Jazz for aficionados

Frogman, I saw that movie "The Americano" on you tube and watched it all the way through; I liked it. Although I remember my older cousin taking me to see that movie, all I remembered was the music.

Enjoy the music.

leersfool, as a jazz aficionado, it's only natural that I think jazz musicians are the best; I said "musicians", and not music, because that's too subjective. The best music is whatever the listener likes best.

However, there is another type of musician that deserves equal or higher status depending on how you rank musicians; and that is the "pit musician". I had the unusual, and unique opportunity of seeing one in action. They only appear at the best full production plays, as far as I know, and even then they're down in a sunken pit right in front of the stage; consequently the audience looks over and past them, they're out of sight.

My seat was up front and far left of the stage where I could look down into the pit. I saw these musicians seated in a row, side by side. Each musician had several instruments, of whatever type he played, in a rack; plus his sheet of music, in front of him. I was closest to "the reed man", he had every reed horn you can think of, including that strange one called a basoon in a rack in front of him.

Although it was a fantastic play (I had read the book), my attention was focused on "the reed man". His eyes never left the the sheet of music in front of him as he slid one horn out of the rack, and another in. While the music was spectacular, this was a dramatic play, and not a musical. The music flowed seamlessly with the action on stage, while the pit musicians were constantly changing instruments and sheets of music.

When what sounded like improvised jazz was called for, I watched the reed man blow like "Trane", and his eyes never left the music in front of him. If I closed my eyes, I would have sworn that I was hearing a jazz musician, maybe even "Trane"; but I could see the reed man blowing what was on the piece of paper in front of him. That told me that what sounds like "improvised jazz" can be written on a sheet of paper, I didn't know that.

Now that you and Frogman know what I saw, maybe you could further enlighten us.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, while we're waiting for Frogman to expound on "studio players" or "pit musicians", as I referred to them; I'll explain how I have pristine sound in every room that I want it, generated from the play list on my computer.

I don't remember what sound cards I use, but I'm sure you've already taken care of that. let's begin with computer out to HRT Music Streamer II to Intelix Audio Balun, Max distance 2,500 ft, out to Cat 6 cable the distance of the house. This is fed to a balun at the receiving end, and interconnect to preamp. The "baluns" are available from "Parts Express", $55., and Cat 6 can be purchased cheaply in your desired length. 2 ft. of your favorite interconnect completes this pristine signal to the pre, and it's as good as a signal 2 ft. from the pre.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, send me a bottle with a note in it, anything to let me know you're OK.

All good things must come to an end, and so it is with this thread. Without the Rok's input it's dead. I've had fun and I thank every one for their input.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, like Lazarus, has returned from the dead, hallelujah! Why don't we pick up where Leersfool left off, and then go into your reviews? Glad you're back!

Enjoy the music.

Rok, Frogman is the only person who can respond to the post about "Reedmen". I went to Freddie Hubbard on "youtube", good straight ahead jazz. That group on "Ready For Freddie" was really tight. I'm eagerly awaiting your reviews.

Enjoy the music.

Leersfool, here's a must have for your collection, Dorothy Ashby, "Invitation".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCNIapijh8w

Enjoy the music.

Acman3, thank you for pointing out Cedar Walton. Like so many musicians I have in my collection, his name didn't just instantly pop up, but after examining his "discography", I discovered he's very well represented in my collection, and now I'll listen exclusively for his piano.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, here's another interesting version of "Round Midnight" with Chic Corea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shWrMVSj_hk

Enjoy the music.

I've been following Bobby every since I discovered he was an accomplished musician who uses his instrument, the same as any horn player; his instrument, which is his voice, is even more versatile than a horn. The soundtrack from the movie "Round Midnight" is another good display of Bobby McFerrins versatility.

Enjoy the music.

I was listening to June Christy "Something Cool", and it hit me just how sad that song was; but before you can realize this, you must first picture the setting. It was at a time when people didn't have A/C at home, and the only places to cool off were at a lounge, or movie theater.

