Soul Stream

Monk was himself on the piano. He achieved the ultimate goal. Isn't that the end game?

I think this is when John was in, as his wife Thelma once described it, his "way underground" years. My guess is that John probably didn't play electric piano at all, and it was just a one off studio thing. My feeling from John was that he never turned to other instruments like the electric piano and synths in the B3's unpopular era. He simply sat it out for the most part playing organ where/when he could and teaching music in NYC public school to "troubled kids." (A job he hated, but did to get through the lean times). But yeah, it's cool to hear John on the Rhodes. I've got that album but haven't played it in a long time. Send In The Clowns kills me. I really dig that neglected era in a lot of ways.

This may be old news, but I just discovered some really cool hour-long podcasts you can download from iTunes for free. NPR's Jazz Profiles hosted by Nancy Wilson collects rare interviews with music and biography. This Jimmy Smith podcast had plenty of Jimmy in his own words (as do all the other podcasts). So far I've listened to the Melba Liston, Jimmy and Jackie but am looking forward to them all. I take long walks, and this is perfect for that.

I just rented the Stones "Shine A Light" DVD. Not sure what we should expect from people like the Stones or Dylan at this point. Pretty boring watching Mick and crew be millionaires onstage. At least Dylan seems to at least aspire to an artistic goal, even if he fails in many's eyes. Rock + Age just isn't a good combination.

zing. That said. I know he takes measures to rework his songs and interpretations to keep them interesting to himself, not sure he cares too much about whether joe front or back row give a damn. Also find it interesting he and his band rehearse everyday before the show when they're on tour. That demonstrates a level of commitment for a traveling group I doubt many on his level would care to attain.

I'd have to say congrats actually.... Robert Walter's record is below ya'lls, or hovering around it...and I'm sure he's an organist that has a lot more push from the record company and media. Also, there's some big money that's been put behind plenty of those records on that chart. And to have a self-financed, self-produced, done-in-your-basement CD competing is pretty awesome no matter what the chart is!!!!! Great going ya'll!

That's it. Thanks Chuck!!!

I was listening to a podcast on Melba Liston and they played a Randy Weston track of Hi Fly that she arranged as a ballad. Is anybody familiar with this...what album is it on?

Happy Birthday Uncle Don!

I have an Marantz I bought new when I was a kid and still have. 4 big Sansui speakers my dad bought when he was in Viet Nam and a Pioneer tuntable. When I really want to enjoy one of my favorite sessions I'll put on this setup...sit back and let the sound bounce around my wooden floor and enjoy the hell out of it. It's a big difference than what comes out of my computer speaker or the sound of my car stereo or ipod with earphones.... . I would what you call a wanna be audiophile...If I had the bread I probably would be! I dig great sound!

I got both and they're both getting LOTS of play in the car...Great stuff, and nice and different. Sometimes the commerciality of something just appeals to the anti-Andrew Hill in me.

Well, maybe it's MOST like Lou Donaldson's "Cosmos"...ya know...the background voices, strings, orch....but, I don't know. Maybe I've just listened so much to everything that ANYTHING new on Blue Note with a B3 that I haven't heard I'm diggin'

Al...Set Us Free ain't nothing like Love Bug or Blue Mode. It's more like Reuben Wilson's version of the same thing McDuff did with Moon Rappin' or Who Know's What's Tommorrow Gonna Bring. I've really been digging it if you put it in that context. It's no Love Bug, but if you like those later McDuff Blue Note's, I think you'll like this one.

Forgot how much I dug Curtis Fuller's "The Opener." I've had it on the Mosaic Box, but rarely put that whole thing out. I named my son after Curtis Fuller and now I'm reminded why! What a lineup on that album.

Wow...pretty good guess Mike. You nailed two of the batch that came out.

OK....RARE GROOVES ARE OFFICALLY BACK!!!!!!! DIG IT!!!!! Picked up three yesterday...Reuben Wilson "Set Us Free"....Three Sounds "Soul Symphony"....Gene Harris "Elegant Soul". LOVE all of them, nice to hear new sounds from this era. I have a real affection for this Rare Groove series and it was nice to see the "Rare Grooves" logo proudly snaking down front spine. THANKS BLUE NOTE!

Think there's a "best of McDuff on Concord" that's a 2 CD set that pretty much says it all. It's all worth hearing and having if you're a big organ fan. If you just are getting your feet wet stick with the Prestige stuff McDuff did.

Nice anecdote. Cool that Hubert Sumlin was a fan and friend of Baby Face Willette. I have the feeling that musicians are often more admiring and appreciative of musicians of other genres than fans are. How does Mr. Sumlin's health seem to be? I haven't heard him live for over 15 years, but I recently saw a video from a year or so ago, and he didn't appear to be all that well - tho his playing was fine. Hope he's ok. His health wasn't all that great a few years ago. He had lung cancer and they took out one lung. That said, he now seems to be 100%. I don't think I've ever heard him play so great as he did Saturday night, and I've seen him several times over the last 10 or 15 years. His tone and touch were unbelievable.... We did Sittin On Top Of The World with just organ, drums & guitar and his singing and playing gave me goose bumps in the middle of it.

Saturday night I played an organ trio gig backing up Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf's longtime guitarist. Since Hubert is a Southside Chicago guy, I asked him about Baby Face. Man, his eyes lit up and he just was in disbelief..."Baby Face Willette?!" He went on to add that he was friends with him and talked about going to see him play and what a bad organist he was. Also profusely talked about what a nice cat he was. Pretty cool.

This is just not true. Listen to Baby Face on They Can't Take That Away From Me or Misty or any other of the standards he approached. He was an all around bad mf. Larry Young isn't better than Face... just "as good." That's my honest beleif. We all need to get over the McCoy Tyner-isms of life and move on to other, more pressing issues like truth and beauty.

WOW MG!!! Up for air...never saw this post. Where did you get this information?

Too bad he doesn't own any of the new 45 RPM Blue Note reissues.... (they really do sound awesome).

Starting...well, "Boss Tenor" on Prestige is widely regarded as his masterpiece. But to be honest, Gene was so consistent ALL of his recordings are pretty much terriffic. I find myself coming back to Blue Gene and a lot of his Prestige "jam" LPs. Also, "The Boss Is Back"...his first recording after a lengthy prison stay and a personal favorite..."Brother Jack meets The Boss"

Ed, ol pal! Great to hear from you again. I remember when all that went down, and now it's great to hear you've come through all the trials and tribulations with a happy ending. Congratulations!!! Mike

I pulled out Up At Minton's the other day, just because of all the praise. Personally, I just don't see how this one ranks so high on most people's list. Turrentine did such a huge number of sessions, and I'm not convinced this was one of his best. I wonder if anyone could single out just one track that they think is really above average on the Minton's date.