Jazz for aficionados
Rok, when you heard Pee Wee Marquette on a record, you knew to get ready for some of the best jazz you had ever heard, and maybe that was the best "Jazz Messenger" group ever. One can never have too many "Dat Dare's" or "Nica's Dreams"; now we know why one can never have too many "Nica's Dreams". I'm sure you'll enjoy the music better than ever with your new Polk speakers. |
Here's an interesting group that combines jazz and classical music; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxdAHh8ir3g One of my favorites; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crCxefHCLJA Enjoy the music. |
Today, I eyed a file of open reel tape, and decided to give the "Technics" open reel deck a whirl. Since CD's and open reel tapes are derived from the same collection, (mine) you would think they would be quite similar, but they aren't. You see the tapes were made before CD's and consist almost exclusively of records. After going through the open reel ritual of cleaning heads and pinch rollers, I threaded a tape; "Extensions" by Ahmad Jamal. This album was released in 65, when his trio consisted of Jamil Nassar on bass, and Vernel Fournier on drums. I was told he went inside the piano, and plucked the strings on this one; I forgot who told me, but I can't seem to find anything to back that up. (A disadvantage of having a reel as opposed to an album cover) When you hear how advanced this music is, you won't believe it was released in 65. Here is "This Terrible Planet" from that album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fQiW0Ur89E I couldn't find "Extensions" from that album, the one on "you tube" is not the same; I guess you'll have to buy the album; here are the goods on that particular LP; http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/ahmad_jamal/extensions/ Here's another old record; Yusef Lateef blows more horns than you can count, check em all out on "Sister Mamie". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ycYPKijiMo Enjoy the music. |
Rok, 2 Track 1500 is exactly what I have. When I recorded LP's, they sounded smoother and quieter on playback; as a matter of fact, they sounded better all the way around. I know that's not supposed to be, and it's "illogical", but the dumb machine didn't take logic, and it doesn't know that's impossible; "Reel to Reel is king of the hill." Enjoy the music. |
Acman, and Rok, blank tape is the problem. If you know of a source of tape "maybe" it would be OK. Those machines have to be played on a regular basis, or they'll go bad. Before my machine was too old, I replaced all the transistors and capacitors; all in all, I can't say I recommend a new beginning in R2R. I started when a good R2R was the ultimate, now the computer can be raised to such a high degree of quality, that I see no reason for the R2R. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, when comparing Mary Lou, and Dorothy, you are side stepping a social issue that affected "all" African American artists at that time; they had to be "entertainers", even if they were serious musicians. This gave us "Mantan Moreland" and "Stepin Fetchit". In no way am I bringing Dorothy down to that level, I'm just expediting the discussion. Mary Lou never wavered in regard to whether or not she was a serious musician, and not an entertainer. Although Dorothy was as good a musician as Mary Lou, her standard of living, or should I say "making a living", was of a higher priority and she "entertained". No, I'm not bringing Dorothy down, I'm simply shining a light on the circumstances African Americans were confronted with in this country at that time. Do you care to address this? If not, I'll understand. Enjoy the music. |
OK folks, I'm doing something different this time, instead of listening before hand, and recommending, I'm going to use "Stereophile's" recommendations; and we can listen together. Ai Murakami Quartet; "Conception" is our first CD, with her as the leader. (don't ask me) They gave this 4 out of 5 stars on both sonics and performance, so it's got to be hot. Let's go for "Sweet Loraine" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAldOWTGjHo Now we're going to listen and review all these together. Next is Nate Radley; "Morphoses". Didn't find "Morphoses" on "you tube", this is the best I could do, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wue_zFaMTuQ Last, but not least is, Wadada Leo Smith; "The Great Lakes Suites", this one gets 5 out of 5 stars on performance and over 4 on sonics; you know it's got to be smokin. I saw a few familiar names, although that doesn't mean a whole lot to me. The bottom line is, it's been said that I'm not ready for "new music", maybe that's so; the question is, "are you ready for new jazz? We'll listen to these and see who is ready for what? BTW just got this out of the mailbox, these recommendations are fresh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEvR_xyTnDU Enjoy the music. |
