Sunday Music Muse Day - Vijay Iyer, Miles Davis & Robert Glasper

I'm trying to get be on track for my Sunday Music Muse Day postings.  The past several weeks has been family medical events involving elder in-laws, that required my help, and attention.  Luckily, the issues have beem resolved, everyone is doing fine.  So here's quick look at two recent pick-ups.  First up, Vijay Iyer Solo.  The title says it all, as it a 2010  solo piano recording featuring original compositions, and several Duke Elligonton tunes, which my favorites on the CD. to be honest this I didn't find much that standout in the session.  I also admit, I'm not a big solo jazz piano fan. I do have several of Iyer's CDs and generally find group outings adventurous and challenging.  So, please take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Next up,  Miles Davis & Robert Glasper Everything's Beautiful. It's one of the those releases that has spoken words, Miles Davis studio banter, and Rap poetry, It comes off more like a conceptual art piece than musical one. Interesting in parts, but again, you'll have to take my opinion with grain of salt.

So, outside my window, it's a sunny day and the warmest, near 70º,  it's been in months, giving us a tease of spring. But we know better, here in Rochester,  as it's been known to snow in mid-April.  Don't put away your winter coats yet. Enjoy.

Ornette Coleman, Larry Coryell

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us warming up a bit, 31º, but still with many of snow on the groud. First up is Ornette Coleman and Prome Time - Virgin Beauty.  I have the vinyl record of this, but sold it.  I still alway like the cover photo.  The music is a mix of free jazz, which Ornette was well known for, and  Black Rock movement in the New York jazz loft scene back the 1980s. with groups like James Blood Ulmer, Ronald Shannon Jackson, In Living Color, Defunkt, and Michael Gregory Jackson.   It's best to approach it with a open mind.

Next up is Larry Coryell - Spaces Revisited.  As the title implies it's a session the harken back to one of Coryell's classic album. I have to admit I this CD's music doesn't grab me.  It's hard to match the original Spaces recording lineup.

So, as we still endure our winter of chaos, try to find moment to step away from the noise and enjoy some music.  Peace,

Sunday Music Muse Day - Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, The Quincy Jones Big Band

On the frigid Sunday Music Muse Day, time to curl up with some warm big band music.  First up, Ella Fitzgerald sings the Duke Ellington Song Book.  I have to admit I'm not a jazz vocal music fan, as my tastes lean strongly toward instrumental music of all kinds. But, of course, I have to respect the legendary icon of jazz vocalists, Ella Fitzgerald. But, I also have to admit I bought this 3 CD set because my father, Sam Woodyard, plays drums with the Ellington Orchestra on these recordings.  The package also includes a 65 page liner note booklet. So, the set is well worth a place in my jazz collection. 

Next, selection is also a big band selection, The Quincy Jones Big Band - Q Live in Paris Circa 1960. I was curious to buy this to compare the tune "Tickle Toe" to the version Quincy recorded with my father, Sam, playing drums, on another CD.  (I think Sam's version is better).  You be the judge.

So, for all who are also experiencing this extreme cold weather, stay warm and safe.
 

Jon Batiste, Steve Tibbetts

This Sunday Music Muse Day, finds me recovering from a bout of the flu this week, with today being the first day I feel it's ending.  Suffering the general stress of the horrible deaths caused by ICE and insane actions of the Commander-In-Tweets overseas, has me angry and concerned as everyone else.  So, in effort to self-help, for my mental health, I'm picking two music picks to sooth the inner tensions.  First up, is Jon Batiste Beethoven Blues, of his Batiste Piano Series Vol. 1.  I heard one of the tunes, the 7th Symphony Elegy played on Jazz90.1 lasted week and immediately bought a copy. It's Batiste playing some familiar classical pieces, adding his unique favor.  Well worth a listen. 

Next, is Steve Tibbetts Hellbound Train - An Anthology. This is a collection of tunes from eight of his albums.  Tibbetts is eclectic guitarist with blend of jazz fusion and world music.  I've been fan of work from his 1984 ECM release "Safe Journey". Although, one of my favorite tune "Test" is missing from the collection. Still, It's nice to visit his music, again.

