Jazz for aficionados
Have you ever been in a conversation where the subject always seems to be changing? I'm talking about where there are several different people in the conversation, and one guy chips in with "classic jazz", and another "fusion" of which there are several types. To be honest, I can't contribute very well or enjoy that kind of conversation. Dave, you seem to be interested in ECM, if so, why don't you contribute some of what you have enjoyed over the years in your collection. I don't specifically mean that record label, but in general that type of music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9vQ_y9JJ1E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6I02UdoT6w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULDI2_Gv77s As a child, I watched those freight trains pass by and counted the cars; now I have books about all sorts of trains. St. Louis to San Antonio was my longest train ride; not bad if you have a sleeper. I watched the weather change from Spring with green grass and yellow flowers, to Winter and snow piled up on a ride from St. Louis to Detroit; it's fun looking out your window and watching it happen. "Offramp" is my favorite album by Pat, and one of my favorite albums period. I saw him live on a big boat on the Mississippi River. |
dl - hahaha...I’ll wager how interesting you find the story behind my "handle" will be proportional to how UNinteresting your own life is. ;-) Suffice it to say, it does have personal significance on a number of levels. Add to that, it’s something I can remember reliably and spell correctly! (You are very welcome, by the way) Before I got the Aries Mini, I spent a TON of time tethered to a DAC via USB cable from my MacBook listening to music on Spotify. Their Browse/Discover recommendation function introduced me to a lot of new, off-the-beaten-path, music. I still use it from time to time, then see if I can find the album on Tidal for more "serious" listening. I wish Spotify would up their game SQ-wise. Tidal sounds better but Spotify has a big edge on size of the library; plus it is not so in-your-face with content I don’t care about. |
ghosthouse, once an extremely earnest and seriously-minded employee, while visibly trembling, looked me straight in the eye and told me his story of eerily detailed ghost-related occurrences in an old house he rented during college. Been intrigued by such ever since, thus my inquiry. Thanks for recommending Spotify. I will try to get it rolling. o - sorry for my lack of decorum here. I post musical suggestions when I feel they are worthy of the esteemed company on this thread. Dave |
Again, you are welcome, dl. Hope you like Spotify. I take it you haven’t been a regular user. Well worth the $10 per month if only to avoid the commercials (the bain of the "free" version, as I recall). Plus with a subscription, Spotify Premium SQ does get noticeably better, if not yet on par w/Tidal. Another plus for Tidal is the "blurbs" accompanying many albums. I think a lot of these come from the All Music Guide. I enjoy them. As far as your employee’s "paranormal" experience, the handle has less to do with that sort of thing than you might expect. On the other hand, I’m no skeptic about Reality being greater than the universe experienced through our five senses. |
Dave there is no decorum here, you just do what you feel. I was speaking of the way music affects me personally; I can't hear fusion, after listening to classic jazz. When the groove is changed radically too many times, I can't hear the music; fusion sounds like noise after getting into a classic jazz groove. Whenever the "groove" is changed, I try to go with the flow. We seem to be in an ECM groove now in honor of Abercrombie. I don't know offhand if I have anything with him as leader, but I have him as sideman. Ghosthouse understands that "groove" shift thing, occasionally he finds some "new" music that is unappealing at that moment, (sounds like noise, but might be OK in the next moment) If you like it, submit it. It has been alleged that I don't like a lot of new music, but that should have nothing to do with what you submit. What I don't like is radically changing of the groove (subject). After all is said and done, I would say it's your turn to submit music, whatever floats your boat. BTW, no one has commented on the last music I submitted. |
Thanks for clarifying, o. I do not feel intimidated by you or anyone here, just feel that I own the duty of diligence in qualifying submissions plus I respect what I do not know. I will return to auditioning your and others’ submissions here as of tomorrow. Trying times with custody of my grandson and big turds in my punchbowl associated with/created by my elderly father have kept me from investing quality time with good music as of late, but both challenges are being sorted in God’s time. Oh yeah, and then there is the mammoth hurricane headed toward me as I write.. Best to you, o, and to ghosthouse. Dave |
