Jazz for aficionados

Frogman, in response to: Juilliard was in reference to a musical institute of higher learning. We could have substituted your favorite school, there was no "subterfuge" in my post, it was direct.

Those three clips I posted was honoring "Pepper Adams", and Rok made the statement that "Night in Tunisia" sounded better than the original, since I knew what he meant, I agreed.

Conservatory trained is an absolute asset; musicians that were not, would have, if they could have; gone to a conservatory.

Those musicians did a marvelous job of "imitating" the original; Ronnie Cuber did an especially good job of imitating Pepper Adams; but having the ability for the original improvisation is what counts. That clip was my mistake, it should have been Mingus and Pepper Adams.

A large photograph of Pepper Adams appears in Baroness Pannonica De Koenigswarter's book.  Commonly known as "Nica", she was a patron of jazz musicians of her era; that large photograph is a statement that speaks for itself.

Her book "Three Wishes", is a compilation of photographs of jazz legends, and their three wishes in life.

In response to your "encouragement", I have both feet plus body and soul in the past; "short timers" count every second, and I don't have any to waste.

Inna, that's the way it goes into the computer interface, and then into the computer. We went round and round, right here on the PC forum about which "interface" and they were discussing which "audiophile" card to use on Stereophile. In order to cut corners I modified an interface so heavily, I had to build a different case.

But that's the way to go, straight from the Phono output. It's for sure you got the right idea. Although the computer stuff didn't cost much (as audiophile equipment goes) there was a lot of need to know for that project, and I don't know where you can find it all.

The final outcome is just as good as the way you're talking, and it's so much more convenient, because you have a library for your reel.

Have fun.

nsp, I liked "Harvey's Tune" but it was way too short, just as I was getting into it, it was over.

We both share a love for "Soulful Strut"; I have so many memories of good times in "Bistros" with that song in the background.

On "Alberts Shuffle", I thought that was "Albert King"; my favorite blues man.

I remember when I thought the South Side of Chicago was heaven on earth.

Ghosthouse, I find jazz is about moods; Hank Crawford's soulful sax is sounding good today.

                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNLIl2yEfro

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2doxAtCfRnE


Enjoy the music.

Ghosthouse, when Miles Davis speaks of the blues, he's talking about one thing: when Rok is talking about the blues, it's something altogether different; this is what Rok is talking about; this is the "Delta Blues", from Mississippi.

"Nothing Personal" Frogman, I've said many times how fortunate we are to have your input on this thread, just because you and I don't always see eye to eye, doesn't mean I don't appreciate the insight into music that you give us.

While I don't speak, or always understand the learned language of a musician, I like having it around.


Enjoy the music.

Inna, I sometimes forget that I have a "Geek" who takes care of the computer stuff, because I don't know "squat" about computers. Since he told me there is no left and right channel inside a computer, I quit asking questions. Now when he sees I'm about to ask a question, he gets that look on his face that says "You wouldn't even understand after I told you".

Flamenco Persian is nice.


Enjoy the music.

A very good suggestion Frogman.

Ghosthouse, on this thread, there is no such thing as bad taste, there is no such thing as "objective" music; if you don't like, you don't like it, end of story.

I know exactly what you mean when you say "straight up jazz", I don't like it either when it's new guys blowing old jazz; that's because it's so "stereotypical", meaning these new guys are copying old guys licks, and I heard the licks when they were new; jazz licks are no good the second time around, their not like love.

There's nothing "objective" about jazz, this is not mathematics, 2+2=4, that's objective; beauty is in the eye of the beholder in jazz. I don't care who it is, when the guy blows "crap" according to my ears, I say so; while others will argue that XY musician is incapable of blowing crap, I beg to differ.

Ghosthouse, be true to thine own ears.


Enjoy the music.

Inna, you'll benefit from what I'm going to tell you whether you get a reel or not, but especially if you get a reel.

My set up goes out of the phono, into a highly modified interface. They didn't have "audiophile" interfaces then, but they do now. Out of the interface, into a Blaster Audigy 2Z 5 card on the computer, that's what you need to archive vinyl.  You can probably get a better card for your computer now.

It's a good idea to go on the PC forum for help; they understand that we're audiophiles, and don't know squat about computers, those guys are very helpful.