"The Great Lakes Suites"; that sounds so majestic, who could resist? "Free / Avant Garde school of jazz"; I always fell for that, I have two stacks of records, half of which fall in that category, they are all destined for removal. I even went to live shows when that moniker was flashed; "Now that they're through tuning up, maybe they can play some music," was always my impression. Why don't I send your friend a donation, and let him keep his CD. I may be forever restricted to "old, new music"; it'll be new to me. Sometimes my old music sounds new, I seem to hear it better. The more new music I hear, the less I want to hear; it's like eating something disagreeable, that can ruin my appetite for days. Before I had that argument with Frogman about new music, I was constantly having it with myself; I'm glad that's settled, somebody else can pay for the "new noise". Now that I know there's so much old music I haven't heard, I don't have time for the new, and I'm sure those poverty driven estates can use the money. Since the original musicians never got paid what they were worth, their heirs can benefit. Enjoy the music |
Today I went back, way back, so far back that I didn't even know what jazz was; but I knew I liked the music whatever name they gave it. I went all the back to "King Pleasure". I can't even remember where I heard his music, it's for sure I didn't hear it on my record player because I didn't have one; maybe it was on the radio, or a juke box blaring out on to the sidewalk, since I was too young to go inside where the juke box was. Now that we have established it was a long time ago, let's hear a little of "King Pleasure's" music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2N8bVpRneQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK0Z4vqH5KM When I heard this, it made me feel real groovy and I was gone; I've been gone every since. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I never realized those jazz musicians we admire, could not have made a living without Europe and Japan. I knew about them going over there to escape racism here, but after that was no longer a major problem, I didn't realize they could not make a living without Europe and Japan even today. Have you ever sampled what passes for music on this forum? Even after stretching my mentality to it's limits and then some, I wonder how can they really like that stuff. When I was getting into the high end, and such places as "High end emporiums" existed, I spent so much time in these places that my wife thought I was seeing another women. I was at this one particular establishment so often, that one of the customers thought I worked there. He had selected all top of the line ARC electronics plus speakers to match, and asked me to help carry it out; since I had to pay my rent some kind of way, I obliged without calling on the establishment. I was most curious as to what kind of music he was listening to on all this top of the line equipment. Since he had a CD with him I asked if he would play it. After we loaded the trunk of his big Mercedes, I got all comfortable in the small auditioning theater, preparing myself for this exquisite music. Although I didn't know what to expect, I knew it was going to be grand. When he put on a CD of some kind of English Marches, I could have kicked myself for helping him load the trunk; you could play that stuff on a graphenola, and not miss anything. So much for matching the best equipment with the music. Enjoy the music. |
I like the second "Song For My Father" but I didn't like the first one; it had nothing to do with the music, but it was taken too far away from the original; that's my "idiosyncrasy"; singers should write their own lyrics or just go "scat" crazy and not have lyrics. That's a reverent song Silver wrote for his father, and all fathers, but other than that, it was OK. The second version is better. I will definitely have to get some more of Dee Dee, I liked her group. Lynne Arrial and her group was nice too, I liked them all; they put a new twist on an old song. Bobby reminded me of when I drug that cotton sack down dem long rows, ain't no shade in a cotton field. (I went to church on Sunday back then) I bought Dee Dee's tribute to Silver when it came out. Enjoy the music. |
I have an LP by Billy Bang titled "The Fire Within" that was inspired by books written by Carlos Casteneda. These were some really weird books that were supposed to be true; I found them very entertaining, but hardly believable. That sets you up for the music on this album, with William Parker on bass; it's definitely different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CQ2wtSACmA Enjoy the music. |
I was immersed in ancient Tibet when I got this album; the books I was reading must have been a hundred years old, that made it really come to life. These words are all about Tibetan beliefs and their kind of Buddhism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGKk4goM2Qk Enjoy the music. |
