GA Russell

Disc 1

The Album Title of British Reedman's John Surman's Words Unspoken Alludes to the Instant Musical Understanding Found by the Members of This Nimble Quartet Featuring Vibraphonist Rob Waring, Guitarist Rob Luft and Drummer Thomas Strønen Available February 16 “It has always fascinated me hearing from people the many different images and messages that any one piece of music can conjure up in their imaginations,“ says the British reedman John Surman in the liner notes for his new quartet album. “Quite often the impressions and stories can be widely varied, and yet somehow seem to make sense to the individuals concerned. This is one side of the title Words Unspoken - but the other refers to the way that I wanted us to approach the music as a group. I simply brought some ideas along to the musicians and, without discussing who would play which element and how the tunes would take shape, we would try and piece the elements together just by listening to each other and reacting accordingly.” Surman’s open compositions here are frameworks encouraging musical debate as the players guide the collective sound to new destinations, and add striking statements of their own. The ensemble’s identity builds upon the understanding achieved by Surman and US vibraphonist Rob Waring who, like the bandleader, has long been a resident of Oslo. Surman and Waring previously collaborated on John’s 2017 trio recording Invisible Threads with Brazilian pianist Nelson Ayres. They are joined here by two musicians familiar to ECM listeners, British guitarist Rob Luft (lately heard on albums with singer Elina Duni), and Norwegian drummer Thomas Strønen, whose projects have included the ensemble Time Is A Blind Guide, Food (with Iain Ballamy), the trio Bayou (with Ayumi Tanaka and Marthe Lea), Parish (with Bobo Stenson) and more. Strønen’s most recent ECM appearance was as a member of Sinikka Langeland’s band on 2023 release Wind And Sun. The Words Unspoken quartet is a resourceful and often exciting band, as the opening “Pebble Dance” immediately makes plain. It flies from the starting block with a flurry of notes from the vibraphone that establish a climate for swirling and energetic soprano saxophone, and an atmosphere of intensity stoked by taut drums and shimmering guitar. Through the changing moods of the album each of Surman’s instruments comes to the fore. On “Hawksmoor”, the music begins as a lithe dance for bass clarinet and Strønen’s brushed drums, joined at the halfway mark by guitar and vibes. On title track “Unspoken Words”, the beautiful baritone sax has a tenderness and eloquence that John alone seems able to wrest from the big horn, his soulful soliloquy developed against a wash of complementary sound-colour from Luft and Waring. So it goes. Surman, who turns 80 in 2024, has been a vital force in European jazz and adjacent genres for more than half a century, already establishing himself as a unique soloist in the 1960s in groups led by Mike Westbrook and Chris McGregor. The band called just The Trio, with Surman and Americans Barre Phillips and Stu Martin, was one of the defining improvising groups of its era, and it was with this line-up that Surman first appeared on ECM, on Barre Phillips’s Mountainscapes in 1976. This was followed, in 1978, by Surman’s Upon Reflection. Since then, he has appeared on ECM in the broadest range of contexts. These range from solo recordings (including the acclaimed Private City and Road To St Ives) to large ensembles - among them the John Surman/John Warren Brass Project, the Proverbs and Songs project with the Salisbury Festival Chorus, and Free and Equal with London Brass. And from duos (with Jack DeJohnette, Howard Moody) to transcultural projects (Anouar Brahem’s Thimar trio with Dave Holland, and John Potter’s early music-aligned Dowland Project). Surman has collaborated with the string quartet Trans4mation (on The Spaces In Between and Corruscating), and fronted his own groups on the albums Nordic Quartet (with Karin Krog, Terje Rypdal and Vigleik Storaas), Stranger Than Fiction (with John Taylor, Chris Laurence and John Marshall) and Brewster’s Rooster (with John Abercrombie, Drew Gress and Jack DeJohnette.) He has also been an important contributor to projects led by Paul Bley, Miroslav Vitous, Tomasz Stanko, Misha Alperin and Mick Goodrick. In all, a richly creative discography. Unspoken Words was recorded at Oslo’s Rainbow Studio in December 2022. John Surman · Words Unspoken ECM · Release Date: February 16, 2024 For more information on ECM, please visit: ECMRecords.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

IG Field will have a new corporate sponsor this year - Princess Auto. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/23/winnipegs-ig-field-to-be-renamed-princess-auto-stadium/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/23/winnipeg-announces-princess-auto-as-new-stadium-naming-rights-partner/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/blue-bombers-field-renamed-princess-auto-stadium-1.7092397 And Doug Brown tweets...

