GA Russell

Happy Birthday 2017 Jazzjet!

Happy Birthday 2017 Brendan!

Thanks, guys. The prices of both are about a quarter above their lows, so I ordered both the Gordon and the Burrell today.

My copy arrived Monday, but since the following day was Mardi Gras I decided to wait till then to open it up and enjoy it. Congratulations guys on a job well done! For me, it is a perfect last-music-before-I-go-to-bed album.

Pianist Mike Longo's Consolidated Artists Productions To Release His New CD, "Only Time Will Tell," With Bassist Paul West & Drummer Lewis Nash, March 31 March 3, 2017 Connoisseurs of jazz piano trios will welcome the release, on March 31, of Only Time Will Tell, the new trio recording by piano master Mike Longo with Paul West on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. The disc is Longo's 20th for the CAP (Consolidated Artists Productions) label, and his 26th since debuting as a leader in 1962. Included on the CD are two compositions by Dizzy Gillespie, with whom Longo worked as pianist and musical director for 26 years, until Gillespie's death in 1993. The up-tempo "Wheatleigh Hall" was first recorded by the trumpeter in 1957 on an album with Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt. The gently swinging "Just a Thought," written by Gillespie in the '60s as a piano feature, had never been previously recorded. Longo's trio-mates had their own associations with Gillespie. West had done two stints with the trumpeter -- in the '50s with Dizzy's big band and again in the '60s with the quintet that included Longo. Nash had worked with Gillespie on several occasions in subsequent years. Longo, West, and Nash play two Thelonious Monk tunes -- "Nutty" and "Brilliant Corners" -- on Only Time Will Tell and also offer their takes on Oscar Pettiford's "Bohemia After Dark"; "Exactly Like You," delivered at an ultra-slow tempo; and Eubie Blake's "Memories of You," which closes the album. Among the Longo originals are the bossa nova-propelled "Stepping Up"; "Conflict of Interest," first recorded for a 1994 quintet album dedicated to Gillespie; and the gently waltzing title track, inspired by a documentary about Lyndon Johnson. "I started feeling sorry for him and went to the piano and wrote it," says Longo. "The point of the title is that after the passage of time, things may appear different than when you originally perceived them." (Pictured at left: Lewis Nash, Mike Longo, Paul West.) The son of a band-leading bassist father and a church organist mother, Michael Longo Jr. was inspired as a child by boogie-woogie pianists Sugar Chile Robinson in his native Cincinnati, and Jack Fina later in Fort Lauderdale, where the Longos had moved when he was in the third grade. While in Florida, Longo was later inspired by jazz piano master Oscar Peterson, with whom he would eventually spend six months studying privately. After earning a bachelor's degree in classical piano at Western Kentucky University, in 1959, Longo spent two years touring with the Salt City Six, the Dixieland group, and was hired at the Metropole Café in New York as one of the club's house pianists. In his two shifts a day, he backed Coleman Hawkins, Gene Krupa, and Henry "Red" Allen, among many others. Gillespie, who first heard the young pianist at the Metropole, hired him in 1966. Longo went on to make nine albums with the trumpet legend, beginning with Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac in 1967, and has also recorded with Astrud Gilberto, Lee Konitz, Buddy Rich, and Moody, to name just a few. He cut the first album under his own name, A Jazz Portrait of Funny Girl, in 1962; his last 20 have appeared on Consolidated Artists Productions (CAP), a musicians' cooperative label managed by Longo and his wife. He also has enjoyed a successful second career as an educator and creator of instructional books and videos. Since January 6, 2004, the anniversary of his friend Dizzy Gillespie's death, Longo has presented concerts every Tuesday evening in the Gillespie Auditorium of the New York City Baha'i Center. Longo will appear there 4/25 with his 17-piece New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble featuring Ira Hawkins. He'll be performing at Mezzrow 5/25 with Paul West. Web Site: jazzbeat.com

