tkeith

Track 1 - Definitely Edward Kennedy's voice. Moon Maiden, I know it from this. Track 2 - Reminds me of the first stuff I heard from Michael Hedges, but I'd say this seems more focused (and would hold up better, longer). Ry Cooder seems to be the guy that does this stuff about as well as anybody, but this is not him. I know purist cringe at all that string noise, but that just makes it real to me. As it gets more frenetic as it approaches the three minute mark, I'm going to guess Larry Coryell. Track 3 - First impressions: Not in love with the unemployment stick, but I'm very much digging the drummer. Has a nice, Michael Carvin kind of snap to his kit. This kind of loses me the longer it goes on. I want to like it more than I do. Something very familiar about the guitarist. Track 4 - South African feel -- I'm in. I fell into a bunch of this stuff in my collection, and this is not any of it. I love it. Get some strange looks cruising around NH in a Jeep blaring this, though. Track 5 - As the groove develops, I'm half expecting Richie Havens to start singing. I know that melody. A lot to like here. Forgettable bass solo (reminding me of a gig from hell with a sub). Closer to three minutes, it gets more interesting. Loving that drum groove. Alto seems a little clean for what's being set up, but I'm still digging it. I guess what I mean is, I'm not sure this is from the period it sounds like or in tribute to it. Surely sounds like Tyner's piano. I was discussing this with my father recently. McCoy's strength in the Coltrane band was his patience. He would just work a motif and work it... and work it. Later, he got too notesy, almost like he thought he *had* to. Right at six minutes, they build that groove right back in, and that's where this should be rooted. It's a killin' groove - just let it develop for what it is. I'm probably nuts, but I swear I know this melody. Track 6 - Carolina Moon. I knew it was Monk off the bat, but the and was so loose when they come in I wondered if it was actually Ra. I'd talked myself into that until I heard the unmistakeable tone of Lucky! It's from this. Track 7 - No idea. While I find stuff like this interesting at first, it rarely holds my interest. I will say, though, I went down to clean my car (I have mid-life crisis issues) and brought this BFT with me, and while much of the pop-ish stuff would not be my first choice, it was the perfect companion for the job! Track 8 - My first thought was Michael Urbaniak. Then as it went on, I wondered if it could be later John Handy. I finally arrived at the conclusion that I have no idea what it is. Track 9 - Wondered if I'd accidentally shuffled the play list beyond the BFT when this came on. I've heard this (I swear), but have no idea what it is. I'm luke warm on it. If I were on the beach, or in a beach bar, and heard it, I'd be pumped. For sitting and listening, not so much. Track 10 - Definitely owes a nod to Bill Evans, but no idea what it is. Track 11 - No clue. It's rather... abstract? Random? There's something that doesn't really "flow" to me. Given that, maybe Evan Parker? Track 12 - I believe that would be Charlie, from Kansas City. Later, by the sounds. Rather melancholy. Soulful to the point of sadness. My first impulse was to say Moody, but it's definitely the man himself. Had to surf the collection for the song title. Meandering. Track 13 - I remember this song, but can't tell you who or what it is. But I remember it from my youth. I would not have put these two back-to-back. Track 14 - That voice is mighty familiar, but I can't place it. He's in that Andy Bey range. I keep wanting some soulful, Temptations style falsetto to come in there. I like this, though -- I could get a lot accomplished while this is playing. What happened to this sort of musical statement? Listen to the shit that we have now-a-days and you understand, perhaps, how we've arrived where we are. #sad Track 15 - No way. Terence Trent D'Arby! I always thought he owed a lot to a lot of people, but I have to admit, he's completely recognizable to me now. He had a song just before the really popular tune he had, it was a bit more uptempo, and it was barking/soulful like this, and I can't recall the name of it. This dude definitely had something. Track 16 - This one was completely lost on me. Can't explain why, but seemed to last three times longer than it actually was. Track 17 - I was nearly done with the car when I heard that first noise, faintly, and wondered it I was imagining it. I was there immediately. ABBEY! Sadly, Liebs never hit this point again, to my ear. Maybe close with Bob Moses... Dad introduced this to me after a trip to Boston for some vinyl. He said, "This is what the quartet was like. It's not the same, but they got there. A different plane, but they reached it. Now ramp it up by a factor of 100 and your getting close." I'm convinced there are two types of people in this world: Those who are touched by this music, and those who are dead. The out-chorus is one of the most exciting things I've ever heard. Once I learned the story behind the recording, it got better. It may be from the liners, I forget... Abbey was on tour in Japan and bumped into Miles. She was't happy with her Japanese drummer and was frustrated that she had an upcoming recording date. Miles suggested she borrow Al Foster and she took him up on it. Al brought David Liebman along for kicks and this happened. Awesome! I don't know how much post-production there was on this, but in that out-chorus, Abbey is most CERTAINLY inspired by what is going on (AAAAAALLL my LIFE!!!!). Great choice! And I feel vindicated in my reactions to Abbey after reading Jim's comment. #greatears

