Jazz for aficionados
Rok, believe it or not, in Jamaica, Reggae is for the tourists, or somebody trying to make some music in Kingston so they can split. On the radio, I heard the same hip jazz, you would hear in any big city here. "That so-called 'Jamaican Beat' gets old fast. You could be jamming to a tune, and the DJ could change records and you would never realize it." |
I've got a lot to complain about in regard to health care; but I wont. In regard to my personal situation, the supernatural powers from above have been very kind. My solace is coming from my music; right now it's Lee Morgan, who is best known for his red hot solos, but today I'm enjoying his balads; like, "Since I fell For You" and "I'm a Fool To Want You". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EjBJvYIj5Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5h4ue5r5mo Enjoy the music. |
The question is moot, therefore the answer is moot as well; however, moving right along, here is a little "Roots Reggae" for Rok; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Znh0OM9jiA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzS-Jis7kfA |
"Well, O-10, no sense breaking the streak; since you want to keep track. The live Sarah/“Misty” wins hands down in my book." When you stated that, you threw the gauntlet down, and it was my duty to respond. "The studio version...just that. Studio produced; faster, with A LOT of “sweetening”, less intimate. A bit Muzak(ish); what some refer to as elevator music. Different performance environments and as always, she knows the tape is rolling." And then you went on to call it "Elevator music"; if that's not denigrating I'd like to know what is? Who are these "many others"? Sounds like a tactic for dragging others into your lame argument. |
Yes, I am upset; I'm upset with the idea that anyone on this thread should exhibit such poor taste, as to choose that trio over the gold standard. This is not a matter of preference; this over that, but it's a matter of one thing being clearly superior to another. This must be a joke you're playing on me, that's it, isn't it Frogman; because I can not believe that after everything was pointed out, and even after Sarah herself referred to that version as her best, you would stick to this "studio sound, elevator music thing". While we all have different preferences, when the quality of one thing is so superior to the quality of another, and an aficionado chooses the wrong one, that's disheartening; I'm in the wrong room; it's about good taste in this room, and there are times when it's as apparent as the nose on your face. Tell me this is a joke Frogman. |
Alex, Roach said that he composed this piece for his close friend Ike Quebec. They had planned to record it, but never got around to it. Quebec died on 16 January 1963, so Roach said that he he performed it thereafter as a tribute to his friend. Him and Ike worked well together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzIdzG1J9zc |
Gene Ammons changed to more serious music in his last years, like a person with a different outlook; I'm glad I have this music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-g_UKAU4Vs |
Rok, I need help in perusing these "Mosaic Box Sets". I know you have a lot of Mingus, and so do I; but here again, as in the case of Monk, tunes with the same title are very much different, plus those sets might contain live recordings that were made in Europe. http://www.mosaicrecords.com/outofprint.asp http://www.mosaicrecords.com/lastchance.asp There is a lot to go through, but you can get music that's not available on the regular market. |
Pryso, thanks for the thoughts. Actually having to deal with the health care system has made me sicker, but that's life. This is a new group and new music; I'm curious about your thoughts. Rhombal is a quartet featuring Ellery Eskelin on tenor saxophone, Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. I first brought the group together in 2015 to work on a body of music that was inspired by and dedicated to my late brother, Patrick. That album, Rhombal, was successfully funded and created with the help and engagement of friends and fans through a PledgeMusic campaign. It arrived September 13, 2016, and is now available on double vinyl LP, CD, and digital files. We have tour dates coming up in 2017. Please stay tuned via my shows page for those updates. Booking contact is here. Of course if I was getting out and about like I once did, there is the possibility I would be interested in catching a live set. I posted this awhile back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jirf4bPO5c |
