Sunday Music Muse Day - ( a day late) Ralph Tower, John Abercrombie

Here's this Sunday's Music Muse Day post, a day late.  Weather was rainy and gloomy, and I found myself drawn to pull out some vinyl of two favorite guitarists, Ralph Towner and John Abercrombie. These are two of my favorite LPs, both on ECM records, that I don't have on CD. Ralph Towner Batik is a trio outing with Eddie Gomez on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on Drums.  The second is the Towner, Abercrombie duet album, Five Years Later, there second recording together, obviously.  I remember listening to them constantly in my old NYC apartment back in the late 70 and early' 80s.

I've been sharing old pics with friends this weekend, these albums offer a great soundtrack.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Ryo Kawasaki RIP, Lee Konitz - RIP

Sadly, this Sunday Music Muse Day find us remember two musicians who passed away in the past week. First up, I was very sad to hear about the passing Ryo Kawasaki ,jazz fusion guitarist. He was a great guitar player, and guitar synthesizer  pioneer.   I got to see him perform live several times in NYC in the 70s and 80s with his Ryo Kawasaki and the Golden Dragon group. The performances include elements of modern dance and giant puppetry,  Ryo lived and worked in NYC, so  I even ran into him playing video games in a arcade off Time Square.  I've been spending  today just playing his albums and CDs.  I'm trying to remember how I first got introduced to Ryo's music. I'm thinking it was article in the Village Voice, or Guitar Player magazine, or I picked up the 'Juice' album just for the cover art and his playing guitar synthesizer on it.  RIP Ryo, and condolences to his family and friends. 

These four albums featured Ryo's guitar synthesizer playing. Here's a link to to a fuller description of his gear,  it's really impressive. http://www.ryokawasaki.com/gs/

 The Gil Evans project was originally planned as collaboration with Jimi Hendrix.  But never realized because of Hendrix untimely death.  Gil Evan completed the project as a tribute to Hendrix with Ryo on guitar.

 Also, this week marked the passing of jazz saxophonist, Lee Konitz.  I had featured him in post about a year ago.  Again, my condolences to his family, friends , and fans.

As we note the passing of these musicians, we continue to honor their lives and memory being joying and appreciating what they share with us.  Enjoy.