Jazz for aficionados
Rok, I heard this young lady and thought of your love of Ella. Maybe not a finished product, but tons of potential. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmQbC5TYFM4 O-10, let us know if you are better???? |
Acman3: Nice clip. She is very good. She does remind me of Ella in that she does everything so 'Effortless'. It just flows out of her. I also listened to her do 'Yesterdays' and a very funny, 'I only have eyes for you'. I guess the white frame glasses are her 'trademark', but I think she should ditch them for Jazz. Ella, and the other truly greats, always looked serious. She has quite a few clips on youtube. All great standards. Thanks for the posts. I have no idea about O-10. I hope he is ok. Cheers. |
I'm back! I think. Although I was restricted to the bed attached to a machine, my favorite pastime, enjoying good music was not restricted; that's because the play list on my computer runs non-stop, and the bedroom system is decent. Since I didn't have a choice as far as what to hear next, I decided to review what ever came up. If you will get in your time machine and set the dial for 1970, provided yours goes back that far, we'll enjoy the hits of O. C. Smith. "Little Green Apples", takes me back to good times with fun loving people. http://youtu.be/i5J_FyLg7tc "Help Me Make It Through The Night". I was in a hotel room on Peach Tree Street in Atlanta, all alone gazing out the window at neon lights, and didn't know a single solitary soul in Atlanta, when this song came on the radio. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYwf3_EqbY Our next artist is Eddie Harris. He had the effect of making people get up on a dance floor and shake their "boody's" when they couldn't even dance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsHtO_i4qzM "Theme In Search of A Movie" is one of the most beautiful tunes I can think of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgNum6bqX0I ( While I had a good support team that would get me anything I wanted, I was still in bed hooked up to a machine with my music as the only solace.) Bean Bags is the CD "Sandra's Blues" is the tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMgwWAaxQQ4 (Remember, I wasn't looking at the CD or LP when I heard these tunes, I had to identify them from memory, and what you're reading, is what I wrote while in bed. These "You tubes" were added after I was able to move around) Coleman Hawkins is the sax man with "Bags" on vibes, and Kenny Burrel on guitar. It's absolutely astounding how well a person can hear the music when they no longer have to consider things like, "where will I go, and what shall I do today"? The first record I ever bought by this next artist just came up on the play list. Right now, I'm listening to her piano; this was when she still had aspirations of becoming a concert pianist. Leersfool, I'm sure that no one can appreciate classical piano more than you, and this aspect of her piano, along with jazz, blues and gospel, can be heard here. When you get "Nina Simone/ Little Girl Blue", you will be delighted by a young lady who can sing and loves to demonstrate her virtuosity as a musician. On "Love Me Or Leave Me", her piano is reminiscent of Brubeck, but all "Nina Simone". Now that I'm back, all I have to say about my journey to hell, is that it never should have happened, and that's all I got to say about that. Rok, Frogman, Leersfool, and Acman3; I hope I've still got the same support team I had when I left; I missed communicating with you guys about the music I love. Enjoy the music. |
O-10, I have 'The Electrifying Eddie Harris' on LP. I will now have to get it on CD. I had forgotten what I was missing. That cut does bring back memories. Like, when you could find Jazz on juke boxes in bars. Great tunes. I have had "Bean Bags' on my 'to order' list for a while now. It will be on my next order. I spent quite a long time in Atlanta myself. Used to work for IBM on Peachtree back in the mid/late 60's. A great time for music. For computers also. I worked on the IBM Model 360. Which has since been replaced by my 99 cent cascio calculator. :( I am sure I have everything Nina ever recorded. :) Her 'Four Women' stays on my desk. You can never get enough Nina. I was in memory lane last night. Listening / watching DVDs. Three Mo'Tenors, EW&F, Playing For Change and Smokey Joe's Cafe. Nothing can possibly sound better than listening thru HD 650s and a first rate Sound card. I have about 80 CDs to catalog on the puter. So I better get busy. Great to have you back. Cheers |
Rok, I had more fun in Atlanta than in any town I can remember. This is a follow up to my last post about "Nina". These tunes illustrate how great a jazz pianist she was; they give you another aspect of her talents to focus on. Nina gives you two for one, a great vocalist and pianist. Nina Simone "Good Bait". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPw9YiBXtM Nina simone "African Mailman". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz0VOq9UuyQ Nina Simone "Central Park Blues". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne8XQRBm_Gw Nina Simone "Flo me La". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWX0beegGA0 Enjoy the music. |