Nils Økland is an innovative violinist and Hardanger fiddle master who is creatively expanding the range of the traditional music of his homeland, Norway. He describes his music as a “hybrid between the poetry of folk music and the energy of punk”… He will come to the United States to play for the very first time both in duo and with the Kjølvatn band performing music from his ECM recordings. In Concert March 21 New York, NY National Sawdust, Nils Økland Band March 22 Chicago, IL Constellation, Nils Økland Band March 24 Knoxville, TN Big Ears, Nils Økland Band March 25- Knoxville, TN Big Ears, duo w/Sigbjørn Apeland March 26 - Knoxville, TN Big Ears, duo w/Mats Eilertsen © 2017 ECM | ECM Records USA | 1755 Broadway, 3rd floor | New York NY 10011

Happy Birthday 2017 Al!

There have not been many headlines since my Feb. 16 posts, so let's catch up a little bit on what has happened. First let's look at the articles about the Argos, Jim Popp and Marc Trestman, in chronological order. http://3downnation.com/2017/02/22/ex-alouettes-gm-jim-popp-now-leading-candidate-toronto-argonauts-post/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/24/madani-jim-popp-marc-trestman-set-take-toronto/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/27/popp-trestman-announced-tuesday/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/28/argos-reunite-gm-jim-popp-head-coach-marc-trestman/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/28/argos-hiring-process-mess-doesnt-mean-wont-work/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/28/20490/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/01/no-pressure-popp-trestman-arrive-save-argos/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/02/can-trestman/#comments ***** Vince Young is considering coming out of retirement, and has spoken to the Riders. http://3downnation.com/2017/02/02/riders-add-former-nfl-star-vince-young-neg-list/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/02/vince-young-move-odd-one-riders/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/15/rider-neg-list-quarterback-vince-young-hires-agent-wants-resume-career/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/16/vince-youngs-agent-says-hes-opened-discussions-riders/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/16/young-poses-questions-answers-riders/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/24/riders-neg-lister-vince-young-files-trademark-make-vince-great/#comments ***** Johnny Manziel is on the Ticats' neg list. He was rumored to have worked out with the Riders without Hamilton's permission. http://3downnation.com/2016/12/02/ticats-neg-lister-johnny-manziel-strikes-deal-domestic-violence-charges-dropped/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/09/riders-workout-johnny-manziel-2/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/01/johnny-manziel-re-hires-old-agent-aiming-nfl-comeback/#comments ***** The Stampeders gave Drew Tate to the Redblacks. http://3downnation.com/2017/02/21/redblacks-acquire-qb-drew-tate/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/22/tate-trade-provides-immediate-future-insurance/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/02/22/stamps-really-traded-drew-tate/#comments ***** Joey Abrams analyzes the free agent moves of the Eastern teams. http://3downnation.com/2017/02/21/won-free-agency-east-division/#comments Joey Abrams analyzes the free agent moves of the Western teams. http://3downnation.com/2017/02/21/who-won-free-agency-in-the-west-division/#comments

Here is this year's Hall of Fame ballot. http://cfhof.ca/eligible-candidates/

Yesterday's Wall Street Journal had a front page article about Target Stores, which did poorly last year. It said that John Zolidis, an analyst at Buckingham Research Group, wrote in a research note this week that Target needs to exit underperforming categories like CDs, DVDs and other media. https://www.wsj.com/articles/target-offers-downbeat-2017-outlook-as-sales-fall-1488284262

Hey, I didn't say "no Dexter!" Twenty-five years ago I picked up a twofer of his complete Savoy sides. Anybody know that one? Anyway, thanks for the recs. One day I would like to pick up some of his late-'60s Prestige as well.

The other day I read Dexter Gordon's Downbeat interview from the Feb 10, 1977, issue. That has motivated me to consider picking something of his up. This package has always been inexpensive. Today it is $8.88 + $3.99. https://www.amazon.com/5-Original-Albums-DEXTER-GORDON/dp/B01KL0L9AS Has anyone heard this, and recommend it? Or do you recommend something else of his instead? Thanks!

