Jazz for aficionados

Loosely related to the last few posts.  A pianist that's gotten a few mentions over the years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTPXCsxco3s

@rok2id 

Check out the various AudioEngine models.  I have a pair of A5s in bamboo.  Not sure if they qualify as "latest and greatest" but they are good sounding and good looking.  Affordable too.  

@rok2id
You are very welcome.
Here’s a link to them on Audio Advisor under the "powered speaker" heading. Other brand options shown too. Buying from AA you would be able to return them if you did not like them. Don’t know anything about your intended use but unless you get some kind of great package deal you might hold off on the sub until you get to hear the speakers. I have my A5s on top of a roll top desk in an alcove in the loft. Plenty of bass. But I don’t use them for critical listening...more for background etc. while doing paperwork. That isn’t necessarily a comment about sound quality, however. In any case, they are way better than garden variety mini-computer speakers. They can play plenty loud to be well heard in most of the living area on the ground floor if desired. Also, the Kevlar speaker material takes a while to "loosen up". Early on they will sound closed in and not that great.  Just be aware, these aren’t up to the standards of some of our audiophile colleagues that grace this A’gon forum with their wisdom.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/products.asp?dept=377#sort:brand:asc  

Audio Advisor has a listing for "computer speakers" too (very limited). An Audio Engine sub is listed there.

Hope O will pardon the temporary detour.

ALRIGHT!  They do lay down a groove.

Something a bit newer (a 2006 release) and from Italy...so yeah, Italian Jazz (hope that don’t make anyone’s head explode; or maybe I do). A trio that does hold my interest.  Sonics on this recording are very good.  Love the "equal time" (i.e., prominence) given to the bass player.  

Track 2 from Meltemi by Alboran Trio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkcQWPdVQno

Review in All About Jazz
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/meltemi-alboran-trio-act-music-review-by-chris-may.php

@rok2id - John Mayall’s "Jazz Blues Fusion" might be of interest to you (in the unlikely event you don’t already know it) if only because of Blue Mitchell’s participation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW_5_RcPubY

@alexatpos

Don’t know if "Italian Jazz" would warrant a new topic but this Meltemi recording has certainly got my attention. (This Italian digs it.) Not sure what the "traditionalists" will think, however.

Well, now I know what the "traditionalists" think...at least one of them.

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Rok,  Can't say I'm surprised.  Can't say I agree entirely.  Ultimately, it doesn't matter.  I will still enjoy the Meltemi recording whatever music type it's considered.  Although I continue to think it IS jazz.  Jazz written and recorded by Italian musicians in Italy.  That's all I meant by "Italian Jazz".  I do readily  admit Mayall's Jazz Blues Fusion doesn't seem all that "jazzy" to me.  I only brought that one up because Blue Mitchell is on it.  

This whole "It's Jazz/It's NOT Jazz" discussion has been done to death in this thread.  Much rather talk about the music.  For starters what do you like or not like about that Meltemi recording?  What about it does or doesn't fit Wynton's view (or yours) of jazz??  Myself, I'm now curious about that Corky Siegel or Jean Rampal.  What's so bad about 'em? (although on the latter, I got a feeling I will probably feel the same way were I to hear it).

Very interesting article. WM is certainly articulate but assuming Paolo, Dino and Gigi are unaware of this history, does it disqualify what they create from being jazz? I am taking liberties with WM’s position. A very good article. WM is impressive.

http://wyntonmarsalis.org/news/entry/forgetting-the-roots-of-jazz-is-forgetting-the-history-of-race-...

Hey Rok...just saw your reply.  Don't worry...I won't spend money on those 2 recordings you mention but will try to find the Corky Siegal on Spotify etc..  I'm slightly familiar with Rampal.  No interest in greater familiarity.  That Meltemi is the debut by Alboran Trio.  Their 2nd is Near Gale...also favorably reviewed in All About Jazz.  Glad you found it enjoyable (jazz or not!).

Cool, acman3. You are welcome, of course. If you read the All About Jazz review, EST was mentioned so hopefully Alboran Trio will work for you as well. Yeah, I could hear how prominently the bass figured...both in terms of composition/performance as well as how he’s mic’d. The AAJ write up called it out so knew it wasn’t just imagination.

BTW - Here’s more "jazz from Italy". Over 50 years old but and still fascinating to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJq3j4rA0o0

Herbie Hancock’s solo in Autumn Leaves (it starts around 8:45) is amazing. Geez what a talent.

