BFT 261 (December 2025) Reveal

[felser]

 

1 – “Ordinary Joe” by Terry Callier, from the album ‘Occasional Rain’, Cadet Records, 1972.  Callier and this song became legends on the British Northern soul circuit, and were widely championed by Beth Orton when she had her breakthrough in the late 90’s.  Great production by Charles Stepney.  For years I’ve wanted to start one of my BFT’s with this cut’s opening lyrics, and 2025 seemed utterly appropriate for that:  “And for my opening line
I might try to indicate my state of mind”.

2 – “Sunrise Sunset” by the Bob Thiele Collective, from the album “Sunrise Sunset”, Red Baron Records, 1991.  I run hot and cold on Murray, who does too many ill-conceived projects, but he shines when in a quartet setting with John Hicks, and Cecil McBee and Andrew Cyrille are a great way to finish out the ensemble.  And I’ve always loved the song, from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ one of the two best musical scores IMO (the other is West Side Story).

3 – “Prayer for Peace” by Stanley Cowell, from the album ‘Musa: Ancestral Streams’, Strata-East Records, 1974.  One of the greatest solo piano albums, reissued in 2025 by Mack Avenue.  And be sure to buy the downloads of the excellent outtakes (not available on the physical releases, which in the case of the CD is egregious).

4 – “Make No Mistake” by John Martyn, from the album ‘Live at Leeds’, Island Records, 1975.  Amazing bass playing by Danny Thompson.  Martyn is an acquired taste, but at his best is stunning if you “get” him.

5 – “Singing Winds, Crying Beasts” by Santana, from the album ‘Abraxas’, 1970, Columbia records.  This is the opening cut to the album, leads beautifully into the classic “Black Magic Womam/Gypsy Queen”.   This album topped the USA pop album charts for six weeks - we lived in a different musical world then.  Cut shows the group’s instrumental chops, and that Carlos was far from being the whole show.

6 – “Bumpin’ on Sunset” by Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, from the album ‘Live at the Baked Potato’, 2005, Ghostown Records.  Brian Auger on keyboards (it’s a live album, only one keyboard player),  Auger’s daughter Savannah Grace on vocals and his son Karma on drums and vocals.  This track was generally not well-received on the BFT, but I listen to it frequently while cleaning up the kitchen, it sets a mood for me.

7 – “Strauss” by the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, from the album “Le-Le”.  1987, Silk Skin Records.  Long-running local Philadelphia group (I saw them live post-Covid) led by bassist Warren Oree.  They are authentic, honest musicians spreading the love.

8 – “Little Sunflower” by Johnny Lyte, from the album ‘Happy Ground’, Muse Records, 1991.  A nice take on the beautiful Freddie Hubbard composition.  Houston Person and Melvin Sparks are along for the ride.

9 – “Soul Brother” by Hannibal Marvin Peterson from the album ‘Hannibal’. MPS Records, 1975.  Amazing energy by Peterson, with Diedre Murray on cello and a fabulous rhythm section of Michael Cochrane, Stafford James, and Michael Carvin.  Many people really enjoyed this cut.

10 – “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” by Horace Parlan, from the album ‘Blue Parlan’, Steeplechase Records, 1979.  Lovely take on the Mingus classic, with Dannie Richmond on drums and the undersung Wilbur Little on bass.  Parlan was the pianist and Richmond the drummer on the original recording of this on 1959’s incredible ‘Mingus Ah Um’, so Parlan had lived with the composition for two decades when this was recorded, and you can hear that intimacy.

11 – “Someday We’ll All Be Free” by Alicia Keys, from the album “America: A Tribute to Heroes’, 2001, Interscope Records.  The beloved Donny Hathaway song.  Keys was 20 when she recorded this, fresh off her first album, just her alone at the piano in a sequestered studio, in a concert being broadcast to 50,000,000+ people, ten days after 9/11, reaching out to a still-stunned nation.  It was an amazing, healing night in many ways.  In an event that included Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, and Neil Young among many others, the artists who shockingly moved me the most were Keys, Faith Hill, and Bon Jovi, and I would tell you that otherwise I don’t care for any of those three, but they were somehow transcendent that night. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8l2OO6xxIc&list=RDp8l2OO6xxIc&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xp6ZrilmNk&list=RD-Xp6ZrilmNk&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Xyl3lxJv0&list=RDr5Xyl3lxJv0&start_radio=1

Thanks to all who participated in BFT 261, and have a blessed 2026.

 

 

 

 

Edited 18 hours ago by felser

[Joe]

Thanks for sharing the stories behind these choices!

[Dan Gould]

Because my BFT is all predicated on tunes people should know, I'd like to point out that I named track 2 correctly and first, but without any acknowledgement.

[felser]

1 hour ago, Dan Gould said:

Because my BFT is all predicated on tunes people should know, I'd like to point out that I named track 2 correctly and first, but without any acknowledgement.

Dan, I did't think you'd want to be further associated with a track you called offensive and rated zero stars!  Looking forward to a relaxed January BFT full of Gene Harris, Percy France, and the like.  Happy New Years, my friend!

[Dub Modal]

HNY! Thanks for putting this together.  Didn't know any of these songs so definitely enjoyed hearing them and reading the reveal.