 |
| circa 1965 photo: Francis Wolff |
Grant Green - "Somewhere In the Night"
Dexter Gordon - "Le Coiffeur"
Bobby Hutcherson - "Maiden Voyage"
Friday, July 17, 2015
InstaCollection - That Sound!
InstaCollection! - start or freshen up your jazz collection with Kendo recommends! Buy downloads for your phone/pc using the handy links or just load the titles into your favorite music streaming service!
These are 3 Blue Note recordings from 1964, 1965 & 1966, respectively, that feature Bobby Hutcherson on vibes - a regular at the label who brought freshness and a distinguishing mood to their catalog; defining a big part of the sixties mainstream jazz sound in the process. "Somewhere in the Night" is a mellow swing number with a very appealing melody. Grant Green sounds inspired by the heavy company: Larry Young, Elvin Jones and Hutcherson! Dexter Gordon's irresistible "Le Coiffeur" is one of his best; a perky quasi-cha-cha that has Bobby front and center and a great groove from drummer Billy Higgins. "Maiden Voyage" is from Bobby's own classic "Happenings" album, and sports the composer Herbie Hancock on an atmospheric, gently driving version of this great composition!
Grant Green - "Somewhere In the Night"
Dexter Gordon - "Le Coiffeur"
Bobby Hutcherson - "Maiden Voyage"
Grant Green - "Somewhere In the Night"
Dexter Gordon - "Le Coiffeur"
Bobby Hutcherson - "Maiden Voyage"
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Long-Ass Car Ride Review! Peter Bernstein, Chris Kelsey/Dom Minasi
Long-Ass Car Ride Reviews: I take long-ass car rides, I listen to albums, I let you know if they are worthwhile.
Peter Bernstein with the Tilden Webb Trio - Live at Cory Weeds' Cellar Jazz Club (2012) 7.25/10
In a word - satisfying
The album begins slightly ho-hum with the only original in the set: "Bones", a commonplace blues head. On the heels of that is the cd's standout track "Darn That Dream". Yep. It's a Cellar Live label release of straight-aheadness. Peter Bernstein's sincerity and quest for harmonic expression make this particular one quite worthwhile, and the trio is very supportive. Standard after standard receive Bernstein's full emotional commitment and technical expertise. "Darn That Dream" shows off his luscious guitar tones and constant stream of solid ideas that please and fascinate. "Love For Sale" features several very fine choruses, the final chordal one is especially fine. "Wise One" was a great choice to offset the warhorses, but would've fared better without the McCoy-isms and Elvin-isms. "Come Rain or Come Shine" sports the best solo from competent and swinging pianist Tilden Webb. Bassist Jodi Proznick takes a lengthy turn in "Django" and drummer Jesse Cahill finally gets some in "What Is This Thing Called Love", but mostly the unit does a great job in letting Bernstein shine, giving him plenty of comfort while he lets loose. Well played live jazz!
Chris Kelsey & Dom Minasi - Duets|NYC/Woodstock (2014) 6.25/10
In a word - Braxtony
The cons: First off - completely free jazz is not my bag. Seriously, whose bag is it? If it's yours, you can add another 2 points to the rating. Truth: the layman off the street won't be able to distinguish the middle of one track from the middle of another. There is nothing "new" here, it could easily be a recording from 1965. Finally - I think Dom Minasi is a great guitarist. It's hard to tell from the sound he emits on this release. Think Joe Cinderella on vinyl circa 1957, your stylus is shot and there's a healthy wad of dust under it, plus someone draped an old tee shirt over one of the speakers. About midway thru the album I got a slight headache coincidentally on the same side as Minasi's guitar is panned.
The pros: I never felt compelled to turn the cd off. Chris Kelsey is quite the gifted soprano saxophonist (highly evidenced during the last minute of the opener "Fondness & Trepidation"). His tone is great and both artists cover most of the emotional spectrum allowed by this sort of music. The necessary empathy between players is in abundance. The tunes (if I may use that word) are never boring and more often than not engaging (they can in fact be distinguished one from the other). The shorter cuts work best. "Tip Toe" was my favorite, and "Blues Ultimatum" and "That Ain't the Blues" are also highlights. If you are in the mood for this sort of thing, it will be a fine listen.
