BFT 230 is live!

[Dub Modal]

33 minutes ago, JSngry said:

Zita Carno did a "famous" transcription of the "Blue Train" solo in 1959, in Jazz Review. But she's more than that! 

https://www.feenotes.com/database/artists/carno-zita/

A baseball researcher too. Nice. 

[mjzee]

1 hour ago, Dub Modal said:

Sleuthing long shot for #2 - is it from this album? Even with the stars of the show figured out, this album's a tough one to pinpoint. 

So close, but no.  What song do you think they're playing?

1 hour ago, Dub Modal said:

Looks like #3 comes from this album - all the correct guesses on it made the album less difficult to sleuth. 

Correct!  I wish the track was about a minute shorter, but beautiful arrangement and concept nonetheless.

1 hour ago, Dub Modal said:

For # 6, I think it's the song Intermission from this one. If that's the case, discogs says the pianist is actually Zita Carno whom I've never heard of. Mickey Roker & Bob Cranshaw round out the trio. Or is Mary Lou actually playing and this is from a different album? Maybe discogs is incorrect with the credits? Of course, I could have the wrong album guess as well...

Correct!  According to the original issue of this album on Mary Records, both Mary Lou and Zita play on this track (you'll have to zoom in):

1 hour ago, Dub Modal said:

# 9 is another difficult one to sleuth. My guess is that it's from this album. That would put Ranelin on the trombone. 

Very good!  Correct.

Edited May 18, 2023 by mjzee

[Dub Modal]

38 minutes ago, mjzee said:

What song do you think they're playing?

Makin' Whoopee if others are correct on song title. I couldn't recognize that myself however. 

40 minutes ago, mjzee said:

According to the original issue of this album on Mary Records, both Mary Lou and Zita play on this track (you'll have to zoom in):

Unfortunately the resolution makes it impossible for me to read - even with zoom.

So, Bob Cranshaw - looks like he switched to primarily electric bass around the mid to late 70s and kept at it for quite a while. Is he the the most prominent bass player from his era to make that switch? And it seems he did it while sticking with hard/post bop related music, and not venturing into fusion, etc. (although he did go outside of jazz). 

Anyway, kudos on including some hard to find songs on this BFT. Usually with some combo of artist/song/album/duration songs can be sleuthed out but that's not so easy here. 

[mjzee]

23 minutes ago, Dub Modal said:

Makin' Whoopee if others are correct on song title.

It ain't Makin' Whoopee.

24 minutes ago, Dub Modal said:

Is he the the most prominent bass player from his era to make that switch?

Cranshaw and Steve Swallow are the two generally credited with first making the switch.  I read an interview with Swallow where he basically said: why not?

25 minutes ago, Dub Modal said:

Anyway, kudos on including some hard to find songs on this BFT.

Thanks.

[Dub Modal]

55 minutes ago, mjzee said:

ain't Makin' Whoopee

I'm going to defer to others to figure this one out then. 

55 minutes ago, mjzee said:

Cranshaw and Steve Swallow are the two generally credited with first making the switch.  I read an interview with Swallow where he basically said: why not?

Interesting. Swallow always adds an appreciated dimension to whatever setting he's in as well. Also on last month's BFT 👍 

Edited May 18, 2023 by Dub Modal

[JSngry]

No one to talk with? 

[Dan Gould]

I thought Ain't Misbehavin' myself.

[mjzee]

2 hours ago, Dan Gould said:

I thought Ain't Misbehavin' myself.

Correct!  It should be easier to locate the original track now.

[webbcity]

I'm finally back on the BFT train! I haven't peeked at anyone else's guesses yet, but will look back at previous comments just as soon as I post this. My notes below were made as I listened. This was a really fun BFT and there was a lot here that I really liked. I guess the good thing about doing this near the end of the month is that I don't have to wait tooo long for the ones that haven't been ID'd yet.  But I'm excited to find out what some of these are.

---

1. Sounds like bowed cello and bass together at the beginning? And soprano. "Amazing Grace"...definitely not what I was expecting! Oh, I do like the overdubbed horns, that's interesting... the echoey sort of effect is pretty great. At least it sounds overdubbed, but I could be wrong. Overall I really like this but I have no guesses.