I mentioned before that Zach Collaros was the college roommate of Taylor Swift's latest boyfriend. Apparently they watched the Kansas City game together today.

Great to see you back, Larry!

The league has set up this year's Free Agency Tracker. https://www.cfl.ca/fa24/

I finished it tonight. I found it kind of depressing. Murphy was the kind of guy who eschewed what seemed to him to be selling out, yet was always disappointed when someone else won the Grammy. I learned that it was Michael Bourne who for 32 Jazz chose the tracks and compilations for their reissues of the Muse material. Apparently I share Bourne's taste (and maybe most other people do to) because I like the 32 Jazz issues better than the original Muse albums - particularly for his choosing to leave out some tracks. Joe Fields was quoted as saying that nobody says much about Bob Weinstock because he was an unlikeable character. Fields' goal was to replicate Weinstock - Make tons of records and hang on, and then score big when you sell the company.

(6) The Babylon Bee on X: "'I Just Don't Know Where We Went Wrong,' Contemplates Sports Illustrated Executive In Front Of Framed Covers Of Obese, Trans Swimsuit Models https://t.co/mDKbJaPdqc https://t.co/6OSBhUjqpD" / X (twitter.com)

"I don't know. He's always wearing shades." was the first time I heard sunglasses referred to as shades.

# Artist and Track Title Time 1. Norah Jones - Running 03:29 “RUNNING” IMPACTING AAA – JANUARY 29th AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY: NOW 9-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER TOURS EUROPE THIS SUMMER & FALL NORAH JONES ANNOUNCES NINTH STUDIO ALBUM VISIONS OUT MARCH 8th ON BLUE NOTE RECORDS WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR LEAD SINGLE “RUNNING” JONES ANNOUNCES SPRING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES On March 8, nine-time GRAMMY winning singer, songwriter, and pianist Norah Jones will release her ninth solo studio album Visions, a collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Michels that is introduced today with the official video for the album’s lead single “Running.” The song was co-written by Jones and Michels and features Norah on vocals, piano, guitar, and bass with Leon on drums and baritone saxophone. Jones has also announced her Spring 2024 North American tour dates which kick off May 6 in Boston (MGM at Fenway) and include concerts in Washington DC (The Kennedy Center, May 13), Brooklyn (Paramount Theatre, May 16-17), and Manhattan (Apollo Theatre, May 19). Ticket pre-sales begin today with a general on-sale January 25. See below for a full list of dates and visit norahjones.com/tour for more info. Visions is a vibrant and joyous 12-song set that finds Jones singing about feeling free, wanting to dance, making it right, and acceptance of what life brings. It’s the yang to the yin that was Pick Me Up Off The Floor, Jones’ last album of new original songs which was released early in the pandemic lockdown of 2020 and foreshadowed many of the dark emotions of that period. “The reason I called the album Visions is because a lot of the ideas came in the middle of the night or in that moment right before sleep, and ‘Running’ was one of them where you're half asleep and kind of jolted awake,” says Jones. “We did most of the songs in the same way where I was at the piano or on guitar and Leon was playing drums and we were just jamming on stuff. I like the rawness between me and Leon, the way it sounds kind of garage-y but also kind of soulful, because that's where he's coming from, but also not overly perfected.” Michels played saxophone in Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and has performed with Lee Fields & The Expressions, Dan Auerbach’s band The Arcs, Menahan Street Band, and his own project El Michels Affair. Michels and Jones first collaborated on the single “Can You Believe” and later worked together on Jones’ 2021 holiday album I Dream of Christmas. Visions also features contributions from trumpeter Dave Guy, bassist Jesse Murphy, and drummers Brian Blade and Homer Steinweiss. Visions is available for pre-order now, with formats including indie record store exclusive orange blend vinyl featuring an alternate cover, Barnes & Noble exclusive teal blend vinyl, as well as a Target exclusive CD with the bonus track “Until My Heart is Found” and poster. The vinyl track listing is as follows: Side A 1. All This Time (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 2. Staring at the Wall (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 3. Paradise (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 4. Queen of the Sea (Norah Jones) 5. Visions (Norah Jones) 