Dad's responses: First listen responses to your BF test: 1-CJ at the Pudding '88 2-Uptown Conversation with Ron Carter, Hubert Laws, Hancock, Tate 3-Riff-Raff- Frank Lowe,ts, maybe Moncur or Joe Bowie,tb? 4-Equal Time 5-Not a clue; regional players? not too heavy 6-Tb-led post bop, nice tune, tricky head 7-Unknown ss/p duet Charles Lloyd influence (yawn) 8-Plight Tolliver big band Impact cd 9-James Carter? Nice, tight unit 10-Last of the Hipmen, great Threadgill, Murray Octet 11-Unknown tenor, nice, measured solo Then, Is it Curtis Clark on 7&11? If so, whose the tenor? My first thought on #6 was Frank Lacy but wasn't sure enough to even say maybe?

BFT160 for July is available for download and listening online. It's got a range from easy IDs to impossible (mostly the former, IMHO). I won't be around most of tomorrow so I wanted to get this up and ready to go. Have at it at will. And, I just want to tell you good luck. We're all counting on you. http://thomkeith.net/index.php/blindfold-tests/

Negative, but boy, that'd be a nice addition to that lineup!

He didn't want to play spoiler (it's my father). I'll bug him to post next week. If he doesn't, I'll share his answers (I'm not afraid).

That's some high quality cement, because you are spot on. I like where your ears went, but actually late 60s (though, without question, these are some of the founders of that sound). Both lean towards the Avant Garde. No, this is a tough one. I think a lot of people are going to hear this that way (they usually do). Again, high quality cement, my good man! Correct, sir! Safe to say you don't lean towards the avant garde? Agreed. Thanks for the input. I dare say you did better than you seemed to think.

It is not.

That is the part I'm hoping people will fill in. A hint: These are ALL well-known musicians with great résumés. I'll again offer the hint that each guy plays his signature line during this tune.

I think the personnel on track one will throw some people. I also think people might be over thinking it. Each of these players plays his trademark licks on this track. Not CM or RD on track 3, but heavy hitters for sure. Welcome, Spoon! Love the Kenny Clarke comparison, but not him. Not Moody, either. IMHO, I put this guy a notch or two above James. Not Shepp on 3, but I think it would be safe to say out of that school. Uh-oh... Jim has arrived, expecting a slew of IDs! Correct, sir! Embryo records, actually. Correct on both guys. ID'd by Bill. Correct, sir! Not Gabor. Not David. Correct on nearly all counts, though for me, this track is the highlight of this album. #truth I LOVE the way you worded this. Perfect. Thank YOU for the thoughtful responses. You did about as well as anyone who didn't receive a personal invite (and only one of those four has participated, privately; and he cleaned up).

Correct on the Lennon/McCartney assessment. Many people make that connection when the song is played at this tempo.

Nay, sir. Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!2

Not jgriff. Again, the neighborhood is certainly correct.

Not Philly Joe, but began in that era. Time period is correct, but the musicians are not. You're in the right neighborhood, but a few streets off. Not Roswell, but heavy hitters all. Oddly, I would submit the trumpeter is the best musician of the bunch, though my favorite of the bunch is the bassist. Not Joe. Later, certainly more out. Not fuller, but I think the trombonist would appreciate the comparison. A little later than you are thinking. Nope. A little later. I think of this band as more centered in NYC, but I get where you'd hear that, as well. Similar era to the Pharoah stuff, but not him. I think this one surprises a lot of people. Thanks for the comments! ======================================================================================== Not Dex, recording is later than you're hearing it. I like where your ears took you, though. mjzee's comments on this track, combined with yours, should put people on the right street.

I'll be surprised if you have #1. The alleys in your neighborhood make me want to visit. #8 predates Watson, but given the personnel, I'd think there has to be some sort of Messenger tie-in somewhere along the line. If not, there is most certainly both a strong Blue Note connection and connections to just about every other major 'school' of the music.