This attractive young lady just casually left home to pop into a lounge and cool off. She sat next to a young man who bought her a drink, as was the custom then; that's when she began running down her life story in order to impress him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn8EtaxGJP0

Something Cool Lyrics

Something cool,
Something cool,
Something cool,
I'd like to order something cool!

Something cool, (something cool)
I'd like to order something cool, (something cool)
It's so warm here in town,
And the heat gets me down,
Yes, I'd like something cool! (something cool)

My! It's nice to simply sit and rest awhile,
Now I know it's a shame,
I can't think of your name,
I remember your smile!

I don't ordinarily drink with strangers,
I most usually drink alone.
You were so awfully nice to me,
And I'm so terribly far from home.

Like my dress? I must confess it's terribly old,
But it's simple and neat,
It's just right for the heat,
Save my furs for the cold!

A cigarette? Well I don't smoke them as a rule,
but I'll have one,
It might be fun
With something cool!

I'll bet you couldn't imagine
That I one time had a house
With so many rooms I couldn't count them all!
I'll bet you couldn't imagine
I had fifteen different beaus
Who would beg and beg to take me to a ball.

I'll bet you couldn't picture me
The time I went to Paris in the Fall,
And who would think the man I loved was quite so handsome,
Quite so tall?

Well it's true, (something cool)
It's just a memory I have, (something cool)
One I almost forgot
'Cause the weather's so hot!
And I'm feeling so bad (something cool)
About a date,
Oh wait!
I'm such a fool!
He's just a guy
Who's stopped to buy
Me something cool!

It's really a beautiful song until it get's to the end, that's when you realize how sad it is.

Next is another lady I like late at night, "Chris Conners". Her version's of "All About Ronnie" is my favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13T2SiP6qRA

Enjoy the music.

Rok, this is a diamond in the rough. It illustrates how fast Mingus learned because it's a long way from the polished diamond which is "Mingus Ah Um". He quickly discovered that he needed tailor made musicians, those are the ones who could hear and play his music which was so radically different at that time. He tailor made Dannie Richmond's drums to fit his music, because a traditional time keeping drummer couldn't work with such radically quick shifting times.

Now, I'm going to get back in another groove with one of my favorite female vocalist, Miriam Makeba. When she was young, like here, her voice just exhilarated me. I definitely don't have enough Miriam Makeba.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oztzZu5zPzs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4dT7l7sWVg

This was when all the best female vocalists were in fine form, including the sexy Brazilians, and Miriam Makeba still stood out; she was "electrifying", and my body resonated in harmonic sympathy with the sound of her voice.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, when I was in El. A. In the early 70's, there was incredible jazz in lounges everywhere. While Zoot Sims was famous, most of the musicians I saw were unknown, but could jam as well as the best in our collections. From what I could surmise, they didn't want to go on the road and leave El. A.; besides, they were making a good living.

Although Zoot has better music, it's not on video, and this lounge gives you the feel of El. A. at that time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1eqs3-5_A0

Here's the real deal, back in the groove.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEFaBKok1jg

Enjoy the music.

Zoot Coltrane! I'm still laughing! Jutta Hipp is a name I remember, and I don't know where from. Between Horace Silver and Bobby Timmons, there's no way I would make a choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuM75h_vRC0

This is what I found on "you tube", but I still don't know where I remember the name from. Back in the day, we would go from one pad to the next, spinning albums, consequently I've heard many albums I can't remember.

Enjoy the music.

I enjoyed half of your change, the first half; that's Aretha's song. I really liked the way they dressed. Too many people look like "bums" wherever you go now. This is just the kind of change I was thinking about, but a little more in the jazz vein. Do you remember Eddie Jefferson, and King Pleasure, I was thinking about them.

Enjoy the music.

Here's something to stir your soul, this is my favorite trombone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aeVlQtsaFE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKkKqrgquAw

Enjoy the music.

For me, it's a pleasant nostalgic album, and from what I remember, it was far more impressive to my friend who bought it; some people are more in tune to Miles music than others.

