Posted 1 Jul 2015 Since Ornette Coleman passed away my listening has focused on his discography. I started from the earliest recordings in his discography in my collection, and I intend to continue in chronological order. The past two days have been the Blue Note recordings, Love Call and New York Is Now. Once I get through all of the recordings lead by Coleman I plan to spend time with recordings featuring his key collaborators like Don Cherry, Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman, etc. After that I think it might be interesting to check out recordings by musicians outside Coleman's inner circle performing his music. I know a couple - such as Joe Rosenberg's A Tribute To Ornette Coleman (although Dewey Redman is actually featured on that one), Eric Boeren's Joy of A Toy, and a couple of others that I can't name at the moment. There are countless recordings dedicated to the music of the likes of Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington and other icons of the music, by artists who had no direct interaction with the source of their inspiration. Are there many other recordings out there featuring Ornette compositions predominantly performed by musicians other than musicians closely associated with the genius himself? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 Another one in my collection that I picked up in the $1 racks at my local independent retailer is a 2012 recording on Origin by the Todd Bishop Group titled Little Played Little Bird. I was not familiar with Bishop before this recording, but thought it was a solid attempt at Ornette's music. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 Was recently reminded of this one, which I haven't heard but I'm sure it's good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 (edited) This is a recent one featuring Italian musicians that I enjoyed. Edited 1 Jul 2015 by relyles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 Guess I had a couple more in my collection that I did not think about earlier: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 As I continue to dig I keep finding more in my collection. I recall having mixed feelings about this one: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 This one, however, is a good one: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 Almost forgot the first recording on this band featured Ornette Coleman compositions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 The following quote from a review of the Aki Takase/Silke Eberhard recording mentioned above (which I have ordered) by Art Lange resonates with me as a reason why compared to other great jazz composers, Coleman's music is not covered as often:http://www.pointofdeparture.org/PoD13/PoD13FickleSonance.htmlWhat about Ornette? Who covers Ornette Coleman tunes today? His position as a brilliant improviser and conceptual iconoclast is unchallenged, but do we really think of Ornette as a composer? Yes, there’s “Skies of America,” and his string quartet pieces, and the “classical” works that were issued on an RCA album back in the ‘60s. But except for “Lonely Woman”—apparently the Ornette tune to play when you’re playing only one—when was the last time you heard a band cover a Coleman tune, or two? How many can you hum? (This is not a comment on their tunefulness, but on their familiarity.) The truth is, Ornette’s tunes are identified with his own performances. Like the music of Anthony Braxton, which has not achieved jazz repertory status either, alas, I can count the number of great Ornette covers pretty much on one hand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 (edited) Ralph Peterson and his Fo'tet as well as Larry Schnieder have both recorded albums entitled ORNETTOLOGY.http://www.allmusic.com/album/ornettology-mw0001160914http://www.discogs.com/Ralph-Peterson-Fotet-Ornettology/release/2338869The Peterson isn't a repertoire / tribute LP per se... it only features one Ornette tune ("Congeniality")... but the playing by Peterson, Don Byron, Bryan Carrott and Melissa Slocum is definitely Ornette-inspired.Also, one of the earliest and still one the finest interpretations of an Ornette Coleman composition (from SMACK UP)... Edited 1 Jul 2015 by Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 Obvious ones I don't think have been mentioned: the Old and New Dreams recordings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 Obvious ones I don't think have been mentioned: the Old and New Dreams recordings. Of course those I am aware of. I am really thinking about recordings by musicians not featuring former collaborators of Coleman. In any event, the Old and new Dreams recordings are some of my personal favorites. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 A few others I found searching on Amazon. I am not familiar with any of these recordings and any comments from those who are would be appreciated: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 http://indianapublicmedia.org/nightlights/ornette-coleman-songbook-early-interpretations-jazz-pioneer/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 Was recently reminded of this one, which I haven't heard but I'm sure it's good.It is very good indeed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 1 Jul 2015 Paul Plimley once did an enjoyable album of Ornette songs with Lisle Ellis and a drummer. Did Ira Sullivan's old Chicago band record "When Will the Blues Leave"? They used to play it and "Lonely Woman" - pretty bold beboppers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 2 Jul 2015 Eric Boeren Quartet – Soft Nose (BVHaast)— With Michael Moore, Wilber de Joode, Han BenninkThis is a good one that includes five Ornette tunes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 2 Jul 2015 Paul Plimley once did an enjoyable album of Ornette songs with Lisle Ellis and a drummer. Did Ira Sullivan's old Chicago band record "When Will the Blues Leave"? They used to play it and "Lonely Woman" - pretty bold beboppers.Oh right, that Plimley disc on Hat Hut. It's interesting; I have it in memory as an album of piano and bass duets, however. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 2 Jul 2015 Though not an Ornette composition or program, on August 10, 1966 Roscoe Mitchell recorded a composition titled Ornette. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 2 Jul 2015 Though not an Ornette composition or program, on August 10, 1966 Roscoe Mitchell recorded a composition titled Ornette.And it may have more to do with Ornette's music than some of the actual recordings of Ornette's compositions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 2 Jul 2015 John Zorn's Spy vs. Spy with Tim Berne. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 3 Jul 2015 Paul Plimley once did an enjoyable album of Ornette songs with Lisle Ellis and a drummer. Did Ira Sullivan's old Chicago band record "When Will the Blues Leave"? They used to play it and "Lonely Woman" - pretty bold beboppers.Oh right, that Plimley disc on Hat Hut. It's interesting; I have it in memory as an album of piano and bass duets, however.I may be misremembering - haven't heard the album in a long time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites