Charlie Haden's Naim projects

[six string]

Ok, so Haden has softened a little from his early days with Ornette but I love this newish phase of his if you can call it that on the Naim label. His duo albums with John Taylor, Chris Anderson and Christian Esconde are beautiful albums. I even like the duo album he did with Pat Metheny, Beyond the Missouri Sky. With these quieter, less busy programs I can really appreciate his tone, rhythm and choice of notes in a way that I wasn't always able to do with louder quartets. Don't get me wrong, I do like his older stuff too but it's nice to have someone like him playing music I can slowly wake up too with my cup of joe or play during dinner without resorting to sonic wallpaper. The Metheny album isn't on Naim but I tossed it into the mix because of its simiilarity.

Yesterday I picked up the cd version of his Private Collection, two concerts a friend recorded with a quartet (Ernie Watts, Alan Broadbent and Billy Higgins or Paul Motian on drums. I was surprised to read in the liner notes that it was originally released in 1994. I don't recall ever hearing about it myself. I haven't played it yet because I wanted to wait until I could listen to a complete disc without interuptions. Hopefully that will be tonight.

Any fans or thoughts on these?

[kh1958]

I haven't heard any of these but recommend the duet with Portuguese guitarist Carlos Paredes.

[RDK]

"Beyond the Missouri Sky" is sublime - one of my favorite recordings by either Haden or Metheny. I'm a bit less fond of his Naim recordings overall. They sound lovely - beautifully recorded - but I find the music a bit too sterile for my tastes. The live set doesn't suffer, obviously, and is very nice indeed.

[Chuck Nessa]

He's a "better than fine" musician who's lost his edge, IMO. He's still head and shoulders above most other living bass players. I just don't want to pay for his recent work.

[paul secor]

Chuck - Is your new avatar the cover of the upcoming Leo Smith reissue?

[paul secor]

I haven't heard any of these but recommend the duet with Portuguese guitarist Carlos Paredes.

Like that one also.

[paul secor]

He's a "better than fine" musician who's lost his edge, IMO. He's still head and shoulders above most other living bass players. I just don't want to pay for his recent work.

I agree. I think he needs to choose more interesting/adventurous collaborators.

[Chuck Nessa]

Chuck - Is your new avatar the cover of the upcoming Leo Smith reissue?

yup

[RDK]

He's a "better than fine" musician who's lost his edge, IMO. He's still head and shoulders above most other living bass players. I just don't want to pay for his recent work.

I agree. I think he needs to choose more interesting/adventurous collaborators.

I think, like so many, he's merely mellowed with age. I'm not sure he wants to be as edgy/fiery as he was in the past.

[jlhoots]

I like the 2 CD quartet release on NAIM.

[JohnS]

The Private Collection was released around 1994. It was a limited edition of two single cds. I believe it ran to 1000 (might have been 2000) copies, limited because of his contract with Verve. At first it was only sold through Naim dealers but a few appeared in specialist shops later. I'm not sure now how I came to hear about them but fortunately I had a Naim dealer nearby.

[six string]

It might be that his tinitus prevents him from playing in those louder edgier formats. I know that one of the shows I saw had him surrounded by plexi-glass or other clear barrier to shield him from the other instruments. If he has to play quieter music, it's ok with me. It fills a niche for me and I still have his older recordings anytime I want to hear his edgy side.

[paul secor]

For me, edgy doesn't have to = loud.

[Guest Bill Barton]

It might be that his tinitus prevents him from playing in those louder edgier formats. I know that one of the shows I saw had him surrounded by plexi-glass or other clear barrier to shield him from the other instruments. If he has to play quieter music, it's ok with me. It fills a niche for me and I still have his older recordings anytime I want to hear his edgy side.

He's been using those shields for years now. They apparently are doing their job.

For me, edgy doesn't have to = loud.

Exactly!

And the roots country Rambling Boy CD is mostly wonderful too with only a couple of duds in the program of 19 tracks.

[brownie]

At least one of the Haden Naim project was released on vinyl.

Very interesting album! In excellent sound!

[sidewinder]

At least one of the Haden Naim project was released on vinyl.

Naim are currently selling the 'Private Collection' on 3LP vinyl via their dealers and available at the website. The latest brochure I have got from them mentions this release (I try not to look at it as it is a sure-fire way of emptying the pockets ).

I'll bet it sounds phenomenal !

I've got the Haden/Anderson on CD. Sounds amazing too.

Edited December 28, 2008 by sidewinder