Explanatory note: Each artist was limited to one release to prevent multiple recordings by the prolific Seth Davis, Greg LaFollette, Hermon Mehari, Rich Tha Factor, RMW, Stik Figa and Drew Williams from dominating the rankings. Last year’s tabulation is here.

William Brownlee

September 1, 2025

August 2025 Recap: A Monthly Exercise in Critical Transparency

William Brownlee

September 1, 2025

Screenshot of the trailer for Národní divadlo Brno’s production of Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka by There Stands the Glass.

The Top Ten Albums of August 2025

1. Linda May Han Oh- Strange Heavens
My review.

2. Aruán Ortiz- Créole Renaissance
Créolité.

3. Emily D’Angelo, Ben Bliss, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Metropolitan Opera- Tesori: Grounded
My review.

4. Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling and Andreas Werliin- Ghosted III
Haunting.

5. Pino Palladino and Blake Mills- That Wasn’t a Dream
Too good to be true.

6. Sara Ruiz- Telemann: Fantaisies Pour La Basse de Violle
Viola da gamba.

7. Endlings- Parallel 03
End times soundtrack from Raven Chacon and John Dieterich.

8. The Good Ones- Rwanda Sings with Strings
Rapturous.

9. Miguel Zenón Quartet- Vanguardia Subterránea
Basement tapes.

10. Deftones- private music
Public record.

The Top Three Reissues, Reimaginings and Compilations of August 2025

1. Woody Guthrie- Woody at Home, Vol. 1 + 2
My review.

2. Anat Fort- The Dreamworld of Paul Motian
My review.

3. Antone’s 50th Allstars: 50 Years of the Blues
Tough Texas blues.

The Top Ten Songs of August 2025

1. Cécile McLorin Salvant- “What does blue mean to you?”
All blues.

2. Gabriel Jacoby- "Be Careful"
Voodoo.

3. Earl Sweatshirt- "Gamma"
Everybody loves the sunshine.

4. Patricia Brennan- "Antlia"
Lost in the stars.

5. Sam Gendel- "Stair 1"
Spiral.

6. Chance the Rapper featuring Jamila Woods- "No More Old Men"
Wisdom of the ages.

7. Carin León and Kacey Musgraves- "Lost in Translation"
Cómo se dice “fun”?

8. Margo Price and Tyler Childers- "Love Me Like You Used To"
A la Loretta and Conway.

9. Rodney Crowell- “Maybe Somewhere Down the Road”
Perspective.

10. Brad Mehldau- “The White Lady Loves You More”
Elliott Smith as chamber music composer.

The Top Ten Performances of August 2025

1. Horsegirl, Sweeping Promises and Godcaster at the Bottleneck
My review.

2. Seth Davis, Jeffrey Goulet, Alexander Adams, Shanté Clair and Krista Kopper at Grand Avenue Temple
My Instagram clip and snapshot.

3. Lil Wayne and Tyga at T-Mobile Center
My review.

4. Ann Pham, Sherry Dou and Ann Marie Rigler at the 13th Annual French Organ Music Festival at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
My Instagram snapshot.

5. Aaron Sizemore, DeAndre Manning and Brian Steever at the Music House
My Instagram clip.

6. Adam Galblum and Eddie Moore at the Market at Meadowbrook
My Instagram snapshot.

7. Bobby Watson at Jay McShann Pavilion
My Instagram clip.

8. Kitty Degler and Robert Pherigo at All Souls Unitarian Church
My Instagram snapshot.

9. Mike Bourne & KC Boogie at Black Dolphin
My Instagram snapshot.

10. Moon City Big Band at Franklin Park
My Instagram clip.

The previous monthly recap is here.

William Brownlee

August 27, 2025

Album Review: Emily D’Angelo, Ben Bliss, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Metropolitan Opera- Tesori: Grounded

William Brownlee

August 27, 2025

Emily D’Angelo dominates "Grounded". Jeanine Tesori wrote the opera with the mezzo-soprano in mind. The opera is incredibly potent, but it’s impossible to imagine “Grounded” without D’Angelo in the role of fighter pilot and drone operator Jess.

Five months after watching a broadcast of “Grounded” on PBS, D’Angelo’s star turn still has me reeling. The live recording of “Grounded” released by Deutsche Gramophon on August 22 offers a much different experience. Severed from D’Angelo’s magnetism and the dazzling stage production, the compositional strength of the opera is more apparent.

And in a significant development for proponents of all things Kansas City, local product Ben Bliss shines as Jess’ romantic partner Eric. He soars in arias including "I Didn't See You Coming". Moreover, I didn’t see the monumental performances of D’Angelo and Bliss coming.

William Brownlee

March 18, 2024

Opera Review: Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s Roméo et Juliette at Muriel Kauffman Theatre

William Brownlee

March 18, 2024

Original image by There Stands the Glass.

The last vestiges of skepticism left my mind during the fourth act of Charles Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” on Sunday, March 17. Only then was I willing to acknowledge that I was taking in a very good production.

Even from my $39 seat in the back row of Muriel Kauffman Theatre I was moved by the chemistry between Ben Bliss and Andriana Chuchman. Most of the voices successfully traversed the vast space between the stage and my remote location.

Compelling visuals were complemented by conspicuous direction that allowed me to track the action without opera glasses. And The Kansas City Symphony sounded more than serviceable.

I’ve misspent my time and money on a few disappointing nights with Lyric Opera of Kansas City. It may not have been particularly fashionable or fresh, but the production of “Roméo et Juliette” was grand opera done right.

William Brownlee

February 11, 2023

Radio Operator: Inside the Making of an Audio Feature

William Brownlee

February 11, 2023

Original image of Barnaby Bright by There Stands the Glass.

My work with KCUR resumed with a feature about the Folk Alliance International Conference told through the perspective of the locally based band Barnaby Bright. A few additional details and insights related to the construction of the story follow.

*The text and the audio components of the feature are distinct items. I encourage you to consume both elements.

*The principal characters in the story were uncommonly accommodating. They’re lovely people.

*Longtime readers of There Stands the Glass understand that I’m not particularly fond of pop-tinged folk. Yet I can’t get Barnaby Bright’s hook-laden songs out of my head.

*Fun bit of trivia: the notable operatic tenor Ben Bliss is the brother of Barnaby Bright’s Becky Bliss.

*I hadn’t previously realized that Barnaby Bright’s Nathan Bliss is an astounding musician.

*More bands would benefit from the addition of harmoniums.

*Carlos Moreno’s excellent images compensate for my incompetence as a photographer.

*Partly because I was required to self-isolate this week due to illness, KCUR editor Luke Martin did almost all of the heavy lifting.