Jazz for aficionados

"Somethin Else" was the subject of heavy debate here in this thread about two years or so ago. For anyone interested it might be worth searching the thread’s "archives" for some of that commentary. One of the points of contention was whether "Somethin Else" was a "better" or more important record than "Kind Of Blue" as some asserted. As I recall I was a lone voice with my opinion that, while it is a great record, it was not a particularly influential record the way that KOB was. I also recall that it seemed that there was an unfortunate bias against KOB simply because of the fact that it is an audiophile favorite.....those pesky audiophiles 😎. I like "Somethin Else" a lot and it is a classic. I do have a couple of thoughts about it; one that was also controversial during that previous discussion. First, imo, I think it really is Miles’ date more so than Cannonball’s eventhough Cannon is the "leader". Cannonball was a sideman in Miles’ band and I can’t imagine Miles taking a back seat to one of his sidemen. The proof is in the pudding and as great as Cannonball sounds on the record, to me it is obvious that he is playing with less exuberance than usual and accommodating Miles’ more sparse and introspective style; not a negative and just an observation. My only "issue" with the music is also a personal one. I have never really liked Art Blakey very much as a sideman. His drumming style is a little laid back, almost a little lazy, to my ears. Again, not necessarily a negative, but it might explain Ghosthouse’s reaction to the record. It should also be noted that the title tune is a Miles composition. Definitely one to have in one’s collection.

I'm going to cover the albums that would be in the average Aficionado's collection. When You went over to share a glass of wine and some music, you would most likely find these albums available for listening and discussion.

I purchased this album when it came out; it was so different that in addition to who is that, more conservative aficionados were asking "What is that"? on some of the cuts, like "Bird Calls" for example. Charles Mingus was one of the most unique jazz musicians of his time.



      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eVeZUx7cB0&list=PLG6ZYx25JDSY-tKnrFlLL_RppgeyeG-cD


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC5NPGaRLXk&list=PLG6ZYx25JDSY-tKnrFlLL_RppgeyeG-cD&index=7


"Fables of Faubus" is my favorite cut on this fine LP.



Enjoy the music.

Hello again Orpheus -
So the album is Mingus’ "Ah Um"?

Andy Summers did an album of Mingus’ music called, "Peggy’s Blue Sky Light". Didn’t cover "Better Get Hit in Your Soul" but he did cover
Goodby Pork Pie Hat and Boogie Stop Shuffle from Ah Um. In addition, Fables of Faubus appears as a bonus track on his Earth + Sky.

Would have posted Summers’ version of Better Get Hit but couldn’t find one (nor of Fables) on You Tube. Instead, here is his version of Boogie Stop Shuffle. Actually the whole of Blue Skylight is at the 2nd link.

Wonder what you will think of these more contemporary "takes".

Still interested too in your thoughts on Brecker’s "African Skies", by the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_dD9W7liwA&index=1&list=PLQ4IOTdzCC4cywUvFGbWDKBcWf8GLgndt&...

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ4IOTdzCC4cywUvFGbWDKBcWf8GLgndt

What's up with the alternate spellings for "Better Get It?"  is it Git Hit??

Ghosthouse, I noticed you didn't mention what you thought about those two Mingus cuts. They both contain some fantastic jazz, and I have come to the conclusion that you didn't hear it.

I don't think it's necessary to make an effort to hear and listen to good jazz. If you didn't hear it, forget it; it's not your cup of tea. You once said that was the case with "jazz jazz". One should not have to make an effort to enjoy music, and I could very well live without "new jazz".


You asked me about Michael Breker's, "Syzygy" and it sounds like it's spelt; we begin with "noodling" as you described it; although the rest of the crew is just fine, and the tune gets better as it progresses.



"Boogie Stop Shuffle"; the lead off sounds like a "Rock" guitar and certainly doesn't have the feel of the original "Boogie Stop Shuffle". Since this is "new jazz", I'm not the one who can give a critical appraisal; although halfway through it gets interesting.

From my point of view, these musicians would be better off without that tribute thing where they include another well known musician, unless they felt they could capture the essence of the other musician.

"Weird Nightmare" is interesting, and it might be capturing the essence of that tune. Mingus can be very complex at times, and I would have to do a lot of listening to grade Andy Summers on this album. He's got a host of musicians unknown to me on this album.

I will have to first listen to Mingus, and come back to "Peggy's Blue Sky light", and let you know whether or not Andy Summers succeeded. Without a doubt I will have to listen to this on the big rig, it's not sounding too good on this one.