Doctor Atomic, by John Adams
The Metropolitan Opera, Alan Gilbert, conductor; Meredith Arwady, Sasha Cooke, Richard Paul Fink, Gerald Finley, Thomas Glenn & Eric Owens; Jay David Saks, producer (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; Metropolitan Opera Chorus) [Sony Classical]
This recording won for an Adams opera that premiered at San Francisco Opera two or three seasons ago. Adams lives in Berkeley.
Best Album Notes
Album: Hear Me Howling! Blues, Ballads & Beyond
As recorded by Chris Strachwitz in the 1960s. Adam Machado, album notes writer (Various Artists) [Arhoolie Records]
Chris Strachwitz runs El Cerrito's Arhoolie Records (a record label and publisher) and Down Home Records (record store at same location in El Cerrito featuring roots music). The album is a four-CD set with lots of music from Strachwitz's career (he's like a modern Alan Lomax) discovering and recording musicians from the world of blues, Tejano, jazz, and folk.