Soul Stream

As many times as I've played "Oleo," it's still never boring or easy. Like I've said before....it's not these songs that are boring you as a listener, it's the performer...the songs are simply VEHICLES for improvisation. How uninteresting is Miles playing "My Funny Valentine" or "Bag's Groove" or Sonny Rollins on "Oleo, or Pat Martino on "Oleo?" You get my point. These songs are overplayed because they are perfect vehicles for jazz improvisation. Just like every rock guitarist plays "Foxy Lady" or blues guitarist plays "Hideaway" ...ect.... those songs are part of the landscape. Songs don't matter to me. They are a starting off point. One chord can be the most interesting song you've ever heard (sam rivers proved that to me this week. live. with his swing in b natural.)

Scone is an interesting player. He's not afraid to be simplistic. On the other end of the spectrum, he sent me an unreleased session he played on that was a tribute to Joe Henderson. They do Inner Urge on it, ect....on that, Adam plays out of a Larry Young bag. Plus, I've heard him do "Ornithology" with Lou Donaldson...he just got off the road doing an organ trio with Bob Beldon...the Sugarman 3's been working hard...he's got a nice grasp of all these things. In the end, he's just like all of us. Confused, and trying to figure out what he wants to say! What he really wants to do is something totally different he says, wierd, non-jazz stuff...more of a connect with young people.

Amen, my brother! ...P.S...had an older black couple out at my gig last night. In the sea of white faces, they were obviously digging when nobody else was. After the set, the guy came up...hey man, I DIG what you're doing! Turns out he was an organ drummer from up Ft. Worth way...he sat in and PLAYED the way a drummer SHOULD play behind an organ! He UNDERSTOOD the way Big John and Freddie and that generation understood jazz and blues...all together, no boundaries. I miss that quality in people. That love of the blues in a jazz context, and the ability to love it, understand it, and ENJOY it!

Yeah, Freddie Roach was really a unique player who had a lot to say (musically and verbally!). He's forgetten quite a bit, even by me. Hey man, why should I listen to Freddie when Larry Young's so much more IMPORTANT! Roach suffered the same fate that Patton did to a degree. Not 'important' enough, or "real jazz" enough for the jazz folk. They were too earthy. Today, they're just too bluesy for the younger generation. Blues is too old-timey these days. Larry Young's fourths or Patterson's bebop or Smith's harmonic conceptions are advanced enough for a young keyboardist or jazz fan to admire. But Roach playing "Googa Mooga" or Patton playing "Silver Meter" just isn't cutting it for most people today ('cept us ).

Mo Greens is my favorite. His version of "I Know" may be the best thing he ever cut imho. Googa Mooga is right up there too...matter of fact, ALL the tracks are great on "Mo Greens". I can't recommend this one more highly.

More Patton blasphemy!!!!! I may have to delete this thread if this kind of talk continues.

Yeah, Deeg those notes on Brown Sugar. Makes you feel that you're there at RVG's on a rainy night.... Also...this thread caused me to dig out "Down To Earth." A longtime favorite, but unlistened to in a while. It made me realize what a MONSTER player Roach is. This is a more bare bones session than his others. He and Burrell are a nice match. Some of Freddie's solos are his best on record. He really moves nicely on the ins and outs of the blues and more here.... Another thought...mentioned Roach to George Braith before as well. He played with Roach quite a bit and is from the Bronx as well. I'll ask George again about Freddie. I'll be sure to post anything interesting on Sir Roach.

Blasphemy! ALL John Patton sessions are FIVE STARS!!!

"Good Move" has a few nice Roach originals on it. "When Malindy Sings" may have been the one you speak of. Also, "Movin' Up" (or something to that effect) is also a nice one on there. Personally, "Mo Greens Please" is my favorite Roach. But "Good Move" is way up there.

Just wondering....

Was listening to "Good Move" last night for the first time in a while. I used to really love Freddie, and listened to him a lot. However, haven't had a good listen lately. Forgotten how much I enjoy his playing and concept. He's has such a familiar, yet unique style. I the shadow of JOS, Larry Young, Patton, Patterson, ect., it's easy to forget about Roach. I'm not as crazy about his Prestige sides, but I love ALL his Blue Notes (Yes, even "All That's Good" w/voices...matter of fact it's a favorite!) I mentioned Freddie Roach to John Patton once. His eyes really lit up, "Oh man, I LOVED Freddie!" he said.

