Eastern Rebellion: Why is this record not considered when people talk about "Greatest Jazz Records Ever"? George Coleman, Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, Billy Higgins. Side one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ubU5TclcEghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdTYMDIyQq8Just a question, Why are some gems so overlooked? Like Rok says " If you don't got it, get it". Rok, I remember liking The Weston/Liston recording, Volcanic Blues, but I have trouble locating the CD's in time to comment. Also, a few years back my son sold some CD's thinking I would never find out. I started seeing "my" Cd's at the stores and figured it out. I am not real sure what I own anymore. I need to get a list on computer and organize my LP's and CD's, but that would be work. ;) |
O-10:
I have 'The Country Preacher' This style of Jazz was responsible for getting a lot of young people into Jazz.
If most people's introduction to Jazz had been some of those 'free' or 'avant-garde' types, the genre would have died years ago.
The commentary does 'date' the performance, but it's still a nice listen. I am sure you remember when it was possible to play music like this on the juke boxes in cafes / bars.
Cheers |
Jazz bargain alert!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NTVMLA/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p15_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1E08A228AES4ZYXJWV1T&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630072182&pf_rd_i=507846
Lot of good sets here.
Cheers |
|
Less McCann was a joy to behold; although I've had that album since about that time, this was the first time I saw a live performance, and I could feel the rapture he felt when he played.
Enjoy the music.
|
Too good not to share.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzvlivbptXk
One of my all time favorites. I remember where I was when I first heard it. I wonder how many awesome performances have been wasted on European and Asian audiences?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50mSSca1xnQ
The most exspensive single CD I have ever purchased. Japanese CD, but I had to have it.
Cheers |
******"Besame Mucho" has special meaning for me, it brings back memories of Victoria Gomez in the 6th grade*******
My true love and life long soul-mate was named Earlean, and the music was Roy Hamilton's "Don't Let Go". :) Those were the days.
Cheers |
Today's Gem and History Lesson:
Everyone who was Anyone -- THE FIRST ESQUIRE CONCERT
To name a few: Tatum, Eldridge, Armstrong, Holiday, Hawkins, Bigard, and many more. Recorded at the MET in NYC in 1944. The event was part of a War Bond drive.
The sound quality is remarkable considering the time and place. Since it went out on radio, we are inflicted with a 'Master of Ceremonies'. This one is not as bad as some I have heard.
The liner notes are very interesting and hilarious at the same time. The writer says a few words about each performer.
When got to Billie, he says she can only be 'termed'(?) with Bessie Smith, and "ELLA FITZGERALD, THE WOMAN JAZZ SINGER"!! hahahahahahahahah This was really back in the day.
Roy Eldridge was 70 when this was recorded!!!! I think playing trumpet was a lot harder pre be-bop.
The event gets better as it goes. Lionel Hampton sort of jump-starts things with 'flying home'.
This CD is worth it just for historical reasons. To hear these magicians in their prime.
The sound of the applause is distorted and is abruptly ended. There are a few glitches in the editing process, but these things are very minor compared what is recorded here. The music is never affected.
Got to Amazon for a full list of the players. I see there is a second concert recorded in 1947. 2-CD set. I got my copy in Austin years ago for $2.98.
I think I was introduced to this one in 'Stereo Review'.
Check it out.
Cheers |
RE: Religion and Jazz
The February 2013 issue of BBC MUSIC magazine has an article entitled "The 50 People Who Changed Classical Music Forever"
1. Pythagoras 2. Jesus Christ 34. Joseph Stalin :) You have to read the article to understand.
Since ALL music is derivative to some degree, and stretching that logic almost to it's breaking point, we can say that the Good Lord was very influential in the creation (no pun) of Jazz. And of course, everything else.
Cheers |
****There is no atheism in Jazz**** - Rok2id
That one goes next to my other favorite quote about Jazz and religion:
"Jazz is the sound of God laughing" |
******Although I'm not a religious person******
Of course you are. There is no atheism in Jazz. Where do you think this stuff started. Maybe a 'review' of Mahalia Jackson with Duke Ellington is in order. :)
Great clips. Stanley Turrentine was one of the players that caused me to become interested in Jazz. Along with the Three Sounds and Ray Byrant.
In fact I have a CD of Turrentine with the Three Sounds. And of course I had to have the Toe Licking CD / Lp (sugar). :) I have a lot of him on Lp.
I think 'Hustlin' is one of the great Blue Note Jazz album covers. Have it also on CD.
Cheers |
Rok, "Besame Mucho" has special meaning for me, it brings back memories of Victoria Gomez in the 6th grade. I sat at the desk behind her, and those long braids that sometimes flowed across my desk. When I heard that song, it caused me to fantasize kissing Victoria Gomez. Although I had never kissed a girl at that time, the lady who wrote the song had never been kissed either when she wrote it; little did I know, we had a lot in common.
