*****Rok, I'm beginning to like this "old" music******
It ain't old O-10, It's just Jazz. People(like me), who listen to Mozart, never say they are listening to 'old' classical music. Not even Bach is called old, Just great muaic.
Beware of any music with a prefix. Esp, modern, free, avant garde and contemporary, etc... Just use the prefix ' NON ', that would be more accurate.
Cheers |
Yesterday I picked up a box set of recordings of Jack Teagarden, a trombonist I was not familiar with. Haven't had a chance to listen to any of it yet, hope to tomorrow some. Are any of you familiar with him? |
Calling all Aficionados!!
I just received this from Amazon today. An 8 CD set titled "The 100 Best Jazz Tunes Of The 1950's" Someone posted the track listings and I have re-posted them below.
The song lineup is beyond criticism. The only possible concern could be the sound quality. I have only listened to the first CD and the Sound Quality was top notch.
Nice packaging. Thick Booklet with excellent pictures and info about the music and artists on each CD. Each CD is in a cardborad case, like a LP case, with an aboslutley wonderful picture of a Jazz great on the outer cover. That alone, is worth the asking price.
How much is that price? $15.77
I am sure you all have some and maybe most of these, but altogether with pics, booklet, and for less than 20 dollars??? How can a body refuse or resist. All this magic for less that a tenth of the price of a half-way decent 'high-end' hi-fi fuse!!! Christmas is coming up. Jazz lovers on your list??
Check out the play list. Did I mention the pictures??? Of course the Pictures on the first three CD covers were Bird, Miles then Trane.
According to the liner notes, medics were on hand for the Brubeck stuff. :)
Cheers
And here is the track list:
CD 1:
Bloomdido - Charlie Parker
Subconscious Lee - Lee Konitz
Bouncing with Bud - Bud Powell
My Funny Valentine - Gerry Mulligan
The Surrey with the Fringe on Top - Ahmad Jamal
Au Private - Charlie Parker
Straight No Chaser - Thelonious Monk
Lullaby of Birdland - George Shearing
Almost Like Being in Love - Lester Young
Black Coffee - Peggy Lee
Nuages - Django Reinhardt
Django - Modern Jazz Quartet
Walkin' - Miles Davis
Caravan - Dizzy Gillespie
If There's Someone Lovelier than You - Tal Farlow
On the Sunny Side of the Street - Johnny Hodges
Lover Man - Sarah Vaughan
Joy Spring - Clifford Brown
CD 2:
Doodlin' - Horace Silver
Confirmation - Dexter Gordon
Afrodisia - Kenny Dorham
New Rhumba - Ahmad Jamal
Round Midnight - Miles Davis
Misty - Errol Garner
St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins
Blue Monk - Thelonious Monk
The Champ - Jimmy Smith
I Was Doing All Right - Carmen McRae
Avila and Tequila - Hank Mobley
Guarachi Guaro - Cal Tjader
April in Paris - Coleman Hawkins
Route 66 - Nat King Cole
Have You Met Miss Jones - Art Tatum & Ben Webster
CD 3:
Senor Blues - Horace Silver
I Remember Clifford - Lee Morgan
Mack the Knife - Louis Armstrong
The Kid from Red Bank - Count Basie
The Maids of Cadiz - Miles Davis
Blue Train - John Coltrane
Funk in a Deep Freeze - Hank Mobley
I Want to Be Happy - Stan Getz
Birk's Works - Dizzy Gillepsie
They Say It's Spring - Blossom Dearie
Russian Lullaby - John Coltrane
Well You Needn't - Thelonious Monk
One O'clock Jump - Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
CD 4:
Line for Lyons - Gerry Mulligan
Playful Flute - Yusef Lateef
Billie's Bounce - Red Garland
Come Fly with Me - Frank Sinatra
Haitian Fight Song - Charles Mingus
Soulville - Ben Webster
Dial S for Sonny - Sonny Clark
I'll Close my Eyes - Kenny Burrell
`S'Wonderful/They Can't Take That Away from Me - Anita O'Day
You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To - Art Pepper
Farmer's Market - Art Farmer
Landslide - Curtis Counce Group
CD 5:
Whisper Not - Benny Golson
My Baby Just Cares for Me - Nina Simone
Stockholm Sweetnin' - Quincy Jones
Dawn Ray - Ray Charles
Dimineundo and Crescendo in Blue - Duke Ellington
