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BFT 108 Discussion Thread


Dan Gould

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So ... Non-americans sometimes sound like drunk west-coasters? Or just in terms of the general craziness you noted before?

Care to revise and extend your remarks? ;)

There's a lot of "attempted bluesiness" going on that I can only attribute to:

  1. Cats being super-high and goofin'
  2. Cats being super-high and playing with impaired motor skills
  3. Cats not being high and goofin'
  4. Cats not being super-high and not having fully developed the skill set needed to get those sounds out of their instrument
  5. (actually 4B) Cats not yet having the full first-hand feeling necessary to get those sounds to come out of their instruments, like they hear it and they kinda feel it, but it's still very much a search to actually DO it.

If it's non-Americans, I'd lean towards 5, because they sound like they have been very much moved by what they have heard, but are still in the process of figuring how exactly what that "it" is, both emotionally and instrumentally/physically.

Or maybe it's a bunch of super-high non-Americans just goofin'. Could be! :g

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I wonder if we may have another song title dispute.

I don't think so. 15 has some melodic similarity to "Lullaby Of The Leaves", but it's a different tune. I've heard it before, and pretty sure I have a version of it, but I'm still trying to figure that out...

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Dan talked me into posting some comments - these are my first thoughts without peeking. Whenever I had a definite guess in mind, I checked my record collection, much to my surprise the very first track was a hit:

1. is the opener from this album - a friend played a CD of this drummer-leader to me many years ago, which made me buy three of his, which I lke not only for the music but also for the recorded sound, which is very natural, just the was I like it, as if the band stands in front of you in a club. This is solid no-nonsense hardbop, much fun to listen to, if played like this it keeps the musical style alive, and that's alright with me. I pull his discs every now and then as I do the others from the label - audiophile discs with excellent music.

More to come, will have to prepare something for supper first ... (edited for a typo)

Edited by mikeweil
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2. This is a bit rough, but with a lot of authenticity - never heard this track before, and have no idea. I'd say it is from the 1970's. They're all hitting rather hard.

3. This tenor player sounds familiar ... Impressions it's moving into. Sorry, the name won't pop up .... nice drummer who does not overplay.

4. Blues in The Closet, played a bit fast for my taste. But they're good, the trumpet player is nice and knows his trade. Sounds like someone rooted in swing stylistics but open to more modern developments, a guy from the generation of Woddy Shaw and the like. Mildly conservative taste with a slightly more modern sound. The piano player sounds more mainstream and less individual in comparison.

tbc

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2. This is a bit rough, but with a lot of authenticity - never heard this track before, and have no idea. I'd say it is from the 1970's. They're all hitting rather hard.

Not from the 70s. I think you in particular will be surprised by this reveal.

3. This tenor player sounds familiar ... Impressions it's moving into. Sorry, the name won't pop up .... nice drummer who does not overplay.

4. Blues in The Closet, played a bit fast for my taste. But they're good, the trumpet player is nice and knows his trade. Sounds like someone rooted in swing stylistics but open to more modern developments, a guy from the generation of Woddy Shaw and the like. Mildly conservative taste with a slightly more modern sound. The piano player sounds more mainstream and less individual in comparison.

Very surprised at this reaction. Definitely not from Shaw's generation. This has been identified.

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15 is striking me as a mid-to-late 50's composition. It feels reminiscent of a theme from a tv detective series... very noir feel. Something that a 50's tv detective might have heard if he walked into a nightclub. Imagining the tune with a lyric, I have a feeling that the name of the tune could be in the last four syllables (matching the last four notes of the melody). Or, all of this could be completely wrong (you're welcome). :) Just some gut feelings here... trying to grab onto anything I can.

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Here are my reactions. I say reactions rather than identifications, because once again I will be unable to identify anything. This is a very interesting, enjoyable BFT. Thanks to Dan for putting together another great one.

1. This drummer has learned the characteristics of Art Blakey's playing. I recognize more than a few of them, but the drummer does not play with Art Blakey's power or inner fire. The pianist plays in a more contemporary style than any of the pianists who recorded with Blakey, so I think it is a recording made after Blakey passed away. It's a spot on tribute to Art.

2. I love this one. The opening saxophone soloist has such a unique approach. These musicians are not playing cliches, but are playing something not at all typical. I love the feel, the sound of this cut.

3. Impressions, by saxophone player who has listened a lot to John Coltrane. As with #1, he does not have the spirit of John Coltrane, but then no one else does.

4. This sounds like a Pablo album to me. I think that the drummer is really good, but I can't identify him. I have to admit that I peeked and saw that Harry "Sweets" Edison is the trumpeter. While I saw him live several times, I could not recognize him. If it is Sweets on Pablo, that narrows the list of possible pianists, but I still cannot identify him.

5. What is this? I love it and want to buy it. I wonder if that is Kenny Dorham on trumpet. There is a soulfulness to the approach of the musicians which really appeals to me.

6. What a big tenor sound. The tenor player has heard his Ben Webster, but it is not Ben.

7. Duke Ellington's "Rockin' In Rhythm", in a performance which reminds me of the opening cut of Duke's "70th Birthday Concert" album, which I have always really enjoyed. I do not know who the guitarist is. This is great.

8. Grease drips off of the organ sound like a plate of beef 'n fries at Arthur Bryant's barbecue in Kansas City, Missouri. I was once standing right behind a young hippie-like woman in the line at Arthur Bryant's. As she approached the counter she asked, in a hopeful voice, "do you use polyunsaturated or saturated fat?" The older man behind the counter bellowed, "we use LARD, ma'am!" This song uses lard, in the best sense. The guitar soloist is quite good. Once again, I have no idea who they are.

