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webbcity
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Posts posted by webbcity
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I apologize for my tardy response. It is not a reflection of the quality of compilation because I am finding most of the music to be excellently within my own listening preferences. Here are my responses to the first eight tracks.
1. I have not spent much time investigating music like this. It sounds like something I should know. Nice feature for the tenor with punctuations from the band, although I have no idea who is playing.
2. From the outset I like the groove of this track. The sound of the bass and the electric piano seems to date the recording a bit. Familiar sounding tenor, but nothing I could commit to identifying. The trumpeter made me think of Freddie Hubbard or someone from that lineage. Again, familiar. Bass could be Ron Carter. I enjoyed the track – especially the tenor.
3. Another impressive tenor solo. I suspect it is a musician I am familiar with. The track itself is a solid performance, but not something I would likely feel compelled to investigate further.
You now know the answers for 1-3, which were intended to be a little set featuring one of my favorite tenor players, Harold Land. I am still surprised that #1 was discovered so early on! I was hoping for a little more bang for my buck with that one.
But I'm sure you are very familiar with Land...aren't you a fan of the Hutcherson/Land groups? I didn't put any of the Hutcherson stuff on here because I figured he'd be a dead giveaway.4. This soprano sax workout certainly has the feel of the Coltrane quartet – down to the comping by the piano, which is reminiscent of Tyner. Now that I hear the piano solo I am wondering if it is indeed the Coltrane quartet. In any event, an intense performance.
I am really looking forward to revealing this one. As I think I mentioned earlier this is from a relatively recent release and it is a personal favorite, though not very well known. The saxophonist is certainly influenced by Coltrane. Honestly I'm not sure of the piano player's influences but I do hear where everyone's coming from on the Tyner thing.
5. This has that feeling of suspense/tension that I tend to gravitate toward in my listening; while at the same time have a nice groove. Effective solos by all. Good performance.
This one has been ID'd above. Another favorite...I can't get enough of this tune.
6. This one does not feel as “heavy” as the previous track, but that can simply be a function of the instrumentation. Nice work by the drums. Loving the flute and somewhat edgy alto. I am sure the alto is someone that I am familiar with, but I am not willing to go out on a limb and commit to any attempted identification. Nice groove with great solos! Oh wait, there are two basses? This is my kind of thing.
This one has been ID'd as well.
7. This I know and own. Come on man. I live three minutes from the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and Mr. McLean’s influence is still pervasive in my area. But even before I lived in this McLean was already one of my heroes whose music I obsessively collected for completeness. I will assume this has already been identified by someone else, but let me just say it is a favorite of mine!
Aha! I have been waiting for someone to grab this one! I figured McLean was a pretty easy catch, but somehow he had slipped by until now. Yes! And you correctly ID'd the album in your other post above. I expected folks to guess McLean but have more trouble with the specific recording as it's not a terrible well-known one. Believe it or not I think this was actually the first McLean album I owned, so it has a special place for me.
8. The soprano did not wow me, but I am enjoying the trombone. I am not having as strong a response to this track as the four preceding selections. Nonetheless it is a solid performance.
Interesting that many people are having the exact opposite reaction to this track that I had...I am a huge fan of the soprano solo, not so much of the trombone solo. Will have to go back and listen again to the trombone myself!
Will post regarding the remaining tracks as soon as I can.
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Bonus 1 - Jack Bruce “Things We Like” album with John McLaughlin, Jon Hiseman, and Dick Heckstall-Smith. Interesting, but not something I listen to.
Yes! Again another big favorite of mine, because I love Heckstall-Smith's playing, and I think Bruce acquits himself pretty well on the upright. I'm a big fan of his playing and singing in a lot of other settings too.
I was a big big fan of Colosseum, where Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith did their best work. Also liked the era of Mayall they were involved with.
Meant to comment on this earlier... Colosseum I should check out a bit more. I used to have a compilation of theirs on cassette that was great. I need to keep my eye out for some more stuff. Do you have a favorite album of theirs? I thought their version of "Rope Ladder to the Moon" rivaled Bruce's original. And I remember there were some other tracks I really liked..."Elegy" and "Jumping Off The Sun" were a couple.
Didn't know about the Mayall connection so I'll have to look out for that too!
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All right!!! This is a great Blindfold Test.
This Blindfold Test is often right in one of my favorite listening zones, on the border of post bop and avant garde, with a lot of John Coltrane influence in the saxophone soloing. I love it!
Yep, one of my favorite areas too (clearly)...glad to find a kindred spirit!
1. This sounds like a 1945-50 band, combining the R&B of that period with some bop influence. Johnny Otis recorded music with a similar blend in that period, but I don't think it is Otis. I don't know who it is, but this is a fantastic opener! I will get this album after I learn who it is.
This one has been ID'd and I think it will surprise you. But now I need to look up Johnny Otis, because I love this kind of thing but don't have enough of it in my collection.