Diggin' track 01 myself right now!

Indeed! Thank you!

Who's the guy I'm thinking of, though!? It's making me cuckoo!

Track 01 - I'm just wild about Harry. I forget what movie this was in, but I'm always taken to that when I hear it. Good to hear a bouncy bari from that period. I have this. Oh! It's Sidney Bechet, for sure. I've got it on one of those compilations. No mistaking that vibrato. At 3 minutes, seems like it must be later. Track 02 - Not sure who this is. Reminds me somewhat of Jimmy Vass, but a bit busier. I like this a lot; seems to have a strong nod to Monk without being Monk. Track 03 - Ooooo... me likey. The Mooch, I believe. Tasty, more modern take on an old song. I suck at IDing flutists. Track 04 - Happy. I like this. Double bass as leads... I like this. I can think of a few guys who would try this, and this doesn't sound like any of them, to me. Looking forward to this reveal. If it's a whole album of this, I have to have it. Track 05 - In a Sentimental Mood by a seemingly 70s vocalist. Very few songs exist that are so bullet proof that it's ridiculously difficult to find a bad version. This is one of them. I've literally never heard this song when it didn't "work". All hail Duke! There's something in this woman's voice, the dynamics, that is reminiscent of Dionne Warwick, but not her. Track 06 - BIG sound. My first thought was Harold Vick, but this guy is beefier, a little more to the point. Different arrangement. Different enough that I can almost forgive the electric bass. Is that a clue? Open chords are reminiscent of Harold Mabern, but I don't think it's him. What's going on with that trumpet? Is that EVI? I like the arrangement, but the hyper compressed drums are off-putting. I'm guessing early 80s. Tenor is George Adams. Is this something with Gil Evans? Hehe... I love George... friggin' nut. Soprano sounds familiar, but I can't put a finger on him. Track 07 - Seems like I should know the song, but I don't. I think I like it, but can't make up my mind. It's like if Scofield did a record with Jimmy Buffett. It's a hot day... beverage in hand... ocean... yeah, I could definitely dig this... but I'm at work. Feh. Track 08 - I like this, even though it's a little post-modern Jazz. Sounds like somebody heavily influenced by Dave Holland. Could be Dave Douglas. I really like the bassist on this, almost wondering if it could be DH, but something about the piano is too flowery for one of his projects. Definitely a Potter influence on the alto player. At times he's reminiscent of Gary Bartz (good), but other times gets to mathematical for my tastes. Overall, this works. I'm going to guess a European group. Reminds me of Martina Almgren's group. Not David. Closer to Avishai Cohen, but not flashy enough. This is a niche within the Jazz array that rarely matches my ears, but some of it works very well. This falls into that category. The longer it's gone on, the more it's growing on me. Has a very optimistic overtone, almost like them music. I used to use a Bob Berg cut to close out my radio show in college that had a similar feel (American Gothic from Back Roads). Track 09 - Ah! A Mighty Fine track from this. Arthur was the Arthuriest. A part of my always kind of turns away when I see Frisell's name, but then when I hear it, I always seem to end up with a smile. I'll blame my Dad's influence. Ron Carter managed to do this feel about as well as anybody (Uptown Conversation, anybody?). **Track 10 - Whoooo! Aggressive, funky-@$$ tenor! Almost a Turrentine level of Boss... sounds a lot like Willis Jackson, but I can't see him doing anything this Messengerish in feel. Track 11 - This one is weird. I think I like where they are headed, but that bass (direct bass?) is frustrating hell out of me. Sounds like the tenor is trying to do his Buddy Tate, but it falls just short. It's definitely a real guy, though. Seems like maybe somebody not really noted for this type of playing and he's *really* trying to put it out there. Because it's a blindfold test and a bunch of names are floating into my mind for the pianist, I'll risk it and ask: Gene Harris? Track 12 - A thoughtful take on Stardust. One of the advantages of age is I've gained an appreciation for the trombone. Seems obvious to say J.J., but it has to be. Hmmm... nice, thoughtful, warm soprano. Warm soprano, needle drop, gotta be Lucky. Muted trumpet is very enjoyable, I'm thinking I've got this -- I'll say Clark Terry. That sure sounds like Hawk. Just for fun, I'll say Lionel Hampton ;). I have it as this. Man... great just doesn't age. Track 13 - Sounds Bill Evans-ish to me, but I have no idea what I'm listening to. Grooving along with it, though. Track 14 - Sounds like a lullaby. Which and by whom, no idea. Track 15 - What's going on here? Old recording played over by a highly accomplished modern player out of the Cannonball school. Not Cannonball, but perhaps... well, piss... can't think of his name. White guy who sounds EXACTLY like Cannonball (can actually fool me at times). Frick. [Later] Still can't think of his damned name. Track 16 - No clue.

