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tkeith
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On 7/3/2023 at 11:09 AM, JSngry said:
Did a little looking on the shelves, and #13 is Radio Citizen. That's a really good record!
And they don't mention "Las Vegas Tango" at all, but oh well...
Still, a fine record. It played in my car for weeks when I got it.
I was a little hung-up about them when I realized they were more producer-driven, but something about it just works.
On 7/3/2023 at 8:11 PM, randyhersom said:
1. Some similarity to Monday Michiru but it's not her voice. What I have heard of Moor Mother was edgier than this, but I have no better guess. Unless it's Amina Claudine Myers.Vocalist ID'd by Jim, album/song/band still up for discussion.
2. Gerald Wilson?Nay, sir!
3. More mellow trumpet (or Fluegelhorn?) Lee and Wayne?Correct. ID'd (along with most of the test) by Jim.
4. Band sounds bigger than a sextet, but the feel is Blue Note boogaloo. If I knew of sixties Horace Silver recording with a larger band I might hazard him as a guess.Right neighborhood, wrong street.
5. Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out. Gentle and understated for much of the song, but gets to belting it out by the end. Maybe Joe Williams?Negative, but this cut IS here for the vocalist.
6. Sounds like tenor quartet plus congas. Maybe Willis Jackson?More old school, and I'd argue a bit heavier.
7. Jazztet?Negative, but I see how you got there.
8. Stanley Turrentine?Older, perhaps more toward Jazz royalty.
9. Could this be Randy Weston?It could be, but is not. I'd guess the pianist would be okay with the inference.
10. Big Band Diz?No, sir, but...
11. Blue Note era Joe Henderson?
Lotta folks hearing Joe on this. Not Joe, later than that era.
12. Azar Lawrence - Bridge Into the New Age, from album of the same name.Upside: I think most everybody has gotten the gimme.
13. Reminds me of a Matthias Lupri CD I have somewhere. Atmospheric.I can see that. I think this has a harder edge than ML, though.
14. Nice modern vibes and guitar groove, a little more traditional hard bop based than the previous track. Tisiji Munoz?
Negative, sir. A bit outside the lines.
On 7/4/2023 at 12:35 PM, Dan Gould said:Well, Thom, 1 got a big thumbs down from me but 2-11 were quite the streak of very enjoyable tunes (well 11 wasn't the greatest). As everybody knows I suck at guessing but after a lot of listening to both I am confident saying 6 is Arnett and 8 is Hank.
(And wondering if you rethought 8 after Hank got used in June's BFT. Obviously not enough to replace it.)
Thanks for the tunes.
Fair. You are, of course, correct on 6 and 8. 11 will surprise people at the reveal. I did have a moment's pause about Hank, but decided to stick with my original choices (that was one of the first 3 tracks I chose for this year's BFT).
On 7/4/2023 at 4:01 PM, mjazzg said:Track 14, Lowe and vibes, from this?
https://www.discogs.com/release/1602113-The-Frank-Lowe-Sextet-Skizoke
Correct, sir!
1 hour ago, Dub Modal said:Really started enjoying this BFT at track 3. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like after that one and some interesting ones like the last song. No guesses, but great vibes from these.
Glad to hear it. Sorry 1 & 2 missed.
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On 7/1/2023 at 3:38 PM, JSngry said:
Ok, making amends for my participatory slovenliness in the last two BFTs, getting in early here.
TRACK ONE - Definitely Ursula Rucker, but with who? 4Hero? I don't recognize this as being from one of her own albums? This is really quite musical in every regard, like it a LOT. Ursula has a great cadence when the music hits a pocket that allows it, and this definitely does allow it. Fice Stars +, Leonard!
This is one of the harder IDs. There is a backstory to follow, but Ursula Rucker is spot on.
TRACK TWO - Don't recognize the tune, but definitely the texture. That's the Ellington album that Dizzy did with arrangements b Clare Fischer. Not a particularly visceral album, moreon the cough syrup tip, but if you're ready for that, then it's a great listen. Another winner, Leonard!
Spot on, of course.
TRACK THREE - "Sleeping Dancer Sleep On", one of Wayne's most beguiling compositions, Blakey really allows it it's space, which is not necessarily what he always did. I love ho you can hear Lee working his way through the changes, knowing the patterns he's going to use, but also being able to work with them on the fly while he goes through the, We don't always think of Lee as a "thoughtful" player, but this is extremely thought full work on changes that are logical but not obvious. And Wayne wanting to get fl;own to the moon!!!!!! Like Someone In Love was maybe the first "vault" Messengers album by this band, but it might also be my favorite. You're batting 1.000 Leonard!!!
Jim is running the table, here.