For how old this is, the sound is remarkably good.  

Forget anything else said or written about Miles, the fact remains he sure knew how to gather talent around himself. I stumbled onto that 1964 footage after watching a short one where Ron Carter describes how he got recruited by Miles. What a charmer RC seems. "Well!...."

watch it here (very short)....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzHDKtTI1rw

@astewart8944
@acman3
Gents - I’m curious what you like about Julian Lage’s playing and music. Not trying to be a provacateur at all...just wondering what you hear in it. He’s new to me and I did check Modern Lore (though not extensively, yet) along with the track, Atlantic Limited, that acman3 provided.

In keeping with "contemporary" jazz, I’ve been enjoying Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, (live) "Random Acts of Happiness". The opening track, My Heart Declares a Holiday is a good place to start. A bit Phillip Glass-ish. Full album here

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbIbbHWn1O3n1EdBRRKcfUhWzvF3jaZCM

sorry...make that "provocateur".

@acman3
@astewart8944
@frogman

Gents - Thanks for your insights. I had posted a lengthier response but it didn’t go through. No energy to try and reconstruct it (to your benefit, perhaps!). At any rate, I think I hear many of the attributes you (pl.) mention. I read the Wikipedia entry on him and am impressed. I appreciate jazz artists whose creativity is built on a solid foundation of academic training. Spent time with Modern Lore last night. It’s not an immediate "must buy" for me but Lage does seem to have a very individual approach and is an interesting player. I like that in the first video Acman posted there’s no monster ego on display and his playing seems to come from a very serene place. Not a must buy to me at this point in listening because his compositions seem a little loose and unstructured. I’m missing a "focus". This could reflect "subtlety" on his part and/or the need for more listening on my part. Regardless, thanks for the tip on him.

@acman3 
Yes...not too much from Bruford on Tidal.  That live recording, Random Acts of Happiness is on Spotify, however.  I subscribe to Tidal and Spotify.  USUALLY prefer the SQ on Tidal but I'd swear, SQ on Spotify Premium has improved over the last year or so.  Don't know Bruford/Earthwork's discography that well so can't say for sure whether any of the compositions on Random Acts are new (i.e., not previously released).  I think many/most are from earlier studio albums.  For me, new to Bruford's jazz, it's a good intro - well recorded too.

I posted this previously, to deafening silence as I recall :-)
Re-posting because it's Ms. Vaughan sharing vocal duties (wait for her to appear at ~1:10) on a beautiful Creme/Godley song from their Consequences album.  Hope you enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nk4lhxKK6k

Thanks for that. Sarah has the voice for which the cliche "smoky" was invented...or so I think. It has a lot of "texture" to it. Did you listen to "The Lost Weekend"?

Thought it would be interesting to compare styles on one of the greatest songs ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVNiubIXHf4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XivELBdxVRM

Yeah...the quiet on this thread is a bit concerning given O’s health issues. I owe him a lot for the great intro to jazz he has provided here (even if I didn’t always enjoy much of it!). The exposure has absolutely affected my "taste" going forward.  

Thanks O.  Hope you are able to return soon.

Later, Pryso.  Ciao

@pryso 

Yes...I hear the same thing.  Very different styles (not to mention different "voices").  To my ear, Sarah's voice is more complex with more character.  Acman's link further underscores that.  She tends to slide into pitch on some notes, I noticed, whereas, in addition to that dictional clarity, Ella is a little more directly on pitch.

Didn't know the manner of Sarah Vaughan's passing or I might have looked for a different adjective.  Wiki says Summertime is one of the most heavily "covered" popular songs.  Would be interesting to continue the exercise to include versions by others.  I saw Nina Simone, Billie Holliday and Maria Callas all did versions of it.  Janis too!

Ciao
  

Nature abhors a vacuum....
So, in the absence of anyone posting, I’ll take the opportunity to post this bit of musical excellence:   Bruford/Towner/Gomez "If Summer Had Its Ghosts", Track 2 Never the Same Way Once.  
Best I can tell from the All Music Guide credits that’s Ralph Towner on piano (who knew!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmDHWFhbRqc

@rok2id

Okay. A pretty easy to understand personal preference for Ella over Sarah Vaughan or any other female jazz vocalist - I get it. Making that preference some kind of universal truth is a different matter, however. What about her puts her in that (superior, I assume) category compared to anyone else. Right now, as written, your post is neither persuasive or illuminating. Limiting the comparison to their two renditions of "Summertime", for me Ella is like a glass of chilled Chardonnay, while SV is more like a full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s room in the world for both, of course.