Lovely pictures of sweet memories flowed past in my mind like a movie of better times that I would like to relive when I heard the sweet sound of Miles horn, and I found the nostalgic aspect of this album to outweigh all others. In regard to the best ever, "I don't think so". That would be a different album every night for a week, depending on my mood.

"Otherwise Coltane's solos would be longer than the entire CD;" try 45 minutes of "My Favorite Things" live. McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and the bass man were trying to keep it together, while Trane went out into the nether regions.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, there's nothing like a live organ, and I say "live" because not even the best rigs can duplicate the "howls and squeals" a Wild man on organ can generate.

I've found the best examples I could find of "wild men", but they come up way short. Although these are the same organ players I heard "live", there is no way to duplicate what I heard. These guys could exhilarate, and mesmerize a crowd of people like you wouldn't believe. I know, because I was one of the "mesmerizees", and I can testify to that fact.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK3lNoHrkLc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vILXAc_eO0

Enjoy the music.

Jimmy Smith, "Walking On The Wildside"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy8dZEpEYrA

Here's Jimmy live in 65.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gobKu4UlxSA

Enjoy the music.

This is the original "Killer Joe". As always, there are beautiful memories attached to my favorite tunes. This tune reminds me of a time when onions smelled like the finest French Perfume, but that's a long story; nevertheless, we played this tune over, and over, it's just too short.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u23Etcb-L9M

Mox Nix was on the same jukebox.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns5m-OleLVI

Enjoy the music.

Leersfool, here's a composer we could get into for weeks, and never get bored. I'm sure you're familiar with "Lalo Schifrin", he's best known for his TV and film scores, like "Mission Impossible" and "Bullitt". Here are a couple from the album "Black Widow".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHNINWAIx4Q


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKx15uDqtd4

Enjoy the music.

Rok, that was too cold for words, What do you know about E. St. Louis, skip that question; but maybe that explains why his music about E. St. Louis was equally depressing.

Ry is a world musician in the real sense of the word, although his name makes me think of "The Dukes Of Hazzard", and I don't know why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qogVHlmFcx0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDA708XlFIo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJmZtn8vmt8

Is this a change of pace, or what?

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, I'm glad you're back; you left us hanging in the air for the longest. As you can tell by my last post, I had ran out of things to talk about; I hope you found it humerus.

The "doubler" I saw was truly incredible, Leersfool referred to him as a "sight reader". Since he was most certainly both, there's no conflict. His skills were beyond my comprehension; if I hadn't seen it I would not have believed it; but a long time ago, an older jazz aficionado who had been everywhere and done everything told me that "pit musicians" were the greatest of them all, now I can believe that.

Thanks for your enlightening contribution.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, you're always good for a laugh, and I always need one. "Spike Jones Tailor", I like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PPC5_nnFgY

This is what I saw on "youtube", I'll have to get it.

Enjoy the music.

Leersfool, I have a good idea of everybody's favorite music except yours. Since I want to put the spotlight on "Lalo Schifrin", I would like for you to find your favorite music by this artist. Take your time, he has music in almost every genre.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, it's amazing how much we agree; I just got a HD Download of the MJQ, to replace a scratched 2 LP set, and even that didn't help. Milt Jackson "Bags" on the other hand can do no wrong, I think you've identified the problem.

"On Green Dolphin Street" is also one of my favorite tunes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbHCrFvzwG0

Enjoy the music.

Here's Benny Green from the album "Glidin Along", I can not believe I don't have this. That problem will be solved, and thanks for the heads up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7qjE0DYc-k

Enjoy the music.

Rok, thank God Amazon has discovered jazz is a goldmine; the very best "West Coast Jazz" was on movie sound tracks from the 50's, and now Amazon is bringing them back.