In a word - satisfying
The album begins slightly ho-hum with the only original in the set: "Bones", a commonplace blues head. On the heels of that is the cd's standout track "Darn That Dream". Yep. It's a Cellar Live label release of straight-aheadness. Peter Bernstein's sincerity and quest for harmonic expression make this particular one quite worthwhile, and the trio is very supportive. Standard after standard receive Bernstein's full emotional commitment and technical expertise. "Darn That Dream" shows off his luscious guitar tones and constant stream of solid ideas that please and fascinate. "Love For Sale" features several very fine choruses, the final chordal one is especially fine. "Wise One" was a great choice to offset the warhorses, but would've fared better without the McCoy-isms and Elvin-isms. "Come Rain or Come Shine" sports the best solo from competent and swinging pianist Tilden Webb. Bassist Jodi Proznick takes a lengthy turn in "Django" and drummer Jesse Cahill finally gets some in "What Is This Thing Called Love", but mostly the unit does a great job in letting Bernstein shine, giving him plenty of comfort while he lets loose. Well played live jazz!
In a word - Braxtony
The cons: First off - completely free jazz is not my bag. Seriously, whose bag is it? If it's yours, you can add another 2 points to the rating. Truth: the layman off the street won't be able to distinguish the middle of one track from the middle of another. There is nothing "new" here, it could easily be a recording from 1965. Finally - I think Dom Minasi is a great guitarist. It's hard to tell from the sound he emits on this release. Think Joe Cinderella on vinyl circa 1957, your stylus is shot and there's a healthy wad of dust under it, plus someone draped an old tee shirt over one of the speakers. About midway thru the album I got a slight headache coincidentally on the same side as Minasi's guitar is panned.
The pros: I never felt compelled to turn the cd off. Chris Kelsey is quite the gifted soprano saxophonist (highly evidenced during the last minute of the opener "Fondness & Trepidation"). His tone is great and both artists cover most of the emotional spectrum allowed by this sort of music. The necessary empathy between players is in abundance. The tunes (if I may use that word) are never boring and more often than not engaging (they can in fact be distinguished one from the other). The shorter cuts work best. "Tip Toe" was my favorite, and "Blues Ultimatum" and "That Ain't the Blues" are also highlights. If you are in the mood for this sort of thing, it will be a fine listen.
Playlist for 7-14-2015 WFCF - Jazz Greats!
I got some of the playlist done today! (I've been a little distracted lately, can you tell?) Nonetheless - there's a lot more cd in my bag, and I inherited more vinyl last week - we'll be digging into that, including original pressings of "The Best of Bethlehem" and a Pacific Jazz sampler! Lots of new jazz and plenty of variety... tune in via iHeart by clicking here. Say hi or follow the show on Twitter! See you then - Kendo
Hour One:
Jeff Rupert - "The Norfolk Southern RR" - From Memphis to Mobile (2009)
Gonzalo Rubalcaba - "Bouncin' With Bud" - Diz (1993)
3:15 Jazz Coffee Break
Allison Paris - "Don't Blame Me" - Second Chances (2003)
Teddy Charles - "The Quiet Time" - The Teddy Charles Tentet (1956)
Dinah Washington - "I Remember You" - What a Diff'rence a Day Makes (1959)
Peter Bernstein - "Darn That Dream" - With The Tilden Webb Trio (2012)
Cassandra Wilson - "Billie's Blues" - Coming Forth by day (2014)
Cory Weeds - "'Snuff" - Condition Blue (2014)
Aimee Allen - "Out of the Blue" - Matter of Time (2014)
Hour Two:
Larry Young - "Monk's Dream" - Unity (1965)
Art Tatum - "I'll See You In My Dreams" - Solo Masterpieces Volume Two (1953)
Wayne Shorter - "Go" - Schizophrenia (1967)
Larry Young - "The Moontrane" - Unity (1965)
Jeff "Tain" Watts - "May 15, 2011" -- Blue Vol. 1 (2014)
Jason Miles - "Seeing Through the Rain" - Kind of New (2014)
Johnny Smith - "Jaguar" - Moonlight in Vermont (1952)
Gabor Szabo - "Witchcraft" - Spellbinder (1966)
Michael Petrovich - "Bella Luna" - Bella Luna (2012)
Hour Three:
Grant Green - "More Today Than Yesterday" - Live at Club Mozambique (1971) - Ride Home!
Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band - "Get Up, Stand Up" - Low Ridin' (2014)
Harold Mabern (with Kurt Elling) - "You Needed Me" - Afro Blue (2014)
Jose James - "Tenderly" - Yesterday I Had the Blues (2014)
Art Blakey - "Calling Miss Khadija" - Indestructable (1964)
Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet - "Black Market" - Intents and Purposes (2014)
O Som Do Jazz - "Batucada" - A Kiss For Rio (2013)
Frank Sinatra - "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" - At Last: Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967)
Hour Four:
Pointer Sisters - "Cloudburst" - Pointer Sisters (1973)
Thelonious Monk - "Work" - Thelonious Monk Plays (1953)
Sarah Vaughan - East of the Sun" - In HiFi (compilation)
David Sanborn - "Can't Get Next To You" - Time and the River (2014)
Wes Montgomery - "Days of Wine and Roses" - Boss Guitar (1963)
Brother Jack McDuff - "Gin and Orange" - Gin and Orange (1969)
Urbie Green - "Mutation" - Bethlehem's Best (comp)
Don Elliott - "Summer Setting" - Bethlehem's Best (comp)
Julie London - "Motherless Child" - Bethlehem's Best (comp)
Dan Jordan - "Modinha" - Pure Joy (2015)
Maria Schneider Orchestra - "The Thompson Fields" - The Thompson Fields (2014)
Hour One:
Jeff Rupert - "The Norfolk Southern RR" - From Memphis to Mobile (2009)
 |
| great playing by Jeff & Kenny Drew Jr! |
Gonzalo Rubalcaba - "Bouncin' With Bud" - Diz (1993)
3:15 Jazz Coffee Break
Allison Paris - "Don't Blame Me" - Second Chances (2003)
Teddy Charles - "The Quiet Time" - The Teddy Charles Tentet (1956)
Dinah Washington - "I Remember You" - What a Diff'rence a Day Makes (1959)
Peter Bernstein - "Darn That Dream" - With The Tilden Webb Trio (2012)
Cassandra Wilson - "Billie's Blues" - Coming Forth by day (2014)
Cory Weeds - "'Snuff" - Condition Blue (2014)
Aimee Allen - "Out of the Blue" - Matter of Time (2014)
Hour Two:
Larry Young - "Monk's Dream" - Unity (1965)
 |
| Forward-looking recordings - what a band! |
Art Tatum - "I'll See You In My Dreams" - Solo Masterpieces Volume Two (1953)
Wayne Shorter - "Go" - Schizophrenia (1967)
Larry Young - "The Moontrane" - Unity (1965)
Jeff "Tain" Watts - "May 15, 2011" -- Blue Vol. 1 (2014)
Jason Miles - "Seeing Through the Rain" - Kind of New (2014)
Johnny Smith - "Jaguar" - Moonlight in Vermont (1952)
Gabor Szabo - "Witchcraft" - Spellbinder (1966)
Michael Petrovich - "Bella Luna" - Bella Luna (2012)
Hour Three:
Grant Green - "More Today Than Yesterday" - Live at Club Mozambique (1971) - Ride Home!
Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band - "Get Up, Stand Up" - Low Ridin' (2014)
Harold Mabern (with Kurt Elling) - "You Needed Me" - Afro Blue (2014)
Jose James - "Tenderly" - Yesterday I Had the Blues (2014)
Art Blakey - "Calling Miss Khadija" - Indestructable (1964)
 |
| solid, of course! |
Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet - "Black Market" - Intents and Purposes (2014)
O Som Do Jazz - "Batucada" - A Kiss For Rio (2013)
Frank Sinatra - "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" - At Last: Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967)
Hour Four:
Pointer Sisters - "Cloudburst" - Pointer Sisters (1973)
Thelonious Monk - "Work" - Thelonious Monk Plays (1953)
Sarah Vaughan - East of the Sun" - In HiFi (compilation)
David Sanborn - "Can't Get Next To You" - Time and the River (2014)
Wes Montgomery - "Days of Wine and Roses" - Boss Guitar (1963)
Brother Jack McDuff - "Gin and Orange" - Gin and Orange (1969)
Urbie Green - "Mutation" - Bethlehem's Best (comp)
Don Elliott - "Summer Setting" - Bethlehem's Best (comp)
Julie London - "Motherless Child" - Bethlehem's Best (comp)
Dan Jordan - "Modinha" - Pure Joy (2015)
Maria Schneider Orchestra - "The Thompson Fields" - The Thompson Fields (2014)
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Instacollection! - Music for Insomniacs!
InstaCollection! - start or freshen up your jazz collection with Kendo recommends! Buy downloads for your phone/pc using the handy links or just load the titles into your favorite music streaming service!
This week's recommends are four long, evolving tracks that are especially good for late night listening by those who are trying to sleep but can't. Interesting enough to fight the boredom and overthinking, but dreamy enough to let you nod off when it's time!
Stan Getz - "Times Lie"
Freddie Hubbard - "Sky Dive"
Miles Davis - "Bag's Groove"
Hal McKusick - "I'm Glad There Is You"
This week's recommends are four long, evolving tracks that are especially good for late night listening by those who are trying to sleep but can't. Interesting enough to fight the boredom and overthinking, but dreamy enough to let you nod off when it's time!
Stan Getz - "Times Lie"
Freddie Hubbard - "Sky Dive"
Miles Davis - "Bag's Groove"
Hal McKusick - "I'm Glad There Is You"
ps - another great cut for late night listening is Miles Davis' "Tout de Suite". It's not available online as an independent track, but you can program it into your streaming playlist :)
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Long-Ass Car Ride Review! - Gloria Estefan, MARS 4-Tet
Long-Ass Car Ride Review: I take long-ass car rides, I listen to albums, I let you know if they're worthwhile.
Gloria Estefan - The Standards (2013) 6.25/10
in a word: suitable
I was not expecting to like this at all...were you? lol Surprisingly, this is a decent album. Her voice has aged well and is nicely suited to most of the material. Sinatra she is not, but the lyrics are internalized in her usual fashion (just enough), going for beauty more often than drama. There are even moments when you will be slightly impressed, she can be wonderfully precise on her approach. All of the readings are competent and enjoyable. She doesn't reach beyond here stylistic limitations, but rather works with what she has and pulls it off. The arrangements are by Shelly Berg, so the harmonies keep the otherwise innocuous backdrops interesting. The playing is competent but no soloist really soars. Estefan sounds best (of course) on the tracks with Latin rhythms (Eu Sie Que Vou Te Amar in particular is well done) but really all the tracks work fine but for one: the jazziest and oddly arranged "How Long Has This Been Going On". Highlights include "Good Morning Heartache", "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Young At Heart". It's mellow, for sure, but it's nice.
MARS 4-Tet - The Blind Watchmaker (2014) 7.25/10
In a word: peaceful
Although the album is bookended by playfulness; a fun, inventive spin on Thelonious Monk's "Bye Ya" and a more chaotic and reinvented "Black Dog" (Led Zeppelin), the majority of this album has a mellow, slightly spacy jazz rock air to it; due in part to the rounder guitar sound Donato Soveiro favors (although he does employ a sweet rock tone here and there) as well as a superb mix. Everyone plays just fine, and this band functions very well as a unit. The standout track by far is saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk's moody and dreamy "Suddenly". The two Americana-flavored cuts also are pretty hip, Antoniuk's gospel-esque "Cowboy" and a fine reading of Keith Jarrett's "Country". No clunkers on the disc, and Soveiro's "Rudy's Blues" throws in a nice bit of contrasting straight-ahead feel. Overall, the originals by Antoniuk and Soveiro that dominate the set are unique, hypnotic, often easy on the ears and executed with taste and appeal. Good jazz!
in a word: suitable
I was not expecting to like this at all...were you? lol Surprisingly, this is a decent album. Her voice has aged well and is nicely suited to most of the material. Sinatra she is not, but the lyrics are internalized in her usual fashion (just enough), going for beauty more often than drama. There are even moments when you will be slightly impressed, she can be wonderfully precise on her approach. All of the readings are competent and enjoyable. She doesn't reach beyond here stylistic limitations, but rather works with what she has and pulls it off. The arrangements are by Shelly Berg, so the harmonies keep the otherwise innocuous backdrops interesting. The playing is competent but no soloist really soars. Estefan sounds best (of course) on the tracks with Latin rhythms (Eu Sie Que Vou Te Amar in particular is well done) but really all the tracks work fine but for one: the jazziest and oddly arranged "How Long Has This Been Going On". Highlights include "Good Morning Heartache", "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Young At Heart". It's mellow, for sure, but it's nice.
In a word: peaceful
Although the album is bookended by playfulness; a fun, inventive spin on Thelonious Monk's "Bye Ya" and a more chaotic and reinvented "Black Dog" (Led Zeppelin), the majority of this album has a mellow, slightly spacy jazz rock air to it; due in part to the rounder guitar sound Donato Soveiro favors (although he does employ a sweet rock tone here and there) as well as a superb mix. Everyone plays just fine, and this band functions very well as a unit. The standout track by far is saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk's moody and dreamy "Suddenly". The two Americana-flavored cuts also are pretty hip, Antoniuk's gospel-esque "Cowboy" and a fine reading of Keith Jarrett's "Country". No clunkers on the disc, and Soveiro's "Rudy's Blues" throws in a nice bit of contrasting straight-ahead feel. Overall, the originals by Antoniuk and Soveiro that dominate the set are unique, hypnotic, often easy on the ears and executed with taste and appeal. Good jazz!