The Argos announced this morning that they have hired Jim Popp to be their new GM, and Marc Trestman to be their new head coach. http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/28/new-captains-ship-popp-trestman-reunite-lead-argos/ http://www.tsn.ca/argos-reunite-gm-popp-and-head-coach-trestman-1.683285

Happy Birthday Jon!

Zombie Heaven - $25.00 + $3.99 https://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Heaven-Zombies/dp/B0000004E0

I never noticed Night Moves being at the theatres, but I saw it a few years later on TV and really enjoyed it. My thought at the time was, Why haven't I heard of this before?

ECM Dominic Miller Silent Light Dominic Miller: guitar, electric bass Miles Bould: percussion, drums U.S. Release date: April 7, 2017 ECM 2518 B0026373-02 UPC: 6025 572 8484 3 Born in Argentina to an American father and Irish mother, guitarist Dominic Miller was raised in the U.S. from age 10 and then educated there and in England. Now he lives in France, though he has toured the globe for the past three decades. Aptly, Silent Light – Miller’s ECM debut, featuring him solo and with percussion accompaniment – has a very international feel, with the Latin influence strong in such pieces as “Baden” (dedicated to Brazilian guitarist-composer Baden Powell). “Le Pont” has an early 20th-century Parisian air, while “Valium” evokes Celtic tunes in the vein of Bert Jansch and “Fields of Gold” is a hushed instrumental take on one of Sting’s best-known ballads. Miller has long been known as Sting’s right-hand man on guitar – and co-writer of the worldwide hit “Shape of My Heart,” among others. Miller has also worked with the likes of Paul Simon, The Chieftains and Plácido Domingo. The guitarist’s playing has prompted praise from Simon, who points out, in a liner note to the album, that Miller “has a beautiful touch, with a fragrance of jazz and English folk.” In his own booklet note, Miller recalls time spent talking music with Manfred Eicher, ECM’s founder and producer of Silent Light, about two of his key ECM influences: Egberto Gismonti and Pat Metheny, pointing to the appeal of the former’s “raw” approach blended with “classical overtones” and the more “groove-oriented” vibe of the latter with his music’s “Americana feel.” The tracks “Angel” and “Tisane” on Silent Light hint at Metheny’s big-sky acoustic manner, while the guitar-plus-percussion numbers reflect the inspiration of the Duas Vozes LP Gismonti made with Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos, who passed away just as Miller was rehearsing for Silent Light with his percussionist and lifelong friend, Miles Bould. For such pieces as the syncopated “Baden,” pensive opener “What You Didn’t Say,” atmospheric “Water” and “En Passant,” named after a chess move, Bould complements Miller’s guitar with subtle textural and rhythmic touches. Working alongside Eicher, Miller and Bould recorded at Rainbow Studio in Oslo, Norway, with the recordings done mostly live on the floor, with no overdubs. “Chaos Theory,” the one Silent Light track featuring overdubs (a second guitar and electric bass, both by Miller), sees Bould behind the drum kit. They “have fun with the beat in much the same way as the Brazilian band Azymuth might do,” Miller explains. Elsewhere, the solo guitar music is mostly hushed and intimate, as with “Urban Waltz” (which has an Antonio Lauro-like Venezuelan lilt) and Anglo-folk-accented “Valium,” as well as “Angel,” “Tisane,” “Le Pont” and Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” Having worked with Sting since the singer’s 1991 Soul Cages album, Miller has been inspired by his songwriting. “I’m strongly influenced by his lateral sense of harmony and how he forms songs,” the guitarist says. “I try to do the same by creating a narrative with instrumental music, which I treat and arrange as songs, with verses, choruses, bridges.” When not playing guitar in the studio and on tour with Sting and a vast spectrum of other pop artists, Miller has made a series of free-minded instrumental albums, collaborating with jazz players and folk musicians from such far-flung traditions as those of Wales, Morocco and Cuba. In talking about other influences on his instrumental music, Miller ranges from J.S. Bach (“the only music I practice”) to Debussy, Satie, Poulenc and Villa-Lobos, as well as pointing to English folk guitarists such as Jansch and Dick Gaughan and the folkloric music he heard during his youth in Latin America. He also refers to American R&B and English progressive rock as early motivators, not to mention the tradition of French chanson “that has gotten under my skin” over the past decade living in Provence. But the title of Silent Light came from a film of the same name by Mexican director Carlos Reygadas, whose work was also a catalyst for the album’s aura of simplicity, clarity and purity. “It’s his use of silence, light and space that really struck me,” the guitarist explains. “Minutes would go by with no movement or dialogue, which I found courageous and inspiring.” Reflecting on the title Silent Light and about Miller, his musical colleague for nearly three decades, Sting says: “Whenever Dominic plays the guitar, he creates color, a complete spectrum of emotions, sonic architecture built of silence as well as resonance. He lifts the spirit into higher realms.”