leersfool, as a jazz aficionado, it's only natural that I think jazz musicians are the best; I said "musicians", and not music, because that's too subjective. The best music is whatever the listener likes best. However, there is another type of musician that deserves equal or higher status depending on how you rank musicians; and that is the "pit musician". I had the unusual, and unique opportunity of seeing one in action. They only appear at the best full production plays, as far as I know, and even then they're down in a sunken pit right in front of the stage; consequently the audience looks over and past them, they're out of sight. My seat was up front and far left of the stage where I could look down into the pit. I saw these musicians seated in a row, side by side. Each musician had several instruments, of whatever type he played, in a rack; plus his sheet of music, in front of him. I was closest to "the reed man", he had every reed horn you can think of, including that strange one called a basoon in a rack in front of him. Although it was a fantastic play (I had read the book), my attention was focused on "the reed man". His eyes never left the the sheet of music in front of him as he slid one horn out of the rack, and another in. While the music was spectacular, this was a dramatic play, and not a musical. The music flowed seamlessly with the action on stage, while the pit musicians were constantly changing instruments and sheets of music. When what sounded like improvised jazz was called for, I watched the reed man blow like "Trane", and his eyes never left the music in front of him. If I closed my eyes, I would have sworn that I was hearing a jazz musician, maybe even "Trane"; but I could see the reed man blowing what was on the piece of paper in front of him. That told me that what sounds like "improvised jazz" can be written on a sheet of paper, I didn't know that. Now that you and Frogman know what I saw, maybe you could further enlighten us. Enjoy the music. |
Orpheus, you bring up a great topic for discussion. Unfortunately, I may be away from this board for several days - about to have one of the busiest weeks of my entire season. Also, you have now touched on Frogman's area of professional expertise, so I will leave this particular field to him. I will, however, comment that many of the very finest players in the world right now are the ones you hear in the movies. The top studio players in LA are a very small group - only a pool of about 300 musicians total record most the movies you see nowadays. As Jim Thatcher, the top studio horn player told me once - "I go to work every day having no idea what will be on my stand - I just know that I will never see it again." These fantastic musicians literally spend their time almost totally sight-reading. They are very good at it, and have to be, otherwise they are wasting very valuable studio time. They are also the highest paid orchestral musicians in the world, the best of them making a MUCH higher amount per year than the very finest principals of the world's finest orchestras. Thatcher has had many famous horn solos in the movies written expressly for him by people like John Williams. One he is particularly fond of is a solo in the movie Always. Very long and lyrical, and also extremely high in register, making it infinitely more difficult. He once told me - "That's MY solo, and no one else will ever play it." A very different world/life from the average orchestral musician, that's for sure. |
Rok, while we're waiting for Frogman to expound on "studio players" or "pit musicians", as I referred to them; I'll explain how I have pristine sound in every room that I want it, generated from the play list on my computer. I don't remember what sound cards I use, but I'm sure you've already taken care of that. let's begin with computer out to HRT Music Streamer II to Intelix Audio Balun, Max distance 2,500 ft, out to Cat 6 cable the distance of the house. This is fed to a balun at the receiving end, and interconnect to preamp. The "baluns" are available from "Parts Express", $55., and Cat 6 can be purchased cheaply in your desired length. 2 ft. of your favorite interconnect completes this pristine signal to the pre, and it's as good as a signal 2 ft. from the pre. Enjoy the music. |
