Sunday Music Muse Day - Ralph Towner Gary Burton, Wolfgang Muthspiel

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me featuring two CDs from the ECM catalog. ECM records was instrumental in expanding my musical taste beyond Rock and Jazz fusion. My first selection can only be counted as timeless recording,  Ralph Towner and Gary Burton Match Book.  I had the original vinyl record, but decided to sell it with the rest of my record collection, as I have most of the music on compilation CDs.  I'm overjoyed to find this CD.  The music sounds as fresh and engaging as when it was recorded in the 1974, it spent repeated listening on my turntable.  

Next up, is Wolfgang Muthspiel Rising Grace. ("Wolfgang" sounds like Viking warrior, Prince Valiant might encounter) I have another CD with Wolfgang playing with Ralph Towner.  The session finds the Austrian guitarist leading a group featuring basically a trumpet and piano trio of Brad Mehldau. That not bad thing.  This is a very good recording. Worth checking out.

Both of these ECM releases are incredible finds and worth seeking out. Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Jeff Campbell, Charles Lloyd

 This Sunday Music Muse Day find us waking up to an overcast sky, and blustery windy.  Later in the day we were hit with a heavy driving downpour and a brief thunderstorm.  In some ways, a depressing weather day.  The titles of my two music selections, offer positive affirmations, supported my their music, as only music can. First up, Jeff Campbell Trio, A Declaration of Optimism.   I first heard the talented bassist with the local group, Trio East, with drummer Rich Thompson, and Clay Jenkins on trumpet, fellow jazz educators at the Eastman Music of Music, in Rochester, NY. The title tune, A Declaration of Optimism, hit the right tone for me today in the chaos of current events.  I included the first page of Jeff's liner notes, and his "About the Music" comment on the tune, from this 2009 release.    It's worth reading.  This CD will definitely find a welcomed spot in my collection.

Next up, is Charles Lloyd, The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow. Again, the title implies a confirmation that things will get better.  The of this 2-CD set supports this. Lloyds liner notes are very insightful.  The desire to make this CD came from the "imposed seclusion of COVID and the intense rise of violence over the Spring & Summer of 2020." He told his wife, he wanted "to make an offering of tenderness".  That's heavy.  I've included his full liner notes.  These CDs are just the tonic I need to get through these days. 

I plan to take inspiration from the music of these musicians and make "a declaration of optimism", that I'll try to remember "the sky will still be there tomorrow". It's how we act under that sky, cloudy, stormy, or clear blue, is what makes the difference. Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day (day late) - Joe Pass, Jerry Granelli (with Ralph Towner)

Here's by day late Sunday Music Muse Day post.  (The start of the March of Robots online drawing event, threw me off schedule).  Both selection feature two favorite guitarists, but with slight twist.  First up is Joe Pass Unforgettable, there's not much to say about the late legendary jazz guitarist.  He remains at the top at any discussion of jazz guitar.  The twist of this CD is he's playing nylon-string acoustic guitar, not an electric jazz guitar, like a Gibson ES-175 (the CD's cover photo show him playing a thin body guitar, like my ES-175T).  There's a mystery for jazz guitar lovers. The music is classic Joe Pass, playing beautiful version of jazz standards.  

My next selection is one I picked for the side men, more that the leader.  Jerry Granelli One Day at a Time.   Leader, drummer Jerry Gannelli, is new to me, but seeing Ralph Towner, Charlie Haden, and Robben Ford, as side men intrigued me.  Especially as Ralph Tower is only playing synthesizer, not acoustic guitar.  I knew he was also an excellent pianist, but known for play the syn. The liner notes Jerry Granelli says the music was "...recorded over 3 days. There are no over dubs, only two written compositions. All of this music is what I call spontaneous composition.  So is a freewheeling session, interesting but not really exciting.

Please forgive the delayed, but late that never.  Enjoy

Return of a Random Blue Dot - DflyDen - Titanfall 2 Camping & Pistol Action Clips

Here's another video of my return to online video gaming.   I'm lousy at FPS (First Person Shooters), but Titanfall 2 is a blast to play. I can't do full game videos yet, until I get a capture card. 

March of the Robots 2025 - Drawing Event

I'm participating in the March of Robots online daily drawing event.  I need to get back in todarwin gon regular basis.  I've found I lacked off to point of only drawing during Inktober. 

So, here my first two drawing for the month. I think I'll be during mostly unfinished blue pencil drawings, and pick the best to complete at a later date. I just have other creative commitments and projects I need to spend time on.

#1 -'Big".

#2 - "Cone".

#Marchofrobots2025

Sunday Music Muse Day - Mini Fox, Jonathon Haffner

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me enjoying Mimi Fox, She's the Woman. The title refers to the fact she's a female guitarist, and it seems that even in this day and age, it's still considered a novelty.  She has established herself as a solid straight-ahead guitar player, who can hold her own with the likes of Kenny Burrell, who she joined as part of the Heritage Guitar All-Star Night.  I'm lucky to have several of her CDs, and enjoy playing them often.  You will, too.

Next up, is Jonathon Haffner, Life on Wednesday.  Honestly, I picked this CD up not knowing a thing about the leader, saxophonist, Hafnfer.  I chose this purely on having CDs by guitarist Wayne Krantz, that a like, and to a lesser extent, pianist Craig Taborn.  This is a loose jazz fusion affaire, slightly rough around the edges.  I'll have to give several more listens to nail down a final thumbs up, or down.

