webbcity

Last call for guesses on track 5 and track 12! I'm pretty sure everything else was ID'd long ago. Oh well. I'll make it harder next time. 😉 Here's a hint on track 5-- the pianist appears elsewhere on this BFT. And here's an impossible hint on track 12-- the leader played for some time with a drummer, who played with a bass player, who once played on two tracks by the saxophonist on track 3.

Oh, and I meant to say thanks to all who chimed in on the Chico Hamilton recommendations. More to check out! 👍

Hey all! Apologies for vanishing, crazy week here. I've been trying to catch up and it looks like you all made quick work of this. I think almost everything has been ID'd? Except maybe for that track near the end that not many people liked. I forget which number, I don't have it in front me right at the moment. Yes! And it's a favorite album of mine. I have to give Hanrahan's other LPs another chance, but I don't remember any of them immediately grabbing me quite the way this one did. I'm a big Jack Bruce fan, number one, and it certainly only helps matters that Murray plays his ass off on this record too. Yep! Good digging, everyone who figured this out! I do own a copy of this coveted CD, bought back when the Piano Choir actually had a website for 10 mins. This must have been around the early 2000s though I can't remember exactly. It was very old school, I think I had to send an email through the website, to which I think maybe Stanley Cowell's wife responded? And a couple weeks later the CDs arrived. The other disc I ordered besides Handscapes 95 was a CD reissue of the first Piano Choir CD (minus a couple tracks that wouldn't fit on one disc). That one apparently is also pretty hard to find. No idea how many of these were made but I'm guessing not a lot. Ah, I guess I didn't read your comment clearly before I responded above. Someone else who has the Handscapes CD! High five! I'm also disappointed about the missing tracks, I really love every track from the initial release (luckily I have the LPs too). As far as the second LP, I agree it doesn't compare to the first but after my initial disappointment I've grown to like a lot of it. But *very* different from that first record. Whoa! I need this! I see cadnor.com has it... sounds like this is worth picking up?

Sorry all, life has temporarily gotten in the way but I'll post more comments/responses soon!

Thanks for listening! Glad you enjoyed it. You're of course correct on #6, but on #8 there is no trumpet. I won't say any more than that since you don't want spoilers.

Perhaps parody, but what I hear in this track is the beauty of the singer completely losing control, in perfect, uninhibited expression of the lyrics. And what a gorgeous arrangement. Absolutely theatrical, and I might even be tempted to use the word "EPIC"... although that feels too impersonal, maybe. Correct on all counts. Track 8 is neither Rosolino or Land's date, but yes, they are the horn players. Correct!

Ha! I feel like this happens every time I do this... the track I think is the "surprise" is the one that's guessed right off the bat. I thought some of the first several tracks were the easiest to ID, but bam, you went right to #13 and nailed it. Well done! I love this track so much, it makes me cry. Love the vocal and that soprano solo is off the charts.

Hi all, I'm very pleased to present this month's BFT. I'm more interested in your impressions of the music, good or bad, than whether you can actually identify anything (I'm not always very good at that part myself). Also, a note for those who might think this BFT is not for them after listening to track 1-- skip ahead and I bet you'll find something you like. Enjoy! http://thomkeith.net/index.php/blindfold-tests/ Thanks to Thom for keeping this train a 'rollin!

They do! I just passed by this one and remembered his name from that collaboration w/ Freddie Hubbard that I still need to get... https://alphastate.nyc/products/ilhan-mimaroglu-complete-finnadar-atlantic?_pos=2&_psq=ilhan&_ss=e&_v=1.0 And I'll give a listen to those 2 you mentioned. Good to know about these, thanks!

I'm kinda fascinated by that "Creel Pone" label... are you familiar with any of the others? I'm into adventurous listening but most of what I see here is completely new to me.

I'm going to go back and re-listen to some of these now, especially track 6... I know Gil Melle only by name, have never heard him but did not think he sounded anything like this! I also need more Freddie Roach in my life and gotta check out that Sonny album! Thanks for a great BFT!

I listened to #2 again, the bass playing is definitely solid and it sounds like whoever it is, they're certainly a jazzist. But I don't have any illumination beyond that. I will say, that jingle is firmly lodged in my brain now though. Thanks?

Yes indeed, I'm up! Honestly Jim, if you want to switch months next year I'm totally fine with that too! I only picked October to change slightly from this year... no other reason than that really.

