Milestones

Jerry Stiller was so great and hilarious as Arthur Spooner--a timeless comedic character. Rest in peace.

This is the first I have ever heard of (much less heard) Esquerita. That sure sounds like a lot of influence on Little Richard. Shouldn't Esquerita get more credit in the development of rock 'n roll?

Ron Carter secured a spot among GREAT musicians (not just bassists) 50 years ago. He has continued to work and build the legacy. Happy birthday to one of the great living masters!

Number 13: This was identified as “Come Sunday.” It is certainly a most unusual version, surprisingly brisk in tempo. Good stuff, particularly Cedar’s solo; and I would have mistaken Junior Cook for Joe Henderson. Number 14: I can’t guess on this one. The rhythm seems a little rigid, but that’s a nice brawny tenor solo.

On #8 everyone would recognize the song: "All the Things You Are." I'm thinking that the singer is not American. Maybe French? A lot of space given to various band members, who all sound good. But I have no guess here. Number 9 is “Jitterbug Waltz.” Reminds me of a bit of Art Tatum, though someone without Tatum’s chops. Still, this is clearly a very skilled player. I don’t usually gravitate toward solo piano, but this is some nice stuff. On #10 I'm not sure about the instrument. It sounded like soprano sax at first, but maybe some kind of clarinet. I like how the performance is very concise. To me this has something of a Steve Lacy quality in concept and feel, though the reed player does not sound at all like Lacy. Number 11 This seems both bouncy and avant garde. No guess. Number 12: Here’s another that's in the Ornette mode. That sure as hell sounds like Ed Blackwell doing the drumming.

On #6, I think Masada would be a reasonable guess. Not that I feel at all certain. I've not heard Masada in quite some time, and they seemed to put a more distinctive spin on the Ornette style. Then again, the alto does some pretty freaked out stuff that might very well be Zorn.

Here are responses to the early tracks: 1. Nice boppish piece. It sounds like these guys have listened to plenty of Blue Note records; maybe they are on Blue Note. It is an unusually short piece. No guesses. 2. Some nice tenor and piano, but no idea. 3. This is a pretty unusual piece. The rhythm is funky in a modern, almost smooth jazz way; the sax sounds pretty “out” with the screeching. The pianist seems to have something of Herbie Hancock’s style. 4. Fun track. Would this be in the “jump blues” vein? Elements of Louis Jordan, though also different in many respects—and certainly more modern. Some nice wailing on the baritone sax. 5. And now for something completely different! Seems like something along the lines of Kronos Quartet, though with expanded personnel. Nice driving rhythm, and a pretty out there guitar solo. Maybe James Blood Ulmer? Cool drum solo. I find this to be the most intriguing track so far. 6. Wow, the alto sure has Ornette qualities, though he/she really favors the upper register. The rhythm is Ornette-like too. I don’t think it’s Ornette, but this group is trying to approximate the sound of his early quartets on Atlantic. 7. This is starting as a complete oasis of peace after the previous track. Now adopting something of an African feel. It’s well-played, but it could use more intensity. There is some good stuff here, and plenty of diversity. Also seems like a pretty tough BFT.

I own Lester Bowie, Duke, Tyner, and Carla Bley. I got all of them, though in some cases it took some work to get specific. Love that Ed Palermo album cover.

I've tried this and it's still coming out the same. Maybe I missed something. I'm thinking the intent is to get back to the original setting.

I use Windows and Word is through Microsoft 365 Pro Plus.

I'm sure many of us here use Microsoft Word. I've used it for decades and had no issues on how it checked spelling and grammar. Yet now I find it somehow changed from "spelling and grammar" to "editor" (when one goes to "review"). I find that it now fails to recognize sentence fragments, and it seems to mostly fail at flagging improperly placed commas. I've messaged a few people about this, and they don't seem to know what I'm talking about. But I have seen people complain on a Microsoft forum. Has anyone else dealt with this? Is there a solution?

I just realized that Walton and Higgins were on A Tribute to Lee Morgan, a pretty decent record with Joe Lovano, Eddie Henderson, and Grover Washington.

Walton and Higgins are brilliant on this, Jackie's last recording. Jackie's playing is great too.

Today I'll say "Passion Dance" and for that matter the rest of the tracks on this classic. It's hard to imagine more powerful statements from key Blue Note players McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson, and Elvin Jones.

Can we do a "Top 10" at least?

I'm very partial to this record, especially their rendition of "Lover Man."

Listening to Sound of Surprise, with John Abercrombie (also passed) on most tracks. One of my favorite Lee Konitz records.

R.I.P. Mr. Konitz I don' know how many sax players of his stature and even close to his age are still left.

R.I.P. Jymie Merritt I believe Curtis Fuller, still alive, was on some of the those records from when Merritt was in the Messengers.

A month ago we lost one of modern jazz's greatest players. In my opinion, he was also among the greatest composers. Below is just the cream of the crop: Passion Dance Search for Peace Sunset African Village Vision Smitty's Place Contemplation Blues on the Corner The Greeting The High Priest Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit Fly With the Wind Sama Layuca Celestial Chant Beyond the Sun Espanola You Taught My Heart to Sing Three Flowers Effendi Flying High New Orleans Stomp

This was when? About 1962-64?

I'm most impressed by the Jim Hall records--a very diverse set, all of them rather interesting, most of them highly successful. Among Tyner's records, I like the last one best: Illuminations. This is an all-star group that is really in-sync. I like how it breaks down to smaller groups on several tracks, including a piano/bass duet on "West Philly Tone Poem."

Seems to me that Duke owed a lot of his piano style (or at least one of his styles) to Johnson.

#12 is "Theme for Nana" by Tyner with Joe Ford on flute. The album is Focal Point. I have this record. I've been listening to a ton of Tyner's music lately, but had not gotten around to this one. It looks like it's underrated. Good stuff, and thanks for including the great McCoy Tyner.

Duke with New Orleans Suite....I have not heard that one in ages. I do recall it having some prominent flute, which is the only record of his for which that is true (as far as I know). On #11 Ahmed Abdul-Malik makes perfect sense.