Jazz for aficionados

Victor Wooten is indeed an incredible electric bass player - the best I have ever heard, by quite a large margin. His work on all the Bela Fleck and the Flecktones stuff is great, too. Met him once, a very nice guy. Saw the Flecktones live in the early 90's, and Victor was a close friend of a friend. He came and sat in my friend's lap during the middle of the show (who was also a bass player, though mostly a classical one), started laying down a funky bass line in one hand, and then played a Paganini caprice in the other hand above it. Amazing.

Victor Wooten (Bassist), Album title: "What did he say". John Coltrane rendition of Naima is one of the highlights.

Check out: Secular Breathing by the Jim Knapp Orchestra.

Here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lYeHiHUFV8

Maybe this will work??????
http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lYeHiHUFU8

Thanks for the Braxton "warnings" and tips, everyone.

I'll track down "New York, Fall 1974" and give it a whirl, Acman3. Sounds like a good album to start with.

Thanks again.

It seems the Braxton recording was never released digitally, but only on LP.

Rknight, Like all music on an edge, not all of Braxton's music is a math equation, or played over your head.

Try Anthony Braxton/ New York, Fall 1974, with Kenny Wheeler on trumpet, Dave Holland on Bass, Jerome Cooper on drums. Some fairly straight ahead compositions, and a couple of streches. Startling dynamics, at least on my 40 year old LP.

Heard Today:

Etta Jones (vocals) -- Don't go to Strangers
She should be more well known and highly regarded. She can sing with the big girls. Does 'fine & mellow'. Only Billie could do it better.

Andrew Hill (piano) -- But Not Farewell
Plays with a quintet. I like it, better than I used to. Has been on the 'save for later' shelf for years.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba (piano) -- The Blessing
Trio with Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette. Not two of my favorites, but they are a good fit here. Nice version of 'Besame Mucho'. Another Cuban Virtuoso.

Murray Perahia (piano) -- Bach Keyboard Concertos Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7
Not Jazz? Hmmmmmm, maybe. But great Music and I did listen to it today.

Cheers

While Rok and I disagreed on the sonic qualities of the music in that bargain set, we absolutely did not disagree on the absolute qualities of the music. This music belongs in anyone's jazz collection who considers himself an "aficionado". I have, and I will continue to pay an exorbitant price for this music. If this set meets your sonic requirements, then you have received "manna from heaven". Here is a very small sample from "you tube".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u_lv_Q3VPM

That very beautiful lady on the cover is Tammy, and she graces the cover of my LP. Every time I hear this, I feel Tammy's fragrant breeze.

Another cut on this same LP is "On Green Dolphin Street". This is the coolest "Green Dolphin Street" on record. I can still feel Tammy's fragrant breeze while I'm listening to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRNzx9d-D-o

Enjoy the music.

Today's Playlist:

Walter Davis Jr.(piano) -- Davis Cup
w/ Jackie McLean / Donald Byrd / Sam Jones / Art Taylor

Straight-Ahead, Hard Bop, Blue Note Session. Some critics say one of the best ever! All tunes written by Davis. Great supporting cast. Very enjoyable record.

Walter Davis Jr. -- In Walked Thelonious

Davis playing solo piano. All of Monk's tunes are here. At least 14 are. Mapleshade Production, so you know the recording is excellent. Think of it as Davis' take on Monk, without all the 'clutter'. No flat piano here!! This man didn't record much, and this is one of his best, along with the one listed above. Get them both. You won't be sorry.

Now, The Piece de Resistance!!!

Rahsaan Roland Kirk -- Blacknuss

He plays everything from Motown, to The Old Rugged cross!! Not a weak, or throw a way, track on the CD.
He is funny, serious, profound, silly and absolutely brilliant, all at the same time! He also sings and plays several instruments at the same time.
This CD is a MUST HAVE!! You know you have to have it, so if you ain't got it, git it!!

I have another one of his I will 'review' tomorrow.

