BFT #22

[Big Al]

Track 3: I instantly recognized the sound of that band! Almost forgot they did Herbie's tune, but a grasp into the funk department of my collection unearthed this CD. Sure is funky!

Holy sh.... you mean I was actually RIGHT about this?!?!?! Wow! I feel so...... legit, y’know? Anyway, I wonder why I couldn’t find it through AMG? I guess I shouldn’t’ve been in such a rush, as all I did was search by song title, not album or group (duhhhhh!).

Anyway, I’ve put off ordering this one long enough! Thanks for the confirmation, Mike!

[Big Al]

Track 13

Had no doubt about this one. Track 1 here.

I trust this man's guess on this one above anyone else's! That means I got TWO right! I think I set a new personal record! Woo hoo!!!!

[couw]

Track 1. Sounds like a BN ditty with Jackie Mackie and Lee Morgan; I'd be damned if this is from the same album as the final track of the previous BFT. Latter BN era Jackie with a lot of licks, and a not very interesting solo. Lee has his own canon of licks, but I find those more convincing. Although this tune doesn't tear the best out of him. Nice Watermelon man semi-quote-smear by the 'bonist, it sort of sumarises the track though. Nice and greasy, cool for the afternoons, but eyyyyy, it *is* a bit bland.

Track 2. Moanin', Ray Charles (?). This is very nice. But yeah.

Track 3. Fonkay version of L'Homme de Watermelomme, this time sounds like it is by the master himself. Though so many bands are nowadays blowing the windows out of way too small joints with this kind of shit, that I have grown tired of it a little. Surely this is the best, but even the best is pretty boring at times. Close but no cigar.

Track 4. Not Bella Chau, but some similar children's/folk song. Sounds like one of the kazillion Zorn related projects, though the 'bone doesn't really fit in and the guitar sounds more like whatshisname. Nice if a bit cold.

Track 5. Either the anthem of some Italian province , or the music to 8 and a half. Nice piece, I have a more extroverted version in my head. The sound is a bit compressed and damp here. Remains a nice piece of music, and good to hear some stuff like this on a BFT.

Track 6. More film music. Awful familiar again. The tenor at the start has me thinking, but it is over before I found and answer...

Track 7. Gato B is my guess. Boy, this is a tune on speed. I'm getting a heart rush merely listening to it. Pretty intense! sadly sound is also quite brittle on the edges. Nice, need to retry it when worked up to a frenzy somewhen passed midnight.

Track 8. Monk tune, whatsitcalled, Monk's Mood? Players ring a lot of bells, I'm only guessing Don Cherry, then again, I have been listening to plenty Cherry w/ Gato recently, so my guesses on this and the previous track might be coloured. Not Rollins on the tenor though. There's an alto there too right? Hmm. nice reading.

Track 9. later day Shepp. Lots of air floozing through; fantastic. This puts my choice for the pianist on Parlan. Love this.

Track 10. I'm hiding under the couch, please call me when it's over! Sounds like some secret chord progression that's not for my ears. Reminds me of television footage filmed from helicopters flying over pacific Islands; or a love scene from Miami Vice.

Track 11. I have heard this East Timor thing before, yeah, that stuff that went down there sucked much, and I will not compare this tune to that, but it really isn't very good I find. The geee-tarrr solo is very over the top and equally boring to my ears. Sorry.

Track 12. ZZ top? Seriously, sounds British to me, but there the guess stops. Not really cream of the crop, I find.

Track 13. Boy, this is stoopid isn't it? I hereby officially allow Dan to call me a twit next time I celebrate some stoopid music as the next best thing.

Track 14. Woik Song. starts off nice and earthy, but then the geeeeeetarrrr strays too far through the stratosphere to fit in really. Keep it in man! drats, the harmonica guy also went through the roof. Ends up sounding like yet another bar band. For which also the recording is to blame I guess.

Track 15. Sack Voll Kummer, I believe. Nice, but again a bit boring. Luckily they hired a trumpet player. This one has its moments.

Track 16. Wilg Huil Om Mij. This is nice, though the bass-piano unisonos get on my nerves a little, must be the bass sound too.

