_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
fent99
-
Posts
434 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Donations
0.00 USD
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Posts posted by fent99
-
-
I like these records. Banana Blush particularly. I wouldn't usually go for this kind of thing but they are a lovely mix of his poetry and music. It shouldn't work but it does really well. They take Betjeman towards a prog home on Charisma though the music is neither jazz nor classical nor prog but a whimsical thing that reminds me of an Oliver Postgate animation. Nice radio doc narrated by Jarvis Cocker here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b04bmtpp?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
-
Another vote for Serious Gold. Lovely set. I only went to Ronnie's a few times in the 90s and have fond memories of Ronnie playing Send in the Clowns which is lovely on Serious Gold.
I really like:
Ronnie Scott and the Band - October 25th and 26th, 1968 (Realm 52661, #also CBS 63742)
Realm LP titled "Live" at Ronnie Scott's.....CBS titled "Ten years at Ronnie Scott's".
Kenny Wheeler (tp,flhn), Chris Pyne (tb), Ray Warleigh (as,fl), Ronnie Scott (ts), John Surman (bs,sop), Gordon Beck (p,org), Ron Mathewson (b), Kenny Clare, Tony Oxley (d).
Great band, and 2 drummers one being Tony Oxley is interesting. It's especially good in an extended cd from the 2000s. -
I've not been on here for ages but thought I'd pass this on since there might be a few here with adventurous ears looking for a CD bargain. I received the email below and thought some here might have some interest.
I have no connection to Slam or George Haslam but I really like the Mal Waldron albums I've bought particularily the one with Steve Lacy "Let's call this .... Esteem", and the duets with Max Roach
"SLAM released its final CD in 2021, leaving us with a surplus supply of earlier releases. We have over 90% of SLAM releases in stock and are offering these to collectors at a minimal rate.The prices are:
For 25 CDs, including delivery, £50 UK, £60 EU, £90 USA/Rest of the world.
For 10 CDs, including delivery, £30 UK, £40 EU, £50 USA/Rest of the world.
How to order :- Visit our catalogue at http://www.slamproductions.net/menus/main.asp?PN=catalogue
Make your selections and email to us at slamprods@aol.com
We will confirm whether the CDs are in stock and send you invoice. -
Digging through my own crates in these strange times and thought I'd revisit this set. There is so much music here that it takes a bit of digesting and I'm not sure I got to grips with it when it first arrived.
Fascinating journey to be taken on. I'll report again when I've listened further, but I have a question regarding the cover Allen. In the intervening half dozen years I've been spending a bit of time on Anglesey near Llanfair-pg (as they say round there). Any particular reason for the cover photo (on mine as above) "Evan Roberts last revival meeting on Anglesey"?
-
Haven't posted on here in an age...
Saw the Sun Ra Arkestra show in Edinburgh and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, crowd walkthroughs, and all. Marshall Allen was on fine form and Tara Middleton was great. Lots of solos to enjoy and the french horn player if it was Vincent Chancey was mighty fine.
One of the gigs I passed up going to in the winter of 1991 was Sun Ra at the Village Vanguard. I can't remember why I didn't go whether it was funds or energy but I've always wished I had. This didn't quite make up for that but I was glad I was there.
-
Watched this again for the first time since it came out (1986!) last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. The music is great throughout and watching the various bands on stage is a real pleasure. My DVD sounds great too and I'm a little disappointed that the reissued album and my DVD doesn't have full live performances from the movie added...
Its not perfect and sometimes the fictionalised reality especially the time its set in and the actual time it was made are a little confused but I'm being picky. Dex is great (acting and playing) and I definitely don't have enough of his records beyond the blue notes.
Cluzet is someone I've enjoyed in a few recent movies (Untouchable (2011), Tell No One (2006) and Little White Lies (2010). so it was good to see him in his younger day, nearly 30 years ago...
-
Cheers Bill.
Of course its in Youtube and sounds fine so back to the store this afternoon...
