Playlist for 4-2-2013 WFCF - Jazz Greats

the reddest cd packaging you've ever seen - the liner notes
are even more unbelievably red.

First 4 hour show and it's themed! This week was all about the letter "L": each song's title started with the letter. Music from Warne Marsh, Monk, possibly the weirdest Sonny Rollins album ever, a classic from Ornette and much more + selections from the new jazz shelf - as long as they started with the letter "L". Thanks for tuning in & making it fun! - DJ Kendo

Hour One:

Poncho Sanchez – “Lover, Come Back to Me”  - Chile Con Soul (1989)

Thelonious Monk – “Let’s Call This” – Thelonious Monk Quintet Blows for LP (1953)

Lee Konitz & Warne Marsh 1976 -
I need a pair of those pants, Lee.

     3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Brecker Brothers – “Levitate” – Brecker Brothers (1975)

Warne Marsh – “Lover Man” – Jazz of Two Cities (1956)

Stan Kenton – “Lonely Woman”  - Standards in Silhouette (1959)

Bill Evans – “Little Lulu” – Trio ’64 (1963)

Sonny Rollins – “Love Letters” - & Co 1964 (1964)

Lighthouse Little Big Band – “Lighthouse Blues” (2012) 

La Lucha – “La Migra” – La Lucha (2012)

Sonny Stitt – “Laura” – Just in Case You Forgot How Bad He Really Was (1981)

Hour Two:Art Tatum – “Love for Sale” – (1953)

Airto - "Lucky Southern" - Free (1972) CTI Moment

Stan Getz – “Livin' It Up” – Children of the World (1979)
WFCF Vinyl

Ornette Coleman - 70's

Tom Stewart – “Let It Burn” – Flyer (2012)

Randy Crawford & Joe Sample – "Lovetown"  - Feeling Good (2007)

Ornette Coleman – “Lonely Woman” – The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959)

Lester Young – “Lester Smooths It Out” – Complete Aladdin Sessions (recorded 66 years ago today on 4/2/1947)

Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet - "Louisiana Gold" - In A World of Mallets (2013)

Jackie Ryan - "La Puerta" - Listen Here (2013)

Kevin Eubanks - "Loved Ones" - The Messenger (2013)

Hour Three:

Stan Getz – “La Fiesta” – Captain Marvel (1972)

Stan Getz – “Lush Life” – Captain Marvel (1972)

Stan Getz - "The Sound"

Valerie Gillespie – “Lover Man” – Once Again (2003)

Sonny Clark – “Lover” – Cool Struttin’ (1958)

Joe Henderson – “Flamenco Sketches” – So Near, So Far (1993)

 Gary Burton – “Late Snow” – Common Ground (2010)

Sonny Stitt – “Later” – Kaleidescope (1950)

Oscar Peterson – “Lulu’s Back In Town” – My Favorite Instrument (1980)

Hour Four:

Quincy Jones - "Little Karen" - The Quintessence (1961) WFCF Vinyl

Steve Kuhn - ”Ladies in Mercedes” – Porgy (1988)

Wes Montgomery – “Leila” – A Portrait of Wes Montgomery (1958)

Daniel Lantz Trio - "Live and Let Die" - Daniel Lantz Trio Plays Bond (2013)

Art Blakey – “Late Spring” – Hard Drive (1957)


Collins/Shepley Galaxy - "Lady Madonna" - Lennon McCartney Live! (1971) WFCF Vinyl

Miles Davis – “Love Me or Leave Me” – Walkin (recorded 54 years ago on the morrow 4/3/1954)

Larry Coryell - "Lafayette" - The Lift (2013)

Peggy Lee - "Longing for a Simpler Time" - Sings Leiber and Stoller (1975)

Robert Hurst - "Little Queen" - BoB a Palindrome (2013)

Below are purchase links for randomly selected albums from today's show! Treat yourself to some good stuff.

Go-To Album 7

Astrud Gilberto's lone release on the CTI label, but a good one!

Astrud Gilberto - Gilberto with Turrentine

CTI 6008 - Audio sample below the review!

I'll be honest with you - I don't know much of Astrud Gilberto, musically (besides the famous collabs with former beau Getz) other than that her career was something of happenstance; a singer because Stan Getz said so. I was certainly not expecting to have my socks blown off sonically or emotionally when I acquired a vinyl copy a few months back.

Recorded in 1971 - this is CTI at the height of Creed Taylor's creative vision and strength; with chill, simplistic arrangements ahead of their time by newcomer Deodato, extremely catchy and soothing Brazilian pop melodies wafting over sparkling guitars, triangle, electric piano & so-forth. Not to say the album doesn't have that dated, CTI sound; it does, but as in many of these recordings, the effect is not one of awkwardness, but of charm and enchantment. The luscious mixes are an aural delight, supporting and enhancing Gilberto's vocal assets. She sets the dreamy mood perfectly for "Brazilian Tapestry", caresses the lovely melodies of both "Zazueira" and especially "Ponteio", and is the perfect waif on 2 Bacharach/David numbers. Even "Solo e fine" ("For All We Know" of Carpenters fame) and "Theme from Love Story", both sung in Spanish, are surprisingly compelling, much less fluffy than you're imagining right now.

