BFT 263 Discussion

[randyhersom]

On 2/2/2026 at 12:35 PM, cayetano said:

10. Unexpected find. "Kool", Mary Lou Williams. w/ Kenny Dorham, Johnny Smith and Gracham Moncur.

The women leaders work.

Curious how you got there.  Would you mind describing the sleuthing process?

[cayetano]

Because the women leaders clue. It could be Mary Lou Williams and I found the theme on the Chronological Classics CD 1945-1947.

I think the most difficult to find was Myra Melford, but I recognized the guitarist (Liberty Ellman) and I remembered that he was on that record.

[tkeith]

Struggled greatly with the first part of this, then the mid-section got REAL good, and then I went back on the struggle bus.  Good to stretch the ears, though.

Stars out of 5

track 01 - Busy but interesting.  Bass clari just seems to add something whenever it shows up.   Arrangement doesn't really hit for me, but it doesn't put me off, either.  Lovano-ish tenor.  Kind of stalls during the tenor solo.  Again, nothing bad, just doesn't seem to get any traction.  ***

track 02 - This gets caught in a genre vortex.  If I heard this on a pop or college station, I'd listen to it.  From the Jazz perspective, I loathe that bass, and the singing is a miss.  Bizzare, but that's the case.  Reminds me of Tom Scott's stuff in the 70s, but a shade or three hipper.  Sax embraces the smooth licks but plays them busy.  Vocalist reminds me of one I've heard with Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra.  Es no mi bolsa.  **

track 03 - Had hopes on the intro, but this is a bit math-y for my tastes.  Rhythmically challenging, for sure, but that doesn't make me want to listen.  Once the solos begin, it's very interesting.  Guitarist is working off the busy drums and making it interesting.  Two drummers?  About 2:30 I'm glazing over.  Just don't care for that "melody".  Trumpet solo is nice.  After that quirky head, the improv is very patient and melodic.  Maybe I'm just old. **1/2 (hurt by the melody)

track 04 - Nothing in this one for me.  At about the 1:00 mark, I'm twitchy on the FF button.  They seem to be getting the result they want, but I'm not here for it.  Syncopated noise.  [Get off my lawn!]  *

track 05 - Already hopeful because it's acoustic.  Shades of Shipp. Also a Tristano influence to my ear, rhythmically speaking.  Math-y, but it's got that stabby lefthand bringing some Elvis to the party.  I don't think I'd want a whole night of it, but this cut works well, here.  Don't think it's Shipp, but I wouldn't be surprised if they've listened to him a bunch.  ***1/2

track 06 - That opening vamp and the bass/bugaloo really hit a nice spot.  I'm not sure the piano has capitalized on the setup.  Almost has the feel of the piano playing to a rhythm track that was pre-recorded.  I'm flirting with liking it, but the pianist doesn't bring it home.  At half the duration, I'd give this an extra 1/2-star.  It just flounders too long and gets too bangy.  ***

track 07 - Points for humor.  Vocalist is pretty good.  Bass line is nice, sitting right in the pocket.  The pianist annoys me.  Not a huge scat fan, but she acquits herself well.  Pianist is too extension happy and it kind of ruins the feel.   ***

track 08 - That's Stanley.  And I'd guess Shirley Scott.  Man... what a difference.  All of this happening here is what was missing on the previous cut (to say nothing of the six before).  I guess I'm a Jazz curmudgeon.  Stanley rarely misses for me (that SOUND!).  Yeah, definitely Shirley.  Can't hear the bass real well but the time is solid.  Maybe Cranshaw?  Not sure on the drummer. ****

track 09 - 3/4, I'm in.  Sounds like Betty Carter.  This is a keeper. ****

track 10 - Stating the obvious, needle drop.  Bad sound, but that trumpet is familiar.  The mute is throwing me.  No guesses, but this works.  ***1/2

track 11 - Don't recognize the vocalist.  This tune always brings me to Walt Dickerson, which is not fair to the rest of the universe.  I appreciate that she's not taking crazy liberties with the melody.  Very pleasant.  Nice brushes, nice lead-in to the solo.  Another familiar trumpet, but it's not coming through clear.   A bit of a technician, but also has an honest feel.  ***1/2

track 12 - The unemployment stick arrives, and bring with it... a harmonica?  Nope.  **1/2 (because of the musicianship, but just not in my play pen)

track 13 - Don't like this feel a bit.  It's different, but not pleasing.  The drums are almost trying to be out of time.  Very rigid, but trying for lazy feel, like a Bacharach tune.  Not feeling this one a'tall.  When the arrangement comes in it's got that fusiony pop thing going on.   I liked the later mid-section best.  **

Welp, I've been outed as an old man on this one, I guess.

 

 

[randyhersom]

47 minutes ago, cayetano said:

Because the women leaders clue. It could be Mary Lou Williams and I found the theme on the Chronological Classics CD 1945-1947.

I think the most difficult to find was Myra Melford, but I recognized the guitarist (Liberty Ellman) and I remembered that he was on that record.

[randyhersom]

1 hour ago, tkeith said:

track 08 - That's Stanley.  And I'd guess Shirley Scott.  Man... what a difference.  All of this happening here is what was missing on the previous cut (to say nothing of the six before).  I guess I'm a Jazz curmudgeon.  Stanley rarely misses for me (that SOUND!).  Yeah, definitely Shirley.  Can't hear the bass real well but the time is solid.  Maybe Cranshaw?  Not sure on the drummer. ****

track 09 - 3/4, I'm in.  Sounds like Betty Carter.  This is a keeper. ****

Got the artists on 8 and 9. 

I obsessively replayed 1 for a while, the tenor doesn't demand attention or overwhelm with brilliance, but that doesn't seem to be their role in the music.  Reminds me of my reaction to Gary Thomas playing in a Herbie Hancock quartet live many years ago.  Not a star, but committed to not getting in the way of the music.  Parts of this feed my Obsequious/Jodo jones for hard driving themes.  In the context of the whole album I thought there was a carrying forward of Gil Evans contributions that I really liked.

Edited 2 minutes ago by randyhersom
correct name

[JSngry]

Gary Foster played with Herbie? WTF was that all about?

[randyhersom]

Your reaction makes me think it was Gary Thomas.  I'll see if I can confirm...

Yeah, Herbie Hancock Gary Thomas finds some quick google hits, Herbie Hancock Gary Foster does not.  My bad.

 

Corrected my post to Gary Thomas.