TRACK FOUR - Blu & Junior Cook on what seems like it could be a Jimmy Heat tune? The solos are all aces, but the center attraction he is the drumming, almost New Orleans in feel, interdependence of the limbs. I think I have this record? Ok, yes I do. It was my last BN Blue to get (not counting the two Monk Higgins ). It's a good'un all the way through. We have to assume that Duke Pearson is the arranger, right? You're on a hot streak, Leonard!
He can't be stopped!
TRACK FIVE - This is a weird one....thought it was going to be some oddball Chet Baker Italian TV show, and then, obviously not. Totally professional band, but the singing is very show-biz in a way that I don't like. It could be a sad song, but here it turns into a "sad song", very superficially and manipulatively "bluesy". Not a fan here, Leonard, not really. Low and away, Ball One.
The backstory may sell this one to you in the long run.
TRACK SIX - Unmistakably Arnett Cobb!!! One of the most real voices of the instrument, ever. All I do the whole day through is dream of a tone like that, one where the note and the tone are the same thing, speaking, You're back on track here, Leonard!
He's a MACHINE!!
TRACK SEVEN - Oh my! I don't know this record at all, but that is Budd Johnson, for sure. One of the heroes of this music, imo. Budd Johnson was a baaaaaaaadddd motherfucker. Period. Badder than you, Leonard, badder than me, badder than all of us.
You could not be more right about Budd. How people whiff on this guy is beyond me, because he is a MONSTER!
TRACK EIGHT - Hank. Avila & Tequila. There it is, Leonard, there it is.
He shoots -- HE SCORES!
TRACK NINE - "Kush", Dizzy. Don't know this version, but it's on point all the way. Ok, that's Leo Wright, I like the drumming is that Chali(e) Persip? And Lalo Schiffrin on piano? Did Dizzy ever do this one for big band? Seems like it could really work like that. This is good, maybe not great, but it's in the zone, so you get the call, Leonard.
Had this on the iPod last night for my [heavily delayed] trip home from KC. Between Saigon Phunk (Billy Bang) and this, my reactions were drawing from strange looks from other passengers. #dealwithit
TRACK TEN - Sounds like a Gerald Wilson sax section, but that is definitely not Gerald Wilson's writing. Whoever it is wrote a helluva good chart for a helluva damn good band. This why big bands matter (and so often don't!) Damn Leonard, you got your good stuff today!
This one is going to shock the hell out of people.
TRACK ELEVEN - Not sure what else this is, but that sure sounds like George Coleman. Not really top-shelf George Coleman, imo, lots of devices and exercise type chord connecting. At his best, he still does that, but with a greater design than this has. That sounds like Tony on drums? Liking the pianist. Overally, this is not quite gelled enough for me to put it on the table for desert. Broke a little early and missed the zone,, sorry Leonard, can't give it to you, not this time.
Another whose backstory may win you back. It IS George. It is NOT [quite] Tony. You DO like the pianist.
TRACK TWELVE - Azar & Jean Carne inviting us into some kind of glorious new age that, uh....never was really there. A lot of people tried, but it takes more than trying to change humanity. Apart from that...the playing is in there. This one has become a bit of a classic, and rightfully so, Azar was playing a lot of tenor back in those days, he meant it. And Woody Shaw!And that Woody Murray guy, whatever happened to him???? In the long haul, none of it came true, but keep think8ing good thoughts, Leonard, keep thinking good thoughts. The alternative is not a good place to go.
Fingers are crossed, and boy this cut sure helps in the reflection of the madness of today's world.
TRACK THIRTEEN - I think I have this record? It's a DJ/Nu-Jazz take on "Las Vegas Tango", but I don't know if the call it that. But i like it. There's enough there in terms fo recontextualizng the original source material that it takes on a shape and space. Not everything of this ilk does that, some of it just does the cutting and leaves it there, but the real musicians who work in this medium know that there's more to it than that. And this might not be working from a sample, which is kind of even more impressive, maybe. Either way, it's thoughtful engagement at all levels. Good to see your scouting department is serving you so well, Leonard!
There is a tie-in on this one, it's another difficult ID.
TRACK FOURTEEN - Frank Lowe? Sounds like a Don Cherry piece from Complete Communion, but memory fails now as to which one. It sounds like Lowe in how he's just putting himself out there and in there, not worried about running shit, just playing the moment as he is living in it. No idea who this is, though. But whoever it is came to play, and playing they are. Can I be forgiven in thinking that it's the vibist's band, how the vibes are always playing.
Frank Lowe is correct, not Cherry, not the vibist's date. Frank is another guy who doesn't quite get the respect his approach earned. The more I hear him, the more I believe that. He's not on Mt. Rushmore, but he's got a monument on the trail.
Finishing strong Leonard, now go in and ice the elbow, you've earned it!
