paul secor

Henry Fiol: La Ley de la Jungla (Sar)

I seem to recall reading an article (many years ago) where Archie Shepp recounted a conversation with a listener who asked him, "why don't you play something that I can understand?" Perhaps something like "Mama Too Tight" came from a desire to do that. And perhaps his later, more changes-oriented playing came out of a desire to play things that the average jazz listener could relate to. Or perhaps not. I'm merely a listener, not a psychologist or psychic. Only Shepp knows for certain what led to the transformation in his playing. I will say that I feel that Shepp's embouchure problems brought about more change in his playing than any stylistic decisions.

Has anyone commented (here or on the BNBB) on Hank Mobley's playing on that session? That would seem to be more important than a photo.

This is not much of an issue to tons of folks. Only the "elite" complain about sound. Seems like these days only the "elite" complain about music quality too. Most young people (say under 35) that I know don't care much about either. They'll accept whatever garbage music or garbage sound is handed to them. I'd bet that the lack of interest and lack of familiarity in music with substance is probably a bigger problem for Bob Koester's business than downloading.

David Holland: Life Cycles (ECM) - solo cello

Branford Marsalis: Trio Jeepy (Columbia) - "The Judge" held court on this date.

His seven wouldn't be my seven - though a couple would be on mine - but if some non-jazz listeners pick up a few of the sides he recommended, they'll have some great music to listen to and, who knows, perhaps some new jazz fans will come into existence. To me, that's the positive side of something like this.

I think it was Hank Garland. Correct. In the liner notes to Elvis - 24 Karat Hits! on DCC, Bill Porter, who engineered a fair number of Elvis' RCA sessions, says that "Hank Garland, an incredibly diverse and talented musician, was the lead guitar player on this song ("Little Sister") using his new Fender Jazzmaster."

To return to Bill Perkins: A later recording that I find captures much of the lightness/freedom of spirit that I hear on 2 Degees East, is present on Two As One, a 1990 duo session with Frank Strazzeri on Japanese Interplay. He's not playing exactly as he did on the earlier session - that would be nearly impossible and not a good thing, 30 + years down the line - but much of the sound, and even more of the spirit, of 2 Degrees is present on this date. The second half of the CD is especially fine music.

I've been listening to an old favorite lately - Black Music in Praise of Oxala - on the Nonesuch label. I've had an LP copy since the 1970's, recently picked up a CD, and have been listening to that. It's wonderful music, transcending any labels or genres such as "folk music", "ethnic music", or "world Music". I've been daydreaming lately about possibly moving to another part of the world - no definite immediate or even far off plans, but it's fun to daydream sometimes - and one of the things I've thought about is what music I would take with me if I were to make a long distance move and could only take a limited number of sides with me. I like to listen to music through speakers, and like my LPs and CDs - don't care for ipods, headphones and such. Anyway, if it does happen, this record is one I'll take with me.

Glad to hear that Cecil Payne is still playing for audiences. Brooklyn Brothers, from 1973 on Xanadu, co-led with Duke Jordan, is another very fine date. I'll try and check out at least one of the Delmarks at some point.

This morning: Kip Hanrahan: Desire Develops an Edge (American Clave) - Great instrumental work on this. I have to be in a place where I can tolerate Jack Bruce's vocals when I listen to it, and I was there this morning.

Canteloube: Songs of the Auvergne - Kiri te Kanawa/Jeffrey Tate/English Chamber Orchestra (London)

Roswell Rudd did the Mosaic notes (with some additional comments from musicians ranging from Danny Barker to Gil Melle to Archie Shepp), and they're a great read.

Prince Far I: Under Heavy Manners (Joe Gibbs)

Wish I did. My wife says I could give Al Gore a run for the stiff white guy title, and she's right.