I was on Lackland AFB in basic training at that time, and since we couldn't get off base, our only form of entertainment was the movie theater; especially on Sundays. Jazz aficionados discovered there were some real hip sound tracks attached to some of the most "God awful" bad movies, and when word got around, that's where we went. Can you imagine us poppin our fingers and boppin to the music, while making fun of a movie so bad that it could have been a comedy. Although I don't remember any of those movies, I'm still trolling hoping something will jog my memory. In the meantime I've substituted some very good movies with sound tracks that project the best "West Coast" jazz you ever want to hear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Ne0Ig9lDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWyec7XoASU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My3HPXXoZCA&list=PLAv5cGjUUPodt4exDFPQk_WByIAc31lQo&index=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwUdfyd77uo&list=PLAv5cGjUUPodt4exDFPQk_WByIAc31lQo

This last song was from the play "Raisen" that I saw with the pit musicians. As moving as this is by Miriam Makeba, the one from the play was even more moving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2gWrlmmh2g

This is the one from the play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf4nM04dv2w

Enjoy the music.

Leersfool, thanks for the info on your last post.

Enjoy the music.

Leersfool, now that I know what you like, I believe I can help expand your jazz collection. Here's Benny Green on trombone, tell me what you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2i-vAINqUg

Enjoy the music.

Leersfool, Chuck Mangione is nice on fluglehorn, here he is on "Children of Sanchez".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBtxGiqqPTA

Here's Herb Alpert "Rise", it's a hot number.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vltC-O7PDYQ

Dakota Staton is a female vocalist we haven't touched on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INhj10CiCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am2oKRJdGwU&list=PL1AFA363FFD6C4752

Gloria Lynne is another female vocalist I like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkecwh4wJac

There are plenty more where those came from; once we get on the right track your jazz collection will be larger than mine. Give these a serious listen and give me a lot of feedback.

Enjoy the music.

I was listening to bird with strings and it sounds just as new and fresh as it did the day he recorded it.

I have a story to tell you about that music. This was at a time before everyone had AC, and the screen door was the only thing that separated them from the outside world when it was hot. Every time I passed this one house, I heard music that I had never heard before, "anywhere". That house was between our house and the candy store. On my way to get candy (I was nine at the time) I "accidentally" dropped a dime in grass in front of that house; this meant I had to get down on my hands and knees to look for it, that gave me more time to hear this beautiful music coming through that screen door.

Over 10 years later, I bought "Bird With Strings", and I had the feeling that I'd heard this music before. Each time I played "Bird With Strings" I was certain I heard it before, but I couldn't place where. Many years later, in a conversation about the people who lived in that house, did I put Birds music, and dropping that dime together. They liked jazz, and it was rumored, they even smoked pot.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, now I know why that's been one of my favorite tunes since I can remember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlmMzUMCIIg

Enjoy the music.

I decided to put this CD "Bird With Strings" on before waging war; but the most beautiful alto sax riff I've ever heard, or ever will hear on "Just Friends" took me out of the fightin mode. Bird is somewhere riffing on a cloud as I'm listening to his most beautiful music.

"Summertime" just took my breath away, I could feel the intense heat of a cotton field; "Bet you don't know nothing about that". How he can riff and still maintain the beautiful melodies of these standards is one of the wonders of the music world.

"Laura", hauntingly beautiful Laura; was a lady so fascinating that men fell madly in love with her portrait. Only "Bird" could capture the mystique of her beauty in his music.

Although I've heard the lyrics to these standards many times, no one can capture the romance that is the essence of this music like Bird; his music can tell the stories behind this music better than any words ever could. This music never gets old "Long live the Bird".

Enjoy the music.

Having been born in the state with the worlds hottest cotton fields, maybe you would know a little bit, like "There ain't no shade in a cotton field".

After this "Bird" fiasco, I hate to admit it was your fault that I'm back into this "old" jazz in the first place; but since there's no new jazz that suits my taste, I might as well be here as any place else.

Just keep on reviewing, eventually we'll strike a "harmonic chord".

Enjoy the music.

Here's where jazz meets the Mississippi cotton fields.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaZnCuMn1hA

How about the real deal?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHpkYI5_FY

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, you brought up a very interesting point; as long as that LP has been in my collection, I didn't know who was on sax. While each time I heard it, I was quite impressed by the sax, I never bothered to find out who he was. Now that my entire vinyl collection has been transposed to computer, and I can never find an LP in order to discover the personnel, I'm really lost; but that tenor sax belonged to Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, so "Google" told me.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, that "Summertime" was so awesome I played it twice, and I'm still sweating, no AC at that time.