Hello there O - Some comments about your Metheny links... "Last Train Home" - I know this one well from the very good live album, "The Road to You". It's a beautiful song. Pat at his lyrical best. TRTY has a couple of tracks from Still Life (Talking) including Last Train. It also contains material from another studio album, Letter From Home - an excellent Pat Metheny Group album from around this same time. For a good part of the '80s, Metheny was incorporating South American percussion. On this album, Armando Marcal is listed as percussionist. Elsewhere it's Nana Vasconcelos. I think these sounds lend something pretty magical to the music. My introduction to PMG was walking into a record store when "Wichita Falls" first came out. I'd never heard anything like it before. THAT became my favorite Metheny album for a long time. Released on the excellent ECM label. Actually got to hear it live later that year or the next when the Metheny Group performed at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton NJ. Felt like I was walking on clouds when I left the show. Have to admit I do not know Offramp at all. I remember when I was just getting into Metheny after hearing Wichita Falls, it and American Garage were LPs I always wanted to get but never did, as it turns out. I like the two tracks you posted from Offramp; esp. those synths on "Are You Going With Me" and Nana's brief vocal contributions on "Au Lait". Guess I'll be listening to some more Pat Metheny soon. Haven't pulled out my old stuff of his from the '80s in quite a while. Probably waited long enough and should get Am. Garage and Offramp too. Letter from Home here, if you've not heard it before. A groove not too different from your Last Train Home link... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGGqEivPIKs&ab_channel=MrAkdnt Here's the final track from Metheny's 2nd album, "Watercolors". This one alone is worth the price of the album.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2iuL69IF78&ab_channel=ΚωσταςΠετρακος |
Dave, it's good to respect what you don't know. That made me aware of the responsibility I have to inform. We all have our crosses to bear, I hope to help lighten your awesome burdens. My mother-in-law gets crazier every day; she left in 6 degree below 0 weather one night, and had us worried enough to call the police. Some good samaritan saw her, and knew an old lady had no business out in that weather at night. Fortunately she knew her address, and they brought her back home. I'm impressed by your ability to hear "classic jazz". Imagine the music as an FM radio station, and we as FM tuners; we have to be on the right frequency in order to hear the music; not everyone is tuned to the right frequency. As far as classic jazz, you can go back through posts, and pick an artist or specific sound you want to expand on and we'll delve into it. The 100 Greatest Jazz Albums is a very good start, and I imagine you already have that. Stay safe from the hurricane, and I'll look for you after all is straightened out. |
"Ghosthouse", I know exactly what you mean by "walking on a cloud" after leaving that PMG show, I had the same feeling. Somehow, his group caught the feel of the moment; you were not in yesterday, or tomorrow, you were in that exact moment in time. I'll listen closer to his albums that I haven't heard in awhile. I'm not tuned to "Watercolors" this morning, but the music expresses "Watercolors". |
Thanks o. I very much appreciate your empathy. Okay, I will go WAY out on a limb and nominate track 1, "Laveau Dirge No.1" and track 7 "Familiar" from the Trombone Shorty "Parking Lot Symphony" album. The latter track is particularly challenging for the true jazz aficionado I expect. Credit to Erik Squires for alerting me to this gem. Dave |
o10, not sure I understood your "not my cup of tea" reference. Was that related to my "Timeless" link post? For me, that relates to a bit of Miles, who certainly was classic jazz, except when he wasn't. ;^) For those without a full catalog of Miles' records, this was his initial real departure from "classic jazz" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSPuPYIK5-E |
Pryso, "Timeless" and "In a Silent Way" are very interesting comparisons; both are laid back, but Miles horn punctuates "In a Silent Way" in a fashion that gives it "drama". The biggest difference was the musicians; each one on Miles album made significant statements. 'Timeless', just "droned" on like a train moving down a railroad track at a moderate speed. It did not have enough "drama"; I could not get into it. |
Dave, I'm hearing the music a lot better, that's enough to give you reason to follow my example. Things are "shitty" but my time here is limited, and I enjoy music; that's why it is my responsibility to listen to it more intensely. In regard to my problems; I'm no longer giving them any more thought than is essential. I'm giving the music the intensity it deserves. |
"Trombone Shorty" got it going on; he got "Nawlins" in his music, in his soul. As close as I can come to explaining that is food. "Nawlins" is like a very special spice, and you have to be from "Nawlins" to have it, but all you have to do is add this spice to whatever you're cooking, or music you're playing, and it's "cookin". |
