webbcity

No, not at all... No worries at all Jeff! With every BFT I'm always worried that I won't be able to identify things from my own collection, but thankfully, it seems others have that problem too, so I don't feel too alone...

I do think that's generally true, though if you go back and listen to that track again knowing that it's Oscar, I guarantee that you'll recognize many of his signature licks and his style. Sounds like you already knew it on some level.

Hmmm...for some reason some of the images in the first post are not showing. Let's try these, just for completion's sake...

And, continuing from where we left off... 8. Jodie Christian - “Chromatically Speaking” (Christian) from Rain or Shine (Delmark) 1994 Jodie Christian (piano); Roscoe Mitchell (soprano); Paul McKee (trombone); Larry Gray (bass); Ernie Adams (drums) This is a fun whirlwind of a tune. I’d seen Jodie Christian’s name around in the Jazz Record Mart newsletter and Delmark catalogs for years, and always wondered. I picked this up at JRM in Chicago last year and it’s a pretty interesting album. Very schizophrenic style-wise, but Christian plays all styles with confidence. He covers ballads, straight ahead stuff with vocals, avant-garde, post bop...and of course Roscoe Mitchell’s appearance here was of interest to me too. He’s played on a number of Christian’s albums. A lot of you liked the trombone solo. I’m not familiar with Paul McKee apart from this record. 9. Muhal Richard Abrams feat. Malachi Favors - “J.G. (Dedicated to Johnny Griffin)” (Abrams) from Sightsong (Black Saint) October 13-14, 1975 Muhal Richard Abrams (piano); Malachi Favors (bass) More from the AACM (for those keeping score, we’ve already had Jarman, Freeman, Threadgill, more Abrams, Christian, and Mitchell)...and there’s more to come on the next 2 tracks. Ronald guessed this one correctly. Everything on this album is great, but this particular tune always stood out to me...I find the head very catchy. 10. Ari Brown - “Oh What a World We’re Living In” (Brown) from Venus (Delmark) 1998 Ari Brown (tenor); Kirk Brown (piano) Yes, the one and only Ari Brown. Truly a talent deserving wider recognition if there ever was one. Saw him at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival in Chicago last year and it was one of those performances that just lifted the audience right off the ground...it was a great night. Ari is the real deal. 11. Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble - “February” (Mitchell) from Black Unstoppable (Delmark) 2007 Nicole Mitchell (flute); David Boykin (tenor, percussion); Jeff Parker (guitar); Tomeka Reid (cello); Josh Abrams (bass); Marcus Evans (drums) I’ve been getting acquainted with Mitchell’s music over the last several years and have become a big fan. Though I’ve never seen her perform live, the first recordings I’ve heard were live recordings from various venues in Chicago and they really blew me away. For some reason when I went to check out her earlier studio albums, they never quite clicked with me. The more recent stuff on Delmark has, for me anyway, better reflected her incredible talent. As a performer and composer, she’s a force to be reckoned with. 12. Ray Brown - “Bric A Brac” (Brown) from This is Ray Brown (Verve) 1958 Ray Brown (bass); Jerome Richardson (flute); Oscar Peterson (organ); Herb Ellis (guitar); Osie Johnson (drums) This is an old favorite. Ray is my man! It’s funny how these things go...some of the tunes that I never expected people