-
Hi All
Saw this in a local store on LP. Wondered if it was worth picking up since it has Art Pepper and Roger Kellaway on it. Seemed like a no brainer but don't know Cole at all and its among Pepper's last sessions.
Any good?
Colin
-
Have had a brief listen to most of the tunes so far and will post more thoughts later. Like HP above I recognise Abdullah Ibrahim on track one but its not a track I know. I love to listen to him though and had the pleasure of meeting him briefly last month and hearing him play a short solo set. This is a great track!
-
8. Hampton Hawes - Sonora from "Spanish Steps"
http://www.jazzdisco.org/hampton-hawes/catalog/album-index/ from 1968
Best jazz book I've read in years was Raise Up Off Me and was fascinated by his amazing life and great talent. I'm not so familiar with his later records so something else to explore, but on this evidence I'll need them all?
9. Matthias Spillmann - Last Piece from "Mats Up - 5"
http://www.matthiasspillmann.ch/
I've been volunteering at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival for 2 ears now and this group was one I saw last year and really enjoyed meeting. Its not been universally liked in the BFT but I like the composition and the playing and for a group of gracious young (ish) guys from Switzerland this is a good momento of a lovely gig
10. Oriole - Bate Calado from "Migration"
http://www.oriole-music.co.uk/
I went away this Easter to do some hill walking with a german friend and friends of hers. The cottage we stayed in had a pretty decent stereo and a bunch of CDs and this caught my ear so had to pick it up when I returned. Don't often get caught up in such things but this was so gorgeous and again takes me right back to a lovely trip with good company, great food and a mellow whiskey after a long walk up Ben Lawers. Its a fire collective band so Ingrid Laubrock and Seb Roachford provide some grit in this lovely ensemble.
11. Danny Thompson & Zoe Rahman - One of These Things First from "Way to Blue"
http://www.navigatorrecords.co.uk/way-to-blue-the-songs-of-nick-drake/
The only jazz cut on a mainly vocal tribute album to Nick Drake (are there more "orphaned" jazz tunes out there marooned on non jazz albums?). Danny Thompson played with Nick Drake back in the day though his jazz credentials are pretty good with Mingus tunes on Pentangle records and maybe even a stint with John McLaughlin if my memory serves. Rahman sounds great here though almost at risk of playing too much which was nearly the case when I saw her solo live once, many years ago. The enthusiasm is undeniable though and the fragile beauty of the tune is never lost.
12. Christian Scott - Isadora from "Yesterday you Said Tomorrow"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Scott
When I picked this, I only had tickets to see him but the gig was on Sunday and his current band was really impressive. Much more powerful and commanding than is on show on this beautiful ballad. A great band especially the piano bass and drums but all played with such poise and Christain's New Orleans swagger was a treat to watch and hear. This is dedicated to his wife Isadora who was there and sang one number. I could see why he dedicated such a pretty tune to her.
13. Art Farmer/Jim Hall - A Child is Born from "Big Blues"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Blues_(Art_Farmer_album)
I was sure someone would get this since the co-leaders are among my favourites though its those Atlantic sides that continue to delight me most. Maybe the CTI production disguises their identities a bit or Mike Maineri on vibes throws everyone off. A tune thats been done a lot but a lovely reading here and one in my playlists for a couple of years
14. Spirit of Life Ensemble - Song for My Father from "Feel the Spirit"
http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1530038/a/feel+the+spirit.htm
The Leon Thomas Cd is finally here and I can see what you all mean. This cd (bought like so many others in sales or from cutout bins as the only interesting jazz cd I found that day), was picked up because of this tune being covered and is included as a tribute to Horace and to my father who passed away last year. Leon Thomas wrote the lyrics and if they are a bit too simple the message is heartfelt and its such a great tune. Clifford Adams sings so like Leon but plays trombone elsewhere on the album. Spirit of Life Ensemble are a New Jersey based community band led by Daoud-David Williams with some verve. Not sure how this ended up in a cutout bin in Edinburgh but really pleased it did.