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly? I don't know. I got my copy in '97, but it was only available on K7 at the time. I've subsequently seen that a CD version was available, but didn't get around to getting it. I seem to remember there were extra tracks). I downloaded the Delmark catalogue in 2003 and it wasn't listed. Delmark also distributed Jimmy Coe's recent (1994) big band album, "Say what?" which has a couple of live cuts from 1987 featuring Melvin Rhyne. I think that may still be available, 'cos I got mine in 2004. It isn't bad; mostly Indianapolis musicians; Coe playing alto except on the live trax. I think you can get the album off Coe's website (sorry, don't have the address any more). He's still playing (well, he was in 2004); a great survivor. MG PS - trivia point: Jimmy Mumford, drummer with Funk Inc, was Coe's drummer until he died, I assume, shortly before "Say What?" was recorded. Funk Inc was an Indianapolis band. Jazz Record Mart still has After Hours Joint on cassette - perhaps that's the only format it was released on. I definitely have a feeling I've seen it listed as a CD, but it could be my memory playing tricks. MG Just checked with a friend who's in the know about such things, and he believes that it was only issued on LP & cassette, not on CD. The LP had 12 cuts, and perhaps Bob Koester thought that was not enough material for a CD. Too bad. I'd have bought a short timed CD to hear the rest of Jimmy Coe's sides - he was real good. Ah well - guess I can buy the cassette. Can't remember the last time I bought one of those.

Thielemans, Hibbert, ... ????

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly? I don't know. I got my copy in '97, but it was only available on K7 at the time. I've subsequently seen that a CD version was available, but didn't get around to getting it. I seem to remember there were extra tracks). I downloaded the Delmark catalogue in 2003 and it wasn't listed. Delmark also distributed Jimmy Coe's recent (1994) big band album, "Say what?" which has a couple of live cuts from 1987 featuring Melvin Rhyne. I think that may still be available, 'cos I got mine in 2004. It isn't bad; mostly Indianapolis musicians; Coe playing alto except on the live trax. I think you can get the album off Coe's website (sorry, don't have the address any more). He's still playing (well, he was in 2004); a great survivor. MG PS - trivia point: Jimmy Mumford, drummer with Funk Inc, was Coe's drummer until he died, I assume, shortly before "Say What?" was recorded. Funk Inc was an Indianapolis band. Jazz Record Mart still has After Hours Joint on cassette - perhaps that's the only format it was released on.

A favorite of mine from Gilbert Sorrentino: A Classic Case The Moon's a little arch pasted on black cardboard just outside his bedroom window, lovely Major Hoople. I swear the room is warm, the night is cold, the bedspread turned down has a comfortable feel, lovely Major Hoople. Tomorrow he'll get up, put on his fez, and stand behind his gut, the sagging furniture his friends, lovely Major Hoople. Yow! That world of yours is crumbling away, the rotary lawn sprayers and The Neighbors, lovely Major Hoople. when will they posess your useless yard and send you out to work, to work! lovely Major Hoople.

MG - Do you know what the story is with Delmark 443 - Jimmy Coe: After Hours Joint? I've looked for it - love the 2 Coe tracks on Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 1 - but have never come across it. Did it go in and out of print very quickly?

"Soul Motion/Stretchin' Out" is a great - no GREAT record! Remo Biondi also pays some fine violin on Roosevelt Sykes' Raining In My Heart - Delmark 642.

I have my own tastes (as does almost everyone), but I'm always looking for new things to listen to. Over the past couple of months, I've bought Don Menza's Jack Rabbit, Pieter Wispelwey's performances of the Bach Suites for Solo Cello, the Coleman Hawkins Centennial Collection, and the New World reissue of Earl Hines Plays Cole Porter, because of recommendations from Board members. There probably are others I could mention, but they don't come to mind at the moment. Occasionally, I've gotten something that didn't make it for me, but I've come to learn which members have tastes somewhat similar to mine, and that hasn't happened recently. For me, one of the great things about being here is there's always something new to learn or to hear.

A day late, but I hope it was a fine birthday!

Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session - Ray Nance and Stephane Grappelli on violins, and Svend Asmussen on viola - it doesn't get much better.