Jazz for aficionados
"Smokey Robinson" was when "Mo-Town" made Detroit one of the top cities in the country, and I was there; it seemed that everybody had a new car, fine clothes, nice home, and lived good. Now I know what a "Grand-Poobah" is. let's make Thursday, any thing goes day. Mapman, with a headdress like that, there could be no doubt who "The Grand-Poobah" was. Enjoy the music. |
Art Pepper knew how important "The word on the street" is in jazz. So much so, that he overheard some "jive turkeys" bad mouthing him, and alleged reverse racism; what he didn't know is that the word on the street had given him his proper place in jazz as an alto sax man, and his record "Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section" confirmed that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Pepper_Meets_the_Rhythm_Section Jazz musicians are the most independent individuals I've ever met; Miles said something to Red Garland, that he shouldn't have said, and Red was gone, just like that. For better or worse, they live life like they see it, and don't have no "Boss Man" Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, would not have recorded with Art Pepper, if he wasn't qualified. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, Sun Ra had that same group together for some time, they even lived in a big house together; they were the people who put life into his insanity, and made it bearable. June Tyson was a vocalist and dancer who understood his insanity, and helped to make it real. (insanity is a bad word, but that's the only one that came to mind) Enjoy the music. |
I didn't know that Paul had a sense of humor, and he could really crack up the house once he got going. I read that just after listening to the album "Desmond Blue". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF0wolSozfM |
How about "Me and Mrs. Jones"; I didn't just listen to the songs of the 70's, I lived the songs of the 70's, and was it fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2v98PGBZH4 Enjoy the music. |
Like wine, jazz has it's better years, and 62 was most certainly one of them, and by one of the masters of that form of musical communication. "Jazz Jazz" was still in vogue in 62, consequently, that master's musical language reaches me on a deep internal level. Someone else with that same ability to communicate with me was "Ike Quebec" with his album "Heavy Soul", that was also released about the same time as Dexter's "Go!". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3zQXxTwugA&list=PLjSczc1oDTLB9mk9FD6ucHOQurfqRYePp Here we have the entire album; although not one weak cut, "Heavy Soul" is my favorite. Ike died in 63, which was at the same time "Heavy Soul" had become my favorite LP. I was told that the band members knew that Ike was terminal when they cut that album; you can hear it in the music, especially on Freddy Roach's organ, listen. To the club members: (Dave, you can become one if you like; it's because we have been communicating so long, that I refer to them as members) I've returned to focusing on this period in jazz because it gives me more enjoyment than any other period. Frogman, both Dexter and Stanley were boss. Enjoy the music. |
Some periods of time in jazz are the more fertile than others, and there will always be debate in which times they were. I recall times that stand out for me in different musicians lives; for example let's take Wes Montgomery; I liked him better before he became famous. When he had his trio in "Naptown", they played for themselves, and the fan club in his "hometown". One of the tunes is "Around Midnight"; Wes Montgomery Trio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Xozvcf0FA Enjoy this music. |
Did I ever tell yall about the time I was a "sideman"; I was a "sideman" at a musician's brother's party. We were at a small party, having a good time drinking fine liquor and enjoying good music, when the host suggested that we all had some kind of musical talent. (I know this story would sound better, if I said I was at a musicians party, but that ain't the way it happened) I can drink fine (free) liquor and enjoy good music all night long (at least I could at that time, which was a long time ago) but I can still enjoy good music, as long as it's not all night. Our host had a variety of very basic musical instruments hanging on the wall and laying around: a tambourine, bongos, harmonica, whistle, flute, plus others I don't remember. He gave me the whistle, my lady friend the tambourine, and passed around what was left to guests who wanted to participate, then he put a record with background music on the turntable, and gave us direction on what to play, and when. The music was a little rough in the beginning, but I got the feel of the rhythm from the drums and tambourine, and tooted my whistle like I imagined "Bird" or "Trane" would toot their horns. Once we got the feel from his direction, and the background music, we continued on after the record quit playing, and it began to sound like music. I simply felt the music others were playing, and made sounds that corresponded to what I felt, from the music they made; believe it or not, we made credible music. We had a lot of fun, and he proved his point that everybody has "some" musical talent. That made me think about "Sidemen"; they can sound ever so good, until they decide to make a record as leader. I had been listening to one of my favorite sidemen for years, and wondered when he was going to make a record as "Leader". Finally he made a record; I couldn't wait to get to the record store, it seemed like the car was going too slow, I wanted to fly. After I got the record back home, there was the anticipation of finally hearing a record where he was the leader. I hate to use the word "disappointed", but that's the only one I can find at the moment. My expectations were not quite met would be a better way to put it. This has been repeated many times down through the years; so much so, that I've come to the conclusion that there are sidemen, and there are leaders; if I had been a musician, I believe I would have been a sideman, not everybody is cut out to be "leader man". Enjoy the music. |