to guess were guessed early on, and this was one that I thought for sure people would get quickly. Yes, it’s Oscar Peterson on organ which is the tricky part, but I really expected that someone would ID Ray. I don’t know if this album is currently in print...I have a Japanese LP reissue of it from the 80s, that I had signed by Mr. Brown himself somewhere in the 90s. He was and is a huge influence on my playing. He swings like nobody else and his solos are second to none. I don’t actually think this is one of his best albums but it sure has some great moments. 13. Kelly Shepherd - “The Beauty of Simplicity” (Eric Kennedy) from The Beauty of Simplicity (Somerset) 2003 Kelly Shepherd (alto); Eric Kennedy (vocal/drums); Richard Wyands (piano); Paul Brown (bass) I have to confess I am not 100% certain of this lineup, except that I do know it is Eric Kennedy on vocals and drums. Not totally sure about the piano and bass. That’s because I only have the download version of this from CDBaby and they give no lineup info so this is an educated guess based on something I found elsewhere online. So I don’t know a lot about these guys, but I think this tune is absolutely beautiful and I had to include it. BONUS TRACKS 1. Jack Bruce - “Sam Enchanted Dick (Medley: Sam’s Sack/Rill’s Thrills)” (Bruce/Heckstall-Smith) from Things We Like (Polydor) recorded 1968 Jack Bruce (bass); Dick Heckstall-Smith (saxophones); John McLaughlin (guitar); Jon Hiseman (drums) The weird thing here is that some releases of this album identify the first part of this tune as "Sam Sack" and credit it to Milt Jackson, but it is not the same tune...I’m fairly certain that this is taken from a Sam Jones thing, but I can’t place it at the moment. In any case, this album in my opinion is one of those rare occasions where someone who is known as a rock player can actually pull off the jazz thing well. But when one further investigates Jack Bruce one finds he is most definitely not just a "rock" musician. I absolutely love Heckstall-Smith’s playing on this album, and this track in particular. 2. Universal Jones - “Takin’ Care of Business” (Pendarvis/McDaniels) from Vol. 1 (Verve) 1972 Eugene McDaniels (lead vocal, acoustic guitar); Sister Charlotte (vocals, percussion); Maurice McKinley (drums, percussion); Bob Woos (guitars, bass); Leon Pendarvis (bass, elec. piano, vocals); Joe Dupars, Joe Gardner, Thad Jones, John Mosley (trumpets); Garnett Brown, Bob Greivell (trombones); Pepper Adams (bari); Jerry Dodgion (alto); Andy Gadsden (tenor); Billy Harper (tenor); Carol Kaye (bass); Harry Whitaker (Fender Rhodes)...also more background singers and strings incl. Milt Hinton on bass This tune is just a total blast. My path to McD was via Bobby Hutcherson’s “Now!”, then “Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse”. This one has never been reissued on CD and has been out of print for years, which frankly, sucks. But it is easily worth the $30 on Ebay. Eugene McDaniels also just happened to live in my little town of Kittery, Maine, up until his passing a couple of years ago. I spoke with him a few times and he was quite honestly one of the most genuine, warm, present, and generous people I’ve met. He's also one of my all-time favorite singers and musicians. I don’t know the exact personnel on this particular tune, there are lots of people on this album and I’ve listed many of them above. The real thing I want to know is why was there no "Vol. 2"? ...and that's all, folks! Thanks for playing!

