His Boy Elroy

Felser, thanks for putting together this test and including me on the distribution list. I apologize for not weighing in on the discussion. I did listen to all the tunes, but somehow life got the best of me in December, and before I knew it, January was upon us. I appreciate the emphasis, in particular, on the ‘70’s. I was a kid in the ‘70’s, long before I learned about jazz, and largely missed out on the entire decade. When I eventually got into jazz, I started, like a lot of people, with the hard bop of the ‘50’s, and found myself buying into the commonly-held notion among jazz purists that the ‘70’s were something of a jazz wasteland. I eventually realized this was bullshit, but it took a while, and I’m still sort of catching up with a lot of went down in that decade. Like others, I particularly enjoyed that Terry Callier cut. Killer. Anyway, thanks again

I think this one is quite good, even if it was issued on Laserlight:

Keeping it early-70's:

Yeah, that was sort of my reaction when I saw this one -- i.e., "huh . . . who knew?" I may need to seek out a few more in this genre. It was kind of cool to hear Parker in her own voice . . . Now playing: another somewhat obscure Henderson sideman appearance. Recorded in '71, including Walter Bishop and Ernie Watts, among others. A pretty solid mostly straightahead date, with the notable exception of one track ("Unseen Sounds"), where Henderson plays flute while Watts plays piccolo, and Susaye Greene floats wordless vocals over the top. It's the kind of track you'd only hear around the late '60's, early '70's, although it actually holds up pretty well to my ears. Greene adds more wordless vocals over a couple other tunes, although they're more standard in their approach, musically. Anyway, one I like to break out every once in a blue moon, and I'm usually glad when I do.

A little something different. Swings like mad

'Still a bit bludgeoned from #128, but interested in giving it another go

Inspired by a couple recent "Persuasions" posts. This is the only one of theirs I own, but it's excellent. 'Hadn't spun it in a while . . .

Recorded in '78. W/ Surman, Gomez, & DeJohnette.

O-for-29 . . . damn, that was humbling. Fun, but humbling . . .

I was a late bloomer, music-listening wise. My parents weren’t really into it and had a small, mostly-uncool collection. I grew up listening to radio, but it was all mainstream stuff where I lived. Over time, I gravitated to classic rock. In the ‘80’s, I was exposed to a bit more here and there – some college radio type stuff, some punk, reggae, but I was always flat broke and didn’t really have money for records. I didn’t really start opening up, musically, until the late ‘80’s, early ‘90’s, and even then it took a few years to get done with schooling and finally get myself into a spot where I could start buying music in earnest. Still, there were some along the way that sort of stand out in my memory . . . “Hey Jude” and Abbey Road by the Beatles. My brother and I rubbed some coins together in the late ‘70’s and bought these on 8-track to play on my father’s stereo. ‘My first intro to late Beatles, which led me to a ton of other ‘60’s and ‘70’s rock bands. “The Ramones,” “Rocket to Russia” and “Rock-N-Roll High School.” My intro to punk music . . . still a bit of a guilty pleasure . . . but perhaps moreso, in its influence on a lot of post-punk indie music that came after, which I eventually got around to. “The Violent Femmes” – Debut. This one rocked my world when I first heard it. It’s pretty adolescent in a lot of ways, but had a certain stripped-down, low-fi rawness that still appeals to me. I’ve always tended to lean toward organic-sounding rock. “The Free Wheeling Bob Dylan” – really opened me up to pre-electric folk music. Neil Young may have laid the groundwork. “Life’s Rich Pageant” by R.E.M. Early R.E.M. really influenced my listening back in the ‘80’s, nudging me out of purely classic rock and into some more indie-type sounding stuff. “Skylarking” by XTC – this one took it a step further . . . “Love of the Land” by Irish-born Robbie O’Connell. My brother, who was working at a record store in the mid-late ‘80’s, made me a tape of this one, which began a long interest in celtic music – which eventually expanded to include other European folk music, and possibly even led me to bluegrass. “Taj Mahal” – Taj Mahal. I didn’t stumble across this one until later, but it really opened me up to electric blues, and remains one of my favorite blues albums of all-time. “In The Aeoroplane Over The Sea” – Neutral Milk Hotel. This one is only 15 years old or so, but I probably wouldn’t own half of what remains of my rock collection if I hadn’t encountered this one. It really got me interested in modern indie rock again, after I’d been heading in other directions for a while. Anyway, a few off the top of my head . . . I’m sure there were many others. 'not the coolest list of all-time, lol, but they eventually got me into some pretty interesting stuff, I think . . .

