specialist, says Hutcheon, the band "happily discovered they were what the world had been waiting for."

Placing Cachaíto at No. 4, the Times writer sees the bassist as "the unsung hero of the Buena Vista saga" and, with this album, the architect of "arguably the best album of the series. An eclectic, free-wheeling yet accessible odyssey into Cuban jazz, its inventiveness never fails to surprise."

Another joint effort, Dimanche à Bamako (2005), the first of two Because / Nonesuch releases from Amadou & Mariam, comes in at No. 2. On the album, produced by Manu Chao, the Malian couple "rewrite their rule book," says Hutcheon. "It’s a hot Sunday in the Malian capital and everybody wants to party. This is the soundtrack."

View the complete World Music Top Ten list here.

---

Dimanche à Bamako is the only album among these releases to make it onto two lists, finding itself at No. 51 among the 100 Best Pop Albums of the Noughties, which sums it up as "a dazzling bundle of pop smarts and African soul."

Brian Wilson conceived of his SMiLE record almost four decades before it was ultimately released on Nonesuch in 2004. It's on this decade's best-of list at No. 42, and is, "in many respects," says The Times, "the pop story of the decade."

Wilco's own Nonesuch debut, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, comes in at No. 25. "Heralded as an austere masterpiece of alt-Americana," The Times reminds readers, "it’s easy to forget what a joy it is to listen to. Between the album’s pop sensibilities and fractured fever dreams lies a sort of magic."

View the complete Pop Top 100 list here.

featuredimage
John Adams "Doctor Atomic" Symphony [cover]
  • Wednesday, November 25, 2009
    The Times (UK) Names Nonesuch Albums Among the Decade's Best in Classical, Jazz, World, and Pop

    The Times of London has had its say on the best albums of the decade, covering a broad spectrum of styles and sounds over four categories for the best in classical, jazz, world music, and pop, and Nonesuch artists are represented in every one.

    Starting at the top, the recent Nonesuch recording of John Adams's Doctor Atomic Symphony by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and conductor David Robertson takes the No. 1 slot on the Times list of the Ten Best Classical Albums of the Noughties. Neil Fisher and Richard Morrison describe the opera from which this orchestral work originated as "stunning" and credit the symphony's "coruscating instrumental power" and "fine lyrical moments."

    View the complete Classical Top Ten list here.

    ---

    The decade's best in jazz, according to Times writer John Bungey, includes two Nonesuch releases: Brad Mehldau's Live in Tokyo (2004), at No. 7, and Bill Frisell's East/West (2005), at No. 2.

    Live in Tokyo, a solo piano album from Mehldau, was his first release on Nonesuch, and on it, this "ascendant star of American piano jazz sets out his broad musical vision," says The Times, finding "the link between Beethoven and Radiohead on an extraordinary 'Paranoid Android.'"

    Frisell's East/West, comprising two sets over two discs, the first from New York's Village Vanguard, the other from Yoshi's in Oakland, proves that "sometimes simplicity carries the biggest clout," Bungey contends. "The second set is good, the first is stunning."

    View the complete Jazz Top Ten list here.

    ---

    Over in the world music Top Ten of the decade, Nonesuch projects make up a full four of ten albums on the list. Youssou N'Dour's Nothing's in Vain (Coono du réer), from 2002, is on at No. 9. The Times's David Hutcheon sees it as Youssou's "artistic rebirth," through which "he turned African artists’ eyes inward, to celebrate and strengthen indigenous culture rather than chase foreign patronage."

    Two World Circuit / Nonesuch collaborations come in at Nos. 7 and 4, respectively: Orchestra Baobab's Specialist in All Styles, also from 2002 and produced by N'Dour, and Cachaíto, the 2001 album from the Buena Vista Social Club bassist Orlando "Cachaíto" Lopez.

    Hutcheon describes the album from Baobab, the first new recording from the Senegalese band in decades, as "the best old-style Cuban album of the decade." (It also happens to include a guest appearance from Buena Vista vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer.) On Specialist, says Hutcheon, the band "happily discovered they were what the world had been waiting for."

    Placing Cachaíto at No. 4, the Times writer sees the bassist as "the unsung hero of the Buena Vista saga" and, with this album, the architect of "arguably the best album of the series. An eclectic, free-wheeling yet accessible odyssey into Cuban jazz, its inventiveness never fails to surprise."

    Another joint effort, Dimanche à Bamako (2005), the first of two Because / Nonesuch releases from Amadou & Mariam, comes in at No. 2. On the album, produced by Manu Chao, the Malian couple "rewrite their rule book," says Hutcheon. "It’s a hot Sunday in the Malian capital and everybody wants to party. This is the soundtrack."

    View the complete World Music Top Ten list here.

    ---

    Dimanche à Bamako is the only album among these releases to make it onto two lists, finding itself at No. 51 among the 100 Best Pop Albums of the Noughties, which sums it up as "a dazzling bundle of pop smarts and African soul."

    Brian Wilson conceived of his SMiLE record almost four decades before it was ultimately released on Nonesuch in 2004. It's on this decade's best-of list at No. 42, and is, "in many respects," says The Times, "the pop story of the decade."

    Wilco's own Nonesuch debut, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, comes in at No. 25. "Heralded as an austere masterpiece of alt-Americana," The Times reminds readers, "it’s easy to forget what a joy it is to listen to. Between the album’s pop sensibilities and fractured fever dreams lies a sort of magic."

    View the complete Pop Top 100 list here.

    Journal Articles:Artist News

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024
    Wednesday, November 20, 2024

    Nonesuch releases a deluxe edition of Wilco’s 2004 Grammy Award–winning album A Ghost Is Born on February 7, 2025. The box set comprises either nine vinyl LPs and four CDs or nine CDs—including the original album, alternates, outtakes, and demos, charting the making of A Ghost Is Born—plus the complete 2004 concert recording from Boston’s Wang Center and the band’s “fundamentals” workshop sessions. It includes sixty-five previously unreleased music tracks as well as a forty-eight-page hardcover book with previously unpublished photos and a new liner note by Grammy-winning writer Bob Mehr. An alternate version of “Handshake Drugs,” recorded during the studio sessions at New York’s Sear Sound, twenty-one years ago this month, is out now. There will also be a new vinyl pressing of the original album in a two-disc package, and a two-CD expanded version of the original album with bonus track highlights from the full deluxe edition repertoire. The two-CD version will also be available on streaming services worldwide.

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseArtist News
  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024
    Wednesday, November 20, 2024

    Laurie Anderson was on BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends to talk with host Clive Anderson about her new piece ARK: United States V, the premiere performances of which continue at Factory International's Aviva Studios in Manchester through Sunday, and more. You can hear the conversation here. The Quietus highlights ten key tracks from her catalog, from "O Superman"—"her most definitive track"—to "Flying at Night" from her new album, Amelia, "a poignant, moving reflection on what our heroes reveal about ourselves."

    Journal Topics: Artist NewsRadio