Cheers

Rknight:
Folks don't wade thru Braxton's mind, they go via 4 wheel drive hummer!! :) Otherwise you might end up like the guys in the old Tarzan movies, up to your neck in quicksand. Good Luck!

Cheers

Frogman:

"Notice how they both approach it from below which gives certain sung notes an ever so slightly flat intonation until they are brought up to the pitch center; gives the singing a subtle tension-and-release quality that is very expressive."

I pulled out my copy of Nancy and Cannonball. I listened for what you described. I think I know what you are talking about. I will now go back and compare her to Jimmy. BTW, she didn't sing long enough, before Cannonball and the boys took over the CD. :(

I would have never noticed that on my own. First I would have been too involved staring at the CD cover photo. Then listening to her wonderful voice.

It's good to have a person with your background in the group. Even I, might be able to learn something!

She is one of the few big time singers I have seen / heard in person. Constitution Hall in D.C.

Thanks for the insight.

Cheers.

I listened to "The Inflated Tear" every day for three months after hearing it for the first time. What an incredible song.

Now I'm wading through the minds of Mr. Archie Shepp and Albert Ayler.

Shepp's "Le Matin des Noire", "Hambone" and Ayler's "Summertime" just blow me away.

I'm trying hard to stay away from Braxton but I feel it coming on.

Rok, I am impressed. I love Little Jimmy Scott! I will never forget the first time I heard him. A friend came over a few yeards ago and, as we often do, try to stump each other by doing blind-tests to identify players and singers. He played this cut:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SRYJbaxwJ20

I wasn't sure, but I guessed Nancy Wilson. Well, it turns out that Jimmy Scott was, by her own admission, Nancy Wilson's biggest influence. He is a beautiful interpreter with wonderful phrasing. The influence on Nancy Wilson is remarkable. Not just in the phrasing, but also the tone and pitch of her voice. Some singers (and players) approach sustained notes either from above the pitch center or from below. Notice how they both approach it from below which gives certain sung notes an ever so slightly flat intonation until they are brought up to the pitch center; gives the singing a subtle tension-and-release quality that is very expressive. Here is Nancy Wilson, possibly my favorite female vocalist (next to Victoria De Los Angeles, but that's a different genre) from one of my very favorite records:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=0EeWOA1Engk

I had the good fortune of hearing Jimmy Scott live about fifteen years ago. Very interesting performer with a very warm demeanor and curiously androgynous appearance.

Good call!

Whether ah is or is not, we gonna git back to da music.

Thanks for recommendation on Jimmy Scott. After doing a bit of research on his life, I ordered the CD and can't wait to take a listen.

"Maybe I should join "EAA", that stands for "Extreme Audiophiles Anonymous". After putting such people down, I've discovered that "Maybe I are one"?"

Maybe you is!

Speaking of 'Nuance', may I recommend the following:

Jimmy Scott (vocals) -- All The Way
Probaly unknown to most on this forum, but he this man is an awesome talent. If you like singing at the highest level try to find a way to listen to this cd. Try to YouTube him if you can. I think The Frogman will love his style.

His voice is almost feminine. I have had this CD for years. Listened to it last night. Great late night singing esp with that special someone. His personal story is a sad one.

Ella Fitzgerald -- For the Love of Ella Fitzgerald

Two Cd set. A tale of two CDs. CD #1 swings the other one is mostly Ballards. I like the swing stuff best. Of course there is no sense trying to describe Ella's performances anymore. Hell, it's Ella. That's all you need to know.

She is backed on one song or another by almost everyone in Jazz. From The Duke, Basie, Louis, Oscar to Nelson Riddle. Her performance of 'Rockin' in Rhythm' with Duke's band is awesome! She scats thru the whole thing. Duke and Band are out of their heads. The brass section in particular. They get 'up there' and stay up there for a while. With Clark Terry , Ray Nance and Cat Anderson on trumpets, what can you expect! Man, I love this stuff!

The ballards are just run of the mill awesome! The woman does anything so effortless!