And that is where this BFT ends. I've loved the comments and the indulgence of letting you hear my mixtape! -
Firstly can I say thanks to all for your interest and for the opportunity to send out some choices and getting a bit of a reaction to some things I've been listening to. My choices weren't meant to be too tricky but not too obvious either it is really just a wee snapsot of my listening.
1. Bobby Previte - 23. The Passage of the Divine Bird from "The 23 Constellations of Joan Miro" BBC Recording
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/jazzon3/pip/u77pn/
http://www.tzadik.com/index.php?catalog=7072
Its actually a recording I made from the radio and I've never bought the album on Tzadik. I recorded this either to my cd recorder or to a minidisc when it was first broadcast and its something I've returned to again and again. I love the instrumentation with harps and bells and the enigmatic nature of the compositions maybe a bit like Miro's paintings which I also love. I recorded it mainly because I'd seen Previte on a fondly remembered trip to NYC playing drums with beaters while keyboards and trombone cooked up a storm.
The whole set is great and made a bit more digestable by a lovely female voice introducing each piece.2. Don Friedman - Circle Waltz from "Circle Waltz"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_Waltz
Superlative piano trio from someone I know very little of beyond this album so maybe someone can direct me to more. If I was more knowledgable I'd say its influenced by Bill Evans but they are contemporaries and share a label. With Chuck Israels on bass that connection is all the more explicit. Pete LaRoca always adds a little something too.
3. Enrico Pieranunzi/Charlie Haden/Billy Higgins - For Turiya from "First Song"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Song
This could be seen as a bit of a tribute to Haden who passed in the last few weeks. I nearly picked the version from his duet album where he plays with the composer, Alice Coltrane. I've been a wee bit obsessed with Alice over the last year her albums with John, the impulse stuff then some of the meditational albums. There's a great Piano Jazz broadcast where she plays some beautiful piano and I thought I'd love to hear her tunes played by a more overtly jazz band. Of course I found I had a tune already and here it is. Pieranunzi I've seen in concert a couple of times all off the back of this album which I bought because of Haden who picks notes and plays superbly on this.
4. Raymond MacDonald/Marilyn Crispell - Longing from "Parallel Moments"
http://babel-label.bandcamp.com/album/parallel-moments
Saw this pairing duet in the Reid Concert Hall in Edinburgh at the beginning of the year (amongst other combinations) and though I'd never heard him before found out he is on the teaching staff at Edinburgh University. This is on the Babel Label and though it's not all as beautiful or elegaic as this its a really strong duet record
5. Laura Jurd - Landing Ground from "Landing Ground"
So much of my music comes gifted or recommended by friends (a lot from organissimo!) and this came via a friend in London over a few glasses of red on a visit last November. I like the copelandesque theme and the strings to offset the solos. Maybe its not jazz but I like it... She's young and from this outing has a huge amount of ambition.
6. Wolfgang Muthspiel - Mehldau from "Live at the Vortex 2003"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/jazzon3/pip/v8iv5/
Another BBC Jazz on 3 recording so maybe slightly unfair for the guessing. The gig was one I was at. Really happy memories of the old Vortex in Stoke Newington, where I used to live in North London. Great guitar and the highlight was watching Brian Blade on drums really shining as with skittering chattering patterns keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. Really joyous stuff, with that sunny disposition Metheny often produces. For someone who likes minor keys and darker stuff this really cheers me up. Muthspiel has some really good albums out there the most recent on ECM and is really worth looking out for.
7. Arthur Blythe - Light Blue from "Light Blue"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Blue:_Arthur_Blythe_Plays_Thelonious_Monk
I said in the comments that I'd overdosed on Monk probably as a result of getting the big Riverside box, but he's one of the cornerstones of my listening with recent reawakening courtesy of the solo sides in the Vogue box and the reissue of Straight No Chaser with so much more music than before. But this of course made me think again. Quickly identified and since my jazz buying has been (mainly) in the CD era I've let Blythe pass my by. My loss. I've a friend who has been talking about these albums for years but he has no turntable any more and I've yet to venture into his loft to "borrow" them. Blythe is great here and put paid to my (mis)understanding that Lennox Avenue Breakdown was the only Columbia album worth listening to... Oh and the tuba is always a treat!