I bought this Cd, but now I'm somewhat conflicted; it just doesn't hold my attention; although it has bright spots. What's your evaluation? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTvYURLbRew It was given a very high rating and the musicians are the best; but I have a record with Sonny Rollins, Jay Jay Johnson, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk and others that I could live without. That's very rare, but it happened. ( This record and cover look brand new; that's confirmation of bad news) I don't care how good the musicians are, when somebody forgets to bring the music, that happens. Maybe after a person only selects the best of the best for a playlist, the rest ain't good enough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BKVfbwI3X4 These guys are most certainly keeping it together on that cut. |
"According to Wiki" With a trumpet, an electric guitar and the firepower of one of contemporary jazz’s most exhilarating drummers – Brian Blade – in his quintet, Wolfgang Muthspiel has plenty of turn-it-up-to-11 potential on tap. The Austrian guitarist has, however, preferred nuances to bravado since he was first saluted as the European John Scofield in the early 90s. He played Ronnie Scott’s with the music from his new quintet’s Rising Grace album, with Brad Mehldau’s piano role imaginatively taken up by local hero Gwilym Simcock, and bassist Scott Colley substituting for the album’s Larry Grenadier. The gig was often low-key, but the music’s finespun lyricism kept Sunday’s full house rapt. Triad Song, originally a student chord exercise, showed not a hint of the scholarly as Muthspiel’s and Simcock’s guitar and piano vamp swayed under sighs and soft squeals from Ambrose Akinmusire’s trumpet, and the leader unrolled warmly melodic guitar figures and supple sprints. Boogaloo turned from bluesy bass slurs into a probing rhythmic mix that suggested the mid-60s Miles Davis quintet playing Kurt Weill. Flamenco strumming and glowing chords from Muthspiel’s acoustic 12-string prefaced trumpet trances of pining curved notes and short Miles-like ascents, while funky 60s soul-bop vignettes were fragmented by a contemporary rhythmic restlessness. Simcock constantly engaged with the grinning Blade, his clipped, tantalisingly hanging piano figures pushing the drummer’s scurrying patterns toward whiplashed exclamations. This gives a fairly accurate description of Wolfgang's Quintet, and you can go back to the music I have posted to give them another listen. This is probably the only new group that thoroughly appeals to me; give them a good listen and tell me what you think? (if I'm repeating myself, blame it on my youth) |
As everyone knows by now, I listen to music from a play list; that means that I know I like whatever is playing, but half the time, I don't know what's playing. I had been listening, and really enjoying this music without knowing what it was, when I finally decided to check the play list and see what it was, that's a walk to the basement; hiking down and back up Mt. Everest. In a Silent Way is a studio album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released July 30, 1969 on Columbia Records. Produced by Teo Macero, the album was recorded in one session date on February 18, 1969 at CBS 30th Street Studio in New York City. Incorporating elements of classical sonata form, Macero edited and arranged Davis's recordings from the session to produce the album. Marking the beginning of his "electric" period, In a Silent Way has been regarded by music writers as Davis's first fusion recording, following a stylistic shift toward the genre in his previous records and live performances. Upon its release, the album was met by controversy among music critics, particularly those of jazz and rock music, who were divided in their reaction to its experimental musical structure and Davis's electronic approach. Since its initial reception, it has been regarded by fans and critics as one of Davis's greatest and most influential works. In 2001, Columbia Legacy and Sony Music released the three-disc box set The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions, which includes the original album, additional tracks, and the unedited recordings used to produce In a Silent Way. There is no way I could have liked this album when I bought it in 69, I was just in the habit of buying any new album by Miles; I'm sure I didn't play it anymore after that, but somehow I put it on the play list (is this convoluted or what?) I'll let you figure it out.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQKt7DTKyJU |
Many people don't take into account the human beings who create the music we call "jazz"; they just consider them musicians. That's OK in the beginning, but after someone has been listening long enough to consider himself an "aficionado", he realizes that each one of those musicians has a story that usually remains untold. The desire to express deep inner feelings and emotions that can not be put into words is what motivates so many musicians into choosing jazz. Time and again when R&B was more lucrative, musicians chose jazz. Tina Brooks was such a musician; while he had the talent, his sensitive reserved personality was not for the music world. Teena Brooks star shined so briefly that many are unaware of his talents. I want to share with you what I have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4DyLxCfBrU&list=PLUJ7V33M1wR2LFXWAuYXpR8DCwwNvBtrA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFm8eiykx3Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVn1dDqIlPk We have been blessed with the sensitivity to hear this beautiful music, let's listen. |
