Jazz for aficionados
Rok, I'm on a search for Leon on CD, and I see that he's available under Pharoah Sanders. He's cheaper going that route than just looking for Leon. If you plan on adding him to your collection, the 2fer is cheaper. A little help from my friend wouldn't hurt. I'll get back after my search. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, since when did Frogman become the Bible; "Frogman said the lesser known are lesser known for a good reason". While that statement in it self is gospel truth, there is the inference that they are not as good. Alex presented a guy on trumpet that according to what I heard was as good as anybody I've ever heard. I never heard of the guy because he had a drug problem and had very, very little recorded. (I never use two "very's" in the same sentence, but this time it was called for). Maybe the guy didn't live long enough, that's another good reason. Maybe his best music wasn't even recorded. In all cases, there is a good reason why the lesser known are lesser known, but the fact that they are not as good, may not be one of them. Alex, you've done a marvelous job of bringing lesser known players to my attention, please continue. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, very expensive counts me out. Look for cheap used Pharoah Sanders, I'll let you know which one's Leon is on, plus that's his best music. Since both him and Miles are from St. Louis, their tailor shouldn't be to far from me. Whenever I decide to get that fashionable, I'll look him up. Leon is more ancient Egypt, maybe that's why he's playing with Pharoah. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, I hope you don't think I said I didn't like "The Peacocks" simply because you posted it. You're getting kinda weird lately. If you think that, it's what I mean by "kinda weird". The Peacocks was dreary, like a foggy, drizzly, rainy day, and I didn't like it. Does that explanation pass muster? Enjoy the music. |
Rok, try Pharoah and Leon on Amazon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwKbI2Y7lCc When you see a picture of Pharoah with black hair, instead of gray, there is a possibility that Leon is with him. If you find Pharoah cheap used, I'll buy, with or without Leon; I'm tired of these old scratchy records. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, I listened to what you posted 3 times, and I told you it was "dreary" and I didn't like it. Whether Stan Getz made it a signature tune or not, I liked the one by "Duke Ellington" the best. I do not study jazz, anyone who wants to "study" jazz can take a course at a college, or just read Frogman's posts. Im not sure I get the relevance of your and Ohnwy61's opinions, but we're all entitled to one. I hope you will permit me to disagree. Enjoy the music. |
Yo Rok, I'm gathering the tracks so we can choose LEON IN BERLIN 01 Preview Shape Your Mind To Die 02 Preview Just In Time To See The Sun 03 Preview It's My Life I'm Fighting For 04 Preview The Creator Has A Master Plan 05 Preview Let The Rain Fall On Me 06 Preview China Doll 07 Preview Bag's Groove 08 Preview One 09 Preview Come Along 10 Preview Let's Go Down To Lucy's 11 Preview Welcome To New York 12 Preview Love Each Other 13 Preview Balance Of Life (Peace Of Mind) 14 Preview Um Um Um 15 Preview Umbo Weti - See more at: http://acerecords.co.uk/the-creator-1969-1973-the-best-of-the-flying-dutchman-masters#sthash.fvQxpmH... BLUES AND THE SOULFUL TRUTH Track Listing Sample Title/Composer Performer Time Stream 1 Let's Go Down to Lucy Alfred Ellis / Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 4:27 SpotifyAmazon 2 L-O-V-E Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 2:54 SpotifyAmazon 3 Gypsy Queen Gabor Szabo / George David Weiss Leon Thomas 10:19 SpotifyAmazon 4 Love Each Other Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 3:16 Spotify 5 Shape Your Mind to Die Neal Creque / Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 5:22 SpotifyAmazon 6 Boom-Boom-Boom John Lee Hooker Leon Thomas FULL CIRCLE Sweet Little Angel 4:59 Just In Time To See The Sun 2:58 It's My Life I'm Fighting For 10:10 Never Let Me Go 2:58 I Wanna Be Where You Are 4:22 Got To Be There 4:27 Balance Of Life (Peace Of Mind) 7:02 You Are The Sunshine Of My Life 5:47 What Are We Gonna Do? Title/Composer Performer Time 1 Prince of Peace Pharoah Sanders Leon Thomas 8:47 2 The Creator Has a Master Plan (Peace) Pharoah Sanders / Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 4:24 3 Song for My Father Horace Silver Leon Thomas 5:18 4 Bag's Groove Milt Jackson Leon Thomas 3:17 5 C.C. Rider Traditional Leon Thomas 6:20 6 China Doll Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 5:04 7 Just in Time to See the Sun Michael Shrieve 8 Shape Your Mind to Die Neal Creque / Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 5:15 9 It's My Life I'm Fighting For Neal Creque Leon Thomas 10:03 10 Balance of Life (Peace of Mind) Neal Creque / Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 6:52 11 Little Sunflower Freddie Hubbard / Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 6:40 12 Sun Song Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 6:03 blue highlight denotes track pick 4:52 