Rok, this is the best compilation I've ever acquired, although I got a headache from reading about it; consequently, I'm doing more listening and less reading.
On CD 2, Kenny Dorham's "Afrodesia" was new to me. He failed to get the recognition he deserved. After checking the sidemen, I realized why this tune was so fantastic. Carlos "Potato" Valdes is someone I had forgotten about. All the other sidemen are stars in their own right.
While all the cuts on this CD are outstanding, "The Champ" by Jimmy Smith is another tune that caught my attention, and it was one of the few without well known sidemen.
Although I wasn't too impressed with the tune Carmen sang, I really liked the sound of her voice; since that was in 56, I'm going to get everything she recorded in that year.
Enjoy the music.
|
Learsfool, I'm dying to hear your comments on Willie Ruff and Dwike Mitchell; especially the French horn part.
Enjoy the music.
|
Frogman, for a minute I actually thought that was Trane, Elvin Jones really made it sound convincing; he was with Trane when I saw them both. I'll have to get that.
|
Rok, you really know how to make a guy work; first, out of all the people in that book, you pick somebody that I've never heard of, and ask me if he's related to somebody else that I've never heard of. The Ali Jackson in the book, was "senior" while his son was the drummer with Dee Dee Bridgewater, now I need a break; it's good Frogman answered the other question because it would take me a couple days to figure that one out.
Enjoy the music.
|
Rok, there is no way under the Sun that I'll comment on that page.
Enjoy the music.
|
|
|
Rok, it wont be long before Mrs. Orpheus will be dragging out her Christmas collection, and it will consist of all the Carols we sang as kids; that's when I stuff my ears, smile and pretend I'm listening; but until that time, I gonna Bop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09BB1pci8_oEnjoy the music. |
|
|
Speaking of photos in Nica's book, can you believe Lee Morgan was a giant among giants at that young age. In the compilation "The 100 best tunes of the 50's", he appears as a sideman on: Moanin, Blue Train, The Sermon; plus lead on "I Remember Clifford".
Lee was shot by a jealous woman at Slug's Saloon, a jazz club in New york city's East Village where his band was performing, and bled to death because the ambulance took so long getting there; it seems they were reluctant to go into that neighborhood. Can you imagine an ambulance being reluctant to go into a neighborhood where Nica "The jazz baroness" went in her Bentley and fur coat after midnight; what a contrast.
I checked Ray Bryants "Slow Freight" and it's on my list.
Enjoy the music.
|
Nica's story is the most fascinating jazz story I've ever encountered and she never wrote a tune or played an instrument; she was even too busy living her story to write about it. Since all I had to go by were the slanderous rumors, I believed them up until now. Clint Eastwood made some disparaging remarks about her beauty after she had gotten older, and I believe he was truly jealous; with all his fame and fortune, he was nobody in the jazz world compared to Nica. She was super cool and hip without making any effort what so ever to be that way. I've met people like her, and I wish I could be that way. One such person gave me some sage advice, "Be true to thine self", he told me, in his naturally hip manner; and so he was. Nica lived for the moment, and her life after she became "The Jazz Baroness" was one continues set. She told one of her nieces to meet her at a club: "How will I recognize the club"? "Look for the car" was Nica's response. The niece instantly recognized the club, it was the the one with the badly parked Bentley in front, that had two winos lolling around on the leather seats. "They keep anyone from stealing the car", she was told after finding Nica. This was in a tiny basement club, where Nica was the only white person in the joint. "Smoking a cigarette in a long black filter, her fur coat draped over the back of a spindly chair, Nica gestured to an empty seat, and picking up a teapot from the table, poured something into two chipped china cups. We toasted each other silently. I'd been expecting tea. Whisky bit into my throat; I choked and my eyes watered. Nica threw back her head and laughed." "Thanks", I croaked. She put her finger to her lips, and nodding at the pianist on stage, said "Sssh, just listen to the music Hannah, just listen", as she swayed to the sounds. After that soaks in, you can begin to percieve Nica; no wonder "Nica's Dream" is my favorite tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDrxzKYdwsAEnjoy the music. |
Smitten is putting it mildly; she's my dream jazz date, I can just picture us on the set, "Sssh, just listen to the music Orpheus".