2. This is from Harold Land's "Damisi" album, from the early 1970s. I bought this album at a music sale held by the family of a jazz lover who passed away, and then I included the song "Pakistan" from this album on one of my Blindfold Tests from two or three years ago. That is Oscar Brashear on trumpet and Land on tenor saxophone.
Bingo! "Pakistan" is another nice one. I almost picked a track from another Mainstream album Choma (Burn) (my favorite Land record) but that one seems to have gathered a cult following online so I thought it might be too obvious.
3. This sounds like a 1970s big band. I don't know who it is, but they are really good. I am really enjoying this. The tenor saxophone soloist shows a John Coltrane influence, which I think is great.
Yep...Land once again, as ID'd above, this time with Gerald Wilson's band. I love this track. Land is the composer on this one also.
4. This one really has me stumped. I love it, and I think I can almost identify it, but then I can't.
The piano sounds just like McCoy Tyner on Impulse to me, down to the unique sound of the piano he played on the Impulse recordings. If the pianist is not McCoy Tyner, it is someone who slept with his records, they were so obsessed with him.
The saxophone player is not John Coltrane, he has a different sound, but it is someone who knows Coltrane's music really well.
The composition almost sounds Irish to me--it's appealing and I feel that I should know it, but I don't.
The drummer has me really stumped. He is playing with some of Elvin Jones' signature devices, but it does not sound like Elvin to me, more like someone who has studied Elvin closely but does not play exactly like him. But then toward the end I hear some drumming that sounds exactly like Tony Williams with McCoy Tyner on 1970s Milestone albums like "Super Trios" and "Passion Dance". But all of that can't be right. I am probably way, way off.
I can't wait to find out who this is. I have to get this album as I love this song.
I'm really glad to see the love for this tune...I think this will be a nice surprise. The album this is from is one of my absolute favorites, but I don't think many people at all know about it. There is actually another recording of this song by a well-known group...I thought it would be more recognizable but a part of me is fiendishly glad that this one hasn't been guessed yet.
5. This sounds to me like the musicians who played on the India Navigation label in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Is that Hamiet Bluiett on baritone saxophone? Whoever it is, he is a great player. I am not sure he sounds exactly like Hamiet, but he is exploring some of the same territory that Hamiet plays in.
I love the bluesy, menancing feeling of the head. Today's highly technically accomplished musicians don't do enough of that kind of thing, in my opinion.
You are absolutely in the right neighborhood. This one has been ID'd above by Prof. Keith.
6. This is Prince Lasha and Sonny Simmons, from "The Cry". I have this album. It seems to me that this music would not have been possible without Ornette Coleman, yet within not many years of Ornette's breakthrough these musicians were going their own way with the music.
Bingo again! Yes, the Ornette influence is very clear here. Pulling this one out again has also reminded me that I need to pull out a couple other Lasha/Simmons albums that I have. Great stuff.
7. This has a 1960s Blue Note sound to me, that kind of great groove. Outstanding, energetic soloists! The trumpet solo is wonderful. I am not sure that it is Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, although it sounds like his era. This is great. Another one I have to get.
This was the first album I bought from this particular artist, merely because I came across it and felt like giving it a try. But it turned out it is not one of his better known albums. There is definitely a big 1960s Blue Note feel to this one, which is what I expected folks to hear. But it's not necessarily that.
8. This one sounds more recent. The sound is a little nervous, does not hit so much of a groove as #7 for example. I really like the intense soprano sax soloist--a very urgent player. The pianist is both melodic and percussive--I don't recognize the pianist.
Yeah, the soprano solo is a big standout for me here too. I also love the piano player, and he is a relatively recent discovery for me. Also, a small hint-- it is the piano player's record.
9. This is "Monk-ish" piano but is not Monk. It reminds me of a more recent virtuoso player like Eldar. The bass player sounds familiar--I feel that I should be able to identify the bass player but I can't.
Yes, huge Monk influence here. Not Eldar. I'm sure that the bass player is someone you know.
10. This is gorgeous. I love both the saxophone player and the pianist. It reminds me somewhat of John Coltrane's "Welcome", in terms of the beauty and sound. I have no idea who it is, but another one I must get.
This has been ID'd and discussed above. Definitely a player worth checking out if you haven't yet!
11. I really don't know who this flute player is. I like this but have no idea.
Still afraid to give too many hints at this point...I am anxious to see if anyone gets this. I am a big fan of this flute player.
12. This sounds like an older recording, from the 1956-1964 era perhaps.
The flute player is very good, but it sounds like a sax player who doubles on flute. The flute player is a blues/bop player, not a flute virtuoso, in the way that Herbie Mann was.
The bass player has a very appealing "vocal" style in his solo. Charles Mingus had that "vocal" style, but I don't think it is Mingus. Whoever it is, I like the solo very much.
The organ sound is an older, natural, kind of unusual sound. I have no idea who played that way.
I like this song a lot. Yet another one I have to get!
There is kind of a trick to this one, but I still expect someone will get it. The bass player here has been a huge influence on me from the beginning. He is a very well-known name, as might be some of the others, but I fear I've already said too much.
