12 Songs by Charles Ives

Theo Bleckmann - Kneebody

Released on 19-09-2008 by Winter & Winter
Main artists: Kneebody Theo Bleckmann
Genre: Vocale jazz

Digital booklet

Available in

16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo

Unlimited Streaming

Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps

Start my trial period and start listening to this album

Enjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription

Digital Download

Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.

Language available : english

As much as the music industry has evolved over the years, one thing has never changed: even some of the most talented musicians and composers find it necessary to have jobs outside of music. That remains true in the 21st century, and it was certainly true during the lifetime of Charles Ives (b. 1874, d. 1954). Ives did a considerable amount of composing in the 1890s, 1900s, and 1910s, but he also had a successful "day gig" in the insurance industry for many years. Ives' songs were underappreciated when he was alive; some of his biggest admirers are people who discovered his music long after his death -- and one of them is New York singer Theo Bleckmann, who pays tribute to the American composer on Twelve Songs by Charles Ives. This 2008 recording could have easily become blatantly nostalgic, but Bleckmann (who is joined by the group Kneebody) doesn't sound like he is longing for the days of acoustical recordings and cylinders. Combining avant-garde jazz with elements of cabaret and avant-garde classical, Bleckmann puts his own spin on Ives' compositions and gives them 21st century makeovers. Twelve Songs by Charles Ives opens with a song that Ives wrote in 1895 ("Songs My Mother Taught Me"), but Bleckmann never pretends that this is anything other than a 21st century recording. In fact, someone who heard this 58-minute CD without knowing anything about Ives' life might be surprised to find out that "Weil auf Mir" goes back to 1902 or that "At the River" was written in 1916; Bleckmann puts a lot of effort into making the material sound contemporary by 2008 standards, and it works. Twelve Songs by Charles Ives is not only one of Bleckmann's most intriguing albums -- it is also one of his most consistent.

© Alex Henderson /TiVo

More info

12 Songs by Charles Ives

Theo Bleckmann

You are currently listening to samples.

Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.

Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.

From 13,50€/month

Songs My Mother Taught Me