9. Those vocals are weird sounding. It sounds like they were recorded in a cave adjacent to the recording studio. I have no idea again who the pianist is, but his playing is very appealing.

10. A bright, swinging big band, with an energetic tenor sax duel--what could be better? I don't know who it is, but want to hear more.

11. The pianist reminds me of Erroll Garner at times, but I don't think he ever recorded anything like this.

12. Since I can barely tell the difference between Cecil Taylor and Bill Evans when I listen to these BFTs (well, that is a slight exaggeration), this series of mainstream pianists is something I have no chance to shed any light on. This is Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning To See The Light". I always liked Ella Fitzgerald's version on her Duke Ellington Songbook album.

13. Another fine mainstream pianist playing "Old Devil Moon."

14. This bassist is superb. He has a wonderful sound. I should know who he is, but I don't.

15. Really good playing by all-- I don't have a clue once again.

16. I really like the drummer, his approach to setting the groove. Another very enjoyable cut.

Well, I can't wait for the answers, because there are several songs here I just love. Once again, thanks for your thoughtful work in putting together such a sheerly enjoyable BFT, Dan.

Edited by Hot Ptah
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Here are my reactions. I say reactions rather than identifications, because once again I will be unable to identify anything. This is a very interesting, enjoyable BFT. Thanks to Dan for putting together another great one.

1. This drummer has learned the characteristics of Art Blakey's playing. I recognize more than a few of them, but the drummer does not play with Art Blakey's power or inner fire. The pianist plays in a more contemporary style than any of the pianists who recorded with Blakey, so I think it is a recording made after Blakey passed away. It's a spot on tribute to Art.

Well described - the cut has been ID'd and I do hope that people are inspired to grab any of this drummer-led group's CDs.

2. I love this one. The opening saxophone soloist has such a unique approach. These musicians are not playing cliches, but are playing something not at all typical. I love the feel, the sound of this cut.

It's a bit of a strange 'un and I'm looking forward to the reveal since I don't think anyone is going to get this.

3. Impressions, by saxophone player who has listened a lot to John Coltrane. As with #1, he does not have the spirit of John Coltrane, but then no one else does.

4. This sounds like a Pablo album to me. I think that the drummer is really good, but I can't identify him. I have to admit that I peeked and saw that Harry "Sweets" Edison is the trumpeter. While I saw him live several times, I could not recognize him. If it is Sweets on Pablo, that narrows the list of possible pianists, but I still cannot identify him.

Well, its from a label owned by the owner of Pablo - but its Sweets in his prime solo-star era.

5. What is this? I love it and want to buy it. I wonder if that is Kenny Dorham on trumpet. There is a soulfulness to the approach of the musicians which really appeals to me.

Not Kenny, this is one that I think has only seen a Japanese reissue and not nearly as much attention as it deserves.

6. What a big tenor sound. The tenor player has heard his Ben Webster, but it is not Ben.

ID'd before, and another one that I hope everyone grabs if they haven't already gotten it. From Chuck.

7. Duke Ellington's "Rockin' In Rhythm", in a performance which reminds me of the opening cut of Duke's "70th Birthday Concert" album, which I have always really enjoyed. I do not know who the guitarist is. This is great.

8. Grease drips off of the organ sound like a plate of beef 'n fries at Arthur Bryant's barbecue in Kansas City, Missouri. I was once standing right behind a young hippie-like woman in the line at Arthur Bryant's. As she approached the counter she asked, in a hopeful voice, "do you use polyunsaturated or saturated fat?" The older man behind the counter bellowed, "we use LARD, ma'am!" This song uses lard, in the best sense. The guitar soloist is quite good. Once again, I have no idea who they are.

:g

This story is perfect. Was it before or after My Cousin Vinny, with the scene in the diner where their choices are breakfast, lunch or dinner?

I think folks will be surprised once its ID'd.

9. Those vocals are weird sounding. It sounds like they were recorded in a cave adjacent to the recording studio. I have no idea again who the pianist is, but his playing is very appealing.

10. A bright, swinging big band, with an energetic tenor sax duel--what could be better? I don't know who it is, but want to hear more.

11. The pianist reminds me of Erroll Garner at times, but I don't think he ever recorded anything like this.

Errol Garner has been acknowledged as an early influence, so your perception isn't off-base.

12. Since I can barely tell the difference between Cecil Taylor and Bill Evans when I listen to these BFTs (well, that is a slight exaggeration), this series of mainstream pianists is something I have no chance to shed any light on. This is Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning To See The Light". I always liked Ella Fitzgerald's version on her Duke Ellington Songbook album.

13. Another fine mainstream pianist playing "Old Devil Moon."

14. This bassist is superb. He has a wonderful sound. I should know who he is, but I don't.

15. Really good playing by all-- I don't have a clue once again.

16. I really like the drummer, his approach to setting the groove. Another very enjoyable cut.

Well, I can't wait for the answers, because there are several songs here I just love. Once again, thanks for your thoughtful work in putting together such a sheerly enjoyable BFT, Dan.

HP I am very glad you enjoyed the disc so much. And I appreciate too that you take time to post thoughts/impressions even when you don't have any good ideas about artists. I should do that more myself.

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I'd like to post some more comments but I am having some weird graphics display problems which appeared off and on after some background graphics driver update. I uninstalled, and all was fine for tzwo weeks, but know it's all back and a graphicas driver update didn't improve things. I hardly can decipher what I am typing. It seems I need a new graphics card, will check with a spe3cialist on Monday.

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I'm hoping you get this squared away soon Mike.

I'm also hoping Big Al, Jeff and Webbcity get a chance to jump in soon. I may take a page out of hardbopjazz's book and post some clues next weekend, see if I can goose some final discussion in the last week.

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