13. This is Kelly Shepherd, on his album, "The Beauty of Simplicity".
Yes indeed! You know this one? I heard it on the radio one night and fell in love with it.
Bonus Tracks:
1. The guitarist is definitely John McLaughlin, from the pre-Mahavishnu period, probably 1969-71. The unique distortion reminds me of his playing on Miles Davis' "Big Fun" album. His guitar sound, apart from the distortion, reminds me of his sound on Carla Bley's "Escalator Over The Hill".
I do not know of anything McLaughlin recorded in the 1969-71 period with such an accomplished saxophone soloist. I thought I knew my music from this era pretty well, but I do not know this one.
Yes-- you're the first to ID McLaughlin correctly! I felt like that would be the giveaway here. And you got the time period right too. I don't know if you've looked at the ID yet...this could be another surprise. The bass player here is, again, a huge influence for me.
2. I have no idea whatever who this is! It sounds very early 1970s.
This has been ID'd above. A favorite singer of mine who is possibly known more as a writer than as a performer, and who happened to live in the same town as me up until his death 2 years ago.
Thanks for your comments! Glad you enjoyed the music!
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Gotcha. Oh, there are so many hints I want to give on that one-- and some of the others-- but I am going to remain strong and try to hold off on giving too much away for as long as I can.
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BFT112
Well, here we go, for another series of improvised comments without much thought behind them, but in the spirit of the Down Beat BFTs.
1 Something very familiar about this band. And that fabulous tenor player! I feel sure I know him, but maybe I just ought to know him. There’s bits like Fred Jackson in there and bits like Jimmy Forrest, too, but I don’t think it’s either of them. I’ll have yet another listen.
You now know the answer to this one...revealed in post #2, much to my dismay! Land is one of my favorite tenor players, but this was a surprise even to me when I first heard it. Wish there were more early recordings of him.
2 An interesting Latin bit, with a much more modern tenor player, but another I think I ought to know. He’s got a sound a bit like Benny Golson but a way of playing that’s more Joe Henderson-oriented than Golson usually is. The trumpet player seems more full of chops than melody, however. However much like a 1970s Muse album this sounds, I think it’s a good bit more recent than that. The rhythm section is alarmingly ingenious; bells of some kind and, later, brilliant use of cowbell, and all the time right there on the nose, but changing all the time. The more you listen to this, the more it’s the drummer’s record. I’d like to say it’s a bit of Cecil Brooks III that I haven’t heard…
3 Well, here’s a trumpet player with all that Hubbard stuff, and another modern Joe Henderson type player. But it doesn’t sound too recent; I think I detected a scratch in the LP so it’s probably before the 90s. And it’s live, so maybe it ain’t a scratch, just extraneous noise. Pianist is a bit quiet or I’d think it was Cedar Walton.
I’ve got a suspicion it’s Gerald Wilson’s band, but the voicing of the saxes isn’t quite his thing.
Correct on Gerald Wilson! And you now know that 2 and 3 also feature Land, from different eras, thanks to Thom's post above. Interesting take on #2, as it is in fact the drummer's tune, but not his record. And it does date from the 70s.
4 Is this Steve Lacy? Never heard him before but this sounds like how he ought to play, from what I’ve read. Another damn good rhythm section. Actually, this is pretty nice stuff; if it’s Lacy, well, I’ve been missing something. If it’s someone else, well, I’ve been missing something.
Not Lacy, but I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed it. This one could be a nice surprise.
5 Can’t say I really like this one, though it’s kind of interesting; but a bit too aggressively modern for my taste.
Fair enough, different strokes for different folks...
6 See, I didn’t get the head; what was the point of that head, then off into a nice bootin’ rhythm that seems to have nothing to do with the head? I mean, sounds like a good ol’ blues to me and so little wrong with that, that I don’t see why they tried to disguise it. OK, I’ve listened to it again and I get the head – at least the first part of the head, still not the second; still too clever by half.
If you're talking about how different the bridge is from the A sections, I do get your point. I like how it works, myself, but it is a pretty abrupt change.
7 Here’s another bunch of pretty modern jazz musicians making interesting music but it’s not CAPTURING me.
I will only say that at least one of them is not as "modern" as you might think.
8 Unusual combination, alto & trombone. Somewhat arresting. The trombone’s sound is kind of bland like Curtis Fuller or J J Johnson, whereas the alto’s nothing of the kind.
Soprano on this one actually. I thought the soprano solo was the standout here but nobody else seems to think so.
Damn fine rhythm sections you’re picking, Tim.
Thank you sir!
9 Piano trio, for a change. It’s NOT Gene Harris
Not easy to identify a pianist by the sound; sounds like someone playing the piano…Actually, it IS Gene Harris!! Haha... kidding.
10 Oh, I’m really right into this from the first few seconds. This is really music to capture you (well, me, I mean). Doesn’t matter who’s playing; it’s the music, the singing, the song. Fuckin’ ‘ell this is beautiful! Thank you for this music.
Glad you enjoyed this one so much, and now of course you know who it is. Ari Brown is truly a talent deserving wider recognition.