Poinciana - Ahmad Jamal Trio
Summertime - Louis Armstrong
Milestones - Miles Davis
Way Out West - Sonny Rollins
Autumn Leaves - Cannonball Adderley
CD 6:
Moanin' - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Hip Strut - Jackie McLean
Do It the Hard Way - Chet Baker
Cherokee - Johnny Griffin
Let's Face the Music & Dance - Ella Fitzgerald
Ginza Samba - Cal Tjader
In the Wee Small Hours - Ben Webster
You've Changed - Billie Holiday
The Night We Called It a Day - Chris Connor
Along Came Betty - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Cheek to Cheek - Ella Fitzgerald
Peace Piece - Bill Evans
It Ain't Necessarily So - Oscar Peterson
CD 7:
Cool Struttin' - Sonny Clark
The Sermon - Jimmy Smith
Here I Am - Donald Byrd
Let the Good Times Roll - Ray Charles
Better Git It in Your Soul - Charles Mingus
Manhattan - George Russell
What a Diff'rence a Day Made - Dinah Washington
The End of a Love Affair - Wes Montgomery
Polka Dots and Moonbeams - Chet Baker
CD 8:
So What - Miles Davis
Lonely Woman - Ornette Coleman
Take Five - Dave Brubeck
Keep It Moving - Wynton Kelly
Ramblin' - Ornette Coleman
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - Charles Mingus
Blue in Green - Bill Evans
Naima - John Coltrane
Blue Ronda a la Turk - Dave Brubeck
Giant Steps - John Coltrane |
Rok, I hate to get into that "audiophile thingy", but Gene Harris is probably the most subtle and nuanced jazz pianist I can think of, which is why the crazy people pay so much for some of his records, especially with the Three Sounds. You can get around that "very expensive" audiophile thingy with HD downloads, but here you must follow precise rules in order to get what you want. I have WAV and that's not working out so good. This is the reason we had the disagreement about the "Three Sounds" CD's. I only mention this because I know how much you like Gene Harris.
Enjoy the music.
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Of course, that should read "....one can TELL wether a musician....." |
O-10, thanks for the Lou Donaldson links. Beautiful player! I hadn't listened to anything by him in a while; will have to pull out his LP's. When I listened to "Blues Walk" the first thing that came to kind was "sounds like Gene Ammons on alto". Then, looking at his discography I noticed that he recorded a record with Gene Ammons; will have to look for it.
Rok, Miles Davis is quoted as saying that one can well wether a musician can play or not by the way he carries his horn's case. |
****The smoking babes are definitely digging it.****
Curses!!! Foiled again!!
I will admit that, after placing a loupe on the monitor, I did detect movement.
I wonder how they would have reacted to Mingus and his band doing, 'hog calling blues'?
But this was a 'Playboy' crowd. Hog calling might have stunned them!! Let's not even mention Roland Kirk and his arsenal.
Cheers |
****A person could suffer from a thrombosis in the legs at a Brubeck concert. Could not find a shot of Brubeck in concert himself with a shot of the audience.**** http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j9GgmGLPbWUThe smoking babes are definitely digging it. |
O-10:
"Here' tis" very nice. He is another alumnus of Mingus and Blakey(who wasn't).
Just so happens that as I was reading your post on soulful Jazz gospel, I was listening to Gene Harris' 'In His hands'. I think Harris is in the same type music as Lou.
Cheers
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The cover of the Lou Donaldson LP shows him walking with his AX in a case. Have not seen that in ages. :)
I have his CDs, 'hot dog' and 'alligator booaloo'. I always associated him with 'soul' Jazz.
The bell ringers were great. I was just showing how the audience didn't seem to be moved. Not even a head nod. A person could suffer from a thrombosis in the legs at a Brubeck concert.
Could not find a shot of Brubeck in concert himself with a shot of the audience.