Dave, I missed "Familiar"; that was so far into the pop bag, that I wouldn't consider it jazz. Trombone Shorty is on a thin line between pop and jazz; sometime it's clearly "Pop", and at other times there's so much "Nawlins" soul that it can be given the jazz call. The way he's taking his music to the bank, I don't think it matters. |
When you get that feeling it's time for some more music, you can either go new or old; I decided on new. Today, this decision is based on a record review. Chris Potter "The Dreamer is The Dream"; performance got 5 stars and sonics 4 1/2. Either that should be in my collection, or cancel my subscription. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTvYURLbRew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbONTltHalY This is interesting enough that I will add it to my collection; what do you think? |
I wonder if it's the music, or all the memories I have associated with the music; it's impossible for me to tell. I was listening to "Wine Light" by Grover Washington, and thinking what a really nice album that was. If this music sounds as good to you as it does to me; then it's the music, but if it doesn't, it's all the memories I have associated with the music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KOb8lphO-Y&t=103s |
o - Believe it or not that particular Chris Potter album is not on Tidal! Boooooo!. I gotta find time to learn about Spotify as ghosthouse said. I am working my way through several other Potter albums in between "you are going to die" weather broadcasts. lol. Listening to the Grover Washington Winelight album right now. Available on Tidal MQA. Yes! Will respond with impressions. Dave |
Dave, it seems that my memories are the most important aspect of "Winelight" when I listen to the music (according to you). Although this might be true, those memories are worth a million bucks, and if that music, which not only enhances, but brings those memories back in sharp focus; that makes the music priceless. However, there are quite a few people who will disagree with you in regard to the music. Personally, if you think "Grover is a little Kenny G-ish" you wont get any argument out of me, because you are entitled to your own opinion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winelight |
In light of the exchanges about Chris Potter. this review might be of interest. I suspect the performance was "kind of the first draft" for Dreamer is the Dream. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/reich/ct-chris-potter-review-ent-0130-20160129-col... Right now, I’d be lying if I said I were a fan....but that’s not intended as any sort of criticism of CP. O - I’m probably fortunate to remember I attended that Metheny concert, (although enjoyment was not pharmacologically enhanced ). I don’t recall what he wore. It is funny that you remark on that black and white shirt, though. He’s wearing a T with black and white horizontal stripes in a photo in the booklet included with The Road To You CD. Musta been a favorite and/or no woman complaining, "You wear the same thing all the time....". |
Remember Ghosthouse, your best characteristic is your honesty, even if it hurts somebody's feelings. Now I know why the dress kind of reminded me of the TV Batman. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059968/videoplayer/vi561884953?ref_=tt_pv_vi_aiv_2 |
Hmm...the fact I’m not (immediately) a fan of Mr. Potter should carry little weight and CERTAINLY not be occasion for hurt feelings! I assume merit and truly think Potter has something going on that I’m just not equipped to hear at the present time. Maybe tomorrow :-) The review was certainly very favorable to him. Yeah, I know what you mean about that old school jailbird look, O. The Riddler’s henchmen added a little color. Ain’t fashion a funny thing. Going back to the brief mention of ECM not too long ago (and by way of example of something I can "hear"). This LP was my first encounter with ECM, Ralph Towner, Jan Garbarek, Eberhard Weber & Jon Christiansen. Borrowed from the public library. God bless libraries. Still holds my interest today after quite a few decades.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oUHONVAarQ&ab_channel=lapp9999 PS - O, Liked the Grover Washington. Yes...maybe a little '80s-ish/Al Jarreau-like (wouldn't go so far as call it Kenny G ! :-). Great groove on that track you posted. |
I'm familiar with all those musicians except Jon Christiansen, and I have liked them on some records, but not this one. I'm wondering what kind of mood do you have to be in to like this record; maybe it's because it's August and this is a Winter record that my receptors aren't receiving it. I'll put this on the shelf for the Winter Solstice. |
Acman likes jazz, Ghosthouse likes new age, Pryso likes "classic jazz", Dave only likes the best of the best, whatever it is. I'm going to pick music for each of you, to see if I can come in on your wavelength. Since Acman and I like a lot of the same music, he will be the easiest. Ghosthouse will be the hardest; sometime we can like the artist, but not the same music. I can put on a blindfold, and just pick something out of my collection to satisfy Pryso. Now I'm going to work, and I should be back in an hour at the most. |
