Soul Stream

I guess my topic is a bit inflamatory. I'm not trying to knock AAJ. The adm. did a great job and really make a nice setup for everyone vacating the BNBB. My point would have been better made without using the Wingy example. My thoughts were basically that originally this board would end up with too few members and thus wouldn't be as viable place as other larger boards. I've found it quite the opposite. All the pluses of a "big" board (ie insightful jazz discussion), without a lot of the baggage that goes with holding together a forum for so many. Like one member stated in an earlier post, trying to find some enthusiasm over some recent reissues found me only finding one place to go...here.

I never thought bringing knowledge to the table at the expense of others was all that noble of excuse. Just my opinion. There's always one or two of those "types" around. It really drags a board down. It's a circular argument. Some will say that putting up with it is worth it for their extensive knowledge. Give me Jim Sangry or Lon, ect. anyday....the knowledge without the bitter aftertaste. ...anyway, I'm really off my point which is to say I like the tone of this board and I'm glad everyone hung in there long enough to see it working. The Album of the Week is a monumental undertaking IMHO. One that never could get started even at the old BNBB.

I hadn't been to the AAJ site in a few weeks, so I popped over for a second. Hit the "view new topics" selection and immediately latched onto a thread where Chuck is being called out and harrassed for what seemed to be "kicks." It made me realize how much I like it over here. Maybe a little less crowded. But much, much nicer none-the-less. If it wasn't for the Organissimo site, I doubt I would still be in cyber-jazz-land at all. So, thanks again Jim and Co. for providing a safe haven. I think the cozy atmosphere over here turns away people more inclined to attack without provication.

I've listened to quite a bit of Ayler over the last 4 years or so. Bought many available CDs of his (imports, domestics) and then sold them all but one....."Spritual Unity." For me, that album says it all and dwarfs the others with it's sheer impact. I don't know what it is about "Spiritual Unity" but it is one BAAAAADDDDD recording.

I'd love to see the show. Perhaps a pay-per-view event can be arranged! Sounds like you're making a lot of headway B3-er. Great job.

Larry Young's "Into Something." Hands down. People say "Unity" is his masterpiece. It might be. But for me, "Into Something" is his masterpiece.

Thanks for the 2 cents Jim. Once again you put into words my exact thoughts. I've always been a HUGE Cabell fan. Not to mention he wrote some great fucking tunes on those Patton sessions (Dragon Slayer, The Mandingo, Captain Nasty, Village Lee, Lite Hit....those are FUCKING GREAT!!). He and Patton were very tight and has been in close contact with John's wife since his passing. A real soulful cat who had a lot of musical empathy and respect for Patton and it comes through on Accent loud and clear. Lite Hit is one of the best organ tunes EVER in my opinion. Matter of fact I asked John about LITE HIT in particular. He said Marvin had that melodic line going in the studio, just playing it while warming up, ect. It was John who suggested making a tune out of it, they made it AABA with Patton suggesting they go up a minor 3rd for the B section. A nice twist on the "So What" formula. Great shit. Accent On The Blues is WAY up on my Patton list. I love that record. I also think Cabell MORE than holds his own against George Coleman on the "Memphis To NY Spirit" CD. Just another reason why it might be worth giving him a second chance if you don't really dig Marvin.

i can't find this on emusic ANYWHERE??!! How are you finding it there?

I have to agree. From 68 to 71, Big John was SMOKING. After that, the market for live jazz completely changed and John couldn't keep a band together. Even during this time, he expanded his concept to the point of losing many gigs. Most club owners wanted that funky organ thing. But at this point, John had Harold Alexander in his trio and was really stretching the boundaries live. It was the beginning of the end of the most productive period of his life.

I like the Rare Groove poll the best. The 3 part Conn. poll is a bit much for me. Of course, I'm disgruntled the "favorite john patton" poll wasn't included.

"The Way I Feel" gets my vote. It's like picking your favorite child, but when push comes to shove it's the one I feel closest to. If you haven't heard it, it's usually on available through dustygroove. Or just wait for the Mosaic Select, since it's included on that.

I kept it to Blue Note only releases, but still had to leave off one, so I left off "That Certain Feeling" since many have never heard it. (But it is an UNBELIEVABLE record!) BTW, Big John had two personal favorites among his many solo sessions, they were.... 1. Along Came John 2. Oh Baby!

Alfred, I sent you an e-mail this morning but haven't heard back as of yet. I have a Phil Woods I'd like to trade for the McLean. Please let me know is you'd like to that and I'd be happy to send it off. Thanks...soul stream...

