Jazz for aficionados
Beautiful Ike Quebec cut; thanks for sharing. I love that approach to tenor sound; big, meaty, and breathy. It's always refreshing to hear that sound in contrast to the Coltrane-influenced approach that is so prevalent now. It is a physically different approach to producing tone on the instrument which starts with the use of "subtone" to begin the note; instead of the tongue giving a note it's start, a breath attack is used. Additionally, the physical muscular "mechanics" used keeps the sound's core closer to the front of the mouth instead of further back in the throat. That further back in the throat approach is what gives the more modern approach (Coltrane) that "screaming" quality; not always an attractive sound. Ike Quebec is one of those players that could really tell a story with a solo. On this cut there is a beautiful sense of knowing exactly where he is going. Each phrase is a follow-up to the previous phrase in a way similar to the way that a great speaker is able to recite a well written novel. He strikes a nice balance between restraint and exuberance, whereas many of the similar sounding tenor players of the (loosely speaking) Texas tenor school can sound overwhelming at times in their exuberance. Great stuff! |
Jimmy Forrest was another often overlooked great tenor player. Indisputably out of the Texas tenor camp, this cut teams him with two other greats: King Curtis and Oliver Nelson who we often forget was a great player as well as composer/arranger. Check out Forrest's opening phrase, but first fasten your seatbelt. His solo is first, followed by King Curtis and the Oliver Nelson. I love the way Nelson crafts a solo. There is an incredible logic to the way he develops a solo. Anyone familiar with his "Bues And The Abstract Truth" will recognize the almost stately way that he starts and then develops an idea before there is an "ok, time to cut loose" attitude. Three very different but equally interesting styles: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6N3ttzmzJmg |
Today's Playlist (so far) The Blue Note Swingtets -- Featuring groups led by Tiny Grimes, John Hardee, Ike Quebec, Benny Morton and Jimmy Hamilton Great playing throughout. This was, according to the liner notes, recorded during Blue Note's 'Swing' period.(1944-1946) A period greatly influenced by Quebec. He seems to have been a very influential advisor to the founder of Blue Note Alfred lion. Even brought Monk to Blue Note. On this CD, eight of the numbers are by groups led by Ike. Very easy swinging blues rule these sessions. Ike contributes two of his own compositions: 'Blue Harlem' and 'Zig Billion' Some of the all time greats appear: Milt Hinton, Oscar pettiford, Ben Webster, Barney Bigard and a lot of the Duke's men. All recorded between 1944 and 1945. Some tape hiss and a little noise, but nothing that would bother a vinyl aficionado. Which I ain't. I have not given Ike his proper due in my music collection. Only one CD. I will have to correct that. I am sure I have more of him on LP. Great Liner notes by Dan Morgenstern. I just love it when the history of the players / music and background of the recording session is included. Cheers |
"Nature Boy" by Ike Quebec is an interesting version of this tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tk6dYP_uhs Since I posted "Heavy Soul" two miles back and it got missed, here it is again. I especially like Freddy Roach on organ. They knew Ike was dying from terminal cancer when they recorded this, hence the title "Heavy Soul" . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIZzHpXGEjg Enjoy the music. |