Many times an artist's best talents are displayed as a sideman; that's when he enhances another artist's music, such is the case of "The Sermon" by that great organist Jimmy Smith. As fantastic as Jimmy Smith is, what would "The Sermon" be without the soloist. This is absolutely one of the best jams ever. Every jazz lover can recall the first time he heard "The Sermon", all 20 minutes of it. The lead off of Jimmy's organ followed by Burrell on his jazzy guitar, with Jimmy in the background; next we have Tina Brooks soulful tenor, he's followed by Lee Morgan on trumpet. Last, but not least, Mr. Lou Donaldson; just to think that you get all of those stars on one cut on this album; the longest and the best cut, which is why it's the title cut. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3X5J_wGHrw&t=64s It's difficult to tell after the passage of so much time whether or not this music stands on it's own with new listeners, or is it only fantastic to those who were there when it was new; only you can answer that. |
Acman, I want to thank you very much for that link. I personally knew two Blue Note musicians who had drug problems, and they both suffered the same fate as Tina Brooks in regard to their best work not being released until after they were dead. Did Blue Note recruit drug addicts because they could easily be taken advantage of? I am not God, therefore I can not be a judge of men. I don't know what demons caused them to seek relief through drugs, but I do know that once hooked, they needed money to buy drugs because they could not function without them. That causes a catch 22; they could not make money because they needed enough drugs to function on the set. While too much as in the case of "Bird", caused him not to be able to function at times on the set. Although I'm not God, I am a student of sociology and psychiatry; and I'm aware of the fact that mental anguish can hurt more than physical pain. I don't pretend to know what drove those musicians to use drugs; life is complicated; but that problem opened them up to exploitation. |
They said the sets would be limited, and I didn't heed their warning, now the sets I want are out of print; but maybe if enough people want them, they'll start the presses up again. I thought I had Mingus pretty well covered, not realizing that like Monk, he could play one of his songs so many different ways, that you could never have him covered. Mosaic, has box sets of the masters of jazz; I mean people who had the "inner soul" to produce the original masterpieces. Now that the people who produced that music are dead, it's not available with new jazz for me. After seeking new jazz, it seems that I will have to go back to the old jazz that Mosaic offers to get what I want. http://www.mosaicrecords.com/outofprint.asp The fact that I have two out of print box sets is not enough consolation, I want more. Although they have sufficient CD's, they don't mention much on records. Hopefully enough people will request records to start the presses back up, but if CD's are your thing Mosaic has them. http://www.mosaicrecords.com/lastchance.asp Just passing along information that's important to me, which might be important to you. |
Following your lead, I'm going to present another Bobby McFerrin; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o2RS8WfcbY |
Somehow, I have been neglecting one of my favorite artists, yes, one I like better than Miles. Gene Ammons is most certainly one of my favorite jazz artists, we are "simpatico"; it seems that all of his music reaches me, and I'm quite comfortable listening to it. I'll present to you a few of my favorites, beginning with "The Happy Blues"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdvienyK758 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If77_P8v7iE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vl4_f8Emtw |
pjw, I am overjoyed that you share my enthusiasm for Gene Ammons. Here are two of my favorites that you have; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ3ERhE0KWo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9CxF7qxYqc Enjoy the music. |
Alex, my favorite Freddie Roach appears on this album along with Ike Quebec, one of my favorite tenors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5X14isHGqg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mjXTAelpuw |