Spotify 7 China Doll Alfred Ellis / Jesse Kilpatrick / Leon Thomas Leon Thomas 5:07 Spotify 8 C.C. Rider LEON THE BLUES BAND 1 Every Year I Get the Blues Leon Thomas Blues Band feat: Leon Thomas 2 Shake, Rattle & Roll Charles E. Calhoun Leon Thomas Blues Band feat: Leon Thomas 3 Every Day I Have the Blues Memphis Slim Leon Thomas Blues Band feat: Leon Thomas 4 School Girl Blues Leon Thomas Blues Band feat: Leon Thomas 5 Flip Flop and Fly Chuck Calhoun / Lou Willie Turner Leon Thomas Blues Band feat: Leon Thomas 6 Duke's Place Duke Ellington / Bob Katz / Bob Thiele Leon Thomas Blues Band feat: Leon Thomas 7 Blues Is the Blues Is the Blues Leon Thomas Blues Band feat: Leon Thomas 8 Next Time You See Me Leon Thomas Blues Band feat: Leon Thomas KHARMA (This is the same as Pharoah's CD) Track listing[edit] "The Creator Has a Master Plan" (Sanders, Thomas) (32:46) "Colors" (Sanders, Thomas) (5:37) Enjoy the music |
Leon Thomas and Count Basie go way back. Even before that, he was a high school heart throb. His bio is incomplete, because I remember something interrupting his stay with Basie, and he would have made some real money had he continued; I think he got drafted; but I'm not sure, but he didn't get fired. I prefer the yodeling as to him singing like Joe Williams. Somehow I've got an album that's half and half, and I don't like the half with him just singing in the conventional manner. I think his originality was what set him apart from everyone else, and he should have stuck with it. Rok, I'm going to avoid anything conventional by Leon Thomas. Enjoy the music. |
I made a mistake on my first post, this is Leon in Berlin Leon in Berlin Hide Credits A1 Straight No Chaser Composed By – Thelonious Monk 6:32 A2 Pharoah's Tune (The Journey) 9:10 A3 Echoes 6:00 B1 Umbo Weti 9:20 B2 The Creator Has A Master Plan (Peace) 8:43 B3 Oo-Wee! Hindewe 1:07 Spirits Known and Unknown Disc: 1 1. The Creator Has A Master Plan (Peace) 2. One 3. Echoes 4. Song For My Father 5. Damn Nam (Aint Goin To Vietnam) 6. Malcolms Gone 7. Let The Rain Fall On Me 8. Um Um Um 9. A Night In Tunisia 10. Take The A Train (Alt Take) 11. Take The A Train (Alt Take) 12. Take The A Train (Master Tape) 13. Walkin (Alt Take) 14. Walkin (Master Take) 15. Willow Weep For Me (Alt Take) 16. Willow Weep For Me (Master Take) 17. If It Didnt Hurt So Much (Alt Take) 18. If It Didnt Hurt So Much (Master Take) THE LEON THOMAS ALBUM Track Listing Title/Composer Performer Time 1 Come Along Leon Thomas 2 I Am Leon Thomas 3 Bag's Groove Leon Thomas 4 Um, Um, Um Leon Thomas 5 Pharoah's Tune (The Journey) Leon Thomas There are so many newly imported CD's that you have to choose carefully in order not to repeat. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I don't know why artists put conventional and Avant Garde on the same album. Either a person wants to hear one or the other, but not both. So far I've ordered two CD's, and one of them is under Pharoah Sanders. "Leon The Blues Band", seems to be for you, it's got Joe Williams tunes. I've ordered "Kharma" plus "Spirits known and Unknown"; while that last CD only has two cuts that are for me, it's still a no lose situation because I like the outfit the home boy is wearing. Enjoy the music. |
I don't know which CD this is on but I intend to acquire it. Acman do you have this on record? This is exactly what I'm looking for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwKbI2Y7lCc We have too much to choose from. Enjoy the music. |
When I saw all these re-issued CD's by Leon Thomas, I thought I had struck a gold mine. I remembered that he had sung with Count Basie, but I thought he had left that behind for his "Avante Garde" mode, as Acman referred to it; that's all I wanted to hear. If I want to hear Joe Williams, I'll buy Joe williams. I think it would have been better if he had separated his different modes, conventional and yodeling, then both camps could be satisfied. I've got albums by Yusef Lateef and John Handy where they do the same thing; mix popular and unconventional music that I bought the album for. I recorded the unconventional, and forgot about the conventional, but that's half of the album wasted; which is what I'll do with Leon's albums. Speaking of Yusef Lateef I'll replace his scratchy records. He played some way out instruments like: bamboo flute, shanai, shofar, xun, arghul and koto, and is known for the blending of jazz with Eastern music. I don't think I have "The Blue Yusef" let's give it a listen. This cut is titled "Back Home", it's really kicking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPrOVvqIEBA Does anyone have an album by Yusef where he uses all or most of those unusual instruments? I would certainly like to give that one a listen. Enjoy the music. |
While I'm not a big band addict, there are exceptions; this is one of them, it's "Gerry Mulligan and his Concert Jazz Band". His sound is so original, without a doubt he is one of the top baritone sax players in jazz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwSdd0tC-cY Here he is with a most beautiful version of "Shadow of your Smile" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kpzbBZyF50 "Bernie's Tune" is a jumping number done by a lot of great artists; unfortunately I can't find all of them, but this is one of the best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywIiXU94RX8 Enjoy the music |
