Blindfold Test 259

[randyhersom]

As of posting, this link isn't live yet, but hopefully very soon.  As usual some whitespace so you can get to the link without seeing subsequent posts to avoid spoilage:

2025 Blindfold Tests – Thom Keith Dot Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!!

 

[randyhersom]

And we are live!  Thanks Thom!

[tkeith]

Sorry for the delay -- upside:  actually slept!   

[felser]

The first cut is track #2 from this.  Beautiful song, beautiful performance! That album was magnificent, and such a great idea to give much-needed exposure to those three horn players.  On a quick scan, every cut on this BFT sounds like a winner to me, can't wait to dive in!

Edited Wednesday at 02:45 PM by felser

[T.D.]

Only sampled 2 tunes so far, but they're great.

No time to verify, but #2 sounds like it's from this album.

#7 instantly rang a bell, track 8 (it's the alternate take) from this.

Awesome selection!

Edited Wednesday at 02:55 PM by T.D.

[randyhersom]

T. D. Two for two, and I think you picked the hardest two to start with.

Felser correct on #1

Edited Wednesday at 03:37 PM by randyhersom

[felser]

1 – As I posted earlier, The first cut is track #2 from this.  Beautiful song, beautiful performance! That album was magnificent, and such a great idea to give much-needed exposure to those three horn players. 

2 – Sounds like one of those small-label free jazz albums from the late 60’s with Michael White on violin.  I’m going to continue to research this one.  I like it and am curious  for ID.

3 – Tight rhythm section.  Surely 70’s vintage with that Rhodes?  Maybe one of those Orrin Keepnews productions on Galaxy or Milestone?  Very good cut, hope I have it somewhere.

4 – I like the voicings of the background horns in the arrangement, not wild about the alto player, the trombonist or the rhythm section, though they can all play.

5 – They certainly have their Charles Mingus down (and the tenor soloist has his Booker Ervin down).   Mingus Dynasty?  Love it!

6 – Another GREAT track!  Wonderful!  Vibes/marimba reminds me of Bobby Hutcherson, but context doesn’t, as he didn’t record this late without a piano.  Chico Freeman with Jay Hoggard?

7 – Cherokee.  Bud Powell disciple.  No new ground, but good, pleasant stuff.

8 – Lovely tone, great technique from tenor.  I’m not a fan of solo sax, so I lost interest when they went “outside”, but this person can definitely play.  The guitar was not as convincing to me.  The bass has great facility, but to what end?  John Klemmer on saxophone?  Can’t think of what album it would be, but I’m not familiar with most of his Cadet stuff or with almost all of his post-Impulse/ABC recordings, so I guess it should be.  BTW, why has so much Klemmer never seen CD reissue?

9 – Variations on a theme  some from #8.  I’m not as enamored of this saxophonist, though he certainly can play.  The rhythm section just meanders aimlessly to me.  Listening through, but looking forward to it being over.  This is probably a cut I “should” like, but I don’t.  Man, this is a looong cut at 11 minutes!

10 – Sort of forms a mood trilogy with cuts 8 & 9.  Somewhere Over The Rainbow.  I like it even less, but at least it’s short(er).  Dan Gould will probably love this cut.   Maybe one of the old masters, but it almost seems too exaggerated in style to be one of them.

11 – What’s New.  Certainly sounds like Bags off the top, but maybe less so as it goes on.  Good track.

12 – Very beautiful.  Builds nicely as it goes.   I like it a lot.

Track 1 is so great.  Tracks 2,5.6.12 all have me looking forward to reveal!  Thanks for BFT!

[T.D.]

7 hours ago, randyhersom said:

T. D. Two for two, and I think you picked the hardest two to start with.

Randy, it's just a weird coincidence. I own both underlying albums.

Listen to #2 often, and that exact track always stuck in my mind because I was surprised the ensemble covered that tune.

The album of #7 imprinted on my memory because of the distinctive piano style and unusual/strange/distant recorded sound.

Edited Wednesday at 10:52 PM by T.D.

[JSngry]

Trick or Treat!!!!

