Belated Sunday Music Muse Day. - Django Reinhardt, Gerry Mulligan

For a belated Sunday Music Day for this Memorial Day weekend I'll be finding time to enjoy two classic jazz players.  First up, Django Reinhardt - Djangology , "...and the Quintet of the Hot Club of  France with Stephane Grappelly". Actually, Grappelli's name is misspelled on the cover.  This album was the first post-World War II recording with the fame violinist. Their first recordings that made them famous were done the 1934.  The breakout of WWII forced the group band, but Django and Grappelli reunited after the war. Django's life story and career is worth reading about. His music and impact on jazz guitar is unrivaled.

Next, is The Gerry Mulligan Quartets in Concert.  Gerry Mulligan is known as legend in the West Coast Jazz scene of the 1950s and '60s.  I admit coming late to enjoying his playing.  I've actually come to enjoy the sound of the baritone sax more than alto and soprano sax, and Mulligan is a master. This is a live dated produced my legendary producer Norman Granz, who also does the introduction on  the date. 

All in all, a pleasant weekend. Enjoy.

More Tales of Decluttering: Image Comics.

Here's more side trips into my old comic book collection, random Image Comics, mostly short lived series full of eye candy. Since I'm a sucker for armor battles suits these comics, like Radix, caught my eyes.

Brass is just an over the mecha design. Plus, there's a oversize B&W issue for good measure.

 More Tales of Decluttering to come.

Tales of Decluttering: Golden Legacy Comic

I was happy to find this comic, Golden Legacy, in my collection. It was mentioned in the book Invisible Men.

Read the book Invisible Men, has inspired me to do more to make sure I don't become one of the "Invisible Men" of animation.  With friend encouragement I'll be more open to opportunities to share my experiences of the my animation and art career.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Julia Hulsmann Trio, Ralph Towner

Today's Sunday Music Muse day selections are from ECM records were the perfect to counter the dark gloomy skies of the weather.  Julia Hulsmann Trio The End of a Summer is nice introspective session well worth a listen.  This pianist's music was new to me.  I just picked up this CD on the strength of ECM's reputation. I'm glad I did.

My next is an old favorite I had on vinyl for a long time, but since I sold all my vinyl records this week I didn't mind buying this as a replacement.  Ralph Towner Solo Concert has several favorite tunes, his rendition of John Abercrombie's Ralph's Piano Waltz and Timeless, and Miles Davis' Nardis. You can't go wrong in seeking out this music in any format.

Happily, the sun actually came out late afternoon, in time for a nice walk around the neighborhood. This evening will still be a good time to give these two CD another listen.

Jim Steranko - Outland Movie Adaptation in Heavy Metal Magazine - June 1981 - January 1982

Since it seems like a US version of Steranko Outland is not on the horizon, I'll be saving the original issues as I catalog my Heavy Metal magazines for sale. I'm in the process decluttering, so time to let some stuff go.

The Sexy Robot HM cover is favorite of mine, too.  I thought of selling that issue than realize it had part of the Outland story in it. So, I had to keep them all six issues.  The Sexy Robot cover is worth framing.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Dino Losito & Mike Melito, Dave Holland Quintet

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day selections have one thing in common and that is being released about the same year, 2001. 2002. Both sound as fresh as if recorded yesterday.  First up is pianist Dino Losito Like That, with Neil Miner on bass, and my friend Mike Melito on drums. This a nice straight ahead session and you could call The Mike Melito/Dino Losito Quartet 2020 release a follow up.  I'm glad I found to this earlier recording. There's a lot to enjoy in this. Lets hope we don't have to wait another twenty years for the next one.

My second twenty year old selection is Dave Holland Quintet Not for Nothing. This outing by the well-known and respected bassist, has online reviewer giving it 4 1/2 out of 5 start and calling it "progressive postbopism" and "postmodern poetic singing" - Tom Jurek - All Music. This is definitely adventurous music and engaging jazz.  Well worth giving it a listen.

It seems spring has finally arrived, with clear skies and pleasant weather giving us lot of opportunity to get outside for so fresh air.  But there still will be plenty to sit back and enjoy some tune. 

Martial Art - Japanese card game.

Just got these card game decks with cool Japanese art images. They were a Kickstarter project I supported. I’ll have get one of my sons to play it with me.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Happy Mother's Day - Larry Coryell, Wes Montgomery

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us celebrating Mother's Day, so Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, and every variety of motherhood you embrace. After shopping for Mothers Day dinner, I enjoyed Larry Coryell's Last Swing with Ireland.  This was the legendary guitarist's last studio recording. By the casual, laid-back feel of the recording, I'm not sure this was planned to be an official released.  Never the less, there is an intimacy here that serves his legacy well.

Speaking of legacies in jazz Guitar, few can match that of West Montgomery.  The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery is his second session as a leader recorded in 1960 in New York City. This reissue CD label states : This Album was mastered in analog utilizing the 20-bit K2 super coding system". What ever that means.  All I know is, Wes sounds great,

Again, Happy Mother's Day to all. Enjoy, stay safe, stay healthy.

Sunday morning book browsing.

I get to do some Sunday morning book browsing at my local Barnes & Noble, first opportunity in a long while.  Some may make it onto my book buying list, but for now it's cheaper to snap picture for later reference.

This is board game.  The cover caught my eye.

The book on the lower left is a graphic novel.

                                                  

I know nothing about these titles, but the art looks cool

I wanted to look up the illustrator, Neil Roberts.

As I said browsing the book shelf is cheaper the buying.