Walt Mundkowsky

Walt Mundkowsky was born 1944 in San Antonio, TX. As a teenager, he had a dachshund named after Hugo Wolf. Extensive writings on film (cf. his “Cinema Obscura” column in Home Theater, 1995-2001). He favors the mine-shaft approach to music listening — in-depth exploration of tiny, unrelated areas. A resident of Beverly Hills, he has lived in basements in Denver, London and Stockholm, and may very well do so again.

Lying down with Stax phones 4.

April is Jazz Appreciation Month.

Lying down with Stax phones 4.

April is Jazz Appreciation Month.

Lying down with Stax phones 3.

This set of 27 Passion Week Responsoria was the third and last Lumen Valo release for Alba, before forming their own label.

Lying down with Stax phones 3.

This set of 27 Passion Week Responsoria was the third and last Lumen Valo release for Alba, before forming their own label.

Narrow-Minded Opinionism 2.

It’s like a cable series that improves at midpoint.

Narrow-Minded Opinionism 2.

It’s like a cable series that improves at midpoint.

Narrow-Minded Opinionism 1.

Programs where viols accompany singing may allow a few instrumentals to break up the prevailing routine. This superb 2010 disc does the opposite, with Julianne Baird on only eight of the 22 tracks and none of them overexposed.

Narrow-Minded Opinionism 1.

Programs where viols accompany singing may allow a few instrumentals to break up the prevailing routine. This superb 2010 disc does the opposite, with Julianne Baird on only eight of the 22 tracks and none of them overexposed.

Paul Bley’s singular Ballads

Reissues in Japan often exhibit a short life. This influential album hit CD 15 years ago, but only on the Japanese market, and will now appear there (briefly!) in SHM-CD attire.

Paul Bley’s singular Ballads

Reissues in Japan often exhibit a short life. This influential album hit CD 15 years ago, but only on the Japanese market, and will now appear there (briefly!) in SHM-CD attire.

Four Centuries Apart 4.

Get this disc by Josie and the Emeralds, an enterprising soprano and quartet of viols in Australia, for the two-thirds that’s new to us.

Four Centuries Apart 4.

Get this disc by Josie and the Emeralds, an enterprising soprano and quartet of viols in Australia, for the two-thirds that’s new to us.

Dowland’s Lachrimæ 1604: Update

Savall’s disc last appeared a decade ago in a five-CD Astrée brick called pieces for the viols.

Dowland’s Lachrimæ 1604: Update

Savall’s disc last appeared a decade ago in a five-CD Astrée brick called pieces for the viols.

Charlie Haden

Bassist Charlie Haden passed away in Los Angeles on July 11, 2014, aged 76.

Charlie Haden

Bassist Charlie Haden passed away in Los Angeles on July 11, 2014, aged 76.

James Erber’s The “Traces” Cycle

My entry into this rewarding series came via a scenario I always enjoy – a highly evolved structure is interrogated, at first through hesitations and “mistakes,” and eventually falls apart.

James Erber’s The “Traces” Cycle

My entry into this rewarding series came via a scenario I always enjoy – a highly evolved structure is interrogated, at first through hesitations and “mistakes,” and eventually falls apart.

Lying down with Stax phones 2.

Stephen Whittington’s title must refer to Satie’s musique d’ameublement and Eno’s Music for Airports, but he turns them inside out – an exploration of inner states.

Lying down with Stax phones 2.

Stephen Whittington’s title must refer to Satie’s musique d’ameublement and Eno’s Music for Airports, but he turns them inside out – an exploration of inner states.

Lying down with Stax phones 1.

“Already in bed, lying on my back and wearing headphones” is my standard listening mode, hence my interest.

Lying down with Stax phones 1.

“Already in bed, lying on my back and wearing headphones” is my standard listening mode, hence my interest.

Jürgen Jürgens’ Trauer-Ode

Another important reissue (out 6-25-13) involves Bach’s powerful Trauer-Ode.

Jürgen Jürgens’ Trauer-Ode

Another important reissue (out 6-25-13) involves Bach’s powerful Trauer-Ode.