Cheers |
Today's Listen:
Lionel Hampton and Stan Getz -- HAMP AND GETZ
Getz(ts), Hampton(v), Lou Levy(p), Leroy Vinnegar(b), Shelly Manne(d)
'Fiery' Founder meets 'Cool' Giant!!
And the winner is: A Delightful Draw!
These two met on the set of 'The Benny Goodman Story', this Recording date was a result.
As unlikely a pairing as you will find. But it works. Hampton is not so fiery and Getz is not so cool. It's a 'Goldilocks' merger.
This is an excellent CD. 7 tracks including one alternate take of 'Gladys'. 'Cherokee', 'Jumpin' at the woodside' and 'Gladys' are the standouts. But all are just beautifully played.
This is all Getz and Hamp. The rhythm section gives great support, but does not intrude.
Hampton is truly a founder of big band / swing, and what followed it. The guys who have played in his bands Includes Mingus, Dexter Gordon, Clark Terry, Art Farmer, Dinah Washington and Joe Williams.
Kennedy Center Award winner.
He is also one of those people who never made a bad recording.
If you like Jazz at it's best, played by two of the best, you must have this one.
Cheers
what's up with this 'alternate take' business?? |
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O-10:
*****This album is quite beautiful at times, boring at others.
It's like winding up in a Brazilian wonderland with Alice, strolling down a path through the jungle; you never know what's going to happen next, but with this unusual aggregation of musicians, you know it's going to be different.******
You nailed it!! I agree completely. This is the only CD I own by Gismonti. I also have one by Nana Vasconcelos. I never listen to either. I just took a chance based on expert 'review'.
Cheers |
Rok, I thought those bell ringers were beautiful. My son played sax when he was a few years younger than the bell ringers, I went to every concert and loved it. I like to see young people perform.
Enjoy the music.
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Parting Point.
I am not suggesting these folks can play at Brubeck's level. It's just a fun thing. There are many like it on youtube. Some doing 'Blue Rondo Ala Turk'. My main point in presenting this, is to watch the audiences. This is my main problem with Brubeck 'Jazz'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9sjnSWSH7o
Cheers |
O-10:
They came pretty close to calling them hogs! Great Music. I have that CD. Maybe I need to listen to it more often.
Cheers |
"SolDo Meio Dia" is an album I acquired after watching a Brazilian film festival that included capoeira, which always includes the berimbau; that's the instrument Nana plays. This album is quite beautiful at times, boring at others. It's like winding up in a Brazilian wonderland with Alice, strolling down a path through the jungle; you never know what's going to happen next, but with this unusual aggregation of musicians, you know it's going to be different. While I have Nana Vasconcelos, Jan Gabarek, Ralph Towner, and Collin Walcott on different albums in my collection, all of them go in completely different directions; I guess that's what gives this album such a unique quality. Here's some music reminiscent of the film festival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpP5poqFq4E&list=RD02jAxjdYDBK4cEnjoy the music. |
Today's Listen:
Egberto Gismonti -- SOL DO MEIO DIA
I played this with the intention of 'reviewing' it, but I cannot. I wouldn't know where or how to start.
This is more in the bailiwick of The O-10 and The Frogman. So feel free to weigh-in.
I did like it, in spite of myself.
Cheers |
****"tried to sound like a dry martini".*****
I had not heard that before reading the article. It was mentioned in the BBC column.
Kirk:
Roland has to be given much credit just for having the audacity to show up on stage with a horn like that.
Cheers |
Rok, I completely forgot he played with Mingus, that say's it all; especially when Mingus brought out the best in whoever played with him, and he selected only the best. Here's "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting", with Handy on alto. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG6ydLYG4uYEnjoy the music. |
****I knew something was wrong with him****
You crack me up; that was very funny. I am sure you have heard the story about Desmond being asked how he got that sound and he replied that he "tried to sound like a dry martini". Gotta love it.
