Sunday Music Muse Day - Jimmy Smith, Gerry Mulligan and Thelonious Monk

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me enjoying two reissues of classic albums.  First up is Jimmy Smith Bashin' The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith, a 1962 recording by the  soulful organist.  I was 12 yrs old in 1962 and  I remember the first cut, "Walk on the Wild Side", the jazz cover of title song of the movie of the same name (Not to be confuse with the Lou Reed rock classic). I grabbed this CD just for that. The movie original have lyrics written by Mack David and music was by Elmer Bernstein.  The Smith version arranged by Oliver Nelson and features Nelson's Big Band, jumps in into high gear when Smith's organ solo kicks in in the later part of the tune.  It was released as single 45 rpm, with the tune split over both sides.  It reached #21 on the Billboard chart. The CD re-issue  has two cuts not on original LP.  An added plus to Walk on the Wild Side is the beginning jingling bells sound like it's going to be a Christmas,  It would great to slip in the Holiday music play list, to shake things up.

Next up is Mulligan meets Monk, as in Gerry Mulligan and Thelonious Monk.  A great pairing of the famed Baritone saxohonist and the legendary Pianist and composer.  Most of the selections are Monk tunes, plus there are three alternate takes not included on the original LP.  Personally I refer like sound the Baritone sax over the alto sax. So I find this very enjoyable.

So, soon I be picking the holiday tunes to play.  Just the thing to decorate the Xmas tree by.  Until enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Triocity with Rich Thompson, Thelonious Monk

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds the starting weekend of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.  I hope to get to a few concerts and shows.  Unfortunately I'll miss my first selection performance tonight, Triocity I believe in You, with local drummer Rich Thompson.  I'll have to console myself with listening to this recent release, a solid set of post-bop playing.  I'll be sure to catch one of Rich's gig soon.

My second selection is a classic, Thelonius Monk Underground.  This CD is a nice reissue of the classic album with several added bonus track not on the original album.  The cover photo is amazing.  Listening  to Monk's music is always adventurous and intriguing experience. I'm sure a couple of Monk tunes will be played by some jazz artist during this week's festival.

 If you in the local area, do yourself a favor and get attend the Jazz Festival, many events are free. It looks Rochester at it;s best.  Lisa and I are Jazz 90.1 Street Team Volunteers and will be manning the booth during the last weekend. See you there.

Sunday Music Muse day - Johnny Smith, George Van Eps, Ralph Towner, Thelonious Monk.

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day, again finds us suffering cold, icy, weather in the what is supposed to be Spring.  Although our region seems to have been spared the ice storm predicted, it's still cold, grey and dreary.  The way to brighten the day is with some good music.  I started the morning with The Definitive Thelonious Monk on Prestige and Riverside, a 2 CD collection of Monk tracks from his albums on the those classic record labels.  I admit to coming late to Monk's catalog of music.  For me his name always conjures up visions of adventurous, and thoughtful music. The 18 page booklet contains tons of info, and reproductions of album covers.

As I settled into midday, I enjoy this CD of two legendary guitarists, Johnny Smith / George Van Eps Legends: Solo Guitar Performances.  This mellow and gentle CD glows with quiet fire and musical integrity.  Johnny Smith had a hit with Stan Getz in 1952 with "Moonlight in Vermont". His session on this CD was recorded in 1976.  George Van Eps lengthy career credits includes playing with Benny Goodman, and Frank Sinatra.  He is well known for his developing and using the 7-string guitar, which extended the low range. (I had trouble stringing a 6-string guitar, so playing 7-strings in out of the question for me). This is perfect background music for a winter day (in Spring) or a quiet gathering of friends.  Try it.

My last selection is Ralph Towner City of Eyes, which finds the adventurous guitarist displaying his multi-instrumental talent beyond his usual classical guitar with 12 string guitar, piano (actually his first instrument) and Synthesizer.  The group also includes Paul McCandless a band mate from Oregon, on Oboe and English horn.  A online review states "In essence, City of Eyes shows Ralph Towner as a musical explorer again, a composer and instrumentalist who can persuasively create aural travelogues through time, space, and terrain." I would agree and intend to enjoy the journey."

Eventually, spring will arrive, until then we have to use music to bring sunshine into our days. Enjoy.