Jafant, this is one of the cuts on "Jewel Of Thought" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4LwpPQQskM&index=4&list=PLF82BA5D373C56866 |
Here's a beautiful tune by John Handy that I could listen to all night. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IZb8AJQ7ac Here's another tune from that same LP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q-vKschzos Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I wonder If I could borrow Gregory Porter's head gear? It's real cold and snowing where I am. I can hear why he's so popular, although it's been said before, I'm going to say it again "The guy got a whole lot of soul". That piano player is boss and the band is a tight as a band can get. I'm not a big band fan, but that could change. The music behind Cecile is "Nawlins" all the way; it's so "retro", that it takes us back to another era; "Pops" is looking down smiling. As you pointed out many times, looking makes a lot of difference than just listening. It wouldn't be as good alone in my listening room without seeing, but since I'm doing both, I'm really enjoying it. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, although we've gone at each other like two pit bulls at times, we're very fortunate to have you on this thread; your knowledge of music and musicians is invaluable. I say this for me personally, and I hope I speak for others on this thread. Your last post indicated that musicians are longtime colleagues of yours. In regard to that, I'll tell you guys a story about an encounter I had with Grant Green. Since it's kind of personal, I've been reluctant to tell it, but it indicates the nature of musicians, and the love they have for musicians they've worked with. This bond is incredible; gangsters have this kind of bond. I hate to compare musicians to gangsters, but that's the only time I have witnessed so much love between two men. In regard to Porter and the band, I couldn't have said it better. In regard to Salvant, minus the band (but you are a musician) I reluctantly agree, but, this was Christmas time, and we're looking at it long after the season; during that time everyone is somewhat animated for the kiddies sake. Enjoy the music. |
The Astounding Eyes of Rita is an album by oud player and composer Anouar Brahem recorded in Italy in 2008 and released on the ECM label in 2009. Anouar Brahem - oud Klaus Gesing - bass clarinet Björn Meyer - bass Khaled Yassine - darbouka, bendir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNjkpaW7cno This is one of the best examples of music for the "Bass Clarinet"; it sounds about as lonely and forlorn as music can get; lost on a sand dune in the Sahara Desert. |
Ok Alex, for you I will tell this story. When I read that Grant Green was going to be in town, I bought tickets, and was really looking forward to seeing him. During intermission he had someone tell me he wanted to speak to me. First of all I didn't recognize him; the Grant Green I remember had a head of thick black hair, and the build of a cowboy, he looked good in jeans. ( Alex, the mind is a funny thing, you expect people to look like they looked the last time you saw them up close and personal) I saw Grant Green up close and personal, from the time period I was from 16 to 20, this was before he became a professional. We spoke, and he quickly got to the point of why he wanted to see me. He asked me about a very close musician friend of his. I told him the truth. He became livid with anger. The two ton bouncer came up to us wanting to know what was going on. Grant walked off leaving me with a two ton bouncer, with a question mark on his face. (I got the feeling that the bouncer wanted to demonstrate why they hired him) It wasn't until many years later that I was able to understand this. Musicians are crazy; they are unable to understand, or cope with their own emotions. After Grant left me he probably cried because he couldn't stand what I told him; but messengers in the past have been slain for telling the truth. Next I'll tell about the musical Grant Green; he was fantastic from the day I laid eyes on him until the last time I saw him. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, Since I can never tell anyone the conversation that transpired between me and Grant, the story seems kind of incomplete; but it was intended to indicate the love between two musicians that you mentioned. Every since that night, I wished that I had lied to Grant, because he took his hurt and anger out on me, for one reason, and another is, I didn't know the truth would upset him that much. I can make the story more complete by linking the album and music he was playing at that time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZvQhQbPioY That was one boss two record album. Enjoy the music. |