11 This made me think of some of those fifties Jimmy Giuffre pieces I heard decades ago and have almost, but not quite exactly, remembered.
Interesting, I never thought of Giuffre when listening to this, but yeah, you could definitely make an argument for that. Compositionally I think this is a really interesting piece.
12 Yeah, I thought that was an organ playing those chords behind the flute in the head. Another great rhythm section. I think this is some fifties Verve recording – perhaps it’s even Herbie Mann with a pianist who didn’t usually play organ. Good, too.
You are correct that it is a pianist who didn't usually play organ. Are you holding back on the names? I can't tell, but it sounds like you actually know who some of the players are but don't want to give it away...?
13 ‘The beauty of simplicity’ – something familiar about the soprano player, but I don’t know. And the rock guitar solo after leaves me cold, I’m afraid. Not really for real, seems to me.
Hmmm...no guitar on this one so you've confused me there. Sorry to hear it wasn't your bag though.
Bonus 1 Hm… Another rock guitar – this one sounds a bit like Sonny Sharrock, though, so there’s somewhat more interest for me. Well, this is some modern hard boppers I don’t know but, when I’m in the mood for it, this is often just right for me. Is this someone playing two horns at once who isn’t either Braith or Rahsaan? Well, it ain’t any Braith I know, but the voicing of those horns is more like Braith than Rahsaan. But the sound of them isn’t like Braith. Confess – dunno.
You know this one now. I'm surprised that 2 people thought it was Sonny Sharrock! This was definitely meant to be tricky in the sense that I didn't think anyone would guess Jack Bruce's involvement, but apart from that I put it here because it's simply a personal favorite.
Bonus 2 Someone takin’ care of business. So what business. Well, related to ‘So what’. Seventies stuff. Is this someone like Joe Lee Wilson? Well, could be…
And speaking of favorites...Eugene McDaniels is a big one for me. Thom ID'd this correctly above.
Well, some fine stuff there, Tim. Damn, sure I’ll get #1 after a few more listens.
MG
Thanks for the participation and the thoughtful comments! Glad you found some things to enjoy here.
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Track 1 - Man, this is a bitch and I'm loving every second of it. I have to guess Illinois. I'm hearing Jug and Lockjaw, but it's neither. Illinois is the only other guy who could have balls this big. Unless I'm full of crap and you snuck Hal Singer in there on me.
You now know the surprise of this track as it was ID'd in the 2nd post! I really didn't think anybody would get this one. Oh well.
Track 2 - Well, that's clearly Harold Land, and there seems to be a lot going on. This sounds like a real Chocolate Mess. There's the unmistakeable Oscar Brashear. Man, why is this guy not better known!?!?
Bingo! If you didn't get this one, we would have had a serious talk.
Track 3 - Sounds an awful lot like Charles Tolliver's writing. But wait, there's Harold Land. Man, whatever it is, The IT's Where It's At! I pretty sure on this one, though sadly, I had by-passed this one in the past. This is much hipper than I remember.
Right again!
Track 4 - Those open chords sure sound a lot like McCoy. The soprano is bugging me, so it could be Sonny Fortune. I'm sure of McCoy, but that soprano seems too sedate to be Sonny. You've got me on this one.
Interesting...yes, there sure is a McCoy influence there...I think you may be surprised by this though. I hesitate to say too much, but you DO know this album.
Track 5 - Now we're talkin'! In fact, we could be having Conversations! Nothing not to love about a second of this.
Ding ding ding! And it just occurred to me that we should think about covering this tune.
Track 6 - Balls out alto. Shades of Jarman, shades of Lake. Laptop isn't picking up the bass too well, but this has that Odwalla groove to it. Wait, the solo is on, now... range seems too high to be Malachi. Two bassists. If I have this, shame on me for not playing it more. Awesome... damnit, you got me again!
You now know this one. We actually listened to this on the way up to a gig in Portland many years ago and you had a similar reaction. This is good stuff.
Track 7 - Damnit, I have this. I was leaning Andrew Hill on piano, but something is pushing me more towards Herbie. I'm going back and forth between Thurman Green and Grachan Moncur on trombone, but not with any degree of confidence. That certainly sounds like Woody Shaw on trumpet, but it could be early Oscar Brashear (very brassy like OB); is this one of the Mosaic Selects? I'm not that familiar with those. Drum sound is hard to peg on the laptop speakers, but sure seems like Joe Chambers. I know I'm going to kick myself because this HAS to be in my collection.
Sadly wrong on all counts. But what about the alto player?
Track 8 - Piano sounds like Strata-east to me. There's something very L.A. about the sound of this to me. Could be Cowell, but I don't think so. Sounds like Fortune on soprano, again. Could that be John Gordon on 'bone? Doesn't sound like Dick Griffin to me.
Actually not LA, and not any of the folks you mentioned.
Track 9 - Song sounds like Monk to me, but also sounds like one of David Murray's tunes. I'm going to take a stab and say it's Curtis Clark.
Not Curtis, but that's an interesting guess. You know these folks but you could be surprised by this. I want to say more, but can't just yet.