Rok, "Bird's Best Bop" is a must have CD; it contains cuts from the LP's I bought way back when I first started collecting records. The sidemen on each cut read like a who's who of jazz. It's been said that Bird's fingers moved so fast that you couldn't even see them when he was playing. Monk sounds better as a sideman with Bird than he does on his own records. A fledgling Miles can be heard trying to keep up. The cuts on this CD are so complete, there's no way I could pick out a best. Unfortunately it's not on "You tube", so I can't give you a sample, but since this should be in your collection, buy it if you ain't got it. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, when I don't respond to your post, it's because I don't have anything to say, good or bad, I'm not inspired; not because I didn't look and listen. I don't know how many times you've submitted Oscar Peterson and I didn't respond. This clip is good jazz jazz; but it sounds like the same music that I've heard so many times before, that it's boring; I've been listening to this music a lot longer than you. When more people were here, someone would respond; those "unnecessary" arguments seem to have ran some people off who haven't come back. I'm not in any way suggesting that you change anything in regard to your submissions, just because I don't respond; they may be someone else's cup of tea, just what they were looking for. In regard to posts on threads, all seem to come up short. Enjoy the music. |
"The least fatiguing "; Why does she affect me in that same fashion? It's because she plays the music and not the notes, she plays the music in between the notes. An example of that is on "Mack The Knife"; I've heard this song a zillion times, but never have I heard it sound so "musical" as when Mary Lou Williams played it; it was musical with a jazz foundation. Mary lou was a natural born musician; her mother would not let a music teacher get close to her daughter, said it would ruin her natural ability; she learned how to play by playing. As a child she played "chitlin struts" (never been to one) and rent parties. Every time she strikes a key, the sound rings out "Mary Lou Williams", her individuality is just that unique. Rok, I bet right now, you're having a hard time stopping to do anything else but listening to the CD's you recently acquired by Mary Lou; that's what I meant by going to "Mary Lou Ville", now you don't want to leave. Enjoy the music. |
Normally someone else would have responded to your post because we had more people responding; that's related to the not so clear "all threads seem to be coming up short", meaning that there seems to be fewer people responding on other threads as well. Many times when a thread loses people, they don't come back. I had that feeling when they were dragging me into all that totally unnecessary, never ending bickering, that we would lose people on this thread, and we did; maybe they'll come back. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, here are some blues with a different twist; this is where two great rivers meet, the Ganges and the Mississippi, down in a different kind of delta. Ry Cooder and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt join to bring us double delta blues, from Mississippi to Calcutta, including a smoking tabla that keeps an East Indian beat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2ygVcw4SCk Enjoy the music. |
Rok, your responses are what keeps me going. We gained some people who might have been from the other side of the world because they didn't speak English too well. People who were already on this forum would have agreed with Frogman, and Learsfool no matter what they said. Acman is the only person from here who's still with us, looks like he's going to stay. In regard to the people who were victimized, cheated, and disrespected, I think about them often; I saw Art Blakey in a dump, a low life joint, the reason I never mentioned it is because tears came to my eyes, I couldn't enjoy the set for wandering, "What's the great Art Blakey doing playing in a joint like this." That was in what is referred to as "The dark years". I'm glad you bring things like that into the conversation. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, Ali's music was traditional African music, it was unrelated to our blues in lineage, and the similarities in sound was a coincident. Music is the universal language when it comes to expressing emotions; while our words are different, when it comes to basic emotions, they have similarities in music from around the world, consequently we have "blue" sad music, that could be the same in Africa. Every since someone's trolley jumped the tracks in regard to all those far fetched relationships, you guys have been hearing things; next, someone will illustrate how chitlins are related to truffles. Enjoy the music. |
Acman, I found somebody new for you, she's from Beirut. I'm beginning to like that part of the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mJIKlQ6Rtc Here she is again in a laid back groove. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fggycBtZ6vM&list=PLVpKRoWtZhtfS5TcmFHE6AXzVgrHJ_udG Enjoy the music. |
Rok, we have made a significant "new" discovery. Although she has been around for quite some time, she's new to us in regard to her music; while if we had been on a quest for something new, as related to time, we would have discovered "zilch". This recent experience explains so much more when I compare it to life in general. Just as we are going backwards in music, life in general for the working man is going backwards. While those who can afford "yachts" are trading up, we are trading down. So much for economics. Now back to music; although Mary Lou was an extraordinarily gifted musician, she was a very common person who always thought of her brother and sister human beings, meaning she was not self centered. Her legacy includes the Mary Lou Williams Foundation, which she established shortly before her death. The foundation helps children and young adults learn about jazz. Enjoy the music. |
