Sunday Music Muse Day - Thelonious Monk, Joe Locke

On this rather cold and snowy Sunday Music Muse Day. I'm staying inside and keeping warm, with two selections.  First, Thelonious Monk Solo Monk. This is an early Columbia Jazz Masterpieces CD released in 1992 of Monk's solo recordings made on October 31and November 2, 1964, and February 23, 1965.  The playing sounds as fresh as ever.  Thelonious Monk was a truly one of a kind musician and spirit.  The cover art is also a classic by famed illustrator Paul Davis.  This is a must-have CD, vinyl LP. 

My second selection is Joe Locke Sound Tracks: Jazz Version of Timeless Songs from the Cinema. The title says it all. I can only add, this is a companion to two CDs vibraphonist Joe Locke did with guitarist and friend,  Bob Sneider featuring movie music, "Fallen Angel" and "Nocturne for Ava", both favorites of mine. So if you like movie themes, these three CDs are worth seeking out.

Sunday Music Muse Day hasn't been without its hiccups, we had enough snow for me to pull out the snowblower, and the aging beast didn't to give up the ghost, it's totally seized up.  Lisa helped me shovel the drive. Plus, my son Devin is stuck for hours in the Washington DC airport, because of delayed fights. Hopefully, he'll be home by 12 Midnight. We him and us luck.

Return of the Random Blue Dot: DflyDen - video gaming

 I'm celebrating my return to video gaming on my Steam Deck with a flashback to my favorite FPS, M.A.G. on the Playstation 3. Just for fun.

Harry Perl & a group (to large to name), Josh Roseman

This Sunday Music Muse find me presenting two unconventional groups and music that's a little "out there".  First up is Harry Pepl & (me, taking a deep breath) Clemens Saleny/Martin Bayer/Peter Primus Frosh/Agnes Heinger. That's how it reads on the cover.  I had seen this CD years ago, but not any of the musicians on the group I passed on it, but it popped up on sale for $4, and my curiosity got the better of me.  The music is a strange mix of large assemble advent garde and free jazz. Guitarist, Harry Pepl was highly regarded for his improvisational skills.  Pepl died on December 5, 2005  In a online bio,  "John Scofield described him as "one of my favorite guitar players" and alluded to Pepl's technique." 

That's good enough fo rme. 

My second pick is another large assemble of musicians, Josh Roseman Unit Treats for the Nightwalker. Leader and trombonist, Roseman was totally unknown to me.  I only picked up this 2003 Enja release  because I recognized Ben Monder, a guitarist, I have CD of.  The music reminds me of the recording of Snarky Puppy, and Kamasi Washington. It's adventurous and worth giving a try when you're in the mood to set outside your musical comfort zone.  Actually, it may be the perfect soundtrack for the chaos happening around us.

I hope everyone is finding a way keep the political chaos at bay.  Remember, this too shall pass.  Peace & love. 

Toys at the Strong Museum of Play Gift Shop & HeroClix at Millennium Games, Rochester, NY

After current visit to the Strong Museum of Play, here in Rochester, NY. I stopped in the Gift shop to browse and was surprised to action figure and other items I hadn't seen in the Big Box store. I'll have to share this video with the mature toy collectors I follow on Youtube to see if these are new or old releases. (Note after posting, I did see a Youtube toy collector find a Master of the Universe Sun-Man figure in a half-price store. So, it must be an old figure I never saw at my local stores)

Here's another current to Millennium Games, in Rochester, NY. The main this to catch my was the new Wizkids Ionix HeroClix min-figure game sets. The packages recreate classic 1960's comic cover. I know my Bommer comic book loving friends will love. I might pick one or two. Leave a comment, and let me know what you think of them.

Sunday Music Muse Day (2/2025) - February Jazzy Birrthday Celebrations, Bireli Lagrene

This first Sunday Music Muse Day, of the month, I'll start with my February Jazzy Birthday Celebration, honoring jazz musicians born in this month.  My first honoree is n my friend Rich Thompson.  I couldn't find how old he is, so let say 29 year old.  Enjoy.

Next up,  Bireli LaGrene Acoustic Moments.  This is a 1990 Blue Note release by ..". Lagrène (born 4 September 1966)  is a French jazz guitarist who came to prominence in the 1980s for his Django Reinhardt–influenced style. He often performs in swing, jazz fusion, and post-bop styles" - quote from Wikipedia. He played with all my favorite jazz guitarists, like John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, and Larry Coryell. Bireli is still active today.  The echoes of Djando's legacy can still be heard as strong as ever in Berili's acoustic guitar playing.  My favorite tune on this CD is his rendition of Three View of a Secret, written Jaco Pastorius, when he performed with Weather Report. This is a great release to have.

So, I hear the groundhog saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter, as if we needed anymore bad news. Try to keep your heads up, stay strong, and together we'll handle whatever lays ahead.  At least try to enjoy some good music. Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Paradigm Shift, Paul Desmond with Jim Hall

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us a day before the presidential inauguration and the Martin Luther King Day observance.  The contrast between the men at the center of the events, could be more striking. My second selection will serve as the calm before the storm, but my first selection is more spirited.  As it sometimes happens, when I feature artist, one week, I just by chance find a CD related to the first.  In this case it's Paradigm Shift Street Expressionism, who's members  Mel Henderson (guitar), Gerry Youngman (organ), and Jared Schonig (drums, piano), were the personal on one of last week's selection, the Bill Tiberio Group.  Again, Paradigm Shift is a local Rochester jazz group, and I've seen them play several times in small venues.   It's always a fun and enjoyable experience.  It's a shame they don't release more CDs, but that the nature of the music business for small groups today. 

I offer my next selection as the "clam before the storm" of chaos that may follow the inauguration tomorrow.  Paul Desmond Glad to be Unhappy, here's the late legendary alto saxophonist, leading a 1963 session featuring the equally late legendary jazz guitarist Jim Hall. I knew Paul Desmond from his days in the Dave Brubeck group of "Take Five". I've come to really enjoy his post Brubeck recording. Glad to be Unhappy has to be his most mellow recording ever.  It's a totally calming experience, for all the right reasons.  I highly recommend it.

So, again, what every happens after tomorrow, let some good music help you through the days ahead. Working to together, we will survive.  Peace.

Dennis J. Woodyard - Serial Accumulator- Swarm Tracer

This video tongue-in-cheek open comment /question to Bobby Vala, designer and owner of Action Force Toy. I was watching his videos and he mentioned he liked the ExoSquad animated TV show several times, especially the E-Frame mech design. I watch an old video by another Youtuber toy collector interviewing Bobby about the 1st wave release of Action Force figure. One figure caught my attention, and this video is the result. Enjoy.