Track 17. Hats off please. This turns so immensely WRONG, I am already liking it. WTF were these people thinking? If it could hold my attention, I'd love it. Turns out it's just another curiosity to add to the collection. But a good one!

Track 18. YeeeHah! now we're getting somewhere. This is a DAMN familiar tune and although a bit repetitive, still nice.

Track 19. Expected we'd remain in the barn, and yessirreee Bob. This is feghing brilliant! WTF is this?! Who's getting married?

Track 20. I am getting a hang of the sequencing here now. I will probably have to listen to the whole thing over again. Heheheh, you got ME smiling! No clue though.

Track 21. drats. I am pretty sure I have heard something very close to this just a couple of days ago. Hung up in that mode, I cannot even wager a decent guess. My mind is spinning, hoping someone has guessed this so I won't need to drive mysef insane with this.

Nice ending to an erratic disk. Some of it was really not much to my liking, some of it was big fun, and some was pretty great.

thank you dana, I bow to you.

[couw]

posted after a long intermezzo waiting for my connection to come to life again. Off to bed now. Will read tomorrow.

[Jim R]

Track 12. ZZ top?

Hey, get your own material!!

[Big Al]

Track 12. ZZ top?

Hey, get your own material!!

Ah HAH!!! So THAT'S who your writer is! :rsmile:

[mikeweil]

...........

John, seems like you have one more beer for each BFT before you write your guesses?

[couw]

you mean Track 12 really is ZZ Top?

[JSngry]

My workputer REALLY freaked out on this one, so I got one listen on Saturday, and another one as we speak. The usual thanks and disclaimers apply.

First thing I noticed, there seems to be some clever programming going on here!

TRACK ONE - Seems as if #23 begins where #22 left off, and in more ways than one! Last tune on 22 was the last cut of that album, first one on 23 is the first off the same album. Nice touch!

TRACK TWO - Genius + Soul = Jazz. Of course Ray sounds great, but the band is icing on the cake. Big bands don't play like this anymore, precise yet soooooooo relaxed, full of sectional nuances and inflections. Soul + Road = Great big band playing.

TRACK THREE - Well, this one can only be one outfit - the J.B.s. From Ray to JB, the evolution of R&B, only in both cases here, w/o the vocals (and with BN of BN hits). Those guys were just TOO damn funky! Never surpassed, and only rarely equalled. FRED! Hellyeah.

TRACK FOUR - It's the News For Lulu band (Zorn, Lewis, Frissell) A nice idea, and some nice playing. Not a direction to pursue for your entire life, but nobody here has, so all the better!

TRACK FIVE - Movie music? Danny Elfman? Not my area of expertise, to put it mildly. Nice enough on its own, but probably much more effective as film music.

TRACK SIX - MOVIE MUSIC! Gato, Last Tango. But this almost sounds like an alto. Been years since I heard the ST album, but still, I think this is it. Who did the orchestration on that, Oliver or Lalo? I forget. Nice writing either way.

TRACK SEVEN - GATO! Impulse! Love that stuff. Gato is a somewhat limited player in some ways, but the thing I dig about him is that he usually finds a good context for himself and then plays his heart out within it, what ever it is. This is no exception.

TRACK EIGHT - "Monk's Mood", NY COntemporary 5, short and (bitter)sweet. If you never feel this way, you have my congratualtions. And my sympathy.

TRACK NINE - More Shepp, this time w/Parlan. Yeah.

TRACK TEN - This bugs the piss outta me, because I KNOW this piece, probably even have the album, but damned if I can call it. guitarist sounds like Santana, but I don't think it is. Everybody and everything sounds REALLY familiar. Hope somebody's already nailed it so I don't have to wait to get my memory jogged. Simple, but VERY nice.

TRACK ELEVEN - Ginger Baker on Atlantic w/Frissell & Haden. Overall, that album's a bit of a snoozer for me, but this cut is the highlight for me. Maybe it's polemical or whatever, but it gets me anyway. Radicalism dies hard, especially when there's no need for it not to.