On 7/1/2023 at 4:32 PM, felser said:BFT 232
1 – fascinating stuff music, likely of very recent (last 10 years) vintage? I like the atmospherics (is that a word?) of the lyrics/vocal, though I am probably too old and culturally removed to grab onto the specifics. I’m sure my daughter would go for them. Worth a relisten in that regard.
We're getting long in the tooth, bud -- last 15-to-20 years. 😒
2- Jones/Lewis? Good trumpet.
Nay, sir, but I appreciate what got you there. ID'd above, but for sure, where that band wanted to be.
3 – Good stuff. Surely this is one of the “gimme’s” but I’m not able to ID yet (it should come to me). I’m sure I have it on the shelves.
Facts, sir!
4 – Exact same comments as on #3. Son of “Sidewinder”. It will come to me.
Mayhaps. ID'd by Jim (who came as close to running the table as I've seen... I am in awe).
5 – Not my thing, much ado about nothing to me. I’m sure it seemed better live.
It would be, but not for the reason you think.
On 7/1/2023 at 4:32 PM, felser said:6 – Classic tenor player. I like that Lou Donaldson conga drum effect. Lockjaw on Prestige? Another “gimme”? Bet I have it.
Less of a gimme, otherwise spot on. Not Lockjaw, ID'd by Jim.
7 – Son of “Moanin’. Older, pre-Stanley Clarke style bass player (my preference). Wilbur Ware comes to mind for some reason. Nice cut. Bet I have it.
Stanley should be flattered. You know the reveal info -- see Jim's key.
8 – Another nice cut, definitely in the groove on this BFT! Again, I bet this is a “gimme” and that I have it. Frustrating that my old brain can’t pull out the details. Love the tenor. Is that Art Blakey on drums?
Of COURSE you love that tenor!
Yes indeed, on Mr. Blakey.
9 – Great cut, I know I have it because I’m completing the lines in my head. Yusef Lateef, I believe? I’ll ID this one eventually.
ID'd, but I love the draw to Yusef. I can't get enough of this one.
10 – Good stuff, like the tenor player (which has been a consistent theme for me in this BFT, you'd think a sax player created it or something). And the percussion is fun. Hope I have it.
A lot to love about this cut. This is a tough one to ID because it's a well-known band playing something NOT their standard fare, and the composer is going to surprise people, at first, but then it will make sense. There are no NON-monsters in this sax section.
11 – Killer cut, wonderful tenor. Not great fidelity, drums especially recorded poorly, but would love to have this, it may be my favorite cut in the entire BFT. 70’s recording date? Post-Stanley Clarke bass player/drummer. Joe Henderson?
Nay, sir. Tenor ID'd by Jim. Very poor fidelity -- it's a digitized version of an impossible-to-find album. Correct on the vintage, but I'd say all but the drummer would be agreed upon as heavier hitters than Stanley. Drummer was on that trajectory but went in a different direction (that might be too much info).
12 Title trace from this https://www.discogs.com/release/1239842-Azar-Lawrence-Bridge-Into-The-New-Age . Classic! I used this on a BFT several years ago (2014, BFT 129). Exactly in my wheelhouse.
Dang! I always search for the tunes in an effort to NOT recycle, but it didn't show up in my search. Of course, you are spot on, as well as being the target audience. There is literally nothing I don't like about this cut.
13 – Vinyl sourced. Sounds like background music from a sci fi soundtrack. I don’t dislike it.
Actually, sampled and altered, but definitely digital. AI is a bitch.
14 – Also vinyl sourced, and from a small label, likely from the 70’s. Being from Philly, I want to guess Byard Lancaster, Khan Jamal, and Monette Sudler – could make it the Sounds of Liberation, but the (unimpressive) trumpet throws me off. But I feel pretty confident about Lancaster and Jamal. Though maybe it’s a whole other set of musicians from Chicago or L.A. or somewhere and I’m dead wrong. Good cut, rough but spirited. Would love to have it on CD, but I’m going to guess this is probably the rarest album by far on the BFT, and may not be available on CD. May be that bandcamp will be my friend?
You're in the correct neighborhood, tenor ID'd by Jim. You're further descriptions are spot on, you're at the right address, just walk through the door.
Wonderful BFT, thanks so much, look forward to the ID’s. I’m sure guys like Jim will pick off a lot of the titles.
10 hours ago, danasgoodstuff said:#4 is the title (sort of) and lead track from the last good album Blue made for Blue Note, I'm looking for a copy if anyone has one for sale, good stuff
Correct ID, but you can't have my copy.
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On 7/1/2023 at 10:55 AM, T.D. said:
Really enjoying this so far. Have some vague ideas, but #8's got to be early Hank with Horace and Blakey, maybe Hank's Prank. I know I have a recording, but not sure of album/take.
You've got 3-out-of-4 personnel, but that's not the tune.
On 7/1/2023 at 10:56 AM, BillF said:Track 2: Dizzy. Benny Green?