Hi Orpheus - studio musicians and pit musicians would have pretty much a completely opposite existence, musically speaking - they are not at all the same. A top Broadway pit musician, for example, will typically play the same show 8 times a week for sometimes years - over, and over, and over, and over again. A top LA film studio musician will never play the same thing twice. If the music is very easy, sometimes they will turn the recording light on right away before there is even any rehearsal. On a usual session, they would probably read through most of the music just once, and then start recording it. If the music is truly difficult, they may have a couple of readings, and some actual rehearsal, before recording it. But basically, they are incredible sight readers. I just wanted to clarify that there is a huge difference between the two types of work - opposite extremes, in fact. A symphonic musician, like myself, is something in-between. The amount of rehearsals we have depends on the type of program we are playing. For a symphonic concert, there would be typically four or five rehearsals during the week, and three performances on the weekend. For a pops show, there would typically be only one rehearsal, the same day as the first performance of the weekend. An opera orchestra will have several rehearsals before the production opens - the first few just the orchestra alone, then a few with the singers, but not in the pit, then a couple of dress rehearsals. I will let Frogman answer your questions about the woodwind doublers you see in the pits of theaters. |
DEAD?? As the world's foremost authority on Jazz, I find that very distressing. And just what am I supposed to do with all my, as yet to be posted, 'reviews'? My public, demands to hear my take on Ray Bryant's "Potpourri" and Freddie Hubbard's "Ready For Freddie" and hundreds of others. I cannot be responsible for the backlash / outrage, if you silence my voice. Please reconsider. Cheers |
O, I just wanted to encourage you to keep the thread open. There may be a lull in the action from time to time, but as we hear or rehear some great jazz, we can return to report what we have heard. I have learned a lot from you Jazz Aficionados and am not ready for it to stop! I have seen a couple of interesting talents lately and will report further when time permits. |
Leersfool, here's a must have for your collection, Dorothy Ashby, "Invitation". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCNIapijh8w Enjoy the music. |
Today's gem: Ray Bryant Trio -- POTPOURRI Ray Bryant (piano),Jimmy Rowser (bass),Mickey Roker(drums) Eight tracks, all standards. They aren't called standards for nothing. Great Tunes. My comments apply to each and every track. Outstanding dynamics throughout the CD. No gentle Tinkling of the ivories or soft brush strokes on the cymbals, these guys make a joyful noise!! They sound like a much larger group. It's hard to keep in mind that only three people are making these wonderful sounds. Of course Bryant is just awesome. One of my favorite Jazz players and one of my first. "Slow Freight" was one of my first Jazz LPs. What is unique about this set is that the Drum and Bass solos are of just as high a quality as the leader's solos. The bass player plays with outstanding intonation and articlation. Very effective and merges seamless with the tunes. Ditto the drumer. Should be played at the proper volume for max effect and enjoyment. Don't like this? Not a crime, just means you don't like Jazz, and that's not a crime either. It's a 'condition'. Cheers |
The most impressive 'pit players' are the guys that play for Ballets and Operas. IMHO, of course.:) Last night, I watched and listened to The Nutcracker -- The Royal Ballet and Orch of the Royal Opera House. Miyako Yoshida danced the Sugar Plum Fairy. To see the dancers movement and hear the band in the 'pit' is just awesome. Perfect sync. Cheers |
Take Two: Freddie Hubbard -- READY FOR FREDDIE Hubbard(trumpet),McKinney(euphonium)WTF???,Wayne Shorter(tenor Sax), Art Davis (bass), McCoy Tyner(piano). As The O-10 previously pointed out,(stealing my thunder in the process), good straight ahead Bebop. There was a time when I felt Miles Davis was the Alpha and Omega of Jazz trumpet. No more. I was a little late 'discovering' Freddie Hubbard. My loss. He is for sure among the top trumpet players ever. Three of the five tunes are by Hubbard and they are the best on the CD. The aptly named "Birdlike" is the best cut. It and "Crisis" rise above the typical BlueNote stuff. I don't get the Euphonium, seems to me that if they wanted another horn, someone like, Al Grey on trombone would have been a better fit. McKinney plays well, it's just that the tone of the instrument does not seem to add much to the proceedings. Tyner is the consummate sideman. Giving just what is needed. I guess he learned to be low key playing with the biggest ego in Jazz, Coltrane. Shorter comes close to stealing the show, esp on "Birdlike". I guess that would be fitting. The rhythm section keeps everything moving, even the tuba guy. Elvin Jones is another great on drums. Overall, a very good Blue Note outing. But with the talent avalabile during that time, it was sort of difficult to make a bad record. O-10 says it's on youtube. Check it out. Esp "Birdlike" Cheers |
Rok this is the first time I ever even heard of a "euphonium", and if it was the last time, my feelings wouldn't be hurt. "Birdlike", certainly reminds me of Bird. Sometime ago, I told you I was looking for new music, this music is new all over again. My search has ended, let's find some more "new music". Enjoy the music. |