-
11. The pianist has a very personal voice and conception. The pianist has absorbed 1970s Keith Jarrett, but developed his or her distinctive style. I like this one a lot.
Definitely a personality and a distinctive one, not giving anything away at this stage by saying its a woman. Great performance
Is the pianist on #11 Lynne Arriale?
Thought I responded...
Good guess but no, not long to wait for the reveal...
The Horace lyric for "Song for My Father" is on the "It's Got to Be Funky" album from the '90s on Columbia. Andy Bey forges ahead bravely with the bad lyric -- but he could have done so well with this lyric.
Never picked that one up and like Andy Bey so something else to look for... Linking up with track 11 he does a great version of Nick Drake's River Man which came up on shuffle on my ipod this morning!
-
Sign me up for a download please!
-
This is a very enjoyable, interesting BFT. Here are my impressions:
1. I like the bells and harp, and really like the sound of the saxophone player. I don't know who this is, but it is very appealing. It is a good opener for a BFT.
I love the instrumentation on this and thought someone might say this isn't jazz. Composed by the drummer and so unlike the only time I saw him live...
2. I really like this piano trio recording. All of the musicians have an individual voice, which is not always the case with material like this. Who is that bassist, who is playing all over the bass while still maintaining a supportive role? That can't be easy to do, because not many bassists do it successfully. Richard Davis can do it really well, but this does not sound like him.
Great piano and collaboration. The bass player is a great one and though there aren't many I could pick out by their playing you'll definitely know him
3. This is a very lyrical performance with depth of feeling--not easy to pull off. The bassist is again playing actively while also supporting the other musicians.
Here too a great bass player and one you'll know
4. This one reminds me of the feel of George Adams' "Sound Suggestions" album, but it is not George Adams. I like this one a lot.
Good call on Adams, but you're right not him...
5. This is a highly arranged piece, which I do not find all that interesting, I am sorry to say.
Fair enough and again maybe on the edges of jazz. Some interesting textures too.
6. The guitarist has really absorbed Pat Metheny. The composition reminds me of Pat Metheny's second folk song on "Two Folk Songs" on his "80/81' album--that classic folk/country song quality. It could be a traditional folk or country song from long ago. The drummer is dropping in unexpected little bits--Tony Williams did that too, but this is clearly not Tony.
Likened to Metheny from that era is praise indeed, maybe a different folk tradition though since he's a european. The drummer is a talent too and one of the best I've seen in person
7. I have already identified this Arthur Blythe recording and written about it.
Going to gather all these albums in time since I really enjoy this...
8. This to me is recorded jazz at its highest level. The pianist has a strong personal voice. He or she had to come after McCoy Tyner's Coltrane recordings. Really great track!
He was around long before but yes it absorbs some later influence, the positive comments on this make me want to get more of his later material
9. To me, this is recent generic mainstream bop music, all good, but not very compelling or distinctive. I think that there is a ton of this kind of stuff recorded in the past 15 years, and it is just not exciting enough for me any more.
I know what you mean about this and when I see young players playing their own compositions its hard to work out what is good or not for me. I like this though whether it will stand out for long enough its hard to say.
10. I really like the mallet instrument/guitar/percussion combination, the textures they achieve together. The reed player knows Coltrane's music. The wordless vocals are nice-I wonder if that is the percussionist singing? Sometimes a "world music" percussionist will sing wordlessly like this, it is fairly common.
A really good combination, and arrangement with lovely textures totally agree. I'm a sucker for wordless vocals (and don't always listen to the words anyway) so glad ou picked these out.
11. The pianist has a very personal voice and conception. The pianist has absorbed 1970s Keith Jarrett, but developed his or her distinctive style. I like this one a lot.
Definitely a personality and a distinctive one, not giving anything away at this stage by saying its a woman. Great performance
12. Very breathy harmon muted trumpet--a very good player. This is lovely, really good.
Saw this guy live on Sunday night and the tune and its inspiration are indeed lovely!