So, hope for better days and positive resolution of national trouble.  Stay safe, stay warm. Peace.

Celebrating John McLaughlin 84th Birthday.

Wishing a Happy Birthday to John McLaughlin on his 84th birthday.  I won't even attempt to add to the expert commentary others have offered on his amazing and pioneering musical career. Personally, he was my pathfinder in the music beyond the guitar rock of  Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and others, into the realm of Miles Davis Bitch Brew and beyond. With Mahavishu Orchestra, and his many paths of the music he explored, I was eager to travel with him. I was excited to have seen him perform several times over the years starting with an early 1970's  Mahavishu Orchestra concert at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden, an early Shakti (his acoustic India music group),  acoustic guitar trio dates with Paco De Lucia and Al DiMeola, and finally his US Farewell Tour in a Buffalo, NY in 2017.  I sold my vinyl collection years ago, but replaced and added more of John's music on CD.

My version of the Birds of Fire Cover.

A Drawing inspired my John McLaughlin scalloped neck guitar used with Shakti.

Fortunately, for all of us, John is still playing and touring. What a long great trip it's been, and continues to be. Enjoy.  

Paul Winter Consort, Ralph Towner & Gary Burton

This final Sunday Music Muse Day of the year, I step away from the holiday music and present two old favorites with a single musician in common, Ralph Towner.   First up, Paul Winter Consort - Road.  Seeing the cover of this CD, I had to buy it. Although, I promised myself I'd resist buying CDs of the original vinyls I sold with my record collection, two years ago. I first heard The Winter Consort at a free live concert at John Jay Brauch College near the School of Visual Arts, back in the 1970s. It was just a chance attendance. I liked their mix of folk and world music.  I remember borrowing the album from the NY Public Library, and buying a copy years later. Later, I recognized the guitarist, Ralph Towner, on an ECM record and started following his music.  Actually, all the band members, with the except of Paul Winter were to become major artists on the ECM label, and I have their recording in my CD collection.

My second choice is Ralph Towner and Gary Burton - Matchbook, the vinyl record. I'm not sure if this was the first Ralph Towner record I purchased, but it is a favorite of mine. The original one I had, I sold with my record collection.  I already had a replacement CD copy. This vinyl copy was bought at a thrift store, to rescue it from the junk record bind it was in. I couldn't let it remain with all those trashy records. I gave it to my son Spencer, who's into vinyl, now, as an Xmas gift.  Ralph Towner has reminded a solid favorite guitarist of mine, and he's still alive, performing, and recording for ECM, at 85 year old. 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful, and peaceful holiday season. All the best to you, and your families.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Milton Nascimento, Jerry Granelli

On this cold and snowy Sunday Music Muse Day, lets start with music from sunny Brazil, with Milton Nascimento - Milton, the gifted Brazilian singer-songwriter. I enjoyed this CD more than the last one of his I presented with Esperanza Spalding, maybe because this one was made soon after his breakout recording Native Dancer with Wayne Shorter.  Shorter and Herbie Hancock appear on this release, so that's a plus. I'll say it's worth a listen just for that.

Next up, Jerry Granelli - A Song I thought I heard Buddy Sing. I admit, I picked up this release on the strength of the sidesmen, especially Bill Frisell, one of my favorite guitarist.  The recording is mentioned in the liner notes of his "Dance Hall" recording as the first recording made with Frisell and guitarist Robben Ford. The liner notes for  "A Song..." states: "This recording was inspired by the Michael Ondaatje's haunting novel, "Coming Through Slaughter", about the life and times of the legendary New Orleans horn player, Buddy Bolden".  Although, I've the heard the name, I'm a little light on my New Orleans' music history, so I'll have to look him up for more context to the music.  Overall, I like the laid-back feel of the session. The group doesn't fight for your attention, instead the solid interplay straws you in.  Listen, and let yourself go.

Winter has arrived in our area, if the snow trend continues we may have a White Christmas. Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the Holiday Season with family, and friends. Peace