Soul Stream

There's more MUSIC going on here than most high speed bop songs ever recorded. And on the contrary, the musicians seem to all be on top of their game. Once again we're arguing tempo not substance.

Few but strong! Maybe this will spur some others on to give this one a stronger listen. I think Aric's right. Because this is a "slow" record, to some that translates as "boring." Quite the opposite for me. One of the most melodic and well-crafted organ dates ever done.

Exactly!!!!

If this isn't the greatest organ + horns date ever done WITH TASTE then I don't know diddly. Lot's don't even like this album, much less love it. But I LOVE it. Always have always will. One of the greatest albums of all time.

Clem, Amazingly enough, this is the first time I've ever seen Willie! So, I don't know about the set list and whether or not he played anthing unusual. What struck me most was how MANY songs he played. I mean, he didn't pause between songs. The whole thing was like a full-length medley that consituted a concert. He really blew me away. By the way, a new favorite of mine I haven't heard a whole lot is his "Still is still moving". And yes, he is playing guitar again and incredibley so. He was tearing it up and until you reminded me, would have never guessed he's not been playing it lately. Also, when I shook his hand he had an incredibley firm handshake! Didn't seem like he had any sort of problem with his hands....

Man, I'm on a roll. Saturday night, David Fathead Newman. Sunday night, Ornette Coleman. And Monday night (tonight) Willie Nelson! Pretty good 3 nights here in Austin. A friend got me an All Access pass, so I got to meet Willie and really dig all the backstage/bus stuff. Getting to Willie has got to have more security points than the president! But it was a real joy to meet a legend like that. Anyway, he put on a super, super long show. For a guy his age, it was pretty unbelievable that he went over 2 hours straight. And sans for 2 spotlight songs for his sister and other guitarist, Willie was front and center the whole time. No banter, just song after song after song with no dead time in between. Amazing. His singing was great, but his guitar playing was other worldly. He played stuff on Blue Skies that would have made Miles smile.

I agree, great, great performance from this group. It should be recorded if it hasn't already been. I also wonder who these people are who come to an Ornette Coleman performance and then walk out, obviously surprised by what they hear. Is someone giving away free tickets through AARP?

Yes! He really was hitting the high notes. And his tone was very clear and bell-like where I sat.

You're probably right Lon.... It's just that while listening to Ornette last night, It reminded me of when I saw Jackie a few months ago. Also, not having heard Ornette on trumpet that much on record, I was surprised to be reminded of 60's Miles upon hearing him. Just a couple of impressions, whether they're founded in anything other that personal sonics I have no idea! Anyway, I did really like his trumpet playing!!!!

I made the concert as well. Ornette was quite a striking figure from the 10 rows back where I sat. Especially when he cradled his white alto. Musically, I can't add much to what Lon and Charlesp said. Loved the 2 bass/drums acoustic lineup. Did notice firsthand Ornette's influence on many of our heroes. When Ornette played alto, it really made me think of Jackie McLean's 60's Blue Notes. When Ornette played trumpet, it made me think of Mile's Davis' sound with his second great quintet. I sat next to a couple of young hipsters who rambled on about how cool Scooby Doo and Wattstax was before the show. Once Ornette began, they seemed a bit fidgity and bored. Also, a number of older concertgoers near me (around 10 I'd say), got up and left after a couple of songs. Also, I heard a few laughs and snickers in the halls when I went to the bathroom at one point from people leaving. Some of this sort of thing was a distraction for me during the show. That was a drag. That said, it was a real pleasure to hear and see Ornette. Also, the majority of the audience seemed very, very attentive with a rousing standing ovation at the end...bringing Ornette on for a encore. Wonderful night. Between Ornette on Sunday and Fathead on Saturday...it was quite a good weekend!

Sorry to hear about this Jim. Do you and/or your wife have parents or older siblings that can get involved? Sometimes older folks can apply more pressure on the powers that be. Otherwise, be relentless. Don't rely on the medical community to take care of your wife. Sadly, that's up to you these days. Good luck.

Hey, Thanks for that video WL!!! Just happened to see Fathead LAST NIGHT here in Austin, Texas playing "A Night In Tunisia" as the closer. He burned...that clip really brought it back. Wonderful rhythm section here in Austin last night w/ Dino Newman (his son) on drums, Chris Marasch(?sp) on bass and the wonderful Dr. James Polk (ex-Ray Charles pianist/organist) on piano. Thanks again.

...did anybody catch this...or much less record it to share?...

Oh Man! I'd love to hear that interview. Too bad I have no access to Serius. "Too Damn Hot" is a seriously baaad CD.

That sounds great Bill. Man, I would have loved to have seen that! Thanks for the story....

