Jazz for aficionados

Horace Taveres Silver had so many great compositions that some of them got little exposure; "The Outlaw" on the LP "Further Explorations" is almost unknown;


                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx4h_IXm5Pc


This was so vivid that you could visualize "Billy the Kid" riding hard across the South western Bad lands, just two steps in front of the posse that was in hot pursuit.

My favorite version of "Senor Blues" is a live one also. Here it is; he expands this tune on this date, like nowhere else, and I could listen to it all night.


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8jFGFwOm7k


This tune is my favorite by Silver; it was written in honor of Pannonica de Koenigswarter, who was a patron of many jazz artists at that time. She had more tunes written in her honor than anyone else I can think of.


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


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lju13U1zEE


Since I couldn't decide which one of these I liked best, I pasted both of them, and now you can decide for me.





Enjoy the music.





                 

****Since I couldn't decide which one of these I liked best, I pasted both of them, and now you can decide for me.****

Silver's own version of Nica's Dream is my favorite of the two; by a long shot!  Blakey's version is too slow.  There is no law that says that a tune can't work played at a tempo different from the one the composer intended, but this is a case when the composer's tempo is so clearly the better one that it makes Blakey's version sound sleepy by comparison and lacking energy. Then, there's Blue Mitchell's solo on Silver's version; that alone makes it the better one for me.

****he expands this tune on this date, like nowhere else,****

Curious about this comment.  What do you mean by "expands".

Senor Blues and other Silver tunes have gotten a lot of attention and deservedly so; but, there's been no mention of what is probably his most recognized tune and, arguably, his best record:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=boVaez6rVNA

The composer talks about his tune:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NFjmWI-d6d4

In regard to "Senor Blues", when I said *he expands this tune on this date, like nowhere else,****; I was referring to his piano solo beginning at 4:10, and going all the way to the end, when he was backing Blue Mitchell. The one at Newport wasn't as clear, there was noticeable distortion.

On the "Senor Blues" I pasted, I liked Junior Cook's and Blue Mitchell's solo's much better; as well as Mr. Silver's piano where he got into a special groove beginning at 4:10, all the way to the end where he was backing Blue Mitchell. Notice at 9:11 where he digs in and hammers the piano like a drummer.

Before, I couldn't decide, but now I've decided, and I definitely like the "Nica's Dream"  on the "Jazz Messengers" better. Silver was on piano, on both LP's; but Blakey's was "languid" meaning slow and relaxed; this was due to the slower pace, and I most certainly liked Donald Byrd's and Hank Mobley's solos better on that "Nica's Dream".

The interesting fact is, the composer was on both versions; he just decided to play slower with the "Jazz Messengers".

In regard to "Song For My Father", I didn't know we were through with Mr. Silver; especially after the detail and depth I covered "Donald Byrd," but you won't get any argument out of me, about "Song For My Father" being his best, I'm especially attached to that tune.

After Leon Thomas's Father's funeral, he sang that at a club, and it brought tears to my eyes because I knew his father, and I could see his smiling face.



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



Enjoy the music.



     

I asked the question because on the clip you posted Silver solos (what I thought you meant by "expand") for about three minutes and on the clip from Newport he solos for about six minutes.  He also plays much more percussively (like a drummer) on the Newport; not a better or worse thing, just different.  The distortion doesn't bother me in the least; the music comes through loud and clear.

****The interesting fact is, the composer was on both versions; he just decided to play slower with the "Jazz Messengers".****

i doubt that the tempo on Blakey's version was Silver's call since he was a sideman on that date and I have not heard any version of that tune with Silver as the leader that is anywhere near as slow.  I don't think the tune works as well at the slower tempo, and"languid" is a good characterization of Blakey's drumming on that cut.   As I have said before his drumming strikes me lazy sometimes.

****", I didn't know we were through with Mr. Silver****

Wasnt suggesting we were, nor that you were the only one giving Señor Blues attention.  Just surprised the tune hadn't been mentioned by anyone.  No direct reference to you.

Leon Thomas sounds great singing the tune until he starts the yodeling thing; a bit much this time.  Thanks for the clip.

Frogman, the yodeling is a Leon Thomas signature thing. The only other yodeling I ever recall before him was that cowboy thing, and there certainly isn't any semblance between the two. Although I recall Rok making the same comment, I like it.

When he sounds like Joe Williams, which is how he sounded when he started with Count Basie, is what I like the least; it's too commercial for my taste.

In the comments section, most of the people stated they liked the yodeling. Someone said he was inspired by African Pigmies, but I don't know anything about that. Someone else said it was an acquired taste thing, but I liked it the first time I heard it; it definitely sets him apart from the crowd, and I think he should have focused on what set him apart from the crowd as opposed to just singing.

Since "Nica's Dream" is my favorite tune by Horace Silver, I liked both versions a lot, but the messengers with Donald Byrd and Hank Mobley was definitely my favorite.

I interpreted your statement as meaning we have covered all there is of significance by Horace Silver. Feel free to take us in any direction you choose.


Enjoy the music.