Track 3: Art Blakey? Lee Morgan. Wayne Shorter? Timmons? =Jazz Messengers in about 1961?
Track 2 -- 2-for-2. Track 3 -- spot on.
On 7/1/2023 at 11:17 AM, BillF said:Track 9: Dizzy and Leo Wright, "Kush".
Spot on!
On 7/1/2023 at 12:37 PM, JSngry said:Surely #1 is Ursula Rucker!!!! That's brilliant
I am out of my league. Of course, you nailed it. Glad that this hits for you, because inclusion of this was a struggle, particularly with your reaction in mind. #score!
On 7/1/2023 at 1:56 PM, Milestones said:Here are a few thoughts:
2) This sure sounds like Dizzy to me. Familiar tune as well. It’s quite enjoyable, but I can’t place it. I will add this to my collection.NOTE: Forum is not letting me split the block in my response like it used it. I'll enter comments in a different font color.
And, now it does. Egad. You are, of course, correct.
On 7/1/2023 at 1:56 PM, Milestones said:4) This is bopping big band number with trumpet that might Freddie Hubbard and Joe Henderson. If that’s so, it must be a rather be a rather obscure record.
You're in the neighborhood, but off by a couple of streets.
5) “No One Knows You When You’re Down and Out”
Indeed.
eight: That must be Art Blakey and the tenor, I would think, is either Sonny Rollins or Hank Mobley.
Yep. Mobley correctly ID'd. Funny, when this first came through the mix, I thought it was Newk.9) This opens with some nice flute, then we have the entry of Dizzy. I believe this is “Kush,” though not a version I have previously heard.
Correct, sir!
11) This sounds like the great Freddie Hubbard piece “Red Clay.” Certainly not the original, but quite good with the strong tenor sax and overall feel.
Tune is an original by the session leader.
12) I know this singer…I know her…but can’t name her.
Yes, you do.
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Alrighty! Traveling, so I'm going to apologize in advance if things are wonky -- I'll fix by the 4th (browsing on tiny screens is awful enough, but trying to deal with code is an absolute friggin' nightmare!).
This month's test has no specific theme other than I did what several others did and chose stuff that crossed my radar or made an impression over the past year. There are some gimmes, there are some that may be very difficult. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to lay your ears upon this collection and attempt to identify what you can. What you cannot, feel free to provide your impressions. Good luck, we're all counting on you.
https://thomkeith.net/index.php/blindfold-tests/ -
1 hour ago, Dan Gould said:
I owe you a shot at your BFT but not sure too much is going to appeal and work has been so busy its hard to try to listen. I'll try and do something by the weekend though.
Sounds like you need to retire, bud.
Tell 'em I said so. -
On 6/8/2023 at 12:49 PM, Dub Modal said:
Yes, it's one of them. A hint is that this isn't their leader date.
Okay, it's neither Murray nor Carter. Sounds closer to Ehlrich than Maupin.
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Okay, worth a shot, since this is really what led me to try and figure this stuff out. Most of my Ra is digital (meaning minimal information), and I'm trying to ID this song.
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Found a version on Youtube (somehow more complete than mine, suggesting my copy is probably a boot, damnit) with the date. It's 11/2. Watching now, and sure enough, there's Mr. Gale.
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On 6/6/2023 at 7:33 PM, romualdo said:
So, if it's Nov 1 or 2 then here's the musician listing from Campbell/Trent
Sun Ra p/synth, Michael Ray tp/vo, Eddie Gale tp, Chris Capers flh, Tyrone Hill tb/vo, Marshall Allen as/fl/perc, John Gilmore ts/cl/vo, Ronald Wilson ts/bs, James Jacson bsn/fl/cowbell/perc, Kash Killion clo, Bruce Edwards el g, Jothan Callins el b, Buster Smith dm, announc/T-shirt sales, Elson Nascimento surdo grande/chimes/perc, June Tyson vln/vo
India Cooke vln was only present on Nov 1
Bay area musicians (Cooke, Killion, Wilson & Gale) took part in the Oakland concerts
some multitasking here - see Buster Smith's duties
Well, I appreciate that a great deal. I knew Eddie and didn't recognize him, so you've given me extra reason to watch again! Nice!
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Hmmm. Okay, not Nov 3, then. Can verify for sure Michael Ray, Ahmed Abdullah, James Jacson, Tyrone Hill, Buster Smith and - of course - Marshall and Gilmore. Not sure of the bari player -- thinking Charles Davis (also plays tenor). Might be Jothan Callins on electric bass, but I can't tell for sure.
This is the video:
LIVE IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – THE FIRST & SECOND CONCERTS – 1991
CONCERT – SUN RA VOLUME 6 – TRANSPARENCY DVD TR-0175
But the sleeve is missing, so I have no info.I stand correct -- just found picture of bari/tenor, it's Ronald Wilson.
