Speaking of Don WIlkerson

[medjuck]

Since we've had more than a bit of discussion about 'the real" Don Wilkerson:

http://thebluemoment.com/

More than half o the latest entry in this blog is about him. What album (if any) is the live version of Come Rain or Come Shine from?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

It's from this Ray Charles CD

Ray Charles - Genius + soul = jazz live - Golden age of Jazz JZCD310. It was recorded 22 Oct 1961 in Paris. An Italian issue came out in 1991. It's never been reissued, as far as I know.

Don's solo on this date is truly a masterpiece. He recorded it again with Ray in Berlin, the following year. That was issued on Pablo 5301 in 1996. Don played essentially the same solo, described by Bob Porter in the notes as 'muscular', which it is. But the Paris version is passionately ethereal. Bob at the time hadn't heard either of the Paris CDs (another CD, recorded the day before, is on Jazz Music of Yesterday JMY1009 - again an Italian issue. The tape is muddy on the three instrumentals starting the gig - 'Doodlin'', 'The story', & 'Lil darlin'', but there's some great playing there, if you can stand the sound.)

If you want some live Don Wilkerson playing his heart out, go to CD Baby and get a DL of 'Live from Lott's Emporium' by Carl Lott (formerly drummer with Hank Crawford)- two gigs featuring 1 Arnett Cobb; and 2 Don Wilkerson. Don's playing on 'My funny valentine' is amazing. CD Baby have run out of CDs of this, so a DL is the only option at present, it appears.

Oh, I see you can get the Paris CD pictured above at Amazon UK dirt cheap.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Genius-Soul-Jazz-Live-Ray-Charles/dp/B00004VOE1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398709475&sr=8-1&keywords=ray+charles+genius+%2B+soul+%3D+jazz+live

Carpe diem, as Jim says.

MG

[medjuck]

Thanks os much.