Rok, while I agree with your comments until you get to "Haden"; everything must change, or evolve, and jazz is no different, but when it changed, you remained the same. I changed, but in a different way, I liked Scotch then, and now I like orange jello. The problem we have, is one word, and that word is "jazz"; what if we agreed to call your music "Jazz", and Haden's music "Music Music" would that satisfy this debate. I like a lot of Charlie Hadens music, and when I listen, I do not have this raging debate as to whether or not it's jazz. While you like "jazz jazz", you also like a lot of music that's clearly "not jazz", so as we can see you like more than just "jazz", but you feel someone else has laid claim to the name of your favorite music, when in reality it's simply that music during one period of time in it's evolution. But you must realize that nobody wanted to changed your name as you went through an aging evolution; nobody wanted to change your name from "young Rok" to old Rok, or "Dwain" (God I hate that name). Imagine having to go through the rest of your life with that name because as you evolved, you couldn't keep your old name, and you had to be called "Dwain". Is a rose by any other name still a rose? I don't think I can get any "stupider" with this point, that doesn't have a point, but maybe everyone can get my drift; call it jazz or not jazz after the change, I still like some of Charlie Hadens music. |
Things ain't what they used to be, but the music is better than ever today. Charlie Haden, Hank Jones, and a photograph of that backwoods church, put tears in my eyes; simple God fearing people whose interests have never been considered from that day to this one, went to those churches. One day I'll be re-united with those good people. Grant Green feels the way I feel today; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SHdqD077yY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBTvy8As0cQ Enjoy the music. |
Rok, every thing is sliced up in time; when you look at rings on a sawed off tree trunk, that tells you it's best years. I'm of the impression our favorite jazz is related to our best years. I believe our declining love for music as it becomes more current is an indication of our age, more so than the quality of the music. Since we can not look at ourselves from the outside in, it's impossible for an individual to judge himself. Today has been the best in a long time in regard to "new" music from the same time era. It's quite apparent that so much "jazz" came out at one time, that we could not have even known about it, much less bought it. I've said time and again that our present knowledge of this music is a result of current PC communications; I know I'm really enjoying it, and a side benefit is friends you don't have to feed or buy liquor for. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, that was a fine contribution, and I enjoyed every last minute. Did you know there are those who can not distinguish between notes played very fast and "Bird's Best Bop"? When you told me, (and I knew you would) that you liked what you heard, I knew you were not one of those who can not distinguish between notes played very fast, and "Bird's Best Bop" "Bird's" patent on Bop is encoded in the music, and he took it to the grave with him. A lot of people think that playing jazzy notes real fast is "Be Bop", but it ain't. While I can clearly hear the difference, I can't explain it because I'm not a musician. I think it's been stated that if I learned something about music, I could explain such things. If that's what it takes, count me out; God created those who play music, and those who listen to the music they play; I know my place in the Universe, I'm a born listener. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, I've been gone all day, and your question is a brain breaker; especially in the in-depth way you want it answered. "Diz" played "Bop" after Bird passed; that alone would seem to nullify my statement, but I don't think so. Right now, I'm tired, but I wanted to post something to let you know that I'm not avoiding or evading my statement that Bird took his patent on Be-bop to the grave. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman I credited "Sun Ra" to Rok, when you're the one who submitted him, my apologies. You ain't seen nothing until you've seen a Sun Ra video; I keep hoping that one of them will make some kind of sense; June Tyson, and the other members of his crew worked so hard to make it happen, but it always fell short. If you ever want to escape your own logical senses, look at a Sun Ra video. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, Audio...WTF,,,,Although video will knock your mind out of socket, it's much better than any other other drugs. I think dope addicts should be forced to look at Sun Ra videos, and then they'll be spaced without drugs. Sun Ra; A Joyful Noise" is the video that shows the big house they live in, and gives a few performances of the crew; I found it entertaining. Enjoy the music. |