6. Running (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) Side B 1. I Just Wanna Dance (Norah Jones/Leon Michels/Homer Steinweiss) 2. I’m Awake (Norah Jones) 3. Swept Up in the Night (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 4. On My Way (Norah Jones/Pete Remm) 5. Alone With My Thoughts (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 6. That’s Life (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) NORAH JONES – 2024 TOUR DATES: May 6 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway – Boston, MA May 10 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY May 13 – Kennedy Center Concert Hall – Washington, DC May 15 – The Met Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA May 16 – Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY May 17 – Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY May 19 – Apollo Theater – New York, NY May 24 – BottleRock Napa Valley – Napa, CA June 30 – Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival – Saratoga Springs, NY PHOTO BY JOELLE GRACE TAYLOR * * * Norah Jones first emerged on the world stage with the 2002 release of Come Away With Me, her self-described “moody little record” that introduced a singular new voice and grew into a global phenomenon, sweeping the 2003 GRAMMY Awards including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Since then, Jones has become a nine-time GRAMMY-winner, sold more than 52 million albums, and her songs have been streamed ten billion times worldwide. She has released a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo albums—Feels Like Home (2004), Not Too Late (2007), The Fall (2009), Little Broken Hearts (2012), Day Breaks (2016), Pick Me Up Off The Floor (2020), the live album ‘Til We Meet Again (2021), and her holiday album I Dream Of Christmas (2021)—as well as albums with her collective bands The Little Willies, El Madmo, and Puss N Boots featuring Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper. The 2010 compilation …Featuring Norah Jones showcased her incredible versatility by collecting her collaborations with artists as diverse as Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Outkast, and Herbie Hancock. In 2022, Jones launched her podcast Norah Jones Is Playing Along which features candid conversations and impromptu musical collaborations with some her favorite musicians. Follow Norah Jones: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Apple Music • Spotify • YouTube Follow Blue Note Records: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify • Apple Music • YouTube

That was quick! Dominique Rhymes has joined the Redblacks. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/ottawa-redblacks-agree-to-terms-with-dominique-rhymes/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/source-veteran-receiver-dominique-rhymes-returning-to-ottawa-redblacks-1.2064350 ***** The Bombers have traded Dru Brown to the Redblacks for a draft pick. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/blue-bombers-trade-qb-dru-brown-to-redblacks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/18/ottawa-acquires-rights-to-qb-dru-brown-from-bombers/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/redblacks-acquire-rights-for-qb-dru-brown-from-bombers-for-fifth-round-pick-1.2064387 ***** The Roughriders have let go Jake Wieneke. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/riders-cut-receiver-jake-wieneke-ahead-of-offseason-bonus/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/18/riders-release-receiver-jake-wieneke/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders-release-former-cfl-all-star-wr-jake-wieneke-1.2064656 ***** Kent Austin will be Auburn's QB coach this year. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/longtime-cfler-kent-austin-named-qb-coach-at-auburn-university/ ***** Review of last year's top free agent signings. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/16/cauz-the-top-free-agent-signings-from-2023/ ***** Dave Naylor looks at each team's quarterback situation. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/dave-naylor-a-look-at-where-every-cfl-team-sits-at-quarterback-1.2060605

And in the past 41 hours, we are up another 600 views. We are now up to 232,400. Is something going on that I don't know about? ***** BC let Dominique Rhymes go today. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/17/b-c-lions-release-former-cfl-all-star-receiver-dominique-rhymes/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/17/lions-release-veteran-receiver-dominique-rhymes/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/source-veteran-receiver-rhymes-b-c-lions-mutually-agree-to-part-ways-1.2063881

