Sunday Music Muse Day (day-late) Dominic Miller, Julian Lage

This day late, Sunday Music Muse Day, has me featuring two guitarists I think of as part of the second, or third-generation of jazz guitarists after the first I was introduced to, like John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Larry Coryell, and Pat Martino, and others. Mainly, guitarists playing jazz-fusion in the 70's and 80's. First up, Julian Lage Speak to Me. Reviewing his Wikipedia page, for a relatively young player, Lage has an impressive discography. Speak to Me is a subdued outing, but full of thoughtful, entertaining music.

My second choice, Dominic Miller Second Nature.  Again, Miller is a guitarist I really wasn't aware of except for seeing his name on a ECM recording (to be honest, I took a chance on this one because it was a cheaper price).  And, again, reviewing his Wikipedia page, I realized he's been building a impressive discography as a leader and sideman, most notably as the guitarist for many of String's post Police recordings.  I like hearing his nylon string guitar playing in various group combinations.  I'll definitely pick up his ECM recording next time I go CD shopping.

I like to found new music, well at least to me.  Hope you enjoy my sharing these.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Brad Mehldau Trio, Julian Lage

On this sunny and warm Sunday Music Muse Day, it actually seems like spring has finally arrived. The grass is turning green, trees and flowers are blooming.  All in all, it's a good day to enjoy new music.  First up, Brad Mehldau Trio Live, a two CD set recorded at the legendary Village Vanguard in NYC, October 11-15, 2006.  With Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, and Jeff Ballard on drum.  Mehldau once came to my attention with his jazzy renditions of rock tunes, like Beatles' songs. He has esoteric style with a hint of avant-garde in his playing, but never too much to be off-putting, just adventurous.  Worth a listen.

Next up is Julian Lage The Layers. This EP  CD featuring the guitarist teaming with guitarist Bill Frisell on five of the six tracks, all six originals of Lage.  It's nice mellow affair, which could fall into the modern Americana music Frisell is known for, with lot of acoustic guitar playing by both.

I hope the weather is nice wherever you are, and you get to enjoy it.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Julian Lage, California Guitar Trio

The Sunday Music Muse Day finds me back into guitar-centric music.  First up, is the new release from Julian Lage View with a Room. It's tasty, subdued session, in that good way, with guitarist Bill Frisell added to the trio of Lage on guitar, Jorge Roeder on acoustic bass, and Dave King on drums. I think this CD will be spending a lot of time on my player.

My second selection was a leap of faith, as I liked the cover art, California Guitar Trio Pathways. This group is hard to categorize, it seems to come from music conservatory roots, with renditions of some well known classical pieces and modern compositions dropped in like Mason Williams "Classical Gas" and Dick Dale "Misirlou" used in the movie Pulp Fiction.  Lisa said it reminded her of the music played in the NYC Star Magic, a New Age gift shop. It's a worth giving it try.

A pleasant fall weekend comes to an end, but seek for and enjoyment of good music continues.

Sunday Music Muse Day - John Scofield, Nels Cline & Julian Lage

Today Sunday Music Muse Day  presents guitar three guitarists, one solo and a two in a duet.  First is John Scofield in his self titled solo outing for ECM, his first for ECM and his first solo release in his nearly fifty year professional career.  This is much anticipated release, by me and other long time fans. It is a introspective  collection showing Scofield eclectic taste in his tune selection, a jazz standard, traditional, country, and pop, plus originals.  He choose to use just electric guitar and looper (a device for live performance over dubbing).  Over all,  I can't say this solo effort is totally engaging. It feels more like a afternoon of noodling. It maybe be unfair to it compared to John Abercrombie first solo ECM album, Characters, (one of my all time favorite albums) make with full studio overdubbing, this Scofield session come off as nice but not memorable. I would like to hear as more fully realized solo effort from Scofield, I think he still it in him.

The duet CD is Nels Cline & Julian Lage Room. This too is more introspective listening experience,  a 4/5 star online review states, 'Each track has its own character, but the entire album is permeated by the two guitarists' inventiveness and sensitive accompanying ability."  I would agree this, this intimate session at times reminds me of John McLaughlin solo pieces on his My Goals Beyond. Well worth seeking this out this 2014 release.

Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - John Stein, Julian Lage

This Sunday Music Muse Day still finds us in the glow of the Holiday Season.  But personally I've had enough of the Christmas music, sorry.  So, lets move on with these two selections from two jazz guitarists I've only personally discovered in the past few years.  First, John Stein Watershed is the jazz guitartist's first effort after stepping down from his long teaching career at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. This a nice straight ahead seesion of most original.  I'll be sure to look for more John Stein CDs.

Next is Julian Lage Squint. Lage is well known Grammy Awards (2010, 2018, & 2019) winning guitarist, "A child prodigy, Lage was the subject of the 1996 short documentary film Jules at Eight.^[1] At 12, he performed at the 2000 Grammy Awards." - Wikipedia. I just hadn't come across him before several years ago.  Squint is his latest release and has shown up on several Jazz best albums of the year list.  I do have several of his releases as a leader and with other leaders like vibraphonist Gary Burton. So, I guess for me it's better late than never.

As we continue our Holiday Season, stay safe, stay health, and enjoy family and friends.  And be grateful for the good things in your life. Enjoy, and peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Julian Lage, Anthony Wilson

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us in the Memorial Day weekend.  A time to remember and reflect on the fallen who give their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms and rights they believed in. This week I have two young guitarists who are in the up and coming stage in their careers.  In looking up their backgrounds I found they came together for a special project, more later.  First up is Julian Lage Love Hurts, his latest release which get 4 out of 5 star review in All About Jazz website.  In this CD I hear a echoes of Larry Coryell in his playing.  That is not a bad thing.

Next is Anthony Wilson Adult Themes.  This young jazz guitarist, composer and arranger is the son Gerald Wilson, the famous bandleader.  Anthony Wilson has earn much praise in his own right.  His first self-named album earned a Grammy Nomination.  All Music reviewer Alex Henderson give Adult Themes 3 out of 5 stars, saying, "this CD is noteworthy not only because of Wilson's Wes Montgomery-influenced guitar playing, but also because of his arranging and composing".  He adds, "Adult Themes innovative, but this enjoyable date is certainly neither generic nor predictable. I agree with this last statement totally.  I'll have to seek out his other 9 releases.

In researching  their background I discovered Julian Lage and Anthony Wilson are part of a guitar quartet project inspired by a custom guitar builder John Monteleone. He commissioned Los Angeles-based composer Anthony Wilson to create an original song cycle that would showcase the instruments he build together.
Here's a youtube clip of the Seasons Quartet.

Again, enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.