Sunday Music Muse Day - Baden Powell, Charlie Byrd

This Sunday Music Muse Day is the day after Spring Equinox, the astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.  It's shaping up to a be perfect spring day for walk in the sunshine and spring flowers are just starting to peek out. My two selections are perfect of settling into patio chair, or cosy window seat with a good book. First up is Baden Powell Lembrancas (Memories), this solo recording is his last made less then six months before he passed away on September 16, 2000. (I'll refer you this link for a full review, since the liner notes are all in Brazilian (?) - Baden Powell: Lembranças) I knew of Baden Powell as legend in the Samba jazz of the 60's and 70's, but only have a couple of tunes on jazz guitar compilation CD sets. This set is very warm introspective. If you want to relieve stress in a most calming way, give this a try.  It is very nice. I'll be visiting this CD often. (I also think the photos of him are impressive)

My second selection is Charlie Byrd - The Guitar Artistry of Charlie Byrd. This legendary guitarist is also well known for his association with Brazilian music. His collaboration with Stan Getz on the album Jazz Samba in 1962 introduced Bossa Nova to American audiences. This 1960 session pre-dates Byrd trip to South America in 1961 where he was introduce to Bossa Nova. It's nice to uncover an interest fact like this.  One note: it's mention in the liner notes by Willis Conover the shorter pieces were "ideal for improving the space between commercials, assuming commercial radio station still leave space between commercials." Willis Conover was a jazz producer and broadcaster on the Voice of America for over forty years. Now you know.

So, you can't go wrong with these excellent legends of jazz guitar.  Spring is here, enjoy.

Belated Sunday Music Muse Day - Charlie Byrd, Pat Martino, Warped Sky Stray Clouds

Here's a belated Sunday Music Muse Day post, because time slipped away from me yesterday as I worked finishing my Warped Sky Stray Clouds tune. But first, here are two selections from a trip to the Hi-Fi Lounge record shop, my first in four months. First up, Pat Martino Quartet Undeniable. The title is appropriate when talking about the legendary guitarist Pat Martino. This 2009 live set is fine addition to my Pat Martino collection.

My next selection is Charlie Byrd Homage to Jobim.  Another welcomed addition to my CD collection by an another jazz guitar great.  The pairing of Byrd and the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim is pure heaven.

As part of my Dragonfly Views blog I have a Sunday Music Muse Day post where I always hoped to present original music that I had filed away mostly unfinished and unheard. I can feel like Loon in this cartoon, sometimes.

Continuing my Warped Sky Stray Clouds tunes, here's "Shattered Man - Acid Jazz Mix". Shattered Man is a original tune, written in 1981 by Richard Miceli, my creative partner in the undiscovered Warped Sky Band, in 1981. It was adapted from a poem of his and I came up with music for him to improvise a vocal and flute against. Richard is big fan of Tom Waits, and I aways hear strains of the in his poems/lyrics. I'm amazed at the insights on personal relationships has lyrics reveals. The original version. with Richard's vocal and flute playing is included at the end of this video.

Again, that 1981 version was a 1st take we played it together. Although I screwed up, losing timing playing with the drum machine, it is a good version of the tune.

This new version was made with my vocals and guitar playing, and using a backing track created in Band in a Box music software. The "Acid Jazz Mix" in the title comes from the rhythm track used from the Band in the Box music program. You write in chords and a lead line and it creates a backing track, and even a solo performance, with varying degrees of success. I'm often surprised how simple tunes sound fleshed out by a full band, even an artificial one. As I get older it becomes apparent waiting for perfect has become an excuse not to do anything. So, these music posts are a way to finish off forgotten musical ideas, for the plain fun of it. Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Rich Thompson, Charlie Byrd

Another great fall day for this Sunday Music Muse.  First up is Rich Thompson Less is More. Listening to this CD is my consolation prize for missing Rich's gig this past Friday at the Little Theatre Cafe.  Fridays are alway tough for me get energized to go out after getting home from work.  This session is a nice mixed of solid jazz tunes written by well known artists and a original from Rich and bassist Jeff Campbell.  I hope to catch Rich live soon.