Astrud Gilberto circa 1964

The  addition of Stanley Turrentine was nothing short of genius. His engaged, soulful & expressive solos and interjections on some of the numbers make the recording wonderfully satisfying for jazz lovers. Obviously inspired by the arrangements, he lays down some of his best recorded work; even getting the haunting instrumental "Vera Cruz" to stretch out on. Also in the groove are Bob Mann on guitar, Airto on percussion, Ron Carter on bass, (Russell George takes the electric bass numbers) and even Toots Thielemans on harmonica!

Here is an important note, tho' - I am speaking about the mixes on the vinyl version, do not get the cd version! The cd has been remixed, much for the worse, with everything re-panned, reverb and delay removed, congas pulled way back and triangle pushed way up front - eek!! The remix leaves Astrud swinging in the breeze - way up front in the mix, with nothing to hide her frailties and occasional flatness. I am not overstating - it is like owning a different album - a very un-special one with little delight for your ears. If you have a turntable - don't even think twice. The vinyl is a highly rewarding experience.

Below I've posted my own gently remastered version of "Brazilian Tapestry" taken from the original vinyl. Enjoy! - DJ Kendo

Below is a link to some vinyl copies for sale on Amazon - when you use these links
to treat yourself, you also help support this blog! :)

Playlist for 1-29-2013 WFCF - Jazz Greats

"Without a Net" show - where I don't bring music to the station, but instead choose from the magnificent library of cds and vinyl that WFCF boasts. Some very enjoyable moments including Organik Vibe Trio, Bill Watrous, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Claire Daly Quartet!

I plan on doing this type of show anytime there is a 5th Tuesday in the month - just to show off the hard work our jazz director has done over the years, and to delve into the vast collection of jazz vinyl the station has acquired. Thanks for tuning in! - DJ Kendo

Hour One:

Organik Vibe Trio - "So In Love" - Moscow (2012)

Sarah Vaughan - "So Many Stars" - Send in the Clowns (comp.)

3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Anita O’Day – “Easy Living” – Incomparable! (1964)

Chick Corea – “Friends” – Friends (1978)

Rez Abassi Trio - "Divided Attention" - Continuous Beat (2012)

Airto – "Creek (Arroio)" – Free (1972) CTI Moment

Bill Watrous - "Zip City" - Manhattan Wildlife Refuge (1974)

LaVerne Butler - "Travelin' Light" - Love Lost and Found Again (2012)

Louis Armstrong - "St. Louis Blues" - Celebrating the Best of Jazz (comp.)

Hour Two:

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra - "Say It Softly" - Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard (2008)

Chet Baker - "How Long Has This Been Going On" - Chet Plays for Lovers (comp.)

McCoy Tyner - "Song For My Lady" - Song For My Lady (1972)Stan Getz – “Blood Count” – Pure Getz (recorded 31 Years ago today – 1/29/1982)

Thelonious Monk – “Nice Work If You Can Get It” – It’s Monk Time (recorded 49 Years ago today – 1/29/1964)

Claire Daly Quartet - "Light Blue" - Baritone Monk (2012)

Doug Carn - "New Incentive" - A New Incentive (2001)

Graham Dechter - "Hocus Pocus" - Takin' It There (2012)

Pancho Molina/Elias Meister - Ulises - Open for Business (2012)

Go-To Album 6

Stan Getz - Captain Marvel (1972)

For a number of years back on Long Island, I had a night-time playlist I'd load on my computer just before hitting the hay. The first track was "La Fiesta" from this amazing outing from Getz. Every night, I'd listen enrapt, and not once did I get tired of it.

Recorded a good half a year before Return to Forever covered the same material (and just a month after they recorded their first album), Chick is obviously on a writing high; and this lineup of Stan's had recently been clubbing and performing these numbers. 

If you can't get enough of "Light as a Feather" then this is a fabulous addition to your pleasantries. Stan is in peak form, relishing Chick's sumptuous compositions - "Times Lie" in particular is a must-hear. Also included are "500 Miles High", "Day Waves" and the title track, all penned by Corea. The cd has 2 alternate takes plus a fine, pensive version of "Crystal Silence". Add to it all a brief but highly memorable "Lush Life" - essential Getz.

The band: Corea, Stanley Clarke on bass, Tony Williams on drums putting a different, harder spin on the familiar pieces with typical Williams aplomb; and Airto filling the spaces with taste and flair on percussion. Chick is on fire (who  wouldn't be!), and Getz hardly ever sounded better. Three cheers for Stan who didn't settle into a hard-bop 70's malaise of defiance like so many others from his generation at this time - surely one of his gifts was the foresight into what new musical 'fads' would be lasting and classic in jazz. - DJ Kendo   

Here's a video from the same year of the same line-up minus Airto, finishing up "Times Lie" at the Montreaux Jazz Festival!