Alexander Hawkins

The quartet stuff is HEAVY!!! I can't get over it. So far, I've listened to - and am listening to - the Black Saint quartet albums from 1984 and 1986, and the Birmingham and Coventry dates. I don't understand the accusations that he doesn't swing, either. Perhaps I shouldn't be concerned. In one sense, he's not trying to, a lot of the time. But when they do deliberately lock into something, it swings for me!

I'd love to hear this front line. I don't know Michael Buckley, but Peter King...What can I say? Kenny Clarke and Bud Powell can't have been wrong, for starters...

Well, I've managed to pick up 'The Fifth Power'. This is a great record! I'm really enjoying everyone's playing on it. I really like what they do to the spiritual. Having been sidetracked after asking the initial question in this thread, I never did get around to 'Salutes Bessie Smith'. I intend to rectify that online, and now! I'm really looking forwards to it. I still listen to the Muhal record lots. She's got a really great voice, too. Are there any in print CDs of her playing organ?

Sonny Rollins here in London. Staggering. Followed, distantly, by everything else...That's the way Sonny Rollins concerts are supposed to leave you feeling, I guess! But in all seriousness, 2nd up, Anthony Braxton's extraordinary quintet gig in London last year.

Sorry, that came out a bit bolshy! I stand by the point, in a more subtle form, but apologise for appearing antagonistic. Came out wrong!

I have to say, although I like Evans well enough (not a favourite by any means), I CAN'T STAND the hordes of sub-Evans derivatives. Seems that every 'schooled' piano player has to have the Bill Evans sound. Lots of piano players seem to hold an Evans-Hancock-Jarrett tryptich in much the same mystical regard that heavily 'schooled' horn players hold Michael Brecker.

Sonny at the VV. Dolphy at the Five Spot. Two I'm not sure whether or not should count: Those 50s Tatum tapes from the private party in Hollywood (names escape me just now) The tapes of that Clifford Brown jam session that last night...Donna Lee on this. Wow...

Oh no, hang on, my mistake. She squanders my taxes in return for eating smart dinners and meeting heads of state on my account.

'And what do you do?' is definitely a question I'd like to bounce back at the Queen. Beats me.

This is a really interesting way to think about it...And this: is making me think too!

Interesting...I guess that's in part what makes this stuff so fascinating. I agree with him that 'I Can't Get Started' is great. Back to the playing changes point, it's interesting to hear him negotiating charts like 'Giant Steps' and 'Countdown', on which it's harder just to run the scale of the home key. As well as playing interestingly (let's face it, the number of players who tediously runs patterns over those tunes is large!), he nevertheless pretty clearly outlines the harmony. I think, though, that as you say, it's a different enterprise to the CP project. Which perhaps makes it interesting that he should occasionally sound suspect to you over the freer forms of the Charlie Parker set...I'm going to have to listen to it for myself!

Nate – I was having a think about this, listening to the recent 23 Standards…In fairness, I haven’t heard the Charlie Parker Project yet – would love to, of course – but think it shows Braxton ‘playing the changes’ to pretty good advantage. If I find some time, I might transcribe a couple of things myself from this box (I particularly like ‘It’s a Raggy Waltz’ at the moment – great tune!). I think one thing which will make it a little tricky is his articulation, especially in longer flurries of even length notes, which is pretty unique. I guess from your own (and other) reviews of the Parker album that it’s a slightly different enterprise from the Standards box, so I don’t know if you find comparable issues in Braxton’s playing on the latter?

p.s. I would add that the shortcomings on 'Reese...' are entirely my own - I know lots of people speak incredibly highly of it!

I think 'Message to our Folks' is also issued somewhere with 'A Jackson in your House'. This - the two album incarnation - was the first Art Ensemble I bought, and it immediately attracted me. I think, with a little bit of perspective now, that it gives a good broad representation as well: the longer forms, with lots of quiet work ('A Brain for the Seine', 'Song for Charles'); the funkier stuff ('Rock Out'); the humour (is it 'Get in Line'? In any case, the first two tracks of 'Jackson...' especially); the ritual ('Old Time Religion'); the respect for what's been before ('Dexterity'); and lots else besides. I still haven't really clicked with 'Reese...' the way I have with other AEC albums, but I'm sure it'll come!

Right - I had forgotten! I'd be really interested to get that, actually. Rochford's a great player too.

I saw him a few years ago with Elvin, and was blown away by his power as much as anything else (and I don't mean that in a pejorative sense). I thought I started a thread on him at the time, but maybe that was on the BNBB...In any case, although I've heard little (nothing?) from him since, he definitely made a mark. The Tatum comparison is not one I had thought of, but apt!

Bev, have you heard the Seb Rochford group 'Polar Bear'? They're great. I really enjoy Pete Wareham's tenor.

Wow, I wish I could see the Grimes gig.

Thanks for all the input...I've got a lot to get stuck into here! So much music...

Thanks for the disco. information. I'm really enjoying Jimmy Lyons on this. It's also fun to hear all the quoting going on; serious music with people not taking themselves too seriously - an ideal way! 'What's New?' is extraordinary.

Thank you!

Interesting - thank you! When I have the money, I'd love that Ayler box. To ask a slightly different question now... I have the two BNs. If I'm interested in this smaller group Taylor - and the post-Candid sound - I wonder where to go next? Are things like 'It is in the Brewing Luminous' and 'One too Many...' cognate in any way? Thanks!

Wow, that must have been very exciting to hear them live. To imagine it sounds so new and daring now, but then..!

Oh, and forgot to ask a quick discographical question... Although the jacket only lists 4 track on the CD, my player lists 6, with the 5th being only ambient noise. Is this right? Thanks!

I've just listened to this Cecil Taylor recording for the first time. It's really wonderful. From the relatively little Taylor I know, it seems to be the first really mature playing? I don't know if that's fair or not. Anyway, the playing is captivating, on the part of Taylor, Jimmy Lyons, and Sunny Murray. Is there any other readily available Taylor from this period? Perhaps from the same stay in Europe? In any case, just thought I'd say how much I am enjoying this...And am only through the first CD!