HutchFan

Thanks, Niko. I've also developed a site dedicated to the American composer Charles Ives. The URL is http://www.musicweb-international.com/Ives/ Both sites are long overdue for updates. Will get around to it some day. . . . But not in 2020!

On January 1, 2020, I'm launching a new blog dedicated to exploring recorded jazz from the 1970s. It's called Playing Favorites: Reflections on Jazz in the 1970s. During the year-long blogging project, I plan to list one album per day for the entire year. So, at the end of the year, the site will provide details for 366 albums, all recorded between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 1979. As the title of the blog implies, I'm not focusing on the "most important" or "best" recordings from the decade. Rather, I'm discussing my favorite recordings, music that has personal meaning to me. One other caveat: I'm limiting myself to one recording as a leader per artist and one recording as a co-leader per artist. Rather than digging deeply into a handful of musicians, I wanted to show the breadth and diversity of jazz during the decade. This strategy also had the effect of prompting me to listen to lots of new music -- and to carefully re-examining old favorites. The URL for my blog is https://jazzinthe70s.blogspot.com/. So far, I've written one post, providing background info about the project (as above). I've already chosen all 366 recordings. I have them listed chronologically (by recording date) on a spreadsheet -- with sidemen, labels, reissue details, etc. I've already written several of the entries, but I won't post them until next year on their "assigned" date. Some blog entries may only provide a sentence or two of commentary. Other entries will be longer. I think the main value of the project will be to shine a light (however dim) on some under-valued artists and express some appreciation for all the enjoyment that they have given me. It goes without saying that I will NOT be sharing files on this blog. That's not my purpose. I may occasionally provide links to music that others have posted on YouTube -- assuming that those YT posts are legal. But I'll emphasize again that my main purpose is to offer up a sizable, annotated LIST of recordings that others might recognize as jumping off points or gateways for further exploration. I've been tinkering with this idea for a long time, and I'd intended to write a book on the topic. But, based on the progress that I've made (nearly none), I decided that it would be better to create something, rather than holding on to a grander idea and as a result produce nothing. Let's see how this thing goes.

Oh yeah! That one too! 🙂👍

Just ordered this Abdullah Ibrahim CD: Voice of Africa (BMG UK) This CD is the first volume in a series that compiles Ibrahim's recordings made in South Africa. I bought this particular CD because it includes the two long tracks that make up the LP Mannenberg - 'Is Where It's Happening' -- aka Capetown Fringe (as released in the U.S. on the Chiaroscuro label).

NP: Beautiful. Earlier: Even my 51-year-old ears can hear a HUGE difference between this CD that I just received in the mail and the YouTube version that I'd been listening to. Norma Winstone is such a wonderful singer. Garrick's run with her from Heart of a Lotus (1970) to Home Stretch Blues (1972) to Troppo (1974) is one helluva purple patch. All terrific. Throw the trio record Cold Mountain (1972) in there, and IMO you've got one of the very best jazz runs of the early 1970s. Who knew? Not me -- until just a couple years ago.

Robert, Your theory sounds plausible. Speaking for myself, I think it's likely that the majority of my listening comes from a relatively small slice of my collection pie. Then again, it's always enjoyable to (re)discover a disc that's been sitting on the shelf for years unplayed. That's part of the fun too.

Wonderful, evocative cover image. I bet the music is good too.

More superlative music courtesy of the Black & Blue label: Immaculate! Check out this trio's version of Duke's "Azure":

Both of those are 5-star discs. NP:

Wow. That's an interesting story. Very telling. I'd say that any person who calls The Phantom "easy listening crap" has an extremely narrow view of what constitutes good music. A formulaic understanding, even. But there you go. Everyone brings their own preconceived notions to the table. I've got mine, and the Scribbler had his.

Yeah! That Mingus album is terrific.

I love The Phantom. It's a vastly underrated BN session, IMO. And, like jazzbo says, Hutcherson's contributions elevate the game even further. I got it years ago when it was reissued on the Water label. After hearing it, I was very surprised that the record wasn't/isn't more well-known. Admittedly, it's not a straight-ahead BN date. But that's one of the things I like about it. It's a bit different. Got that whole Brazilian thing happening.

Now: Earlier: and

I agree 100% with Ashkenazy / Concertgebouw. I would also add Jansons / St. Petersburg PO (Warner Classics). Haven't heard the Rozhdestvensky. Should probably seek it out!

Never tire of hearing this. One of Werner's best, I think. I love that trio with Ari Hoenig & Johannes Weidenmuller.

I don't have the new set (yet), but I do have that particular LP. Some of Pepper's best!

Now this:

Tintagel and his other tone poems are probably the best place to begin. Both Bryden Thomson and Vernon Handley have recorded Bax extensively -- both the tone poems and symphonies. I tend to prefer Thomson's recordings, but each has their strengths.

Such beautiful & joyous music.