13. A very nice version of "A Child Is Born". I don't know who it is, but it is a very successful version of a song which has been recorded so many times that it can be forgettable if not performed in a distinctive way.
Different enough to stand out from many versions. Its a tune I rarely get tired of though.
14. Who does a precise tribute to Leon Thomas, right down to some of his vocal mannerisms and devices? I had no idea that Leon had inspired another vocalist to this extent. I really want to know who did this--they captured Leon's style very successfully.
Still waiting for the Leon version to arrive so I can hear it too. It is very like him though
Overall an excellent Blindfold Test, with many treasures!
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I'm looking forward to getting a bit more off my chest with the reveal and mayber there will be more to discuss when you know who these folk are...
Cheers!
-
Running out of time to finish this one...
8 – Is this a '60s show tune or something I should recognize? Or some kind of European folk tune? The pianist's understated precision reminds me of Billy Taylor, and I mean that in the best way. The bass part is really beautiful, too, especially on the coda. This one's a keeper.
Not sure about the tune or where its from and Billy Taylor is in the right ball park but not him. It is a great tune and performance though
9 – I want to like this more than I do. The trumpet intro is nice, but after that we part ways. It smells more like a schoolroom than a club. The alto solo is like some sort of uneasy compromise between Konitz and Kenny Garrett – player has a hard time getting started, but the solo's ending is nice. Trumpet doesn't have much left to say the second time. Maybe my least favorite tune of the set. Not so bad, but instead of hearing an original voice I'm hearing studied, deliberate echoes of other people's voices, both in the playing and writing.
I'll not disagree too much with this but will say a bit more in the reveal.
10 – Good clarinet in there, and a nice dancing feeling. A marimba or xylorimba instead of vibes? Praise for the percussionist, who's doing something different every few seconds. The addition of voices near the end works, it isn't overkill.
I'll need to look again at the instrumentation, don't remember noticing which instrument... There is a lovely dancing feeling, and thats a nice description
11 – Really fine version of that Nick Drake song. I want this record.
Maybe not all of the album its from, but this I really like.
12 – Is this some kind of pop song, a relatively recent one, dramatically rearranged? Whatever it is, the arrangement is just beautiful, and so is the performance.
No its an original and again lots more to discuss at the reveal.
13 – "A Child Is Born," and I guess the guitarist is the leader? It's somebody who's listened to a lot of Kenny Burrell. No great discoveries here, but very entertaining.
Co-led by the trumpeter and guitarist. I'm surprised no-one has guessed this but as I said before maybe the label 'sound' disguises their true identity
14 – Who wrote this lyric for "Song for My Father?" It's SO much better than the words Horace forced Andy Bey to sing. Otherwise, I'll just echo what HP and others have said: Who's so deeply into Leon Thomas?
Again I'll need to go back to the credits. I've never heard another sung version but have Leon Thomas on its way... Which album is the Andy Bey version on? I love the way these tests actually test my knowledge of things and push my listening in another direction picking out instruments I've not noticed, recommending things like the artists I've picked. Loving all the comments.
A very well-chosen BFT here! Thank you!
-
I'll be happier if I hear that the money taken from Tommy Smith was going to other jazz organisations in Scotland, but somehow I doubt it. He has done a great job promoting the SNJO. I've seen them a few times most recently with Makoto Ozone guesting. The SNJO was bursting with talent but I'm yet to be convinced by the arrangements Smith produces. They just don't get into my soul.
Pretty much how I feel about Tommy Smith generally since I like him and the good work he's doing as an educator, ambassador and a player. His records I can appreciate, but I seldom love them...
You're right though the money will go from jazz alogether and though its not my thing I'm sure the SNJO is a great incubator of talent.
Plenty of music out there for Moldy-Figs with Chris Barber tonight...
-
I might make it to Phil Bancroft's gig this weekend but otherwise work commitments will prevent much else. Not too much appeals to me, I regret to say. Far cry from yesteryear but that's replicated up and down the country in festivals.