Enjoy the music. |
Rok, with a lineup like that, not only are we talking about beautiful vocals, but beautiful music to accompany a lovely lady with a seductive voice; I can just hear Toots harmonica on "Besame Mucho"; that's such an alluring song. |
Rok2id, I am ordering this one per your well displayed good musical taste that I agree with. (female vocals do shine on my system, If I do say so myself:)
I like Dianne Reeves "I Remember" album |
Today's Listen:
Dianne Reeves -- THE GRAND ENCOUNTER
I have always felt that backing is everything when it comes to Jazz singing. Well if that is true, check this out.
Miss Reeves is backed by:
Clark Terry(trumpet), Harry 'sweets' Edison(trumpet), Phil Woods(alto sax), Bobby Watson(alto sax), James Moody(tenor sax), Al Grey(trombone), Kenny Barron(piano), Toots Thielemans(harmonica), Rodney Whittaker(bass) and Herlin Riley(drums)
You would think with this lineup, Dianne would get lost in the preceedings. You would be wrong. She is up front and center, and the focus of the entire set. The recording is excellent. Great dept to the soundstage.
The performance? Wow!! What a voice and what a talent. If she had come along back in the heyday of Jazz she would have been up there with the Ella's and Sarah's of Jazz divas.
Great song selection. 'Besame Mucho', made me smile. I just knew she was in front of me, singing just for me.
She does a duet with Joe Willaims on 'Tenderly' and another with Germaine Bazzle on 'Side by Side'. Both are exceptional.
The band gives great support. They never overpower her. Professionals!
Like Jazz singing? If you don't have this one, you don't.
Cheers |
The Frogman:
Nice article on the electric bass. Sometimes it seems as if the audience / fans, consider themselves more of a purist than the creators themselves. :) I am guilty.
Cheers
|
Although I'm not a religious person, I can feel the sadness, and the faith in this young lady's voice when she took the problem without a solution to "Jesus". Once she told Jesus, she knew everything was going to be all right. Every time I hear her sing, "I told Jesus, he said everything was going to be all right now"; I can feel her heavy heart, and her faith in Jesus at the same time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSkqfm73HxQ"Salt Song" is the title of the album, and there's a picture of Stanley, facing the ocean in front of huge breaking waves. This is a fast paced number that captures the intensity of those waves breaking on the shore. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVlGVZQFAEQ"Gibralter" has a fascinating rhythm that floats my boat; Eric Gale's guitar never sounded better, and Stan is blowing his ass off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTBRiyB4KpUWithout a doubt, this is one of my favorite albums. Enjoy the music. |
O-10, glad you liked "Voyage"; it's a gem. "Focus" has also been a favorite of mine for a long time. It happens to be one of the very first jazz records I ever purchased, and back at a time when I really could not understand nor appreciate it; no longer. Thanks for the link. |
Rok, I can't think of a time that I heard something by Sonny Rollins that I didn't like. "+3" is one of his best. Sonny is one of the greatest and most influential of the modern tenor players. Miles considered him to be the greatest tenor player ever (!!!). He has a very distinctive style and an extraordinarily powerful musical persona; particularly when it comes to rhythmic feel. His sense of rhythm and projection of it is so powerful that, unlike most players who play with or to the rhythm section's groove, the rhythm section often seems to be playing to HIS groove; he is a very commanding musical force. Of special note on this record is the unusual (for him) use of fast vibrato on the ballads like "They Say Its Wonderful". You are absolutely correct in your observation that he sounds like he knew what he was going to play ahead of time. While I doubt that is the case (strictly speaking), I think what you sense is his incredible sense of confidence while still being spontaneous. While Cranshaw is a great player and, as you said, if Sonny wants electric bass who are we to argue, I am with you about electric bass in jazz in general; have never liked it. But, let's hear (read) the reasons why from the horse's mouth (so to speak): http://jazztimes.com/articles/20314-bob-cranshaw-shop-talk |
Today's Gem
Sonny Rollins -- +3
tracks 3 & 5:
Rollins(tenor sax), Stephen Scott(piano), Bob Crenshaw(electric bass) YIKES!!! WTF!! Jack DeJohnette(drums)
all other tracks:
Tommy Flanagan(piano), Cranshaw(electric bass), Al Foster(drums).
7 Tunes. Mostly standards, but two by Rollins, 'H.S.', a tribute to Horace Silver, and 'BiJi'. I liked the Rollins tunes the best.
This is the most enjoyable sax playing I have heard in a long time. It's as if he knew every note he would play, on every tune, before the session ever started. When it did start, he just played!
Why the electric bass? I don't know, but, if Rollins wants an electric bass, who am I to disagree. I didn't hear where it added anything to the perforance.
