Jazz for aficionados
Today's Listen: McCoy Tyner -- SAHARA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJz5J-k04CQ&list=PLphrIV29xxqtHaJHsSAJuTZL5uILcJOdw I still hear Coltrane. Or was it Tyner all the time. :) This is one serious guy. Cheers |
I always thought they just filled a niche that no one else was interested in filling. After reading this wiki thing, I see I am right. If other established labels had been willing to record Jazz, there may have never been a BN. Of course all this was brought about due to 'social conditions' and 'race' music. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Note_Records The article says Lion was drafted in 1941 for two years. That would mean he was discharged in the middle of the war. WTF? There no easier way to make money than having an entire market to yourself. I wonder why we always think BN was run by Jazz lovers, but don't think DG was run by Classical lovers. At least I never did. Of course they are all now part of faceless multinationals. O-10: Aficionados of the world, UNITE!! You have nothing to lose but your LPs. Cheers |
Junkies: Being a musician does not make you do drugs, or give you the 'right' to be an addict. There were thousands of men going to work everyday at jobs all over NY, and the country for that matter, who did not do drugs. Musicians have a talent few people have, if they can not see that, and be thankful and make the most of that, then shame on them. Save your pity for the innocent people close to them that really suffered. I think the OP is addicted to Kool Aid. Cheers |
*****
players deserving more recognition; one of the exceptions to my belief that "there is usually a reason why". It is important to remember that record labels, even great and art-sensitive ones like BN, are a business.***** That sums it up. First there is always a reason why, good or bad, deserved or not, but there is a reason. All these labels were / are in business to make money. Do not assume that the decision makers at BN loved Jazz. They may have, but they loved making money more. Business people don't always love or even care about the product that they sell. For example, you'd be hard pressed to find an automobile aficionado among car dealers and salesmen. It's just a product. We may see the MBs and BMWs as wonderful feats of automotive engineering, but they could be washing machines as far as the average dealer is concerned. The bottom line is all that concerns them. The owners at BN and other labels, did not see the players as we saw / see them. Cheers |
*****
Musicians were supplied with alcoholic refreshments, and recorded in the early hours of the morning after their evening's work in clubs and bars had finished. The label soon became known for treating musicians uncommonly well - setting up recording sessions at congenial times, and allowing the artists to be involved in all aspects of the record's production.****** Seems like they got everything except money. Esp money commensurate with their importance and their contributions to the business. I guess the alcohol was considered adequate reimbursement. Reminds me of Chess records in Chicago. The Blues label. Also owned by some refugee from Europe. He paid his artist in Cadillac automobiles. WTF!!! Haven't these people heard of Money, and Royalties? ***** Kindly explain to me how this goes counter to my contention that the founder Lion was a jazz lover. ***** Never said he was not a Jazz lover, and the article never said he was. It said he was exposed to it in Berlin. My contention is that they saw an opportunity, an opening, a market that was under served, and they took advantage of the situation. Nothing personal, just business. Cheers |
This is stress. I cannot even listen to it anymore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tSV6nNTGO8 Cheers |
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I remember when we had "sociologists", they were replaced with "Law and Order", "Lock em up and throw away the key". Do you remember that?***** Well obviously the "Sociologists" failed!! If trained professionals can't help drug addicts, why would anyone think the US Government can? Prevention is the key, cause there ain't no cure. Cheers |
Heroin Video: I am not sure I get the point you are trying to make, unless, it's that drugs and addicts are found everywhere. if so, you have no argument here. It's all tragic. A few observations: The two women stated that the deaths of family members triggered their use of Heroin. They were so distraught. I think she mentioned an Aunt. We have all suffered those losses. A lot closer than Aunts. I never thought heroin was any sort of answer, and only a very weak minded person would. I think it was all BS. Where were the parents when they begin to hang with the wrong crowd? Where were the parents when they dropped out of school? Stress? How much stress can a upper middle class teenager have? Not being able to provide food for your children, That's Stress!! Deaths: 185 in a little less than a year. I think Chicago averages about 500+ per year. Murders that is. Drugs have been around as long as Man has. In the rural areas it's Meth. That's worst than heroin. They get no help or publicity at all. BTW, we now know that the German Army was on Meth during the war. No wonder they could go non-stop. There is nothing new under the sun. Cheers |
***** Rok, what albums do you have with Tina Brooks as a side man? ***** As leader:
As a sideman:
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The Government / CIA conspiracy exposed at last!! http://www.aol.com/article/2016/03/21/flight-attendant-flees-la-airport-cocaine-found-in-bags/213314... O-10 you were right. Cheers |
*****
Probably the greatest singer to ever live; imo, of course:***** I notice you did not limit or put him a box, by putting an qualifier before the word 'singer', and you are absolutely correct not to do so. Just think, this man changed Country Music. Great performance. Had never heard it before. Thanks Cheers |
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heroin is cheaper than marijuana.***** So what? Are you saying if the price keeps dropping, you will start using it. A price too good to pass up? We all know the dangers of drug use, ignorance is no longer an excuse. Stupid people take drugs. That's why they call it 'dope'. (from a drug ad) BTW, there are many countries with no drug problem. They don't lock them up and throw the key away. They put them up against a wall and blow them away. Stop drinking the Kool Aid. Esp that purple stuff. Cheers |
Brooks was also involved in the music for THE CONNECTION a play about drug addiction. Music by Freddie Redd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5A2TIf1kpY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfes2Wptxx8&list=PLB3EDB18A1DDE1D6D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3X5J_wGHrw Cheers |