Here are two of "Satchmo's" three wishes; "That I go back to the world and see the fans, and play for them again"..... "That I live a hundred years, so I can enjoy what the next generation's doing, same as I do this one".
His wishes were so prophetic that you would think I made them up if you didn't have the book.
Enjoy the music.
|
I buy raw speakers from Parts Express and tailer them to my taste. If you got a really good buy, and you like the cabinet, YES. After you purchased them, the people at Parts Express could help make them the perfect speaker for you; ask a lot of questions about the crossover. By replacing existent capacitors for better caps will give you an audiophile speaker.
I hope that helps.
|
Florence Quivar is pretty too, not as pretty as Kathleen Battle, but thank God, less "operatic"; even so, neither one of them can compare to Mahalia Jackson when it comes to spirituals; however, here's one I liked by Florence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uuh5BvQ9QIEnjoy the music. |
If you don't know anything about crossovers, tell them you were hoping for a 3 way 4th order T type with polypropylene capacitors. If the speaker doesn't have that particular crossover, could they update the existing capacitors?
|
Frogman, before I could only compare the different versions of a tune, but now that we have you to give us a new perspective from a "nuts and bolts" point of view; maybe you could compare these two versions of "My Favorite Things". I know you're tired of hearing this, but I'm going to tell it again. When I saw Trane live, this is what he played; try 45 minutes of "My Favorite Things". Miles said Trane played for himself on live performances; I saw Miles and I had no idea what he was playing; talk about the pot calling the kettle black, that's the best example yet; but Trane worked the tune so many different ways. I was at a table with some professional musicians, and they were in a Trance; to be honest, I was lost; but I'm sure you would have enjoyed it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33o32C0ogVM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWG2dsXV5HIEnjoy the music. |
Kathleen Battle sure is pretty, I'd rather look at her than hear her sing; but that's the "subjective" opinion of a jazz aficionado. You just can not have Christmas without Mahalia Jackson's "Silent Night"; she convey's the religious aspect of Christmas like no one else, it's almost supernatural, and that's not as subjective as one might think, because people in London England will agree with me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRpMc5OVHncEnjoy the music. |
|
Frogman, no one could have made a better comparison. I like both of them for the reasons you gave.
When I was a child, one of mothers cousins who became moderately wealthy, figured that since she had the money, she should acquire the image of a "cultured person", and that included opera. She decided my mother should accompany her to the opera, and since my mother couldn't find a baby sitter, I had to accompany the both of them to the opera.
Maybe that memory of people in strange costumes strutting around on a stage screeching in some unfathomable language scarred my appreciation for any thing "operatic"; Frogman, not everyone can appreciate caviar, and many of the other finer things in life; like "opera", for example.
|
Frogman, picture "Calvin", as in "Calvin and Hobbes" at the opera.
Enjoy the music.
|
Rok, I guess you'll have to use that Texas sized broom. Frogman, I think you missed your calling, maybe you should be a psychiatrist. Since you got it right, I'm holding this post until after other responses; but Janis Joplin just swept me away. There was even more involved than her raw pure emotion, her time was my time; that was when I was living my life just as Janis was living her's, not a moment to waste, each second of life had to be savored, and Janis conveyed this in her music. A decade went by and all I can remember was good times, me and Janis had a lot in common. That was the "Age of Aquarius", and Janis was one of the leading proponents of our life style. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjxSCAalsBEJanis Joplin captured the spirit you see in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9oq_IskRIgWhat's so amazing, is the fact that you got the others right as well, I find this hard to believe. Enjoy the music. |
Sounds interesting. I was looking at the cover of our book, and noticed Monk was wearing "argyle" socks, I know you remember those; also when "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" was hot, so was that combination color, plus black added, hot in argyle socks. Pink and black was a real hot color combination back then. Now that I don't have to write about music, I can just listen and reminisce about better times.