The playing? Fluid, no stops and starts, and 'what next' moments. Sound quality is top notch. Both groups give excellent suppot.
I think we need The Frogman or O-10 to weigh in on this one. I don't think I can do it justice.
Wanna know what a Jazz tenor sax player is supposed to look like? Check out the pics of Rollins on the front and back of the CD cover. Esp the back. The coolest and most distinguished looking player in Jazz. The pic on the back is classic / priceless.
I cannot understand why any Jazz aficionado would not already have this one, but if you ain't got it, git it!!
Cheers |
|
|
Acman3:
Very poignant performance. The shot of Getz sitting on the stool with chin in hand watching Barron play, PRICELESS.
I have him with Gilberto and with Oscar peterson. A great player.
Thanks for the clip.
Cheers |
|
Rok, that's one of the most interesting CD's you've reviewed, it's on order.
Enjoy the music.
|
Today's Pick:
Randy Weston / Melba Liston -- VOLCANO BLUES
Randy Weston is a Jazz pianist who has had a long collaboration with Trombonist and Jazz Arranger, Melba Liston. She (Liston) arranged all the tunes on this set.
Weston is very much into African and Caribbean music. He has tried to merge that music with Jazz / Blues. Of all the atempts of this sort of thing, Weston actually gets it right.
This entire CD is just great. Even Johnny Copeland appears to sing a little Blues. He is also into merging african rhythms with American Blues.
Weston gets the mix correct. Jazz and Blues fans will be happy as well as unapologetic 'progressive internationalists', like O-10 and The Frogman.
If you don't have this CD, better get it now! Some of his stuff is offered for $100 from 'these sellers'.
for you youtubies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjg9S1BUNkw
A Must Have!
Cheers |
Frogman, you brought up a very interesting point; as long as that LP has been in my collection, I didn't know who was on sax. While each time I heard it, I was quite impressed by the sax, I never bothered to find out who he was. Now that my entire vinyl collection has been transposed to computer, and I can never find an LP in order to discover the personnel, I'm really lost; but that tenor sax belonged to Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, so "Google" told me.
Enjoy the music.
|
O-10, thanks for the links; great stuff! "Yesterday's" is simply incredible. I was not familiar with that record, so it has to go on the "to buy" list. Sounds like Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis on tenor (?). Beautiful!
And the Kirk/McDuff! In the pocket indeed. |
Rok, that one along with this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRi273CRTdgThat "deuce" could be identified as the car with a "rooster tail" of dust behind it as it cruised from one "juke joint" to the next on them dusty Mississippi gravel roads. Enjoy the music. |
O-10:
When you were cruising thru Mississippi, back in the day, in your 'deuce and a quarter', you may have heard this on your philco radio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQLdztuMd1g
The baddest dude in Blues.
Cheers |
The Frogman:
RE: Miss Nancy Wilson: The Very Thought Of You - 1964
Awesome! Perfection? Now that's the Nancy I remember from back in the day.
Great Clip.
Cheers |
Today's Listen:
Hampton Hawes -- THIS IS HAMPTON HAWES VOL.2 THE TRIO
hawes(piano), Red Mitchell(bass), Chuck Thompson(drums)
Hawes is one of my favorite Jazz pianist. According to the liner notes, he says he was most influenced by Charlie Parker. Good guy to be influenced by.
Hawes' fingers are like Fred Astaire's feet, fast and light.
9 tunes. Mostly standards, but, because he puts his own unique spin on them, you are not aware you have heard the tunes before.
Excellent sound quality. In a word, this performance is 'delightful'. Recorded 1955/56.
Cheers |
Speaking of singing. This is one of my all time favorites. Second only to to Ella herself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SdFyGy6YDw
No one need ever sing this song again. She closed the book on it!
What genre does she sing?? You name it.
Cheers |
When I clicked on the 'midnight sun' by Carmen, off to the side were links to the same song performed by Ella and Nancy.
I listened to all three, with the intention of ranking them. I gave up.
I'm just thankful we have these treasures to treasure!
If someone said I had to choose, or all my Kenny G CDs would be confiscated, It's Ella in a squeaker!
Great singing by all.