Jim, I didn't know you were interested in the Canadian league! Here are a few more reports that I had planned to post in the Canadian league thread. http://3downnation.com/2017/02/23/football-pioneer-bernie-custis-passes-away-age-88/#comments http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/23/cfl-mourns-passing-bernie-custis/ http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/24/ealey-holloway-reflect-path-custis-paved/ http://www.tsn.ca/pioneering-quarterback-custis-dead-at-88-1.679497 http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/bernie-custis-death-cfl-1.3996606 ***** In addition, there is a book for youngsters which highlights Custis's career called Choice of Colours. https://www.amazon.com/Choice-Colours-African-American-Quarterbacks-Recordbooks/dp/1550289934/

Miller’s ECM debut has an international feel: the Latin influence of his heritage strong in such pieces as “Baden”, an early 20th-century Parisian air on “Le Pont” and the evocation of Celtic tunes on “Valium”. Miller has long been known as Sting’s right-hand man on guitar and a hushed instrumental take on “Fields of Gold” appears here. Miller has also worked with the likes of The Chieftains, Plácido Domingo and Paul Simon who points out Miller’s “beautiful touch” in the album’s liner note. © 2017 ECM | ECM Records USA | 1755 Broadway, 3rd floor | New York NY 10011

Vivendi announced yesterday that much of its losses the past year would have been much worse were it not for its Universal Music unit's streaming of music. https://www.ft.com/content/847d9666-f9ec-11e6-9516-2d969e0d3b65

Peter Green - Man of the World (1968 - 1988, 2 CDs, 36 tracks) - $7.17 + $3.99 https://www.amazon.com/Man-World-Anthology-1968-1988-Peter/dp/B0001FUI88

ECM Trio Mediaeval & Arve Henriksen - Rimur  Album release April 14, 2017 Anna Maria Friman voice, hardanger fiddle Linn Andrea Fuglseth voice, shruti box Berit Opheim voice Arve Henriksen trumpet Over several summers Trio Mediaeval and trumpeter Arve Henriksen spent many days together by the beautiful Dalsfjorden on the Norwegian west coast, and it was there that most of the music for this recording was born. Fascinated and inspired by Icelandic sagas, beautiful chants, folk songs, religious hymns and fiddle tunes, the quartet has arranged a unique set of songs where improvisation, mediaeval and traditional music from Iceland, Norway and Sweden meet the present. The singers and trumpeter have often performed in live settings with the collaboration reviewed by The Guardian as "a richly musical and imaginative encounter". Rimur is their first extensive collaboration on disc and was recorded in February 2016 at Munich's Himmelfahrtskirche, produced by Manfred Eicher.

Great find, Michael! As I recall, Robin Leach had a column in Go Magazine.

Happy Birthday 2017 TF!

Tony Bennett - OAC - $12.04 + $3.99 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005TOTTUY/