Big Al

"I haff orders!" "Vat is orders, dahlink?" "Orders is keel moose."

Please do!

EXTREMELY LONG POST ALERT (don’t say you weren’t warned; go get something to drink, prop up yer feet, this gonna be a loooooong ride!) My first exposure to this quintet came about as a result of hearing Hancock’s HEADHUNTERS album a few years ago. The unbelievably unreal FUNK of that album (and as I write this, I can’t remember if I’d already heard all of Herbie’s Blue Note recordings (the box) or not; I was thinking that had some historical or chronological significance to all this) sent me in search of more along the same lines. I wish I could remember where I read it, but something pointed me in the direction from this to late-period Miles Davis Quintet. I had the opportunity to trade for MILES IN THE SKY and needless to say, THAT record blew me away. More solid funk, but what made this so special was this was my first real exposure to the (and I think the term is justified here) GENIUS of Tony Williams! Around that time, Where(aretheynow)house Music was having a huge Sony sale, so I figured now would be as good a time as any to start collecting the albums by this quintet. So I picked up NEFERTITI and SORCERER. (If memory serves me correct, either they were out of MILES SMILES, or it wasn’t on sale. Can’t remember which) NEFERTITI’s title track didn’t take long to permanently fasten itself to my brain. A theme repeated over and over, as the piano, bass, and drums do all the improvising. What a concept! And what execution! And it’s not like this theme is all that easy to play, either; playing it in unison, entering at the same time as someone else, and fighting the temptation to take off on some flight of improvisatory fancy takes a special kind of talent. It’s a testament to Miles and Wayne that they were able to sustain this level of concentration for this long. But it’s Herbie, Ron, and Tony who are the stars of this track. Herbie’s comping in particular is inspired: instead of concentrating on being melodic, it’s more percussive, following the old Miles adage of “Play what isn’t there,” and playing it beautifully. “Fall” is an aptly named tune, as it feels like free-falling, or perhaps floating. It seems to build on the same concept of “Nefertiti,” but this time Miles and Wayne offer commentary in the few measures between theme statements. “Hand Jive” showed me what kind of monster Tony Williams is when he’s on fire, and even that doesn’t justifiably describe his playing on this track. At times sounding like he has a few extra set of arms playing with him, he lights a fire under Miles and Wayne. As much as I enjoy Herbie’s comping on other tracks, I like it even more when the horns have to go it alone with Ron & Tony. Echoing much of the magic from MILES SMILES (sidenote: I had thought about choosing this album for AOW, for so many reasons (one that it’s such a brilliant concentrated burst of force; two that it could very well be the KIND OF BLUE of the 60s; three because as far as group improvisation goes, it is hands down my favorite; and four simply because IMHO it’s the greatest jazz album ever!), decided against it because had I not heard NEFERTITI or SORCERER, I might not have ever picked up MILES SMILES. Don’t know why things work out that way, but they do!), each player gets their shot at cookin’ and do they ever. Everyone’s solo is fiery, especially Wayne’s, but I love how Herbie builds his solo from single notes to chords. Then, just when you think you can catch a breather, here comes “Madness” to carry on the same intensity that was found on the previous track. Wonder how many record needles were melted by these two tracks back then? “Riot” is good, but I actually like the multi-colored textures found on Herbie’s SPEAK LIKE A CHILD. Just a preference, though. Finally, there’s “Pinocchio,” which has as lovely a theme as any that Wayne Shorter came up with (and continues to do so). Great solos and playing all around. The alternate to this track is fascinating in every aspect, not the least of which is the slower tempo. In fact, much as I love the album version, this one moves me much the same way that “Dance Cadaverous” does. I love that lilting feeling, and Ron Carter shows what a delicate touch he has on slower tunes such as this. Yet another reason to get the box! I want to offer a few comments on SORCERER and the box before turning it to the floor: I find SORCERER to be every bit the equal to NEFERTITI, and this might’ve made a fantastic double-album. These guys were at their creative peak at this time, with Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams coming into their own as writers. On these two albums, there are no covers and no tunes by Miles. Every tune is by Herbie (“Sorcerer” and “Riot” among others), Wayne (“Prince of Darkness” among others, which floored me on first listen when Wayne’s solo dovetails so naturally back into the theme statement at the end), or Tony (the raucous “Hand Jive” and the lovely “Pee Wee” among others). Herbie is improving not only as a player but as a listener by his laying out during solo statements. The box, of course, is worth every penny just to be able to hear the entire output from those inspired months in 1967 when this music was made. Getting WATER BABIES is fine and all (all three tunes from this era are from the pen of Wayne Shorter, each a sadly overlooked gem on its own, and each fitting in perfectly with these two albums), but you still miss all the OTHER unreleased gems. I’m not gonna go into detail here, but suffice to say that SORCERER and NEFERTITI made me get the box, and as a result, hear MILES SMILES. But then, I guess that’s another AOW for another time. Much fodder for discussion, I hope. Fire away!