And please, no comments about flat pianos! :)

BTW, O-10, I received my copy of 'Trio Tres Bien' today. I will report later. I noticed they used the term 'Jazz Aficionado' in the liner notes. You didn't write them did you :)

Cheers

Give Jimmy Scott a listen. And Ella also. I looked on youtube, I saw her doing rockin in rhythm, but not with the Duke.

Cheers

Maybe I should join "EAA", that stands for "Extreme Audiophiles Anonymous". After putting such people down, I've discovered that "Maybe I are one"?

This is a "jazz" music forum, and the music Rok recommended is some fantastic jazz.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, on my original post I stated, " I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record."

The reason I didn't mention that CD is because I felt it was lacking in "nuance". This CD contains some of the very best jazz in my collection. Since we disagreed on The Three sounds, there is a good possibility we'll disagree on this one as well, and that's why I'm going to reveal this CD.

Atlantic Jazz 7 81951-2, Ray Charles & Milt Jackson; Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting, is a 2 disc CD that is as good as it gets. Brother Ray even blows a mean sax. While the music is 5 star jazz, the sonics on this CD are inferior to the LP, which is why I didn't review it. Now I realize that for people who never heard the LP, that might not matter. I give you my favorite tune on the album "Blue Funk"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHold6ylvEM

Enjoy the music.

Gene Harris is my most under appreciated pianist. Since I don't have a good explanation for this, I wont even try; however, I will explain how and why I discovered this.

My friend Rok, recommended some bargain CD's by The Three Sounds, and that's when I discovered how important a pianist Gene Harris is. It's not what he says, but the way that he says it. Each time he strikes a piano key, the way he does it is saying something.

I didn't discover this until I acquired "The Three Sounds" stripped of "nuance". This is such an important word to an audiophile, that I'm going to give you the definition. Nuance: A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation. A shade or graduation difference in colour, also as in carefully nuanced words.

The very same word can have a multitude of meanings, depending on how it's spoken. "Nuance", in my opinion, is the most important word in the English language to an audiophile.

Enjoy the music.

O-10:

Are you sure we are talking about the same Cd?
' The Three Sound Eight Classic Albums. Real Gone Jazz. RGJCD285'.

I am listening to it as I type. No way I can hear booming bass! And BTW, CD vs LP, upstairs / downstairs is not a valid comparison test, but even so, the CD should sound OK.

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree about this one.

Cheers.

BTW, you just destoryed my rep as a 'reviewer'. Thanks!

Rok, I repeated the test. This time I gave the bargain CD all the advantages. The CD was in my listening room and the LP was in the basement. After synchronizing the two, I listened in the basement for awhile before going back to the listening room. This time the results were even worse; it sounded like the bass tone controls (which I don't have) were turned up on the bass, and it was "boomy".

There is a possibility my love, affection and familiarity with this music could give me the ability to detect a deviation that others wouldn't sense.

Enjoy the music.

O-10:

I found your comments on the Three Sounds to be very interesting.
The first time I played the 8 Classic set I compared it to my only copy of them on Blue Note. I put one of the classic cds in one player and the blue note in another player. Both were playing thru the same amp.

I just toggled between them and decided that the piano on the Classic cd sounded flat, just as you said. I went back and forth until I was sure. Yep, flat.

Then I went to the kitchen for coffee and talked a while with the wife, then came back into the listening room. The two players where still playing. The lights on the amp were defeated, as they always are. I had forgotten which CD player was selected. I sat there looking at two cd players, both on, with the counters counting, but I had no idea which one I was listening to. I had stumbled into a blind test!

So I concentrated as hard as I could. grrr, grrrr, grrr, and decided that the piano was flat, so it must be the classic cd. Wrong! It was the Blue Note Playing thru the SA8001.

What does this prove? Nothing. Just food for thought. I then wrote my 'review'. I stand by it with the following understanding:

My review is for the The Three Sounds only. I would not buy any of the heavyweights, Miles, Coltrane or Rollins etc... But for groups that are not that important to you and ones that you would not normally buy, the classic sets are a good buy. After all, I only had one Cd by the Three Sounds. Much more on LP. As several reviewers have said, their music has a sameness about it. Nice lounge music. I do have a lot of Gene Harris.

