Jazz for aficionados
Speaking of the Free Jazz bunch. You posted this recently, but it's worth hearing everyday. I love the 4-note thing the background trumpets play and how it changes as the song progresses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQCtBIBcPpE This is great music making. I wonder if we would like it as much if this was the first and only "I only have eyes for you"? Cheers |
This is what I was listening too. Standard instruments, who would have thought? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVxF9HyZzWM |
Well, I do declare! (in my best faux-Southern acceint....not very good). You like David Ware AND Lester Bowie! Will wonders never cease? 😉. Just kidding and yanking your chain of course. I believe there was a time when they would have been put squarely in the “noisemaker” category. Re marginal instruments: While I wouldn’t say “gimmicky”, it is true that players with a less traditional mindset will be prone to search for new and unusual sounds. **** I wonder if we would like it as much if this was the first and only "I only have eyes for you"? **** And that IS a good and fascinating question. In a way it answers the question re what is an “appropriate” instrument for jazz.... familiarity with the sound plays a big role in our reaction to it. And you thought the bass clarinet was marginal in jazz: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=riIWVv5u7Jg nsp, thanks for that Bennie Maupin clips. I wasn’t familiar with those and enjoyed them. There’s just something about Maupin’s playing that I always like. His soprano saxophone playing on Headhunters is also fantastic. Rough around the edges, but so funky! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hNlm-W3m1qc ghosthouse, the chickens are coming home to roost 😊 |
Seems as if they 'quoted' the entire "Just A Closer Walk With Thee". Still good stuff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpiTwIK0J68 Cheers |
Often I find music that Acman posts quite fascinating,in sence that most of the time I have never heard of (its not a shame to not know something,but its a shame to remain in ignorance) bands or players that he likes. Even if I do not like it sometimes, I very much appreciate the different flow of mind,or feeling that leads him to listen or discover such music. It also helps me to undersatnd that my perspective about the 'good' music is 'right' just for me. Its very interesting to discover such a vast field of unknown, aldo I must admit that often I choose to stay in my 'comfort zone' (as Frogman would say). Its a subject to think about, exactly from which point of our minds or souls our 'tastes' are coming from... Rok, this should have be your 'title' song... The Skatalites 'The Rock Fort Rock' https://youtu.be/6bLVdKbPHHY |
That so-called 'Jamaican Beat' gets old fast. You could be jamming to a tune, and the DJ could change records and you would never realize it. It all sounds the same. The clip is OK. Just like any other music from that place. Which proves that being high does not result in creative music making. Cheers |
First heard The Skatalites when a friend pointed out that they had “borrowed” this classic... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4DySQyteRI and turned it into this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5yzPelTMcuc Great comments, Alex. |
YouTube is unbelievable! When I posted the clips of bass clarinet players it didn’t even occur to me to see if these two records might be found on the site. I could not imagine that records this rare would be there...they are! The first is by a clarinetist who is a legend in the NYC clarinet scene. A true renaissance man Ron Odrich is one of the country’s leading periodontists and great clarinetist (for fun) in a bebop/swing vein. Amazing individual. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wf7xSSIVrcQ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NUCPbV2Dp3I The other is someone who was discussed here recently. Eddie Daniels is probably the most accomplished woodwind “doubler” ever. Amazing player on saxophones, clarinets and flute. Has recorded with Freddie Hubbard, was a longtime member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band and currently plays and records in both the jazz and classical genres as leader and soloist. Incredible instrumentalist. This clip is from his very rare first recording as a leader with guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. Putting aside stylistic issues and preferences, of all the bass clarinet players posted so far this is the best bass clarinet playing from the point of view of instrumental skill and refinement; and he swings his as& off! This clip should put to rest the question of any limitations of the bass clarinet as an instrument for jazz (not the real pic of the album jacket) : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_5cX_S04ed4 From the same record; same player (!). If you thought Dophy was a good flute player (he was), check this out; instrumentally, on an entirely different level: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv2Q2ivSA1A |