Enjoy the music.
|
I was listening to "Delilah" by Max Roach, and Clifford Brown, when it hit me that not a single note was wasted by any of the musicians. That's my opinion, "To thine self be true", is the philosophical advice I've been given by the hippest of the hip, and Nica may have said something to that effect, but whether she said it or not, she certainly lived it, and that's an even more profound statement.
There is "nothing" about music that's not subjective, it's not necessary to learn one single solitary note in order to enjoy music, and I have zero intention of learning one single solitary note. Although it may be true that musicians enjoy music more than none musicians, this "non musician" is doing quite well, thank you.
Each one of those musicians on the "Brown and Roach" record probably knew "Charley Parker" personally. Before I even knew what jazz was, when I heard Bird, it was like music from heaven, message sent, message received; and that could explain why those musicians are so coherent to me.
"Loud fast and empty"; that was your sincere opinion, and since all music is subjective, that was the way that music affected you, and "you" don't listen for me or anybody else; you're like that guy who went to a house of ill repute, and was asked the question, "Who you gonna satisfy with that little thing", and he replied with great gusto, ME!
Enjoy the music.
|
Max Roach was no doubt the best dresser, not only in this book, but throughout his entire career. He was on top of the world until Clifford Brown was killed in that accident, in 55. For a while after that, he just couldn't get it together. The love between compatible musicians is incomprehensible. I almost got in a fight with a well known professional jazz musician I will not name, simply because he asked me questions about a another jazz musician that he had made records with and loved, and I told him the truth. (this was personal, nothing to do with music) He got mad and began an argument in front of a night club, telling me that couldn't be true. Naturally the bouncer and the club owner, who didn't have a clue as to what this was about, assumed I was in the wrong.
Much later I understood what I had told him was something he didn't want to believe, but he knew it was true, he just took his frustrations out on me.
The reason I tell you this is because we will never understand that love between musicians; but it took Roach a long time to get it together after that, can you find a date for his answer to that question.
|
Clifford Brown was killed in 56, not 55. I got that wrong because my cousin had a 55 Chevie, and I remember it as new, but it was a year old. We were cruisin Chicago in the Summer time like it was new when that accident involving Clifford, Richie, and Richard's wife occurred. That was a sad time because my cousin bought every Roach and Brown record as soon as it hit the record store. |
Rok, you can enjoy and appreciate the musicians in our book if you just stick with one group for awhile. Right now I'm into Roach and Brown primarily for "Richie Powell", who was Bud Powell's younger brother. He didn't live long enough to record on his own, consequently you have to listen to him with Roach and Brown which isn't a bad deal.
Miles said Roach was never quite the same after Brown died, and I agree; at any rate I'm really enjoying what I can find on you tube with Roach, Brown and Powell.
Enjoy the music.
|
Learsfool, in pursuit of the Horn and Miles, I heard "Birth of The cool" for the first time. I still can't believe Miles was that far ahead of his time. It's reminiscent of West Coast Jazz that didn't catch on until the late 50's. That would be an ideal project for Horn. Chico Hamilton also used Horn on some of his albums. This is some music that I think would be ideal for Horn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6uc2pssy34Enjoy the music. |
I'm sure he concentrated on his nuts, I don't know about the bolts.
HAVE YOURSELF A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
|
Rok, "Wardell Gray" is our next project; he's a name that I remember from that summer in Chigago; cuz only selected the best, and that was a time and place when and where the best was readily available.
Our job is to find the music I remember, which won't be easy because so much is out of print. First we have to find what's available, and select from that. I'm positive this will be worth the effort.
Enjoy the music.
|
Rok, I'll find out what's available by Wardell, and you can review any "you tubes" you find. If you find something you like, I'll let you know if it's available on CD.
Enjoy the music.
|
Maybe our Gurus will come back, but in the meantime we'll have to wing it. Since I need a change, I'm willing to give "your" Classical Music and Opera a try; where do I start?
