Robert C. Gilbert
@listeningsessions1.bsky.social
Toronto-born and Oshawa-based music critic & record collector. Subscribe to my music newsletter on Substack: www.listeningsessions.ca. Looking for a writer? Email me at listeningsessions78@gmail.com
Heading off for another New York solo trip tomorrow morning - gearing up for it tonight with two of the great NYC albums.
October 25, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Heading off for another New York solo trip tomorrow morning - gearing up for it tonight with two of the great NYC albums.
Toasting Coltrane on his almost-centennial by digging deep into the collection for a 1959 session with three-fourths of the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Hank Jones in place of John Lewis. Sublime stuff!
September 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Toasting Coltrane on his almost-centennial by digging deep into the collection for a 1959 session with three-fourths of the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Hank Jones in place of John Lewis. Sublime stuff!
A Frank Sinatra recording that isn't talked about enough - a grandiose, semi-classical recital with some of Nelson Riddle's most rapturous writing for strings and two of Sinatra's most stunning moments on record - ‘Ol’ Man River’ and the epic ‘Soliloquy.'
September 19, 2025 at 12:49 AM
A Frank Sinatra recording that isn't talked about enough - a grandiose, semi-classical recital with some of Nelson Riddle's most rapturous writing for strings and two of Sinatra's most stunning moments on record - ‘Ol’ Man River’ and the epic ‘Soliloquy.'
One of my current musician obsessions: the experimental harpist Mary Lattimore.
July 7, 2025 at 11:42 PM
One of my current musician obsessions: the experimental harpist Mary Lattimore.
Keeping it cool on an awfully warm Sunday.
June 22, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Keeping it cool on an awfully warm Sunday.
Dug out this retrospective box set for the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boys to spin the first disc - a life-affirming ride charting the beginning of the remarkable ascent of Brian Wilson.
June 11, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Dug out this retrospective box set for the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boys to spin the first disc - a life-affirming ride charting the beginning of the remarkable ascent of Brian Wilson.
Enjoying an album by Bobby Scott, a great singer: smooth tone, hip phrasing and broad warmth.
June 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Enjoying an album by Bobby Scott, a great singer: smooth tone, hip phrasing and broad warmth.
Firing one of the discs, to pay homage to Sly Stone, from this blazing set of Sly & the Family Stone bringing the funk to New York in October 1968 at the Fillmore East.
June 9, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Firing one of the discs, to pay homage to Sly Stone, from this blazing set of Sly & the Family Stone bringing the funk to New York in October 1968 at the Fillmore East.
Some listening in preparation for going to see Paul Simon at Massey Hall tonight.
May 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Some listening in preparation for going to see Paul Simon at Massey Hall tonight.
Putting out another new-release round-up featuring 12 albums that I've enjoyed recently. One that didn't make the cut but is very good is jazz vocalist Mira Choquette's latest, ‘Hier Encore.’ Recommended! Here's a link to pick it up through Bandcamp: mirachoquette.bandcamp.com/album/hier-e...
May 19, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Putting out another new-release round-up featuring 12 albums that I've enjoyed recently. One that didn't make the cut but is very good is jazz vocalist Mira Choquette's latest, ‘Hier Encore.’ Recommended! Here's a link to pick it up through Bandcamp: mirachoquette.bandcamp.com/album/hier-e...
If you only get one of the four physical Strata-East reissues Mack Avenue has put out (here's hoping there are more), make it this one.
May 17, 2025 at 9:01 PM
If you only get one of the four physical Strata-East reissues Mack Avenue has put out (here's hoping there are more), make it this one.
Saluting Sammy Davis Jr. who passed away 34 years ago yesterday.
May 17, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Saluting Sammy Davis Jr. who passed away 34 years ago yesterday.
Reason #2,359 why Spotify hates artists - where exactly can I find any albums here or any music to play????
May 6, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Reason #2,359 why Spotify hates artists - where exactly can I find any albums here or any music to play????
Fans of hard bop, there's a great new recording I think you'll love. ‘Impact’ by the Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet has crisp ensemble playing, tight solos and easy simpatico. Highly recommended. Bandcamp link here: steveholtmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-st...