Rock, Africa imported many items to this country, here are some that many people want to forget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRKOIphnHXk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAVCBYNujTM |
Rok, since I don't have your e-mail address, we must have our feuds in public, and then go on. "Ebola" is no joking matter; I've heard of people blurting out things best unsaid, but not writing things best unsaid, because that takes time. While everyone knows about AIDS, not everyone knows about EBOLA; it delivers a death too horrifying to write about. What's even worse about this disease is that doctors and nurses contract it while trying to help the afflicted. I suggest you read a little more about it. Some things will have to change if I am to come back; classical, and popular music that can't fall into this ultra large arena we call "jazz", should not be submitted; this is a jazz forum. After saying all of this, my first musical submission might be arbitrary in regard to whether or not it's jazz, but there is no question of the fact that it's beautiful music. This also gives an indication of how big this arena is. Will post tomorrow. Enjoy the music. |
"Mike's Murder" is a movie about two very young guys who have not learned that one must have a job in order to earn a living, and they're trying to take short cuts. Charles pulls Mike in on a job transporting a large quantity of dope. That was simple enough, but Charles decided to steal a small amount thinking they wouldn't miss it. If these guys had ever watched "Miami Vice", they would have known that was a very bad idea. Not long after they stole this "small quantity" of dope, Mike's body was found in a clear plastic bag, and Charles had ran out of places to run. While "Moonlight" is hauntingly beautiful, this is the most sinister part of the movie. The moonlight is so bright you could read by it, and "They" are closing in on Charles in a deserted house; that's when he plays games with his mind and the moonlight, he knows his next breath might be his last. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjOT4NmNKrk&index=2&list=PL36827A04EF9DAF94 "Zemeo" is a fast paced number that fits into the plot; Charles is rapidly trying to make deals in order to save his life, and he's told "These people have to make a statement", nothing can save you now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovwkAnrTH4A Enjoy the music. |
Rok, although the music was better than the movie, I had a tennis partner named Mike, and playing tennis plus taking pictures was all Mike wanted to do, so me and my tennis partner could relate to that. I don't think a CD ever came out, the LP is all I have. Now that I have your e-mail I'll try and get back atcha in the AM. Enjoy the music. |
Learsfool, I'm glad you found the time to join us. That was a very good article, I liked the way it began with a comparison to life; "We speak and move spontaneously everyday with no real struggle". We improvise every day, (it's called living). After reading this article, I related it to my friend. Although he had been a professional musician almost all his life, he was a sideman with the greats we have talked about; not until he shook off all those shackles (playing this way, or that way) did he really come into his own. I saw the transformation, it's called faith; when a musician releases what's inside of him, that he didn't know existed, that's when the fantastic music flows. Of course this only comes after the musician has learned: tonality, harmony, song forms, time and rhythm, just to name some of the elements of music. I recently purchased some fantastic music that has a long story to go along with it. I first heard this music a long time ago, and didn't think much of it. Not until I saw the movie it was created for did the music hit me; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OKQdp6iGUk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjURPebrbrY This music penetrates into the depths of how much one person can love another. Enjoy the music. |
Learsfool, I am certainly not among that group; as a matter of fact, I thought classical sounded like noise until I heard it on a high end rig: Sota Star Saphire, Koetsu, ARC, and Theil speakers. Now I seem to like it best in movies (movie theaters have incredible sound systems) Here's one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGtN3lpI2f4 You can start this thread back up by submitting some of the best classical, or best jazz in horns. You never know who might drop back in. Enjoy the music. |
After doing nothing but complain about current jazz releases, I discovered something I like; it's relaxed and easy to listen to. While many current artists require the listener to work, "Harry Allen" makes no such demands; although he's only 48, his music is reminiscent of live sets I enjoyed at clubs many years ago, the city skyline on the album cover sets the stage perfectly. The title of the album is "For George, Cole, And Duke", and there isn't one weak cut; once you settle back, relax, and get in this groove, before you know it, the last cut will have played, and you've just gotten comfortable. Although I'm unfamiliar with the artists, I like the music, and that's all that matters. This is too precious a gem not to share with fellow "aficionados", that's why I'm posting this; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4M8a1z24RI Enjoy the music. |
