BFT #28 DISC TWO - ANSWERS (cont'd)

[MartyJazz]

11) “Earthdance” (Joe Ford) from Jerry Gonzalez & Fort Apache Band: EARTHDANCE (Sunnyside) – Gonzalez (tp, fl-h, congas); Ford (as, ss); Carter Jefferson (ts); Larry Willis (p); Andy Gonzalez (b); Steve Berrios (d). Rec’d October ‘90.

Not great, just a very pleasant Latin jazz piece. I’ve liked this group which has had necessary changes in personnel (Carter Jefferson’s death resulted in his being replaced by John Stubblefield who too, has recently passed away), owning perhaps all of its cds. I believe the group disbanded once Gonzalez decided to move to Spain where he’s been mixing it up with the Flamenco musicians there. This track seemed to stump everyone even though I’ve seen at least one Fort Apache thread elsewhere on Organissimo where at least one contributor has also participated in this BFT.

12) “Song From the Old Country” (Don Pullen) from David Murray: SHAKILL’S WARRIOR (DIW Columbia) – Murray (ts); Pullen (org); Stanley Franks (g); Andrew Cyrille (d). Rec’d March ‘91.

At last we hear an organ, however it’s Don Pullen whose primary instrument was the piano and he’s playing the instrument in a manner that can only pin him as the culprit. I like this track quite a lot and confess that I don’t hear the “squeals” from the tenor that at least one of you (that would be you, Dan) has complained about. Chalk that up to the intensive tone tolerance training I received back around ’71 when I would listen to Trane live in Seattle on headsets while smoking a non-tobacco substance. It’s long been obvious that Murray likes to stretch the tonal boundaries, shall we say, but here he sounds relatively benign and very melodic, at least to these ears.

13) “Short Life of Barbara Monk” (R Blake) from Ran Blake: SHORT LIFE OF BARBARA MONK (Soul Note) – Ricky Ford (ts); Blake (p); Ed Felson (b); Jon Hazilla (d). Rec’d August ‘86.

At last we come to the final piece which has a “haunting”, “melancholy” aspect as a couple of you have remarked. JSngry alone recognized the piece and termed it “heartbreaking” in view of its attendant history. According to the liner notes, Blake himself occasionally babysat for Thelonious’s daughter (she of “Boo Boo’s Birthday” fame) when she was a child. She died tragically of cancer while still in her 30s. Blake of course dedicates this to her memory and while it’s possible I was predisposed to like this piece when attracted to the cover and having read this background material within the insert in a 2nd hand CD store a few years back, I really did like it on first hearing and its appeal has been steadfast with each subsequent play. I'm glad brownie seems to dig it as well. The otherwise conventional Ricky Ford is the surprising tenor here.

This was a lot of fun. Much thanks to all who contributed their thoughts, especially the ones who took the time and effort to "itemize" responses to each and every track. I really enjoyed reading everything you had to say.

[Rosco]

I’ve seen at least one Fort Apache thread elsewhere on Organissimo where at least one contributor has also participated in this BFT.

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11. Uh… that would be me, I guess. I only have one CD by this band, Crossroads and it’s a nice album. Will have to get more.

12: Recognized Murray with almost the first note. He comes in for criticism, some of it not unfounded by I think he can be exciting to hear in the many contexts he’s chosen over the years. Didn’t associate Pullen with this kind of thing (or even the organ) but he sounds right at home and, once ID’d those clustered stabs and careening runs are total Pullen. This is another of those albums that has been on my wants list for a while (OOP? Or just an expensive Japanese import? Can’t recall).

13: And yet another from my wants list (seems as though the Soul Note catalog is in limbo at the moment). Very beautiful piece of music that conveys the tragic circumstances of its creation without being merely bleak. Surprised that Ford is the tenor; I like him but didn’t associate him with this.

Again, thanks Marty. Interesting choices and a few more to add to the ‘must get’ list.