There is the top three, and then all the rest.

Rok - Who is the third in your top three?

(btw - no opinion about it, just curious).

Okay.  Thanks.  If I had to guess, she woulda been my guess.  

Your Fifth Element comment reminded me of a music scene from another movie.  This isn't jazz either...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJKpYnMMKKM

@pryso 

Pleased that clip connected.  It is a quirky and memorable movie.  One of my favorites too.

While that cat's away,
Let the bass clarinet play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGKRSOBfp2A

@nsp
You are very welcome. I love the tone of bass clarinet. Much preferred over the standard B-flat instrument. I played both years ago...not very well, mind you. Wish I’d taken opportunities with the bass clarinet more seriously; "Youth is wasted on the young"...a poster child here.

Anyway, other than Dolphy and now Tim Garland (multi-instrumentalist in a late incarnation of Bruford’s "Earthworks") who else is there to check out?

BTW - am familiar with Soft Machine.  Got a boxed set of several CDs (Amazon UK).  Had 5 years ago.  That is still the one I appreciate the most.

Pryso - Herbie Mann...gosh only thing I know of him is that hot disco flute sound he had going in the ’70s. I’ll quickly confess to being more of a jazz dilettante than aficionado...but a committed one! Don’t tell O (actually, I already have). Where is that cat anyway?!

Random Acts of Happiness is very good. Excellent compositions and musicianship. Sonics are exceptional...especially given it is a live recording. Another Bruford I recently found and bought: If Summer Had It’s Ghosts (Bruford/Towner/Gomez). Worth checking out but no bass clarinet on this one...no reeds. Different style than Random Acts. Whatcha do get is some great piano by Ralph Towner! (along with his always excellent acoustic guitar work). His piano work kind of surprised me...it’s very good; I didn’t realize he was that accomplished. Also, starting to be become a bit of a Eddie Gomez fan. Love his nimble, melodic work on this album. He’s well recorded on it too.

Frogman - your input always valued. Bruford fired his original reed player to give Garland a spot. Quality will tell, I guess. Will have to check out the Dolphy performance. He is still a stretch for me but I admire the heck out of him. Maybe one day he’ll click for me.

Thanks to all for the comments and input.

nsp - 
Thanks for the suggestions and additional video.  Ah...of course, Bob Mintzer.  I've been enjoying the Yellowjackets' Timeline album quite a lot recently.  Was totally overlooking Bob Mintzer on bass clarinet.  Unfortunately, the Bob Mintzer live cut you provided is unavailable (in the US?).  I couldn't view it, in any case.  Wow...Marcus Miller.  Another bass clarinetist I know nothing about (not that big a surprise, really).  His beautiful tone really grabbed me with just the first few notes.  I'm not that big on the "jazz standards" but was really liking things until Mr. Sanborn made his entrance (physically and musically).  Totally wrecks the "mood" of the performance - or so I think.  We will continue to persevere in our pursuit of Eric Dolphy.  

rok & alex - Thanks for the flute suggestions.  

Frogman - The Dolphy solo performances of "God Bless The Child" you linked to reminded me of Bach's works for solo violin.  There's a purity and distillation to essence in his performance.

FWIW - I mind too.
I don’t inflct my neo nazi (just kidding) political views on anyone else. Prefer not to be subjected to their views whatever side of the aisle they are from. Only 2nd generation born in the USA. Poor Italian immigrants for whom the country has been a real blessing; our family has prospered here. Don’t see things quite the same as some with longer family residency and special insider knowledge. Come here to share enjoyment of and learn about a certain kind of music, not for aggravation. (Here endeth the lesson.)

Witness for the defense re Clarke's upright bass skills...