2. I love the piano intro so much I went back for a 2nd listen. I'm having a senior moment on the name of the tune, but boy do I LOVE this tenor player. Beautiful sound and feeling. And I'm really drawn in by the pianist too, extremely tasty. When they go into double time near the end, there are moments where the tenor player is almost early Rollins-esque, but it's not him. Wait, there's a trumpet player on this? Anyway, this is fantastic.

3. "Someone to Watch Over Me," which I will admit off the bat is not one of my favorite tunes. But I'm intrigued by the way this is starting off. Trombone and strings, I like! I have to say, despite my earlier comments about the tune, this is a stellar arrangement and this trombonist is clearly served well by this setting. Wow. I like the freedom in this, particularly things like the staccato notes around the 5 min mark. Not very typical of these kind of "with strings" sessions. Very cool!
  
4. Nice bass & piano intro. "I've Got You Under My Skin." Ooooh, if this is going to be all bass & piano, I am all in. Great rapport between these two... I love the chunkiness in the piano chords. Concept-wise this is resonating with me. No guesses again but I'm especially curious about this one. I really loved this track. The musicians felt very sympathetic to each other and I liked the sound, the grit, that the players brought. And that out of tune piano!

5. This one feels all about the rhythm, which is nice... I do like the percussion, and the groove is very solid... but not much really happens in this one for me. The pianist is obviously talented but the solo doesn't tell me a lot. It's a Monk tune, but I can't think of the name at the moment... I tend to mix up some of the names of Monk tunes.

6. Aha! Mary Lou Williams! It's from Zoning, with Bob Cranshaw and Mickey Roker. Not only was I just listening to this album, I recently heard Allison Miller's group Boom Tic Boom at a local venue and they did a great version of this. I think it's "Intermission." Love this. As they used to say in Downbeat, one thousand stars.

7. Nice instrumentation on this and I like the feel. Not sure the solos are really speaking to me though these are clearly accomplished players. Okay, the tenor player is reaching me a bit more. And the pianist-- some interesting things going on there. Nice track but I'm not digging it as much as some other things here.

8. Oh man, I recognize that bass line, but what the heck is it? Is this a Cedar Walton tune? I swear, my memory is shot, I am grasping here. Oh now hold the phone. If that's not Bobby Hutcherson on marimba, I'll eat my hat. Really getting into this flute solo too. Man, this one doesn't let up... the tenor solo is hitting the spot too, and the rhythm section is cooking along underneath. And I really should know this bass player. This is terrific, I love this track and look forward to the reveal. It's killing me that I can't remember the name of the tune. Arg.

9. Something is off for me, rhythm section-wise, with this one. And I am probably going to regret saying that. The trio don't really feel in the pocket to me. It's a little uptight. Maybe it's partly the way the drums are recorded too. The soloists are good though. I dunno... I just can't settle into this track. The head also seems a bit like they're trying to cop an older style, to recreate something rather than create something, if that makes any sense.

10. Whatever authenticity I felt was lacking in the last track, this is the opposite. Full commitment from the tenor player. This isn't in my wheelhouse in terms of what I typically listen to, but I like it a lot. Great feel and sound. Fun track.

11. Nice, organ trio... plus actual bass player? And some soulful tenor playing on top. Sounds like classic stuff to me. Ahhhh yeah, when the drummer starts hitting on 4 during the organ solo things really start to open up. Was hoping for more of a longer build after the organist held that one chord, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. It felt like it really should have taken off at that point! Maybe they had to keep it to 5 mins for the record company. Oh well. Good stuff though!

12. This is a neat tune, I don't think I've heard it before. I like the changes and it has the feel of a Clifford Jordan tune to my ears, though it's obviously not him. Killer tenor solo though. Boy, I know this person. Any chance it's Booker Ervin? No hang on, it's Wayne! And the rhythm section is right on. Holy smokes I love that bass sound. Ahhh, and it's definitely Ron Carter. This is right up my alley, can't wait to learn the entire cast of characters.

13. Beautiful feeling and a recognizable tune, but I won't bore you with my memory woes again. Almost sounds like Ron Carter again on bass. Absolutely lush tenor sound. Okay now... gotta be Billy Higgins on drums? And I am rethinking the bass player-- Buster Williams. Even if I'm wrong on all these, really enjoyed this one.

