Riverside Story (BBC Radio 3) this Saturday

[Philip]

"John Fordham looks at one of the unsung heroes of modern jazz recording - Riverside Records. In conversation with legendary record producer and label owner Orrin Keepnews, they chart how the label came to record some of the key jazz albums of the fifties and early sixties.

"In this first part, Keepnews tells how he dealt with the sometimes difficult Thelonious Monk in the studio, signed pianist Bill Evans and recorded one of jazz's first statements on civil rights, Sonny Rollins' Freedom Suite."

Source

The listing in the "Radio Times", at least, misses the word "unsung." I think I'll guffaw in less than thirty seconds when I hear this.

[Big Al]

Wait for it...

[Christiern]

I bet Orrin gives Bill Grauer short shrift, if he mentions him at all. I also wonder if he gives Randy Weston credit for bringing Monk to the label.

[Big Al]

Regular as clockwork.

Sure wish everything was a regular as clockwork.

[ghost of miles]

What is the real story on FREEDOM SUITE? I always thought that OK had tried to tone down the political message in the liner notes that he penned.

[Christiern]

I agree, and found that mention in the blurb to be interesting, but it is now expedient to claim credit and embrace the militancy he once shunned. Note also: "...legendary record producer and label owner Orrin Keepnews." When I worked at Riverside (before Orrin became legendary), he was like an also-ran to Bill Grauer. Now, there was a pleasant, witty person for whom it was a joy to work.

Should be an interesting series--if nothing else, the music will be good.

[wolff]

Oh boy, I'm sure they'd love your input HERE, Chris.

Edited May 27, 2005 by wolff

[Christiern]

I just listened to the first program in the series. Orrin was predictably into himself, but it was an interesting listen. I did rather like the way he squirmed out of the re-issuing of Rollins' "Freedom Suite." He said that it was not uncommon to take an album and reissue it in a modified version. That's a lot of BS, the Rollins set was done for no other reason than to get rid of the controversial "box" statement.

It's really too bad that Bill Grauer becomes little more than a footnote to Orrin's tales--he deserves far more credit.

As for Monk and Orrin, a forthcoming book (not Peter Keepnews') will set that relationship straight.

[Big Al]

Another discussion about this show [link removed 7/4/05; no good anymore; sorry].

Edited July 4, 2005 by Big Al

[Big Al]

Just listened to it, and while I didn't pay complete attention to it (playing online euchre while listening), it seemed to me that OK gave much credit where credit was due: how others brought talent to his attention. Made it sound like he happened to be at the right place at the right time.

[sidewinder]

He certainly has some nice recollections of Wes Montgomery on programme 2, with the story of the Adderley's phoning him up with the hot news from Minneapolis. Interesting comments on the junkie habits of Chet Baker and Bill Evans too.

[sidewinder]

Yes, I must admit that the impression I picked up just listening to Episode 1 was that Orrin was the one 'calling the shots' (for example with him listening to the Bill Evans tape on the phone call with Mundell Lowe), with Bill Grauer just getting a few mentions.

Edited June 5, 2005 by sidewinder