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 |
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 |
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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. |
Rok, Frogman is the only person who can respond to the post about "Reedmen". I went to Freddie Hubbard on "youtube", good straight ahead jazz. That group on "Ready For Freddie" was really tight. I'm eagerly awaiting your reviews.
Enjoy the music.
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Rok, like Lazarus, has returned from the dead, hallelujah! Why don't we pick up where Leersfool left off, and then go into your reviews? Glad you're back!
Enjoy the music.
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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 |
All good things must come to an end, and so it is with this thread. Without the Rok's input it's dead. I've had fun and I thank every one for their input.
Enjoy the music.
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Rok, send me a bottle with a note in it, anything to let me know you're OK. |
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. |
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.
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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. |
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.
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Frogman, I saw that movie "The Americano" on you tube and watched it all the way through; I liked it. Although I remember my older cousin taking me to see that movie, all I remembered was the music.
Enjoy the music.
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Rok, I checked Rodrick Dixon singing "This Song For You"; the "soul" was palpable. That word should be reserved exclusively for vocalists like him; I can believe he's really singing this song for the lady he wishes he had back.
Enjoy the music.
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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 |
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Good to know you are OK Orpheus! |
For a while I thought you were 'up there' jamming with Miles, Trane and Cannonball in person.
Since you will live, I should come up to St Louis and go upside your head!!.
Welcome back. :) Comments on your reviews to follow.
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_EqbYOur 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. |
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. |
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Hope you are well soon, Orpheus! |
Sorry to hear this. Good luck and speedy recovery. |
O-10:
I will keep you in my prayers. Posting will not be the same without you, so I'll wait until you are back.
Get well soon.
Roy |
Rok, Frogman, Leersfool;
I had a setback, and things have gone terribly wrong. Just wanted to let you guys know why I havent been posting. I've got a lot of questions and no answers yet.
Enjoy the music. |
From the July Issue of BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE:
Miles Davis- Live in Europe 1969, The bootleg series vol 2
Performance got 5 stars, the recording 4 stars. This is the last recording before Bitches Brew. Reviewer says it was a 'road test' for the bitches brew music.
Holland, shorter, dejohnette and corea on board.
Mixed reviews on amazon. Sound quality the main problem. But it does say 'bootleg'.
From the Orchestral Section:
Ellington - Black, Brown and Beige Suite, Harlem, three Black kings Ballet, the River, Take the A Train.
Performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic - Falletta.
$10 on Amazon with great reviews on Amazon and BBC.
4-star performance and 5-star recording. Naxos.
I think I'll give this one a try.
Excerpt:
Asked if his concert works were really 'Jazz', Ellington retorted,"I don't see how this thing called Jazz takes precedence over me." hahahahahha, messing with the wrong guy! He recognized two genres, good and bad.
Cheers |
I've found 'Doo Wop' to be the best reovery music.
Cheers |
Leersfool, It's nice to know you're concerned, that will help my recuperation.
Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I like those parades, can't we have a parade anyway, I can even join the second line; I always wanted to do that. |
Today I'm listening to "Dave Pike", Pike's Peak; he's a vibraphonist. Presently I'm enjoying "In a Sentimental Mood". Dave likes to "scat" while he's jammin. Some people find that distracting, but I like it; "Ooh shooby doo bop swello", I can't scat like Dave or Ella, but I have fun.
Each note from Dave's vibes hangs in the air ringing in my ear; now, "give the drummer some", his name is Walter Perkins. Sorry, I never heard of a Walter Perkins, but he can jam. Right now he's doing his thing on "Vierd Blues" by M. Davis. Him and Herbie Lewis on bass are "rompin and stompin". (never heard of a Herbie Lewis either) These cats can jam, that just shows you how many top notch jazz musicians this aficionado has never heard of.
Recuperating from surgery ain't all bad, I'm forced to do what I love to do and nobody can nag me about what I should be doing. Did I tell you about the feel good pills they gave me? "Nope, not for another 4 hours".
"Besame Mucho", that means "Kiss me much", was written by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velazquez, who wrote this before she had ever been kissed, and I fell in love with this song before I ever did any kissing. Me and her got a lot in common. Miles Davis was kissin on Velma Brooks at his birthday party, when his big sister told on him. "As long as he ain't kissin on Junior Quinn" was his father's response. That's the kind of kissing this song is about, and if you stop and think; that's even more romantic than adult kissing. (Frogman and Leersfool created a monster, when they started this "aficionado" going deep into the music)
Herbie Lewis's boss bass intro on this tune, followed by Dave's "vibrasonic" vibes, get into the soul of this music like I've never heard it before; and now Bill Evans melodic piano responds to the rhythm. Bill sounds like he was born playing jazz piano.
Although I've had this CD in my collection for over 15 years, I just discovered Bill Evans was on it. There are several reasons for this; a sale was on at the record store, and I told the sales girl to select the best jazz CD's, and I would pick them up later; consequently I only know how good the music is, and I'm just discovering all of the musicians. When you hear Miles, Monk, or Trane, you know who you're listening to, but Bill is like a cameleon who takes on the color of the music he's playing, and he does it so well that all you can hear is the beautiful music emanating from the key's of his piano everytime he strikes one. I imagine Consuelo Velazquez is looking down from a cloud smiling, and enjoying listening to her music sounding exactly as she intended for it to souund
"Wild Is The Wind" is the last cut on this CD, and the music captures the romantic intensity of the lyrics as sung by Johnny Mathis or Randy Crawford. All of these musicians are so into each song they play, that I feel this is the first time I've heard each one of those old standards. Anytime musicians can make old music sound brand new, that's the highest compliment that I can give them. This is a must have CD in your collection.