14. "On A Clear Day"... I think? No, I'm not sure that's right. Sounds like a live recording? Ahhh... there comes the bass. Whoever this is on alto certainly gets around. Intonation is a little out but it doesn't bother me. Although, listening more, the fault is just as much with the bass & piano methinks. But a good solid groove here with some creative alto soloing. I like how the piano player finds a happy note or theme or chord and digs in. Ah, the dreaded bowed bass solo! Speaking as a bass player... I am not a tremendous fan of bowed bass solos. And this is no exception. The struggle is real. But overall I like this track.

15. I like the singer a lot. And am I hearing celeste in the background? This is a nice little track. Solid group, great singer, good tune.

16. Definitely outside my area of expertise, but this swings and I like it. The bassist & drummer are tight. And wow, there's some really forward-looking piano playing on this. This person is pushing the envelope and I love it. Anxious to learn who it is!

 

Again, many thanks for your efforts, really enjoyed this!

☮️🎵

EDIT: after reading previous posts...

I absolutely should have gotten the tune on #2. D'oh! And WOW on #4! I need to listen to more of that one for sure. Some interesting reveals so far!

Edited May 24, 2023 by webbcity

[felser]

On 5/18/2023 at 2:24 PM, mjzee said:

Cranshaw and Steve Swallow are the two generally credited with first making the switch.  

Did Jymie Merritt switch before them?  He was on EB by Lee Morgan's Live at the Lighthouse. And do you count Stanley Clarke in there?

Edited May 24, 2023 by felser

[JSngry]

Merritt played the Ampeg Baby Bass, which was an electric standup bass Still popular in Latin circles! 

[mjzee]

1 hour ago, webbcity said:

I'm finally back on the BFT train! I haven't peeked at anyone else's guesses yet, but will look back at previous comments just as soon as I post this. My notes below were made as I listened. This was a really fun BFT and there was a lot here that I really liked. I guess the good thing about doing this near the end of the month is that I don't have to wait tooo long for the ones that haven't been ID'd yet.  But I'm excited to find out what some of these are.

---

1. Sounds like bowed cello and bass together at the beginning? And soprano. "Amazing Grace"...definitely not what I was expecting! Oh, I do like the overdubbed horns, that's interesting... the echoey sort of effect is pretty great. At least it sounds overdubbed, but I could be wrong. Overall I really like this but I have no guesses.

2. I love the piano intro so much I went back for a 2nd listen. I'm having a senior moment on the name of the tune, but boy do I LOVE this tenor player. Beautiful sound and feeling. And I'm really drawn in by the pianist too, extremely tasty. When they go into double time near the end, there are moments where the tenor player is almost early Rollins-esque, but it's not him. Wait, there's a trumpet player on this? Anyway, this is fantastic.

3. "Someone to Watch Over Me," which I will admit off the bat is not one of my favorite tunes. But I'm intrigued by the way this is starting off. Trombone and strings, I like! I have to say, despite my earlier comments about the tune, this is a stellar arrangement and this trombonist is clearly served well by this setting. Wow. I like the freedom in this, particularly things like the staccato notes around the 5 min mark. Not very typical of these kind of "with strings" sessions. Very cool!
  
4. Nice bass & piano intro. "I've Got You Under My Skin." Ooooh, if this is going to be all bass & piano, I am all in. Great rapport between these two... I love the chunkiness in the piano chords. Concept-wise this is resonating with me. No guesses again but I'm especially curious about this one. I really loved this track. The musicians felt very sympathetic to each other and I liked the sound, the grit, that the players brought. And that out of tune piano!

5. This one feels all about the rhythm, which is nice... I do like the percussion, and the groove is very solid... but not much really happens in this one for me. The pianist is obviously talented but the solo doesn't tell me a lot. It's a Monk tune, but I can't think of the name at the moment... I tend to mix up some of the names of Monk tunes.

6. Aha! Mary Lou Williams! It's from Zoning, with Bob Cranshaw and Mickey Roker. Not only was I just listening to this album, I recently heard Allison Miller's group Boom Tic Boom at a local venue and they did a great version of this. I think it's "Intermission." Love this. As they used to say in Downbeat, one thousand stars.