With your computer you can have a vinyl library, that will be identical in regard to quality as the way you were talking about doing it. That's the way people did it before computers; now, even the most finicky audiophiles are doing it this way because whether you get a reel or not, you still want a vinyl library in your computer. Those PC guys are experts, and they will help you.


Have fun.

Frogman, those are three incredibly beautiful albums. Naturally I have 2 out of 3 in my collection; Jim Hall was on the West Coast a lot, I've got him as a side man. Him and Chico Hamilton made a lot of music together.

Keep em coming.

Inna, my arrogant friend, in regard to computers, you are living in the stone age; when you get to "Bedrock" tell Wilma and Fred hello for me.

Your "tunnel vision" prevents you from seeing what's around you, it would be safer if you let someone else drive if that's necessary.

The less people know, the less they consider worthy of their attention, that's easily understandable.

On this thread, we discuss whatever we deem worthy of discussion. The fact that you only deemed one tiny genre of music worthy of your attention is indicative of tunnel vision.

Have a safe journey and, and may the force be with you.

Very good Rok; if you noticed, he contributed nothing worthy of our attention, but I still tried to be polite, which was something he didn't seem to appreciate.

That Ellington tune is quite appropriate.


Enjoy the music.

Frogman, that "stereotypical" was in reference to the "sax riffs" in so much of current jazz that is most certainly unoriginal, and I've heard it so many times before. Any time you say "Jazz", I can be certain of those same riffs; that's what I'm talking about.

I always over generalize to make my point.

Ghosthouse, laughter is good for the soul, I'm glad that I put some humor in your life; it was a great show.


Enjoy the music.

How about something downright weird; got to get my fix.


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwd-nWr_-70

On "Bird Gets the Worm" nobody can play that fast, and sound good at the same time. That was Miles Davis (trumpet), Duke Jordan (piano), Tommy Potter (bass) and Max Roach (drums), all of whom have a solo on this track.

Wes Montgomery appeals to a wide variety of people; I believe it's because he has such a warm and "mellow tone"; I compare it to gazing at the blaze in a fireplace while at the same time you can see the snow falling through the window.


Enjoy the music.

Rok, I started out with Hank in 63, but I see by his discography that I fell way behind. I'm going to correct that. From what I've heard from other musicians, he was a most likeable person. Here are the goods on him

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Crawford


Enjoy the music.

Rok, it's a lot of fun going into an excursion into one musician. On our Ahmad Jamal trip I got a lot of good new music. I was thinking about going into Hank Crawford. What say you?

If I made the mistake of assuming that the music was something I liked a lot, how could I not like the music.

In regard to how different Cuber sounded from "Pepper Adams", someone else will have to decide that, I'm not qualified.

Call it "improvising" or what you like, but when someone mistakes it for the original, I call it imitating.

So many jazz artists I've known were like "shooting stars", they came on brilliant and fast but didn't last. Although their very sketchy bios can be found in "Wikipedia", I don't have anything to add in regard to their personal life.

While they could do flat out unbelievable things on their instruments of choice, those things aren't recorded. While what is recorded is very good, it doesn't compare to what we fans witnessed live before they died.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sORyNSnnXMs


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sORyNSnnXMs


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXdqwiD5_fM


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNkag9AKgbA


They could make fire and smoke come out of an organ; if only they had lasted, you would have the opportunity to hear what I heard. What do you think about what I've presented?







         

Jimmy Smith certainly lasted. This has been presented before, but one more time wont hurt;


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP4LGEAfUEY

I really enjoyed your post Pryso. Just before I responded, I was going through old LP's denoting which were best to record. I concur with your entire post, that's because I'm enjoying these records now more than ever; it's because I can clearly hear and appreciate each sideman.

Good health is a tremendous blessing, spend time doing what you enjoy most; listening to the best music ever. I'll enjoy my evening even more after reading your post.

Pryso, I just made a new discovery while searching my LP's for something to download to hard drive; Gabor Szabo "Mizrab" is like new. All cuts are killer "according to my varied taste"


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJaAZ4z0_v4

Frogman, I don't consider Hank "Pop or smooth jazz" soulful jazz maybe, but definitely not pop or smooth jazz.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAxFv8UojKM


What would you call this?