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11 hours ago, felser said:
If you're correct on White, then that would likely be Kevin Toney on piano and Keith Killgo on drums, wouldn't it? Long way from the Blackbyrds, mentioned largely as a reminder of what those musicians were capable of.
Yes, but I wasn't quite sure enough to commit. Could certainly be Killgo, though, on a re-listen.
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11 hours ago, romualdo said:
according to Campbell/Trent "Earthly Recordings of Sun Ra, 2nd edn" the Arkestra (minus Ra) played at Koncepts Cultural Gallery (Oakland) on Feb 1 & 2, 1991 then with Ra from Nov 1-3 (ie 5 different dates)
Is there a date mentioned on the DVD? if so I can give you more musician details
There is not, that I can find, but judging by the setlist, likely the 3rd. Ra is definitely there (and definitely not well).
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Just replaced our 25 year old DVD player with one that actually plays the videos. For a test run, I put in Sun Ra Volume 6, Live in Oakland, CA, 1991. Horrible sound/footage, but MAN is the band killin'! Sadly, I can't ID everybody -- anybody shed some light here?
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Lousy weather here in the northeast, so got the chance to lay ears on this. It was a rough start, but from four on, I'm diggin' it.
track 01 - They're tight, but maybe too tight. Incredible musicianship at play here, but I'm not sure I'm convinced by it. I really want to hear the reins come off. Even so, there's a lot going on here and it's executed flawlessly. At around 3:15 when it sort of opens, it actually loses a step. I want to like this more than I do. I'll have to settle for impressed by the musicianship. I can explain exactly what's missing for me -- this could very well have been multi-tracked by one musician. The precision is impressive, but the core is just not there for me.
track 02 - This is highly technical but nowhere near as well executed as the previous cut. It's not clean enough to match what the last cut achieves, and lacks that same core that would make the looseness work. Braxton, maybe? Nope, as it gets going he actually manages to swing -- Braxton never seems to get to that point. This gets better as it goes (that head is atrocious), and by 2 minute mark, I'm actually enjoying it. The drum bass duet is interesting, but not sure if it hits. Something Han Bennink about the drummer. Sounds like they're going for the Elvin-Steve Davis feel on Summertime, but not quite there (hey, who CAN get there!?!) European group?
track 03 - At 1:30, and I have to ask, does this GO somewhere? Never mind, I don't care. #hardpass
track 04 - Wait! What's this? Rhythm, melody, form... this is more like it. I guess I'm just old, because I like this a lot. Okay, so Mobley. Not Woody, not Lee... not Donald Byrd... not Blue Mitchell... Dizzy Reece? Not Billy Higgins. Drummer is snappy, but I can't get to him. Not Curtis. Not JJ. Ah! Slide! Okay, after sleuthing (and I don't believe I have this), it's track 2 from this. Shame on me for the drummer.
track 05 - Like it. Not sure on the drummer... could be DeJohnette. Wait, that's Steve Lacy. Is that Potts? Sounds edgier than him. I want the guys from the first two tracks to listen to this. Is that two basses or is one of those a cello? I've got a ton of Lacy, but I really have to have my head there to listen. I assume this is the Lacy 5 band, but can't swear what. But, MAN, do these folks LISTEN! Ah! Live explains much.track 06- More live! Excellent! Sounds like Cannonball and Art Pepper had a kid. Maybe Andrew White? Something about those reckless runs has me feeling good about that guess. Drums and bass cook, pianist doesn't seem quite to their level, but still holds it together. That could certainly be Novosel.
track 07 - Sounds like Ed Blackwell. That's not Cherry. There's something immaculate about this recording. Seems like all parts of it are perfectly balanced. I'm not positive about Blackwell, but that's where I'm leaning. Great bass hook.
track 08 - A lot to unpack here. That trumpet sounds like it has effects on it. 5/4 with a Miles' feel. Bass clari, okay, that explains why my skin wasn't crawling at the sound of the clarinet (that's for Tim). This has to be live, doesn't it? Has that electric feel you only get from live music. I saw a bass clarinet player in Montreal who played like this (Mathieu Belanger), but the rest of the band was way more tame. This is burning throughout. Ah, yes to live. No idea on any of these guys, but I like this bunches.
track 09 - Needle drop into reggae... classy. Is that a melodica lead? No idea, but this is cool.
Thanks for the sounds! -
90% of this was right in the happy zone.
Track 01 - I’ll never not think of the Scottish kid in a college music class, please read with the appropriate accent: “When Dean Hage was here, he talked about how his wife always cries when she hears Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. I cry too, but it’s not ‘cause I like ‘em.” This was very cool. No idea who it is.
Track 02 - Makin’ Whoopee, sure sounds like Fathead. A little sleuthing shows me nothing, but those triplets surrounding the note have me feeling pretty confident that it’s David. Could certainly be Ray on piano.