Agreed about festivals generally, the big headline acts are almost always a long way from what I like as Jazz.
I might go to the Bancroft/ABB gig too.
Sadly, I won't be going, but I see they're cutting funding of jazz as high art in Bonnie Scotland:
Its a fair trip from the Hague...
Interesting article and thanks for posting since I never read the Telegraph. Could probably do with more discussion elsewhere.
Although I like Tommy Smith and appreciate the work he's done with the SNJO (prob on a shoestring compared to Marsalis' Lincoln Centre organisation), I'm not really a fan of repertory big bands...
Jazz definitely the poor cousin in Arts Funding terms
-
Still plenty of time to take part if any latecomers are keen. Been enjoying the comments so far...
-
Wondering if anyone on here is attending anything at this years festival?
http://www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/
I volunteer and help out at some of the venues so have some interesting stuff to go to. Once you get past the headline stuff that provides some cash (Jools Holland/Van Morrison) there's some interesting things.
I'll be at:
A Mandela themed night with Abdullah Ibrahim,
Julian Arguelles,
James Morrison,
Martin Taylor
Christian Scott.
Anyone in attendance?
-
I don't play bass, just love the instrument. Hugh Ragin is an avant garde leaning trumpeter who works a lot with David Murray. Here is a good start: http://www.allmusic.com/album/back-to-saturn-mw0000010669
I'm surprised by the reaction to track 12, though that reaction may be more a result of what surrounds it than the track itself.
As I get older i think I hear the low notes more keenly, not sure if thats true of others too...
-
No peeking. I listened to this as I conquered a power nap, then listened for real. Lots to like here.
1 - Everything about this could qualify as overdoing it, but this just *works*. Has that trance-like feel of Horace Tapscott’s Aiee! The Phantom. The bells really bring a level of complexity that makes this over-the-top interesting. The piano is providing the base for the tune and gives some body to the unemployment stick taking the lead. My guess, due mostly to the instrumentation, is a Japanese band (maybe Sleepwalker?). This is an absolute keeper. I hope the whole test is like this.
Loving the reaction to this, giving me lots of recs to buy some more music... Nobody guessed it so far and I don't know enough about his output to say if its tpical or not.
2 - Quirky and choppy, but it’s interesting. Sort of Brubeckian, but without the handcuffed piano style. I like the bass solo a lot, but that’s nothing new. Seems like a modern group trying to capture that Bill Evans Trio feel (and doing a nice job of it). No guess, but I like it.Great ensemble playing (and bass). Not modern since its at a similar time to some classic Bill Evans Trio sides on Riverside but might be too much of a clue3 - Very Coltraney feel to me. Reminiscent of Crescent. I like this a lot, but I have no idea who this is.Getting much warmer, though I'm not sure you're thinking of the 'right' Coltrane
4 - I really feel like I know who this is. It reminds me a lot of the Heinz Sauer recording with Michael Wollny. Saxophonist has touches of late Art Pepper mixed in with a lot of the new style approach. He’s a touch sloppy at times, which I prefer and appreciate. The only thing kind of missing is the occasional flubbed, out-of-place, bebop line. Makes me think it’s a European player. Still, I like this, overall.Yes, definitely a European and a name unknown to me before I saw this duo play live, nice sound though5 - Hmm… This needs to get dark pretty quickly or it’s going to lose me. There we go.Sounds very soundtracky. Yeah, this isn’t really doing it for me. Hugh Ragin has some stuff like this, and that does it for me. This seems too fragmented.I too prefer darker material, you'll need to tell me about Hugh Ragin, another name I don't know...6 - Another quirky one. This is the type of thing that’s fun to see, but not sure how much I’d play it at home. Has almost a blue grass tinge to it. I’m in for the bass solo, again.Good call since its a gig I attended, I take it you play bass?7 - Well, there’s Arthur Blythe, so you have me. Bob Stewart, too? It’s Monk’s Light Blue from this.Correct. Should have known these albums would be well known around here. Until a friend started talking about them I'd never heard of them!8 - Good start! Reminds me of those fantastic Muse