Leeway

It's as much a matter of musical reference as age. The creators and early exponents of free jazz, The New Thing, Fire Music, etc, have passed, or are passing from the scene. The folks CraigP and Steve mentioned were not of that generation and, for the most part, had no chance to share that experience. So they have to look for new ideas, new modes of expression, music that fits the current age. I like that. Having said that, perhaps some ambitious grad student could do a masters thesis or dissertation on Anthony Braxton's influence on contemporary improvisation. Of all the previous generation avatars, it might turn out his influence will be the most significant and pervasive. Many of those listed above, studied or played with Braxton, and many others became associates of those who did. Being himself rather sui generis, it is not surprising that AB has helped create a generation of highly diverse improvisors who draw on manifold influences.

Ann Coulter Simon Winchester William B. Ruger

OK, finally figured out how to post this! This is the Soul Note label on the Billy Harper Quintet in Europe album.

Nice one!

I tried to upload a photo of the label that I took with my iPhone, but it was too large, and I'm not sure how to go about it. I'll keep trying. I did learn that this was Soul Note's first album, so maybe they tried the label design then decided to change it. I wonder if the girl had any connection to Billy?

That Parker/Guy/Lytton/Evans is a real good one, one of the best in the Clean Feed catalogue.

Looks like a bit of a Billy Harper Festival has broken out here, which is cool, so I'll add one or two more. I'm spinning this one currently, but I realized I have two versions of the LP. The one I'm playing has a chocolate brown cover with BH's photo offset from center. More interestingly, the record label is pumpkin, with the photo of a little black girl, maybe 4 or 5 years of age, in a nice white dress at top center, and the words "Soul Note" in an informal lettering style. I've never seen this on other Soul Notes. The other version I have is in a sand-colored jacket. All the same photos as the one above, but arranged differently: Same tracks, etc. The record label is the usual SN half-radiating spokes, and formal Soul Note lettering. Has anyone seen the "little girl" version on any other Soul Note albums? Were these perhaps intended for different markets (US-Europe)? Just curious.

I saw Ingrid and Sabir Mateen about 3 years ago, maybe 4, in a small bar in Brooklyn. Probably 10 people there. I think Ingrid might have played solo to start, then she was joined by Sabir Mateen. Sabir is a busker from way back, and is an extremely hard blower. I don't think I exaggerate when I saw that Ingrid held her own when she went head to head to Sabir for a good 40+ minutes. It was pretty interesting to watch--and listen to. So if it's a blowing contest, she can handle her own. I'm glad that is not all she is interested in. What I like is her versatility and her interest in multiple musical contexts, We got a new generation of improv players out there.

The ones at DMG were CDR's - right??? Their website says CD-R (but you need to go to the full listing to see that--the basic search return just says CD).

Alvin Lee Alvin & The Chipmunks Joe Shishido

I was told fairly reliably that some of the ones offered by DMG were from Japanese CDs. (This was discussed recently). Have no idea myself if that is true. Others are probably needle drops. My sense is that if these are Euro versions, they are going to be needle drops. If they are Japanese, then the question is are these new masters or reissues of some previous versions, maybe based on the Japanese LP versions.

Apropos of current international affairs, I thought this double LP would be appropriate. Maybe we should try some saxophone diplomacy. SAXOPHONE DIPLOMACY - ROVA 2LP hatART

I didn't realise Live at Maya came with a CD. Interesting, presumably a CD version of the LP, no extra treats. I've not known No Business to do this with any others (I've only 4 or so of their LPs), have they? Sorry, I go things a bit mixed up. The CD extra came with the Evan Parker/Joe McPhee LP, "What If The Both Could Fly" on Rune Grammofon. I thought that was a nice touch. No Business has not done that before. It seems to me that No Business could have done something similar in this case, since you get half the product at almost half more the cost. Giving us the other Kidd concert on a single disc, or even a download coupon, would have been cool. BTW, I agree with Clunky, that this release sounds a bit dull (turning the volume knob up helps a bit)m which is making a little more grumpy about it all than usual That makes me feel better as I won't have to buy the vinyl of the Maya now. I too like what Rune Grammofon have done with some of their vinyl releases. The Parker/McPhee is a peach I bought the Parker Maya Live CD before I realized that there was an LP version. I was a bit pissed at that, but decided to just live with it. Then I went to the Evan Parker residency in NYC, and he had brought along several LP copies, and was selling them at a rather modest price. I had to buy it, and EP was nice enough to inscribe and sign it to me. That made me feel a lot better

