Jazz for aficionados

The guitars were a natural reaction to what was going on in popular music, and then there was Lifetime. Miles alumni John Mclaughlin and Tony Williams, joined by Larry Young, which you last heard on the"Unity"  recording Frogman played earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxeiY5kXz8Y

BTW, a lot of people joined the Jazz side because of those guitar led fusion bands. They do sound dated though now. 

Orpheus & Acman -
Wrote a lengthy reply about an hour ago. It didn’t survive. Must have messed up somehow. No desire to try and recreate the whole thing. In brief (if I can)...

O- I agree with your first paragraph about Delta Blues embodying a culture. I think what you write in your 2nd paragraph about blues interpreters applies to the 3rd gen blues players (e.g., Clapton et al) but think the 2nd gen players associated with the move north and early electrification of the blues were still close to their roots despite geographic distance. They knew very well whereof they spoke.

Acman - I found The Crusaders Gold on Spotify. 2nd track (Young Rabbits) started out with some spectacular piano and I was hopeful. Didn’t take long though before the music lost interest for me. I only made it to track 10. Not much there on a par with that video of Scatch that you posted. Those guys are obviously good musicians and maybe their music early on was better than in that gold collection. Didn’t seem to me the writing was up to the level of their individual talents. A simple melody over a groove with little elaboration. I got bored with it (as represented on that disc, anyway).

Maybe we can blame Chick Corea’s Return to Forever for the excesses of fusion. Kidding (sort of). There’s plenty of blame to go around. One thing for sure, I do not understand the fascination in some quarters with Al Di Meola. Every time I hear him, it sounds the same. Don’t own any RtoF or AD and don’t see any in my near future. I admire Stanley Clarke. Looking at that video of The Magician I found myself wondering if his fingers are registered with the police as lethal weapons.

I have tried listening to that first iteration of TW’s Lifetime, "Emergency". Found it difficult. Do like the 2nd iteration with the Alans, Pasqua and Holdsworth. Bought the 2 album compilation. I’m willing to give Lifetime #1 another shot. It’s saved on Spotify, I think.

By the way, not a Corea hater by any means. Have a couple of his LPs: Akoustic Band and EleKtric Band. There’s music in those recordings.

Thanks to you and O for the discussion and your patience with my replies.

Wikipedia explained things...
The Jazz Crusaders (first LP, Freedom Sounds 1961) shortened their name in ’71 to The Crusaders. Certainly seems over the years their music "dumbed down" as they achieved more commercial success (least that’s how read it).

It’s this version of Young Rabbits (Young Rabbits ’71 ’72) from Pass The Plate that was on that Gold compilation CD. Joe Sample’s piano work knocks me out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFn-fbNdjj4&ab_channel=jackofwg

Hey O - Remember posting the below (Dec 31 last year)?

The very best music is that which has withstood the test of time and repeats; no matter how many times you've heard it, it still sounds good.

Such music in my collection that exists, I will share it with you; The Jazz Crusaders, "Young Rabbits" is such a cut.
Another one by the same crew is "Freedom Sound"; that reminds me, I don't have enough of this good music.

I missed your post first time around.  Looked up Jazz Crusaders Freedom Sound today to see if it had gotten discussed.  Found your comments.  You are certainly right.  Got Freedom Sound the album (the title track, in fact) playing right now.  There's a 2 album CD with Freedom Sound and Lookin' Ahead.  Thinking I will be getting it.  Thanks again to you and Acman.

Ghosthouse, it seems we're going on the same track in the right direction; I was just thinking this is a good time to help you with you're new collection.

The very best music is that which has withstood the test of time and repeats; no matter how many times you've heard it, it still sounds good.

That quote is quite valid; it makes for a play list that's so long, you're ready to hear the first one again by the time it comes around.

"The Jazz Crusaders" is one of everybody's favorite groups; they successfully went through a number of changes, coming up with something better each time.

Now is a good time for the rest of the 'aficionado's' to assist in helping you to build a choice collection without waste of money; meaning to buy albums that you later become dissatisfied with.


Enjoy the music.