Aficionado's, I've got "Silver N' Percussion" release date 1978, which I think is OK; of course that's not a good recommendation for a Horace Silver Lp, but that's all it gets. As a result of 1978 being the apparent cut off date for the best LP's, I'm going to go back in time from that point and anyone who wants to suggest an album we'll review it together. Silver's Serenade is an album that doesn't ring a bell with me, so that's where I'll start. AllMusic Review by Thom Jurek Horace Silver's LP Silver's Serenade is a swan song; it was the final recording with his most famous quintet, which included drummer Roy Brooks, bassist Gene Taylor, saxophonist Junior Cook, and trumpeter Blue Mitchell. The band had made five previous recordings for the label, all of them successful. The program here is comprised of Silver compositions. The blowing is a meld of relaxed, soulful, and swinging hard bop, as evidenced in the title track. However, "Let's Get to the Nitty Gritty" has one of those beautiful winding heads, beginning so slowly and then jumping a notch in both tempo and intensity. By the time the tune gets to full steam, though there are short stops, the joint is swinging in blues -- check Mitchell's solo on this tune and how he keeps returning to Silver's theme as the root for his blowing. "Sweetie Sweetie Dee" moves from hard bop to funky bop. The dissonant chords that open "The Dragon Lady" have an Eastern tinge. The tune's head is spacious and breezy within a minute, and the tune begins to swing. Silver returns to those chords again and again as if to keep the players inside the mode he's created, letting them solo for only a bit at a time. The knotty turn-on-a-dime changes in "Nineteen Bars," the final track, are pure instrumental and compositional virtuosity. Cook's blowing on his solo is matched by Silver's comping, moving through octaves and key changes. The tune smokes from start to finish as the album comes to a close. This is another excellent recording by the greatest Silver quintet. The 2006 Rudy Van Gelder Edition features no bonus tracks, but sound fanatics will be pleased by the clarity and separation here. Aficionados can go to "you tube" for a test drive on these tracks, or write a review on any they are familiar with. Enjoy the music. |
Horace Silver Quintet; "The Dragon Lady"; this jam starts off to my liking; the beginning certainly fits the title. The Dragon Lady was a boss chic in the comic strip "Terry And The Pirates"; I know most of you are too young to remember that. I didn't care too much for "Terry And The Pirates" but I sure nuff dug The Dragon Lady; she was exotic, Oriental, and everything else that went with her name. I think this tune does a good job of depicting, "The Dragon Lady" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nE9u3VuwUM Enjoy the music. |
"Horace Silver", Hangin Loose; the piano definitely sounds like a cross between Horace Silver, and Bobby Timmons on some "Messengers" Album that I can't think of at the moment. "Clark Terry"; definitely has a sense of humor, sounds like he done had one too many; reminds me of some argument I've overheard before in a lounge; that was a good tune. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I remember "Psychedelic Sally", she was one hot mama, and could she dance, she twisted a hole in the floor. That rain dance reminds me of the time when I was in the Sonora Desert, and it had not rained since God knows when; it was so dry rattle snakes were crawling around with their tongues hanging out. Me and the Lakota Sioux were wandering what to do, when Horace, Stanley, and the rest of the cats pulled up in a long black Cadillac limousine; they started playing that there Rain Dance tune, that's when me and the rest of the Native Americans began doing our thing to the beat of the music, and before you know it, we had a thunderstorm. Enjoy the music. |
If any body is still wandering why I don't reveal my friends name, another reason is it would be pointless; it's not that he doesn't have good jazz recorded as a sideman, and as a leader, but that music doesn't compare to what he was playing when he was staying at my apartment that summer; not one single note of that music was recorded; makes me want to cry. Enjoy the music. |
Since nobody was posting, I spent a lot of time pursuing the Dragon Lady. https://www.google.com/search?q=dragon+lady+vietnam&espv=2&biw=1028&bih=635&tbm=isch... Check them out, they are all very interesting. Enjoy the music. |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Cape Verdean Blues is an album by the Horace Silver Quintet, led by jazz pianist Horace Silver. The quintet is joined on half of these tracks by trombonist J.J. Johnson, with whom Silver had been eager to work for some time. The album was inspired by Silver's father, John Tavares Silva, who was born in Cape Verde. Track listing All tracks by Horace Silver, unless otherwise noted. "The Cape Verdean Blues" - 4:59 "The African Queen" - 9:36 "Pretty Eyes" - 7:30 "Nutville" - 7:15 "Bonita" - 8:37 "Mo' Joe" (Joe Henderson) - 5:46 Recorded on October 1 (#1-3) and 22 (#4-6), 1965. "Cape Verdean Blues" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gt7QXwYpZo Enjoy the music. |