Everton Stonehead Gareth Blackstock Gordon Ramsay

Sophia Coppola Peter Fonda Michael Douglas

I didn't realise Live at Maya came with a CD. Interesting, presumably a CD version of the LP, no extra treats. I've not known No Business to do this with any others (I've only 4 or so of their LPs), have they? Sorry, I go things a bit mixed up. The CD extra came with the Evan Parker/Joe McPhee LP, "What If The Both Could Fly" on Rune Grammofon. I thought that was a nice touch. No Business has not done that before. It seems to me that No Business could have done something similar in this case, since you get half the product at almost half more the cost. Giving us the other Kidd concert on a single disc, or even a download coupon, would have been cool. BTW, I agree with Clunky, that this release sounds a bit dull (turning the volume knob up helps a bit)m which is making a little more grumpy about it all than usual

I have decidedly mixed feelings about this release. I love Kidd and Kowald, so felt I really had to get it (I do not have much of either man on vinyl). Not quite a rational decision, since the CD version has this and an additional Kidd performance, for about 40% less. Right now, I don't think it was worth the premium. I suspect the same digital master was used for LP and CD. I think the original recording is not really that good. Kowald, for example, is often to far back in the mix. And the performance, while pretty good, is not one for the ages. At the least, I thought No Business could have included a single CD of the other performance with the LP. Evan Parker did this with the Live at Maya double LP. Anyway, maybe I'll be a little more positive about it all on another hearing or two, but for now a bit of a disappointment.

Duncan Hines Gregory Hines H.J. Heinz

Usually when Faddis is involved, it's too hot for my ears. I've attempted to see him live twice and both times, I left with a feeling that my ear was bleeding. Never heard him live, but I usually like it like that.

SORAN-BUSHI, B.H. -- Billy Harper, Everett Hollins (tp), Harold Mabern, Greg Maker (b), Horacee Arnold (d), Billy Hart (d). Denon/PCM LP. Dec 1977. Fine performance, and the LP sounds pretty good.

Marshal Tito Generalissimo Francisco Franco Il Duce Benito Mussolini

I think this is Nate workshopping the Wynton material at Douglass Street Collective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoMhT3KGzE8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70n5z_4hmo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ark9m0moXvQ If I'm right, the videos show, certainly, that Wooley is in a position to match Wynton's technical mastery, which has always been his strong suit. I also think Nate is turning all the tunes inside out, which is rather delicious. What would Wynton think? Maybe he'll come to the show.

JON & BILLY - Jon Faddis & Billy Harper, with Roland Hanna (p, elec p), George Mraz (b), Motohiko Hino (d), Cecil Bridgewater (kalimba). Tokyo March 13, 1974. Blackhawk LP. Some really hot playing on this one.

Emma Goldstein John Reed Alger Hiss

The library finally got a copy, and I picked it up last week. Only a couple of chapters in. Some things that stand out: sourcing is often vague or non-existent. Where the sourcing is indicated, it might or might not be reliable. For example, people on the fringe of Parker's life, recalling incidents 30 or 40 years earlier, often single-sourced. There is some value to oral history, but there is also a lot of error in such accounts. Another facet I'm not keen on is Crouch tries to give you the inner thoughts and reactions of Parker and others. This is an old technique, often used in histories and biographies for juveniles. It is a fictionalization of events passed off as history/biography. In a sense, this is a very unsophisticated book. Crouch's talent lies more in vivid analogies and working up a scene in a dramatic fashion. Like I said, I'm not too far along, so some of these perceptions might change.