Aw, shucks... Well, it took me a month and a half to find this discussion, but thanks for thinking of me! Maybe I'll try October next year if nobody else wants it. Thanks!

Again, thanks for this Jo! A total blast, some great listening here!

Can't believe that I didn't get Sonny on track 8. Maybe a context thing, but I should have ID'd him! And Earl Coleman-- I just realized he's on Elmo Hope's Rikers Island LP, a personal favorite. I imagine the "Two Different Worlds" narrative thread has to do with two different elements coming together on these tracks? Not that I can identify/clarify all of those differences but I definitely hear them on a lot of cuts... old meets new... spoken word meets jazz... Japanese music meets space music... Sonny Rollins meets Earl Coleman?? haha I'll have to listen for that bass player again on #2...

Update: Wow, I did not notice that #1 and #8 were the same tune. Well played! And Freddie Roach... will definitely be checking out more of that record.

Here are my thoughts as they occurred to me while listening... I haven't looked at anyone's comments yet but will be taking a peek immediately after posting this. Track 1 - Well this is just a total blast, wow! What a groove! Damn, I am loving this drummer. Not to leave out the rest of the group. Some incendiary organ playing and beautiful tenor work here. Boy I love the energy on this. Anxious to learn who it is! Track 2 - This is a fun jingle but I don't have much to say about it, except here's to the MOA! Track 3 - Staying in fun mode here... Again I'm drawn to the drums first, some great feeling there. This track doesn't do a ton for me but it sure is played well. Nice guitar solo. Track 4 - Wow, where have we headed now? Ahhh, so it sounds like someone who's grabbed some old recordings and added a "modern" beat. The horn players sound great. Don't really know what the "drums" add but I feel like they take away a lot. This one isn't for me. I should probably be able to ID the horn players but I'm having trouble getting there. Track 5 - Meanwhile, in another galaxy... I do like this a lot. I can't tell if all that background noise is an effect or just layers of noise from an old tape that's been copied many times. The more I listen, it's probably the latter. This could be an old, lost Sun Ra recording? That seems too easy though. I like the use of space, big time. Very AACM. Really curious about this one. Track 6 - This absolutely feels like a great follow-up to the last track. More of a groove, more of a middle-eastern flavor. Some excellent soprano playing on this, terrific lines. Great dynamics overall from the group. Okay, was definitely not expecting any synth here! This is wild. Again I have no guesses but this has got me thinking. Track 7 - I can already tell I'm going to like this. Powerful narration. I feel like I should be able to ID the speaker but I can't. As far as the backing band, I'm hearing hints of Parker & Drake, but can't be certain of that yet. I really like how the saxophonist is responding to the vocals. Hang on, this must be older than I think it is. Rudd on trombone? The deeper I get into this the less sure I am of who it is, but I'm really liking it. A fantastic group, communicating at a high level. Track 8 - We might be in two different worlds, but I'm loving this one here. Beautiful feeling & mood. I don't recognize the vocalist but what a voice! Outstanding support from the pianist. The tenor player's solo is a master class in how to do it. Wow! And the piano solo shimmers. This is so good. Excited for the reveal! A really interesting, wild bunch of tunes this month, really enjoyed it! Thanks for your efforts putting this together!