Damn . . . I knew I would kick myself @ #6. How could I miss Coltrane? Funny, how context and our preconceptions can betray our own ears (or, at least for those of us without good ears ). Re: #8 - I never would have guessed Andrew Hill . . . and I'm a fan! I really thought I had Lena Horne on "Speak Low" . . . although I do think she sounded a lot like a young Carmen McRae -- something that might otherwise never have occurred to me. 'Lucky guess on the Stanley Clarke bass intro, although I'm glad I got something right . . . might that make the keyboardist George Duke? A few last thoughts on 19-29: Track 19 Man, no guesses (again!). Sounds to me like maybe a crossover guy, like a Mark Whitfield, or someone like that, but I don’t think that’s him. Pianist is a jazz cat, though, I think. 'Nice take on Wes . . . Track 20 Reverby West African music. Malian? ‘Sounds old and new at the same time. No clue, but pretty cool stuff . . . ‘especially like the guitar effects . . . Track 21 I feel like I should know that alto . . . man, I really do suck at this . . . I can’t even name the tune, even though I’ve heard it many times. 'Don’t recognize the trumpet, either. 'Wish they didn’t cut out the guitarist at the end . . . I liked his/her sound. Track 22 Jazz/soul/funk. Nice groove. ‘Don’t think that’s a jazz guitarist. More of a soul/funk player, but I have no idea who. Plays funky as hell, though! Mid ‘70’s? Track 23 Stanley Turrentine? Track 24 Sax player plays like Joe Henderson. No idea who this is. Vocals are indeed different, but do add some texture and interest to the groove. Track 25 Alex already nailed this one. I like how Bailey sounded kind of jazz and kind of country at the same time . . . Track 26 Bluesy tune - sounds almost Ellingtonian. Pianist can play the blues, but has light touch – a woman, perhaps? Longshot stab in the dark: Marian McPartland? Track 27 Orchestral intro – flutes, strings. Sounds old at first, then breaks into a kind of modern groove with a late ‘70’s, early ‘80’s vibe. No obvious leader here . . . a bit “soundtrackish” to my mind. Again, at a loss . . . Track 28 Big bass intro – laid back reggae beat, trombone lead . . . ‘not the faintest, but definitely up my alley! Track 29 Cool version of "Michelle". . . Lenny Breau, maybe? Thanks for putting this together. It was both fun and challenging, and it gave my ears a good stretching. 'Look forward to reading the results

Thanks, jeffcrom. You'd think I might have known that, given that the image I posted says right on it, "compact disc," lol . . . (I think I'm starting to lose it) This morning:

No worries, Chuck. I can see now that my response was insensitive. I apologize for that. Best regards, Tim

Understood. I wish I could have known him also. I'm glad the rest of us at least have a recorded legacy . . .

Chuck, I imagine you've had a pretty amazing career. I've noticed you've recorded Mr. Bowie a few times. I intend to check those out. I was pretty pleased to see this one sitting in a used bin this afternoon, clean as a whistle. I don't think it's ever been issued on cd. I very much enjoyed Side 1 . . .

Another first spin

Picked this out of a jazz stack this afternoon for six bucks. Pretty clean, save for one small scratch I was a bit concerned about. Anyway, I took a small gamble, and so far, so good. 'One of those albums I always hoped to eventually stumble across. A pretty good score, I think . . .

'Don't know anything about this label ("Super Majestic"), but I gather it's a (presumably) French import, possibly a knock-off label. Still, this is a pretty solid collection, with surprisingly clear sound (from '72). Comp includes heavies such as Brownie McGhee, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, Lightnin' Hopkins, Leadbelly, Memphis Slim, and Jack Dupree. 'Worth picking up if you ever stumble across it (which I did recently)

I don't hate Chet Baker's singing, but I like it better when he "plays" . . . this was a 2-lp vinyl reissue of "Chet Baker Sings and Plays" and "Chet Baker Sings," both originally issued in the mid '50's.