Very interesting reveal. Got more of this than I realized. Kudos for including your own stuff, even if I kicked you. Takes a pair to do that and I respect that. I can't remember the last test that had so much in it that I really dug, though. I have both the Trio Transition and the Fathead. I should have gotten Fathead... wish I had a dollar for every time I miss on him.

Gave track 13 another listen. Positive I'm right about David Murray, but realized I didn't put the last name.

Welp, no full IDs, but definitely some recognizable "faces". Track 15 is a FIND!!!!! REALLY looking forward to the reveal on this one! 1 - Neil Hefti, baby! Love this song, always have. Always wanted to cover it, but thus far have had no takers. Player in the right channel needs to articulate that head. Playing the song but not playing THE song. Solid facility on that horn, though. Right at 2:03 he does something that clues me in to his era. Late 70s/Early 80s. Has that Billy Pierce sound in there, but not the overly polished bit of the guys that came after that period. There's some shoutin' going on here (through a fabric of Coltrane). Drummer is going for that Blakey shuffle. The guy who does this best, IMHO, is Ralph Peterson. This could be Ralph, but my sense is that this is a little older than his period. Second guy is working hard, but just falling short of the first. Second guy could be Ralph Bowen, but doesn't seem to have his facility. I like this because, even though the execution is a tick below where the ideas want to go, they're fighting for it, and I appreciate the journey. SUCH a great tune. Hmmm... that WAS odd. 2 - I'm in, immediately. Sounds like Sonny Simmons off the bat. Ah... no, that's Oliver Lake. Not sure *what* it is, but it's definitely him. Sounds like McBee to me on bass. Can't place the pianist and any guess would be by association. Hmmm... can I switch to Reggie Workman on bass? I like this A LOT. 3 - Hmmm... this one is not any of the things the last two were. Sounds like it was done on a Mac, using the tone generator in Garage Band. Just not feeling this one. 4 - This makes me want to growl -- in a very good way. GROOVIN'! LOVE this! Only thing I can guess is maybe somebody like Fred Ho or Barney McAll. This seems more edgy than either of them. 5 - Hmmm. Total guess: Plas on alto? 6 - That left hand sounds like Tommy Flanagan to me. Should know the song, but it's hard to hear because I have bad theater signing in the background VERY LOUD ("ONE! SINGULAR SENSATION!"). #hazardsOfListeningAtWork 7 - Somebody out of the B.B. King school (but a unique voice). The formula is the one B.B. made famous, though. Rocks out and creates a genuine appreciation, but can't say who it might be. Voice is similar to 'Spoon, but not as full. I like this guy's influences, for sure. I think it's a survivor, but I'm not versed enough in the genre to pick him out. 8 - Sounds like Archie Shepp's singing. Can't imagine who the guitar would be if that were the case. Guitar is not this guy's main axe. Could it be Archie on guitar? Voice isn't quite gruff enough for me to commit to Archie; I think I'm barking up the wrong tree. 9 - Can't decide where I am on this one, but it's interesting. No guess. 10 - I think I have this. Maybe not. I can't seem to track it down in my collection. Some parts Very, Very Circus, but not quite to that point. Reminds me a lot of some David Harris stuff. Touch of Dave Holland, as well. Ah! It's reminding me of Chris Klaxton, which it definitely isn't. Intrigued. 11 - Jitterbug Waltz. Sounds like Randy Weston's approach to me (earlier). Wait, no. Too busy. Somebody out of that school, though. Muhal? I don't know, but I like this take on the tune, a lot. 12 - This is a weird one. The bari player has that Harry Carney thing down, but clearly it's neither him nor Duke. It's something newer, but has a pleasant, somewhat plaintive feel. Both tenors are patient and musical. I recognize the song, but truly suck at song names. My guess is this is an Ellington composition, explaining what I'm hearing in that regard. (Can you tell I'm splitting time between this and report cards?) Is this one of the tunes from Anatomy of a Murder? It's extremely well done. 13 - Another of the many Monk melodies I can play but not name. Is this Let's Call This? Pianist reminds me of Cedar Walton at times, but I don't think it's him. Though, it could be. 14 - Don't know what this is. Interesting as hell. Not Matt Shipp, perhaps before that. Busy, but interesting. 15 - Wheelhouse. Has that Muse sound. I'm in . Ooooo! Billy Harper, for sure! With David? What the HELL!?!??! I had no idea this existed! WOW! Man, this IS a treat!