Track 10 - I am so filled with love for this that I'm not sure what to say about it. I swear I was just listening to this. It sounds a lot like some of the Abdullah Ibrahim duets, but I'm not able to peg that bad ass tenor. Oh wait! That's my man Ari!!!! Oh What a World We're Living In when Ari almost fools me!
Correct sir! Ari is the man!
Track 11 - I should recognize it and don't, which makes me think it's one of the Douglas Ewart projects. Sounds like Ed Blackwell's drumming to me. I like the alto flute, but I can't decide where I am on the horn lines in the background. I'm going to hate myself for not getting the tenor, but there are so many possibilities presenting themselves that I just can't commit to any of them.
Not Ewart, but you're in the right ballpark. I'm not sure you know the tenor, so don't hate yourself.
Track 12 - I love this, but don't recognize it. I can't place the flute. I'm hearing touches of Fathead, but I don't think it's him. I'm going to shoot from the hip and say Les Spann but there is no degree of confidence. I keep pinging on Fathead, rhythmically.
I'm glad to hear you like this one...not Fathead or Spann though.
Track 13 - Stumped again. The ideas are Gary Bartz, but the sound isn't. Sounds like one of those Norman Connors dates from the mid-seventies. Maybe Wendell Harrison?
Not sure you've heard of these guys, but I could be wrong. What do you think of it?
Track 14 - Sounds an awful lot like Sonny Sharrock to me. This is plum weird. The drummer, and this is a strange comment, sounds like a rock drummer playing in this style (think Ginger Baker). Trying to figure out the beastly tenor and I'm striking out left and right then the double horn thing starts and I'm thinking, Wow, Rahsaan make sense, but I'm just thinking it's not him.
Well, you were right on the drummer! Not a strange comment at all. Any funny that you mentioned Ginger Baker when the bass player turned out to be Jack Bruce! Now you know the answer. I may have played this one for you, I can't remember. But it's a personal favorite. Heckstall-Smith's playing on this is the big draw for me, though I pretty much love anything with Bruce anyway, no matter what it is.
Track 15 - Okay, so I'm typing the last thing listening saying, "Oh come on, who's voice is that." Several ideas pop in then my subconscious punches me in the face and calls me a dumbass. Nice pick. People are going to love the reveal on this one. Transferring it to the iPod now for a beach run. Didn't realize until hearing this how Universal my Jones was for a fix of this guy.
Haha... yeah, I had to throw some Gene in there. Thought this was a nice way to close things out. LOVE this track.
Well played, my friend... well played.
After reading thread:
Whoa! I'm blown away by the ID on #1! #6 I should have had and was even thinking PL. GAH! Feeling pretty good about my read on #14, though.
Thanks for the comments brotha!! I knew you would get a lot of these, and you didn't disappoint. However, rest assured that I will fail miserably at your BFT in a couple of months.
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Hey, I know Dave Ballou-- great player, great guy! Been a long time since I've been in touch with him though. Enjoy the show!
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Sorry for the lack of response, guys, I've been offline for a few days due to the holiday. But I will give some fuller responses shortly. Thanks so much for the comments!
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Okay...wow. Some fantastic stuff here. I now need to go back through the recordings, and my comments, again and revisit everything. I'm especially surprised to see Oscar Peterson on there...I don't know that particular album but have seen it around.
This was a blast, and I expect I will now have a bunch of things to add to my ever-growing list.
Thanks again for a fun BFT! -
Well, well...you guys are good. Two posts in and already two of the "tricks" I thought I had up my sleeve have been discovered. I'm not nearly as clever as I thought I was.
Nice ears! And I wondered if #6 would be too easy. One of my favorites though.I can't disagree with any of the guesses so far, and that's all I'll say for now.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments so far!
Track 2: The same saxist, for sure, in his post-Coltrane-influence phase; Woody Shaw on trumpet. From a mainsteam album? Don't have the time to check. I still like this, and the sound of the Rhodes player. Nice. Will have to pull this out after my vacation.
You are correct on all counts except that it's not Woody Shaw.
Track 7: Hmmm ... sounds like one of Hutcherson's California bands, or the pool of players it was recruited from. Nice. Maybe I still have that somewhere ...
Not Hutcherson, and I don't want to say too much else to give it away just yet.
Track 8: More post-Coltranesque soprano ... oh well .... that's an excellent trombonist with great chops - Rosolino? Or Jay Jay in great form?
This could be one of the tougher ones...the trombone player is not a household name.
2 – Love this! Clearly 70’s inspired, and sounds like the trumpet player’s album. If I do not already own this, will look to acquire it as soon as the answers are revealed. This is just a great sound.
Yeah, this is a great one. Not the trumpet player's album though. But I'm sure you will know the leader.
3 – 60’s/70’s era big band – Buddy Rich? I like it.
Not Buddy Rich, but you've got the era right.