Eddie Daniels: I think Mr Daniels "classical" training is beginning to show a little too much, considering he is supposed to be playing Jazz. Brought to mind 'William Tell'. Ron Odrich: I make the same argument against this guy, that you make against Wynton.. Both excellent players and have surely mastered their instrument, however...... Cheers Consider this: Suppose the Violin had the same penetration, prominence and importance in classical music, that the Bass Clarinet has in Jazz. There's your answer. |
acman3 Nice clip.David S. Ware R.I.P. . Such a powerful original player . He took the lineage of Coltrane and took it to the next level.Shipp,Parker&Brown His best group IMO. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KOFHYUBiplA |
Bowie’s "I Only Have Eyes For You" just grabs me, but maybe because I’m old enough to be nostalgic about the time when it was released as a pop vocal? frog, you should have said that in your best Foghorn Leghorn accent! ;^) nap, thanks for replying. This won’t help since they are still sealed and I can’t see the labels, but they were inexpensive, about $12 I believe. I should have expected they might not have decent sonics at that price, but I have bought some OJCs inexpensively which are not bad. There is nothing on the jackets to suggest who or when produced since they are reproductions of the original Blue Note albums. I bought them at least five years ago, maybe more (as mentioned, I’d forgotten about them). So my question to you, do you have any stamped for Scorpio, and if so what are their sonics? Unusual or gimmicky instrumentation in jazz? Here’s my candidate for the extreme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmaicurzPb0 |
frogman Glad you liked it. Are you familiar with B Maupin playing on Hancock's Mwandishi album which was a little bit earlier than Headhunters ? http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uUFINUzGt8E |
pryso Wow bagpipes in jazz? It is unusual. The only other guy who plays bagpipes in jazz that I know of is british saxophonist Paul Dunmall who has some bagpipe playing on his recordings. You are refering to a scorpio stamp in the rideout groove of the record, right? I can check a few and get back to you. |
Today's Listen: Thelonious Monk -- THE LONDON COLLECTION VOLUME ONE From 1971. Monk's last recorded performance. Solo Monk. Outstanding Sound Quality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlwxR9duH-Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWGXp8w9F4Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgm5O3BlnLY Cheers |
Rok, I don’t disagree with you and I know where you’re coming from. That was the reason for my caveats: “putting aside stylistic issues and preferences” and “from the standpoint of instrumental refinement”. nsp, thanks for that clip. That is probably one of the two Herbie albums that I don’t own; for no particular reason, I’ll have to check that out. |
Just in case somebody forgot how good Joe Henderson and Woody Shaw were, and then you add Billy Hart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_JBV6WXinY |
OK, if any of you are feeling adventuresome, here is a challenge. This should capture the all-time award for the most unusual jazz instrument recording. Only problem is I couldn't find any. So find one of these, practice up, make your own recording and the crown will be yours! ;^) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XlEkeot7HM Can't wait to hear your take on "I Only Have Eyes For You"!!! |
rok, no doubt frogman can give a more complete answer. But I'll share a recent experience. Friday evening I attended a concert by The Academy of Saint Martin In The Fields (a top level chamber orchestra for those who don't listen to classical music). The famed violinist Joshua Bell is now music director, replacing Sir Neville Marriner. Bell performed as first violinist and did in fact conduct from his chair there. Not the usual direction through each piece as a traditional conductor would do but directing the downbeat and stops with his bow. If other directions were existent perhaps frog can suggest those. Whether duo, trio, quartet, etc. up to chamber orchestras (maybe 30 some members) someone must be designated to give minimal directions, even if it is simply a nod of the head. |
frogman Check out Hancock's Fat Albert Rotunda if you don't have it. Same time period,similar lineup. I enjoyed Eddie Daniels clips. I am just getting into his music waiting for 2 cds of his I ordered from AmazoN. Excellent tone,technique and good improviser. Was not aware he played flute. Really nice rendition of Emily. I don't usually like flute playing in jazz context but he's fine. acman3 I could never forget about Joe Henderson one of my favorite tenor players. A great composer and improviser. And Woody Shaw also great player who may be a little underrated. Tragic life and end. |
nsp, I tried to correct your name in my prior reply on the Scorpio pressings but I see "spell correct" did me in again. Anyway, if you're willing to check them out I thought I should save you some time by identifying the three specific albums in question. So, Dolphy's "Out To Lunch" (BN 4163), Rollins' "Newk's Time" (BN 4001), and Griffin's "The Congregation" (BN 1580) are the ones I curious about recording quality, particularly if you have Scorpios. Thanks to you or anyone who can comment on this. |
