Sunday Music Muse Day - Dexter Gordon Quartet, Geni Bertoncini with Mike Mainieri, Michel Moore and Corsello

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me enjoying two solid jazz sessions. First, Dexter Gordon Quartet At the Subway Club 1973.  Dexter Gordon is well known as an "expatriate" jazz musician living and working in Europe, at a time when America offer them less opportunities to work. He's also famously known for the movie Round Midnight, for which Gordon was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor after which he returned to U.S. to much acclaim. These live recordings as marvelous example of his playing. I remember liking Round Midnight, as it reminded me of my father's experience of moving to Paris after the death of Duke Ellington, and staying until his own death there in the late 80's. The jazz life could hard, and beautiful. at the same time.

Next up, is Gene Bertoncini Reunion, with Mike Mainieri (Vibes), Michael Moore (Bass), and Joe Corsello (drums). This 2012 session is the reunion of guitarist Bertoncini player with the players he first met and played together with in the 1970's, in various combos.  They formed a strong and lasting musical bond. The strength of the bond and friendship show sin their excellent interplay.  Well worth a listen, often.

It's been a changeable couple of day, cloudy, rainy, then sunny, then overcast again.  Perfect weather to just cool out and listen to some good music.  Enjoy.

B&N browsing _ Books and Toys

I did some brief browsing through Barnes and Noble today and found some interesting books and a few toys in the children's section, I was tempted to get, but didn't.

There were several books on this display I'd be interested in. (But  I'd only buy them on discount, since now being retired, I'm on a fixed budget) 

These toy in the Children section are amazing. These Hydraulic Boxing Bots are updated on the classic Rock Em, Sock Em Robots.

This hand blaster, look like kid's nerf version of wooden blaster I posted earlier.

This Newsweek special  Lego issue was spotted int Wegman's checkout counter. I can agree with the subtitle: "The Toy that Changed Our Lives", wholeheartedly.

I'll always be a kid at heart.

Retro Rocket Key Chain

My friend gifted me a Wally Wood book with some of his great sci-fi art. It’s the perfect compliment to this retro-rocket keychain I picked up at Record Archives.

 

Sunday Music Muse Day - Pat Metheny Trio, Felix Martin

This Pre-Solar Eclipse Day Sunday Music Muse day has me presenting one of my favorite guitar players, and a shot in the dark, a guitarist I never heard of. First up, Pat Metheny, Pat Metheny Live at Estival Jazz, at Lugano Switzerland, July 9th 2004.  The trio consist of Pat, on electric, nylon string, and guitar synthesizer, with Christian McBride on bass, and Antonio Sanchez on drums.  This live set draws tunes from Metheny extensive discography, and a favorite tune of mine, Lonely Woman, written by Horace Silver. I did feel this setting wasn't the best for Pat's music.  I missed the keyboards.  Also, I wasn't knocked out my Antonio Sanchez' drum solo. But, that's me just nitpicking. I was more than happy to find this CD at Record Archives, and I'm looking forward to Pat's release later this year.

My second selection was a shot in the dark, Felix Martin The Scenic Album.  I admit I was curious about the dual neck guitar in the cover photo and the bass player of the Chapman stick.  Overall, this 2013 release misses the mark for me. guitarist and  and leader Martin states in the liner notes he was "exploring Jazz Fusion, Death Metal, Mainstream Jazz, Latin, World, Heavy Metal and Djent (whatever that is)".  I heard strains of Robert Frigg/Adrian Belew era King Crimson (which I like) in some of the tunes, but the tunes' structure is lacking for me.  Too much of the playing is "shredding", for shredding sake". This maybe be another gift to my friend Sean Scanlon, like the Clutch CD I gave him. A case of just not my taste in music. But, so you can be the judge, I included the full liner notes, and there are videos of the tracks on Youtube.

So, be sure to watch take the proper precautions when watching the solar eclipse, take the warning of eye damage seriously. Enjoy.

Wondercon 2024 - 30 Years of Gargoyles A Celebration for the Fans panel

Great to see all the old Gargoyle crew. I had an invitation to attend the panel, but couldn't make it on short notice.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Grant Green, Charlie Hunter

This Easter edition of Sunday Music Muse Day has me slightly disappointed in both of my selected CDs for different reasons.  First up, is Grant Green Slick Live at Oil Can Harry's. This excellent quality release from Resonance Records which has gained a reputation for presenting previously unissued recordings of several jazz greats, most notably, West Montgomery. The packaging includes a 47 page booklet of liner notes. I know Grant Green is legendary jazz guitarist, but I found this set to be very underwhelming, except for one cut, "How Insensitive (Insensatez) play in more jazz ballad style. Much of the rest of the 1975 live set seems to be trying to do  jazz fusion/smooth jazz (?) versions of R&B pop tunes. The mid-70s was when I was listening to John Mclaughlin, Chick Corea's Return to Forever,  and Larry Coryell, who I feel this group's sound comes closest to, but just barely.  I would only recommend this for history value relating to jazz guitar.

Next, is Charlie Hunter Trio Copperopolis. I have several CDs of this 7-string electric guitarist, and I've  even seen him live at the Loving Cup, here in Rochester.  Again, mainly I'm disappointed in the overall sound of this session.  It has a really loft grunge-jazz quality to it, which I don't find appealing. I'll try to give it a few more listening, giving up on him.

So, here's wishing everyone who celebrates it, a Happy Easter.  

Dennis J. Woodyard Journeyman Artist - Reel #1- In the Beginning

 I'm trying to figure how to use the Youtube Reels feature. here's my first attempt.

It is edited from my Youtube intro video, since Reels only have a runtime maximum of 90 seconds. I have more experimenting to do.