Welcome to the blog of Dennis J. Woodyard - Journeyman Artist, and Dragonfly Entertainment. Former TV animation producer/director, storyboard artist, character designer, writer, concept artist, Flip book designer, and other professional credits.
Here's my latest Sunday Music Muse Day after several weeks off due to vacation travel and other things. Today we're getting some of hot weather other parts of the country has been getting, with tempts in mid-90s. So, lets cool down with Brad Mehldau After Bach. This solo session from the jazz pianist, and as the title implies it's all Bach compositions. Not being a classical music fan. I'll play this to step out of my comfort zone. So far, so good.
Next is Dorado Schmitt Quintette Clar deLune is group of musicians totally unknown to me. With the name and instrumental line up, plus seeing two Django Reinhardt tune on it, I assumed it might be in the same vain as the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist. That proved to correct, it definitely has the Quintette du Hot Club de France vibe. Quite nice for a warm Sunday afternoon.
So, hope everyone is staying cool and safe in this warm weather. Enjoy.
After a little break in weekly Sunday Music Muse Day, here's two selections worth checking out. First, Esperanza Spalding Emily's D+Evolution. If you're tuned in to the buzz about Kate Bush's tune "Running Up that Hill", used in the Netflix series Stranger Things, you'll enjoy this unique outing by a young multi-talented musician. She's best know as a highly awarded jazz bassist and college music instructor. This could be a concept album and "Emily" a alter-ego. In any case, It a very densely produced modern style. I find the vocal styling hard to follow without reading the lyrics, but that could be my old ears. My favorite tune is the tune " Unconditional Love (Alternate Version) with blistering guitar solo by Matthew Stevens.
Second, is Another CD that could seen as concept album, Brad Mehldau Jacob's Ladder. Again, Brad Mehldau best known as jazz pianist, the music on this CD draw heavily from progressive rock music of the 70s, ike Rush's "Tom Sawyet", Yes "Starship Trooper, to take a journey in a different music direction.
So, both my selection are taking a several listening explore, but they're growing on me.
This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us celebrating Easter Sunday with family on bright sunny afternoon. It also a good time to enjoy some good tunes from two groups of musicians who it seems couldn't come up with a group name. First up is Clay Jenkins Gene Bertoncini Ike Sturm Joy, a trumpet, guitar, bass trio. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is a member to Trio East with drummer Rich Thompson. I've seen Trio East often, and look forward to seeing them again, soon. The wonderful session is collections of well known tunes and an original by Jenkins, and guitarist Gene Bertoncini. Worth a listen.
My second selection is Redman Mehldau Mcbride Blade - RoundAgain, as in Joshua Redman saxophones, Brad Mehldau piano, Christen McBride bass, and and Brian Blades drums. This is killer CD that the tune Floppy Diss is getting major air play on Jazz 90.1. Again, well worth a listen.
It is Easter Day, so I keeping this short and sweet. Enjoy.
This Sunday Music Muse Day find me enjoying a favorite musician in two different group setting. Pat Metheny Unity Group Kin is the second CD I have of the group lead by the famous guitarist.
My second selection is Metheny Mehldau Quartet, with the amazing pianist Brad Mehldau. It's a great pairing.
Sunday was prefect weather a bike run along the Erie canal and relaxing to a afternoon of good music. I hope you enjoyed the day, too.
Welcome to another Sunday Music Muse Day, where I share recently picked up CDs or items from my musical stash. First up, Brad Mehldau Highway Rider, a two CD set which, at first listen, seems like soundtrack to a unseen movie. Actually, my wife and I thought parts of it was pretentious, but I like Brad Mehldau's other works, so I'm determined to give more intense listening before rendering final verdict. With the inclusion of an orchestra, this has to regarded as a serious session. Unfortunately the CD booklet offer no background info. Online reviews call it a soundtrack to an imaginary film, at least I got that right. One also states, Highway Rider is the "most fully realized original music the pianist has written to date", that being 2010. So, maybe I have to venture outside of my comfort zone, a little.
The next selection is Kenny Burrrell with John Coltrane, is 1958 date lead by the guitarist Burrell for the classic jazz label Prestige with recording engineer, Rudy Van Gelder, a legend in his own right.The liner notes states this was a period when Coltrane, a giant of jazz saxophone, was starting to move from the Miles Davis band to forge his own direction. I love finding gems and fill the gaps in my jazz music history. History never sound so sweet.
Lastly, here is another tune in my Warped Sky:Stray Cloud project, a combination of songs from old tapes and new renditions of original tunes written and played by me in the 1980s.
Thief or a Savior, is an attempt at a Rock tune, although I don't have the voice for it. It was written back 1985, and never really completely until now. (My vocals, rhythm guitar and bassline. The rest produced in the Band in Box music program) I still imagine a trio of female backup singers, but couldn't manage that.
There is the making of an animated video in the song's storyline. Time will
tell. For me, it's one more off my music bucket list. Enjoy.
Welcome to another Sunday Music Muse Day, where I share newly acquired music and old favorites, and this week to sadly note the passing of a music great. First is a CD that its minimalist title and cover art belies the great music of the two musician featured on it. Metheny Mehldau is a duet CD of guitarist, Pat Metheny, and pianist, Brad Mehldau playing a set of originals by both. The liner notes reveals their deep mutual respect for the each other, and they show that in their playing. I've CDs of both, leading their own groups. and this CD is a nice addition to the list.
Next is an interesting find, Tony Wiliams (Anthony Williams on the original LP cover) Life Time. This was the legendary drummer's first recording as a leader, at age 19, and playing with Miles Davis, in fact the personal of this date include his Davis band mates. (I think Blue Note, the record company, used "Anthony" to make him seem more mature) The music is more avant garde, spontaneous, and improvisational than his later Jazz Fusion group Tony William Lifetime that he formed in 1969 after leaving Miles. The word "Life Time" must have had held a special meaning Tony since he used it again for his New Lifetime groups in 1977, 1979, 1980. His Blue Note recording definitely heralded great things to come.
On a sad note, this week marked the passing of jazz guitar great Larry Coryell. Best known for his trailblazing jazz fusion playing. As eulogized in the New York Times, " Larry Coryell a virtuoso guitarist who in the 1960s was among the first musicians to
bring a rock sound and sensibility to jazz, and who continued to blur
the lines between genres throughout his career, died on Sunday in
Manhattan. He was 73." To me, he and his contemporaries, like guitarist John Mclaughlin and pianist Chick Corea bridged the gap between Rock and Jazz. Once you followed these guys int the world of Jazz, it was hard to settle for a steady diet of Rock music ever again. I featured an early album Spaces just a week or so ago, and his last recording Barefoot Man: Sanpaku, currently, too.
I really enjoy reaching his musical journey, and I'm sad it has ended, but he will live in the great legacy of music he has left us with.