Rok, I'm with you on Hank, that's why I suggested we investigate; all or none at all on this trip. Whose ready to go?

Stratehed, I really wish I could have been on any one of those sets.

A local musician by the name of Eddie Fisher could really jam, I went to see him at a place called Mothers every night he performed. Realizing he would have to go on the road and leave his superfox wife, in order to make a living as a jazz musician, he opted to stay in St. Louis, where a musician has to play "hill billy" or whatever the crowd wants, that's what he did. So I can really understand a jazz musician playing dis dat and the other thing.

Are you with us on this Hank Crawford journey?

I know exactly what you mean by not enough space.

For years, I went shopping with a friend who was always trying to save money. He alerted me to every record sale, and we went shopping. The problem with sales is that the temptation to buy "unknowns" is too great because the price is right. Most of the time I should have left the unknown remain unknown.

Not until recently did I discover I had accumulated records I never play because I recognize the duds on sight. Nobody likes to throw away records, but once I realized they were simply occupying space, I bit the bullet and found an empty trash can. (you may not have that problem)


Today was a good day, I have been enjoying the fruits of my labors; listening to the vinyl from the hard drive playback (can't tell it from dropping the needle in the groove, but I had a lot of help getting things this way) When getting up and down is no problem, I know dropping the needle in the groove is more fun, but under the circumstances, I don't miss it.

It's a real groove for me to listen to one killer after another without getting up.


I thought about that upgrade thing you mentioned; they are always a lot more work than you anticipated, plus, after all these years of "upgrading" our rigs sound pretty decent.

Enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Mary-jo, you have exquisite taste. Ecstasy was being in a living room with a number of people who appreciated that music, at about the time it came out. Nothing could be heard but the music; the "vibe" was tangible, we were all interconnected, it was magical.

It was a different world then; only those who experienced the magic of that time know what I'm talking about, but the magic was in Atlanta, it was in Chicago, it was in LA; it was all over.

Wonderful memories of people I knew at that time give me a warm feeling.

Here it is, everything you always wanted to know about "The International Sweethearts of Rhythm"
              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Sweethearts_of_Rhythm



Enjoy the music.

Frogman, that's a very interesting photograph on the cover of Fred Hersch's album.

I liked his improvisation on "Whisper Not"; it did two things at once, it retained the original, but gave us his beautiful interpretation at the same time.

I'll have to search for more of Fred Hersch.

The past gets better everyday;


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An7BEOSrZ30


            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoEYZFHwSOA

Alex, it's interesting how the cover of certain albums flash in my mind, when I see the title of the album. "Bean Bags" is such an album; I remember where I was when I bought it, and everything that was going on in my life at that time.

When an album affects me like that, I know it has some of the most outstanding music in my collection. Although it's been posted a number of times, it can stand one more. I even knew a Sandra at that time.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMgwWAaxQQ4


Enjoy the music

This is mystical; everyone is thinking Allen Toussaint;


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAjgXxF29WE


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3a3RxVTuNc


I think "The Bright Mississippi" is his best.

Tablejocky, I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sharing that find; not many of us left who can appreciate such a find, and to think they are still around.

Ages ago, I began replacing albums such as that one with the original, and still have LP's that have hardly been played, and that makes a big difference; I don't want to hear one scratch, it ruins the mood.

I wish you continued success in collecting those original LP's which are the best.


Enjoy the music.

Ghostehouse, there's nothing like looking at the music while it's being made.
That unit on "Cantaloupe Island", might be the the best group I've ever seen; they play as one, the music seems to emanate from one source, although Herbie's piano is the glue that holds it all together.

That DVD is worth it's weight in gold, I hope you treasure it as much as I do.


Enjoy the music.

Ghosthouse, he's from Chicago, but what they call Chicago Blues is the Delta Blues right on, so don't get confused.

Ok wise guy, what do you call "Sandra's Blues" with Bags and Bean, hence the LP Bean Bags?