TRACK ONE - There's the Elvin in there. And perhaps McCoy as well? I'd be shocked if I don't have this record, but having it and knowing it are two different things....that's the RVG piano sound, tho, so that narrows it down, right? LOL. Not bad, but a little abbreviated, and the bari-heavy intro has just a teence of Ra to it. First time thru, I was halfway expecting it to be a soundtrack cut!

TRACK TWO - Definitely a Billy Bang joint, but god, there's so many of them, where to begin? This one is a bit more focused than some, and Bang joints are always better with focus. A LOT of that is coming from the rhythm section. Alto player sounds old...perhaps not in a good way? But maybe so?

TRACK THREE - Of its time, in a good way. Everybody came to play, and they did. Helluva tenor player goin' on in there! A lot of influence, but no outright imitation, so yeah. WHOA on this trumpet! WHOA on everybody!!! 

TRACK FOUR - Sounds a lot like early Threadgill Sextet. I love this stuff. The only thing is....no trumpet? Or is there? No matter, this one works for me.

TRACK FIVE - Mingus, "Son With Orange", from Mingus Dynasty - the OTHER 1959 Columbia Mingus album. Perhaps highly underrated?

TRACK SIX - No idea. It's ok, not crazy about the tenor player's tone, it's almost a lot of things....I suppose they all mean well, right?

TRACK SEVEN - "Cherokee", faster than fuck, although the pianist is resisting the temptation to go there right away. Gotta be Max on drums? Not necessarily distinct, but kudos for hanging in there on that tempo! Max is on of the few who can hold that tempo that high and make it sound like as leidurly stoll. Is that Mingus? So....a Debut record? Couldn't tell you who, but those guys and that tempo....seriously badass.

TRACK EIGHT - That tenor player....whoa....virtuosity AND inventiveness working hand in hand. Always pleasing! Oh yeah, taste as well, none of the Brecker-school forced "intensity". No idea who this is, but we got a winner here.

TRACK NINE - "Chelsea Bridge", Osby or Coleman.''is that a recent Tyshawn Sorey record? If so, then that's Osby. I think I have it, and first listen was positive. Very focused and coherent, the form is intact and fluid at once, you can never NOT here the song. Wonderful!

TRACK TEN - Unmistakably Paul Gonsalves. Unmistakably. Nuff said!

TRACK ELEVEN -  Unmistakably Walt Dickerson. Unmistakably. Nuff said!

TRACK TWELVE - A bit somber, and maybe not the best thing to listen to while taking a break from baseball...but that's ok.

A fun listen! Got any peanut M&Ms?

 

 

 

'chelseas Bridge", Osby or Coleman.

[randyhersom]

JSngry nails 5 and 9 and ID's artist on 10 and 11.  Everything you said about 7 is correct, as TD's ID attests.  Yes to Elvin and McCoy in 1 as Felser has uncovered. And Billy Bang is a member of The Group.  No Henry Threadgill was incorporated in this BFT.

Edited Thursday at 01:39 AM by randyhersom

[T.D.]

I'll add that the "old" alto player in #2, though not a household name, has a significant following. 🤣

[randyhersom]

No Chico Freeman or Jay Hoggard on this, but I like them both, particularly Hoggard.

And no John Klemmer.

[randyhersom]

31 minutes ago, T.D. said:

I'll add that the "old" alto player in #2, though not a household name, has a significant following. 🤣

His is the name that attracted me to this album.  I've been binging on the streamable NoBusiness catalog on Bandcamp.  Really catches the Loft Jazz moment.  There's an excellent duo album with the alto (Marion Brown) and Dave Burrell.

[T.D.]

The No Business collections Centering (William Parker) and Muntu Recordings (Jemeel Moondoc) are outstanding Loft Jazz as well.

As an enthusiast of both principals I can't explain why I haven't acquired the Brown/Burrell. 🤔

[JSngry]

Marion Brown's health began to decline, and this record is reflectively of that, which might be why I couldn't decide if he sounded old in a good way or not. His days of peak facility had already begun to be behind him.

[Dan Gould]

16 hours ago, felser said:

10 – Sort of forms a mood trilogy with cuts 8 & 9.  Somewhere Over The Rainbow.  I like it even less, but at least it’s short(er).  Dan Gould will probably love this cut.   Maybe one of the old masters, but it almost seems too exaggerated in style to be one of them.