Apologies for this, I know I am breaking the rules by being 3 days late here! But I *really* wanted to do this BFT. Have been meaning to get to it forever. And hi Jo! Better late than never, I hope? Here are my thoughts as I listened... and I did not cheat and look at anything in this thread first... though as I type this I see Hugh Ragin's name in the post above and am now wondering which track he was on... hmmm... ---- Track 1 - This is a Charlie Parker head and I love it but I'm blanking on the name. LOVE the drumming right off the bat. And holy trombone sound, Batman! Hang on, is this JJ? Maybe Sam Jones on bass? The more I listen to the drummer I'm hearing a lot of Elvin. Could it actually be him? An early date? Super anxious to find out more about this one. This is a killer band! Track 2 - Moonlight in Vermont... beautiful arrangement in the horns. Lush! The alto player is smooth, smooth, smooth... like buttah. This is a nice track. I love the little interlude section that's led off by the piano too. Track 3 - Milestones! And it's groovin right out of the gate. Oh wait, I know this one-- this is from a Walter Bishop trio album with Jimmy Garrison on bass. God I love the bass sound on this. Can't remember who the drummer is. I don't have a copy of this one but it's been on my want list. Fantastic. Track 4 - Oh man. What a feeling on this track. What's this one called again... is it "Where or When"? Good lord this is deep. That tenor player has been through some stuff. Or wait, is that an alto? I should definitely know who this is but it's on the fringes of my brain. Gotta be someone associated w/ Ellington? This is just stunning. Track 5 - Really cool sounds/colors on this one. Love the strings. Love the way the pianist is comping at the beginning too. Oh hang on, is that Andrew Hill? Is this from that Blue Note session with strings? This has been on my want list too. I think someone posted another track from this in another BFT and I loved it. Unless I'm way off. Either way I'm really digging this. Track 6 - Yes! Walt Dickerson. I know this but it's been a while since I've listened...I think this is from Impressions of a Patch of Blue. Yeah... with Sun Ra on piano! Love this. I really need to give this record a spin again. Track 7 - Within 10 seconds I can already tell I'm gonna love this. But what else is new? Oh hang on! Dick Griffin! This is "The Queen." God I love this song. In fact... proud moment which I'll brag about... Thom and I played a couple shows with DG about 15 years ago and in the middle of a free tune DG got on the piano and started playing this, and because Thom had recently introduced me to the record at that time, I was able to hear it and play along. Super great memory for me, still makes me smile. Anyway... this tune is the best. Track 8 - A tribute to Trane, I'm sure I've heard this but can't remember fully. Is it Dwight Trible? The spoken word combined with the nod to "Spiritual" in the background is effective. I like the wordplay on all the tune titles. Track 9 - Afro Blue of course... and it's gotta be Metheny/Holland/Haynes? But wait, that can't be. That's definitely Dave Holland though. Wait, now that sounds more like Scofield on guitar? I don't know this recording. This is great though. Wasn't aware there was a Scofield/Holland/Haynes record but that sure is who it sounds like. I'm 100% positive on Holland & Haynes anyway. Track 10 - Beautiful alto sound on this. Something about this is vaguely familiar to me too. The alto player actually reminds me of Iain Ballamy quite a bit. Definitely sounds British or European to me. This was a nice, all-too-brief cut. Track 11 - Oh crap, I know this one too... trying to pull this from the murky depths of my brain... sorta sounds like early Dolphy on alto. Oh no, maybe not... now that we're at the solo. I was going to guess maybe that Chico Hamilton record that he's on. I feel like I'm gonna slap my forehead when I find out who this is. Great track. Track 12 - This is honestly the first one that's not *immediately* grabbing me. I don't love the head or the groove all that much. Some nice bluesy bits in the piano solo but I'm still not sold. Just a personal preference thing. This tenor player sure sounds familiar though. I do like the tenor solo. And hello trumpet! Yikes! OK, this does get better as it goes along! I really dig the bass solo & sound. Overall I'm mixed on this track but I'm sure I know some of these folks & I'm curious for the reveal... Track 13 - This is pretty, some nice flute work and tasty piano work too. Oh... maybe the band is bigger than I think? I like those horn swells. Great dynamics overall. This is almost like a classical piece. I like it, but it might be a little too polite for me. Track 14 - Solid, solid groove. My big band knowledge doesn't go that much further than Ellington and a tiny bit of Basie so I won't have any guesses on this, but hell yeah there's some great playing on this. Every soloist tells a story. Jo, thanks for putting this together, great great stuff of course. It's been a while, hope to see you sometime in the near future! Thanks for indulging my lateness and I will do better next time. Apologies to @JSngry for stepping on the toes of his BFT, which I will get to next and look forward to!!