"Song For My Father" is one of my favorites by Horace. In regard to the east, here's something that leaves no doubt. "Calcutta Cutie"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LM9opF6kOw

Enjoy the music.

Acman3, she is without a doubt the most expressive artist I've ever seen. Hiromi puts body and soul, with the emphasis on "body" into her very artistic performance.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, the very first time I heard "Ode To Billy Joe", I was crossing a bridge going into Hattiesburg, MS, in my brand new "deuce and a quarter", and I wrongly assumed it was the "Talahatchie Bridge" in Chickasaw county. That song also spoke of towns I had just passed through coming from St. Louis, consequently, I identified with it immediately; it was an instant hit with me.

I never stopped liking the song, and I have the CD. Bobby Gentry is one of the most authentic singer songwriters to come along. Her songs brought Mississippi to life, although they left out the ugliest aspects of that culture, which was most certainly best.

After I entered the state, I had the feeling I was in "The Twilight Zone", and had gone back in time without knowing it. Everything looked the same as it had in some long ago past; filling stations, farm houses, country stores, you name it.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, although Carmen is one of my most favorite female vocalists, the years were not as kind to her voice, as they were to Ella's. If you could find a song at the time when Carmen looked as seductive as she sounded, I can chime in. Just as athletes peak, so it is with female vocalists, and what you've chosen is past her "peak".

When you find a song where she looks as seductive as she sounded, I will chime in.

Enjoy the music.

If Rok wants Carmen McRae, Rok gets Carmen; a sexier, more alluring Carmen with the seductive voice I have on many LP's in my collection. To me she's one of the most attractive, of not only female vocalists, but females period; and she will always look the same as she looks on one of my favorite LP's.

Carmen Mcrae the midninight sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVzPqyAW4N0

Carmen McRae "Yesterdays"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYRrcCjLiGA

Carmen "Skylark"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41uQvy1mO94

Carmen "I'll be seeing you"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrBDRaRG1ME

Enjoy the music.

Now I'm going "deep in the pocket", this is for aficionados only.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_kCtoidtmA

Enjoy the music.

Rok, that one along with this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRi273CRTdg

That "deuce" could be identified as the car with a "rooster tail" of dust behind it as it cruised from one "juke joint" to the next on them dusty Mississippi gravel roads.

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, Stan Getz "Voyage" is so consistent, not a bad cut.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k036P1jsdq4

Here's a cut from "Focus", which is another one of my favorite Getz LP's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAyrdlUcZIw

Getz had a long stellar career.

Enjoy the music.

Although I'm not a religious person, I can feel the sadness, and the faith in this young lady's voice when she took the problem without a solution to "Jesus". Once she told Jesus, she knew everything was going to be all right. Every time I hear her sing, "I told Jesus, he said everything was going to be all right now"; I can feel her heavy heart, and her faith in Jesus at the same time.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSkqfm73HxQ

"Salt Song" is the title of the album, and there's a picture of Stanley, facing the ocean in front of huge breaking waves. This is a fast paced number that captures the intensity of those waves breaking on the shore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVlGVZQFAEQ

"Gibralter" has a fascinating rhythm that floats my boat; Eric Gale's guitar never sounded better, and Stan is blowing his ass off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTBRiyB4KpU

Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite albums.

Enjoy the music.

Less McCann was a joy to behold; although I've had that album since about that time, this was the first time I saw a live performance, and I could feel the rapture he felt when he played.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, here's tune that was going strong at about the same time "Ode To Billy Joe" was hot, you might like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwvWKcNE0cI

Enjoy the music.

Rok, I could live without the commentary as well, but it's recorded on something I have. In regard to organizing, that's something I dread even attempting, let my heirs organize. Acman3, I sold some Cedar Walton LP's and a CD at what I thought was a good price; as it turns out, I regret every LP I ever sold.

Enjoy the music.