Ghost Train Orchestra & Kronos Quartet: Songs & Symphonies (2LP)

Songs and Symphoniques: The Music of Moondog offers brilliant new interpretations of the music of Louis Hardin, aka Moondog, the blind composer who lived on the streets of Manhattan and became known as "the Viking of Sixth Avenue" in the 1960s due to his striking appearance. His beautiful and haunting music was an inspiration to Philip Glass and Steve Reich, who described him as "the godfather of minimalism". The project was conceived as a collaboration between the Brooklyn-based Ghost Train Orchestra and the legendary Kronos Quartet, and quickly expanded to include numerous guest vocalists - including Marissa Nadler, Joan Wasser (aka Joan As Police Woman), Pulp's Jarvis Cocker, acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and vocalist Petra Haden, known for her impressive a cappella work. Altogether, it's a stunning and talented line-up that digs deep to revive Moondog's uplifting message for a new generation.