Soul Stream

No bash of "Joyride" here. Kenny Burrell on "Gravy Train" smokes that LP into groovesville. I dig the arrangements and band. Good all around stuff. Don't be sold short. Grady Tate on drums in an all too rare Blue Note appearance as well.

We all have our own heros. I like Kurt Cobain's music and thought it was vastly different and revolutionary at the time. Is he a rock icon? Certainly. Probably the last true one we've seen in a long time. However, I find the post-mortem "genius" tag taking on gigantic proportions. His untimely death, suicide, tragic life are just that...tragic. But going on and on and on about it....rent "Last Days" and if you haven't had your fill of tragic early 90's Seattle, druggie, downer death trip by the end of it you're a better man than I. Genius is a word we overuse imho these days. Cobain was was/is a legend. A genius? I don't know. Maybe, but let's think on it a bit before the proclaimation for once.

O.K...I just realized Kelly Clarkson doesn't have very good songs either...so...uh....I don't know, maybe Prince should rap, get shot, lift weights, wear baggy pants with his boxers sticking out the top w/no shirt...then maybe we can market him.

I think ya'll are missing my point. We are in SHOW-bizness. I'm plenty aware of that. Most musicians missed that point long ago when street clothes, non-bathing, and ignoring any 'entertainer' vibe became the fad 40 years ago and it's still the thing. But, take away the glam and show-biz and that Prince song was pretty pedestrian with some Jimi-inspired lyrics. Prince ain't had a hit since Kiss and Purple Rain for a reason....bad songs. And Jim, Quartet Out sounds like a great rock band...maybe you should plug in and become famous.

I'm glad you liked the set design, flames, dancing back-up singers...and when he licked his finger and wiped his bangs. That all adds up to great music. Good set design doesn't add up to great music, but it can enhance the presentation of already great music. This goes back hundreds of years in opera, for instance. BTW Mike, that was Jim's wife you just smacked down. Oh shit, sorry....

I'm glad you liked the set design, flames, dancing back-up singers...and when he licked his finger and wiped his bangs. That all adds up to great music.

Just bringing this one up for air and a reminder. If you are a fan of Organ Jazz, you need to pick up Bobby Broom's "Modern Man." I was a fan of this one from the get go, and as the months, years have gone by I realize this is one of a handful of "modern"(80's and up) organ jazz recordings that I find totally within the tradition, exciting and always a joy to listen to. This one seems to have gone totally unnoticed by everyone. Perhaps because "Stand" was released at the exact same time. Too bad, this is one of the best organ dates in several decades.

Still alive and playing in Philadelphia I believe.

Just wanted to revive this thread. Was listening to "Minor Move" tonight and reminding myself that although I don't consider it Tina's "Best" album, it's the one I listen to and enjoy the most. Go figure! Anyway, this thing grows on you. It's just great players playing great songs. The lack of originals probably killed it for Alfred releasing it, maybe. Dunno. Anyway, put it on and enjoy it. Like Muddy Waters said, "Don't try and be the best one. Just try and be a good one." I think this is a good one for sure.

Jimi Hendrix wasn't a guitarist per se? Per se who?

I actually just watched the whole first song through the link provided above. I guess my question would be this... Question: What do you get when you cross Greta Garbo's Wardrobe with Tina Turner's backup singers with Steve Vai's guitar licks with bad 80's syth sounds and a generous heaping of posturing? Answer: Prince on SNL. Sorry I know that sounds like being a hater, but I couldn't help it. Hey, I think Prince can handle it, I'm at my computer and he's in bed with his backup singers.

Funny, I actually turned the T.V. off midway through his first song. Different strokes for different folks I guess!

Jim, I have an XK-2 that I use on non-jazz, non-bass gigs occassionally. I hate that thing. It doesn't sound worth a damn to me. The percussion isn't right, chorus/vibrato sucks, it's too bright and has no depth. I've heard the New B3 sounds exactly like an original. Matter of fact, Tony Monaco uses one on his blues album along with a real B3 and I couldn't tell the difference. THAT'S amazing to me. Is the XK3 use the same technology as the NEW B3? It would be nice to have an equivilant of the B3, but only if it is really that.

Let me put it this way.... George played me something over the phone that was one of the most amazing musical sequences I've ever heard. Harmonies on harmonies, chord sequences revolving around minor thirds that spiraled into outer space. You get the idea. When I asked George what it was, he said it was a "jingle" he was writing for his brother-in-law's sub sandwich shop.

Yeah, but there were more gigs back then!

Sadly, it's a Braith project that never came to completion due to George's ongoing reconstruction of it! I heard the project in many stages, all very, very, very interesting. However, George likes to get the music "right" and with a perfectionist like him I don't think that day will ever come. I told George this myself and we had a good laugh. Hopefully, it will see the light of day at some point. I think George is onto about 6 other projects by now! Anyway, I'll let you know....to be continued...

Aren't those things ridiculously expensive too? Even the Hammond one keyboard thing with the one tube in it ain't cheap. Too bad about your back. I think all organists who spend a lot of time gigging have lifelong injuries from it of some sort or another.

Jim, have you been taking mind altering drugs and living in a commune? Of course there are exceptions to the rule like Medeski who I would call an organist but doesn't have a concept of the bass, pedals ect. (or maybe he does?). But I won't call a piano player who plays piano an organ an organist. Does it really matter? Yes, I think it does. People have a misconception that organ is just another kind of a piano. I don't play piano, never had a piano, and wouldn't call myself a pianist. However, I can sit down at a piano and play it. Does that make me a pianist? Maybe to some. Not to me.

Jim, you don't have $20,000 laying around to buy one? When are those guys going to make these things affordable to working musicians? Ain't that the point? I mean it is a Port-a-B ain'it...that means carting it around to 50 dollar gigs I would think. Let's see, just 400 gigs and it'll pay for itself! Anyway, would love to see Tony Monaco in person, but don't get too many major organists south of the Mason-Dixon. Ya'll have fun and don't let Tony steal Joe G.

Just was looking at the personel on "Understanding." I've listened to this LP a thousand times and it still blows me away how much MUSIC is made by these THREE....patton on organ, Hugh Walker on Drums, and Harold "Jazzbo" Alexander. I mean, to make music like this in an organ setting without another chordal instrument such as the guitar is amazing. Don Patterson could do it and you didn't notice and John Patton could as well. With other players you notice the drop-out. The longer I live the more and more amazed I am at Patton's genius.

Jack McDuff=Jack McDuffy

Try putting on Jimmy Scott's "Falling In Love Is Wonderful." Beautiful album that is one of my favs, but will definately put you in such a relaxed state you'll fall asleep. Those tempos! If you haven't heard this album, get it!

Yeah, I'm a "Reach Out" fan also. As far as playing time for Hank goes, it's in my top 5. I know that sounds ridiculous to most. Certainly many, many, many other Hank albums are "better." That said, the fact is I listen to it more than I do say "No Room For Squares." I guess it's one of my "guilty pleasures." Really looking forward to "Dippin'" being RVG'd soon. That is my second favorite Hank disc right under "Soul Station."

My first car was a 1969 Mercury Comet.

1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Metallic Chocalote Brown with woodgrain side panels. Just turned 100K miles. Minty with plush beige carpet. 4WD.