Jimmy Scott -- MOOD INDIGO A truly unique talent. The epitome of a Song Stylist. 10 songs, all well known standards, from Mood Indigo to How Deep is the Ocean. Backing group includes Hank Crawford, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Beck etc....Gregoire Maret does great work on Harmonica. Crawford and Chestnut are the perfect type players for Scott's style of singing. Scott had a rough time of it in the music business. He often times didn't even get paid. His trusting and honest nature seems to come thru in his voice. Great for his art, but very bad when dealing with the sharks in the music business. Every Jazz fan should own some Jimmy Scott. I have several CDs and they are all exceptional performances without a weak track in the lot. Give him a listen. Cheers |
Roland Kirk -- BLACKNUSS What can one say? Some soul, some Blues, some R&B, some gospel, some other stuff and a whole lot of Roland kirk. The man is a magical genuis. All of the songs except the title track are covers of well known songs. All are done in a manner that could only be done by Roland. "ain't no sunshine" and "old rugged cross" are my favorites. This youtube is an example of the 'other stuff'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV4CBG6I58g Done by Princess Patience Burton. Cissy Houston also sings on "never can say goodbye". It may not be Jazz as we expect it, but it is Roland Kirk, and that's good enough for me, and should be enough for any Jazz Fan. Watch the youtube thingy. You'll like it. Cheers |
Rok, I want your e-mail address. If you follow these instructions, I can copy it and take it down after I get it. Go to http://wealthisbeingtranfered.wordpress.com/ Click replies Click 'Enter your comment here' and fill out comment with email address Enter email and name in form below Click post comment Enjoy the music. |
Freddie Hubbard- Forced my Dad to go see him when I was visiting my folks in L.A. My Dad played some trumpet in school and some local plays when he was young, but he had never heard Freddie. My Dad told me a while back that, when he thinks of his time in LA, 2-3 years, that night is his first memory. Cedar Walton- For some reason, his loss hurts a little more than normal. One of my favorites. RIP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9pccmxOn5c |
Hang around this thread long enough, even a white boy like me could get educated. Yeah... I know. Not PC. Too bad. Heard a Euphonium for the first time live only recently. In church. Beautiful sounding instrument. The kid playing had great tone. Got to check out Roland Kirk. Heard the name don't know his music. |
Chick Corea -- Solo Piano STANDARDS The title says it all. Corea playing standards. Normally solo piano gets sort of tedious after a few tracks. Not this time. The recording, playing and piano are all top notch. A lot of Monk and Bud Powell stuff here. I favor the Monk tunes : Monk's Dream, Blue Monk, Ask Me Now and 'Round Midnight. Corea also does a delightful interpretation of "Brazil" to close out the set. Played at the proper volume, i.e. LOUD, this is an aboslutely wonderful record. Great dynamics. This is the second CD of a 2-CD release. Th first one is entitled "solo piano Originals" I don't know why I didn't get it also. I will now. Check it out. Not sure youtube will do it justice. Cheers |
Rok, here's another interesting version of "Round Midnight" with Chic Corea. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shWrMVSj_hk Enjoy the music. |
Bringing Bobby McFerrin into the conversation is like opening up an entire new genre. He does not fit in any box. I have him with Yo-Yo Ma on the CD "Hush". Every track is unique. He does "Spain" with Corea and "Another Night In Tunisa" with the Manhattan Tranfer. Both are exceptional. That's one of the best things about mentioning any artist, it allows / reminds us to see what they have done lately. There is a lot more to McFerrin than "don't worry be happy" In many ways he reminds me of Roland Kirk and Nina Simone. Kirk, because he is so uniquely compelling and Nina because, like her, he says so much, and says it with minimal accompaniment. After visiting Amazon, I put a few of his in my cart. Cheers |
I've been following Bobby every since I discovered he was an accomplished musician who uses his instrument, the same as any horn player; his instrument, which is his voice, is even more versatile than a horn. The soundtrack from the movie "Round Midnight" is another good display of Bobby McFerrins versatility. Enjoy the music. |
