Sunday Music Muse Day - Bill Frisell, Paul Motian with Bill Frisell

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us enjoying a sunny day after several days of fairly heavy rainfall.  My two selections have two things in common, a musician, and being live recording.  First is Bill Frisell East/West, a 2-disc trio set with Viktor Krauss and Tony Scherr on bass,  and Kenny Wollesen on drums.  This set was recorded live at Yoshi's the famous jazz club in Oakland, CA, in May 8-11, 2004. This eclectic mix of tunes, from Motown, jazz standards, and folk tunes, are we come to expect from Frisell with his Neo-Americana  leanings. Frisell playings alway gives these tunes a freshness worth listening to.

My second, is The Paul Motian Trio - Sound of Love, with Bill Frisell, guitar, and Joe Lovano, tenor saxophone, joining the leader Motian, on drums, on this live date at the Village Vanguard, June 7-10, 1995.  The tunes selection includes classics from Thelonious Monk, Charlie Mingus and originals by Motian.  There is a real sense of intense intimacy in the group's playing. Well worth seeking out.

All in all, the weekend is ending on a positive note.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse - Charlie Byrd, John Stein

This Sunday Music Muse is slightly rainy, gloomy day, but pleasant enough for these jazz guitar selections.  First up, Charlie Byrd Solo Flight a CD reissue of a solo guitar session recorded in 1956.  The liner noter describes it as reflective recital of old "chestnuts" and classics. I found plenty to like in Byrd's masterful playing of these tunes. You will too.

Next, is new release by guitarist John Stein Serendipity. The tale of this trio session maybe shared by many musicians who attempted to play and record during last year's Covid pandemic lockdown. This session was record for streaming with the only audience being the videographer.  Stein later listened to the audio and decided it was worthy of release as this CD.  I'm sure many other musicians will do the same, and their fans will enjoy the shared music as much I enjoyed this.

Enjoy.

Finger Lakes Comic Expo

 I guess I should start preparing for my appearance at this event.

Sunday Music Muse Day - July 4th - Keith Jarrett, John Taylor

Today's Sunday Music Muse Day find us observing the July 4th national holiday.  Like many, I find my myself in more reflective, than celebratory mood this year on the past, present and future of America. My selections mirror that feeling.  First is Keith Jarrett Selected Recording, a 2-CD collection in the RCM :Rarum series which his the artist "select their favorite performances on ECM". This is certainly a tall order for Keith Jarrett as his ECM catalog of recordings is massive and widely acclaimed.  Varied is a understatement, as got ten tunes in before I recognized a title I knew. It is interesting to hear what works hold special meaning to an artist. There is booklet with liner notes by Kieth Jarrett that gives some insight.

My second selection is John Taylor Rosslyn, another ECM session with Marc Johnson on double Bass and Joey Baron on drums.  This CD is so delicate in it's reflective tone, I have trouble imagining this being played in club setting.  The music seems to exist in an extreme quiet zone where you must hold you breath as to not drown out the music.  Worth a listen, in a very zen way.

Again, as I reflect on the meaning of July 4 in the current state of affair, I can only said we have a long way to go to live up to our ideas we've usually celebrate.  Lets work to make that day of honest truth and reconciliation for all come sooner, rather than later. Peace.