Re Rahsaan:
Yup, his nose; that was his "nose flute". Come to think of it, Desmond and Kirk were probably as diametrically opposed as two players of the same instrument can be. Desmond: statetly, meticulous and dignified in his approach to jazz; Rahsaan: wild, raw, umpredictable and with a touch of humor. Both great, and for that, a testament to the greatness of the art form.
Anyway, the instrument that he is playing is the "mansello" (he named it). His mansello was a modified "saxello" which was a straight alto; a rare but production horn by the Conn Co. You will notice that it sounds kinda like an alto and in the same range as the alto. Imagine taking an alto and straightening it out so it no longer has the curved bell. Rahsaan, as you obviously know he would sometimes do, modified it by attaching that extra large bell on it.
One of the things that makes his playing on that clip so remarkable is that all those rare and unusual saxophones that were manufactured in the 20's-40's were very aukward in their key mechanisms and usually terribly out of tune. Not many were manufactured so they were not perfected nor refined like modern horns. Truth is that the modern horns really helped facilitate, to a degree, the great technical playing strides made after the "swing era". The way that Rahsaan gets around on that bizarre horn, and with pretty good intonation, is simply amazing. A little bit like a sprinter winning the 100 yard dash wearing army boots. |
Paul Desmond:
Got my October issue of BBC Music magazine yesterday. The Jazz 'page' has a nice review and synopsis of Paul Desmond.
Snippets include:
'Composed 'Take Five''
'epitome of cool'
'the antithesis of bebop' (I knew something was wrong with him)
'the world's slowest alto player' (he couldn't play with Tito)
'disciple of Lester Young' (from Mississippi), :) 'admired Charlie Parker'
The CD they recommend is 'Blues In Time' 2CD set. Desmond with others, no Brubeck.
Also the Christian McBridge Trio CD, 'Out Here', got 5 stars for performance and recording. Check it out.
Cheers |
O-10:
John Handy:
Both clips were very good. The 'If Only We Knew' was the better of the two. The rhythm section on the clip 'Love Rejoycing' was a little too monotonous for my taste.
The 'if only we knew'clip was just irresistible. I came to these with an attitude, but the second clip just over powered my preconceptions. Great buildup. You can't wait to hear what happens next.
The violin was great. Sometimes that instrument can sound out of place, here, it seemed to be the most natural thing in the world. Electric!
What kind of reedman is he?? He played with MINGUS!!
Next Question.
I only have one CD by John Handy, "Excursion In Blue". I have more on LP. I will get the 'live at monterey' if it is still available.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers |
Rahsaan and Tete:
What type of instrument was Roland playing? Did he make it himself?
And SOMEBODY please tell me I didn't see him play the last note on that little wooden thingy with his NOSE!!!
Cheers |
Frogman,
Thanks for the great clip. Sizzling stuff. |
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Rok, I don't disagree with you except for two things. First is that I don't believe one ever knows too much. Or, at least, don't assume that knowing means there's no jamming :-) . The second, well.... its really not worthy of disagreement; it's personal preference. Tito's version is better for you. Of course, that is cool. For me the original is better not because its the original, but because I like and appreciate the chamber-jazz feel of it, the coolness if you will; and Desmond, that sound.....!
Cheers. |
The Frogman:
I agree with your comments on scatting. I was trying to say some what the same thing about Dee Dee. Her voice becomes harsh when she does it. With some singers, it has become the 'obligatory' scat break. Most often, adding nothing to the performance.
Ella was in another league and I thought she could 'solo' with players. Not all perhaps, but certainly some. It's almost unfair to compare anyone to her.
Cheers |
I told The Frogman some time ago, that he knew too much. This proves it. While The O-10 and I were jamming to Tito, in blissful ignorance, The Frogman was keeping time.
Of course he is correct. But, no one is suggesting Tito's version supplant Brubeck. The original will always be just that, The First!
But it is possible for susequent artist to do any tune 'better'. Happens every day. Better recording techniques, better instrumentation, better arrangements, better players etc...
I think Tito is better not because of any time uniqueness, but because of the Latin flavor and the percussion. It was faster! It made me wanna move!
Brubeck never made me move. It was a Nice tune, melody, a great drum solo and Desmond's tone. I know the TIME thingy, but that's not why I like it. I suspect, only the pros and his peers, realized the significance of the TIME thing.