Well, it's good to have lukrion back!

Yeah, I'm glad I got to hear him do it. Especially in a swing/shuffle style. Pretty amazing. Man, his tone is so unchanged from that very first solo album until today. Beautiful stuff. That's cool you saw him outside. He really IS turning 80 next month, but the years seem to barely phase him. I noticed that during the second set, he would walk down the hall and crouch/sit....listening to the band, resting a bit. Sam Rivers for $6....hey, like I told Lon...it cost me $5 to PARK MY CAR!!!

Sam Rivers was really great last night. Completely different from the other two times I've heard him live (solo, and with his trio). Sam was playing with a pickup band (Gerry Gibbs Trio), so he brought his book, and they played some wonderful versions of old Sam favorites and new pieces. My personal favorite was his mid-tempo tenor sax rendition of Beatrice...REALLY swinging. That was the highlight for me. He also created a melody on the spot and swung it to death in B natural. I talked to him after the 2nd set and, like a nerd, requested Fuscia Swing Song. His eyes kind of lit up and he said..."I almost brought that music with me!!!" Too bad, I would have loved to hear it. And with this band, the music sounded more like Sam's Blue Note era since he was keeping it more basic structure-wise. But I thought the band did a great job backing him up. I REALLY enjoyed it. Especially the second set since I stood right by the stage. Also, not only did I get a chance to talk to Sam...but I ALSO ME THE INFAMOUS LON!!!! Met Lon and his wonderful wife Helen. Great to put a face with the Jazzbo name finally!

Every year athletes die from these silly summer workouts in ridiculously high temps. Just saw the news yesterday showing all the University of Texas football players about to drop, practicing in 110 degree heat. The quarterback was laughing saying, "Hey, it's really bad out here. But I especially feel sorry for these linemen." (cut to show overweight linemen running around in 110 heat ). Of course, the next news story will be about which kid dropped dead from it. (cut to coach, "We do everything possible to take care of these kids in this kind of heat, blah, blah, blah). When temperatures get this ridiculously high, two-a-day workouts in the blistering sun should be suspended. When are these guys going to learn. It's just plain unhealthy no matter who you are.

Does anybody remember a horror movie from the early 70's called "Wicked, Wicked"?

Welcome Ron!

Man, I've lived in Texas a long time...but 109 degrees here in Austin the last couple of days seems EXTREMELY high. It's not even cool in the shade. ...by the way, that's ACTUAL temp., not that silly heat index.

It's like that on the master. They must of had to cut off some of the beginning for some reason.

My wife and I first rented a house after we got married. A dump. Next door was a guy with Elvis hair and sideburns. Out back they kept their dog chained to a tree. The dog always ran around until he was choking (dumbest dog I've ever seen). The dog then barked and squeeled the rest of the day. If you tried to help it, it would almost kill you. I severly cut my hand after putting it through a window in frustration of the dog barking one morning. God damn, I'm glad I don't live there anymore. Of course, like b3-ers', our neighbors yard was all poop and dirt. Oh, and they had 3 rugrats too about in the same condition as the dog. ....Also, my current neighbor (3 doors down) decided to remodel her house about a year ago. She's still not back in it. It's totally gutted. Turns out the lady was hearing the voice of God she thought, telling her to remodel her house. As soon as she would put a staircase in, God would tell her to rip it down and put it in the opposite direction. (Another one with 3 small kids)

Paul Chambers, to me, is the best bassist to have ever played jazz. Of course, "best" is just an imaginary thing. But in my imaginary world, Chambers is the bassist.

Heard a version of Coltrane playing "Blue Train" on XM radio. Wild, later stuff...not from the Blue Train LP.... My question is, what version is this on? Did he record this later on Impulse?

I'm digesting alot of the new RVGs. "Indestructible" and "Grantstand" in particular are getting a lot of airtime. Also Lonnie Smith's "Live at Club Mozambique" and John Patton...

Lateef makes this session what it ultimately is in many ways. Grant, McDuff, Harewood and Vick would have been great too. But it wouldn't have been THIS "Grantstand."