Monday, March 11, 2024

Sunday Music Muse Day (day-late) Dominic Miller, Julian Lage

This day late, Sunday Music Muse Day, has me featuring two guitarists I think of as part of the second, or third-generation of jazz guitarists after the first I was introduced to, like John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Larry Coryell, and Pat Martino, and others. Mainly, guitarists playing jazz-fusion in the 70's and 80's. First up, Julian Lage Speak to Me. Reviewing his Wikipedia page, for a relatively young player, Lage has an impressive discography. Speak to Me is a subdued outing, but full of thoughtful, entertaining music.


My second choice, Dominic Miller Second Nature.  Again, Miller is a guitarist I really wasn't aware of except for seeing his name on a ECM recording (to be honest, I took a chance on this one because it was a cheaper price).  And, again, reviewing his Wikipedia page, I realized he's been building a impressive discography as a leader and sideman, most notably as the guitarist for many of String's post Police recordings.  I like hearing his nylon string guitar playing in various group combinations.  I'll definitely pick up his ECM recording next time I go CD shopping.




I like to found new music, well at least to me.  Hope you enjoy my sharing these.


Drawings from my MAG Art class - (March 6, 2024)

 Here are my drawing from my MAG (Memorial Art Gallery).  

These 2, 5, 10 drawings of the statue in the gallery, reminded me of doing animation turn-around model sheet.


Here's the photo of the room sketch.


I still have two classes to go. 

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Sunday Music Muse Day - Bob Sneider & Kristin Korb, Nicki Parrott, Esperanza Spalding

This week's Sunday Music Muse is inspired by a live performance by guitarist friend, Bob Sneider and bassist Kristin Korb at the Bop Shop Record Store, last Monday.


It was a duet setting with vocals by Kristin. I admit this isn't normally my taste in jazz, but I totally enjoyed the show.  Their playing was adventurous and entertaining. I'm constantly being amazed at the depth of Bob guitar playing.  Kristin was new to me, and mentioned they haven't played together in ten years, and she was jet-lagged from traveling from Norway. Neither affect their amazing playing in the least. I liked her so much I bought a CD of hers at after the show. I'd like to see them record a set together.

Here's Kristin Korb Beyond the Moon, a 2016 bass, piano, drums set.  It's an enjoyable outing, I'll throw in the CD player on occasion. I'd like to explore her originals she talked about between sets.



Kristin Korb's bass playing did reminder of two other female bassist/vocalist in my CD collection. First,  Nicki Parrott From New York to Paris, a collection of vocals and tasty bass playing from a musician I hadn't heard of before. Although the liner notes states she was the bassist for guitar legend Les Paul for ten years.  That fact alone was worth a listen.  Plus, and she has 27 albums releases. This CD is more "lounge jazz" for my taste, but the quality of her singing, playing and recording production is top notch.  In fact, the CD is listed on a best jazz of the year list I've seen online.  It will make for dinner background music for the most part, for me.




Thinking of female bass players,  I'd like to add the amazing Esperanza Spalding to the mix., with her Emily's D+Evolution. If you remember the buzz about Kate Bush's tune "Running Up that Hill", used in the Netflix series Stranger Things, you'll enjoy this unique outing by a young multi-talented musician.  She's best know as a highly awarded jazz bassist and college music instructor.  This could be a concept album and "Emily" a alter-ego.  In any case, It a very densely produced modern style. I find the vocal styling hard to follow without reading the lyrics, but that could be my old ears. My favorite tune is the tune " Unconditional Love (Alternate Version) with blistering guitar solo by Matthew Stevens.




So that my step outside my jazz listening comfort zone.  Have a good weekend.




Drawing from Drawings from MAG Drawing class.

Here's this week's drawings from the drawing class I'm taking at the MAG (Memorial Art Gallery)

They are 5 and 10 minutes poses of statues in one of the second floor galleries.



This last drawing is of the cherub in the room with the pipe organ.  I'm thinking I'll return to keep working on it.



Sunday, February 25, 2024

Sunday Music Muse Day - Nels Cline, Rez Abbasi

This Sunday Music Muse day has me showcasing two CD that I need to spend some time with, before deciding if I like them, or not.  First up, The Nels Cline 4 Currents, Constellations, with Cline on acoustic and electric guitars, Julian Lage on Guitar, Tom Rainey on drums, and Scott Colley on acoustic bass.  I know of Nel Cline as a more "out there" alternative jazz player and I have CDs but Julian Lage, so I will put the effort in to give this a good listen.



Next is Rez Abbasi Bazaar. Again, I have several CDs of the guitarist's music and can find them enjoyable but sometimes hit or miss. Bazaar presents a cross-cultural blend of jazz and Indian music, with Indian vocals and sitar-guitar.  I'm trying to avoid any comparison to John McLaughlin Mahavishu/Shakti music.  So, again I'll try to give this so time to be digested.





Enjoy..


Sunday, February 18, 2024

Sunday Music Muse Day - Jazzy Birthdays - February Jazz Birhday Celebrations.

For Sunday Music Muse Day, my monthly celebrations of Jazz Birthdays (as torturous to your musical sensitivities as it may be). I'm committed to doing all 12 months. Feel free to mute the sound.