May 3, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Fans of hard bop, there's a great new recording I think you'll love. ‘Impact’ by the Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet has crisp ensemble playing, tight solos and easy simpatico. Highly recommended. Bandcamp link here: steveholtmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-st...
April 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Part of my listening last night. Writing about Eugene McDaniels and this album for my next essay. ‘Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse’ is full of grooves and idiosyncrasies (in a sense, McDaniels is the Frank Zappa or Captain Beefhart of soul music except he is wholly earnest).
April 16, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Part of my listening last night. Writing about Eugene McDaniels and this album for my next essay. ‘Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse’ is full of grooves and idiosyncrasies (in a sense, McDaniels is the Frank Zappa or Captain Beefhart of soul music except he is wholly earnest).
Incredible feature from last Sunday's New York Times on the 60th anniversary of ‘The Night of the Cookers’ featuring Freddie Hubbard (his solo on ‘Jodo’ may be his peak as a player - it's unreal) and Lee Morgan.
April 16, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Incredible feature from last Sunday's New York Times on the 60th anniversary of ‘The Night of the Cookers’ featuring Freddie Hubbard (his solo on ‘Jodo’ may be his peak as a player - it's unreal) and Lee Morgan.
April 5, 2025 at 12:20 AM
A big focus of my listening these days are these upcoming releases from Resonance Records (vinyl out for Record Store Day in Apr. 12 and CD and digital versions out on Apr. 18) which I am writing about for my next essay. All three are great - the Kenny Dorham is the crown jewel.
April 4, 2025 at 10:23 PM
A big focus of my listening these days are these upcoming releases from Resonance Records (vinyl out for Record Store Day in Apr. 12 and CD and digital versions out on Apr. 18) which I am writing about for my next essay. All three are great - the Kenny Dorham is the crown jewel.
Dropping a round-up of new music I have been enjoying tomorrow. Vexed about leaving off this gritty trio release by pianist Ariane Racicot - this one rocks! Bandcamp link here: arianeracicot.bandcamp.com/album/danser...
March 30, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Dropping a round-up of new music I have been enjoying tomorrow. Vexed about leaving off this gritty trio release by pianist Ariane Racicot - this one rocks! Bandcamp link here: arianeracicot.bandcamp.com/album/danser...
Finally got a copy of the latest volume of the Miles Davis Bootleg Series - digging in to one of the previously unreleased gigs in Antibes #nowplaying #np #jazz
March 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Finally got a copy of the latest volume of the Miles Davis Bootleg Series - digging in to one of the previously unreleased gigs in Antibes #nowplaying #np #jazz
Attention fans of 70s Miles or Jon Hassell or both - have I got an album for you! ‘Cosmic Cliffs,’ the debut by Whispering Winds with trumpeter Aaron Shragge. A deep, immersive listening experience. Coming out March 28 - Bandcamp link here: aaronshragge.bandcamp.com/album/cosmic...
March 25, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Attention fans of 70s Miles or Jon Hassell or both - have I got an album for you! ‘Cosmic Cliffs,’ the debut by Whispering Winds with trumpeter Aaron Shragge. A deep, immersive listening experience. Coming out March 28 - Bandcamp link here: aaronshragge.bandcamp.com/album/cosmic...
Pleased to have found two of the three volumes of Chicago blues Vanguard released in 1966 while crate-digging a few weeks ago. #nowspinning #np #vinyl
March 23, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Pleased to have found two of the three volumes of Chicago blues Vanguard released in 1966 while crate-digging a few weeks ago. #nowspinning #np #vinyl
First time listening to ‘Physical Graffiti’ - wow! #nowplaying #np
March 22, 2025 at 11:33 PM
First time listening to ‘Physical Graffiti’ - wow! #nowplaying #np
Loving this recording from DG's Original Sound Series. Normally, I don't go for audiophile stuff but this reissue sounds amazing - a transformative listening experience. #nowspinning #np #vinyl
March 22, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Loving this recording from DG's Original Sound Series. Normally, I don't go for audiophile stuff but this reissue sounds amazing - a transformative listening experience. #nowspinning #np #vinyl