Saturday, January 20, 2018

Sunday Music Muse Day (one day late) Miles Davis, Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People, Andy Summers, Larry Coryell, Tom Coster and Steve Smith

Here's my Sunday Music Muse Day post, a day late (which was supposed be posted last month), but not a pound short, in the music department.  The post-Thankgivings weekend was full with family obligations, nothing bad, just a lot of running around. I did get to pick some new music on the Record Store Day, on Friday, and the Shop Local Business Day on Saturday.
First up, Miles Davis Circle in the Round.  This 2 CD set spans 1955-1970, and highlights Miles transition from acoustic post-bop to just before the electric fusion of Bitches Brew. I had to double check if I had this, and I didn't. So, it nice to full another gap in Miles music timeline in my collection.



Next is Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People Weather or Not. Drummer Gerry Gibbs leads a trio with Alex Colins on keyboards, and Hans Glawischnig on basses on this 2 CD set, with covers of Weather Report tunes on the first disc , and Gibbs originals on the second.  I heard their version of Teen Town on my Jazz90.1 radio station months ago and have been on the look out for this since.  I like the band's take on the Weather Report tunes, so does Peter Erskine, Weather Report drummer, as he wrote in liner notes: "Here is a unique reading of Weather Report's music that is totally fun to listen to."  You can't get a better recommendation than that.


 

My next pick also has a cover concept to it, Andy Summers Peggy's Blue Skylight.  This is the former Police guitarist interpretation of the music and lyrics of jazz legend Charles Mingus.  The larger than life Mingus wasn't just a premiere bassist and band leader but a author.  I read his autobiography, Beneath the Underdog: His World as Composed by Mingus. (1971) it's really intense and inspiring.  It definitely may have inspired Andy Summer to this, which includes lyrics and poetry by Mingus.  Summers has done other CDs. of jazz legend's music like Thelonious Monk.  After leaving the Police he has shown has jazz roots to the fullest.


My final selection is Larry Coryell, with Steve Smith, and Tom Coster Cause and Effect.   This is loose, fusion session, with Smith (Journey) on drums and Coster (Santana) on Keyboards.  According to a online review, "Most of the numbers here were made up in the studio as the players jammed. Consequently, the spontaneity is obvious, and the trio has a lot of fun letting out all the stops"  That sort explains my first impression in finding this set unfocused.  But, it is the late Larry Coryell, so it was worth a listen.



So, that's it.  More tunes enjoy as the holidays and cold weather rolls in.  There is nothing like good music warm the heart and keep the spirits up.  Enjoy.