4 – Very stately, sounds nice, but doesn’t really go anywhere for me, though it makes lovely background music. Suspect this is an artist that I like, and the pianist has done his requisite studying of the McCoy Tyner chord charts. For that matter, the soprano player studied Coltrane carefully. Feel like I should know the tune. Early-mid 70’s? Wouldn’t shock me if this was Philly-based, though it’s probably NYC.
NYC is right for where it was recorded, but it's not where the saxophonist is from. This is a huge favorite of mine but I realize it will not be everyone's taste.
6 – Prince Lasha/Sonny Simmons,”Green and Gold” from ‘The Cry’. They were early discoveries for me when I first encountered them on the “Nuttin’ Out Jones”. Love their stuff from that era. Sonny Simmons’ comeback album on Qwest was the biggest mindblower to me ever. How could he be alive, how could he be back, how could he be playing so well, and how could he be on Quincy Jones’s label?
Right on!
7 – Sounds like it has to be something from Joe Henderson’s “Mode for Joe” but can’t place the tune (though it’s one I’ve heard), so is more likely something recorded later in that line of thing. But that sure sounds like Lee Morgan and Bobby Hutcherson , and Cedar Walton to me. Probably something I’m just missing. Maybe a Lee Morgan album, gotta be 60’s Blue Note, unless it’s a spectacular knockoff (which is possible).
This one is kind of tricky...don't want to reveal too much yet but this one may actually be a surprise in some ways.
12 – fun! That is one ancient sounding B3 style. Jack McDuff?
Not McDuff, and again, don't want to give away too much yet...
Bonus 1 - Jack Bruce “Things We Like” album with John McLaughlin, Jon Hiseman, and Dick Heckstall-Smith. Interesting, but not something I listen to.
Yes! Again another big favorite of mine, because I love Heckstall-Smith's playing, and I think Bruce acquits himself pretty well on the upright. I'm a big fan of his playing and singing in a lot of other settings too.
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I'd like a DL please.
Also, double the regular number of days in July to listen to everything
MG
I will see what I can do!
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Hi all,
Thanks for participating in this! It's my first Blindfold Test and I'm hoping it's neither too easy nor too hard (though I seriously doubt it is the latter). But as others have said here recently, I'm more interested in your thoughts and reactions than in personnel guesses. Though I know a lot of you here are much better at that than I am.
If you haven't received the link or are having any issues with it, please let me know.
Other than that, hope you find something to enjoy here.
Cheers!
Tim
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Ah, it was on Sound of Joy! That makes sense...I should have been able to ID that tune. Nice one Hot Ptah!
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Hi all,
This is my first BFT...I am putting the finishing touches on it this week and will have it up by the 1st of July. If all goes well I should have a streaming option as well as the download.
Any takers?
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Ah, of course, that makes total sense on #16! I have checked out little bits of that band but now I am long overdue for taking the plunge! Thanks!!
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My comments may be shorter than usual this month because I am busy preparing my own BFT for July. There is some fantastic stuff here and I look forward to coming back to listen more, and finding out who/what these are.Track 1 - This is fantastic, but I want more! Too short. LOVE the piano player...some wonderfully soulful, gritty playing. And the overall feel from the rhythm section is perfect. Feeling a South African vibe here.Track 2 - Another winner. Nice ensemble sound. The drummer is reminding me of Billy Higgins. I am loving the groove on this. Am curious about the trumpet and tenor player especially...I feel like I should know who this is.Track 3 - This one never totally got off the ground for me. It's a good groover though, and I particularly dig the electric bass playing. But I kept wanting it to go somewhere else. The changeup around the 4 min mark seemed promising but then things sort of stayed at the same energy level. So I'm not sure about this one.Track 4 - Okay, I cheated and looked this one up...sorry.