Corea, Clarke, White - Forever Track 1 On Green Dolphin Street.
Patience rewarded beginning at around the 4:20 mark...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X88kOfVzQk

Something good to listen to while the discussion unfolds...

from "The Music of Eric Von Essen Vol. III" 
Track 4:  It's Just One Big Party
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFeyG91Lg0w

Link to the All Music E.V.E. bio...
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/eric-von-essen-mn0000801306/biography

The All Music Guide review of Vol. III
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-music-of-eric-von-essen-vol-3-mw0000660394

Thanks for checking it out, Frogman.  Appreciate the courtesy and always appreciate your thumbnail reviews.  I have a hard time tracking who plays what on that album.  All Music Guide lists multiple drummers, guitarists, etc. but no track by track personnel listing.  I'll take your word on that being Erskine.  The drumming on it is is nicely propulsive without being heavy handed (trademark style, maybe).  The album is worth finding on Spotify or Tidal. Actually, the full thing also available on YouTube. Quite a bit of variety track to track and good sonics from the Cryptogramophone label

Frogman -
Checked out the Harold Land "Little Street" track you linked to. I do think I can hear the similarity in tone to that of the sax player on that One Big Party track. No screetch in Land’s playing there; not overblowing; nice rich tone.

By the way, is that something of a Coltrane/Giant Steps quote in the opening few measures of One Big Party (starting right at the 7/8 second mark)?
Sounds awfully "familiar".

re your drummer correction - The A. Cline listed is Alex Cline drummer/brother of guitarist Nels Cline. It might be him on that track. Either way, Erskine or Cline, good work.

Pulitzer shmulitzer.

BURN BABY BURN!

90+% of popular American culture is crap.

Tune out and turn off.
Dropping out still seems like good advice though.

@orpheus10
No argument with your appreciation of Herbie Hancock in fusion...but don’t you think Chick Corea ranks right up there as a "fusion" peer? Maybe you don’t - and if that’s the case I’d be interested in the reason "why" if you are so inclined. Not trying to generate yet another tedious controversy here...just like knowing what other people "hear" or don’t hear!

Anyway, never listened to Sextant but I found it on Tidal and will check it out later. Headhunters I sort of know. Maybe I need to revisit it. Certainly wasn’t smitten during previous encounters.

And that ain’t intended as a shot at or put down of the band or anyone here who happens to like them or their music.

I will definitely revisit it, Frogman, and with your advice in mind.  I do recall something of its popularity.  Was in college when it was released and some people in the dorm had it.  

Greetings earthlings.
Pardon the flyby.
Add 42 years to Mysterious Traveller and maybe you get this...
(or not)
Takuya Kuroda's No Sign from his 2016 Zigzagger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k7kQyedXbw

Gotta go.
Ciao

Thanks to a neighbor and fellow music lover for recommending Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge".

Recorded in 1964, this has aged well over the intervening 54 years and sounds very fresh to these ears. McCoy Tyner’s piano work is excellent and Elvin Jones drumming contributes to a high level of energy.

Track 3, El Barrio, here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztVT1_8ZmDY

Thanks @alexatpos
An interesting read. On the first link to Blue Bossa, right at the start of his solo (exactly at 1:01), is the trumpet player, Kenny Dorham, intentionally overblowing to get that (almost trill-like) distortion or is that a defect in the recording posted to You Tube? His tone is mostly clean later in the solo. Anybody know?

Thanks for that explanation, Frogman (as well as the additional Henderson albums).  

@pryso 
Not concerned myself but even so, enjoyed that video.  Thanks for sharing it.

FWIW - Another ensemble interpreting Zappa...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6czwi005sE

Yet again at perihelion...greetings Earthlings.

Apropos the recent discussion of certain solos. A contribution from my working musician/producer bro-in-law who has characterized the obligatory, in-concert, upright bass solo as "a trapped fly, buzzing behind a window shade" (or words to that effect). Obviously, he’s not a fan of ’em. In light of that, he shared, with relish I might add, this article that supports his point of view.


http://archive.is/6D3sY

Hello Frogman.  Absolutely no problem w/anyone quoting that wonderful characterization by my b-in-l.  (and "yes", I'm not above repeating a good joke!).  Of course, when he told me, he accompanied the statement with the appropriate sound-effect.  He has a great ear! and is a good mimic :-)  

Your comments about that article are appreciated.  I'm not that familiar with Bill Evans' trio's work but inappropriate/overbearing bass work isn't anything that ever stood out to me on the pieces I have heard.  I figured the guy (described as a curmudgeon in the intro) is a "bomb-thrower" and exaggerating to make a point; at best, being controversial to stir-up productive discussion.  

