Jazz for aficionados

Oregon "...managed to combine truly deep musical substance and creativity with just the right amount of "New Age" sound while avoiding the (to me) triteness and "lite" quality of most New Age music."

Great observations, Frogman. PLUS, Oregon had the Ralph Towner factor.

Read some comments from him about Oregon, something to the effect of, they saw themselves as a small chamber orchestra.

O - Here’s another surprise (was to me too)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=julm1AwNn1U&ab_channel=d22

I don’t think my copy of the CD has liner notes like this one though. (That’s because this YouTube clip is from the re-issue. I went with the original CD release.)

Tonight, listening to this one. Not a false note in the whole thing. Link above is to Patterns but Stolen Moments is probably my favorite on the album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpwxyQh2ZdA&ab_channel=ObertonePerformanceArt

Alex - I tried to check out your "mean guitar" link but got this notice:This video contains content from elvis. It is not available in your country.

I always heard The King had a tight backing band but know very little of the particulars. Just never was a big fan of The King. My appreciation of good musicianship is a little broader than it was, so I am curious about what you hear in that track.

Found both Roots in the Sky and Out of the Woods on Tidal and saved them to Favorites. My initial impression is both are more polished and better realized than Winter Light or Distant Hills. Yes, O...sonics on these (Yellow Bell playing now) are very good. A pleasure to listen to on a number of levels. Not sure Rok would call it jazz. There’s definitely an improvisational element but don’t think they are working from a blues structure. Liking it quite a bit. Thanks to both of you for the recommendations.

PS - I'm no Oregon expert.  I backed into Oregon only superficially after discovering Towner's Solstice on ECM.  Paid more attention to Tower as solo artist than diving into Oregon.   But now it's a new window of opportunity.  

"My favorite comment of hers was when she was interviewed about Amy Winehouse recording with the Daptone house band. She said something like "Some people study the blues and then try to sing it. While I open my mouth the blues just pours out". "


I copied this from another thread talking about the recent  death of Blues singer Sharon Jones.   Substitute the word 'Blues' with 'Jazz'.

By Jove, I think she nailed it.  Makes a good point for this thread.

Cheers

Ghosthouse, thanks for those Jamal clips.  Fantastic!  Had not heard those and they are interesting to me in that they show Jamal playing in a somewhat different style from the chord-heavy approach of "Poinciana" days; more use of melodic lines in the right hand.  Great player.  I particularly enjoyed "Trio-Patterns" and beautiful rendition of "Stolen Moments" with a unexpected lilt and slightly faster tempo compared to the classic original:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLcJnGPHSdzd9HgCBYpZ7TAHQZg4v2Z9rX&v=I777BcgQL9o

I think "chamber-jazz" is a good description of Oregon's style.  Very strong improvisational element as you point out.  Combine this with very interesting and sometimes complex structures in their compositions and virtuosic playing and it pushes the broader "jazz" button for me.  Whatever it is, it's really good music.  Towner is a monster musician and a driving force in the group.  

****(Sharon Jones) makes a good point for this thread**** -Rok

What I think makes a good point for this thread is that while being so intent on pointing out what is not jazz (in your opinion only) you overlook great stuff like the Jamal clips.  I think we are probably due for the twentieth posting of Ravel's "Bolero"; or perhaps more Billy Ocean or Luther Vandross.  Now, THOSE will really get my feet and fingers tapping on two and four ☺️.  You can join the party anytime. Cheers.

Ahmad Jamal is heavily represented on my play list. If I remember correctly, Rok dropped out when I put the "Spotlight" on Ahmad Jamal; but, the old memory ain't what she used to be.

Presently, I'm enjoying everyone else's links so much, that I don't want to spoil the party by submitting any.


I am enjoying the music.