Jafant, while OP has many recordings as leader, and with many of the top jazz men of his day, my top 3 picks are: "Oscalypso", "Scorpio", and "Bohemia after Dark". To me, all big cities are "Bohemia", and they come alive after dark. After the Sun has set, and just before it gets dark, when you can see the silhouettes of tall buildings against the sky; that's when Bohemia is waking up, and getting ready for the nights frivolities; very soon will be the time for "Bohemia After Dark". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5EwGijmqKc Enjoy the music. |
Alex, you have hit upon three of my favorite musicians; I have the LP "Tricotism", Lucky Thompson is so smooth; Skeeter Best has a boss solo on the "Soul Brothers" LP with Milt Jackson and Ray Charles. Lucky Thompson does a solo on Miles Davis's "Walkin" that's out of sight; I'll link it ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMW3RloxEyA Enjoy the music. |
Alex, I have the Blue Note 45 sessions issued by Mosaic, 2 CD's; that must be the same thing. It came with a book that I have yet to read. Milt Jackson, "Ballads and Blues", this is the true "Golden age of jazz"; the notes coming off of Milt's vibes, seemed to be just popping out of the air. It's one thing to hear this music now, but it's entirely another to have been there at that time; everything surrounding 56 comes back to me; 56 Bel aire convertible, 56 Ford Convertible; those were the cars for a young man to have. You have no idea how special that music sounded, cruising with the top down, summer wind blowing in your face. Pardon my digression. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, when I used Etta Jones for a test record on TT's and cartridges, the salesman said it was a perfect record; perfectly flat and well recorded. That album has withstood the test of time, it's still popular. "Afro Blue" is my favorite cut on that Abbey Lincoln CD. I have that very unique CD by "Zap Mama", and I like it. Enjoy the music. |
Here's a singer that I really liked when I was in high school. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G35oUvfqnsk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbCJbnNDmoM Enjoy the music. |
Ghosthouse, Grant Green died going on tour because he needed money, when his doctor told him not to go. Grant spent much of 1978 in hospital and, against the advice of doctors, went back on the road to earn some money. While in New York to play an engagement at George Benson's Breezin' Lounge, Grant collapsed in his car of a heart attack in New York City on January 31, 1979. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, and was survived by six children. Since Green's demise, his reputation has grown and many compilations of both his earlier (post-bop/straight ahead and soul jazz) and later (funkier/dancefloor jazz) periods, exist. They can say what they want to say about "Rappers" but they're taking care of business and making money. I think your evaluation of Leon is "right on target". Now I'm going to pipe your link into the big rig, relax and listen. Enjoy the music. |
I just got Leon's CD "Spirits Known and Unknown"; the music is fantastic and so is the recording quality. It has one controversial cut; I wouldn't touch that subject with a ten foot pole, I fulfilled my military obligations at the time Viet Nam started. If that's a problem, I suggest finding another CD with as much of the music you can find that's on this CD minus Viet Nam. I'm having trouble listening to his voice or looking at his picture; he sounds and looks the same as I remember, jovial and smiling. When he sings song for my father, I can see his father; Leon looked a lot like his father. I'm going to have to listen to this CD in stages; enough for now. Enjoy the music. |
Believe it or not; I read that Leon was going to be in town, appearing at the same joint where I saw Grant Green. During intermission, I saw guys from the old neighborhood gathered around Leon on the sidewalk out front. Naturally I joined them and began reminiscing about old times. All of a sudden, two tons of ugly comes running up with the assumption I'm causing trouble with the star he's hired to protect. When he starts running off at the mouth, they leave me on the sidewalk with Mr. 5 X 5 two tons of the ugliest bouncer you ever saw. (Deja Vu) It seems I've been here before. You got that right, I never went back to that joint again. |
My point Ghosthouse was that with all the records he made, why should he be so desperate for money? I know nothing about the music business, but that used to occur far too often with jazz musicians; but now that "Rappers" are taking care of everything in the business of recording and distribution, they're rolling in dough. While "Rappers" may sell more records, jazz musicians sold over a longer period of time; there's no way jazz musicians should have been desperate for money. Local musicians who work on a regular basis aren't desperate for money. What I'm saying is that when too many people are handling things, money disappears. Are we on the same wave length? If not I'll come back. |
