Sunday Music Muse Day - Chick Corea, Al Di Meola

On this Sunday Music Muse Day, Lisa and I just returned from a daytrip to Letchworth State Park.  Returning I have time to enjoy some CDs from what seems like old musical friends.  First up is The Chick Corea New Trio.  This 2001 release follows the late jazz legend's Origins group, which featured a sextet and larger array of instruments, including saxphones, flute, trombone, and clarinet.   The New Trio pares it down to just the piano, bass and drums, which Chick wrote, "is the heart and soul of th jazz sound". Whatever, the context Chick musical genius is alway apparent.  The packaging on this CD is very artful, too. Right down to the CD itself.

Next is Al Di Meola Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody.  Of course, Al Di Meola came to fame as a guitarist of Chick Corea's Return to Forever, the pioneering jazz fusion band of the 1970s.  After leaving RTF and pursuiting his solo career Di Meola explored his love of Mediterranean music, and that is evident in this CD.  In many ways I prefer Di Meola post-RTF music more.This CD also has some stylist packaging.

As I said since I first heard these artists in the 1970s, they seem like old friends, and nothing warms the heart more than old friends. Enjoy

Alien toys

 I couldn't resist these Alien figures at the Ollie's discount store.  They don't take up much shelf space, right?

Sunday Music Muse Day - Alice Coltrane, Scolohofo ( SCofield LOvano HOlland FOster)

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us experiencing a very peasant weather day after several days of high temps and humidity. But the news out of Afghanistan adds a heaviness to the day.  Some how my first selection compliments the news.  Alice Coltrane Ptah, The El Daoud, the classic Impluse record.  Maybe it's just the Egyptian scarb imagery on the album cover reminds me of the Middle East.  The classic tune Blue Nile is a must.  It's well known Alice Coltrane is the wife of the legendary John Coltrane, but Alice gained fame and recognition on her own musical merits, most notably for her use ot the harp in jazz.

My second selection Scolohofo oh! is a group named for first letters of last name of it's members.  John SCOfield, Joe LOvano, Dave HOlland, and Alex FOster. Their Post-Bop (hard Bop ?) music can be driving and mellow with an edge to it.  It fits the mood of the day, too.

There is bound to be a lot of reflection on the Afghan situation, that is way beyond my grasp.  All we can hope is a evenual peaceful outcome for the people of Afghanistan, and a better future.

Saturday Garage Sale - Shoot the Moon, Gargoyles board game.

 We took part in our neighborhood garage sales yestersay and the video shows the unsold dregs.

Mostly medias we know and love, books, VHS, DVDs and CDs, remained unsold. Overall the toys R/C cars, Robots, GI Joes Sigma Six action figures, and some Nerf guns I pulled out sold well (not in picture as we forgot to take a pic). I'll still try to sale some stuff on Ebay as a last resort.

Afterwards I went to Record Archives only to see a Shoot the Moon wooden toy, SPACE SHOT, like one we decided not sell at our garage sale. Ours looks better, but this box is cool. Archives has other novelty toys, too.

A second side trip to Target found this new Gargoyles board game on the shelf. I might have to pick one up sometime.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Bob Sneider & Paul Hofmann, Avishai Cohen, Dan Vitalie

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us bracing for temperatures reaching the 90s.  I managed to mow my lawn before it got too hot, and still sweated bullets.  So, with that done it's was time for some afternoon jazz in my air conditioned house.  First up is a compliment to last week's Paul Hofman CD featuring  Mile Melito, with Bob Sneider and Paul Hofmann Serve and Volley.  This 2008 piano-guitar duo outing is their third following Interconcection (2004) and Escapade (2006), which I have also.  The music is totally swinging and accessible.

Next up Avishai Cohen Adama. This 1998 release was his first as a leader after co-founding the Chick Corea's Origin group, where he spend six years honing his skills as a performer and composer. Cohen presents a very contemporary sound, described as "... a blend of Middle Eastern, eastern European, and African-American musical idioms." - Wikipedia.  Any musican that spends that much time in collaboration with the late Chick Corea is definitely worth a listen. 

Here's an extra tibbit.  I picked up this copy of The New York Jazz Record, a free monthy newspaper at the Bop Shop Record shop.  Browsing the back pages a small item caught my eye.  The old released date of records, including Daniel Vitale Quartet (August 3rd, 1992)  "Danny" Vitale is the bassist for Bob Snieder Trio and others.  

It seems Danny only had this recording as a leader.  I'd like to find it. I look forward to seeing Danny with Bob amd Mike soon.

Finger Lakes Comics Expo Postponed to 2022

The Finger Lakes Comic Expo I was to be a guest at is postoned until sometime next year.

Here's  the offical notice:

**** IMPORTANT UPDATE ****

****POSTPONED TO MARCH 2022****

We have had a number of Guests, Vendors, and Fellow Fans express their concern about the spread of the Delta Variant and COVID in our county and the surrounding areas. Due to the rising numbers daily, we have decided that it's in everyone's best interest, and safest, to postpone our event once again. The health and safety of our fellow fans, guests, vendors, and staff are our FIRST PRIORITY. We're not going to risk it.

We are already working to transfer everyone to our March 2022 show OR Fall 2022 (dates TBD). Please stay tuned for more updates.

FLX Expo and Finger Lakes Comics Expo is OFFICIALLY POSTPONED once again....

Thank you all for your love and support. I'm just as upset and disappointed as you are, probably MORE so....

Thank You,

-Joey

 Well, I guess I have more time to prepared, although I'm disappointed.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Paul Hofman with Mike Melito, Steve Masakowski

This Sunday Music Muse Day find me just returning from a trip to Portland, Maine for a little R&R (rest and relaxation).  I had hoped to scope out some CD/records stores in the area but only managed to visit one that didn't yield any great finds.  So, a visit to one of my local favorite shops, Record Archives, proved more productive. First up is local talent Paul Hofman Topsy Turvy, with my friend Mike Melito on drums. Hofman actually states this 1999 release "Topsy Turvy is on several levels an extension of Mike's My Conception (1997). The studio is the same, the rhythm section is identical, and Grant Stewart (tenor saxophone) returns to play on a few tracks".  It will be nice to play both CDs back to back. Topsy Turvy offer a nice showcase of Hofman's talent in separate settings of solo piano, duets (piano-drums, and piano-bass), trio (piano-bass-drums), and quartet (tenor saxophone-piano-bass-drums).  Fans of Bop and Hard-Bop jazz will find plenty to like in the CD.

Just for reference, here's Mike's 1997 CD.

Next up is Steve Masakowski (for Joe) is inspired by, and dedicated to, legendary jazz guitarist Joe Pass.  Masakowski plays the 7-string electric guitar and relates how his hearing the record "For Django" by Joe Pass "would have a humbling seemingly life-altering effect" on him as a young know-it- all guitar student. This very tasty CD shows he learned his lesson well. I think Joe Pass would be honored and proud at the result.

These selections will make for a pleasant afternoon of jazz listening.