TRACK TWELVE - Yardbirds? "Beck's Boogie"? Seems like I have this (or something very much like it) on an old Epic 45, as a B-side, but I'm not about to go looking for it. I much prefered the Yardbirds as a psychedelic pop band to a blues band, and that goes for this tune too.

TRACK THIRTEEN - Programming again! Three Sounds cover The Yardbirds. "Still I'm Sad". As a whole, I prefer the original, but if I was in a club having to choose which one to hear played live, I'd take this one.

TRACK FOURTEEN - Butterfield? EAST-WEST? God, it's been last century since I paid attention to that one... Carried more "impact" back then than it does today (for me, anyway), but it had to be done, even if there's a distinct lack of pocket. It was necessary.

TRACK FIFTEEN - For a second, I was expecting "Oh Last Night". Don't have a clue. The horns definitely don't sound like "real" Soul horns. Disposable, but good fun before you do.

TRACK SIXTEEN - "Willow Weep For Me", and suspiciously incomplete, it sounds like, which is too bad, becasue I heard things I liked and things that were too predictable, andI'd've liked to hear the whole thing to decide which it was, in balance.

TRACK SEVENTEEN - "America The Beautifu" as performed by the Wire Choir?!?!?! Sounds like Les Paul, which could mean that Chet Atkins is along, off that album they did. Fine playing by all, but not to my tastes.

TRACK EIGHTEEN - It's an old C&W tune, I think, one I've heard a million times, but I couldn't tell you the name of it. The playing is fully in the style, and sounds like a Van Gelder recording. Gene Harris?

TRACK NINETEEN - Well, that's some real playing there. I enjoy this type of thing more when I'm on a gig listening to somebody play it in the flesh, where I can see it as it goes down. sinc eit's not really my bag, the real skill involved hits me more there than just listening to it at home. But hey - these cats can play! No idea who it is, but the Hendrix bits (especially the "Wind Cries Mary" tag at the end) tell me (as does the use of ELECTRIC guitars) that it's relatively younger cats who have been to the outside world, if you know what I mean. Much respect here.

TRACK TWENTY - The alto on the intro sets up expectations of a Billy Vaughn record. Fortunately, this is not one. The vocals actually sound a bit like The Browns, the group that C&W star Jim Ed Brown was in, but I dunno. With the programming games going on, from James Brown to Jim Ed Brown would make sense, but I really don't know The Browns much past a few songs, and this ain't one of them. Gimme a second, I gotta AMG this and find out who this is, just because it's such an odd selection for a BFT ....

a-HA! NEVER would have guessed!Indeed, this BFT might well be called "The Wanderer" so diverse are its contents!

TRACK tWENTY - Don't have a clue, but I dig it! A bit self-consciously "noisy", but, hey - it be's that way sometimes.

Well, this one WAS a trip! Thanks for the ride!

Now - what the HELL is Track Ten?

[JSngry]

TRACK ONE - Seems as if #23 begins where #22 left off, and in more ways than one!

Err...that's 22 & 21...

[couw]

TRACK ONE - Seems as if #23 begins where #22 left off, and in more ways than one!

Err...that's 22 & 21...

the correct answer is 42

[danasgoodstuff]

OK, y'all ready for some answers?

[Dan Gould]

How many comments do you have relative to discs sent out? It seems a bit early for answers ...

[danasgoodstuff]

I think we're at over 50% which seems pretty good to me...?

[mikeweil]

I'd say wait 'til the weekend.

[danasgoodstuff]

OK

[Peter Johnson]

Haven't looked, haven't looked, promise...but Gail called me and told me I had a CD in the mail in Philly. Damn, foiled by the bicoastal scourge. She told me she sent it off, so hopefully it will be here in a day or two...

[.:.impossible]

Alright, I finally sat down to type it up. I've listened a couple times in the car. A lot of this stuff is good driving music... specifically that electric guitar track toward the end. Here goes:

01 This sounds like an early to mid-60s Blue Note session, but with more reverb than the “classic” Blue Note sound. Definitely Jackie Mclean. The trumpet could be Lee? I’m not sure. I’m guessing this is a Duke Pearson production based on the reverb. Good boogaloo-bop tune. Reminds me of the Son of Sidewinder CD that Dan Gould, not Big Al, sent me once.