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Playlist for 7-7-2015 WFCF - Wingin' It!
Wingin' it! Having a blast, too! Tune in until 7pm EDT tonight by clicking here. - Kendo
Hour One:Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band - "Low Rider" - Low Ridin' (2014)
Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band - "Walk On the Wild Side" - Low Ridin' (2014)
3:15 Jazz Coffee Break
Gloria Estefan - "Good Morning Heartache" - The Standards (2013)
Mars 4-tet - "Suddenly" - The Blind Watchmaker (2013)
Anita O'Day - "Come Rain or Come Shine" - ??
Donald Fagen - "Slinky Thing" - Sunken Condos (2012)
Grant Green - "Dracula" - Green is Beautiful (1970)
Chick Corea & Return to Forever - "You're Everything" - Light as a Feather (1972)
Monty Alexander - "You Are My Sunshine" - Uplift2 Higher (2012)
Cyrus Chestnut - "Gloria's Step" - A Million Colors In Your Mind (2014)
Hour Two:
Gary Burton - "Brownout" - The New Quartet (1973)
Natalie Cole - "Nice 'n' Easy" - Still Unforgettable (2008)
Cassandra Wilson - "Strange Fruit" - Coming Forth By Day (2014)
Terrell Stafford - "Yes I Can, No You Can't" - Brotherlee Love (2014)
Chris Washburne & the Syotos Band - "Manic Depression" - Low Ridin' (2014)
Steve Wilson & Lewis Nash - "Monk Medley Pt. 2" - Duologue (2013)
Annie Lennox - "I Put a Spell On You" - Nostalgia (2014)
Fred Hersch and Julian Lage - "Free Flying" - Free Flying (2013)
Jason Miles & Ingrid Jensen - "Close to the Action" - Kind of New (2014)
Quincy Davis - "Ponder This" - Songs in the Key of Q ()
Hour Three:
Miles Davis - "Milestones" - Highlights from the Plugged Nickel (1965) Ride Home!
Harold Mabern (with Norah Jones) - "Don't Misunderstand" - Afro Blue (2014)
John Scofield - "Boozer" - A Go Go (1998)
Jose James - "Tenderly" - Yesterday I Had the Blues (2014)
Eric Reed - "Rhythm-a-ning" - The Baddest Monk (2011)
Duke Ellington - "Fleurette Africaine" - Money Jungle (1962)
Dan Jordan - "Triste" - Pure Joy (2015)
Julie London - "Cry Me a River" - Julie Is Her Name (1955)
Dizzy Gillespie - "Swing Low Sweet Cadillac" (1950)
Ella Fitzgerald - "Rocks in My Bed" - Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957)
Cal Tjader/Carmen McRae - "Do Nothing Til You Hear from Me" - Heat Wave (1982)
Hour Four:
Robert Glasper - "I Don't Even Care" - Covered (2014)
Aaron Diehl - "Flux Capacitor" - Space Time Continuum (2014)
Michel Camilo - "City of Angels" - On the Other Hand (1990)
Johnny Hartman - "Almost Like Being In Love" - Unforgettable ()
Lynne Arriale - "Here Comes the Sun" - Convergence (2010)
Santo & Johnny - "Sleepwalk" - Sleepwalk (1959)
Joni Mitchell - "Both Sides Now" - Both Sides Now (1999)
George Cables - "Inner Glow" - CablesVision (1979)
Jim Hall - "Concierto de Aranjuez" - Concierto (1975) CTI Moment
Saturday, July 4, 2015
InstaCollection - July 4th!!
Starting another new thing here on the blog - "Instacollection"! Pretty much recommends for those who are either new to jazz or just want some fresh music in their lives. Buy downloads for your phone/pc from the link or just look the titles up on your favorite music service!
Since it's July 4th - here are some American themed selections. Carl Saunders version of "America the Beautiful" is exceptionally inspiring and swings, Metheny's "American Garage" is an uplifting classic and Bill Evans "Washington Twist" is inventive and fun trio stuff - a perenial favorite for me on Independence Day! Enjoy! - Kendo
Since it's July 4th - here are some American themed selections. Carl Saunders version of "America the Beautiful" is exceptionally inspiring and swings, Metheny's "American Garage" is an uplifting classic and Bill Evans "Washington Twist" is inventive and fun trio stuff - a perenial favorite for me on Independence Day! Enjoy! - Kendo
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