Milestones

I'm glad it worked out. Computers are scary things, but we've reached the point where we can't live without them.

I hope you can salvage your valuable files. I lost a lot when my last compute died last year, and then I made the switch to Apple--I had so much testimony, including from people very close to me, that it was the superior product. I don't feel qualified to give technical advice (several others have), but I wish you the best of luck.

Lately I've been going through a lot of Herbie Hancock, as both leader and sideman, in my collection. Some of the most notable recordings are three Blue Note albums by Hutcherson, with Happenings and Oblique in quartet format. Naturally, Hancock is featured prominently, and he provides absolutely superb playing--from delicate lyricism to being pretty damned out on "Oblique" and "Bi-Sectional." This is just about the best stuff you can hear in this format, virtually on a par with MJQ--bearing in mind that this group sounds nothing like MJQ. Or we can just look at these records as some of the most essential work of Hutcherson and Hancock--individually and together. Unfortunately, the two musicians seemingly got together very rarely in later years. Unless there are some things you can point to.

I visited the Motown Museum for the first time last year--very cool place!

Yes, but most jazz artists are prolific up until the end, sometimes putting out mostly concert recordings.

Which is why it's strange that there have been no releases for such a long stretch.

So does anyone know why Herbie has not released an album in 14 years?

So much good stuff beyond the work with Miles and the Blue Notes. I like Quartet, which has the Miles rhythm section with Wynton Marsalis (even those who don't like Wynton might enjoy his work here). I love "A Quick Sketch," which at over 16 minutes is hardly quick. Parallel Realities--intriguing trio with Jack DeJohnette and pat Metheny. Gershwin's World is pretty good, much better than the others featuring "guests." 1+1 with Wayne has its moments, though I can't sit through the full duration.

I have quietly realized that Herbie is one of my all-time favorite jazz musicians. He had that nice run on Blue Note, starting with one of the finest debuts in jazz history, Takin' Off. There was the great work in the Miles quintet and many fine sideman appearances. He followed Miles into fusion. I liked Mwandishi, but not so much Head Hunters. Then all that work with his old mates from the Miles band. He seemed to largely revert to acoustic piano, with most of his records for several decades featuring traditional keys. I always thought he was doing interesting things--sometimes quite successfully, and at other times just...interesting. His odd The Imagine Project, with a cast of seemingly hundreds, is (I believe) his last record as of this date. That was way back in 2010. I believe he has toured a good deal with Terence Blanchard in recent years. Herbie is certainly up there in years, but I've love to see a couple more jazz releases. Something, Herbie, something...it's been 14 years.

I didn't know Dave had been around all these years. I recall him being on several records by (and with) Grant Green.

Yep. And early this year I lost a big chunk of music, so it has actually been fun to re-acquire albums and actually listen to some stuff I had ignored for a decade or more. But to pursue another aspect, I found that several people said they do not borrow from libraries. I have found public and college libraries to be an absolute treasure trove for jazz (and other) music.

We all have different experiences. I recall buying LPs and CD's and feeling that rush as I'd spin them and listen with full attention. That's a rare thing anymore.

The ultimate point that these days we tend to access a great deal of music that we don't listen to (or only partially listen to).

I have enjoyed groups with two guitarists (sometimes just two alone), but three has not really done if for me. In fact, I have been been checking out the recently released Saturday Night in San Francisco by McLaughlin, DiMeola, and De Lucia. I was never much into that group, even though I am a huge McLaughlin fan. A few outstanding tracks, such as "David" and "Beyond the Mirage." But in general too fast, too crowded, too showy. But I too like the jazz guitar band by Kenny Burrell, which featured Rodney Jones and Bobby Broom (plus bass and drums). I think I'm long past the point of being a speed freak, and too often that seems to be the purpose.

Could it be Dolphy himself on #3? It's either Eric or a dead ringer.

I would say Mingus Moves, Changes One, and Changes Two are the three essentials of Mingus' last decade.

Certainly a diverse set of tunes. The second track sounds a bit like Michael Brecker, but not his his organ album with Larry Goldings. It's probably someone influenced by Brecker. On the third I'm thinking Oliver Lake (in Dolphy mode) and David Murray. Maybe Jay Hoggard on vibes. The seventh track is a Mingus tune, but can't think of the title. It might be the man himself, as the players sound like George Adams and Don Pullen. Ah, the song is "Opus 4."

The "Song Book" records would be a good choice, especially Porter and Gershwin....thinking the same! 😀

Ah, that's a lot of stuff to consider. I guess Christmas is on my brain, with Thanksgiving (these days) being just a prelude to Christmas. But let's think about this. How often did Ella produce anything second-rate?

Not sure what's out there with Ella. I'm sure she recorded plenty of Christmas albums/songs. I have heard Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas--upbeat and more pop-oriented (even has Frosty" and Rudolph)." But there is also Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas, which has the traditional carols and features Ella's softer and more spiritual side. I prefer the latter record.

Damn, I missed this entirely. I tend to agree that jazz greats (and Carla was one) often don't get the obit they deserve. I have not been checking out the obituaries. Rather, my first instinct has been to listen to some of her music. I became a big fan relatively late in my passion for jazz. But Carla Bley was someone to follow--the music creative, moving, humorous. The big band records are the most memorable, but I also really like the 4+4 octet album. She could work it in any size, including those duo and trio albums. Great collaborators and collaborations--Charlie Haden, Steve Swallow, Lew Soloff, Gary Valente. Great musicians have to die, but their music does not. R.I.P., Carla.

I am really feeling my ignorance--in that I don't know nearly enough about the great Aretha Franklin. I owned only one of her albums (a good one) and otherwise knew her by the hits. Clearly a great a singer, but now I have to think one of the greatest EVER and I'm realizing howe diverse she was. On some of her albums you find players like Frank Wess, Bernie Glow, Snooky Young, Grady Tate, and many more. Kenny Burrell is a major presence on the jazzy small group records Yeah. So jazz was part of who she was, along with gospel, soul, blues, pop, and much more. It seems like she's always committed and highly expressive. Why the hell have I slept on Aretha Franklin?

Yep!

It was cool just to see some jazz greats talking, such as Randy Weston and Jimmy Heath (no longer with us) and Sonny (retired). There is a wonderful hour-long concert of Max and Weston on YouTube: San Sebastian, 1999.