Milestones

True, a bit overplayed, though I did (and still do) like Jay Hoggard's version a lot. Burrell did not play on it, though the two did hook up on what I regard as a fine record: "Guiding Spirit."

I like Togethering quite a bit, though I thought it would be better. I really liked the two tunes by Kenny and Grover on the Blue Note re-launch (One Night with Blue Note): "Summertime" and "I'm so Glad There is You." While Togethering didn't quite reach that level, it's certainly listenable.

I pretty much liked earlier versions of the Burton/Corea duo, but now it doesn't seem to do much for me. Not sure why that is. On the new record, I like their take on "Eleanor Rigby, and I like Monk's "Light Blue." Otherwise, nothing stands out at all.

There's definitely some awesome chemistry between Chick and the great Roy Haynes. Chick has put out comparatively few trio dates (at least the more official ones), but when he has Roy Haynes is usually behind the kit. The tribute to Monk on "Trio Music" is simply superb.

I think I have defined joy too narrowly. There has been an impressive response to this topic, and amazing variety on the thread--in terms of the breadth of artists and so many types of musical joy. I will say that fun or humor are a particular branch of joy, and that joy itself comes in many shades. And clearly many of find particular musicians as exemplars of joy--that their essence is joyful. For me, Cannonball would be one. So would Dizzy, so would Satchmo, so would Horace Silver. But the main purpose of the thread was/is to name individual pieces that are simply bursting with joy.

You're right...if you aren't hearing the joy in Roland Kirk, you just aren't alive.

I'm sure most would agree that one of the great achievements in music is pure joy. It is also perhaps relatively rare, at least at the highest level. Jazz can be snappy, bouncy, and exciting--but how often is it totally exhilarating? What I mean is that it can instantly lift your spirits, when you are in an utterly crappy mood, within seconds. The argument has been made that jazz was a happier music in its earlier days. To get that sense of elation, put on Louis Armstrong or Basie (especially with Jimmy Rushing) or Woody Herman's "Caldonia." In the bebop era, naturally you have to go with Dizzy; few musicians have ever been so joyful, though of course it is just one of his moods (and all the greats have several moods). Sonny Rollins...the calpyso music...I would especially say "Duke of Iron." In our own days, it's not so obvious. Yes, it's there in a subtle way in a lot of musicians. But what's there that makes you jump out of your seat? Two I can think of "Mister Pitiful" by Dave Douglas and "Cameroon" by Mike Stern and Richard Bona. Your comments please.

Seriously, are some going to argue that Chick is NOT an amazingly eclectic musician and creative force? Since he clearly is that, one needs a lot of records by him.

Stern is getting pretty old for a long-haired metal guitarist, as some like to think of him. Frisell, Scofield, and Metheny are no youngsters either. JETman, agreed--that first RTF is indeed a classic and contains not one bit of bombast.

Yep, he shows a lot of creativity, vitality, and versatility. More than ever we are seeing some remarkable things from musicians his age (like John McLaughlin) and from some only a bit younger (like Tom Harrell and Mike Stern).

Not much good can be said about "dianetics" or "diabetics." He's done more than one tribute to L. Ron, so let's throw him under the bus.

I guess some people can't accept that an artist can produce a good deal of quality work (or even any quality work) at a somewhat advanced age. That's a very odd notion to me, especially when it comes to jazz music.

I want to pose the question of whether Chick is at a peak, or whether he is over-exposed. It it is tough to keep up. The 2-disc "Forever." The 2-disc trio with Eddie Gomez and Paul Motian. "Hot House" with Burton. "The Continents"(I think 2 discs; I have not heard it). A couple of sets featuring RTF. And he has not yet documented a trio with Christian McBride and Brian Blade, which I saw a couple of years ago in Oberlin, Ohio. Anyway, I know there is more...maybe a couple of sets of piano duets, and going back (but not much) the Five Peace Band. There seems no stopping him. I've enjoyed his music for a long time, but it's not possible to keep up on the listening.

Maybe we can turn this in another direction? What guitarists show Burrell's influence? Which contain elements of his style and approach? I followed Mark Whitfield in his Verve heyday. I see some similarities. Of course, many regarded him as too conservative and retro. Let me be clear (for what it's worth) that I'm also a big fan of more modern guitar like Frisell, Metheny, and Scofield. Bear in mind, they are no longer young musicians--haven't been for quite awhile.

I don't see much fighting here at Organissimo, unlike other Forums I have used. It's odd to think there would be a fight over Burrell. He might not be everyone's cup of tea, but he is not the kind of musician who would spark controversy.

I mentioned Ellington is Forever right off the bat. Kenny's love of Ellington's music is legendary, and I'm sure many of you know that he has taught college courses on Duke. I don't know if the two CDs correspond perfectly to the original LPs, but they are very lengthy and it's quite a cast of players, with all those mentioned by Fasstrack and more (also Nat Adderley, Gary Bartz, Jimmy Smith, and Quentin Jackson).

The early Blue Note sessions contain some great stuff, such as a solo "But Not for Me" and a superb version of "Nica's Dream."

Based on online samples, I have to say Out of the Storm (Thigpen) sounds wonderful...something to acquire.

King Ubu, it sounds like you have more Kenny as a sideman than I do. He is naturally a contributor to any setting or situation. Another good one is Portraits in Jazz and Clave by Ray Barretto.

I regard Generation as a true classic. The follow-up album, Pieces of Blue and the Blues, is also very good--especially the opener, "Confessin' the Blues" (Kenny opens on acoustic and ends on electric). Jazz/blues doesn't get any better.

I'm not being allowed access either.

I started up the George Benson discussion, and I've been following some other guitar threads. I'm a big fan of Kenny Burrell. While not one of my earliest jazz discoveries, he became a big favorite; and of all mainstream jazz guitarists, I listen to him the most. He is such a tasteful player and a true master of bop, blues, and ballads. I thought Be Yourself (a live date ) was quite good. I have not heard his recent solo album. There are many outstanding records over a very long career, and certainly it's useful to follow his work as a sideman. As leader: Midnight Blue (one of the great blues records) Ellington is Forever (I favor Vol. 2) Generation (the 3-guitar band with Rodney Jones and Bobby Broom) Guiding Spirit (with Jay Hoggard)

For what it's worth, I've heard John McLaughlin calling Farlow a major influence.

"Cameroon" by Mike Stern, featuring Richard Bona.

I downloaded some stuff by Herb Ellis--something like 5 original albums from the 50s, with the order rather skewed. It was less than 5 bucks as a I recall. There are similar sets from Grant Green and many others. Is that the kind of stuff you mean? Maybe I haven't listened closely enough, but I'm not having an issue with sound quality.