Damn, I just tried to view the results before I voted and it barred me from casting a vote afterwards! Oh well, I just want you to know my vote would have been....BOOGALOO!!!!! Also, I'm with AfricaBrass.... What a joy it was to DISCOVER those first batches of Rare Grooves in the mid-Nineties. Boogaloo, Love Bug, Understanding, Good Gracious and so many, many others that have become the cornerstones of my love for this music.

Jeez, this is like "Sophie's Choice" here. You want me to decide between "Good Gracious" and "Boogaloo?" Not to mention "Love Bug." That's just sheer insanity....

i understand jazzbo, i think we're all in agreement that all these guys should get a chance to record more. i reallyl like that donaldson on the QE2 Cd. i think it may show dr. lonnie's wares off better than anything else he's got on CD at this point. i think unless you live near some of these guys, it's a little cost prohibitive to record with them. my question is why they aren't represented more on NYC dates as sidemen? i guess i'm just dreaming of a perfect world. it's just a shame. (b3-er, as far as braith goes...i'm already a step ahead. i'm trying to bring him down to record this summer. )

I actually did think about bringing Big John and George Braith into the studio when they came down here for a gig. We decided we didn't have the right drummer and was going to bring Ben Dixon down next time. Everyone was real into the idea, it was just a matter of time. Of course, John died and that was the end of that. Now I really regret not trying harder on it. These legends still active and not being recorded is a travesty. They are the REAL thing. Once they're gone we have a finite amount of their work and that's it.

I won't argue with that b3-er. Lonnie's another guy that could play the phone book and make it sound good. But I would like to hear an album of original material from the Dr. that's for sure. Gimmicks aside, he needs to have a full representation of himself on the market. I don't think anything he's done really shows the full range and magnitude of talents he posesses. What a monster. But considering what record labels will record these days. This might have been the only way for him to get something out.

There just doesn't seem to be any interest on the part of record labels to record him. Much like John Patton in his final years. Well, and truth be told, almost every other "older" jazz legend. Too bad, a real waste. I guess they're too busy recording crap. We just don't value age in this society, and this is just another example of that. He can still play his ass off, that's for sure.

that gig is a f'in 5 star event! My all time favorite hands-down live organ records, and that's saying a lot. Leon Spencer is on fire, check his stuff out on "Laura." Amazing. The rhythm section of Sparks, Idris, and Spencer is a home run,...live....they knock it out of the park. Screw AMG on this one. 5 stars.

my wife and mother-in-law were both born on May 10th, which sometimes falls on mother's day. then i'm really stretched. even this mother's day I swcrewed up and commited to a recording session. thank god it didn't fall on the 10th this year.

remember chet baker kept costello's "almost blue" in his songbook until the end.

great news! how was that parker show? i wanted to make it, but couldn't. i was also hoping to catch the show coming up this saturday, but it's my wife's birthday and i don't think a free jazz concert is what she wants.

I understand a blanket statement such as mine is full of holes to be sure. Something like "Yesterday" by McCartney is as good example of a Pop/Rock song that has stood the test of time in the jazz community. Burt Bacharach is a pop composer whose songs have often been covered very successfully by jazz artists and for good musical reasons. I think on the other hand, covering the music of Bruce Springsteen would be quite cumbersome for a jazz improviser. No doubt as to the greatness of the artist and songs he writes, but I doubt they would work very well as imrovisational vehicles. Some, such as Sonny Rollins, could play a phone book and make my whole arguement mute. However, I don't think that takes away from my arguement. I guess in the end, I'm a little dissappointed about Lonnie's direction for a new album. It seems a bit gimmicky and geared towards getting some younger people involved in the music. A noble cause for sure, but sometimes that doesn't make for good album-making. I can't really comment on it knowledgabley without hearing it of course. These are just general thoughts about the concept.

Beck is considered by many one of the greatest rock musicans of our time. However, Lonnie's tribute to Hendrix was far from successful IMHO. The problem is even the greatest rock musicians' songbooks don't have the harmonic structures that facilitate great jazz improvisation beyond a song or two. Unless Lonnie approaches most of these songs modally and sticks to pure melodies, or totally reharmonizes most of it... I can't imagine the chord changes to 10 or so Beck songs to be substantial enough. The idea of Brad M. doing a Bjork song or J. Redman covering a Radiohead song is fine enough. But a whole album of it would be a real feat. Rock songs sound best when done by Rock musicians. It's hard to carry that feel over into jazzland. If Lonnie pulls it off, I'd be surprised. But I still admire what he's doing. Stretching for something new.