02 Moanin’! Groovy organ sounds with a big band. I couldn’t tell you who this is. I’ve grown into a pigeon-hole with my taste in organ tone. This one seems a little to groovy and reminds me of 1960s rock bands.

03 This sounds like the J.B.’s! I love that single note rhythm guitar. When I first heard it, I cranked the car stereo up a few notches. Fela’s band really took off on this type of stuff. The music was more wild, but just as funky. I recognize this tune, but I can’t come up with a title. I think this is the J.B.’s but it might be one of those Greyboy Allstars tracks with Fred Wesley. I know this is a familiar tune.

04 Man, I thought that guitar was a Fender Rhodes at first! Alto, trombone, electric guitar fugue? I’m not sure about that term. The alto sounds like John Zorn up to his tricks. I read an interview about a year ago where he said that he never practices his horn anymore and has been focusing more on writing. I can’t fault him on his chops, but I think he could really expand his vocabulary if he tried. He does have amazing control.

05 This sounds like a symphonic orchestra with an electric guitar, and European. 2/4 all the way through if I remember correctly. I had to take a phone call. I have no idea what this is and can only assume the correlation to jazz is the guitar?

06 I think you are trying to trick me into guessing this is John Zorn again, because of that screaming tone, but it is a tenor and I think it is Gato Barbieri, but I’ve never heard it so I can’t be sure. I have a couple of things from his avant-garde days, but haven’t gone much further than that. Gato, the cat in the hat.

07 Hold on a second, that was a short track, or is this a continuation of track 06? I’d guess it is the same player.

08 My favorite track so far, for its “ugly beauty.” Sounds like some Shepp I have heard. Live? That was nice. I’ll have to check out the rest of that album!

09 I don’t have this, but it reminds me of a duet from the same horn with Dollar Brand on Denon. Very rooted blues duet. No frills. I liked it.

10 I think this is from Ask The Ages. It sounded very familiar. The guitar tone also sounds like Tisziji, but I’m positive this is Sharrock. I wonder what attracts Pharoah to this particular style of guitar?

11 Um… a political-minded Australian blues band? No clue! Whoa. This could have been an obscure album featured in Guitar Player magazine in its day. Or a Midnight Oil side project.

12 And we’ve entered the hot licks segment of the disc! This is just straight 12 bar rock and roll. I’m thinking pool tables and the smell of fried food. Whoa that chick has big hair! Go talk to her.

13 Is this like a Ramsey Lewis thing? Sounds like the melody to that oldie with the lyrics “In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight!” I don’t know what this is, but it sounds like a pop tune. Its got to be a jazz trio covering a rock tune. I like the bassist’s simplicity.

14 Work Song. Is this Jimmy Witherspoon with Robben Ford? I had a disc once in college that sounded like this. If it isn’t Robben Ford, the guitarist has a similar approach. This is a pretty cool track with the walking electric bassline. DG, do you play guitar? Now that is an organ! I think the thing I had was a comp. I don’t recognize this track.

15 I couldn’t tell you where this comes from, but it fits into the sound of the disc well. I imagine this was a dance hit sometime somewhere. Go Go? It could easily slip into rocksteady!

16 That opening piano figure sounds like a live television show wrapping up. Willow Weep For Me! The chordings don’t leave much up to the imagination. Real bluesy though. I like the tempo too. Where did it go?

17 Are you a guitar player DG? This was a surprise. I couldn’t guess who this is, but I bet they are highly revered in their circles.

18 Ha. I immediately thought of Peter Tosh. Ain’t nobody’s business…

19 This guys got all the licks. He could be playing to a karaoke machine for all I know, but he can play that geetar. Is that a Hendrix lick around 2:40? Maybe I’m thinking of another guitar. This guy pecks and scrapes and does just about everything. I’m most impressed with the tremolo/volume play. Nice ending. I’d imagine this guy is fairly recent. Wind Cries Mary.

20 No idea, but I imagine teenagers “necking” to this in the background on the Jersey Shore. I assume the alto is a jazz musician?