And last but not least, I could SEE Tito and his guys playing. On a CD, I might not have been as impressed. But both versions are great. I own LPs and two CDs of 'Take Five' by Brubeck, none by Tito.
Brubeck did a lot of experiments with time. Some more successful than others. 'Take Five' was popular because of the melody and the unique sax(tone) and drum playing.
So can we say, I like Tito's "take Four', better than Brubeck's 'Take Five'. Sort of like preferring Mongo Santa Maria's 'cloud Nine' to any other.
Brubeck's version is on the local PBS FM station's playlist. When it comes on, the wife cranks the volume all the way up. The only Jazz tune she likes. :)
I wonder what Tito could do with 'Blue Rondo A La Turk' I bet that would be something!
Thanks for your informed input Frogman. You are a vital asset to this thread.
Cheers |
The challenge for singers when they scat is that, no matter what, they will be judged according to the standard set by the great instrumentalists; those are VERY big shoes to fill. Only a handful of singers, Ella being at the top of the heap, even approach the fluency of good instrumental improvisers in the harmonic language of jazz. They usually simply gloss over the complexity of the harmonic changes of a tune. Among instrumentalists speaking about other instrumentalists, that limited command of the harmony is usually referred to as "bullshitting". A smart singer keeps scatting to a minimum.
Re "Take Five":
Tito's version is great; very exciting. Like Rok says "a really right Latin Jazz band is hard to beat". Thanks for the link. But, and not meaning to, in the least, take away from the enthusiasm that my esteemed fellow aficionados have for this cover of this classic tune, for me there is no way Tito's version can supplant the original as the definitive version. Most importantly, they are almost not even the same tune. The melody is the same; almost. What makes Desmond's (he wrote it) "Take Five" unique and ground breaking, particularly for the era when it was written, is that it was written in odd-meter; in five, of course. I don't kow if anyone noticed, but Tito's version is IN FOUR !!!! It should more correctly be titled "Take Four". Still, a great and exciting cover. |
John Handy is an artist I don't think we've mentioned. Consistency is not his dominant trait; I'm not referring to whether or not he was good this time and bad the next, but his choice of what music to play seemed to be all over the map. Here are some of his works in my collection that get a lot of play. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeQv3cWJnxAHere's a spiritual tune by John; although not as in the gospel sense, it's spiritual still. The title "if Only We Knew" convey's the intention of this music. It's best listened to in the middle of the night after waking up and trying to go back to sleep. It's long and deep, in that eastern spiritual sense; too long for the Gon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJhp43v-yd8As far as where he ranked as a reed man, we'll leave that to the Frogman. Enjoy the music. |
As much as I liked this by Dave and Joe Morrello, Tito took ten and left them in the dust; that rhythm is ripping like nothing I've heard before.
Enjoy the music.
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O-10:
'Take Five' by Tito Puente. WOW!! Dave who???? I like this better than the Brubeck version. A really tight Latin Jazz band is just hard to beat.
The percussion was awesome. I have said before that I think the drum solo on Brubeck's 'Take Five' is one of the few drum solos in Jazz that does not distract or interupt the flow of the music.
Well, Tito has surpassed that. Paul Desmond and Joe Morrello can now move aside. This tune has been taken away from them.
For some reason after hearing this, I think the Brubeck tune should have been Latin. Or maybe it was.
Great clip.
Cheers |
O-10:
The Leon Thomas version was good. A lot slower tempo than either Dee Dee or Silver. His 'scatting' sounded as if he was trying to scat while being smothered with a pillow.
But it was a nice take on the song. I wish he had dressed for the occasion.
I have several CDs by Dee Dee. The Tribute to Silver is her best work. IMO. Not a weak track on the disc. However, when she scats, it sounds just a little bit strained or forced. With Ella, it was as if the song was written that way. So effortless.
I think it's very hard to be a great Jazz Diva. We have / had, so few.
Cheers |
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Where be The O-10??
cheers |
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Jeez I love this thread! I am systematically going through the recommendations and links, great stuff, thanks guys! |
Oyez, Oyez!!
