Sunday Music Muse Day - Andy Summers

It has been on personally emotional week, and freezing cold one, weather wise, so I'm using two Andy Summers  CDs to warm me spiritually. First is a release that popped up in my Facebook feed, Andy Summers Harmonic of the Night.  This is a soundtrack he produced to accompany a retrospective exhibition of his photography, held in Pavillon Populaire in Montpellier, France, in 2019. The music is spacey and atmospheric, reminding me of some of the albums he did with Robert Fripp, also the introspective soundscapes that Norwegian guitarist Terje Rypdal recorded for ECM Records. 

My second selection, Andy Summers Triboluminescence find Andy of various instruments. with Artyom Manukyan playing cello on one track.   The 2026 session sound les refined or focus, and more like a musician exploratory session wih the recording equipment on. As such it's not as interest the first CD, but still worth a listen.

Finally, the sun is coming and melting some of the ice covering everything.  You can hear cracking off and slipping off the roof gutters, and falling from the trees. Even with the cold snap, we're still better off than other areas of the country. Where ever you are, stay safe.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Andy Summers, Grant Green

Today Sunday Music Muse Day finds me diving into a backlog of new purchases.  First up is Andy Summers Green Chimneys, The Music of Thelonious Monk, and as the title states it a collection of all Thelonious Monk tunes.  This is an early companion to another DC "Peggy's Blue Skylight" that was all Charlie Mingus tunes he released two years later..  In the Liner notes Summers relates how, as a teenager, he saw Thelonious Monk perform in England and how it have a massive impact on him.  Although best known as a member and guitarist for the Police, with Sting and drummer, Steward Copeland, Summers deep jazz root shows in his solo work after the Police.

My second selection is Grant Green Grantstand on the classic Blue Note label.  This 1961 session is tasty sample of soul-jazz groove of the era with fun, straight-ahead playing.

My post is short and sweet this week, but music leaves a lasting impress. Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day (one day late) Miles Davis, Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People, Andy Summers, Larry Coryell, Tom Coster and Steve Smith

Here's my Sunday Music Muse Day post, a day late (which was supposed be posted last month), but not a pound short, in the music department.  The post-Thankgivings weekend was full with family obligations, nothing bad, just a lot of running around. I did get to pick some new music on the Record Store Day, on Friday, and the Shop Local Business Day on Saturday.
First up, Miles Davis Circle in the Round.  This 2 CD set spans 1955-1970, and highlights Miles transition from acoustic post-bop to just before the electric fusion of Bitches Brew. I had to double check if I had this, and I didn't. So, it nice to full another gap in Miles music timeline in my collection.

Next is Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People Weather or Not. Drummer Gerry Gibbs leads a trio with Alex Colins on keyboards, and Hans Glawischnig on basses on this 2 CD set, with covers of Weather Report tunes on the first disc , and Gibbs originals on the second.  I heard their version of Teen Town on my Jazz90.1 radio station months ago and have been on the look out for this since.  I like the band's take on the Weather Report tunes, so does Peter Erskine, Weather Report drummer, as he wrote in liner notes: "Here is a unique reading of Weather Report's music that is totally fun to listen to."  You can't get a better recommendation than that.

 

My next pick also has a cover concept to it, Andy Summers Peggy's Blue Skylight.  This is the former Police guitarist interpretation of the music and lyrics of jazz legend Charles Mingus.  The larger than life Mingus wasn't just a premiere bassist and band leader but a author.  I read his autobiography, Beneath the Underdog: His World as Composed by Mingus. (1971) it's really intense and inspiring.  It definitely may have inspired Andy Summer to this, which includes lyrics and poetry by Mingus.  Summers has done other CDs. of jazz legend's music like Thelonious Monk.  After leaving the Police he has shown has jazz roots to the fullest.

My final selection is Larry Coryell, with Steve Smith, and Tom Coster Cause and Effect.   This is loose, fusion session, with Smith (Journey) on drums and Coster (Santana) on Keyboards.  According to a online review, "Most of the numbers here were made up in the studio as the players jammed. Consequently, the spontaneity is obvious, and the trio has a lot of fun letting out all the stops"  That sort explains my first impression in finding this set unfocused.  But, it is the late Larry Coryell, so it was worth a listen.

So, that's it.  More tunes enjoy as the holidays and cold weather rolls in.  There is nothing like good music warm the heart and keep the spirits up.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Today (Labor day Edition) Manuel Barrueco, Margaret Explosion

Welcome to my Sunday Music Muse Day, delayed a day for Labor Day holiday.  The first pick is another one motivated by the names of the other musicians rather than the leader. Manuel Barrueco Nylon and Steel is a CD of duets which finds Barrueco, who according to All that Jazz, "...is a globally acclaimed classical guitarist who specializes in Spanish musics but has also explored Bach, Toru Takemitsu and Arvo Pärt over the past 25 years", playing with Al Di Meola, Steve Morse, and Andy Summers.  Each of these guitarist are known for playing with successful groups, Return to Forever, Dixie Dregs, and the Police, respectively, and solo careers. Although I wasn't familiar with Barrueco, I like this CD  and will look for more of his CDs.

My next selection is local Rochester group I still haven't had a chance to see live.  Margaret Explosion Skyhigh is another spacey jam affair. Their music has been described as "...slow-motion psychedelia that conjures images and colors" (by Frank De Blase City Newspaper - Nov. 29, 2006)  That pretty much covers it. In their own words, '"We call what we do simultaneous, spontaneous composition rather than jamming,"  That's means, unless you have their CD you will never here the same tune again. An interesting concept for a band.

That's it for this week.  I'm going to get out and enjoy the day.  You should do the same.  There always good music when you return.