Cheers |
Acman3, thanks for the Kurt Elling clip. He is fabulous and the best male jazz singer on the scene today as far as I am concerned. Ernie Watts is a wonderful player, but while I admit this is strictly a personal bias, he always sounds to me like Michael Brecker with a cold. Because of this I find his alto playing more to my liking. Since we are talking about singers (especially female), this is from one of my favorite Sarah Vaughn records with one of my favorite Ernie Watts solos. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TW1Vcd5uXYg |
"Nancy Wilson with Cannonball" is an absolute gem. I am biased since she is probably my favorite female vocalist (non-classical) and Cannonball is (was) one of my very favorite alto players. Her repertoire is unusual for a jazz singer since it covers many "torch" songs and songs from the musical-theater and cabaret genres; but, it's so great to hear that material sung with a jazz singer's sensibility and sophistication instead of the "over the top" approach of many cabaret singers. While I disagree with Rok's lack of enthusiasm for the record, I get where he is coming from. As he points out that was probably Cannonball's best band and it's in top form. Nat was probably one of Jazz's most inconsistent players and he is killing on this record. Rok, give it another listen :-) This clip of Nancy Wilson kills me every time. As far as I am concerned, it doesn't get much better than this for sheer class and emotion by a singer; not to mention flawless vocal skill. And if I write what this clip does to the male in me, this post would probably be deleted by the Agon censors. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QBmrDS2Zhaw |
|
Acman3,
I initially read your post to quickly. You were asking about the CD end...
my subconscious conjured up another end, I'm bad. |
Thanks Rok and Isochronism, I did remember the dress;)
I found it in a box of about 300 cd's I don't have storage for. Will report back. |
My first recollection is Nancy in the tight yellow dress. You can't miss it.
I always did like this album. |
Acman3:
White, black, lettering, Capitol Jazz.
Cheers |
Rok, I THINK I disagree with your take on the Cannonball/Nancy Wilson, but cannot, after an hour of searching, find it on LP or CD. What color is the end of the CD? I remember talking with my daughter about her talent on this recording compared to American Idol talents. I'm sure my daughter enjoyed me "Helping" her. LOL. |
|
Today's diaappointment:
Nancy Wilson / Cannonball Adderley -- NANCY WILSON & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY
12 Songs. 7 Vocals and 5 instrumentals.
Wilson does a good job on 'Save Your Love for Me' and 'The Masquerade is Over'. The others are very forgettable.
I am not sure this is even a Jazz recording. Her voice is superb, but the songs don't say anything.
I can't even imagine when or where a person would have to go to hear this type of music live. Surely not a Jazz night club or concert hall.
Sometimes music can be a little too uptown, hip, cool, New York-ish and sophisticated. This is one of those times.
Cannonball and the quintet are great as usual. This is considered his best group. Only Lateef is absent.
I would take, over the hill Carmen McRae, any day over the music on this CD. Recorded in 1960.
This is the only Nancy Wilson I have on CD. I remember her from the song, 'Guess Who I Saw Today'. I think that was one of her best efforts. It's not on this CD. Too bad.
Cheers |
|
Dissing an artist because of her age!?!?!?!
As 'Fats' Waller might say
"Why, I never heard of such a thing!!" hahahahahha
I was so upset I had to reach for Wynton and Clapton and a little 'layla' and some 'a closer walk with thee' to regain my composure.
sine you be the OP, I guess we can't fire you! hahahhaah
How about some prime Nancy Wilson? Coming up.
Cheers |
If this is Thursday, it must be change of pace night. Enjoy! You know you like them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0oFadjx-is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFIOu2sYxoc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCTN0cmFTQo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0XMn0U9b2Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu9RVPTpDyA
Cheers |
Rok, although Carmen is one of my most favorite female vocalists, the years were not as kind to her voice, as they were to Ella's. If you could find a song at the time when Carmen looked as seductive as she sounded, I can chime in. Just as athletes peak, so it is with female vocalists, and what you've chosen is past her "peak".
When you find a song where she looks as seductive as she sounded, I will chime in.
Enjoy the music.
|
Todays's Dose:
Carmen McRae & Betty Carter -- THE CARMEN MCRAE - BETTY CARTER DUETS
Recorded before a live audience in San Franciso. Very enjoyable set. A lot of 'carryin' on' between Carmen and Betty. The audience loves it.
9 tracks. All very good. My favorites were the Ellington tunes 'Sophisticated Lady' and It don't mean a Thing'. Also, 'But Beautiful' and 'Sometimes I'm Happy. Great scatting duel on the latter.
Great recording. DDD. No tape hiss!! Thank the Lord for Digital.
Everyone had a good time on this one, and it showed. Wish I had been there.
Try it. I guarantee you will love it..
Cheers |
Rok, the very first time I heard "Ode To Billy Joe", I was crossing a bridge going into Hattiesburg, MS, in my brand new "deuce and a quarter", and I wrongly assumed it was the "Talahatchie Bridge" in Chickasaw county. That song also spoke of towns I had just passed through coming from St. Louis, consequently, I identified with it immediately; it was an instant hit with me.
I never stopped liking the song, and I have the CD. Bobby Gentry is one of the most authentic singer songwriters to come along. Her songs brought Mississippi to life, although they left out the ugliest aspects of that culture, which was most certainly best.
After I entered the state, I had the feeling I was in "The Twilight Zone", and had gone back in time without knowing it. Everything looked the same as it had in some long ago past; filling stations, farm houses, country stores, you name it.
Enjoy the music.
|