 

Doubtful - that tune is on the "Standards I don't need to hear ever again" list.

[randyhersom]

Felser provided the song titles for 10 and 11 matching up to the artists identified by JSngry, so those two can be considered solved.

[randyhersom]

With both John Dennis and Walt Dickerson identified, it's a good time to share Walt's observations on John's too short life and career:

Dark Forces Swing Blind Punches: Walt Dickerson interview, part 1

Edited Friday at 09:05 PM by randyhersom

[T.D.]

Thanks for posting that link, Randy. AFAICT, it's the best available source of info on the enigmatic Dennis.

[Milestones]

For sheer musical pleasure, this is a superb BFT.  Good/great tracks all the way through.  You don't often hear Mingus on one of these.  And I need to get that Elvin Jones record.

Isn't that Max on #7?  I didn't see a confirmation, but it absolutely has to be him.  Love Max Roach.

So track #8 is the big mystery of far.  Can't say I've heard much (if any) electric bass in tenor/bass/drums trio.  If the tenor player is obscure, he/she deserves greater recognition.

Oddly, except for Art Pepper, you don't hear many jazz musicians playing "Over the Rainbow."  This is a lovely reading by Paul Gonsalves and Earl Hines.  

Track 12 is certainly Charlie Haden from one of the many duet records with a pianist.  Not sure which this would be.  Maybe Tokyo Adagio with Gonzalo.  Charlie has a lot of tracks where you can hear a pin drop.  This is one of them.  I love virtually all of Haden's work, and no exception here. 

Just a marvelous BFT. . .thanks!    

Edited yesterday at 01:58 AM by Milestones

[randyhersom]

Yes, Max on 7.  TD provided a link that confirms, and JSngry IDed bass, drums and label.

I don't think the board members consider the tenor on 8 here particularly obscure, but all would probably agree to talent deserving wider recognition.

Charlie Haden is the bassist on 12.

Thanks all for listening and appreciating.

Edited yesterday at 12:24 PM by randyhersom

[Dub Modal]

1. Love the intro. Theatrical. Even though I dig it, it's not even necessary. Great playing. Pianist seems to be the leader. Reminds me of Andrew Hill in one of his straight ahead moments. But also maybe Cedar Walton. The interplay with the drummer is great. This is starting to sound familiar but damn I can't think of it. They reprise the intro at the end and I'm getting Moncur vibes but it ain't him as no trombone. Solid (if short) tune. 

2. Violin and cello? Abdul Wadud? Billy Bang? Maybe too "jazzy" for Bang but I don't know. I dig the urgency in the playing. No guesses on the horn. Nice song but I'm whiffing again. 

3. Big band but with a Rhodes? Reminds me some of the later years Sam Rivers big bands? But he didn't typically have any keys right? And I'm not sure he ever played or led a band with a Rhodes. Loving the drummer. Love when a band is loose but also tight like this. Whoever is leader was adept for this session. Digging the bassist more and more as the tune goes on. 

4. No idea but I've liked all four songs so far. No keys on this one. Super crisp rhythm section. Sax definitely has a style. Ok maybe this is Rivers? But again it's not necessarily how he played, at least in my basic understanding. 

5. It's either a Mingus band or a band playing/inspired by a Mingus tune. Excellent. 

6. Sounds really modern, almost in the r&b jazz sphere. Like, some unseemly producer could have made this a smooth jazz hit. Hmmm...it reminds me of that Shorter album from the 90s, High Life (which I enjoy!) I'm not sure it's Shorter, so did Hutch ever do an album like this? 

7. Pianist is on fire. Like Bud but I don't think it's him. Corea? There's no way. 

8. Joe Henderson comes to mind. 

9. I'm stumped on this one. Great tune. There seems to be a similarity of styles throughout this bft, and I have to say I dig it. The rhythm section sort of stopping and going behind the sax is an interesting element. 

10. Somewhere over the rainbow? Ben Webster? 

11. I've heard this before I think, but no guesses. Love a vibes ballad. Ok if I have to guess - Bobby H. 

12. Three straight ballads to close out! Nice. Love the bass in the intro. I don't know many bass/piano duos off the top of my head. Haden on bass?

Great set all around. Thanks for the bft Randy!