Sunday Music Muse Day - Astro Project, Pat Martino.

This Sunday Music Muse Day find Rochester, pleasant warm and sunny day, not boiling as my friend on the West Coast.  Having lived in LA,  I feel for them.  I'm enjoying the weather with two good musical selections.  First is Astral Project Elevado, a modern jazzy group that I was attraction the 7-electric guitar playing of Steve Masakowski.  I have several releases by the group, and is a nice set of original tunes members of the group. I hope to hear more.

Next, is the late, great jazz guitarist, Pat Martino Desperado.  This 1970 session was Martino's fifth release as a leader.  Most striking thing to me, is he's playing electronic 12-string guitar.  Pnly two other jazz players come to mind for using a 12-string and that John McLaughlin with the 12-string being on his famous double-neck guitar he used with Mahavishu Orchestra, and the other is Ralph Towner, although I think his was an acoustic 12-string with maybe an internal pickup. This definitely has a raw, early jazz fusion sound, like early Larry Coryell on his "Barefoot Boy" album.  It's great to listen to this for it's jazz guitar historical context.  It's always nice to find a gem like this that fills a gap in my Pat Martino collection.

So, if you're in the areas experiencing the blazing heat, stay cool, hydrated, and safe.   

Sunday Music Muse Day - Tribute Pat Martino

Today’s Sunday Music Muse is a tribute to Pat Martino, the legendary jazz guitarist, who passed away this week. I can’t equal the many tribute written about him online, remarking on his musical talent but also his human spirit in over becoming a brain injury that robbed him of his ability to play guitar. He amazingly taught himself to play again, in what can only be one of the most inspirational personal stories ever. So, I’ll choice to listen to his music from several CDs I have, ( I hsave several originally on vinyl albums) and enjoy a piece of the musical legacy he leaves behind. My thanks to my friend Rodney Means, who first introduced me to Pat Martino’s music. RIP Pat, and thanks the music.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Gary Burton, Pat Martino

This Sunday Music Muse Day selections of two jazz giants who need no introductions.  First up, Gary Burton of Friends Departure. The legendary vibraphonist's friends include John Scofield, on guitar, and Peter Erskine, on drum. It pleasurable session recorded in 1997, and sounds fresh as ever.

From the first flurry of guitar notes, there is no mistaking the artistry on display on Pat Martino Live at Yoshi's.  This trio outing with Joey DeFrancesco on the Hammond B-3 organ, and Billy Hart on drums makes you envious of the jazz lovers in the club audience.  I'm glad to share their excitement and pleasure when listening to this CD.

It's a cool, but sunny spring day, so it might be good to take walk in the sunshine and return to enjoy an afternoon cup of tea, and some good tunes.  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 - Pat Martino

For this, the last Sunday Music Muse Day of October, I offer a double dose of the incredible jazz guitar legend, Pat Martino.  Both the CD are of sessions he made after recovering from a serious illness the robbed him of his memory, and the ability to play guitar. He basically taught himself play all over again.  You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the before and after period.  It's a amazing, inspiring story. First up is Pat Martino Interchange (1994) a collection of six tunes, five Pat original and one Mile Davis tune, Blue in Green.

The second CD is Pat Martino Nightwings, released in 1996, two years after Interchange, but actually record in May 27, 1994.  Just three months after Interchange was record (March 1, 1994)  I guess they wanted to spread out the goodness.

 Again, Pat Martino's story and music should be an inspiration to all showing the strength of the creative human spirit. It's the  positive boost we need to get us through those trying times.

Sunday Music Muse day - Pat Martino, Matthew Stevens, Bob Wijnen, Anthon Wilson

Today's Sunday Music Muse Day falls on Super Bowl Sunday.  What better way to fill the time before the BIg Game, than to listen to good music.

First up is Pat Martino Formidable, the latest release from the jazz guitar legend.  His music is amazing as ever and totally inspiring when you consider the tragedy of his brain injury, resulting in him having to learn to guitar all over again.  I remarkable story, and man.

As side note, I just joined a Facebook group Play Jazz Guitar and they are featuring learning to play the tune Sunny, which Martino's version is well known to all jazz lover.

The next selection of young players fairly to me. Matthew Stevens Woodwork is a CD by a young guitarist I read about in an article on a jazz site and look him up on youtude.  The video was of two tunes on this CD, Ashes (one and two). I like the tunes and feel the live youtube version, which combines the two parts into one take is the better version Hopefully he'll release it on a future CD.

Next is Bob Wijnen NYC Unforeseen, a quartet by the young pianist, featuring Peter Bernstein on guitar, Dezron Douglas on Bass, and Billy Drummond on drums.  Bernstein and Drummond I've heard of, the other players are new to me.  But I like group, and it good to try new groups.

Last is Anthony Wilson Goat Hill Junket, a young guitarist fronting a large ensemble offering a nice energetic mix of jazz standard tunes and originals by Wilson.

All in all, a nice group of CDs for pre-game entertainment.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day, Joey DeFrancesco, Dextor Gordon, and Pat Metheny

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day offers a nice blend of classic Jazz sounds from well known artists.  First up, Hammond B-3 organist, Joey Defrancesco Ballads and Blues, featuring guitar legend Pat Martino on two cuts.  The Hammond B-3 is such a distinctive sound in jazz, and Joey DeFrancesco is a major force in keeping that sound alive and well in today's jazz arena.

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day offers a nice blend of classic Jazz sounds from well known artists.  First up, Hammond B-3 organist, Joey Defrancesco Ballads and Blues, featuring guitar legend Pat Martino on two cuts.  The Hammond B-3 is such a distinctive sound in jazz, and Joey DeFrancesco is a major force in keeping that sound alive and well in today's jazz arena.

Last, but no least, another Pat Metheny CD, Pat Metheny Group We Live Here.  There is always room for another Metheny offering in my collection.  He still is one of my all time favorites.  Part of that is I discovered him at the very start of his career and it's like we grew up together.  I think a lot of us may feel that way about artists we bonded with, when we were young.  You find yourself so happy they're still making good music that you enjoy.

It is a chilly cloudy day, just the thing to sit back and listen to some good tunes.  Enjoy.

Sunday Muse Day - Miles Davis & Sonny Rolliins, Al Martino, Al DiMeola

 For my Sunday Music Muse Day (also a day without football) I started with some Miles Davis & Sonny Rollins The Classic Prestige Sessions, 1951-1956. The perfect sounds to enjoy with my waffles and coffee breakfast by.

Then I popped in some Pat Martino from a CD "First Light" a re-issue with two of my favorites "Joyous Lake" and "Starbright". Both feature Pat using early guitar synthesizers and they still sound fresh.

  Keeping the electric groove going I rounded out the day with the Al DiMeola Project "Kiss My Axe". With Al on Gibson 175 electric guitar and PRS guitar with a Roland GR50 Syth Pick up and Classical Flamenco Acoustic Guitar.

 Check these out if you get a chance. I think you'll enjoy them.