The McGriff is on CD, but not the Patterson. Although the Presige Holiday CD has 2 of the songs on it! The Patterson's usually a very cheap and easy find on Ebay.

For X-mas grease, you only need three ingredients...the Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff and Don Patterson Christmas LPs....

Agreed! O.K...now you can tell us about seeing Don Patterson live!!!!

Bill, I really don't want to get in the position of "defending" Mike LeDonne or this CD. In truth, I've listened to this CD a couple of times and found myself (as is usually the case) putting on a Don Patterson session instead, why not go to the source as Jim mentioned. Like yourself, I have all the Patterson sessions. There's no doubt LeDonne is coming out of the Patterson bag on that tune, hence "One For Don." However, "stringing together a bunch of Patterson licks" is simplifying what he's doing a little too much for me. Also, that he's doing it badly is something I would take issue to. He lands on a few Patterson "tricks" (@5:40 for example) a little too long...but hey, Don did too! As an organist myself I can say this...what Mike's doing ain't easy. It shows a command of the instrument and an ability to speak the language. Nothing about what he's doing sounds amateurish or "like a kid" to me. I guess my next question Bill is how you would rate Joey DeFrancesco? He's about as much of a Jimmy Smith clone as could be manufactured. However, he's widely considered one of the best organists in the world today. Some create, and some re-create imho. But like Frank Morgan once said when asked about being a Charlie Parker copycat...."You think it's EASY playing like Charlie Parker!" O.K., that's about as much as I want to defend anyone but myself. In my mind there are a lot of organists out there and LeDonne wouldn't be on top of the heap in NYC if he wasn't very, very good. Funny part is, I'm not a huge LeDonne fan my any means. But I do have a lot of respect for what he can do.

Boy, I didn't get that feel at all. First off, "One For Don" is a thinly disguised version of Don Patterson's "Wade In The Water. Anyway, once LeDonne starts soloing, I don't here a whole lot of Patterson in the mix sans a few of Don's trademarked fast single-note bop runs. Past that, I hear a lot of Larry Young-influence along with some whole tone stuff. That in a nutshell is Mike's style....a mixture of Young, Patterson, Earland and Smith. Those are the influenced I hear in the solo. He mixes and makes a go of it on his own to my ears. Nice solo.

"They Long To Be Close To You" was cut in the same fashion by Leon Spencer Jr. on "Louisiana Slim" back in the day. After Groove's "Misty" and Earland's "More Tody Than Yesterday," a lot of organists did this sort of thing (Also check out Freddie Roach's groove version of "Tenderly" on Prestige!). No doubt about LeDonne's lack of original approach. However, that said, I don't think he's pretending to be anything other than someone who's carrying the torch. All those guys are imitators to a large....Eric Alexander (George Coleman), Bernstein (G. Green), LeDonne (Patterson, Earland, ect). But, these guys can PLAY! And Swing! Nothing wrong with that. Maybe on record it's nothing that's going to make you take off your "Black Talk" CD (I wouldn't!), but live...it's nice to see and hear. O.K., LeDonne's no John Patton, Don Patterson, Charles Earland or Larry Young...but those guys are DEAD!!!! This music should be heard live and Mike's doing a great job continuing the tradition. Matter of fact, he's one of the best in the business imo. Todays organists will never match the original 1st-3rd generations of organists. However, there's still some great music being played today on the street. That's what the Smoke guys are doing.

"Apostrophe" on that LP is a killer too. That whole album is beautiful. Percy France really lends the right cred to that album.

This is a nice recording. One of the few we have of Gloria Coleman in her prime. I really dig it. It probably represents better than most what was really being played in those organ bars back in the 60's. She does it with a lot of feeling. I saw Gloria a few years back and she's the only person I've ever seen who made a keyboard simulator sound pretty damn close to her hammond sound. An amazing overlooked player for sure. Pick it up and you won't be disappointed, especially at that price.

I've seen Mike LeDonne play quite a bit. He holds down the organ night at Smoke in NYC. He's a burner on the organ. I've actually never seen/heard him play piano myself! As far as jazz organ at Smoke is concerned (which is basically the whole organ scene in NYC sans the Harlem thing) he's the go-to guy. This CD gives you a REAL good idea of a typical organ night at Smoke. These are the type of songs they play. It's a great CD with guys who are the A list Smoke NYC organ guys...Eric Alexander, Jim R., Farnsworth, Bernstein. They play together a lot and it shows. Of course Harlem is another story. Great organ stuff happening there too, but not with these guys...Bobby Forrester ruled there 'til his passing.

A little late, but.... I backed up comedian/singer Rudy Ray Moore (also known as "Dolemite") tonight in Austin and will be with him again Saturday night at the Continental Club in Houston if anyone's interested. It's pretty wild and a lot of fun...