Alex, Donald Byrd has one of the longest records in jazz history of producing consistent high quality jazz albums; but even when he left the "jazz reservation" he was still producing high quality music. Such a long record makes it easy to overlook some of his best. I'm enjoying this "Paul Chambers" album big time; that's because I don't have it in my collection. Chambers perspective on this album takes me back to a more laid back time. My ability to go back in time, enables me to enjoy jazz much more than someone who can only hear through a present, 2016 perspective; someone who was not only alive at that time, but was quite active in listening to and collecting jazz, can surround themselves with scenes of the jazz nightclubs, and events at that time. Middle 50,s to 61, was the time John Wright's album "South Side Soul", depicts the south side of Chicago; and to this day, they honor him and his album, on a certain day in the summer; that's because all they have left of that place and time is his album; that's the power of music. When I go back to that time and place in Chicago, I enjoy the music that was created then, so much more. Enjoy the music. |
I just recieved a Grant Green CD, titled "His Majesty King Funk", and there is a picture of Grant Green that looks like the Grant Green I remember; anyway, this reads as follows: "Throughout the Seventies and Eighties, Grant Green had become the forgotten man of jazz guitar. Overshadowed by such virtuosos as, first, Wes Montgomery, and later George Benson, Green was reduced to performing pop material with mediocre groups at the time of his death in 1979. Some of his best recordings remained unissued until the Eighties, and were then only available in Japan in limited quanties." That explains a lot of things for me; I've got all of these boss CD's by Grant Green, now the question is "Why aren't they LP's"? That's the way so many other people that I have in my collection are, the point is, if these albums were made back when, why didn't I have them in my collection "back when". This also coincides with some clown on "Agon" that's been saying that Grant Green had albums that couldn't be released because they were substandard. That also goes a long way to explain his economic troubles. Right now, steam is coming out of both ears, so I'm not going to expand on the above paragraph; I'm going to put the CD in, and hear what it sounds like. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I was listening to Grant Green before Blue Note ever heard the name, and he never made no sub standard music then, why should he come to Blue Note and make sub-standard music? Besides, that's what somebody on "Agon" said Blue Note Said, in regard to sub-standard music. I've got all the factors, I've added, subtracted, multiplied, divided, taken the square root of the denominator, and the answer is; Grant got screwed, and that's all I got to say about that; next subject. Enjoy the music. |
Alex, I haven't heard the entire CD, only what you got posted, and I certainly don't regret I bought the CD. I bought some of Byrd's music thinking it was jazz way back then, and it was like someone turning up a bottle of wine, and tasting whisky; or someone turning up a bottle of whiskey, and tasting wine; either way, they would spit it out. I just ordered some of the same music that I took back, and I might order more. No it's not jazz, but I like it; that's because I can accept it for what it is; it's wine, and I wanted whiskey at that time, but now that I know it's wine, I think it's some pretty good wine; speaking of which, I think I will have a glass. If it was possible, I would offer you one too. Enjoy the music. |
It's been over 24 hours since I posted "Cape Verdeen Blues" by Mr. Horace Tavares Silver, and no one has posted in regard to that album. I'm going to assume that means the evaluation and review of Mr. Silver is concluded. It has come to my attention that we have only reviewed known jazz divas, and other well known divas of various genres, with the exclusion of one of my favorite female vocalists, Ms. Dusty Springfield; therefore I will post a couple of my favorite tunes by her; "Since I Fell For You" and "The Look Of Love"; she sings these tunes in a fashion that makes my heart cry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kYYEpIumCo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPkp-pCJYCc Enjoy the music. |
Qdrone, this is about Grant Greens music; it wasn't necessary for us to know about Grant Greens habit. orpheus10 2,793 posts 01-23-2011 10:51am Qdrone, could you name the stuff to avoid, I would like to buy it. qdrone 799 posts 01-23-2011 1:29pm Anything that says never released or only released in Japan. Or in box sets where you have newly discovered tracks (Mosiac has one or two sets with Green) I actualy posted for everyone to understand the times these recordings were made,heroin was problem among many musicians,I'm sorry that your so full of yourself that you thought i was just responding to you. Well now that Mr. Qdrone, has told you what records to avoid, maybe you can evaluate those records and get back to me, Mr. Frogman. Enjoy the music. |