Senor Blues: This has been posted before, but it's just so wonderful. Love all the solos. esp the Trumpet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4BC3vErvpc Arranged by Carlos Henriquez. Could he be the heir apparent at Lincoln Center? His arrangements seem to be featured often. Cheers |
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Rampkin (trumpet) starts his solo (@ 4:17) with EXACTLY the same musical figure as the one that Goines (sop sax) ends his solo with, and then develops his solo with that melodic idea; classic motivic development improvisation. ***** Listened again, had to laugh out loud. Great info. I love it when you provide this type of insight. Cheers |
I Listened to these today. Old recordings, but sound so new. Must be Timeless. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ionrItWcyEA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdg4W89U3kY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoF7J8_N4GE Cheers |
Mel Ryne: Very nice. With that line up, what could possibly go wrong. Mel showed the good sense to not try and dominate the proceedings on organ. The Art Blakey approach to being leader? Made for a much better record with the Organ in support. Organ and Piano together in the same group? Unusual. But the presence of Gene Harris can be nothing but positive. Really liked it. Cheers |
Smith and Whitfield: This clip shows that there are Organ players, and then there are ORGAN players. I hear Organ led group and I think, better suited for Lounge / night club. Nice but subdued / muffled sound. Needs some blare and wail. Nice Clip. I have tons of Smith. Will have to listen to him today. He was one of the first I came to know. Cheers |
Today's Listen: One of the best players ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlUUbylwdnc&list=RDUlUUbylwdnc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyip9jykZ7o Cheers |
Blast from the Past Among the first Jazz albums I ever purchased. Not as awesome as they once were. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xJC20dmqJk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNP4NpZ0F8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ENHkZj-YKk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ4rTHHZyv0 Cheers |
Taj Mahal: A blues man playing a Jazz tune. This is a Jazz man Playing a Blues tune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY4YB_6P4qk The transition is so seamless. Almost as if they were kin. :) Cheers |
Shearing and Wilson: Have only one by Shearing (walkin'). Big time guy in British Jazz. Harmless enough. Only one by Wilson (with Cannonball). She is great but, maybe a little too sophisticated for my ears. Unless seen in person of course. I saw her once at Constitution Hall in D.C. Donald Byrd: A New Perspective Well, the OP finally stumbled into posting a 'must have'. Jazz and Gospel, a match made in Heaven? I think I'll get 'Black Byrd' also. Thanks. Cheers |
When I checked out the Byrd stuff on Amazon, all sorts of wonderful stuff came up. Box sets by Morgan, Brown and Silver. All dirt cheap. But I have most of the single CDs. Byrd: '8 Classic CDs' does not contain 'A New Perspective' or 'Black Byrd'. And after reading all the reviews I sensed that the sound quality was just ok. At my stage of the game, no music trumps bad sound. The '8 classic' sets also have no notes or booklets. I hate that. '100 best jazz Tunes of the 1950's' remains the best value ever. Excellent sound, great tune selection, and notes / photos / booklet. 'The Complete Blue Note' seems to have better reviews as far as sound quality. After all, it is Blue Note. It does contain 'A New Perspective'. I think I might try it instead of the two single CDs. Cheers |
It seems as if the '8 classic', 'Complete Blue Note' and these sort of box sets will be the final resting place for the players of the 'Golden Age' of Jazz. Its the same with Classical Music. The best players, and the best performances ever played are dirt cheap, while the new noise, errrr I mean new music, costs $20 per CD. Go figure. Oh, to be just starting out on this journey. Cheers |
Donald Byrd: 'Rising Sun' and 'Black jack' were good. This guy does seem to stray off the Jazz reservation quite often. 'Black jack' may have been one of his last Jazz efforts Since I don't buy CDs based on one or two tracks anymore, I think I'll stick with the complete BN CD. All his good stuff is there. I think he quit Jazz and went into Funk. Pulled a Miles on us. Thanks for the clips. Cheers |
Roy Hargrove: I think I lost 10 pounds just watching it. I loved it in spite of myself. Some familiar faces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5HSKRzNKzk&list=RDp5HSKRzNKzk#t=5 Sherman Irby on alto. He's with Wynton at JALC now. Featured on their Christmas CD. Chucho (the pulverizer) Valdes on piano. I wonder how many pianos does he go through in a year. You won't go to sleep on him. All in all, very entertaining high energy Jazz. I loved Hargrove's playing on the opening number. I noticed that mic was inside the bell of his trumpet. Wondered how that sounded to the audience. I was about to say, it's good to see young folks today playing Jazz, then I realized this was 20 years ago. Where does the time go? Where have I been? I never thought Hargrove was as big as he should / could have been. I always thought of him as the next Morgan. But, it could have been just the decline in the popularity of Jazz in general. He should have been at BN in the 50/60s. Thanks for the tip. Cheers |
Today's Listen: Another group that fell short of the expectations / hype of the Jazz movers and shakers.. Seems as if they only recorded four albums. I have these two. I think they went solo afterwards. I like them both. The Harper Brothers -- REMEMBRANCE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENrbb--xg3s The Harper Brothers -- ARTISTRY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJqbL6VWo4Q&list=PLmlILoFRlWlqs_q-QLUu7Vs6IvI8A_soT As Cannonball might say, Check it out. Cheers |
Great DD Jackson Clips. It's so compelling, it just grabs you and takes you along. Since this was next on my shelf: Willis Jackson -- BAR WARS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrGgAXTbkMA Jackson and Pat Martino often record together. Who'd a thunk it? Cheers |
Don Pullen: Not my favorite player by any means, but I do like him more now than I used to. I have three by Pullen, but I am partial to this one: Don Pullen -- KELE MOU BANA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cAuAfKqvZc Cheers |
Today's Listen: Roy Hargrove -- WITH THE TENORS OF OUR TIME https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y8PZkqJTIE&list=PLLhORrvwD4q8PiN2bIn5cbuaHiomigktt&index=1 Much Better. You could say he rose to the level of the Tenors. Cheers |