Track 03 - Someone to Watch Over Me, but not sure whose eyes they are. Pleasant enough, not sure I’d spin it on the regular.
Track 04 - I’ve got this under my skin in the first 30 seconds. I wouldn’t think of doing this song this way, but it certainly works. Sounds like an upright piano to me. That could be a clue, but alas, it is not (for me).
Track 05 - Interesting. There was something decidedly Monkish about the previous cut, and here is Misterioso, no? A neat crossover. No clue who we are dealing with. Also, are they just blending Misterioso with another tune? (and/or just borrowing the theme)
Track 06 - This whole song went by without my realizing it as I was looking at printer inks. On second play, I know why. First, electric bass. Second, just doesn’t feel like it goes anywhere. Too obtrusive for background music, but doesn’t really grab my attention for listening.
Track 07 - No idea, but I like. Harmony is similar to My Heart Belongs To Daddy and something else, but my brain is not cooperating. I know that tenor. Perhaps Harold Land? I really want to hear the percussion cut loose, otherwise, completely digging this.
Track 08 - If I *don’t* have this, I should. Tin Tin Deo, but who? Marimba that could be Bobby. I don’t think this is Dizzy, but I’ll wait for the solo to commit to that idea. Hmm… not Bobby. Difficult to ID tenor with the bad sound, but the lines could certainly be Getz. Could be Dizzy, but can’t tell from this.
Track 09 - Busy arrangement. Maybe Teddy Edwards on tenor? I think so. Trombone doesn’t quite fit in with what the rhythm section is doing, or vice versa. Alto doesn’t work for me. Seems like a blues guy playing jazz. Worth it for the tenor, but otherwise kind of misses for me.
Track 10 - No idea, but this growler swings his ass off. Feel over technique — I’ll take that all day long.
Track 11 - I’ll get none of these people, I can only say who it’s not. But I’ll take an extra helping of this.
Track 12 - So, definitely Wayne. Sounds like Andrew Hill to me on piano, but less so in the solo (so maybe it’s just that Blue Note thing). Combing through my Shorter collection, I’m not finding it. So, either obscure Wayne as leader or as a sideman getting the spotlight.
Track 13 - The Very Thought of You. A mellow-toned tenor… not one I’m overly familiar with. Nothing ground-breaking, but quite enjoyable. Love the piano. Something almost Buck Hill-ish about the tenor, but think this player might be a notch or two on the plus side of Buck (pretty good neighborhood!). Descending pattern at about 4:20 seems VERY identifying, but I can’t pull out a name.
Track 14 - On A Clear Day I can see Eddie Harris’ house. Not Eddie, but a very thin toned… sounds like an alto. I think I’d enjoy this more if it wasn’t recorded on a Fisher-Price sound board. Chops to spare. No guesses.
Track 15 - Sounds like the bands that did the MMO series way back. Very enjoyable cut. Not sure on the singer.
Track 16 - Reminds me of an Ellington tune (from youth), but can’t say what it is. Again, enjoying it thoroughly.
So basically, ID’d next-to-nothing, but enjoyed the ride.
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On 4/14/2023 at 2:47 PM, felser said:
I love how you nailed ID'ing the horn players on #14 while totally dissing the track! I'm with you on Brecker 90% of the time, then he would throw in things like those incredible Hal Galper late 70's albums, just to mess with my head that he really could play. Same with Galper himself for that matter, how could musicians formerly so bold and creative become so bland and predictable? That's a rhetorical question BTW, I know the answers all too well.
Oh, MB can play, he just can't make me care.
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Did this test just before the board went down. Now that it's back, I decided to do something I never do and started reading the other posts, simply because my reaction to this was what it was. Seems my reaction is a partial outlier (Felser got to my neighborhood after a few tunes), but after I read MJZEE's post, I decided to just post my original content. Apologies in advance for being a curmudgeon.
Well, part of the idea behind a BFT is to hear music you don't ordinarily listen to. This was definitely that. As a kid, Wednesdays school let out at noon for teacher workshop days (which, as an adult, I would come to realize was NOT a positive thing, but rather typically a complete waste of time that everybody hated -- prep time would have been far more valuable, but I digress), so I would go to my grandparent's until my mother got out of work. She'd have on WHOM, "Beautiful music from the top of Mt. Washington," was what they billed it as. It was Muzak. She had taste, including a fairly decent record collection (Basie, Ellington, Lockjaw, Stan Kenton, Illinois Jacquet) and I remember asking her, "Do you like this?" "It's pretty," was her non-committal response. While I don't wish to kick anyones taste, that's what this BFT conjured in my memory. It was not a highlight of my youth. With age, I'm trying to park some of my negativity. I keep channeling the words of saxophonist Matt Langley, "We [Jazz guys] make up about 2% of the listening population, do we have to argue about it?" He had a point, but I still can't stand Michael Brecker. So, my lack of deep comments is an attempt to strand some of my negative reactions in the parking lot.
