Jackie McLean

[Vincent, Paris]

I think "Nature Boy" was mainly recorded for the Japanese market which is very interested by albums composed of jazz standards such as those Jackie Mac played on it. He had done such an album in the early sixties, "Swing, Swang, Swingin'".

I met Jackie Mac last year in his hometown of Hartford. I asked him why he wasn't recording that much today and he said he wasn't really interested in making records with the conditions he was offered. I also believe that he has recorded so many great albums in the 60's (something like 25 great sessions in less than 10 years) than he thinks his legacy is already there. By the way, he did make a few records for a French label - Birdology - ten years ago and those have been reissued recently by Dreyfus Jazz.

Now, Jackie Mac sometimes plays in Hartford at the Artists Collective building, often jamming with his guests as far as I know. He has like a jazz giant coming each month to play at the Collective. See Artists Collective.

Edited July 18, 2003 by Vincent, Paris

[shrugs]

Now, Jackie Mac sometimes plays in Hartford at the Artists Collective building, often jamming with his guests as far as I know. He has like a jazz giant coming each month to play at the Collective. See Artists Collective.

I haven't heard of him doing this and one of the people I talk to is about as heavy on the Hartford scene as it gets. But if this is the case, jamming with guests is far different than having a weekly or at least monthly gig in the area you call home.

Edited July 18, 2003 by shrugs

[Vincent, Paris]

I haven't heard of him doing this and one of the people I talk to is about as heavy on the Hartford scene as it gets. But if this is the case, jamming with guests is far different than having a weekly or at least monthly gig in the area you call home.

Maybe I was told something wrong...

[Late]

What a wonderful, and at times wonderfully odd, record. Discussion-wise, it seems to largely get ignored in favor of albums like Let Freedom Ring or It's Time. Some of the most "out" Jackie on record, with — such a great choice here — Rashied Ali stirring the hell out of the drums behind him.

Admission: I almost always start this disc with Track 2. Just never had enough "soul" to take in Barbara Simmons' recitation (... and I'm on record as liking Irene Aëbi). I wish Alfred had decided to record an all-instrumental version of the title tune, and then left the vocal version off for a 45 rpm release. Ah well.

[wesbed]

Last night I was writing a post regarding my opinions/criticisms (again!) of various remastering engineers. This got me to thinking of certain reissues that had a flat sound.

I played Jackie McLean's 'A Fickle Sonance' and was quite impressed. Yeah, the remastering is a little flat, but so what? This set of tunes is much better than I remembered it being. The playing from McLean, T. Turrentine, and Sonny Clark is very enjoyable. The choice of songs is quite good as well.

When I hear a title such as 'A Fickle Sonance' it makes me wonder why I haven't listened to it for so long.