Sundog

I thought it was just me. My copy was also gathering dust for a long time before I gave it a serious listen.

Well I still haven't purchased Alegria yet. I can't seem to find it at a decent price (that's Verve for ya'). However, I listened to "Footprints Live" today and it just clicked for me. This is a very fine album just about any way you look at it! That's some of the most compelling playing I've heard in quite some time. Wayne's still got that fire! Kind of nice when you do a 180 on an album that is a tough listen at first. Could "The "All Seeing Eye" be far behind?

Thanks for pointing this out. I'm all over it! "He's the only guitarist who ever made me sweat" B.B. King on Peter Green

Couldn't agree more! I've heard that rendition hundreds of times and never get sick of it. Definitely a career highlight. "Simply" Beautiful.

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions and background information on Mancini. I honestly thought that I wouldn't get any replies when I started this thread. I'm continually amazed at the wide range of musical tastes and knowledge on this board.

Since were talking guitarists, I had to put in my two cents (It's a sickness ) I'm definitely a bit of a jazz guitar junkie. So... In addition to all of the above I would add Barry Galbraith. An exceptional arranger and composer as well as one heck of a player. His chord melody and take on bassline comping are exceptional. Joe Pass gets a lot of credit in these two areas, and rightfully so, however Barry is every bit his peer when it comes to bassline comping. Wonderful player who never really got his due. Some other favorites include Philip Catherine and Lenny Breau. Love Philip's take on Django. He's one of the few players to come around in the last 30 years who can really play Django, and make it sound fresh, another underrated player who really hasn't got his due. Finally, Lenny Breau, a fine all around player. However, where he really shines, for me at least, is the way he comps. Lots of space, very juicy chord selection. A shame he's still not with us.

One more comment I forgot... 8) I'm thinking Hank Crawford? In which case the guitarist may be Melvin Sparks, Jimmy Ponder, or possibly even Cornell Dupree. If I had to guess I would say Sparks.

Had to give this disc another listen today. A few more comments regarding some of the cuts.... 2) Originally, I thought there was a Professor Longhair feel to the piano playing. There are a few licks in the intro. that remind me of him however, I don't think the feel is quite right to be the Professor. Upon further review I would have to say Jay McShann or Lloyd Glenn. I have a sneaking suspicion that this may have been recorded at Newport. 7) Today I'm hearing Benny Bailey on trumpet. Also, the sax seems like it is closely "miked" ala Eddie Harris. That being said I wouldn't be surprised in the least if the piano is Les McCann. Furthermore, if in fact those musicians are correct, I would guess that this song is from their famous Montreux concert issued under the title "Swiss Movement". A special edition of this album came out in the last year or so. I wouldn't be surprised if this is one of the extra cuts included in that set. If that's the case Leroy Vinnegar is holding down the bass. I don't remember the drummer on this one. Again, very enjoyable compilation Dan!

Thank's to everyone for the suggestions. Looks like there is some good stuff out there.

Well here goes... 1) Gene Harris doing Brother Ray's "What Would I Do Without You"? Also bears a little resemblance to "Come Back Baby" I'll go with my original guess though. Can I get an amen! 2) All I could think of was Professor Longhair meets Joe Williams on this one? Nice stuff. "I Rather Drink Muddy Water" 3) King Curtis? Stand By Me? Love that thumping bassline! Great party music! Your dead if your not tapping your toes to this one! 4) Watermelon Man. Nice reading. Seems like a fairly modern take of this old warhorse. Don't recognize any of the players. 5) My first thoughts are Gene Ammons or LockJaw Davis. There's a lot of reverb on that horn which brother Gene had an affinity for. Hence the "Big Sound", I'll vote for Gene. 6) I should know this one! However I'm clueless. Is that Bill Watrous on Trombone? 7) I hear Nat Adderly and Stanley T. However I could be wrong! B) Love the piano quote of "Sleigh Ride?" just before the 5:30 mark. 8) "Since I Fell For You" Great version, I need this!!!! Shirley Scott, Stanley T, and George Benson all come to mind, however I honestly have no idea. The guitar is a little too restrained to be George. 9) Another one I should know. Beautiful playing throughout. It's kind of out of character when compared to the rest compilation due to it's introspective nature. "Watch What Happens" (Michelle Legrand) ala Stanley T.? 10) This one has that "Super Band" feel. Gene, Stanley, and crew? 11) "Footprints" Sounds like more modern players (not my strong suit). I like the take on this very much. 12) Jimmy Smith and Oliver Nelson come to mind on this one. Very much a guess though. 13) Reminds me very much of the old blues classic "Early In the Morning". I hear a little Ray Brown on this one. Thanks to Dan for putting out this fine compilation. Also, thanks to Jim R. for being kind enough to burn me a copy.