7. Nice instrumentation on this and I like the feel. Not sure the solos are really speaking to me though these are clearly accomplished players. Okay, the tenor player is reaching me a bit more. And the pianist-- some interesting things going on there. Nice track but I'm not digging it as much as some other things here.

8. Oh man, I recognize that bass line, but what the heck is it? Is this a Cedar Walton tune? I swear, my memory is shot, I am grasping here. Oh now hold the phone. If that's not Bobby Hutcherson on marimba, I'll eat my hat. Really getting into this flute solo too. Man, this one doesn't let up... the tenor solo is hitting the spot too, and the rhythm section is cooking along underneath. And I really should know this bass player. This is terrific, I love this track and look forward to the reveal. It's killing me that I can't remember the name of the tune. Arg.

9. Something is off for me, rhythm section-wise, with this one. And I am probably going to regret saying that. The trio don't really feel in the pocket to me. It's a little uptight. Maybe it's partly the way the drums are recorded too. The soloists are good though. I dunno... I just can't settle into this track. The head also seems a bit like they're trying to cop an older style, to recreate something rather than create something, if that makes any sense.

10. Whatever authenticity I felt was lacking in the last track, this is the opposite. Full commitment from the tenor player. This isn't in my wheelhouse in terms of what I typically listen to, but I like it a lot. Great feel and sound. Fun track.

11. Nice, organ trio... plus actual bass player? And some soulful tenor playing on top. Sounds like classic stuff to me. Ahhhh yeah, when the drummer starts hitting on 4 during the organ solo things really start to open up. Was hoping for more of a longer build after the organist held that one chord, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. It felt like it really should have taken off at that point! Maybe they had to keep it to 5 mins for the record company. Oh well. Good stuff though!

12. This is a neat tune, I don't think I've heard it before. I like the changes and it has the feel of a Clifford Jordan tune to my ears, though it's obviously not him. Killer tenor solo though. Boy, I know this person. Any chance it's Booker Ervin? No hang on, it's Wayne! And the rhythm section is right on. Holy smokes I love that bass sound. Ahhh, and it's definitely Ron Carter. This is right up my alley, can't wait to learn the entire cast of characters.

13. Beautiful feeling and a recognizable tune, but I won't bore you with my memory woes again. Almost sounds like Ron Carter again on bass. Absolutely lush tenor sound. Okay now... gotta be Billy Higgins on drums? And I am rethinking the bass player-- Buster Williams. Even if I'm wrong on all these, really enjoyed this one.

14. "On A Clear Day"... I think? No, I'm not sure that's right. Sounds like a live recording? Ahhh... there comes the bass. Whoever this is on alto certainly gets around. Intonation is a little out but it doesn't bother me. Although, listening more, the fault is just as much with the bass & piano methinks. But a good solid groove here with some creative alto soloing. I like how the piano player finds a happy note or theme or chord and digs in. Ah, the dreaded bowed bass solo! Speaking as a bass player... I am not a tremendous fan of bowed bass solos. And this is no exception. The struggle is real. But overall I like this track.

15. I like the singer a lot. And am I hearing celeste in the background? This is a nice little track. Solid group, great singer, good tune.

16. Definitely outside my area of expertise, but this swings and I like it. The bassist & drummer are tight. And wow, there's some really forward-looking piano playing on this. This person is pushing the envelope and I love it. Anxious to learn who it is!

 

Again, many thanks for your efforts, really enjoyed this!

☮️🎵

EDIT: after reading previous posts...

I absolutely should have gotten the tune on #2. D'oh! And WOW on #4! I need to listen to more of that one for sure. Some interesting reveals so far!

I liked your comments and your analyses, especially about #3.  You're correct about #6, and you got Bobby H. right on #8.  I actually agree with you about #9; I liked the tune but definitely thought the band could've used more rehearsal for that tricky head.  Your comment about #11 was very interesting, because it turns out the producer complained about the date being too short!  You're correct about Wayne and Ron Carter on #12.  As for #13, you got Billy Higgins but the wrong Williams on bass.  

[mjzee]

This is the final weekend to work on your BFT 230 skills!