"Some of his best recordings remained unissued until the Eighties, and were then only available in Japan in limited quanties." Frogman stated; Grant Green's "His Majesty King Funk" was, in fact, released the same year that it was recorded (on lp of course). This was the same time period that George Benson was making quite a name for himself with Brother Jack McDuff and his own "Cookbook". It's a good record and as Alex points out has some catchy tunes. The "Verve" cd release date had nothing to do with the "Blue Note" records. We were discussing the "release" of the "Blue Note" records, and because I quoted notes on that CD you say it's related. You stated the "Verve" CD was released in the same year; what's the connection? Acmans post The Grant Green Mosaic box set with Sonny Clark is one of the releases that mostly came from Japan. It is highly regarded. frogman 2,650 posts 04-17-2016 9:03am Well said, Acman3. If you agree with Acman, are you saying Grant Greens Mosaic box set should be well regarded, Frogman? or what are you saying? What did you mean when you made that statement? Qdrone, could you name the stuff to avoid, I would like to buy it. qdrone 799 posts 01-23-2011 1:29pm Anything that says never released or only released in Japan. Or in box sets where you have newly discovered tracks (Mosiac has one or two sets with Green) I actualy posted for everyone to understand the times these recordings were made,heroin was problem among many musicians,I'm sorry that your so full of yourself that you thought i was just responding to you. Since "Qdrone's post was directed at me personally, do you agree with his post? It's very difficult to follow where you're coming from, and what it is you're trying to say. Could you compact and simplify; meaning say where you're coming from in fewer words. Enjoy the music. |
Grant Green would have been better off if he had never left St. Louis. Blue Note came to St. Louis looking for Grant Green, he didn't go looking for Blue Note. He would not have become famous, but he might still be alive, and as well off as other St. Louis musicians. St. Louis takes care of it's musicians; but when they're destitute after being rich and famous, that's the last thing they want out. (once you become famous, people think you're rich) I can think of a musician who was rich and famous, but became destitute and in bad health. Naturally they wanted to keep it a secret. When word got out, not only did they get help with medical bills, but attorneys helped them recoup millions in royalities. All the St. Louis musicians who I know personally, live on the same economic scale as someone with a good job; they have a nice home and automobile, plus live good. When word gets out about a musician being destitute, (right now I'm thinking of local musicians) the first thing that happens is a "benefit"; any famous musicians have to show up, and perform for free. Rich patrons can't just donate $20; they have to contribute real money, because their names will be on a plaque with how much they donated. Every musician in St. Louis has to show up. If they're too old to perform, at least they were seen. For fans like me, it's the place to see, and be seen by people you haven't seen for ages. Everybody has a good time, and we all benefit. I'm glad Chuck Berry is still alive, he was always instrumental in benefits. Like I said in the beginning, no musician whose been famous wants anyone to know when they get destitute; a big mistake in St. Louis. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, I'm very happy that we are all on the same page, it makes listening to the music so much more enjoyable; we don't have to go from "salt water" to fresh water, and then back again, all my musical genes can remain in a constant state, in one remarkable period of time. That photograph of Thad Jones on the street could resemble Cottage Grove on the South Side of Chicago in the vicinity of the Pershing Lounge in 56, but I know it's New York because of the pigeons, they're only in downtown Chicago with the skyscrapers. The music is really in that time groove, and I can relate to it. The 1970 music is more in a Alvin Jones, John Coltrane groove; of course I'm speaking in very broad generalities; those two had a lot of influence on jazz, just as "Bird" had in the early 50's. No, I'm not taking anything away from the individualities of those artists, but how the music evolves. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I saw a movie based on "time travel", and that's when I realized that nothing, and I do mean "nothing" could be more foolish than to play games with "time"; in the first place, it doesn't exist; can you touch it? can you bottle it? what does it look like like? Everybody measures it, but what is it? The "only" thing certain about "it" is that when the "moving finger" done wrote, nothing it writes can be altered one iota. |
Believe it or not, I had no idea those guys were related; too much talent for one family. Although I have enjoyed music made by them individually down through the years, I still didn't know they were related. We're keeping the music in Rok's favorite time frame, and while it's for sure the artists are not new, this music is most certainly new to me, and I'm enjoying it; keep it going. |