dates with Cecil McBee. Tune is very familiar. Has a little bit of Under Paris Skies going for it, but that’s not it. Recording is pretty horrid, but even so, I like the snappiness of the drums (3/4 always makes it work for me). Not crazy about what the bass is doing echoing the stiff piano comping, but still, it’s working. Good ol-fashioned quality Jazz playing to my ear. No idea who this is, but I could hear this a few times, for sure. Damnit, what IS that song!?!?Not the best recording I'll agree but the playing more than makes up for it. Sure you'll know the player but its not on Muse (that would likely sound better!) nor with McBee9 - This is slow to start, but the two horns blend very nicely when the main theme comes in. Almost strikes me as a modern reworking of Shorter’s Deluge. Is that Kenny Garrett? Tone seems a little sterile to be him, but the ideas are there. Not sure… I think I like it, but I’m not sure how it would hold up on repeated listening. No idea who the trumpet player is.Trumpet is the leader and more europeans so not Garrett.10 - Interesting, would be fun to see live, but not something I’d spend much time with. Not a clarinet guy, but otherwise, I like the instrumentation (even that horrific electric fretless). When the vocals come in, this steps up quite a bit. This stuff sort of strikes me as the evolution of the Return to Forever stuff, but I probably have that backwards.How I came across this is the story and I don't really know Return to Forever so can't comment on where its come from but its pretty recent so sure you're right. I like the arrangement and the voicings and the latin feel. I'll need to listen to it again to hear the bass but I like a bit of fretless...11 - Strummed piano, bass… I’m going to like this. Feels very Ibrahim, already. Oh yeah, at 1:30, I’m all in. It’s not Ibrahim, but it’s every bit as nice. Am I sensing the hidden theme that some of these songs are reworkings of other tunes? This tune seems very familiar, but different. Man, I miss playing with piano players.You're right its not Ibrahim but there is something of him in the feel of this even though its much more hyperactive than him. Tune spotted above as Nick Drake if thats something you know and the bass player here worked with him. Not known as a jazz bassist but perhaps always has been12 - Oh! 20 seconds and I’m totally in. Man, that breathy trumpet is gorgeous! Man, I HAVE to possess this! No idea what this is, but does it ever WORK! This is a lot more modern than most of the stuff that grips me, but man, am I ever in the grips of THIS! I may just listen to this all night! Oh man… PLEASE PM me the answer for this one. I need to have this yesterday!Mixed reports on this but I'm with you. Bags of atmosphere and good to hear any night13 - Bass, vibes and brushes… I’m going to love this. A Child Is Born. No idea who (guitar is not my forte). Not picking up who the trumpet is, but could be Eddie Henderson (something about the attack). No, not Eddie. No idea, but very nice.I think the label's trademark sound camouflages the personalities here really well. The trumpet/guitar axis made me pick this up though its a long way from the classic albums they had recorded a few years before14 - Song For My Father. Not sure about the vocalist. For obvious reasons, I want to say Leon Thomas, but the voice isn’t deep enough. It could actually be Bobby McFerrin. Not sure who that alto is. Very strange sound, but a modern player based on the copious licks. No idea who this is, but glad to hear somebody carrying on that Leon Thomas thing.I like the Leon Thomas thing too and as I said above I've not heard that version (Always loved his vocal on the Creator has a Master plan with Pharoah). Not the best recording of a big band but as a tribute to Horace it hits the spot for meMuch love in this BFT for me! Thank YOU!A Pleasure! Thanks for your comments! -
#7 is Thelonious Monk's composition "Light Blue", from Arthur Blythe's early 1980s Columbia album "Light Blue". Joining Arthur are Bob Stewart-tuba, Kelvyn Bell-guitar, Abdul Wadud-cello, Bobby Battle-drums.
I loved the Arthur Blythe Columbia albums as they were coming out. To me, as each one was released, it was an event. I would buy each one the first day that I could find a copy. It is a real shame that some of them are not available on CD, including this album. Also, the very accessible and fun "In The Tradition" is not available on CD, to my knowledge.
