Sunday Music Muse Day with Bill Frisell, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, and Elvin Jones

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day selections finds me enjoying some well known favorite musicians, and a legend who I didn't have a record or CD by.  First up is the eclectic guitarist Bill Frisell Ghost Town CD.  A review on All Music website says "While Bill Frisell has released plenty of albums under his own name, this is his first true solo album -- the first on which he plays all of the instruments himself. These include electric and acoustic guitar, six-string banjo, and bass, as well as the occasional looped sample."  I didn't notice this until I was listening to it.  Bill's range of musical ideas are always amazing, it hard to label him, so I don't try and just enjoy his work.  His blend of jazz, country, and blue grass, and folk, always make me think of the composer Aaron Copland, who was Instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition.

My second selection is Chick Corea Origin- Live at the Blue Note.  This is premiere of a new group Corea put together with a talented batch of young players.

My third selection is Wayne Shorter  The All Seeing Eye.  This Blue Note re-issue of a session recorded in October 15, 1965 gives a hint of the what Wayne brought to later sessions with Miles Davis Bitch Brew era.  I found the music bold and daring.

My last selection is Elvin Jones At this Point in Time.  I have to admit, although I have many records with Elvin as a sideman, this is the first I have of him as a leader.  I also have to admit the Elvin's persona has always scared me, he looks so intense on his album covers.  His music can be just a intimidating, but I intent to face my fear and give it a solid listening.

Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day Bill Frisell, John Scofield Trio, George Russell, and Quincy Jones revisited.

This week Sunday Music Muse is a nice collection of old favorite guitar players and two revisits to an album and music already have.  First is the eclectic guitarist "Bill Frisell with Dave Holland and Elvin Jones" (which is the title) on bass and drums respectively.   Bill music is always so adventurous, and this doesn't disappoint.  It features one of my favorite tunes of his "Strange Meeting".  Also, this CD's cover graphics features the art of Jim Woodring, which reminds me of the old underground comic art.  Bill Frisell used used Woodring art on other CD cover, too.

Next is another guitar favorite of mine, John Scofield Trio LIVE EnRoute, featuring Steve Swallow, on bass, Bill Steward on drums.  I've seen these guys several times playing in NYC years ago.   They are definitely tight unit that's a pleasure to listen to.  I like the humorous CD graphics parody of airline safety instruction.

 The next selection is a sign of weakness on my part.  I usually try not buy CD of things I own on vinyl, unless the vinyl is in really bad shape, or the CD has bonus tracks, custom packaging, etc.  But , I couldn't resist this one because I love the title track so much.  George Russell & the Living Time Orchestra, So What.  This So What is very rocking version of the Miles Davis tune with the whole orchestra playing the Miles solo transcribed and arranged for the band.  It's nice to have easy access to this. I'm sure I'll be playing it a lot more.

 Last up, is a curious selection, in a way.  I suspected I had the music already, but not the CD cover.  Quincy Jones, The Birth of a Band Vol. 2.  As it turned out, I have a version of the music on this CD that friend make for me.  But, it's nice to have the cover art to complete the set, visually at least.  Of course, the fact that my father, Sam Woodyard, plays drums on seven of the fourteen cuts had nothing to do with my buying it.  Go figure.

 Hope every one has a good week, full of good times, and good music.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane, Classic Jazz: Jazz Legends, and The Sneider Brothers

Here's  this week's Sunday Music Muse Day post, on a much sunnier day than last week.  I made some nice music purchases at the Hi-Fi Lounge and Record Archives.  First up is the Duke Ellington & John Coltrane CD of the Impulse label LP.  It's a iconic LP featuring titans of the jazz accompanying Duke and 'Trane.  Elvin Jones, Aaron Bell, Jimmy Garrison, and Sam Woodyard, my father. That made buying this CD a no-brainer.  I would buy this for the cover alone.  But, of course the music is fantastic.

Second up, is Classic Jazz: Jazz Legends, another Time-Life collection, which a companion to the Classic Jazz: Masters CD set I brought last month. I'll have to check if more of these exist.  It comes with a nice booklet (not pictured) with good liners notes and photos. The Jazz Legends features more vocal selections, so it's still a nice way to fill out my jazz collection of tunes.  

My third buy is sort of a Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival preview, the Sneider Brothers - The Brockton Best CD, featuring guitarist Bob Snieder and John Snieder on trumpet.  Plus, drummer Mike Melito.

Bob and Mike are on the festival line up fronting their own groups.  In addition, Bob and Mike play at the nightly after hours jam session the festival present, host by Bob.  (Bob sure knows how to stay busy)  I'll definitely will be attending the jam sessions, and as many other performances as I can.  Here's the link for the festival:  http://www.rochesterjazz.com/ 
You're bound to find something worth coming out for.  Also look for the Jazz90.1 radio station tent on Gibb Street .  I'm sure on-air host Derek Lucas, and Tom Pethic will be happy to see you. See you at festival.  Come and enjoy.