The Magnificent Goldberg

Having breakfast MG

This is the clip from Jazz Expo '69 in London that was posted on another thread a few days ago. It seems to be the only bit of GG video in existence. (Will someone please give me idiot-proof instructions on how to link one thread to another?) MG

I hear you but disagree, Chuck, because I write songs and this one is a ballad with a lyric I wrote (with good suggestions from my friend Frank Reilly which I used). It's gotten a positive reaction from musicians and singers far older and wiser than me, non-musical people who heard the demo, and audiences. Ultimately I like it, and I'll live with the consequences regardless. I also have a piece I want to do that's completely composed, not a note of jazz in it, and in 4/8. I have a wide range of interests and know some terrific musicians who are willing to go along for the ride, so why not? The unifying theme in the artists I most admire and my own playing and writing such as they are is a love of melody, human feeling, and storytelling. I also like music that makes me move my body. Some people call that swing. If something doesn't seem like it fits in on one project I'll leave it in the can til it does. The mistake people make is not recording music. It's putting it all together on any release, 1st or 100th, in a way where it makes no musical, dramatic, or logical sense. But I've found that the Boy Scouts were right: be prepared. Bring more than you need and get it down. You can always use it later. Finally, I love good songs and good singers as much as good players. My attitude playing before the public is not "check out my far-out version of this song. Ain't I a creative MF?", it's "Isn't this a great song? I want to play it for you." Good on ya. MG

It’s the day for remembering the great Milt Buckner, who was born on 10 July 1915, in St Louis, MO. Milt (with Wild Bill Davis and Bill Doggett) was one of the three great pre-Jimmy Smith organists. I think these guys are too often forgotten. Not by Pete Fallico, however, who has put a good bio and appreciation of Milt’s style on his Doodlin’ Lounge website, here http://www.doodlinlounge.com/Stories/Buckner.html There is also a very good, illustrated, discography of Milt’s recordings by Armin Buttner on the web. Part one, which covers the period 1941-1963, is here http://www.jazzdocumentation.ch/buckner/di...y/buckner1.html Part two covers the period 1966-1973 and is here http://www.jazzdocumentation.ch/buckner/di...y/buckner2.html And part three, covering the period 1974-1977, is here http://www.jazzdocumentation.ch/buckner/di...y/buckner3.html Much is made of Milt’s development of the locked hands approach to piano playing, which he took over to his organ work. What’s not emphasised is that, when you approach the organ like that, what you have is a FUNK WEAPON. And as a funk weapon, Milt is at his most superb on “Green onions” (available from Amazon France) and on two albums with Illinois Jacquet: “Go power”; and “The soul explosion” If you only get three of Buckner’s albums, get those; they are MIGHTY! But the locked hands approach also leads to a powerful and effective way of playing ballads. So then get some of his marvellous “Midnight slows” series. Throughout Milt’s work, whether funky or sexy slow ballads, or up-tempo swing oriented material, there is more joy and exuberance than you find in most other jazz musicians; truly, Milt was a child of the Hampton band! MG

WTF - end of story. MG

I enjoyed the match, though I was supporting France. I even enjoyed the headbutt - adds spice for the audience. After all, it's only entertainment. MG

Phenomenal ! Don't miss.. Not to mention the great Andy Warhol cover art!! Oh, that's THAT one! Oh yes. MG

Very sad news. "The bottle" is "Winter in America", originally issued on Strata-East. It was reissued on CD in Europe by Bellaphon (660-51-015) in 1992. I bought my copy off Gil, when he played here soon afterwards. Don't know if this is still available. MG

Same here, except I don't have my copy anymore. I just remember Spaulding's playing annoying the heck outta me. Not sure if that opinion would change much since his playing still does that to me on other records (Shorter's SCHIZOPHRENIA jumps immediately to mind). I would say Spaulding's playing is a little more accessible on this. Try it again Al. I think James Spaulding's most accessible playing is on "Wild" by Larry "Wild" Wrice (PJ24). I think it was Spaulding's first recording. Very nice session. MG

Thanks Claude. I wonder if that's why I could always hear Bobby Hutcherson better on my mono copy of "Let 'em roll" than on my mate's stereo copy. I deliberately bought the mono version because of that. MG Perhaps it's just me, though.

You're right Chewy. I keep seeing people posting about some flaws on one or two tracks of such and such. I wonder if people would prefer a perfect mono master to be substituted for a stereo master with something wrong with it. Or, if not substituted, let both versions be put on the CD, as you've suggested. I suppose it depends on how bad the flaw is. I have a strong feeling that I, for one, couldn't hear the differences some people think are horrendous. MG

I don't have the Mosaic, but I can scan and e-mail you the discography from "The complete Imperial recordings" (doesn't give original issue numbers though). Unfortunately, there isn't a full discography to "The Complete Capitol & B&W recordings" - just dates, no personnel. Let me know if this is a bit useful. MG

Johnny Griffin and Sonny Clark at their prime! The Conn sounded blah, so hopefully the RVG will be eons better. Thanks - didn't know Sonny was on it. Another! (Scream from bank account, subtly muted). MG

Two there I'm definitely interested in; the Mobley and the Quebec, which I've only got on LP. What's "The congregation" like? That one might be another I get. MG

Is that an LP or CD? Can't find anything on the web - is the spelling correct? Sounds interesting, and with Ferris ..... African Jazz or what? Not jazz - contemporary Mandinke music. Oumou is a pretty famous (both) lady djali with monster sex appeal, whose work is mainly concerned with elevating women in Mandinke society. It's a CD - I bought it in FNAC in Paris in 1994. It didn't play when I got it back home, so I bought another from my normal (at the time) UK supplier, when he got it a few months later. And when I got a new CD player, I found both copies played OK. Do you want the spare? MG

I'm going to bed after Eric Kloss is finished, but I'll think about Hank. Didn't know it was his birthday today. Mostly, I'll think that "Far away lands" and "Thinking of home" are my fave MOBBLEEEES. MG (It was Tiny Grimes' birthday yesterday and I neglected that date. I'm gettin' past it.)

Very nice indeed. I liked the pianist, too. Wonder who he was. Sounded a bit like Nat Cole. My favourite Peggy Lee is "If you go", from about 1961, very intimately arranged by Quincy Jones. She does some unusual songs. MG

Have a good time there, as well as working hard! Rudy and Ralph are good 'uns. MG

Nice session - it comes off the shelf every few months here. MG

Thanks for the info Akanalog. Keep us posted. MG

New strip for goalies looks different. MG

New uniform for goalies looks different. MG

Anyone know anything about this one? Looks kind of irresistible to me. MG

Yes. Have you got the CD "Genius + Soul = Jazz Live" done at the Paris Olympia in Oct '61? Don is on that and takes a beautiful solo on "Come rain or come shine", which is not only the best solo he's ever done but, in my view, one of the ten great tenor solos ever. MG

Just found (remembered) I have another album with Allen Hoist; "Fourou" by Oumou Dioubate (Gefraco KL 070). Allen (one of two tenor players, but I think it's him) plays a passionate solo on "Mori ba djassa". Glenn Ferris is on trombone on this album, as well. MG