Ghosthouse, this "Bud" is for you; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQY0rA5W574 Acman, hard driving jazz is for you; it's not new, but it's the best I could do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA7f9HIXox4 Pryso, this is "Senor Blues", but this is the best; the cats blow on this one better than the rest, and Silver's piano solo is longer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8jFGFwOm7k Dave, you are definitely the hardest to pick for because I don't have enough information yet, but I heard you mention something close to this; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHold6ylvEM I want you guys to let me know how close I came to picking what floats your boat. |
Thanks O for taking the time to think about what my preferences might be! BUT it's like my daddy used to say to me, "I taught you everything I know, and you still don't know nuthin'". Just kidding. re me and New Age...that isn't what I would have picked, though I can see how the Towner/Solstice album might have got you thinking that way (along with a couple other things we've shared in past communications). New Age has two strikes against it for me just based on the stereotypical connotation of that category name. Of course, there are exceptions...Shadowfax has some good music. Penguin Cafe is another. I guess you could consider Ralph Towner and esp. Oregon New Age-ish...though again, I like post-Oregon Towner but not too much of Oregon. If you asked ME about my "jazz preferences" (along with some Be-bop and some Hard Bop), I'd give the edge to "Fusion" and certainly NOT everything there. As an example of what I do like, that Chick Corea "Time Warp" is EXCELLENT and you are missing out on some great music by dismissing because it is outside your normal groove....just saying. Another good one by Corea is his Elektric Band II "Paint The World". Alan Pasqua's "Antisocial Club" is more excellent music. I hope you and others will check these out. I could go on in a Fusion kind of way, but won't. Gotta run. Hope you have a great day. Ciao. |
o10, that was fun. Being the resident old fart in this group I'm sure I was the easiest to pick for. ;^) Yes, I love most anything by Silver. However my "classic jazz" preferences for recordings from the '50s and '60s are not exclusive. This is sacrilege to many but I'm not a fan of Ellington for example. I respect his songs and performances but there is hardly anything I ever want to pick out to listen to. Basie is an entirely different story. But there was much from the '70s I love to hear as well. Could that be a carry-over from the rock which I also like? Maybe so, since a favorite was and is Mahavishnu Orchestra, which included John McLaughlin and Jan Hammer. That made it an easy step to enthusiasm for Weather Report. And I certainly didn't reject Miles when he released "Bitches Brew", although I'll admit after a couple of follow up albums everything began to sound the same to me. Here is a delightful exception - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5qfuqXuqkI Lastly, I don't feel "frozen" with my preferred music. I can reach backward to music my dad loved (as suggested here a few weeks ago) and forward as well. It's just that I don't enjoy listening to what I consider to be basically rehashes of what went before. I'd rather view a work of art in person than see it in a book or on a video any day. |
I want everyone to know that I didn't recommend anything that's not already in my collection, or that I don't consider "boss". Ghosthouse, I leave it to others to categorize the music, I only listen and determine whether or not I like it. In the case of Shadofax, I have several albums by them; "A Thousand Teardrops" is one of my favorite cuts. I didn't think of it as "new age". I knew you didn't like most jazz, consequently I didn't even touch that category, maybe that's what kept me away from fusion; but I like a lot of fusion. Chick Corea "Return To Forever" comes to mind; I especially liked Flora Purim's vocals; also "My Spanish Heart", that's two albums. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKJtfSFn7W4 Now that I know that "fusion" is your favored category, I'll remember that. |
Pryso, the only thing in your entire post that I disagreed with was Miles, our collections would be quite similar. I bought Miles out of habit, until I discovered I didn't like what he was doing after "Bitches Brew", but he made so many albums, that now I'll have to wade through them, and see what I should have bought. I think "Kenny Garret's" solo is quite special, I wonder if Miles complained about how long it was? ( his biggest complaint with "Trane") That "Senor Blues" is quite special to me for the reasons stated; that piano solo is longer than on the record, and they were really into the music. Sometime live music is so fantastic, that the group couldn't repeat it if their lives depended on it. |
Ghosthouse, I re-read your post, and discovered you didn't actually comment on "1000 Teardrops". You mentioned "Shadowfax" and New Age, but you didn't really comment on the music. It seems the music was nixed because of it's association with the aforementioned entities, Shadowfax and New Age. If the music had been labeled "Old Age", it would have possibilities. |