Many of the best jazz songs are like a short story. I've written a vignette for this song. The name of the song is "invitation", and now the song becomes alive with your imagination. There's a mid city lounge that feature strong drinks and good jazz; they run a reel plus a juke box, and jazz lovers like to come in to listen and unwind. Coincidentally, an attractive lady and a guy happen to be at opposite ends of the bar regularly. There's a long mirror on the wall behind the bar; not wanting to be obvious, they had been checking each other out in the mirror; but this time they got caught and discovered they were both checking each other out. They smiled at their reflections in the mirror. He was just trying to recover from the end of a love affair and not to eager to start another. She had different ideas. They left separately without engaging in conversation, although she wished he would make a move; this is where the song begins. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyp1yvSBq5I[/url] Enjoy the music. |
Ghosthouse, jazz musicians depended more on record sales than concert tours. I forgot what the ticket prices were, but this wasn't a stadium; jazz musicians depended on record sales, and although records were selling, the musicians didn't seem to reap the benefits. Now there are local musicians who record, and sell their own CD's; they're living at about the same level as someone with a good job; nice house, new car; they are not hurting. Maybe Frogman will chime in and enlighten us; we're not talking about musicians with big dope habits who could make any amount of money and still be broke. Enjoy the music. |
Ahmed Abdul Malik was an interesting bass player; he was of Sudanese descent and played with Thelonious Monk, Randy Weston, and Coleman Hawkins. This is his most exotic record. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVDnfy9soNU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOGqAvElCAs Enjoy the music. |
Rok, sometime you have a hard time understanding things; before Leon Thomas was anything, he was a childhood friend, and now he's dead. Although he's been dead since 99, I haven't dealt with that fact. I might start a record, and then stop it. When he was alive, I enjoyed his records, but now it's a mixed bag. This is no different than if you were hearing a childhood friends voice that was no longer with us. I should have dealt with his death when he died, but I didn't; and now whether I want to deal with it or not, I have no choice. It's no fun dealing publicly with something I should have dealt with a long time ago, but such is life. Enjoy the music. |
There is Leon Thomas the musician, and Leon my childhood friend; when they had the funeral for Leon the famous musician (famous in St. Louis) I had to close on the very same house I'm living in right now, and I couldn't attend both. In hindsight I wish I had canceled, and scheduled the closing for another day. After Leon's funeral, I was sorry I didn't attend, but I got over it. Now it's hitting me that wasn't just Leon the musician's funeral, that was also Leon my childhood friend; we use to catch grasshoppers together in the field behind our houses. Me, him, and his brother went swimming together. You are never supposed to eat anything before going swimming, but he ate a half a chicken with lettuce and tomatoes every time before we went swimming, and never got a cramp, or gained weight; those are some of my memories. The eerie part of this is, now I hear Leon my childhood friend, as opposed to Leon the musician. He sounds better than ever on these new CD's, and I'm enough of an "audiophile"to consider that an objective statement. I admit it would take a psychiatrist to sort this out, but I'm reconciling with those two people; soon I will have them focused into one person. I think I have resolved my quite personal "Leon Thomas dilemma", now we can go on to other things. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, as long as I've been listening to jazz, and that includes listening at a variety of friends homes, you would think that I had at least heard about almost every album in this time frame and genre (that's what I thought) I've never heard of either one of these albums; I'll have to get them. "The Big 6" has made an old tune brand new; each one of those musicians is a star. Enjoy the music. |
Jafant, many of my favorites by Mingus are on this album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPT__sB6hgU |
Jafant, although Charles Mingus plays bass, I don't think of him as a bassist because of all the music he's composed, and fantastic records he's made. I hope that's not too confusing, but when you get to be an old jazz "aficionado" you'll understand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sfe_8RAaJ0 Enjoy the music. |
lEARSFOOL AND Frogman, this is especially for you two guys; these top jazz musicians are talking to other musicians about "music". While I enjoyed this clip, I didn't always know what they were talking about; but they discussed "modal" and other aspects of music. Although the center of the discussion was "Kind Of Blue", they went much farther than that; it was about Miles Music. First and foremost, this documentary is about "music"; consequently, Learsfool there's a lot you will understand in this documentary, that eludes me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RqrBKfg1sE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSwyd0E767Y&list=PL0F7DF9D912BA575B https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-EgyUcHSSQ Enjoy the music. |