I wrote to Mosaic recently suggesting that they release a box set of Arthur Blythe's Columbia albums. They have not responded to me yet.
I saw Kelvyn Bell live in early 1982 in a small club as he was playing with Defunkt. Trombonist Joseph Bowie was the leader of that group. I don't think that group was ever adequately captured on recordings. Their live performance was amazing, and quite fun. Bell played wild and excellent guitar.
Thought this would be spotted pretty quickly as noted above. Think there's something in the mix of instruments especially with the tuba that really works for me. Went through a phase of being a wee bit bored of Monk after OD'ing on the big Riverside box. Over that now I'm pleased to say
I've kept an eye out for Bob Stewart appearances since seeing him live with Don Cherry in the 80's. After this BFT I might start a thread about his sideman appearances, since he brings something extra whenever he plays.
A box of these albums on CD would be great, I'd heard that Lennox Avenue Breakdown was the only one worth listening to but this record proves that's far from the case...
I need to go back and hear those Blythe Columbia LPs again, thanks for the reminder. Carry on!
Could do with reappraisal. Bit like the recent thread on Freddie Hubbard's Columbia albums...
Have they been discussed here before?
-
One of the loveliest BFTs in recent memory.
Thanks!
1 -- In the afternoon stillness, a summer breeze blows gently over the field where the harmon mutes grow. Good crop this year. But seriously folks. This one's all about the composition and the textures. And for once, the harp and the bells aren't overkill. The lower notes on the harp are so beautiful.
Nice impression. The source inspiration intrigued me but I find I've gone back to this again and again...
2 -- A very Evans-y trio, and I mean that in the best way. This is how it was originally meant to work, three individuals on an equal footing. The drummer's dance with brushes is what I like to hear.
Yes Evans-y but also not like him at all. A great trio with a bass player Evans played with too adding to the link.
3 -- Haunting composition. They don't throw much "jazz" on it, and that's a wise decision. It's very satisfying exactly this way.
Its the composition that sends me back to this tune and made me dug it out from the album it's from... Not always so jazzy from the composer either and my favourite reading might be the composer in duet with this bass player...
4 -- Alto and minimal piano. Marion Brown?
Loving the thoughts on this, you might be more familiar with the pianist but its not Marion Brown...
5 -- The beginning sounds very Aaron Copland-ish. Then the percussion kicks in (cajon?) and it seems like it might be a Guillermo Klein thing.
Yes I hear the copland voice but a London based band... Guillermo Klein might be another thing I may have to look for if it sounds like this, not even a name I know.
6 -- Nice Metheny-influenced guitar. It isn't Pat, but I like the way this player thinks.
Aren't a great many guitarists influenced by Pat? I don't always like how those he's influenced think (or even how Pat thinks, though I can appreciate he's really talented!) Another European with a big name US drummer in this trio
7 -- This one I recognize right off:
http://en.wikipedia.org...Monk
Bang on! Thought this wouldn't be long.
More later.
'Til then, I want to stake a partial claim on Track 11. It's that darned Nick Drake song I can never remember the name of.
Absolutely right on the Nick Drake tune too!
-
So, not Clare Fischer then on #2?
Well, yet another bad guess
MG
Not a bad guess, pretty much contemporaries, with some similar influence according to wiki
Carla Bley (1936-2023)
in Artists
Posted · Edited by fent99
Forgot to add link
Sad to read of this. One of my favourites and her work as a leader, arranger and composer spoke to me early in my discovery of jazz and still does. Only saw her once in trio with Andy Sheppard and Steve Swallow.
So many great compositions for Paul Bley and the Jimmy Guiffre trio early on as well as her long catalogue of her own albums, always worth listening to.
Ida Lupino is a tune I particularly love, and it will make me stop to listen to whoever plays it, forwards or backwards (as Oni Puladi). RIP Carla.
https://www.jazziz.com/short-history-ida-lupino-carla-bley-1964/
https://youtu.be/DlEE2gATuQY?si=9GR8GGId1ygmCj3q