Enjoy the music.
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Good to hear everything went well, Orpheus! |
Orpheus Lives!!!
Welcome back. I guess I can tell the boys down in Narlins to cancel the parade!
Speedy recovery. When I had my wisdom teeth out, they gave me some Goooood stuff. Made me wanna do it again!
Cheers |
I'm back! Almost anyway; there is no such thing as "minor" surgery, hernia surgery is what I had done, I'm still in pain, but they gave me some good dope, uh pain pills that is. My son is helping, I write on a note pad and he takes it down types and posts it. Today I'm listening to music that has no genre or category, it's kind of like I feel after taking pain pills, in betwixt and between here and there. "The Dead Can Dance", and "Enigma" are two groups that move to a different drummers beat. First I'll cover "Enigma"; their music has an incessant beat that draws you into it's world of universal truths, in regard to the sensual aspects of man. Since it's global in nature, maybe you could call it "world music"; but it would certainly be a very sensual and surrealistic world. This page gives you many choices, try them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC_VQ_aXmd0&playnext=1&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CYbse9vUf1vJMdBN78bAl9Now we go to "Dead Can Dance"; this music is primeval, they use drums that were some of the first ever used, and the sound can take you back to a time before time. Some of this music might still be played by the indigenous people in remote corners of the planet such as South America, or the remotest parts of Africa maybe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZpXPwmbQvcAlthough "Dead Can Dance" had very interesting music, they weren't as consistent as "Enigma" in regard to a signature sound, I liked the primeval best. As you can see I'm making the best of this time, although pain and recuperating from surgery go together, the good dope they gave me makes the pain go away. (I'm keeping it real). Since I won't be responding to everybody's posts, you take over Rok. Enjoy the music. |
I guess my Grandma was right. She always said it was the devil's music.
http://now.msn.com/kim-cheol-woong-branded-as-traitor-for-playing-jazz-in-north-korea
Cheers |
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I've got to go in for minor surgery, but I should be back Monday.
Enjoy the music.
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Acman3:
I agree, she should have been bigger. But, in this society, everything is profit driven and numbers count.
The exposure goes to the ones that are liked by the segment that spends the most money. Classical and Jazz are not mainstream genres. Teenagers could not even know they exist.
I have two(2) rock CDs. One by the Stones, and the other by the Eagles. I just had to have 'Sympathy for the Devil' and all the other Stones classics and just about all The Eagles' stuff.
Cheers |
Rok, She should be a lot more famous. It's hard to steal the show from Mick! A talented Lady. Maybe she will go Jazz! |
Acman3:
I saw that clip with the Stones earlier. I was stunned! :)
I have finally realized why I am not a big fan of most rock music. Because, most/a lot of it is focused on the guitar.
Fast, Loud, distorted, Guitar. Grates on me.
Cheers |
Hi Orpheus - that track of Julius Watkins you posted is the first one on the album I was talking about. Hilarious!
And yes, that is Martha Flowers on the original Trek theme. She is on a couple of different tracks on French Horns For My Lady. |
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Frogman, I can get in the mood for that, there a time and place for most music; although I'm not going to comment on the time and place for Lisa Fischer's music. This old man has a fantastic imagination Rok.
Enjoy the music.
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I'm sure you guys can 'suffer' thru one more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEVeIyE0KcE
There are more videos with her singing in person, but I thought this one had the best sonics and this is the one I own. Finest Babe in Badedom!!!!
Cheers |
One of my favorite Quincy Jones recordings is in a genre that is controversial in the minds of jazz lovers. I refer to the pop-leaning, urban-hip, very "produced" studio "jazz"" recordings that many jazz artists like QJ, George Benson and others have released. Purists tend to put down those recordings as "smooth-jazz" drivel or as "cashing in". I think there is good reason for this attitude; more times than not I am left with the feeling: "OK, the playing is very slick, it's all very tight and the tune is catchy; but, so what?". What QJ does better than just about anyone is to bring a jazz player's sensibility to the multi-track studio where the "performance" is a layering of individual performances, something which would normally give the music an insipid but ultra-slick feeling; as opposed to the organic feeling of music performed by an ensemble playing together in the same room, at the same time. He can take the art of manipulation to new heights. He has such a knack for choosing the right players and soloists for a particular tune, choosing just the right tempo, and other production details that he can elevate the genre to level that is uncommon. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X8t93djjoOEI find this recording to be absolutely brilliant; within the confines of the genre. The playing is immaculate. If you want great studio flute playing, there is no one better than Hubert Laws. What more can be said about Herbie Hancock? He wrote the tune and plays on the track. The solo he played is brilliant, and is, after the very pretty melody, what the track is all about. The rhythm section playing is amazing. Check out the hi-hat work by Steve Gadd. It's just amazing, and turns the almost disco (horrors!) beat into something much more. QJ's stroke of production genius is in transcribing Herbie Hancock's solo and doubling it with an overdubbed violin section composed of multi-tracks by the same violinist. Also check out his use of hand claps as essentially the only thing that changes and adds variety in an, otherwise, monotonous rhythm track. Usually, that kind of intense manipulation is a recipe for musical disaster. In the hands of QJ, it becomes his canvas, and he "composes" his vision of the tune. No hamburger will ever be as good as a great T-bone; but, a burger can be pretty great when all the ingredients are just so. |
I traveled from one end of South Korea to the other to find this CD. It got me thru the tour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08CqZaP0EuA
Cheers
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For all music lovers. Don't like it? Shame on you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUP-fcFjqyk
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