Hot Ptah Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 I have really liked what I have heard from Willie Pickens on recordings. What are your recommendations for this artist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold_Z Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 I've only really heard him with Eddie Harris. I've liked what I've heard, but I'm not aware of any other recordings by Pickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Kart Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name: http://itsundertherotunda.blogspot.com/200...ie-pickens.html I have a nice 1987 Pickens Trio LP on Southport from 1987, "It's About Time!" with Wilber Campbell or Robert Shy on drums and Larry Gray or Dan Shapera on bass. Apparently it's been reissued on CD with extra tracks, with the original seven tracks misidentified as coming from 1997 (at least they say there are extra tracks on the CD, though I don't see them listed): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000009RM...me=&seller= Unfortunately the price probably is prohibitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Ptah Posted April 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name: http://itsundertherotunda.blogspot.com/200...ie-pickens.html I have a nice 1987 Pickens Trio LP on Southport from 1987, "It's About Time!" with Wilber Campbell or Robert Shy on drums and Larry Gray or Dan Shapera on bass. Apparently it's been reissued on CD with extra tracks, with the original seven tracks misidentified as coming from 1997 (at least they say there are extra tracks on the CD, though I don't see them listed): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000009RM...me=&seller= Unfortunately the price probably is prohibitive. Thanks, Larry. I have to think about getting "It's About Time!" at the used Amazon price. The video is great. I have not been able to find any recent recordings by Willie Pickens, although I have read that his live performances are at a high level. I had hoped that someone might know of recordings from the past few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name: I think the bassist is Nick Tountas. Willie is an amazing player! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robviti Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 willie pickens is an extremely talented, entertaining, and joyfully spiritual man. i met him at the jazz showcase several years ago (thanks, mark) and ever since i've looked forward to the chance to see him when i visit chicago. with one exception, i own and enjoy every one of his releases. in addition to the excellent it's about time , i recommend checking out jazz spiritual, a two volume exploration of religious songs where pickens' trio is augmented by reedmen ari brown and pat malinger. a holiday favorite of mine is jazz christmas, a 1998 recording on southport that includes nicholas payton. the only disc i don't have is a 2001 japanese title on pony canyon featuring george mraz and joe farnsworth. i've seen it listed as mr. swing: tribute to wynton kelly and dark eyes, but the price is typically steep. patience, patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Kart Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name: I think the bassist is Nick Tountas. Willie is an amazing player! Right, Nick Tountas. Bruce Anderson, the pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Niles, Il., where these jazz vespers are held, is a very talented bassist himself. P.S. I mis-typed in my previous post. That video is from 2007. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name: I think the bassist is Nick Tountas. Willie is an amazing player! ...amazing player and wonderful man! I went to his 70th Birthday party and it was basically a tribute to him by a couple dozen great musicians/friends....Faddis, Bellson, C. Terry, G. Bartz, Bunky Greene, Barry Harris, Robert Shy, Larry Gray, Richard Davis and many others.... m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhoots Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Late to the party - but I agree wholeheartedly on the Southport. Also have Dark Eyes which is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Ptah Posted April 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Chuck Nessa, Would you have any interest in recording this artist for Nessa Records? He seems to be criminally underrecorded, especially recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robviti Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 thanks for starting this thread. not only did it give me an excuse to spend some quality time listening to the discs i do own by willie, it also gave me the encouragement i needed to try again to find dark eyes at a reasonable price. and i did! what a wonderful trio. willie never ceases to amaze and satisfy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Chuck Nessa, Would you have any interest in recording this artist for Nessa Records? He seems to be criminally underrecorded, especially recently. Just send money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Cadence has four Willie Pickens Southport CDs - including It's About Time - for $14 each. http://db.cadencebuilding.com/searchresult...p;Search=Search Scroll to bottom of page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Ptah Posted April 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Chuck Nessa, Would you have any interest in recording this artist for Nessa Records? He seems to be criminally underrecorded, especially recently. Just send money. That's the sort of succinct message I like. How much would be necessary? I am genuinely curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob C Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 This thread reminds me I should pull out my copy of Von & Ed, led by Von Freeman and Ed Petersen, on which I recall Pickens plays quite nicely. Haven't spun that one in a long while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 who is this guy and why have I never heard of him? His spirit reminds me of Jaki Byard - listening to the clips on his web site - wow- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Barton Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 (edited) Here's a very cool link that Kathryn Smith in Chicagoland shared with me on Facebook: Edited April 24, 2009 by Bill Barton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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