Inna, considering your credentials, I have disregarded your critique of Bobby McFerrin; however, here are two more that I like; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yni7krzhww https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shWrMVSj_hk |
Jafant, here is something for those of us who are word challenged; it's a movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1n8E3ntWUg Enjoy the movie. |
Ghosthouse, and Rok, since the both of you are so into the deeper meaning of "Watership Down", I sincerely wish you guys would clue me in on this deeper meaning. I watched the movie, looking for this deeper meaning but didn't find it; won't be the first time something intellectual has eluded me. Could you two highly enlightened intellects, cast a little of that light in my direction so that I might join you. Thank you. |
Since I needed a new cartridge, I took the liberty of giving myself a Christmas present of the "Grado Master 2", and I give it my highest recommendations. I'm enjoying LP's like never before. That also means I will refrain from those lively "new jazz, old jazz" debates. According to Dr. John, that great Louisiana Philosopher; "There are only so many croaks in a frog, so many barks in a dog, so many grunts in a hog, and so many beats in a heart". Seeing as how people younger than me been dropping like flys, I'm going to heed his advice and not waste another precious beat of this week heart of mine. I'm enjoying old jazz that sounds "brand new"; it's so coherent, I don't have to wonder "why did he do that, just where is he coming from"; this music sounds like it was made for me. Speaking of old jazz, I was perusing this double LP of the Max Roach, Clifford Brown Sextet, that is absolutely fantastic; the best sextet ever, bar none. While this is a double LP, you can accomplish the same thing on CD by getting "Study In Brown" plus "Max Roach and Clifford Brown"; that music rates five stars, but I know you already got it. I'm enjoying music like never before, and I know you're doing like wise; Continue to have a happy holiday. |
Rok, "Analog" is not even in the same country as what we knew, neither is the price. Remember all those king of the hill TT's like Dual and Girard; they wont cut it now. When CD first came out, and those "Audiophiles" were saying "What's the big deal"? I thought they were all on crack, or jealous because we had something as good as them, and much cheaper, but it wasn't necessarily so. To make a long story short, it's only worth it when you got a lot of LP's; they can sound new all over again. Every time I think I got almost everything by Less McCann, you come up with something I don't got; can't wait for the review. Enjoy the music. |
Ghosthouse, I really and truly love rabbits; I use to see them in our back yard, I figured they lived under a big bush next door, and the guy cut the bush down, now I got no more rabbits. When I was a kid in the country, there was nothing more fun than chasing rabbits with our dogs. The dogs never caught any, but it sure was a lot of fun; rabbits like to double back on their trail, so no matter how far the dogs went, they always came back. I enjoyed the movie and understood how changes in the environment harmed rabbits and a lot of other animals. Due to a decreasing habitat, I've been told there are coyotes in the city. I just now read where coyotes are killing pets in my neighborhood; hope we ain't got no mountain lions in them there woods. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2013/12/19/how-to-keep-your-dog-from-getting-eaten-by-a-coyo... After you've read it again, I'll be looking forward to that deeper meaning. |
Coming to you live from Tokyo is the fabulous Yoko Miwa Trio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c28yKNysZF4&list=PLXo3EkqZe8MjoPyL9OYNh8RAs8kHTXhIZ Enjoy the music. |
I can tell you liked that other Yoko's music about as well as I did; some things I just don't get, and that was one of them. This Yoko is sounding so good, I had to play her again. I hear real roots jazz, certainly not "stereotypical", plus she is most certainly new to me; therefore, I will have to put the Yoko Miwa Trio in the best new jazz I've heard recently, that must be added to my collection; she's genuinely fresh. Sonny Rollins and Don Cherry is a side of Don, that I've never heard before, but this was before he went into his "world music" phase. It's all good. |
The very best music is that which has withstood the test of time and repeats; no matter how many times you've heard it, it still sounds good. Such music in my collection that exists, I will share it with you; The Jazz Crusaders, "Young Rabbits" is such a cut. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA7f9HIXox4 Another one by the same crew is "Freedom Sound"; that reminds me, I don't have enough of this good music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Jb72PZAls Enjoy the music. |