Thanks for your comments.

Cheers

I think my brain knew I was listening for FLAT, so it provided FLAT. That happens a lot of this site. I just admit it. When I knew which Cd was playing it was easy. When I didn't know, things got a lot harder.

Rok, I really appreciate your playlist, it helps me to decide on new CD's.

In regard to those bargains, I suggest you use that music for deciding which CD's to buy. In the case of the 3 sounds, the piano is flat, and the piano is everything in their music. I suggest you chalk that cost off, and buy the original CD if you like the music. In the case of "Moods", I paid $35 for a used LP, and now I see a used CD for $106.96, that lets you know how good the music is on that album.

Enjoy the music.

Lastest played:

Hank Crawford (alto sax) -- Mr Blues / Mr Blues Plays Lady Soul

If you ever wanted to stroll down Beale street, this is it.
David 'Fathead' Newman, Pepper Adams, Bernard Purdie and others lend support. Party Time music. You'll think you are in a rib joint in Memphis. 'Going down slow' and 'Since you've been gone' my favorites

Crawford Was Ray Charles Band director in the early 60's. Three of Ray's former sax players died in 2009. Crawford and 'fathead' Newman were two of them.

There are three(3) pictures of crawford on the cover, one on the back of the cover, one on the CD surface, one on the inside bottom of the tray and one on the rear of the insert. lest we forget??

Abbey Lincoln (vocal) -- Abbey Is Blue

Her best and one of the best period. 'Afro-Blue' and 'Laugh, Clown, laugh' are standouts among standouts. The recording is difficult to describe. Her voice is center and perfect, but it sounds as if she is in a large room with wooden floors. This is not a bad thing. I thought the band could have been a little more upfront.

Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Dorham, Wynton Kelly, Cedar walton, Philly Joe Jones and Max Roach in support. Truly a great performance. Afro-Blue is worth it all by itself!!

Chano Dominguez (piano) -- Hecho a Mano

This is an attempt to merge Jazz and flamenco. I will leave it to music experts to say to what degree he succeeds. I know, I like it. This is the real deal. Very nice listening, which is what it's all about. Great recording. Great Piano Playing.

Cheers

"I found out as a young musician growing up in Memphis that if you weren't reaching people and having them tap their foot, then there was nothing happening."
Hank Crawford.

I like his attitude!

Rok, you get what you pay for. I've been flipping back and forth between "Moods" by the three sounds on LP and and CD. I'm not into that CD, LP thing. I'll take a good CD over an LP, it just so happened LP was the only way this was available. The LP projects the emotional impact of the music, this is most noticeable on the piano; it's missing on the CD; however, at this price I'm not complaining.

Enjoy the music.

"Party With Punte" is my play of the day. Tito has never failed to put the heat on. His name symbolizes hot Latin jazz. No one but the "Dizzy G man" can do it better, and that's the highest praise I can give when it comes to combining jazz with a Latin beat.

Tito puts his personal stamp on two well known jazz classics: "Killer Joe",and "Take Five". The rest of the CD is Tito gone wild; it makes me want to get up and do some fast fancy steps, (I couldn't do fast fancy steps back in the day) that's the way this music affects you.

These are some of the hottest rhythms I've ever heard coming from "El Ray", The Mambo King, and I believe you will agree.

Enjoy the music.

I have to listen to that "Mellow Fellows" CD. I think Branford's Eternal CD is excellent. It is a mix of original and standard (but less familiar) ballads, with Branford playing both soprano and tenor sax. Dedicated in memory to people in Branford's life, some famous, one a childhood friend. Usual quartet. Absolutely beautiful music.

I have to listen to that "Mellow Fellows" CD. I think Branford's Eternal CD is excellent. It is a mix of original and standard (but less familiar) ballads, with Branford playing both soprano and tenor sax. Dedicated in memory to people in Branford's life, some famous, one a childhood friend. Usual quartet. Absolutely beautiful music.

