Milestones

I had not known Elvin appeared on a Kessel record.

I get the feeling that mainstream guitarists aren't talked about much around here, not even those considered "classic." I'm a big fan of Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, West Montgomery, and Grant Green--all of whom are distinctive and often quite creative. But there is something to be said for significant, yet somewhat forgotten, figures like Bukcy Pizzarelli, Herb Ellis, and Barney Kessel. I'm not sure I could even tell them apart, such as Kessel and Ellis, who were together in "Great Guitars" for a while. I've known Ellis better, in part because of his longer stint in the Peterson trio. But Kessel's work with Oscar is not to be missed, including when the group backed Lester Young. I've enjoyed The Artistry of Barney Kessel compilation and the first Poll Winners record. He was also known to accompany the greatest singers: Ella and Billie. "Great" may be too strong a word, but I'm now starting to look more deeply into Kessel's work and feeling he should not be a neglected guitarist. Any recommendations (albums or individual pieces) are welcome.

I like Oscar Peterson now more than ever. Few artists of any sort are as consistent as he was. I guess some would view "consistent" as doing too much of the same thing and not producing a handful of masterpieces. But I don't always need a masterpiece or an innovative record. I've just put together a playlist of Oscar playing Gershwin--all kinds of 1950s work primarily, but also some tracks from the fine Zoot Sims record of Gershwin (on Pablo). Sorry, but this is complete listening pleasure.

Expertise is partly knowledge. If you have listened to and appreciated particular artists, then you are some degree of expert. I also make a lot of thematic playlists: jazz and blues, jazz/world music, duos (strictly two instruments), Miles Davis sidemen, jazz artists playing Gershwin, cool jazz, etc.

Some good stuff on this BFT some revelatory stuff. I've had no experience of Nat Pierce and very little of Percy France (just one Jimmy Smith record). The latter can sure play a ballad!

Here are some I would name: Beautiful Dreamers--Bill Frisell Sixteen Sunsets--Jane Ira Bloom Last Dance--Jarrett and Haden Trip--Tom Harrell Cross Culture--Joe Lovano Everybody has a Plan--Charlie Hunter Vanished Gardens--Charles Lloyd (w. Lucinda Williams)

Well, these are the first two playlists I made of Ervin's music. Perhaps my playlists are unusual in that the majority of the tracks come from albums led by others, notably Mingus, Weston, Haynes, and Waldron. ONE: 1. Lunar Tune 2. A Day to Mourn 3. Status Seeking—Mal Waldron 4. Scoochie—Roy Haynes 5. Portrait of Vivian—Randy Weston 6. Thirteen—Mal Waldron 7. Under Paris Skies—Roy Haynes 8. Devil Woman—Charles Mingus 9. Al’s In TWO: 1. Cryin’ Blues—Mingus 2. Prayer for Passive Resistance—Mingus 3. Sketch of Melba—Haynes 4. Berkshire Blues—Weston 5. Cry Me Not 6. Mr. Wiggles 7. African Cookbook—Weston 8. Warp and Woof—Waldron 9. I Can’t Get Started 10. The Lamps is Low

What is an expert in this situation? Maybe I'm one; I've created thousands of personal playlists.

Was he an addict or a lab rat?

Yep, a famous tune for sure. I'm sure it's been covered extensively.

Track 14 also has me thinking Lew Tabackin...I guess he's in my brain today.

Track 1 is so familiar. It has that Horace Silver quality—something in that vein. I know this tune, though not this version. Nice trumpet solo. Track 2 is “Song for My Father,” one of the great tunes by Silver—and for Blue Note in general. The pianist has some Silver qualities, but other elements too—so I don’t think it’s him. The tenor is no Joe Henderson, but does his stuff well enough. Track 3 is big band style Silver. I thought maybe Chuck Israels, but his version of “Sister Sadie” is much longer. Despite the affinities to big band music, Silver sounds best to me in relatively small to mid-size bands. Track 4: I don’t know who this is, but certainly the alto imitates Hodges. Overall this is very Ellingtonian. This could be from the last decade. Track 5: Another song in the more basic Ellington mode. No idea who it is. Track 6: Nice swinging track and made memorable by the tuba. Is it Bob Stewart? Just a guess, since I doubt I can name another tuba player. Track 7: Nice relaxed saxophone duel, if a duel can be “relaxed.” Track 10: I’m not so sure about “Sippin.” The first solo sounded like Lew Tabackin.

A Cleveland guy, at that. Hale Smith and Randy Weston both scatted on one piece.

Thanks. I've heard the name Hale Smith, but can't recall what he is known for. I sure wouldn't mind this Montreux set being released on CD or even digital download. I don't think it has been.

I've discovered several videos on YouTube of Randy Weston playing at Montreux in 1985. It's called "orchestra," but looks to be eight or nine players. One of these is an old guy with a stogie who sometimes takes over the piano chair. This is before Weston's renaissance, which came about five years later. I'm not sure about these players, and the stogie guy is the biggest mystery of all. I appreciate any attempts to identify. .....Ah, I think I have most: Sahib Shihab (sp?), Benny Bailey, George Lewis, Talib Kibwe, Benny Powell (the last two at the start of their long runs with Weston). The cigar guy (still don't know him) is mainly the conductor.

Man, what hackneyed and over-driven playing on the duet album with Ella (1975)....not!

Now listening to Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

If you prefer stuff that makes money, you wouldn't be on a jazz forum.

Sad to say, I did not know the name. However, I was just listening to Ella's Christmas record and wondering who was producing the fine work on vibes.

I'm sure Downbeat has always had a decent number of good reviewers. But every now and then I see an original one that shows just how far off the mark they could be. The most famous must be zero stars for Free Jazz.

That's going way back. I don't think I've heard anything by Oscar from those years.

What's on the Mosaic set? I'm not familiar with that.

Have we not put it to bed?

Yes, time to put that other issue to bed. I was trying to steer the thread into Oscar plays "sounds of the season."

I like a fair amount of the Pablo records, especially Live! from 1986. He often had Joe Pass in the band and those two could really rip it up--and often did. But this had the interesting "Bach Suite" (3 parts) with a mellow Andante--and the album closes with the beautiful ballad "If You Only Knew."