A frog walks into a bank, and approaches the teller, whose name plate says Patricia Whack. "Miss Whack, I'd like to get a $50,000 loan to take a vacation." Patty looks at the frog in disbelief, and asks his name. "Kermit Jagger. My father is Mick Jagger. It will be fine to authorize the loan. I know your manager." Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan with some collateral. "Sure, how about this?" said Kermit as he produces a tiny porcelain elephant, about an inch tall, bright pink and perfectly formed. Very confused, Patty explains that she'll have to consult with the bank manager, and disappears into a back office. Patty walks into the manager's office and proceeds to tell him, "There's a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you, and wants to borrow $50,000. And he wants to use this as collateral." Patty holds up the tiny pink elephant. "I mean, what in the world is this?" The bank manager looks back at her and says..."It's a knickknack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan. His old man's a Rolling Stone."

❤️

Apparently some people are hungry for Canadian league news. In the past three days and five hours, this thread has had 800 views. Now up to 231,800.

Here's a surprise to me. The Argos have traded one of their best and most popular players, Kurleigh Gittens, Jr., to the Elks for Jake Ceresna. Gittens will be re-united with MBT. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/15/elks-trade-dl-jake-ceresna-to-argonauts-for-canadian-rec-kurleigh-gittens-jr/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/15/elks-send-ceresna-to-argos-for-gittens-jr/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/source-elks-land-receiver-gittens-from-argonauts-for-defensive-lineman-ceresna-1.2062873 ***** Sask announced their coaches today. Of note, Marquay McDaniel will handle the receivers. JC Sherritt will have the linebackers. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/15/corey-mace-roughriders-announce-2024-coaching-staff/ https://3downnation.com/2024/01/15/saskatchewan-roughriders-finalize-coaching-staff-under-corey-mace/

Norm Snead has died at 84. RIP. Norm Snead dies - Search (bing.com)

My first CD from the BMG Record Club when I joined in 1997 was his Greatest Hits.

Dan Farthing has agreed to become Sask's strength and conditioning coach. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/21/riders-hire-former-receiver-dan-farthing-as-head-of-strength-of-conditioning-extend-football-ops-staff/ ***** Sask QB analysis since 2000. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/27/each-primary-starting-quarterback-for-the-saskatchewan-roughriders-since-2000/ ***** Charleston Hughes has retired. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/29/legendary-cfl-pass-rusher-charleston-hughes-officially-announces-retirement-from-pro-football/ ***** Top 10 stories of the year https://3downnation.com/2023/12/29/legendary-cfl-pass-rusher-charleston-hughes-officially-announces-retirement-from-pro-football/ ***** Dane Evans has retired to become a high school coach. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/01/veteran-qb-dane-evans-retires-from-cfl/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/02/quarterback-dane-evans-announces-retirement/ https://3downnation.com/2024/01/12/retired-cfl-qb-dane-evans-hired-as-high-school-qb-coach-in-oklahoma/ ***** The annual releasing of good players prior to the roster bonus date has begun. Steven Dunbar, Jr. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/03/edmonton-elks-release-steven-dunbar-jr-ahead-of-roster-bonus/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/03/elks-release-wide-receiver-steven-dunbar-jr/ Aaron Grymes https://3downnation.com/2024/01/04/edmonton-elks-release-veteran-db-aaron-grymes/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/04/elks-release-veteran-db-aaron-grymes/ Taylor Cornelius https://3downnation.com/2024/01/04/edmonton-elks-to-release-qb-taylor-cornelius-report/ Adam Konar https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/09/elks-release-taylor-cornelius-adam-konar/ https://3downnation.com/2024/01/09/edmonton-elks-release-canadian-lb-adam-konar/ Derrick Moncrief https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/riders-release-veteran-sam-derrick-moncrief/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/05/riders-part-ways-with-derrick-moncrief/ ***** You will recall that a year ago, McLeod Bethel-Thompson left the Argos (and the league) to sign with the USFL, with the hope of getting one last shot at the NFL. He led the league in passing yards, but no NFL contract materialized. So he has agreed to join the Elks. Presumably he will spend the year mentoring Tre Ford. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/edmonton-elks-sign-mcleod-bethel-thompson-1.7077019 https://3downnation.com/2024/01/07/official-edmonton-elks-sign-two-time-grey-cup-champion-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson/ https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/edmonton-elks-sign-veteran-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson-report/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/23/edmonton-elks-pushing-to-sign-veteran-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/11/jones-on-bethel-thompson-hes-a-true-leader/ ***** Burke Dales has died at only 46. RIP. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/burke-dales-death-calgary-stampeders-football-player-1.7076963 https://3downnation.com/2024/01/07/former-cfl-punter-burke-dales-dead-at-46/ ***** The Bombers have promoted Jordan Younger to DC. Richie Hall will remain with the team. Mike Miller will be the new STC. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-promote-jordan-younger-to-defensive-coordinator-hire-mike-miller/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bombers-younger-miller-coordinator-1.7077716 https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/08/bombers-announce-coaching-staff-changes-2/ ***** Willie Bethea has died at 85. RIP. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/willie-bethea-obit-hamilton-ticats-1.7076447 ***** Marcel Desjardin has joined the Als as an special assistant/ GM and player personnel. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/11/former-redblacks-gm-marcel-desjardins-hired-by-alouettes-as-special-assistant/ ***** Here is a list of the Canadian and former CFL players currently in the NFL playoffs. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/13/every-canadian-and-former-cfl-player-in-the-2024-nfl-playoffs/