Literally just landed back in NY after a 15 hr flight from Taipei. I will offer some thoughts on the conducting question and others after I regroup and get my inner clock turned around. As wonderful and interesting as traveling always is, and speaking of great singers, I will let this clip say it all for me: https://youtu.be/TRUjr8EVgBg |
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I might as well play the game, since I started it. Right now I'm grooving on a double LP by Lucky Thompson; by Ron Wynn Lucky Thompson creates a host of spectacular improvisations on the 16 songs on this wonderful CD reissue. It is comprised of two 1956 sessions; one features Thompson heading a trio backed by bassist Oscar Pettiford and guitarist Skeeter Best, and the other has him heading either a quartet or quintet including the great trombonist Jimmy Cleveland. Cleveland's smooth, superbly articulated phrases and statements rank alongside Thompson's gliding lines in their brilliance, and pianist Hank Jones (on three cuts) also sparkles with some marvelous solos. But Thompson is the star on this date, his elegant yet robust and exuberant playing demonstrating again what a loss his voluntary departure from the scene has constituted Lucky Thompson is the tenor that put Miles "Walkin" on the map; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMW3RloxEyA This is the double LP Ron Wynn has written about; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGaWgGaNg2Q |
Today's Listen: Thelonious Monk -- THE LONDON COLLECTION VOL 2 All his usual songs are here. Monk really loved playing all his 'hits'. But, you couldn't tell by the liner notes, because there aren't any. Just a folded piece of paper with Monk's name and the title of the CD. Amazon listed 6 tracks, Goggle says 8, my CD player says 7. Requested a return from Amazon, they agreed, said I could keep this one. I think this is one of those CDs they make on demand. I am missing 'Hackensack'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM-upmlM_wg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IKofzm7fTA Excellent Sound Quality. Al McKibbon on Bass and Art Blakey on drums. They don't add much. Again, his last recording as leader, so it's a must have for me. Cheers |
o10, so glad to see you back again. Stick around this time! ;^) rok, I have Vol.1 of Monk's London Collection. Mine is the original Black Lion release and that has four pages of liner notes (CD sized) discussing background and comments on the selections. Lack of materials can be a problem with reissues. |
@pryso Booklets and liner notes are so important, like mini history books. Sometimes the history surrounding the recording / performance of the music is just as important as the music itself. There are New Black Lion sets for sale on Amazon for around 600 dollars US. Some used ones start at around 100 dollars. I think I will have to manage with my reissues. Cheers |
Wow! $100 for a used CD? I had no idea as I've only checked value for a few LPs. I'm going through my CD collection now and will be reducing my LPs next. I was going to post an invitation to any aficionados here to contact me if they'd like to see a list of what I want get rid of. Maybe I should check eBay first for an idea about pricing. ;^) Really, I'm not looking to make lots of money, but at my age I'm certain I won't listen to everything I own again so need to clear out all the non-favorites. |
rok2id You are right .Liner notes and booklets can history and perspective to a musical performance and are important. $100 for Monk's London Collection? I own thst box set can't believe it's gone up in price that much. pryso You can go to Discogs.com, a major internet site for buying and selling lps and cds to get an idea of items value you are looking to sell. I looked at about 15 blue notes in my collection purchased at different times and NONE had a scorpio stamp. My copy of "the Congregation" is a french pressing and sounds fine. My copy of "Out To Lunch" is a Music Masters 2 lp 45rpm . I have 2 copies of "Newk's Time" the 1st is a completely blue label pressed when United Artists owned Blue Note and sounds like crap. The other reissue is in stereo w ith wide s oundstage, precisely located instruments, clear sound. I would be interested in what you a re looking to sell, although my collection is pretty full already. |
A whole lot of good music on that record, so can't help with the exact song you wanted, so you get it all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atDGNDZ9_kI |
It should be noted that Lucky Thompson was one of the very first to play the soprano saxophone in jazz; and he played it with a very sweet and relaxed sound not unlike his tenor playing. While Coltrane made a big splash with his recording of “My Favorite Things”, the recording most listeners associate with the soprano saxophone, Thompson was playing and recording on the soprano well before Coltrane did. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4SSc8N6jXE A favorite record by one of my very favorite female vocalists is an early (1948) Dinah Washington recording which features the Lucky Thompson Orchestra and some beautiful playing by Thompson in a style very reminiscent of Coleman Hawkins: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0RMt1QJQoZU |
