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It's a mess, an infuriating mess. But it does have value, and I'm glad to have read it in hardcover.

The eBook of Stanley Crouch's Kansas City Lightning is on sale for $2.99 today. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DG292OO Any opinions?

February already? Time for Valentines! TRACK ONE - No idea who this is, but I like it pretty well. Sounds like it's on its way to Mingus' house, put goes to another house on the same street. I like the path and design of the composition, it's going somewhere and gets there with no wasted motion. Credit to all concerned for staying together on their path, It's a good one. I especially like how the tenor play sounds like they're going to break into the usual cliches but never does. TRACK TWO - That's Joni, the Shadows and Light band. I have a VHS of the concert and it's just fine. Not big on Michael Brecker, Wayne would have been better of course, but oh well, this is the band she got and I think it's excellent. I guess that some of her fans don't like this one at all, but I think it's wonderful! TRACK THREE- What a wonderful CHURN!!!! Another well-structured piece with direction and purpose. Trumpet solo lowers the flame just a little bit, but everybody else picks it up and keeps it up, Nice!!! TRACK FOUR - I like this one too. Pretty busy meter-wise, but it sounds like the players have internalized it, and that makes it feel natural. Works for me! TRACK FIVE - Geri Allen is still missed. Greatly. TRACK SIX - Not Ahmad Jamal, but similar in group concept. That left hand is workin it. The longer it goes on, the deeper it gets. No idea who this is, but do let me hear more! TRACK SEVEN - Jeanne & Ran. Unmistakable, indelible, and still unsurpassed. TRACK EIGHT - Lather up, your majesty. TRACK NINE - BC. again, unmistakeable, indelible, and still unsurpassed. I've seen live videos and yes, she led her band. Let it very strongly. Sam her live one time at Blues Alley in DC, had to s it behind the bandstand, but nearly front row, and that turned out to be a revelation, because I get to see her turn around and stare fire into the band to get them to go with her. Hell, it scare ME! But she was a total badass, Betty Carter was. TRACK TEN - Interesting...sounds like bebop thinking, but more...considered, like an evaluation than a statement. Trumpeter sounds a bit like early-ish Miles, but not exactly. Again, interesting. TRACK ELEVEN - That's pretty damn good singing. Kinda reminds be of Miles, the direct attacks. Plus, very controlled and strategic vibrato, That's gotta be Helen Merrill. She is easy to overlook, but impossible to ignore once you get bitten but her voice. So much feeling. Excellent! Ok, that's Clifford Brown. Seals the deal. A classic album of her's. TRACK TWELVE - No idea. I did a skelatal /google searh for soprano saxophone piano and accordion and nothing really came up. Whatever it is, I like it a lot. Sounds like strongly jazz-informed classical (or very well vice-versa), very well executed, and even more well-conceived. I'd like to hear more. TRACK THIRTEEN - Very nice! Again, no idea, but would like to hear more by this band. The changes show a familiarity with some of the more advanced "acid jazz", which is always welcome here, different maths create different worlds. Kinda sounds like the same band on Track 3? A consistently delightful set here. Would I be wrong in saying that these are indeed Valentines of sorts, that all tracks are by women leaders? It's about time!

man I get it. I grew up and still live in the south. I wouldn't call myself a fan of Bruce's and this song isn't great to me. but at some point he was working class right? and unlike most of his demo that see things the complete opposite, it doesn't look like he's forgotten that. which is good to know but I'm also not arguing that he should get a medal or anything. 

300×299 9.08 KB   What a trio! RVG captured Monk’s pianism so well here. And the music! “Thelonious Monk plays Duke Ellington” Riverside/Universal Japan SHM-CD UCCO-5592