21 Definitely some downtown stuff. I can’t put my finger on it. Sort of reminds me of Spy vs. Spy, but I only hear one drummer. Could still be Michael Vatcher for all I know.

There must be a thread throughout the music that I didn’t pick up on. Definitely a wide variety of music that I didn’t expect to hear! Thanks for the tunes DG.

[catesta]

An interesting mix for sure. Can't say as I got into all of the tracks, but found myself enjoying a few of them more after a second listen.

1. This is Blue Note for sure, probably was supposed to be the gimme, but aside from hearing what I think is Jackie McLean and Lee Morgan I'm at a loss.

I think this may be my favorite track.

2. No doubt the tune is 'Moanin', but I was not able to place the players. The band had a real nice sound to it, but I did not dig the organist all that much.

3. Very funky, sounds like something from the 70's. The tune be 'Watermelon Man', but that's the only definite for me. Perhaps it could be Quincy Jones?

4. Never really got going for me.

5. The London Philharmonic? The tune seemed very familiar, nice arrangement, and overall a nice piece.

6. Reminds me very much of something from a spy/action type movie. Starts out as dark back-alley type stuff. Cool.

7. A very latin feel for sure, no idea of the players, and the tune did not do much for me.

8. I could really formulate much of a take on this.

9. A very bluesy piece.

10. Haunting! And the guitar player is...........???????

11. Have not got a clue. Sounds like something from Santana or a similar. Not for me.

12. Some blues/rock guitar stuff.

13. Billy Taylor?

14. More blues type guitar rock. Not really digging it.

15. This has the feel of something from a 60's film.

16. This may very well be Gene Harris. As near as I can tell it's 'Willow Weep Foe Me'. I liked it just fine.

17. 'America the Beautiful' is what it is, maybe that's Joe Pass in there somewhere.

18. Sounds like Red Garland to me. Not sure of the tune, but it's good stuff.

19. Interesting, but not sure what's going on here. Seems like a piece to get you ready for a square dance.

20. The tune is called 'Where or When', right?

But I've got no clue who be singin' it here. This stuff of depresses me. Music for the old school AM radio.

21. Definitely out there, I would have liked to say I hated it, but I'll be damned it I found myself enjoying it a bit. Kind of grows on you.

[Big Al]

Track 3: Sounds like the JB’s there. With Brother Cheese riffin’ over Brother Chank’s sweet riffs! Hmmm...... wait a second; that’s “Watermelon Man” they’re playing..... lessee if I’m right about this.... Well, I can’t find it. If it is the JB’s, I couldn’t tell you what it comes from. If it ain’t, then I don’t HAFC™. But I sure wanna find out!

So I scarfed up the J.B.'s Anthology and lo and behold, that's Soul Brother #1...... ON THE DRUMS!!!!

Now I REALLY can't wait to find out the story behind this one!

[danasgoodstuff]

I think there's only two unID'd tracks, maybe I'll wait for Peter Johnson to get his disc and take a shot and then do the answers. Sound like a plan?

[Dan Gould]

Well, I don't know how long Peter will take, if his wife's got to get it in the mail and he's settling into his new gig in Seattle. You could probably just post the answers whenever you want at this point.

[randyhersom]

I'm getting back on the train with the next BFT, but from JSngry's description of 18, I wonder if it isn't The Country and Western Pianos of Steve Kuhn and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Sight unheard.

[cannonball-addict]

Do we get answers soon?

[dutchmanx]

Received my disc on January 31st.

Didn't look at previous mails. Here's my modest contribution.

5 Sounds like soundtrack to Fellini's film

10 don't know two names came to my mind Angelo Badalamenti and Marc Ribot?

11 No doubt - Bill Frisell on guitar and Jack Bruce on drums, for me Frisell stands next to Mr.Robert Fripp

13 yet another version of Still I'm Sad no clue who's playing

17 Some Soviet song from '30-s, heard it hundred times but can't recollect the name

Most of performers are new to me, but CD definitely has a mood and I like it.

Excellent job!

Andrew

Edited February 3, 2005 by dutchmanx