Sunday Music Muse Day - July 4th - Keith Jarrett, John Taylor

Today's Sunday Music Muse Day find us observing the July 4th national holiday.  Like many, I find my myself in more reflective, than celebratory mood this year on the past, present and future of America. My selections mirror that feeling.  First is Keith Jarrett Selected Recording, a 2-CD collection in the RCM :Rarum series which his the artist "select their favorite performances on ECM". This is certainly a tall order for Keith Jarrett as his ECM catalog of recordings is massive and widely acclaimed.  Varied is a understatement, as got ten tunes in before I recognized a title I knew. It is interesting to hear what works hold special meaning to an artist. There is booklet with liner notes by Kieth Jarrett that gives some insight.

My second selection is John Taylor Rosslyn, another ECM session with Marc Johnson on double Bass and Joey Baron on drums.  This CD is so delicate in it's reflective tone, I have trouble imagining this being played in club setting.  The music seems to exist in an extreme quiet zone where you must hold you breath as to not drown out the music.  Worth a listen, in a very zen way.

Again, as I reflect on the meaning of July 4 in the current state of affair, I can only said we have a long way to go to live up to our ideas we've usually celebrate.  Lets work to make that day of honest truth and reconciliation for all come sooner, rather than later. Peace.

Another Belated Sunday Music Muse Day post - Terje Rypdal, David Darling, Jan Garbarek with Bill Conners.

Here's another belated Sunday Music Muse Day, featuring some vinyl records, which I don't have on CD.  First up is saxophonist Jan Garbarek Places, an 1977 ECM release, featuring Bill Connors (post Chick Corea's Return to Forever) on acoustic guitar, Jack DeJohnette on Drums and John Taylor on organ and piano. I'm almost positive I picked this up because of Bill Connors.  I think I appreciate it more now than when I first bought, as I was still into the heavy guitar fusion style. My tastes have mellowed over the years and ECM recordings helped.

My second choice is another ECM release (1984) Terje Rypdal David Darling Eos (note the album title doesn't appear on the front cover). By the 80's I was interested in picking up any by ECM, and had several by guitarist Rypdal, a very esoteric player. This duet album with cellist David Daring definitely fits that description.  I still need to explore it more.

I think I'll be digging into my vinyl stack in the coming weeks.  It's like visiting old friend, who you lost touch with.