My next selection is Charlie Byrd Byrd by the Sea, a CD of a classic set by the legendary guitar best known for his contributions to jazz Samba and Bossa Nova.  This CD contain the tunes from the original classic vinyl record, plus 7 bonus tracks  from the original live concert.  I believe there was a series of great artists that recorded at Howard Rumsey's Concert by the Sea, a famous jazz venue in Redondo Beach, CA.  I know when I've found a "keeper" when Lisa ask "who's that, and what kind of guitar is that?"  She liked the sound immediately. I'm happy to add it my our shared listening pleasure.

Hard to believe October is several days away.  Time to gather more good tunes like squirrels gathering nuts for the winter.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Trio East, Clarlie Byrd, Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet,

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day again features some great local talent in Trio East, with Rich Thompson on drums, Clay Jenkins on trumpet, and Jeff Campbell on bass.  Lisa and I caught the first set of the Trio East performance at the Little Theatre Cafe on Friday night.  We're sorry we couldn't stay for the second set, seems we missed the horn player Jeff Beal playing with the group.  But before we left we were able to talk Rich Thompson and buy their latest CD, plus Rich throw a second at a heavy discount (thanks, again Rich).  I really like the both CDs, For the Love, and Best Bets.  They play a wide range of tunes from jazz standards and composers, plus striking originals.  My ears perk up at the tunes of guitarists John Scofield and John Abercrombie, two favorites of mine,which they presents on their live set and on CD.  Scofield and Abrcrombie don't get enough credit for their composing skills.  By all means, check out Trio East, whenever possible.  You're in for a treat.

In between rainy downpours today, I was able to hit the record shops and find two more interesting picks.  First is Charlie Byrd for Louis, by legendary guitarist Charlie Byrd, well known for introducing Brazilian "bossa nova" to the U.S. with Stan Getz on the classic LP Jazz Samba.  Sadly, For Louis, was his last studio recording, competed several weeks before he passed away on December 2, 1999.  This is sort of tribute to another legend and contemporary, Louis Armstrong, featuring tunes strongly associated with Louis.  It is a very fitting testament to the legacy of both of them.

My last selection was leap of faith, Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet Intents and Purposes. I didn't knew anything about the leader guitartist Rez Abbasi or the other palyers, but the tagline on the CD cover, "Acoustic Interpretations of 70's Jazz-Rock Classics" hooked me.  I know all the tunes listed and have the original LPs of all the artists. So, this was worth a chance.  I'm happy to say the group does a great job on these tune.  I'll be enjoying this CD many times over.  I'll have to look for Abbasi's other works.

That's it for the first Sunday Music Muse Day of October.  Fall is here, and winter is not far behind.  This is the perfect time to store up good music to warm your hearts on those cold days and night to come.  I know these selection will warm mine.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd, Kenny Burell with Art Blakey, and Verve/Remixed 1 and 2

Sorry, I missed a week, but life happens.  This week's Sunday Music Muse day includes two CD re-issued of classic jazz albums and a modern update on a classic labels tunes.  First up, Jazz Samba, by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd.  This CD of the 1962 recordings, according the the liner notes, Jazz Samba was "the first album of true bossa nova music by jazz artists and the one that broke the bossa nova wave in the 1960s America."  I can believe that from the first notes of the "Desafinado", the opening track, which has appeared on many of my compilation records, and CD, but it never sounds dated.

The second classic re-issued CD is Kenny Burrell at the Five Spot Cafe, although the original cover reads "Kenny Burell with Art Blakey On View at the Five Spot Cafe".  Either way, it's stellar outing by the legendary guitarist.

 My next two selections are to be consider as one unit, Verve//Remixed 1 & 2 CDs.  I'd heard several selections from these CDs on alternate radio stations like KCRW in Los Angeles and liked them.  Verve records, the classic jazz label, opened their vast vaults to young DJs, producers, and remixers working in electronica and club dance music.  It was always interesting to hear snippets of a jazz classics in the new context. This may be some young listeners first exposure to jazz, and hopefully it will lead to them seeking out the origins of the samples.

These CDs make for a nice mix of old and new.  Well worth considering for enjoyable listening.