Personally, in my read of the article, I didn't think he was "ignoring" as much as trying to invalidate jazz as conversation to which bass contributes.  It seems an extreme position to limit things to just one solo instrument with bass confined solely to rhythm-related duty.  Yet the author is apparently not alone in this as another musician is cited in the comments with something of a similar point-of-view.  Can't recall name off the top of my head.  I did think the writer's comments about the jazz ensemble as "democracy" (or not) were worthwhile - more good fuel for discussion.

I don't hold with the writer's position (or my b-in-l's).  Schubert's comment IS exactly right.  Whatever ingredients are needed to make the cake...or pie or cookies.  

Actually, the seeming narrow-mindedness of the writer reminds me of some of the other "jazz purity" discussions that have happened in this thread!

Another pianist here that I've been enjoying and this album in particular...
(be patient...not as New Agey or trite as one might mistakenly believe listening to only the first few bars).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-6Fga-Ft_0    

Not to belabor this, Frogman.  I thought the first two comments referencing Lennie Tristano could be taken to mean the author was not completely alone in his stance (while recognizing the author and Tristano probably differ on this topic somewhat and "paths" by which they arrived might well differ too).  In any event, I'm definitely not trying to argue in defense of either's position!

1 Ralph // May 20, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Alan: One possible explanation for Tristano walking out on the famed Evans trio was his dislike for the interactive styles of both Motian and LaFaro! In an interview I did with Jack Reilly, an under appreciated pianist and composer and a former Tristano student, he told me Lennie apparently didn't use a rhythm section in that manner. Scott La Faro would probably not be a good match for Lennie. To quote Jack on Motian: "In fact, when Paul Motian played�he played once (with Lennie) and Lennie told him to stop all the other stuff and he was quite annoyed and I don't know if he lasted the week or not, it was at the Half Note, and he had come in to sub for somebody. He stayed a few days but I don't know if he was ever invited back to play with Lennie.""... Lennie had so much going on in his head that anything that was not just strict time would interfere with the way he wanted to express himself at the piano."

2 Ted Gioia // May 20, 2008 at 10:41 PM
There is very smart assessment of Tristano's attitude toward rhythm sections, recently published by Ethan Iverson at this link. He examines in detail Tristano's well-known complaints about bassists and (especially) drummers. But as Iverson points out, Tristano's primary obsession was with having an even, steady beat.

Roger that, F-man.  Will track down some Tristano.  

mary_jo 

You are very welcome.  Glad you enjoyed it.  

Persuant to recent mention of Blue Jeans Cables, this might be of interest:

https://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/iconoclastintro.htm

Thanks to Doug Schroeder for the tip.

"In the beginning was ska and Jah saw that it was good and gave us the Skatalites."

Rupert Thompson (You Tube comments 6 years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ28stet7-E


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skatalites

Greetings earthlings.

Pardon the interruption for some music.

As periapsis is approached on an increasingly eccentric orbit around your domain, the following seemed worth sharing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfVCCsgbX14

Not only a superb drummer (playing with Miles at 18!) but an excellent composer as evidenced by every single track on his recording “Civilization” recorded with the post-fusion, hard-bop quintet he put together after returning to acoustic jazz and Blue Note (thank you All Music Guide).

Difficult to understand why it is out of print. Never the less, many tracks on YouTube and, so, something to sample here.

You will not mind how far up in the mix the drums are.

Tony was not shy! :-)

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Ciao. We must be on our way.

@pjw81563 -
Nice to hear from another admirer. I suppose we are really preaching to the choir. For me, I only knew of his reputation based largely on his Lifetime recordings. His post-fusion albums and his compositions in particular were a surprise and elevated my regard for him.

@Orpheus -
Didn’t realize you had posted until I’d finished remarks to pjw.
Honestly, I totally "get" what you are saying about having listened to so much and for so long that many things sound "stereotypical". I can absolutely say that about rock now (most current stuff bores the heck out of me) based on going back, not quite so far as you - but almost.

Not having listened to as much jazz as you, there are still quite a few new discoveries but even with my much more limited exposure there’s a lot of the traditional stuff that does not light me up (sounds the same same same to me; i.e., BORING!). The playing by TW’s quintet on Civilization really engages me, however. The songs are strong as are the performances. Of course the energy TW imparts as drummer certainly works for this aging "blues-rocker".

If you have suggestions for other recordings you think are like Civilization - I'm definitely interested.  THANKS

Thanks for another TW Quintet link, Acman. I’m really enjoying Mulgrew Miller’s piano.


Found this standard (trio)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdtb08ihndU