Sunday Music Music Day - Joe Pass Quartet & Septet, Kenny Burrell

The Sunday Music Muse Day finds us enduring a cold, but fairly clear, winter day. A rather lazy one, too, consisting of a light lunch, a short walk, and afternoon nap, and filling my waking hours with warm jazz guitar music.  First is Joe Pass Quartet & Septet Walking Up, a two CD set of the earliest recordings of the legendary jazz guitarist as a leader, "including his complete original long unavailable 1962 LP Sounds of Synanon (Pachic Jazz PJ48)." For background Synanon was a therapeutic community that applied the techniques of Alcoholics Anonymous to narcotics addicts.  Joe Pass had a known drug addiction problem. "This session assembled largely unknown jazz musicians who were in residence at the time," from the liner notes by Lawrence Steel (2017).  Many might think more of Joe's incredible solo guitar concerts. The music is amazing on these CDs. The selection of tunes will warm the heart of any lover of jazz guitar.  I can see this set become a favorite of mine. I've enjoyed many of these tunes played by Bob Sneider at his many gigs, keeping the tradition going.

My second selection is by another jazz guitar legend, Kenny Burrell the Road to Love, a live set recorded Catalina's in Hollywood CA, on May 30-31 2015. This was year before Kenny suffer a fall leading to continuing medical problems and hard ships.This another fine collection jazz tune to warm the heart.  Including the Lil'Darlin' which appears on the Joe Pass CD.  That shows how contacted these giants of guitar are connect to jazz guitar tradition. One of my favorite tunes on this CD is Duke Ellington's Single Petal of Rose, from the Queen's Suite (1959) "Ellington and Billy Strayhorn wrote "The Queen's Suite" for Queen Elizabeth II who was presented with a single pressing of the recording, which was not commercially issued during Ellington's lifetime. - Wikipedia. There's much more to enjoy on this CD.

Again, nothing warms the heart on cold winter day than some good jazz.  Enjoy.

Shearlock Holmes & Dr. Watfun

For Throwback Thursday. Some of my first professional jobs were for a small publisher White Lion. I did low budget covers, like the Rock Raps book cover. But, the oddest assignment was for book proposal I'm glad to say didn't happen, a erotic parody of Sherlock Holmes, called "Shearlock Holmes". The short story I read was kinky version of Hounds of the Baskervilles. There is an embarrassing drawing of unnatural act with a dog, I won't share with you. Instead here are the two main characters. Hey, we all had to start our careers somewhere.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Larry Coryell, Steve Khan, Gary Burton

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us enjoying a cold, bright sunny day.  After the peaceful Inauguration Day for President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, the mood of the country seems  more relaxed.  This leaves us more time to chill out with some quality tunes.  First up is Coryell-Khan Two for the Road, a CD of duet concerts by guitarists, the late Larry Coryell and Steve Khan. Both are well know for the electric guitar jazz fusion recordings, but this CD features them on acoustic guitars.  Personally, I found myself enjoying Coryell's duet and trio recordings more than his Eleventh House group recording.  Again, this is CD I picked up to replace the vinyl record in my collection, I plan to sell soon.

Next, in celebration his 78th birthday this weekend (Jan. 23)  is Gary Burton The New Quartet, a classic recording of the legendary vibraphonist. Burton mentored and started the careers of many artist including Larry Coryell and Pat Metheny.  This record just one of his many classics.  Some of my favorites are his duets with pianist Chick Corea.  

So, again, after the Inauguration there seems to a ray of the hope in the air, aided by the poet, Amanda Gorman, who's poem lifted the spirits of the whole nation.  Lets enjoy the light, and keep it shining.

Warrior in the Mist - Flip book Preview 1988

Here’s a early Warrior in the Mist flipbook made from Amiga computer graphic frames. The transformation at head was an efx in Deluxe Paint an great early graphics and animation program for the Commodore Amiga. Some how I passed putting in my Dime-A-Dozen Project for Warrior in the Mist and the Dragonfly Flipz Books videos.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Larry Coyrell Twin-House and Tributaries

This Sunday Music Muse day finds us again suffering from a overcast cloudy day.  Still, the best way to survive it is with good music.  This week's selections are two CDs by Larry Coryell bought to replace vinyl records I plan to sell in my continuing effort to declutter.  I'm trying to refrain from buying CDs of many of the records I  have since doing so would be counter to decluttering.  There is the issue that some of my favorite vinyl were nothing released as CDs, as least in the U.S.  Both of these Coryell CDs as a examples of that. Larry Coryell - Philip Catherine Twin House features the full original record plus five cut from duo's Splendid record, so this like is getting a double album.  The CD was produced and released on a German label ACT, and they mentioned "the records were never before released on CD".  Twin-House and Splendid are two of my favorite Coryell records.  In many ways prefer his duet and trio recording, many acoustic, over his electric group recordings.