I was listening to June Christy "Something Cool", and it hit me just how sad that song was; but before you can realize this, you must first picture the setting. It was at a time when people didn't have A/C at home, and the only places to cool off were at a lounge, or movie theater. This attractive young lady just casually left home to pop into a lounge and cool off. She sat next to a young man who bought her a drink, as was the custom then; that's when she began running down her life story in order to impress him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn8EtaxGJP0 Something Cool Lyrics Something cool, Something cool, Something cool, I'd like to order something cool! Something cool, (something cool) I'd like to order something cool, (something cool) It's so warm here in town, And the heat gets me down, Yes, I'd like something cool! (something cool) My! It's nice to simply sit and rest awhile, Now I know it's a shame, I can't think of your name, I remember your smile! I don't ordinarily drink with strangers, I most usually drink alone. You were so awfully nice to me, And I'm so terribly far from home. Like my dress? I must confess it's terribly old, But it's simple and neat, It's just right for the heat, Save my furs for the cold! A cigarette? Well I don't smoke them as a rule, but I'll have one, It might be fun With something cool! I'll bet you couldn't imagine That I one time had a house With so many rooms I couldn't count them all! I'll bet you couldn't imagine I had fifteen different beaus Who would beg and beg to take me to a ball. I'll bet you couldn't picture me The time I went to Paris in the Fall, And who would think the man I loved was quite so handsome, Quite so tall? Well it's true, (something cool) It's just a memory I have, (something cool) One I almost forgot 'Cause the weather's so hot! And I'm feeling so bad (something cool) About a date, Oh wait! I'm such a fool! He's just a guy Who's stopped to buy Me something cool! It's really a beautiful song until it get's to the end, that's when you realize how sad it is. Next is another lady I like late at night, "Chris Conners". Her version's of "All About Ronnie" is my favorite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13T2SiP6qRA Enjoy the music. |
Been a big fan of Bobby's for decades! 2010's 'VOCAbularieS' is one of the greatest achievements in vocals-only music I've ever heard. Somehow, it feels like something so beyond acapella that I hesitate to call it that. Coincidentally, this weekend I picked up his latest; 'spirityouall' from my local library so I'm looking forward to giving it a listen later on during this wet Labor Day in Fl. on the main rig! Because don'tchaknow Bobby's music is always impeccably recorded and an audio treat! |
I enjoyed reading the lyrics more than I did hearing June Christy sing them. She is a good singer, but the music and her voice had no dynamic range. Didn't reach out and get my attention. Chris Conners? Sometimes 'Cool' Jazz can be a little too 'cool'. There has to be a little fire and heat. Billie excelled at that. Cheers |
Chazro, thanks for the Bobby Mcferrin recommendation. I will look it up. I like June Christy. She usually has a smoking band, and her coolness works for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYrgEi12EvY And then there are the ballads. Definitly not Billie, but who is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13T2SiP6qRA |
For those who want to hear it as it's supposed to be done, look up the CD "Jazz in a R&B Groove vol 1" I could not find it on youtube. One of the best CDs I own. But I did find one of the singers that appears on that CD. Irene Reid. See the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaf0oPqtp8U As Acman3 alluded to, and I have said many times, the group backing the singer is EVERYTHING. That means the ultimate would be Ella backed by Basie. But, do check out Miss Reid on the link. If for no other reason than to hear and see the Basie band. On the 'R&B Groove' CD she sings 'what a difference a day make' instead of 'day makes'. Used to drive me nuts for a long time. I don't even hear it now. :) Cheers |
Rok, here's a real kicker by Gerry Mulligan's concert jazz band, these cats can blow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLaRvL1wEeQ Here's Peggy Lee singing that same tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXwNOrO5zg Annie Ross is one jazzy chick, this is when "hip" was an everyday way of life; I'm so glad that I lived it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYnmSAtZuB0 Enjoy the music. |
O-10: All three youtubes were very good. The Mulligan cut was let down by poor sonics, but great playing. Peggy Lee? You don't have to say alot. She was one of the best ever. Annie Ross? I have several of her with LH&R. The songs she sang here, I have played a zillion times. Joe Williams was an added treat. And did you notice, the Basie septet. :) The word 'Hip' fits Ross and LH&R like a glove. Talk about 'sophisticated' Jazz. That would be Annie & Company. Cheers |
Rok, we agree on all counts. Although I have Mulligan on LP, I was wondering if it was the same one, and as far as I can tell it is. I hope the one I have is on CD, because the sonics are excellent. Since Amazon only gives "used" LP, I don't know; but there are also "down loads". Since that's the best cut on the LP, and none of the rest of them quite come up to "I'm Gonna Go Fishin", "down load" isn't a bad idea. Enjoy the music. |
