Sunday Music Muse Day - Wayne Shorter. London Brew.

It's a rainy Sunday Music Muse Day, but at least i's not snowing. It a cosy overcast day, perfect to listen to asome new music.  First up, Wayne Shorter Clelbration Volume 1.  This is very special as it stated n the liner notes by his wife, Carolina Shorter, this live recording gwas he last before he died.  I got choked up a little reading the liner notes. Wayne Shorter was such a legendary jazz musician, I can't even become to touch on his career here.  A little known aspect of his life that endeared him to me was as a teen he draw his own original  comics.  He shared one on the album liner sleeve of his album., Phantom Navigator (I shared this in a old blog post).  Celebration is must have recording, and worthy of the title in every way.

I have to admit, that it was the striking cover art (Samplism artwork by Toby Laurent Belson, 2022) that attracted me this CD, London Brew, which in the liner notes stated it was a project planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, in 2020, by a group of London jazz artists, that was interrupted by the Covid pandemic. I present it here as a loose connection to Wayne Shorter, since Wayne played on Bitches Brew. After several listenings the music is growing on me.  It's adventurous,in spirit,  but lacking strong focus. They drop tibbits of Miles musical themes in the tunes. It's worth a listen. Of the eight tunes, the fifth track "It's One of These" is my favorite.

So, hope the rest of the weekend find you in good spirits.  Stay safe, and take care.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Vijay Iyer, Miles Davis & Robert Glasper

I'm trying to get be on track for my Sunday Music Muse Day postings.  The past several weeks has been family medical events involving elder in-laws, that required my help, and attention.  Luckily, the issues have beem resolved, everyone is doing fine.  So here's quick look at two recent pick-ups.  First up, Vijay Iyer Solo.  The title says it all, as it a 2010  solo piano recording featuring original compositions, and several Duke Elligonton tunes, which my favorites on the CD. to be honest this I didn't find much that standout in the session.  I also admit, I'm not a big solo jazz piano fan. I do have several of Iyer's CDs and generally find group outings adventurous and challenging.  So, please take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Next up,  Miles Davis & Robert Glasper Everything's Beautiful. It's one of the those releases that has spoken words, Miles Davis studio banter, and Rap poetry, It comes off more like a conceptual art piece than musical one. Interesting in parts, but again, you'll have to take my opinion with grain of salt.

So, outside my window, it's a sunny day and the warmest, near 70º,  it's been in months, giving us a tease of spring. But we know better, here in Rochester,  as it's been known to snow in mid-April.  Don't put away your winter coats yet. Enjoy.