Sunday Music Muse Day - John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Warped Sky Stray Clouds

 This Sunday Music Muse Day start with a rainy morning and gloomy touch of the coolness of fall. Just the day for some jazz to lift the mood.  My first is John Both Direction at Once: The Lost Album.  Which is kind of embarrassing for me, since I bought the CD two years ago when it was released, and some how never posted about it. I realized my omission when I included Coltrane in the gallery of September Jazz birthday video (more on the later).  Historically this is interest set of recording, from a set tapes left in the hands of Coltrane's first wife Naima's family.  So how the session fell through the cracks of the recording studio and record company management. It  contain  several known Coltrane titles and several untitled pieces and alternate takes.  Well worth listen for Coltrane fans.

My second is Chick Corea & Friends Remembering Bud Powell.  This Tribute CD finds Chick and stellar group of jazz heavy weights celebrating the music of Earl "Bud" Powell considered "the  most influential jazz pianist of his time".  Setting "...the standard for post-Art Tatum players."  Sadly he had mental difficulties later in life. (The central character in the movie "Round Midnight" play by Dexter Gordon was base on Powell;'s later years in Europe).  This is a solid outing honor Powell music in splendid fashion. 

Next is another Warped Sky Stray Cloud tune. Finally, I can get this song out of my system. So, rough edges and all, here is the song, "Jazzy Birthday (More or Les) with vocal". Jazz Birthday is a tune, written in 1978, with the original title "More or Les". The "Les" in the title refers to a old friend of Les Bernstein, not Les Paul the great guitar player, and father (inventor) of the solid body electric guitar, although it could, also. This new version was made with my vocals (with jazz singer Giacomo Gates as my inspiration). Actually, it was the first lyrics (and last) I've wrote since the 1980's. It seems I could never pull off playing the tune and singing it at the same time. Finally technology solved the problem.

I like the way this new version turned out so much I plan to do a monthly video celebrating Jazz musicians birthdays and add it to my Sunday Music Muse Day blogs. Enjoy

Sunday Music Muse day - Brad Mehldau, Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane, Warped Sky Stray Cloud

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.

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.