Enjoy the music.
|
Rok, you're moving too fast. The recording quality on these 100 best tunes is better than anything I've ever heard on LP or CD. As Nica would say "Just listen to the music Rok", and that's what I'm doing. When music is this well recorded, you can hear things that you didn't hear the first time, and the recording quality has been a problem with so much jazz, that I just can't stop listening to these tunes. Trying to find something by Wardell Gray was an adventure in bad recording.
Enjoy the music.
|
|
Since one of our Gurus who wasn't gone is back, I'm going to look into his suggestions, as well as yours. While opera and classical music are new to me, it could be an interesting adventure; you lead and I'll follow.
Enjoy the music.
|
Learsfool, I want to thank you for answering all the interesting questions Rok asked.
Rok, after getting me into this Classical, Opera bag, you failed to comment on my responses; however, it seems that Learsfool has bailed us out of this morose quandary.
Enjoy the music.
|
Leersfool, when I took my son's alto sax to the music store for sale, the owner gave me a price, and told me he would pay a lot more if I took it to the St. Louis Woodwinds and Brass Instrument Repair, and get a clean bill of health.
There was only one person ahead of me when I arrived. Someone was explaining every detail of what was wrong with her horn, and what it would take to repair it.
That can't take but a minute I thought, but he seemed to go on and on. Fortunately the wait was a pleasant one. This was in a very large open room, with a long counter separating the customers from the instrument repair specialists at their separate work stations.
As I sat in a comfortable chair listening to classical music and watching the men at work, I began to experience the calm this place exuded. Whether the person was working on woodwind or brass, he seemed to have an attachment to that particular instrument as he played a few quiet notes for testing. The calm expressions on their faces indicated to me, there was nothing else that they would rather be doing, or no place else they would rather be than here; consequently, what they were doing didn't fit the definition of "work".
Although I'm not particular fond of classical, I liked this music. While I couldn't see the rig, the mellow tube sound that was the antithesis of ARC, indicated it was probably old refurbished electronics. The speakers were custom horn, probably very efficient. I liked this sound much better than what I've heard that was supposedly state of the art.
I had gotten fairly comfortable when, "Can I help you"?
"Yes, I have an alto sax I would like you to go over"
That exchange brought me back to the reason I was there. After examining the horn, he explained every detail that was wrong, and told me I could wait, which I didn't mind at all.
There were photos on the wall of local jazz musicians which I instantly recognized, plus the classical musicians from different venues in the city. All of these photos were of musicians who had their instruments worked on here. There were even photos of world famous musicians. The fact that they all had been here and had their instruments worked on was quite impressive.
When they called me to the counter for the bill, it was less than I expected. After I took the horn to the music store with a clean bill of health, he gave me more than I expected; that was a good day.
|
Rok, this is kind of late, but it might stop my torture next year. Christmas is all about "childhood" memories now that I'm and old man. I don't even like the Christmas jazz music in my own collection anymore. Here's a Christmas song that holds fond memories of my youth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSUT8Inl14Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, I alerted my son to your video; he had no idea the sax he used to blow was so intricate. We both agreed that must be the world's most beautiful sax.
Enjoy the music.