Got ours last night and, needless to say, we are enjoying it immensely. But has anyone noticed during the opening credits, it seems like the "Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends" is superimposed over the original banner. Anyone know why that is?

This is a sad loss indeed. A great talent. RIP.

And then, just to prove how silly the weather is down here, it rained all day yesterday, and the temperature didn't get above 90. Reminds me of when I was delievering pizzas as a teen, standing on one side of highway 360 in the sun, watching it rain on the other side of the highway. Weirdest thing I ever saw!

Was it '79? I remember 1980, with 69 straight days of 100+ heat! I remember being at a baseball camp, wearing my Little League uniform (the one with the polyester pants! OUCH!), and praying for death! And if memory serves me correctly, the next winter was particularly harsh: school was cancelled for three days in order to curtail the heat used by the schools. Record lows (one day, the high was 16! Never seen it that cold down here since!) and ice so thick, we went to the school playground and slid down the slide and all the way across the playground! Memories like that make these hot daze a little more bearable!

This IS good news. Psychotic Reactions is a hilarious volume, and I've had it since '89. I used to get strange looks from my co-workers at the pizza place as I was howling my way through the title chapter. Think I'll head to the bookstore tonight!

Awwww MAAAAAAN!!!! So close and yet so far. Wish he could've been there this past weekend when I was there!!!

Point taken, but: 1. The Who definitely ain't jazz, and 2. Miles in his less-than-prime was at least still releasing new music (sometimes simultaneously). The last Who album of new material was more than 20 years ago! And it's not like there's different stuff on this album, as opposed to previous Who live albums. It's the same damn stuff, just like last time, just like the previous time, etc etc ad nauseaum. However, I will concede that I did not realize this was for a charity benefit, and as such, the Who are to be commended for that. Also was not aware that this was a three disc set (I thought it was two). In that case, given the selling price of less than $20, then I recant most of my original vitriol. Now, anyone wanna gripe about KISS Alive IV?

Bringing this up to start off the discussion. I'll post more later, just want to say how glad I am this got picked. This is one of my favorite albums EVER, jazz or otherwise. I'll warn y'all now of a ridiculously long post to come, filled with commentary, memories, and other useless bits as I think of them. Cheers! And let the fun begin!

Make us proud, bro!

Was at Target last night and saw this. No, it's not the much anticipated '72 show or the '76 show at Swansea. No, it's yet another live album from yet another reunion gig, with yet more guests. The scary thing is people may actually buy this crap.

Checked out Infinite Jest from the library today. 'Bout needed a forklift to get it outta there!!! Only on page four so far, but I'm real tired right now, so it's not sinking in just yet. Also picked up some Tom Robbins novel that I don't have in front of me right now (too tired and lazy to actually get up and get it). Something about "Half-Awake in Pajamas" or something like that. Anyway, the synopsis intrigued me. So, as always, thanks for the recs, guys!

Yeeaahhhhh buddy!!!

Well, I'm going to Austin this weekend. If I see AFRICAINE anywhere, I'll pick it up!

Hey Rooster! Have ya received my PM yet? Loking forward to seeing that list! Hi Al!! I sent you a trade-list via e-mail. (Both via the "e-mail" button in your Organissimo profile, and also to the e-mail address in your PM.) If you didn't get 'em, I may just post my trade list here to this thread. Let me know if you didn't get it. That's weird; I haven't received either! I'll send you a PM with a different e-mail address. I wonder if my hotmail account has been inadvertently blocking the messages?