Everything must change, the young become the old, and the old will soon depart; change is the only thing that's certain about life. If you want to know what's good about changes in jazz, look no farther than Cuba; the most scintillating "Afro jazz", as well as "jazz jazz" is emanating from that Island. There are so many subsets of jazz coming out of Cuba, that if you want to split hairs, you can spend all day "categorizing", I prefer to listen and enjoy all the many flavors of this music coming from Cuba. The word "Cuban", should be synonymous with "survivor"; no other people have gone through so many class, race, political differences and economic upheaval, but yet remained "United Cubans"; they make hypocrites out of the Brazil that claims to be the worlds melting pot. These videos I've chosen will attest to the diversity of Cubans in Cuba who live "harmoniously". I suppose almost all of these Cuban videos are good, but I chose these two because they present the rocky road of romance that leads to true love, and some smoking hot music plus dance; Cubans got rhythm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rHZXQnQ4rQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDtG84TjYck For those who desire "Afro Cuban" we have "Cachao"; that one name says more than I could ever say about Cuban jazz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXCD8VB-sb0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5QPq0oTlb0 Another name is "Chucho Valdez", he's leading "The Cuban Jazz Messengers" "Gonzalo Rubalcabo" is one of the more current jazz musicians that's going off in new directions; here's an example of him and other musicians going off in new directions, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8Fsipr-gHE "Mayra caridad valdez", that's a name I bet you never heard before; this gal cooks, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7dQasNgHbU I hope these videos entertain you as much as they have me. Enjoy the music. |
Acman, I always appreciate your contributions. Phil Woods is quite appropriate on this thread, and an extended discussion can be carried on. "Sonny Boy", now that's one of them god old deep in the Delta names, and this music exemplifies "Sonny Boy"; it's as authentic as a delta cotton field, a shotgun shack, or a juke joint. Judging from the album cover, Sonny Boy done caught "The Katy", moved up North and left that mule for somebody else to ride; this music is genuine Delta blues, I like it. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, here's something I found on the tube that I heard live more times than I can count. It brings back memories of some incredibly good times; he played it different every time, I can close my eyes, go back in time and hear it without scratches cleanly ringing in my ears. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuAQFFOuy3c Here's one of Eddie Harris's most interesting tunes, I was listening to both of these tunes about the same time; the style was Nehru jacket with a big gold medallion swinging from a chain around your neck, I know you remember. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wLSlaP8MOQ Enjoy the music. |
Rok, would this Eddie Fisher play the guitar in St. Louis, E. St. Louis, and Centerville-Illinois. If so that's the one. Although I saw him play, and it was decided by the majority that he could become rich and famous if he ever left Centerville, they could get him to leave only long enough to play a gig. As often as I saw him play, I never got acquainted; although I'm sure there are some who would want to know, "What's your story Morning Glory"? I never got the chance to talk to him and find out. Enjoy the music. |
Rok and Frogman, I'm sure you're both wrong about Cuba, it's not a third world country. While economically it looks like a third world country, the fact that it has an educational foundation plus unified people who have been around the block will make all the difference in the world going forward. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, I was unaware of government corruption in Cuba. I don't believe the kind of control the government exerts over the Chinese would be tolerated by the Cuban People; there is a limit, and if a united people say "NO", that's the limit. The government in China uses the military and the police to enforce their law. I'm not sure the police and military in Cuba would enforce unjust law. Another question is how does stuff that exploits the people become law? Cuban music will compete with what exists in Miami now, and Cuban Music will win. In regard to who is right, and who is wrong, only time will tell. |
Correction! I should never post early in the morning; although I read this post twice, I didn't see a glaring error, "One set of tracks for the music, and another set of tracks for the music", That should of course read "One set of tracks for the music, and another set of tracks for the social factors surrounding the music". |