(I assume we all know what MF stands for).

Mellow Fellows?

Cheers

'Soultrane' is a great CD. I had forgotten how 'normal' Coltrane can sound. Great playing. Maybe Red Garland and Paul Chambers kept order!

I listened to the Ray Charles and Betty Carter CD. I thought it was very good. Esp 'Baby It's Cold Outside' and 'Takes Two To Tango'.

The Choral groups doing the 'sweetening'? Nothing new, ever hear of Bird and Strings? Nat Cole's Christams CD? On that one there were two(2) orchestras and three(3) choral groups to 'help' him. Just ruined one of the greatest Christmas CDs of all time.

Lets not even talk about Gil Evans and Miles Davis. But it is the same thing / mind set! I don't think any of these great artist 'requested' help! "They' always seem to think they can make it Mo' Better. Defend the Music!!

Maybe you are beginning to see my point.

Cheers

One of my very favorites by two of my favorite singers. If you have never heard Betty Carter in her "earlier" voice, this may be a revelation. Ray Charles; well, what more can be said about his genius. I can probably do without the chorus "sweetening" on a couple of the cuts, but overall, a beautiful record:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Rbkcxiibw

****I have always thought of Wynton and being more than just a Jazz player****

Very true. He is a formidable force in jazz today; as you said, "the face of jazz". An outspoken embassador for jazz with a dedication to and understanding of the history of jazz that, were he to take part in this discussion, would make all of our comments seem like those of kindergarten students. He is an incredibly talented trumpet player with the kind of meticulousness in his playing that allows him to be a very credible classical player. But, an interesting jazz player none of this necessarily makes; he never really was, but perhaps from the standpoint of sheer virtuosity. His brother Branford is a much more laid-back and relaxed individual who plays much like the way he is as a person. He, also, has recorded some of the classical repertoire, but with less success. I find it an interesting study on personality and how that translates to certain players' musical personality. In a nutshell, I doubt Wynton would EVER title one of is records "Four MF's Playing Tunes" (I assume we all know what MF stands for).

O-10:

I will try a 'used --very good' rhino colpix set from 'these sellers' on amazon. 15 dollars. She is one artist that I want to have all her best stuff.

Cheers

Pnmeyer:

Have not listened to 'Soultrane' in years. I will play it now.
Thanks.

Cheers

O-10
The 'Best of the Coplix Years' contains 19 of the tracks from your Rhino CD set. And it is on the 'Roulette' label. Generaly, you can't go wrong with Rhino compilations. They do it best, so yours might sound a lot better than mine. Some of the tracks were good, but the sound quality was sub-par, as were the song selections compared to say, 'Four Women'. IMO, as always.:)

Cheers

I have always thought of Wynton and being more than just a Jazz player. He is more. He has greater responsibilities. Maybe his extra duties have affected his playing. I still think of him as being the face of Jazz in America today. I agree with you about Branford.

Cheers

Rok, this is the "umpteenth" time we have gotten confused in regard to CD's, and it's not our fault; there are just too many CD's with the same name, by the same artist even. I have a 2 CD set by "Rhino",

Artist: Nina Simone
Title Of Album: Anthology: The Colpix Years
Year Of Release: 1996
Label: Rhino Records / R2 72567
Country: United States
Genre: Jazz, Soul, Blues, Vocal Jazz
Total Time: 2:30:45

Tracklist:

Disc 1
01. Blue Prelude
02. That's Him over There
03. Theme from "Middle of the Night"
04. Willow Weep for Me
05. Solitaire
06. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
07. Exactly Like You
08. The Other Woman
09. You Can Have Him
10. Cottom Eyed Joe
11. Fine and Mellow
12. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
13. Trouble in Mind
14. Porgy
15. Li'l Liza Jane
16. Rags and Old Iron
17. No Good Man
18. Gin House Blues
19. Work Song
20. Forbidden Fruit
21. Come on Back, Jack