Let's take a quick look at some headlines since December 1. Tommy Condell has agreed to become Ottawa's OC. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/04/ottawa-redblacks-hire-tommy-condell-as-offensive-coordinator/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/06/hes-a-guy-that-wills-things-to-happen-redblacks-offensive-coordinator-tommy-condell-praises-qb-dustin-crum/ ***** Hamilton has made some big changes. Orlondo Steinauer will be the President of Football Operations. Ed Hervey (!) will be the General Manager. Scott Milanovich will be the Head Coach. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/05/tiger-cats-name-ed-hervey-gm-orlondo-steinauer-focusing-on-president-of-football-operations-role/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/06/hamilton-tiger-cats-hire-scott-milanovich-as-head-coach/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/07/im-excited-about-him-ticats-scott-milanovich-believes-rookie-qb-taylor-powell-did-an-amazing-job-in-2023/ ***** Marc Mueller (Ron Lancaster's grandson) has agreed to be Sask's OC. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/06/roughriders-re-sign-special-teams-coordinator-kent-maugeri-hire-marc-mueller-as-offensive-coordinator/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/07/new-riders-oc-mark-mueller-ready-to-build-a-rocket-ship-around-veteran-qb-trevor-harris/ ***** Ryan Phillips has been promoted to BC Assistant Head Coach. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/11/b-c-lions-name-ryan-phillips-assistant-head-coach-retain-entire-coaching-staff/ ***** The league has released the names of ten players from each team's neg list. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/12/idaho-speedster-jermaine-jackson-headlines-cfl-negotiation-list-reveal/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/12/12/cfl-clubs-reveal-10-names-from-negotiation-lists/ ***** JC Abbott has announced his 2023 NCAA All-Canadians. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/14/abbotts-2023-ncaa-all-canadians-offence/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/15/abbotts-2023-ncaa-all-canadians-defence/ ***** The league has announced its 2024 schedule. Everyone will play everyone else at least twice. https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/14/return-to-balance-cfl-reveals-schedule-for-2024-season/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/12/14/holiday-cheer-red-tag-cfl-unveil-2024-schedule/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/14/ranking-every-cfl-teams-2024-schedule-reveal/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/14/saskatchewan-roughriders-get-lucky-with-restful-2024-schedule/ ***** Top 3 QB rushing performances of 2023 https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/02/top-3-quarterback-rushing-performances-of-2023/ ***** This thread's view count now stands at 231,000. That means 1,100 since Nov. 25.

Opened Disc 2 today.

Opened Disc 2 today.