Track 01 - Nothing really here for me, no idea what I'm listening to, but it's too clean, to the point of not holding my interest.
Track 02 - There was a time I wanted a lyricon in the 80s. Had a recording of Tom Scott playing it, and thought it was neat. I was 12. By age 13, I'd sold the record and lost interest in the idea. This doesn't rekindle it (and I assume this is EWI, the digital equivalent).
Track 03 - I was hopeful this was going to be Sonny Fortune. It may be a poorly recorded Cecil McBee on bass. The tune sounds very familiar, but with the solos, I got nothin'. Wondering if it's someone I don't know covering a tune I somewhat know. I don't mind the trumpet player, but can only offer a list of who it is not. Not Fortune. Perhaps a Grubbs brother?
Track 04 - I want this to be a semi-hip cover of Do You Know The Way To San Jose. Sadly, it is not. This is the track that really brought me back to Wednesday afternoons.
Track 05 - I want to like this, but it's crossing too many eras, and I'd prefer any of them to the mix. Maybe Shorty Rogers?
Track 06 - Not an era that appeals to me. I've developed a respect for it (as I have with even certain rock music, because it's its own thing and NONE of it is *easy*), but can't listen to it for long.
Track 07 - Ditto.
Track 08 - There's a lot I don't gel with here. West coastie feel, with strings on top, and an absence of the way I hear swing. Okay as film music, but I can't sit here and just listen (though I did, twice, albeit unhappily).
Track 09 - Song actually sounds very familiar, but I just can't get to this.
Track 10 - No. I can't fit into my leisure suite anymore. Could be Gato from the period I don't get to.
Track 11 - Kind of Mangione-esque, but I prefer Chuck.
Track 12 - Could be Jan Garbarek and/or Gary Burton. Or maybe Mathias Lupri.
Track 13 - Not my bag, but might be my pick of the BFT. Okay, three minutes in I'm just frustrated. It doesn't GO anywhere.
Track 14 - I recall this song from somewhere, perhaps THIS is the Grubbs brothers track? Nope. Shades of Joe Henderson on a nothing day. Too much going on, yet nothing at all. Alright, that sure sounds like Freddie, but too busy being Freddie. This is going to be people I like just trying to bug me, I just know it. This is a bad porn soundtrack.
Welp, hopefully I contained some of it, but there just wasn't much in this test for me.
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Alrighty! We've filled the roster for 2023. I'll create a thread for 2024 toward's Labor Day and we can start over! 🤪
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Just in case, sent you a private message, Joe.
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Don Cherry Chenrezig from Brown Rice.
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Claiming July b/c I'm traveling in late September. Still have that opening in September if anybody knows a potential host.
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On 3/2/2023 at 4:59 PM, BillF said:
Track 8: Vocalist Austin Cromer with the late 1950s Gillespie Big Band.
Oh, THAT explains why I loved the band.
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Not getting caught off guard this month, damn it!
Track 01 - This one did not start well for me. I recognized Lush Life immediately, but my mind was pre-programmed to think bari sax. It was near the end of the intro when I realized it's a bassoon. I only know a handful of folks who even play that instrument (all are no longer with us, I've just realized). Points for something different, but not my favorite version of the tune.
Track 02 - A Child is Born. A worthy time to mention Thad Jones was an incredible musician who doesn't get nearly enough credit. This is not Thad, but a very nice version, nonetheless. Underwhelmed by the arrangement, but you can't really hurt a great tune.
Track 03 - Obviously Nuke. Song is... gah! I recognize it from a radio show that used to air in Maine where this *strange* cat would play songs from the Hot 100 by decade for the corresponding week. I forget the name, but the version it conjurs was this horrid vocal dripping with schmaltzy strings. Much prefer this version. Is there ANY tune Rollins didn't know? Wynton Kelly on piano? Gotta be Max, doesn't it? That brushwork.
Track 04 - The sound of this recording is a special brand of brutal. Sure sounds like Gene Ammons. Yeah, I'll commit, now way that's not Gene.
Track 05 - A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing. The piano works for me, but the alto is a struggle. There are intonation issues and a case of the scoopsies. Piano lost me a bit during the solo. Playing behind the alto on the head, I was thinking Randy Weston was a possibility, but not once we got to the solo. These have to be regional players.
Track 06 - Where? Or When? The sexophone. That's Carlos, for sure. For years I couldn't get to this guy (partly becuase it was "old", partly because I had the Black Lion stuff). Then I heard A Tribute to Cannonball. That did it. Once I got past the "old" mindset, I realized just what a beast this guy was.