Next is Larry Coryell Tributaries with John Scofield and Joe Beck.  Scofield is one my favorite jazz guitarist, and Joe Beck in a legend in jazz guitar. As with Hot-House this CD is a foreign release, produced in Japan, although there was a domestic CD but it didn't have the original cover graphic I liked.  The only downside of being foreign release is I can't read the Japanese liner notes. The music is as great as I remember and that the most important thing. 

I know my buddy Rodney Means will enjoy revisiting the Larry Coryell gems.  It was Rodney who introduced me to Larry Coryell's music. That's what good friends are for, sharing good music and opening our horizons.  I hope I can be a friend like to all of you.  Enjoy.

Belated Flipbook Friday

 Belated Flipbook Friday post. I missed a change to submit a flip to this, maybe next year. The flipbook tradition is alive and well, as witness in the flipbook contest getting 1600 entries.

Nice to see the interest in drawing flipbooks, thanks to this animator's youtube channel.

Sunday Music Muse Day- The Nuttree Quartet with John Abercrombie, When Jazz meets Guitar (Starbuck CD)

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us still shell-shocked from the events in Washington DC  this week. I'll skip the details, as I like this to be safe haven from the political chaos around us.  That said, this week's selection a little bit of musical comfort food. First up is the Nuttree Quartet Standards, which seems to a one-off session of musical friends just getting to play jazz standards on "...two very cold snowy days in February". Lucky for us they did.  I admit I picked this up for the John Abercrombie (on guitar), and I recognize Adam Nussbaum (on drum) from his work with John Scofield and others.  This is just the type of CD I need right, a nice collection of relaxed and tasty renditions of tunes by Ellington, Monk, Wayne Shorter, and a Gershwin thrown on for good measure. 

Next is selection is collection you might overlook. When Jazz Meets Guitar, is a Starbucks CD. This nice collection of guitar cuts that is a survey of jazz guitar history, starting with Charlie Christian (with the Benny Goodman and his Orchestra) up to Pat Metheny.  You'll a find a lot of favorite jazz guitar players and signature tunes.  Well worth checking this CD out.

So, do yourself a favor, find some good comfort food music to feed you soul.  We need to recharge to get through the chaos.  Remember you're not alone. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and together we'll walk in the sunshine whistling a good tune.  Stay safe, stay healthy, and wear a mask.  Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Ron Miles, Mareike Wiening

 Happy New Year and welcome to the first Sunday Music Muse Day of 2021.  Hope everyone have a good Holiday season and look forward to a better New Year. Some good music might help. I fortunate to get a gift card for Record Archives from my in-laws (they know me so well) and to put it good use with todays selections.  First up Ron Miles Rainbow Sigh.  This Blue Note release features Ron Miles on cornet, Brian Blade on drums, Bill Frisell on guitar, Jason Moran on piano, and Thomas Morgan on Bass. This is nice rather subdued session perfect for some serious listening on a cloudy rainy afternoon, like today.  Again, I have issue with the cover designer, to men the type is hard to read by the player's picture and the back cover. Small nitpick.

Next is Mareike Wiening Metropolis Paradise, a CD I picked up out sheer curiosity.  I first saw this months ago, at Record Archives, and thought the title was in reference to the Fritz Lang's classic movie "Metropolis", but that wasn't the case.  So, I didn't buy it then, but looked up the musician later on youtube and found a video performance.  The young female drummer/composer had a nice sound. So I promised myself I'd pick up the CD next time went to the shop.  Actually, this CD compliments the Ron Miles CD, as it is also subdued and rather laid back but very enjoyable.

Again, let's hope for a better New Year, and calmer days ahead.  

Dime-A-Dozen #17 - Dragonfly Flipz Books. - Part 2

This is the second part of my Dime-A-Dozen #17 - Dragonfly Flipz Books. My dive into one of my most ambitious creative projects. Spoiler: it didn't turn out well, but the journey was worth it. And I still have a desire to give it another try. More on that later.

I might add more art later.