Call it what you will, but you have GREAT ears, my man.

Finally got around to this. Some goodies in here. And some bizarre stuff! Track 01 - Very nice. No idea what it is. Track 02 - Very mid-70s sound. Muse? Could be Harold Mabern on piano, but more likely an off-shoot. A lot of facility in that horn player; not easy to play that many notes on the unemployment stick and still have it sound like music instead of a bunch of mush. Track 03 - Manteca... (why would you take liberties with that groove? Are you going to make it *more* syncopated?) That sure sounds like Cuber to me. Track 04 - Arthur! From this! Track 05 - Variation on Rhythm-a-ning. Bitchin' trumpet work. Very clean sound, almost like Clark Terry, but most definitely NOT him. I can't identify anybody here, but this is cookin'. Track 06 - Tenor is just a tick off, and that makes it better, because he's working. I like this. Track 07 - The attack is Jaws, but no triplets. That leads me to think it's Gator. Whomever it is, he is one bad MF!!! LOVE this! No clue on the vocalist, but I like him. Track 08 - George Adams on soprano -- unmistakable! Clearly, he's a sideman here, but no idea who it is (song is obvious, recording is not). Hmmm... a little sleuthing and it *could* be Johnny Copeland. I won't claim ID on this one as the only familiarity I have with Johnny is the record with Albert Collins and Robert Cray. But, oh yeah, when the guitar comes in, that's him. Is George on all of this? Track 09 - Huh! I doubted myself on what my ears were telling me. I've got this. The Threadgill Sextett! I had the good fortune to see this band with the line-up of Reggie Nicholson, Thurman Barker, Fred Hopkins, Diedre Murray, Ray Anderson, Rasul Siddik, and, of course, Henry. I believe this is from Just The Facts and Pass The Bucket. Definitely Craig Harris on 'bone, and sounds more like Olu Dara than Siddik. STELLAR! Track 10 - Has the sound of one of those Tapscott sessions, but that piano is definitely not HT. I have to replay this one -- having to argue the indefensible while I listen... I hope I don't have an aneurysm before I finish the test. Hmmm... that piano just flat doesn't swing... I feel like that's a clue. The bone... I've listened twice, and I ended up half tuning out both times... I like it, but the fact that my mind wondered tells me it's not Craig Harris. I'm really feeling this as a European band, but the sound is definitely Soul Note. Definitely get the impression that these are not "inside" guys. Track 11 - Sound was jarring at first, then I was thinking Rahsaan, but that tenor in the arrangement sure has me thinking Gilmore. And that could certainly be Marshall Allen on alto. Is this an earlier (or early-middle) Sonny Blount date? Oh yeah, that's John Gilmore -- SO unique. Sad fact of things is that I built my Sun Ra collection in the digital era, so I positively suck at identifying the individual albums. Track 12 - That has GOT to be Sun Ra. I know that quote was Fats Waller, but I'm sure that's sampled. Track 13 - Voices are somewhat familiar, but I can't say I know what it is. I'm not proud of this, but I'm laughing. Oh! I know! The guy giving the instructions sounds like Bobby Valentine! That makes it even funnier! AFTER READING THE THREAD: New Rule: Jim Sangry can't comment until page 2.

Wait, did you flip flop 10 & 11 in the reveal? Wow! Love me some Cleanhead, but somehow (went back and re-listened to be certain), this one just misses for me. Not familiar with Julian Dash... recorded around the time of my birth... thank you! I'm less familiar with Trouble In Mind than with Goin' Home, but it's still a great period for Shepp. Really happy to hear this Ben record. He's absolutely vicious, even at this late date! A baaaaaaaaad man. Damn! Did better on this than I thought, but it just missed the mark for me. Man! Kumuca AND Buddy! Wow! King Curtis. A guy I need to know more about. Sister Sadie... should have had that. The recording, however, misses. Gene!!!!! Heard Dusko's name before, but this is really nice. Need to brush up. Wow... need to get this Bertha Hope record. Nice. Not familiar with anybody on the last two.

Went back and read through, now. Just gotta say, man, Jim Sangry has some mother****in' EARS!!!!