|
|
I was walking past the "Pershing Lounge" in Chicago, when I saw a bunch of people gawking at a car parked out front. Although it was an automobile we hadn't seen before, they were gawking because it was Dinah Washington's car, she was performing at the Pershing; this was in the summer of 56, and the Continental Mark II was so new, no one had seen one in the flesh. While I never saw Dinah Washington in the flesh, I still remember her car. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Mark_III'm treasuring that memory, as I listen to Dinah; she could sing it all, and do it like no one else. While most of the other Diva's are best known for: gospel, pop, blues, or jazz; Dinah could do it all. "What a Difference a Day Makes", was her pop contribution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhaBIlWPxfo Her voice had a quality of deep longing, "Saudade" is the word in Portuguese. It has no direct translation in English, but suggests a deep melancholic longing for an absent something, or someone that one loves. It also carries the repressed knowledge that the object of longing will never return. While no matter what genre your preference is, you'll probably find something you like by Dinah; my favorite is "Invitation". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyp1yvSBq5IPicture this, you're at a bar you come to and listen to music to unwind. About four stools down there is an intriguing lady that attracts your attention. In order to be unobtrusive, you look in the mirror behind the bar at her reflection, and your eyes meet; that's when you smile. This intriguing lady finds you equally so ..... "Stardust", is one of the most popular songs I can think of, but when Dinah sings the song, it takes on a new persona; here's "Stardust" by Dinah. What are you're favorite tunes by Dinah Washington? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sopS-c1ca4EEnjoy the music. |
Learsfool, this sounded quite interesting when I heard it in the movie theater where "Shutter Island" was playing, but I most certainly could live without it after listening on my rig. My point is this, classical music sounds better on mega buck rigs, like at a movie theater, although it's possible that the brooding nature of the movie and the music matched. What do you think in regard to classical music and the quality of the rig? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iczj8-a7VMgEnjoy the music. |
|
Frogman, that was absolutely spectacular; the tambourine lady provided a visual intensity that can not be duplicated on CD. I would have given anything to have been there, continue the 70's.
Enjoy the music.
|
Rok, I have "Stardust" on "Jazz Round Round Midnight"; she's accompanied by many of the artists we've already discussed, not a hint of R&B on this CD. It captures the essence of the person; she had a deep longing for something that could never be, her 8 marriages might be an indication of that.
"Honey, if I told you, you'd faint" was one of her responses to the "Three Wishes".
This CD captures the person inside the entertainer more than any other.
Enjoy the music.
|
Frogman, for my entire life I thought this was Latin American in origin. Music to me is what it convey's;
When they begin
the beguine
it brings back the sound
of music so tender
it brings back a night
of tropical splendor
it brings back a memory of green
I'm with you once more
under the stars
and down by the shore
an orchestras playing
and even the palms
seem to be swaying
when they begin
the beguine
to live it again
is past all endeavor
except when that tune
clutches my heart
and there we are swearing to love forever
and promising never
never to part
a moments divine
what rapture serene
to clouds came along
to disperse the joys we had tasted
and now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
so dont let them begin the beguine
let the love that was once a fire
remain an ember
let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
when they begin the beguine
oh yes let them begin the beguine
make them play
til the stars that were there before
return above you
till you whisper to me
once more darling I love you
and we suddenly know what heaven we're in
when they begin
the beguine
These lyrics, plus the music convey Latin America. According to the creole of the Caribbean, especially in Martinique and Guadeloupe, the term "Beguine" applied to a style of music and dance, and in particular a slow, close couples' dance. This combination of French ballroom dance and Latin folk dance became popular in Paris.
Xavier Cougat's version convey's this better than Artie Shaw's version. Technically, you are right because Artie Shaw popularized it. My point beyond determining who's right or wrong, is to establish what music convey's to individuals; this is why music is always "subjective".
Enjoy the music.
|
|
Rok, when Dinah died, she was married to "Night Train" Lane, a professional football player. I'm just putting the pieces together: "Her deep longing for something she had not obtained", "Honey if I told you, you'd faint", and her last marriage to an athlete who broke records for interceptions, which means he was long winded, and had a strong heart; maybe she fulfilled her last wish, but didn't live long enough to enjoy it; just speculating, what do you think?
Enjoy the music.
|
Frogman, although Neil Larsen is new to me, he will be added to my collection. Michael Brecker on tenor sounds especially good, this is a must have; Neil's concept of music coincides with my own.
Enjoy the music.
|
Rok, I don't have Mingus at the Bohemia, but I do have "Jump Monk" from that album on a compilation. Mingus tried to simulate Monk's dance movements on his bass, which was impossible because if you ever saw Monk dance, you would know that he was moving to a beat that's never been heard. Although Monk's dancing could stand a lot of room for improvement, I liked Mingus's bass. That was a highly significant album.
Enjoy the music.
|