I'm really not too familiar with Mr. Mancini's work as a jazz composer. Of course there's "Days Of Wine and Roses" and "Moon River" both of which have become jazz standards. I haven't seen any discussions about this work or his relative "importance" in the whole scheme of things. All I know is that if he did nothing more than write "Moon River" that would be a damn fine contribution to the musical landscape. Just wondering what your thoughts are on Mr. Mancini and his compositions?

Thanks Jim, that sure looks like the genuine article!

I've been doing it more or less from memory. My dad used to play a vocal version of it all the time when I was a kid (probably McRae's). I can't really remember. Anyway, I've been learning to play this song and thought it would be cool to try to sing the lyrics, if for nothing more than my own enjoyment. Lord knows I wouldn't want to subject the general public to my voice! Mike, thanks for the corrections.

Anybody know if these lyrics are correct? Dizzie, he was screaming Next to Opie who was beaming Monk a thumping Suddenly in walks Bud and then they got down to somethin' Oscar played a mean axe Mr. Byas threw a mean sax Monk a thumping Suddenly in walks Bud And then the joint started jumping Every young stud really dug Bud Soothing his tone, talking that note Nobody wrote, putting it down Dizzie he was screaming Next to Opie who was beaming Monk a thumping Suddenly in walks Bud And then they got down to something

I voted for Vic. Any excuse to listen to this fine compilation.

Yeah, I got the impression from bits and pieces of the album that I heard on NPR that this album was a cut above most. Glad to see my impressions are shared by other board members. I will be picking this one up this weekend.

Thanks guys! This one goes to the top of my "buy" list.

Anybody care to share their thoughts on this album? I heard a few snippets of it the other day and it sounded interesting.

Just look what Rod Stewart started! B)

We played a pretty interesting gig recently which was comprised of three 30 minute sets. Each set was separated by salsa dancing lessons. It worked out great! I've gained a new appreciation for salsa dancing if you know what I mean?

A timely question, I've been listening to Oscar Peterson's "Night Train" as of late. This album is chocked full of some great blues. It's pretty much a primer for jazz pianists with an inclination towards the blues. Also, don't forget Brother Ray, maybe not strictly a jazz pianist, however he has few if any peers when comes to the blues. Also, really like Sir Charles Thompson in a blues context. Hell, I like Sir Charles in any context!

Nat was definitely a bit underrated as a composer. I really dig "Fun" and the SIDEWINDERish "Games" off of Cannonball's Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! album. They are both excellent vehicles for some much better than average improvisation. Then of course there's "Worksong" which I never get tired of playing or listening to. VIVA NAT!

Ditto to that! This has long been my favorite instrumental rendition of this song. Stanley and Gene absolutely kill on this cut. "Since I Fell For You" ain't too shabby either.

Amen to that!!!

Seems like everytime we play a gig lately, something really strange and/or funny happens. Just wanted to share with you a pretty funny situation. At least in retrospect, I think it's pretty funny. About a month ago we were playing an outdoor charity gig at a strip mall. A pretty sizable crowd had gathered, and everything was going just fine. We were about 4 songs into our set and feeling pretty confident because we had played some new songs pretty well. So we started our next song and I'm playing rhythm (guitar) just kickin' back and all of a sudden I feel something licking my leg. So, I turn around and there's this big German Shepard standing right behind me. I'm thinking, he seems to be friendly, no big deal. So I turned back around and continued to play. A few seconds later I turned back around to see what my new friend was up to. Well, I guess he wasn't to happy with my playing because he was proceeding to pull my guitar cord out the amp. Well, I stopped him in the nick of time and everthing was cool. Ever since then, every gig we've played has had something as equally bizarre happen. It must be the curse of the German Shepard I'm sure some of you more seasoned veterans have some pretty humorous stories. Would love to hear them. P.S. We're playing a gig for a bunch of nurses tonight. Will the curse continue? Stay tuned!