Rok, when I was in the service, I developed a friendship with a guy who liked C & W in the extreme. We were sleeping in cubicles at that time, he was at the opposite end of the barracks, and whenever he wanted to converse, he would turn his most extreme C & W up as loud as he could, knowing that I was going to come running down to his cubicle, yelling "If you don't turn that *&^%$# down I'm going to throw you and that noise box out the window."

He got the biggest kick out of that, he just couldn't understand how anybody could not like his music.

Ray Charles could sing anything and I would like it.

Charles Brown sang the original, best, and the only version of that song for me.


Enjoy the music.

Rok, in regard to a life that's fading fast, it can not go too soon for me; the sooner the better.

I don't know why critics of Wynton say one thing and fans hear another; no critic of Wynton ever said he could not play the trumpet, no critic of Wynton ever said he couldn't play jazz; every critic of Wynton said the same thing, including me; he can not create jazz that sounds good, new, and original; he couldn't do that to save his soul.


Enjoy the music.

I liked the blues when I was in a "blues joint" that smelled like whisky wine and beer, with a lady who was crying on my shoulder cause her old man done left her.

In my young years there were more blues bands in St. Louis than you could shake a stick at.
Almost every weekend I saw Albert King, and there were other blues bands all over town; plus most of the blues bands presented came to St. Louis; it must have been between Mississippi and Chicago.

Even now, when I hear the the "Delta Blues" I smell whisky wine and beer.


Enjoy the music.

Alex, although most music is about the projection of what the artist "feels", the Blues is much more intense; it projects a way of life, as well as what the song is about. Anytime someone who has not lived that life tries to sing the blues, it comes across as what it is "imitation", because he can not supply the missing ingredient; the soul of a "Blues man" who has lived the life he's expressing.


Enjoy the music.

Tablejockey, before computers, I recorded my best LP's to reel, now I down load them to "hardrive". There is no loss in fidelity provided it's done right; it's not too difficult or too expensive, and that way you can listen to those precious LP's over and over without any damage.

Just wondering if you had done the same?

Time is a limited commodity in this hobby. One has to focus on how to best spend it for their maximum enjoyment.

Now that I have perfected the archiving process, each minute detail is presented, and I have to do everything all over again after I make any cartridge or analog upgrade. Presently I'm doing it all over again because I just crossed that significant barrier where you hear new music on old records; this was a result of new cartridge and phono pre. change, this is the last upgrade; it is another way to get a new collection, and it's quite rewarding.

Our hobby never ceases to amaze me in regard to how we take different routes to reach the same destination; although the process, or mode of transportation must be as enjoyable as the end result; I can see how rummaging through bins would give you a great deal of pleasure.

When I was in LA, there was so much good jazz on the tuner that you could live without anything else; not so where I live, but if it was, a tube tuner would be the way to go.


Enjoy the music.

Tablejockey, you should count yourself blessed to appreciate the music of "Billy Holiday"; not everyone can, she puts her heart and soul on display.

Some people THINK this music we love is "objectively good", but it's not; some hear it, and some don't. I understand this very well, and consider myself blessed to be able to hear the music.

Just as our rigs transform electricity into audio, those artists we idolize transform their life experiences into music; since sometime we have endured the same experiences, their music resonates with our soul; that makes the music that much more personal and enjoyable.

As far as I'm concerned, this has to be her best record, because it vibrates everything in me that can be resonated; every cut on this album is a short story that she tells so effectively. "Easy Livin" is livin with the one you love, and nothing can be easier; it's on this album.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX7TA3ezjHc&list=RDRX7TA3ezjHc



        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45YPO2FyXVI


I like this last one; all she cares about is that he came home in one piece "Skip that lipstick"


     



Enjoy the music.

Once upon a time I had to live where everything was happening, but now I live where you can hear the grass grow, and I like it.

I have tried streaming jazz stations online and enjoyed the wide variety.

When it comes to music, I'm mostly into "classic jazz"; although I've tried to venture out, I always come back, and there's a reason for that; you can't get any better than the best, and there are so many records and artists that fall into that category of "classic jazz" and at the same time, being the best, that it's impossible to get bored.

Here's one that caught my ear today;


            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt_fmhtePoc


My introduction to jazz began with this record; Harold Land blows so pretty on this cut, and the equipment has come a long way since that time, which means that with the right LP, it sounds even better today.



Enjoy the music.