Thanks Ronald, I thought you might know the story here. Glad to hear that he is still playing! Oh man...thank you! That is what I am looking for. Must add to the list! Funny, I have heard of this band before but didn't realize Land was involved. Coming your way momentarily...

Yeah, I love that one too...that tune can turn around a crappy day for me. There is something so infectious about the energy on that, and the other tracks from that session...it's pretty fantastic stuff. I'll post the full reveal tonight or tomorrow, as soon as I get a chance. Thanks to all for your participation and comments!

Hi all, Thanks for participating in this! It's my first Blindfold Test and I'm hoping it's neither too easy nor too hard (though I seriously doubt it is the latter). But as others have said here recently, I'm more interested in your thoughts and reactions than in personnel guesses. Though I know a lot of you here are much better at that than I am. If you haven't received the link or are having any issues with it, please let me know. Other than that, hope you find something to enjoy here. Cheers! Tim

Thanks for your comments! Glad you found some things you liked. Most of the tracks have been revealed, but I think at this point there are still 3 unknowns, to be revealed in a couple of days.

Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you found some things to enjoy here. So given your comments about the flute, I'm curious what you thought of tracks 11 and 12? The same was true for me on track 1 in that I didn't own a lot of things in that particular style...I sought it out because I was trying get my hands on as many Harold Land recordings as possible and ended up being absolutely blown away by it. I am really getting excited to reveal track 4 soon. I would say I enjoyed track 11 overall more than 12. Neither one makes me was to stick a pencil in my ear or anything. That is an awfully good bass solo on track 12. Actually, I mean't to comment that there was some pretty good bass playing throughout the BFT. I guess your avatar should have been a clue why that is. I am a little slow sometimes. Well, it's interesting you say that because I wasn't actually that focused on bass players for this BFT. Having said that, I think it would have been hard for me to put any weak bassists on here. And the bass player you mention in track 12-- he is actually a very good clue to that particular track.

Seriously! It is a scary thought... don't tell me I have to live in a world where I can't count on my monthly BFT.

That sounds good but it is about 3 hours from me so I'm not sure I'll be able to make it for that. But as long as we are on the topic of traveling for shows, I am reminded that a certain Thom Keith and myself once made the trip down to your fair city for a show by none other than Cecil Taylor, Henry Grimes, and Pheeroan Aklaff. I think this was at least 5 years ago. Where you there by any chance? Was that the show at the Artists Collective? No, I missed that one. Although I am not a huge fan of the sound in that venue, I do try to support most of the jazz events they present. It is a very important cultural location in that community. I can't remember why I did not go, but I do regret missing it. Especially since it is five minutes from my home.. Yes, that was it! I couldn't remember the name of the venue. I agree that the sound is not great there, I do remember that specifically. Musically it was a great night but it was in fact hard to hear everything very clearly. Lots of echo, as I recall...very "live" room.

Well how do you feel about the squat? I like the selections. Right now, I am listening for the fourth time. I'm definitely interested in your impressions just as much as or more than guesses...I am not a terrific blindfold test guesser myself. Am trying to practice more though.

Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you found some things to enjoy here. So given your comments about the flute, I'm curious what you thought of tracks 11 and 12? The same was true for me on track 1 in that I didn't own a lot of things in that particular style...I sought it out because I was trying get my hands on as many Harold Land recordings as possible and ended up being absolutely blown away by it. I am really getting excited to reveal track 4 soon.

That sounds good but it is about 3 hours from me so I'm not sure I'll be able to make it for that. But as long as we are on the topic of traveling for shows, I am reminded that a certain Thom Keith and myself once made the trip down to your fair city for a show by none other than Cecil Taylor, Henry Grimes, and Pheeroan Aklaff. I think this was at least 5 years ago. Where you there by any chance?

Download here please, thank you!

Jeff, I totally agree with Bill's comments above. Even though I have only been participating for a short time, it's pretty clear this is a well-oiled machine. You do an outstanding job. Of course it's totally understandable if you need to step down...I imagine it's quite a task keeping on top of all this. But thank you for all your great work!

Thanks a lot for your great comments! I'm glad you found some things to enjoy here. You've also identified a few more of the tunes which I think only leaves us with...what, I think three unidentified tracks? Hopefully something will be left for the reveal.

I was a big big fan of Colosseum, where Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith did their best work. Also liked the era of Mayall they were involved with. Meant to comment on this earlier... Colosseum I should check out a bit more. I used to have a compilation of theirs on cassette that was great. I need to keep my eye out for some more stuff. Do you have a favorite album of theirs? I thought their version of "Rope Ladder to the Moon" rivaled Bruce's original. And I remember there were some other tracks I really liked..."Elegy" and "Jumping Off The Sun" were a couple. Didn't know about the Mayall connection so I'll have to look out for that too!

Thanks for your comments! Glad you enjoyed the music!

Gotcha. Oh, there are so many hints I want to give on that one-- and some of the others-- but I am going to remain strong and try to hold off on giving too much away for as long as I can.

Thanks for the participation and the thoughtful comments! Glad you found some things to enjoy here.

Thanks for the comments brotha!! I knew you would get a lot of these, and you didn't disappoint. However, rest assured that I will fail miserably at your BFT in a couple of months.

Hey, I know Dave Ballou-- great player, great guy! Been a long time since I've been in touch with him though. Enjoy the show!

Sorry for the lack of response, guys, I've been offline for a few days due to the holiday. But I will give some fuller responses shortly. Thanks so much for the comments!