What are your top five "outside the industry" music favorites? Diamanda Galás
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Maria Ewing’s performance of Salome on film
While bilious idiots like the writer Peter Davis blithely attack this performer, I see in her a great deal of risk-taking and a presence that is extraordinarily rare in any style of performance. Her radical power onstage must make him incontinent.
Renee Fleming’s recording of The Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss
Her impeccable legato in this difficult work is astonishing, and that alone is worthy of immortality.
Johnny Paycheck’s recording of “The Outlaw’s Prayer”
Truth-teller singing an outsider’s classic with anthemic country changes and verses from the jugular vein.
When I was performing in Barcelona 15 years ago someone played him for me and I stood on the rooftop aware that I had heard a voice from the Pantheon that I must never forget.
Arthur Brown’s recording of “Fire”
Twisted, haywire brother with a gorgeous voice and flamboyant writing. Always makes me think of what real rock ‘n’ roll was before scientology and anti-depressives were given to mediocre minds who should be depressed when they hear what they have to say.