Pope Aric? Now THERE'S a horrible thought!

Hey Rooster! Have ya received my PM yet? Loking forward to seeing that list!

Always been partial to Ugetsu myself, which doesn't seem to get much attention. Maybe because it's not on the level of A Night At Birdland or Cafe Bohemia, nor does it have any drum solos. But the title track is eleven minutes of sheer beauty.

I have, or actually my wife has. In a span of just over three weeks, she has read all eight books in the series. I've never seen anything like it. I'm gonna start reading them myself, especially since I've been seeing her giggle so much. (She told me about the dog who ate the prunes, who was subsequently dog-napped. This I gotta read!)

Bringing this back up to say that, while I love Mysterious Traveller and Tale Spinnin', Black Market is still may favorite of the three, and I'm glad that BM was chosen as the AOW; mainly because had one of the other two been nominated, I might not have been so inclined to get all three, whereas BM was so good it made me want to hear the other two. Still, great stuff and good grooves all around.

Well, I also have enjoyed the heck outta this session, ever since it was re-released last year. I remember when it was announced, I thought, "OH BOY! More greeeeaze a la Down Home Style!!!" (Not to take the thread off in a different direction, but DHS is, in my book, THE greeeeaziest album on the planet; so greeazy, even the cover clogs yer arteries!!!) Imagine my surprise when the disc I put in the player was some of the most far-out spaciest GROOOOOOVE I've ever heard!!! What Soul Stream said about that bass-drum intro: is RIGHT ON!!! That bass line is so cool, I tried to learn to play it. Now that I know it, I LOOOOVE to play along with it. Then when I found out it was Richard Davis, my jaw about hit the floor! RICHARD DAVIS, man!!! What's he doin' gettin' all slathered in the greeeeaze like this? Also heartily agreein' on all the good said about "Oblighetto." I dig that McDuff is all over the place on this track, and DuShon's vocals are all sorts of eerie (cryptic and greeeazy too, if Jim R is reading), but that "tight, right and full of might" rhythm of Davis and Dukes keeps things movin' with a most KICK-ASS groove! Now, up until this album I wasn't too familiar with McDuff the piano player. With the title track, I am now! He's got a touch as light as Count Basie, and just as sharp too! And I loooove the groove on this. This was perfect for coastin' down the highway to the airport late at night last week. Just settle into a nice backbeat and groooooooove all the way! "Made in Sweden." This is a good place to bring up the sound of the drums on this album. How did they get that sound? It sounds eerily tinny, yet good and spacy, so that it fits right in on the record. But I mean, there's no bottom to it. It just sounds like it's being transmitted from..... space!!! Oddly enough, the last track is probably my least favorite, but I think it has more to do with the fact that it's not in the same groove as the others. Make no mistake, it's a killer track. But I find myself going back to "Flat Backin'" once this track starts up. HELLUVA pick for AOW, Soul Stream!!! This is one I never get tired of!

Miles Davis - Nefertiti (click here to buy) Not to disappoint fans of the greeeeeeaze, but I've been plannin' this since the whole AOW concept started. Besides, we haven't had any Miles yet, and this is my favorite era of his. I did a poll a few weeks back, and while I still want to discuss both albums discusses in the poll, I figured it would be easier and keep things consistent by just naming one album. So Nefertiti is the official Album of the Week (Because it actually got votes), but I also plan on discussing Sorcerer and the tracks from Water Babies that were recorded during this time. Looking forward to this one. Thanks again, Ed!

The Way I Feel is gonna be part of the Patton Mosaic Select this fall. It's a HECKUVA session!!! Jackson burns throughout. The track listing for the Select indicates that this session will be paired with ALONG CAME JOHN, which also features Jackson. In anticipation, I put my two copies onto one disc and listened to it all the way through. One thing you can say about Jackson is he's consistent: he never lets up, never lets down. Just good solid greeeeaze all the way through. His solo on "The Silver Meter" is extremely funky!