I won't say who it is, but it fit in with the era & scene I expected. Fun tune.Track 5 - Is that first solo on bass clarinet or he is just really sticking to the low register? Interesting. I like this one a lot. Love the tenor player's sound too!Track 6 - Hey, I know this tune...oh man, this is gonna kill me. I am thinking Sun Ra...if not something he wrote, maybe something he played early on? Wow, what a cool rendition of this! The version I am familiar with is much faster. You've got me very curious about this one! This is a beautiful performance.Track 7 - This sounds like something out of the Lee Konitz school to my ears, though I'm venturing into territory I'm not super-familiar with here. Whatever it is, I like it. The alto solo especially. Very smooth. And the blend of the two horns on the head is just great.Track 8 - This one didn't really reach me. Nothing wrong with it per se, it's pleasant enough but just didn't hit me at all emotionally. Nice playing from everyone though.Track 9 - What I wrote above could apply to this track too. I dig the 70s vibe, but it just feels a little too detached for me.Track 10 - This is great...diggin it. And boy, it sounds really familiar, but I can't place it. Some fantastic interplay between the Rhodes and the drums, especially towards the end of the solo. I'm a fan of the bass & drum solos too. Good grief, I know this drummer. Really anxious to find out who this is.Track 11 - I like the tune a lot. Some interesting lines from the trumpet...a very thoughtful player. I am really enjoying this. Beautiful sound too. Hmm...the tenor solo is much less interesting to me though. Even though the sound of this track overall is reminiscent of the 70s, I'm guessing that this is a much more recent recording done in 'retro' style.Track 12 - This is fantastic. Love the way it builds...when they first settle into the groove after the 2 minute mark is a great moment. And again later when things really start to take off. This is fantastic stuff. The tenor player has incredible command of his instrument. As a unit these guys are really in sync. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess Thomas Chapin?Track 13 - Love it, love it, love it. Is this the Art Ensemble? Sure sounds like them...maybe with Muhal on piano? Hmmm...well, I am not 100% sure on that, I don't think I am hearing Mitchell in there. Even if it's not, it's terrific. Love the melody, and the different textures they create in just a short amount of time. This is one of those short tunes that feels like a longer "epic" (in a good way) because of all they put into it. Very cool.Track 14 - I am loving the way this starts out, with the layers of percussion, handclaps...into the bowed bass. And I like the simplicity of the tune. Nice vibes solo, and I really like the energy in the tenor player's sound. Very curious about this one. A decidedly lo-fi sound too, which only adds to the charm. I am really enjoying this. The tune is totally infectious, from the descending bass line on up to the quirky little melody. And I must know who some of these people are, especially the tenor player...but I've got no guesses.Track 15 - That bass vamp is killer. One of those things that I could listen to forever. Trombone solo is flat-out awesome. Great track all around, love the urgency of it and the creative soloing. I could be way off base on this but am wondering if this is Steve Lacy and Roswell Rudd.Track 16 - Another killer. Wow...I am not sure what to make of this one...sounds like Miles? But it can't be. Somewhere between Miles and Freddie Hubbard? Boy, I am going to regret not being able to guess this, I just know it. This has sort of an early Weather Report feel to me too. I am very confused. What the heck is this??? I need it. God, I should know this.Track 17 - Not really my bag. Obviously well done for what it is, but it just feels too safe to me.Track 18 - Words like tight, crisp, and tasty immediately come to mind. This is a well-oiled trio. Hmmm...I didn't expect that at the 1:15 mark. Eh...I don't know, feels a little too schizophrenic to me. I'm not really sure what they're saying. This one missed the mark for me.Track 19 - In my opinion the production overshadows the playing on this one. The groove is fun and it's a nice little curiosity, but if I'm honest I didn't find the performance all that interesting.Track 20 - The organ playing and the tune itself are reminding me of Doug Carn somehow. The tenor solo is a trip! Fantastic...really enjoyed that. Yeah, this one is a keeper! Am looking forward to finding out who it is.Track 21 - There's a reason the bass player is featured out front...he's really stinkin' good. Those are some deep bass lines. This is an interesting track, I like the different chords on the blues. The tenor player is outstanding, tremendous sound and concept. This is a hell of a band. Can't wait for the ID of this one.Track 22 - Hmmm...interesting, not sure what I think of it yet...I like the sounds. The soprano solo is good but I think the flute solo is where it clicks a bit more for me. I'm a little mixed on this one, probably would have to listen to it a couple more times to make up my mind. It feels a little bit directionless. I do appreciate what they're trying to do though. Would like to hear the flute player in a different context.Track 23 - This is pretty cool. Wasn't sure where it was going to go at the beginning, I thought we were suddenly in the realm of European electronic music, which it sounds like we kind of are, but once the sax comes in it all comes together in a really interesting way. I really, really like the sax player. This is heavy stuff.Track 24 - These guys are burnin...I am on the edge of my seat. Holy crap. Hard to single any one particular thing out here because it's all good. The rhythm section is just killer. I KNOW that bass player. There are a few things the trumpet player plays that remind me of Woody Shaw. And I LOVE the way the tenor solo starts...and continues...and finishes! This is awesome on every level.Track 25 - Nice groover, love the kalimba. The people that first come to mind when I hear thumb piano are Phil Cohran, Maurice White, Stanley Cowell and Kahil El'Zabar, but this is none of those. So I'm curious to find out who it is. Great way to end the BFT!Joe, many thanks for putting this together...there is so much here that is right up my alley. In terms of my own tastes, this has been one of my favorite BFTs. Unfortunately that means by the time everything has been ID'd, I will have lots to add to my list! So my wallet will be a lot lighter. Thanks for that. But seriously...awesome stuff here, thanks for sharing!! And I just hope I haven't embarrassed myself too much with my lousy guesses. -
Hey Jeff, thank you again for all of your efforts on this! Some terrific stuff here, and definitely a few folks I need to explore further.
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Yep - Marion Brown, Porto Novo, recorded in Holland in 1967.
Wow, this really shows what can happen with these Blindfold Tests. I purchased "Porto Novo" in the 1970s, but for some reason just did not warm to it. I have not heard it in many years.
Then when I heard this cut #11 on this Blindfold Test, I thought, what a great cut, with an Ornette influence but not Ornette, clearly--who IS that? I really liked it immediately upon hearing it. I probably would have never played "Porto Novo" again, but now I am going to give it another chance.