Wynton Marsalis Septet -- IN THIS HOUSE, ON THIS MORNING
Could have been named 'in church in Nawlins'. The music takes you through an entire service. Said 'home' to me.
Is it a stretch to say that Wynton is the Ellington of this era? I don't think so. His talent runs deeper than just Jazz. His can write music that 'depicts', in your mind, things, places and moods. Not just any player can do that.
You will love this Jazz CD. Esp, if you have ever set foot in a Southern Church.
What about my man, Wycliffe Gordon!! He is the trombone player, and he is great. I remember him from the Blues CD with Wynton & Clapton.
This is a 2 CD set. I listened to both in one sitting. For me that's saying a lot. I get bored easily with music that does not connect with me.
Guest appearance by the Gospel Great, Marion Williams.
If you like good Jazz music, you gotta have it. One of Wynton's best. He could be the most under-rated and under-appreciated Jazz player ever.
Give it a listen!
Cheers |
O-10, thanks for the Shadowfax link. I like it; it's not the kind of thing that I would go out of my way to listen to, but I like it. I am not a big fan of music with that "New Age/World Music" vibe; just a personal preference. It's a pretty melody and the playing is good; but..... the tune needs a good "bridge" to break up the sense of too much repetition. I can imagine, after the melody is repeated once, a variation on the melody in a double-time feel. Notice how the drums and bass play in a half-time feel throughout while the keyboards suggest a double-time feel. It would have been very effective if after the first repetition of the melody, all the instruments would break into a double-time feel playing the variation and then return to the original feel and melody to the end. The tune made me think of this other tune which, for me, pushes similar buttons, but is "kicked up quite a few notches": http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sF9kW-8NPqs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsF9kW-8NPqs |
Rok, O-10, Greg Porter was a football player who got hurt and started singing. Great story. Read up on it. I think he has one major recording. On Blue Note.
A little more Soul/Gospel than Jazz, but he is young. I like him. |
'Mambo Kings' was a wonderful book made into a so-so movie. The book, while being fiction, was centered on the very real NY 'Mambo King' era of the '50's and actually had a scene were the book's characters went to Hollywood to be featured on 'I Love Lucy', she was married to one of the true Mambo Kings, Desi Arnaz. Loved the book. RIP Oscar! |
Acman3: Very nice clip. I am not familiar with them. Must mean they are still alive:)
Thanks for sharing. |
Today's Listen:
Dee Dee Bridgewater -- LIVE AT YOSHI'S
Bridgewater(v), Thomas Bramerie(b), Ali Jackson(d), Thierry Eliez(p)
Recorded Live at Yoshi's in Oakland,CA 1998. This would have been Ella Fitzgerald's 80th Birthday.
9 Songs. 8 Standards. She did a, mercifully short, fun take on James Brown's 'sex machine'. She even tried to sing it as she thought Ella would have sung it!! Some things are best left to Brown!
This was a probably a great show to see in person. There was just too much going on that had to be seen to be appreciated. Too much talk and attempts at humor.
All the listener gets is the audience's reaction, with no idea of what is being done on stage. Ok, the first time around, a little tedious with repeated listening.
A great version of 'Midnight Sun'. The rest were good but not 'must haves'.
The group backing her was very good. Esp the Bass player.
Quite a bit of scatting. Not up to Ella's standard, but she has spoiled us all. Dee Dee has a good voice but she cannot do it as effortless as Ella. But who could?
Bridgewater just might be the best of the Jazz Divas still performing. She does love her work!
Very Good, but not great CD. Make sure you have her 'tribute to horace silver: Love and Peace' first.
Cheers |
Oscar Hijuelos Dead: Pulitzer-Winning Novelist Dies At 62
"The Mambo Kings Play Songs Of Love" Was the title of the Novel that won him the prize
He was Cuban and a New Yorker. I wonder if he was also into Cuban music. The book's title and all. Perhaps The Frogman is familiar with his work and can offer insight.
Cheers |
Acman3, that should set the Rok a rockin; I know I certainly liked it.
Enjoy the music.
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