Track 07 - I think people forget how beautiful Dolphy tone really was. Even tender. Every time I slide these out of the jacket I get to re-experience the discovery of Eric. Such a unique voice, and on three instruments. Another guy we haven't caught up to.
Track 08 - Now THIS is an arrangement. Not fully sold on the vocalist, but that's a common occurrence. Teases Eckstine at points, but doesn't seem to have his power (but, as it goes on, heck, could be him). Big vocal flourish at the end, but wish he'd get out of the way of that band.
Track 09 - Solitude. A nod to Duke just shy of the one minute mark, but this isn't Duke. Ah, there we go. Fatha Hines. One of the first people of that era I got into, mostly because of a record where someone says, mid-solo, "Fatha Hines, you dirty old man!" 13-year-old me just thought that was great. My mind says that was Jimmy Rushing saying it, but I could be out to lunch on that. #whateverworks
Track 10 - Wasn't sure at first, but once we get into the tempo section, that's Ornette. I think Haden was a clue. This has to be a personal recording (of the musicians). It's plenty raw and plenty real, and the sound quality is awful (seemingly a trait of a lot of really terrific music). Is there an Ellington thread underlying this BFT? I swear Charlie just quoted I Got It Bad.
Track 11 - Nice. I was hoping to hear guitar with this when the trumpet first came in. Something brought me instantly to Shepp's Mariamar, which has to be one of my favorite obscure records. Brushes. Man, love this. Waiting on some bass, but I'm not going to get it. Those BRUSHES! My brain was saying Bill Dixon, but I went to sleuth and realized my mind had the wrong guy (face wasn't right), then I realized, no, Wadada. I don't have this and I need to fix that. Can't get enough of those brushes! Not Motian, but at least as expressive. Guitarist isn't blowing me away, but really doesn't need to. He's (or she's) doing just what's needed. Love this. Don't break my spirit and tell me it's Metheny (can't be; he can surprise me, but not like this). This is some serious music (serious as your life).
Track 12 - I'm in at the bass. Recorded down a hallway? Theme is terrific music with awful sound! What do I win!? This is also some serious shit. Maybe a tick below the last cut, but the drummer is putting nice color in around the bass. The bass is just, ideal. I want to say Smiley Winters on drums. A lot of names come to mind for the bass, but none of them are right. Only thing I know for sure is it's not Tim Webb, but he can certainly get there. I know the trumpet player, but only as one of the avant garde guys who plays with a lot of guys in my collection. I can't get to a name. This is not background music. Another score, Randy! Nick DiGeronimo keeps popping into my mind as the bassist, but that's wrong. AH! Mid-solo, it hits me! Dyani! Of course! So, not Smiley, but I can't get a name. Likely one of those bands of those fringe guys. I can never remember the names and don't want to butcher them. One ends in ezi (and I'm not proud of that being the ping, but that's the liffe of a dyslexic).
Track 13 - Some making an impression. Something about the attack of the notes is Clarke Terry adjacent. Booker Ervin, for sure. So, that could be Han Bennink on drums. Has that busy, snappy thing he does going on. Ah! A clue! (as Spenser would say). That's Horace Parlan, for sure. Grant Green. Okay, it's from this. Shame on me for suggesting Bennink here.
Track 14 - Torn. First thought was Wadada, again, but something is pushing me toward Lester. Might be too recent to be Lester, though. Drummer is definitely teasing that remix thing. It works, but it always confuses me when a drummer works to sound like a machine. Not sure on the organ, but he's not shy. This works, but it's not subtle.
Track 15 - Instantly I'm pushed to Sun Ra. Combination of the sound, the activity, and the friggin' swing! Oh yeah, no doubt once the keys come in strong. I don't think that's Pat Patrick. I know it's one of the early ones -- is it Angels and Demons? Always forget who the other bari player is on that.
Track 16 - Oh, no you didn't. College radio station had this. Bought the CD when I was living in Pittsburgh. This tune is an absolute bitch. An exercise in simplicity, but man, does it groove. And I mean the tune. The version is in its own universe (even among their versions), but the tune just plays itself. This was in my Fake Book I got when I was like 13, but I didn't hear it until I got to college and worked at the radio station (8 years later -- don't judge me).Lotta ground covered here. Some of the transitions were a bit jarring, but nothing that made me want to throw the speaker. Speaking of which, if you're stuck on the computer too much and/or mobile a lot, the Walla Sound bluetooth speaker is pretty impressive. Let's be clear, it's not Sonos, but at $50, I don't think you're going to find anything close. Just my 2¢.
Thanks for the ear candy, Randy!Had to re-listen to Odwalla immediately. Man! Malachi and Famoudou lay that down with such AUTHORITY! Bad MFs!
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Ready to go.
BFT232
in Blindfold Test
Posted
Perfectly stated.