Like everyone else, I'm trying to brace myself for the ongoing sh*t storm in politics we're entered.  The best we can hope is keep the fight to insure we can demand free elections in 4 years at the least.  Keep fighting and looking out for each other, and we'll see better days. Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Thelonious Monk, Joe Locke

On this rather cold and snowy Sunday Music Muse Day. I'm staying inside and keeping warm, with two selections.  First, Thelonious Monk Solo Monk. This is an early Columbia Jazz Masterpieces CD released in 1992 of Monk's solo recordings made on October 31and November 2, 1964, and February 23, 1965.  The playing sounds as fresh as ever.  Thelonious Monk was a truly one of a kind musician and spirit.  The cover art is also a classic by famed illustrator Paul Davis.  This is a must-have CD, vinyl LP. 

My second selection is Joe Locke Sound Tracks: Jazz Version of Timeless Songs from the Cinema. The title says it all. I can only add, this is a companion to two CDs vibraphonist Joe Locke did with guitarist and friend,  Bob Sneider featuring movie music, "Fallen Angel" and "Nocturne for Ava", both favorites of mine. So if you like movie themes, these three CDs are worth seeking out.

Sunday Music Muse Day hasn't been without its hiccups, we had enough snow for me to pull out the snowblower, and the aging beast didn't to give up the ghost, it's totally seized up.  Lisa helped me shovel the drive. Plus, my son Devin is stuck for hours in the Washington DC airport, because of delayed fights. Hopefully, he'll be home by 12 Midnight. We him and us luck.

Return of the Random Blue Dot: DflyDen - video gaming

I'm celebrating my return to video gaming on my Steam Deck with a flashback to my favorite FPS, M.A.G. on the Playstation 3. Just for fun.

Harry Perl & a group (to large to name), Josh Roseman

This Sunday Music Muse find me presenting two unconventional groups and music that's a little "out there".  First up is Harry Pepl & (me, taking a deep breath) Clemens Saleny/Martin Bayer/Peter Primus Frosh/Agnes Heinger. That's how it reads on the cover.  I had seen this CD years ago, but not any of the musicians on the group I passed on it, but it popped up on sale for $4, and my curiosity got the better of me.  The music is a strange mix of large assemble advent garde and free jazz. Guitarist, Harry Pepl was highly regarded for his improvisational skills.  Pepl died on December 5, 2005  In a online bio,  "John Scofield described him as "one of my favorite guitar players" and alluded to Pepl's technique." 

That's good enough fo rme. 

My second pick is another large assemble of musicians, Josh Roseman Unit Treats for the Nightwalker. Leader and trombonist, Roseman was totally unknown to me.  I only picked up this 2003 Enja release  because I recognized Ben Monder, a guitarist, I have CD of.  The music reminds me of the recording of Snarky Puppy, and Kamasi Washington. It's adventurous and worth giving a try when you're in the mood to set outside your musical comfort zone.  Actually, it may be the perfect soundtrack for the chaos happening around us.

I hope everyone is finding a way keep the political chaos at bay.  Remember, this too shall pass.  Peace & love. 

Toys at the Strong Museum of Play Gift Shop & HeroClix at Millennium Games, Rochester, NY

After current visit to the Strong Museum of Play, here in Rochester, NY. I stopped in the Gift shop to browse and was surprised to action figure and other items I hadn't seen in the Big Box store. I'll have to share this video with the mature toy collectors I follow on Youtube to see if these are new or old releases. (Note after posting, I did see a Youtube toy collector find a Master of the Universe Sun-Man figure in a half-price store. So, it must be an old figure I never saw at my local stores)

Here's another current to Millennium Games, in Rochester, NY. The main this to catch my was the new Wizkids Ionix HeroClix min-figure game sets. The packages recreate classic 1960's comic cover. I know my Bommer comic book loving friends will love. I might pick one or two. Leave a comment, and let me know what you think of them.

Sunday Music Muse Day (2/2025) - February Jazzy Birrthday Celebrations, Bireli Lagrene

This first Sunday Music Muse Day, of the month, I'll start with my February Jazzy Birthday Celebration, honoring jazz musicians born in this month.  My first honoree is n my friend Rich Thompson.  I couldn't find how old he is, so let say 29 year old.  Enjoy.

Next up,  Bireli LaGrene Acoustic Moments.  This is a 1990 Blue Note release by ..". Lagrène (born 4 September 1966)  is a French jazz guitarist who came to prominence in the 1980s for his Django Reinhardt–influenced style. He often performs in swing, jazz fusion, and post-bop styles" - quote from Wikipedia. He played with all my favorite jazz guitarists, like John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, and Larry Coryell. Bireli is still active today.  The echoes of Djando's legacy can still be heard as strong as ever in Berili's acoustic guitar playing.  My favorite tune on this CD is his rendition of Three View of a Secret, written Jaco Pastorius, when he performed with Weather Report. This is a great release to have.

So, I hear the groundhog saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter, as if we needed anymore bad news. Try to keep your heads up, stay strong, and together we'll handle whatever lays ahead.  At least try to enjoy some good music. Peace.