Sunday Music Muse Day - John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me overloaded with happy family events and milestones.  We're celebrating my wife's, Lisa, birthday and the college graduation of my oldest son, Spencer (how time flies).  After an emotional but tiring day, it nice to settle in with old musical favorites.  First up, John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension Now Here This.  This 2012 release reach number 25th on the Billboard's Jazz album chart.  Of course it is the top notch jazz fusion the legendary guitar is known for. It's always enjoyable to hear his CDs.

Next is another old favorite jazz fusion guitarist, Al Di Meola Anthology.  Di Meola, of course, came to fame with Chick Corea's Return to Forever.  This two CD set is made up of tunes from Meola's solo albums after leaving RTF.  It's nice to have this collection which cut down the temptation to buy CD of albums I already have.  Plus, there are a couple of unissued bonus tracks.

Again, it's nice listen to these as comforting old friends, as we celebrate new horizons.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Duke Ellington, Ahmad Jamal, John McLaughlin & the 4th Dimemsion, and Stanton Moore Trio.

This Sunday Music Music finds the first snow of the season has come and gone, and in it's wake the dark gloomy days of Rochester weather settles in as clocks have turned back to Standard time.  Nothing helps life the gloom that good music.  To that end we have, Duke Ellington and His Orchestra The Complete Ellington Indigos.   This is a CD re-issue of all the material from the original sessions recorded in September 9 to October 14, 1957.  It seems there were numerous releases in Mono and Stereo LPs, CDs that omitted certain tunes or used alternate takes.  It nice to find re-issues like this that extra material, so you don't mind buyng it again even if you have the original LP, (which in this case I don't) Of course, I'd be remissed if I didn't mention, my father Sam Woodyard, plays drums on the sessions.

Next, Ahmad Jamal Trio Cross Country Tour 1958 - 1961.  This is a two CD set full of wonderful jazz piano from the legendary pianist.  the 32 tunes presented are from several early Jamal LPs.  His classic "Poinciana" alone is worth the price of admission.  I only have one other Ahmad Jamal LP "One" form 1978.  The set will be welcomed addition to my collection.

Next, we have John McLaughlin & the 4th Dimension Live at Ronnie Scott's. It's a nice follow up seeing him perform at his Farewell tour date recently.  This was recorded in March of this year (2017) and many of the tunes were part of the farewell tour playlist.

Just to round out things is a CD of Stanton Moore Trio Emphasis! (On Parenthesis).  Moore is a drummer, and new to me, leading this drums, guitar, organ, trio.  The CD gets a 4/5 star review on All About Jazz site by reveiwer, Doug Collette, "Yet if Moore, Walter and Bernard weren't so technically skilled or fluent in such a variety of styles, the fruits of their collaboration might reside in the dolefully predictable rut of all too much funk. Instead, Emphasis! (On Parenthesis) is alight with a fresh camaraderie that exceeds the ambitious goals of the group's leader."  I found the music to be okay, but something was missing, it didn't complete gel to my ears. I'll have to give it a couple of more listens, before passing final judge. (Okay, the cover art grab my eye)

The sky is clearing a bit, but I'll still keeping good tune.  Hope you do the same.