Jazz for aficionados

Visited my Doctor today. The Phlebotomist is a great Jazz fan. She was playing Nancy Wilson and Cannonball on her BOSE table CD Player. She is also from ST Louis.

I don't think she knew Miles, but she knows EVERYTHING about him, and his family. Where he went to high school his Mama and his Daddy etc... Calls him her 'homeboy'. :)

BTW, she says KOB is so, the best Jazz record ever!! I said yes ma'am. I don't argue with anyone holding a Hypodermic needle.

When I mentioned the Voodoo aunt, she went quiet, and just mumbled,"I don't know nothing 'bout that". :) She did know about Miles and Cicely Tyson. Every detail!

Cheers

Today's Listen:

Lester Young -- LESTER YOUNG-THE JAZZ GIANTS

The name says it all. A few more giants on board such as Roy Eldridge, Jo Jones, and Teddy Wilson.

Lester Young was to be my first review of Jazz in Mississippi.

Only 5 tracks. Quality over Quanity. Sort of refreshing hearing this style sax blowing. With all due respect to Bird and Trane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8cFxKVYC7A

Cheers

KOB is kind of like the Sgt. Pepper of jazz, in regards to its influence on things to come. That does not make it the best, but it does make it good enough to have a major influence on others, which pretty much speaks for itself in terms of importance, which is easier to quantify than artistic merit, which is nearly impossible.

Since the "J" word is beginning to give me a headache and run my blood pressure up, I'll refrain from writing about it for awhile. Although I have an extensive collection of "J" music that I'll continue to hear daily, for my health, the word must be avoided.

I think I'll get a little religion; Rok, here's the real deal; this is music from the holy land, not some Baptist church in Nawlins. This is music Christ and the Apostles were listening to, all the way live, not some Baptist music out of Nawlins or Mississippi, but this. The subject is the music, not the movie; the instruments chosen for this music were the same instruments they used in Christ's time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7-2ldzIbUQ

"Susana Baca", have I been here before? My memory ain't what it used to be. This lady has such a fascinating voice and story, that I can stand to hear again. The last time I was here, I can't remember whether I went on a solo flight or took you guys along; this time we'll go together. Her voice has such a sweet haunting quality, I could listen to it all night; which I probably will tonight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXo4AfC8HFY


Although I don't understand the language, my heart takes care of the translation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgJLLKzYFYA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGIZkjTDt4k

Sometimes in music, it can sound even better when you don't understand the language; music is a language of it's own, and that's universal, the music can speak for the heart and soul in a way that words alone couldn't manage; when you toss in your imagination, Susana's songs take on a magical quality.

Here is one bad version of "Harlem Nocturne", that was featured in a movie about one bad ride. "Christine" was bad to the bone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuvGP2_RQ50

Enjoy the music.

It was in the late 50's that a woman turned me on to Miles. Although I had heard Miles, I liked him better on "Somethin' Else" better than I did on KOB; that was an album led by Cannonball Adderly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UUziUYXlZQ

I was stranded and up the proverbial creek, when a very attractive lady offered me shelter; absolutely nothing romantic, just shelter. If there was ever anyone into Miles, it was her; she must have had every album he put out up until that time. I especially remember "Round Midnight", every time I hear it, I can see that photograph of him on the cover with shades, you know the one;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIgLt7LAZF0

When I hear "On Green Street", I can see her face, and hear her voice; it was soft and lilting, never in a hurry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGVdAlxlp18

We spent the day playing nothing but Miles albums. Her pad was dark, except for a red light that shined on the record player. We became close friends after that encounter; platonic friends I might add.

Since that time, I've observed that women who're into jazz always like Miles; they find the sound of his trumpet very alluring.

Enjoy the music.