Taking a stab at 10-18: Track 10 Groooovy . . . I’m thinking 1973-5 or so. Sax player has chops but ends too many phrases the same way, with that rapid-fire, vibrato-bravado thing. He sounds almost “bag-pipey” at times when he goes there in the mid-upper register. ‘Maybe trying to put some extra muscle into this two-chord vamp? The vocal shout-outs are kind of weird, also. This is definitely a time-and-place kind of record – a good example of early ‘70’s, urban, jazz/soul/funk. ‘Not my favorite tune, but it’d be a fun one to pull out at a party and crank loud . . . Track 11 I think I may have this one: Lena Horne, singing “Speak Low?” Herbie Mann on flute? Track 12 Early fusion, ’72 to ’74. Long head - still has one foot in hard bop. Tune sounds familiar but can’t name it. It reminds me a lot of early ‘70’s Joe Henderson, but I don’t think that’s Joe . . . but there are some definite Joe-like moments . . . could it be Joe? Long drum solo for a studio date, and recording is pretty rough . . . a live bootleg? Maybe something off the unauthorized “Jazz Patterns” LP? Track 13 Piano . . . walking bass . . . a blues . . . drummer hitting brushes . . . man, this could be from any era . . . sound is decent but not great – thinking ‘60’s or ‘70’s maybe? Did I hear audience noise? Live? At one point, he starts sounding like Gene Harris . . . could it be early-mid Gene Harris? Defintiely a bluesman like Gene. Gene was a local legend here in Boise . . . Track 14 Funkadelic (the adjective, not the group ). . . with orchestration. First solo – guitar hero stuff, very rockish. Sax player dives in . . . sounds like a jazzer, not sure who, though. This track sounds like the essence of 1976, almost disco-ey in spots. I could personally do without the orchestral flourishes, but they definitely give it that ‘70’s, tv soundtrack kind of vibe. Not really my thing, but a pretty amusing romp . . . Track 15 Live, with a deep bass intro . . . sax enters . . . snakelike . . . big sound, like someone I should know . . . not much vibrato at first – like Dexter Gordon. . . also sounds like it could be a bootleg. Piano. Wait, damn . . . now THIS is starting to sound like Joe Henderson, once he gets going. I went through a big Henderson stage, so I would think I'd know it if it were him. Pianist sounds McCoy Tyner-ish, but I can’t think of any live dates with the two together. 1967? Really curious to know what this is . . . Track 16 Stanley Clarke bass intro? More funk/fusion. Is that a real piano with a guitarist playing effects? Or something electric playing both parts? Overdubbed? ‘Can’t figure out what all’s going on here. Keyboardist plays some dissonant parts, like an outside ‘60’s jazz cat trying his hand at ‘70’s fusion, but also bluesy. Man, this is a true sonic trip – ‘never heard anything quite like it. I don’t have the first clue, but it was definitely not boring! Track 17 “Mode For Joe,” but whose version? Pianist has a lighter touch, I think, than on the original Henderson version. ‘Thinking someone who came up in the ‘60’s, playing modal stuff. Saxophonist plays less “muscularly” than Joe, also. Bassist is buried a bit in the mix, but I don’t think I’d know him anyway just by listening to this track. Band is tight . . . a solid take on this tune. I’m guessing it was recorded around 1970. Track 18 I suck at remembering song names, even standards like this one (obviously, I’m not a musician). Sax player plays well, but I don’t like that dated-sounding production that gives his horn that “echo chamber” vibe (compounded by the electric piano/synth). I’m thinking late ‘70’s, early ‘80’s. Could it be Michael Brecker?

Well, I knew I’d likely suck at this, but it’s proving harder than I even thought it would be. Taking on the first third of this challenge, there’s only one I’m pretty sure I’ve got. Most, I can’t even hazard a meaningful guess. ‘Fun giving these a listen, though, and giving it a whirl. Anyway, as for 1-9, here are a few listening notes: Track 1 Guitar/mandolin duet. It’s an old bluegrass standard, but I can’t recall the name of tune. ‘Sounds like an old recording. Guitar player sounds a lot like Doc Watson, but the recording sounds older than that. ‘Don’t’ know who this is, but I dig this kind of stuff. Track 2 Minnie The Moocher? Trumpet lead, muted. Larger band comes in. Sounds like the ‘30’s. 2nd solo has some Louis-like humor in it. No clue who this is, but I like it. Track 3 Cool head! Reverby, Morricone-influenced Africana. Recording sounds more modern but could be as old as late ‘60’s. Something about the percussion makes me think this may actually be Caribbean. Again, no clue, but I really dig it! Track 4 Opens – bass, brushes, what is that instrument? Some kind of low reed, like a flute of some sort, possibly a clarinet? African? Bass and brushes sound like jazz players. Yusef Lateef? Track 5 Backbeat/fusion. ‘Recognize the tune. Red Clay. ‘Gotta be from the ‘70’s (possibly the early ‘80’s?). It’s the guitarist’s date, but none of the really big names fit. Coryell, perhaps, but I don’t think so. (Note: with a little detective work, I’m pretty sure I’ve nailed this one, but it wasn’t purely “blindfolded.” Since I’m not sure if that’s kosher here, I won’t name my guess, other than to say it was released in the '70's on Mainstream). Track 6 Big Band . . . not familiar . . . first solo, sax . . . sounds really familiar. I’ll probably kick myself on this one. Someone that came up in the ‘60’s, I think. 2nd solo, trumpet. Maybe someone who came up in the 50’s, with a slightly older-school sound. ‘Wish I recognized the tune. I wanna say Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, maybe late ‘60’s-era? Track 7 Soul vibe. Guitar, synth or elec. piano, drums, bass. Another guitarist’s date. Undeniably ‘70’s. Horns enter. Not thinking this is a jazz player, strictly speaking. ‘Sort of “smooth jazz” before “smooth jazz” became a thing . . . and better than most that came after. I don’t normally go in for this kind of stuff, but I actually dug it. No guesses, though. Track 8 Horns, guitar, soul jazz, very bluesy. ‘60’s sounding, maybe ‘early ‘70’s. Tune sounds “Bobby Timmons-ish.” Guitar is very bluesy, soulful, almost Burrell-ish, but funkier. Grant Green? Sax player has an old-school, R&B sound, but I’m guessing he wasn’t an older cat when this was recorded. Trumpet player sounds almost “Nat Adderley-ish,” but I’m not sure. ‘Close to something Cannonball Adderley’s quintet might have recorded, with Grant Green as a guest sideman. No solid guesses, but I dig it. Track 9 Trumpet, piano, bass. Some older players here, particularly the pianist, probably the bassist, too, but arrangement sounds post-1960. Weird sound on the sax, but kind of familiar. Tune has an almost “film noir” kind of feel, like a film score from the ‘50’s, but I’m guessing this was later. No guesses, but I enjoyed it.