Sunday Music Muse day - Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell

This rainy Sunday Music Muse Day finds me listening to two of my favorite musicians, but finding both selections less than satisfying.  First is Jack DeJohnette "Zebra", which finds the famed jazz drummer and piano player, on only synthesizers, and accompanied by Lester Bowie on trumpet. The music is kind of interesting, but unmemorable at best.  From online info it was a soundtrack to a video project.  Critics state it's only for "DeJohnette completists", I'll have to agree with that.

My second selection is Bill Frisell / Kermit Driscoll / Joey Baron LIVE. This is live set recorded in Sevill, Spain., in October, 1991. Again, it's a pleasant enough performance of all Frisell originals, but I can't say it's the best I've heard him play.  Well, I guess even the best has an off night.

Well, at least the sun has returned this afternoon, so I'll take that as a good sign. Enjoy.

Hellboy Board Game - Big Box of Doom

A friend of mine, on Facebook, had a post about Kickstarter projects that never delivered on the goods, I have the opposite, almost embarrassing occurrences, projects showing up that I vaguely remember supporting. Case in point, the Hellboy The Board Game: Big Box of Doom, expansion pack. I kind of remember debating wanting this for mini-dice card game. Plus, I'm a big Hellboy fan and have the massive Kickstarter Hellboy Board Game. There are still several Kickstarter projects heading my way supported during the Covid pandemic shutdown. The includes two massive board games, a sci-fi exploration game and a Norse myth game, also a DVD doc on John Scofield, and a jazz guitar instruction floating around somewhere. The lockdown offered too much free time. That's my only excuse, and I'm sticking with it.

Someday I may actually learn to play these games.

Sunday Music Muse Day. - Mimi Fox, the Trip

This Sunday Music Muse Day afternoon finds an overcast and slightly dizzily day, just the perfect time for warm jazz.  First up, Mimi Fox Perpetually Hip, a two CD set featuring the guitarist on "Disc1: Band", featuring Harvie S., Billy Hart on drums, and Xavier Davis on piano.  "Disc 2: Solo", of course, with her on solo guitar.  The solo disc shows the influence of his mentor. Joe Pass, the late legendary master of solo jazz guitar. Sadly, there are still too few female Jazz guitarist that instantly come to mind.  The late Emily Remler being one of the few I can think of.  I was first exposed to Mimi Fox on the jazz magazine FB page. I was lucky to find this CD set on my trip to Utica, NY, and the Norman Rockwell art exhibit. This is definitely an enjoyable and solid jazz guitar CD. I'll be seeking out more of Mimi Fox's music.

My second selection is CD I picked up without knowing a thing about any of the musicians on it. It looked to be a European jazz quartet CD by the instrumentation, and being recorded in Italy, and mastered in Oslo, Norway. All the compositions are originals by band members, Gianni Gagliardi tenor saxophone, Odd Abrigtsen guitar, Tim Thornton bass, and Anders Thoren drums. No one member is noted as the leader. The music is modern post-bop feel and really enjoyable. I'm glad I took a chance on it.

Speaking of the late Emily Remler, today is her birthday (September 18, 1957, died May 4, 1990).  Gone, but not forgotten. Her legacy lives on in the music of female guitarists like Mimi Fox, and others.  RIP.

Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Brad Mehldau, Gilberto Gil

Another Sunday Music Muse Day to enjoy some mellow jazz tunes.  First up, Brad Mehldau Trio - Ode, led by the pianist with Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drum, offering a set of all original tunes by Mehldau. I seek out Mehldau piano music to help me break out of my guitar-centric listening habits. This does that nicely.

Next up is Gilberto Gil - Acoustic, this CD is what one online critic calls "...the equivalent of Gilberto Gil "Unplugged" -- Gil, his acoustic guitar, and a nonelectric five-piece band recorded live in a studio".  This is a pleasant musical offering for a quiet afternoon from a well known Brazilian musician. 

These selections are well worth listening to for some escape from these chaotic times. A little musical pause from our "Doom Scrolling" is a must for our insanity.  Enjoy.

Galaxy Ranger Promo & Aniamntion Art video.

I was one of the original artists on the development team of the Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers TV series. When the series went into production, I continued as staff storyboard designer. This video spotlight the art of the fold out promotion poster was done to sale the show. I've also included some animation art produced by TMS for the episode, "Heart of Tarkon". I will be posting more Galaxy Ranger art, soon.

I'm trying to declutter old art files and found some rough Galaxy Ranger storyboards I will post soon.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Terje Rypdal, Steve Tibbits.

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me sharing two special ECM collections.  First, Terje Rypdal Odyssey in the Studio & In Concert. Terje Rypdal is a Norwegian guitar and composer, who is hard to categorize  He's part Stratocaster playing Rock, free jazz, and lyrical jazz fusion player.  I had his 1975 double LP, Odyssey, and was intrigued, and maybe a little confused by it. I really became a fan with his Wave album, and later works.  Listening to him some of his works produced for ECM. I could feel the cold stillness of the Norwegian fjords.  This release let me revisit the Odyssey band's music.  Plus, the previously unreleased, Unfinished High Ball (3rd CD) is actually in a more jazzy vain, and more appealing, in some ways.  ECM has been packaging recent multi-CD releases in plain white sleeves.  That might be because of copyright issues with reusing the original cover photos.  I've been personalizing them with album cover art.

My added cover art.

My second selection is Steve Tibbetts, Hellbound Train - An Anthology. This is 2 CD set featuring tunes from 8 ECM records.  Tibbetts is another musician that hard to categorize.  His music has a rock, mystical, world music favor.  Steve Tibbetts "Safe Journey" is one of my all time favorite albums, sadly only two tunes from it make this collect.  Still, it's well worth giving it a listen.

These CD sets will be spending a lot of time on in my player.  Check them out if you can.  Enjoy.