That kind of thing happens to me all the time. Sometimes you're just not ready for certain music; later it floors you, and you think, "What was my problem?"
Same here...I seem to remember not digging Ornette's Free Jazz or Song X at all when I first listened to them. Some of my favorite albums now are albums that I really disliked at a previous point in time.
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Nice!! Just went on the list.
And I am looking up some Charles Earland and Budd Johnson. -
Oh man...that's not Marion Brown on #11, is it? That thought had crossed my mind but I stopped short of making an actual guess before... Porto Novo? I don't have this one...if that's the album, I definitely need to get it.
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Okay, here are my observations...not much in the way of guesses, but there was a lot here to enjoy and I am looking forward to finding out who some of these are. Thanks for your efforts Jeff! This was a lot of fun.
1 - There's something very familiar sounding about this tune but I can't place it. I do like the head, some interesting lines. Performance-wise it's a mixed bag for me. I do like the trumpet player and the piano player. The trumpet player has kind of a buttery, syrupy tone that I like, and I like the phrasing and choice of notes on the solo too. The guitar I don't particularly care for...sound-wise it is akin to an electric banjo and I just don't find the solo very interesting. The drummer seems a little unstable on the 4's.2 - Okay...this is a Monk tune but I can't think of which one it is...gonna drive me crazy. This is a thoughtful and emotional reading of this tune...very well done.3 - I am far from an expert on this kind of music, but I do feel there's a certain excitement and newness here that not many people have captured in recent years. I really like this. Some great playing and interaction...these guys are really saying something.4 - That is one hot clarinet player. He is the highlight of this track for me...what a solo!5 - I wish I could like this, I really do...but the klezmer thing is just not my bag. But I respect this more than I like it.6 - Nice! Some serious grooviness. Hmmm...the horns and the guitar actually aren't blowing me away--the organist is the whole show here. Holy crap...he really knows how to build a solo. And big props to the drums & percussion for keeping the groove and the energy up...this is seriously intense. Ah..."I Get A Kick Out of You"...interesting. To be honest, LOVE the organ solo, but everything on the front and back end I could do without. Really interested in finding out who the organ player is.7 - This is nice and pleasant but not something I would probably listen to more than once. But it's obviously done very well, just not really my thing.8 - I like the feel on this a lot...and by that I mean both the rhythmic feel and the mood of the piece. I'm really enjoying the sax player...even more so when he/she returns for another go around at the end. Some really nice, energetic moments there. Everyone sounds great here...perfect solos from the piano and trumpet...and there is a real cohesiveness to the whole group. There's something about the whole performance and the piece that sounds Mal Waldron-esque to my ears, but I don't think the piano player is Waldron. Overall I am dying to know who this is...and then I'll slap my forehead as I'm sure these are folks I do or should know. Great stuff!9 - "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"...this is beautiful, but it ultimately doesn't quite hit that 'sweet spot' for me. I hate to say anything bad about it because it's a flawless performance in many ways, but I am missing an emotional depth somehow. The playing is spot-on, it just doesn't move me like I want it to. I have no doubt I'll regret having said that once I find out who it is.10 - Okay...this has everything I was missing in the last one. Fantastic. I am really loving the alto player...such an expressive tone. And the guitarist is the perfect complement, really listening, responding, and supportive. Superb.11 - The Ornette influence is clear off the bat, but it quickly takes an interesting detour. Holy cow. This has got to be an ESP recording, no? Maybe the sound quality is throwing me off...I'm having a hard time telling whether this was recorded in the 60s or much more recently. Either way, I really dig it. The bass player certainly sounds like he could be Alan Silva. The rhythmic feel of this tune combined with the disjointed phrasing of the alto player is really compelling to me. And I'm a big fan of the bass playing too. Dying to know who this is!!12 - This is just a barrel of fun with a killin groove underneath. Love it! This thing grooves so hard you could drive a truck through it. I have no idea what that means, but someone I know used to say that.13 - Well, obviously it's Louis Armstrong..."Dream a Little Dream of Me." Not sure what can be said about Louis that hasn't already been said...this is perfect, classic.14 - Hoo boy. Wow... yeah, I cannot do this one, sorry! Wait a minute...this is a joke, right? Okay...haha. If it is, it's a good one. I have done some gigs like this and they were somewhere between funny and excruciating! -
Thanks for this MG! Some really cool things here. Can't believe I hadn't heard Grady Tate's singing until now...that is some great stuff!!
Gah! I *have* Soul Fountain. Shame on me. Clifford is one of 'my guys'. I know there was no solo, but I should have had that.
I feel similarly embarrassed about this one. Haven't listened to Soul Fountain myself more than once though, I think.
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Okay, you've sold me. I'm in for a download, thanks!!
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Thanks for the heads up, that looks pretty fantastic.
BFT 112 Discussion
in Blindfold Test
Posted
Thanks a lot for your great comments! I'm glad you found some things to enjoy here. You've also identified a few more of the tunes which I think only leaves us with...what, I think three unidentified tracks? Hopefully something will be left for the reveal.