Coming in at the eleventh hour again, which I have been doing lately but it's been another crazy month. And now I see my esteemed colleague TK is in a similar boat. These are my thoughts as I listened, and I haven't looked at this thread apart from grabbing the link, but now I'll go back and see how wrong I got everything. Track 1 - Hmmm. I'm guessing this is included because of the trombone player? Not really my cup of tea. Track 2 - I love the way the piano, bass & drums set up the feel here. Nice tune too. Maybe this is the same trombonist as on the previous tune? Nice trombone solo anyway, same for the trumpet. Overall I like this more when they get a bit more exploratory and hover on one chord for a while, as opposed to the section where they go through all the II-Vs... less interesting to me. Again, same with the piano solo... I think the pianist is at their most interesting when not sticking to changes. Overall I like this but it's slightly too polite for my tastes I think. Track 3 - Ah, Naima! This starts out very mysteriously and I like that. I also like the way the left hand is very punctuated and rhythmically assertive, yet never too energetic, while the right hand maintains the gentle feeling of the piece. Some very thoughtful and beautiful playing here. To my ears, the pianist deeply understands this tune. Looking forward to finding out who this is! Track 4 - The tune is "Someone to Watch Over Me"... I recognized the verse at the top but it took me a few seconds to remember what tune it was from. The swing quotient is high here. I like the pianist quoting "Swinging Til The Girls Come Home" too. All the players are proficient here... I'm envious of the bass player's bowed sound and technique. Overall a nice track, clearly a group who play well together and bring the swing. Track 5 - Pretty good clip on this one, and another tight band. Nice bass solo right out of the gate... someone out of the Niels Pedersen school but I don't think it's him. I like the pianist. The alto player not as much. So many notes... so little rhythm. Technically this track is impressive but it doesn't hit me emotionally. The tenor player has more to say... I like the tenor solo a lot more. Track 6 - A nice respite from the energy of the previous tune. Now this is some beautiful playing. This is just perfect. I'm blanking on the name of the tune, but I really like this. Fantastic tone and phrasing from the soprano player, masterful support from the guitarist. Ah! Who I guess is Bucky Pizzarelli! Track 7 - Another good 'un for me, beautiful feeling and playing from everyone. Love the altoist's sound. Track 8 - Boy this tune sounds familiar, and it's gonna kill me that I can't think of what it is. The pianist is very sensitive... nice use of space and the solo builds quite nicely. Great feel in the rhythm section. A pleasant listen. Track 9 - "Lover Man," and I like it at this tempo. Another pleasant one but nothing jumps out to me. Track 10 - An interesting bass sound, with all that reverb, but is it terrible to say I find the bass player's sound more interesting than the playing? Oh wow... wait a minute, that has GOT to be Clark Terry on trumpet. Beautiful solo! Now I am really confused. Don't know who the alto player is, but I really dig both the horns here. The interplay between the two of them is especially nice here. Seems like an odd mismatch with the bassist though, to my ears anyway. Definitely curious about this one though. Track 11 - I'm intrigued right off the bat. Niiiice groove, love the low horns and the drummer is laying it down. Fantastic floaty alto solo over the top of this smoldering stew. The ensemble passages are great, and a bit unpredictable. For a second I even thought early Sun Ra, but it's not that. I'm stumped, and curious. Track 12 - Those bass runs sound like they're from someone I should know. This has got to be from the 70s. That's some beautiful flugelhorn playing. Must be Art Farmer? Very nice tenor solo too. Hmmm, now that the bass player is soloing I like the bassist a little less... sorry! Just not a big fan of those repetitive high-register runs. Overall I like this track though. Track 13 - "On the Sunny Side of the Street," of course, and I am feeling the sunshine. Nice easy feel. I don't listen to nearly enough jazz violin in this kind of context (as opposed to someone like Billy Bang, who I do listen to a lot of), but this is beautiful. VERY swinging piano solo, everyone is on the task here and driving it home. Oooh, I like the pizz stuff from the violinist too. This is fantastic. Track 14 - This is "Beautiful Love." Excellent vibes player. Who needs a drummer? The bassist & pianist are right in the pocket. Digging the sound of this group, some good listening going on. I like the pianist's lines, I can hear "the search." I can hear a Ray Brown influence in the bass player-- definitely enjoyed the bass solo too. Overall a fine track! Track 15 - Hello! You had me at the flute, and then the groove came in... whoa! I'm just trying to catch up with this. I like it! The wordless vocal adds a nice element. Killer feel. That almost sounds like some kind of wooden flute? Some great playing, whatever the case... I like the flutist very much. Now hang on... any chance this is Luciana Souza? I haven't heard her in a while but we used to run in the same circles. Whoever it is her solo is fantastic. Love this all the way around... solid, energetic, beautiful and exciting! Couldn't ID a lot of this, not all of it was in my wheelhouse, but a really enjoyable listen overall. Thanks for putting this together Ken!

Wow! Really surprised about some of the reveals here. I did consider Khan Jamal for that 1st track but I guess ultimately decided it couldn't be him (based on what, who knows now?)... I've been getting a strong message lately that I need more Chet Baker in my life and track 3 confirms that. *Definitely* need to check out that Moriyama album. Can't believe I didn't get the Elmo Hope! I love Elmo Hope. This is one I don't have though, it's on my want list. I think Buddy Tate & Dollar Brand has come up here before. I gotta get this one too! Some truly excellent music here. Thanks again for your efforts!