Disc 2
01. He Was Too Good to Me
02. House of the Rising Sun
03. Brown Baby
04. Children Go Where I Send You
05. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
06. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
07. Hey, Buddy Bolden
08. Solitude
09. The Gal from Joe's
10. Blackbird
11. If You Knew
12. The Twelfth of Never
13. When I Was a Young Girl
14. Erets Zavat Chalav
15. The Young Knight
16. Spring Is Here
17. Falling in Love Again
18. That's All
19. Porgy, I Is Your Woman (Bess, You Is My Woman)

All jazz "aficionado's" think Branford is the better Jazz musician.

Enjoy the music.

Branford is the real deal. This record is on my list of must-gets. With your endorsement, it just got moved to the top of the list. Wynton is a more meticulous instrumentalist, but his jazz playing leaves me cold; almost as if he is playing solos that have first been written out. Branford plays with a lot more abandon and spontaneity; very good player.

**** I think Branford might be better than his brother.****

Duh!

Listening to a recent purchase - John Coltrane, "Soultrane." Just a regular reissue on vinyl on Prestige label. Never heard this recording before. It is excellent. Some really tuneful ballads and John plays marvelously. Recording is excellent too.

Some more recent purchases:

Nina Simone -- The Best of the Colpix Years

Nina is great as she always is. The sound quality is hit and miss. The song selection is ok, but this being a compilation, the songs and the sound quality is disjointed.
She sings 'Fine and Mellow', I always thought that song belonged to Billie. After hearing Nina, it still belongs to Billie. The critics seem to feel that she did her best work at Colpix. If the title of this CD is correct, I disagree. I like the Philips output much better.

Branford Marsalis Quartet -- Four MFs Playin' Tunes

Who Dat?? Who Dat, say Jazz is dead?? It is alive and well, and this CD is proof. I am not familiar with his quartet, but they are great. Esp the piano player (Joey Calderazzo). But all are great. I think this is where the be/hard bop guys were heading. It's fresh, new, and progressive, with it's orgins/roots firmly planted in the past. This is the new Jazz! Don't need no Koreans or Arabs or any of the rest. I think Branford might be better than his brother.

Joe Henderson -- Our Thing

with/Joe Henderson, Tenor sax / Kenny Dorham, trumpet / Andrew Hill, piano / Eddie Khan, bass / Pete LaRoca, drums

Good Blue Note outing. Professionals at work. The liner notes of the LP, and the Remaster, this is a RVG CD, are something to behold. I had to check to see if they had been written by The Frogman! I wonder how many Jazz fans think of, and 'hear' the music the way Messrs. leonard Feather and Bob Blumenthal perceive it?

Dizzy Gillespie -- Dizzy's Big 4

with / Dizzy / Joe Pass / Ray Brown / Mickey Roker.
Typical OJC sound quality, which is very good. Dizzy continues to amaze me how he can play in the upper register with such ease and purity of tone. He is without peer doing that. 'Be Bop' is my favorite. They take it at light speed!! Birks Works is also very good. Another Norman Granz production. I am currently reading the Hershorn book about Granz.

Cheers

O-10:

With a review like that, how could I resist. Esp when the word 'gospel' is used. Only one left, I hope I get it. Thanks.

Cheers

1964 it is. thanks for the correction

Hmmm... The Mingus in Europe recordings i have were made in 64' (the same year Dolphy died).

Thanks.

****You dissed it then****

I will have to search the archives :-) and get back to you. I am 100% consistent; you should know that :-) :-)

****" When Mutter puts out yet one more version of the Beethoven concerto, it does nothing to shape the direction of the music "*****

You are correct, but,

When I used a similar argument when we fought about errr.... I mean discussed, the 'influence' of various cultures on Jazz. You dissed it then.

BTW, Your post was excellent.

Cheers

" but I would bet you my copy of that LP that Evans DID "conduct Miles" quite a bit."

I'll call that bet, and raise you my rare and prized copy of ' Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues ' That should show you how strongly I feel about this!

Cheers