Tuesdays on Mixcloud 5:00-6:30 pm eastern

Livestreams every Tuesday from 5 to 6:30pm on Mixcloud featuring DJ Kendo, plus 11 years of playlists and audio from the show "Jazz Greats" on WFCF St. Augustine!

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

New Video Series Reviews Lesser Known Jazz Albums from 70's and 80's

The 70's in particular were a befuddled time for jazz. Artists didn't know which way to turn to keep or secure an audience. A lot of albums were made in a lot of sub-genres by a lot of artists. For the jazz connoisseur, it can be tricky knowing which albums to avoid, and which ones are hidden gems. Record collectors can waste good money on platters they'll never spin after that first awful time. Not everyone has the free time to spend hours on Youtube listening to entire albums, trying to find the one worthwhile track tucked away between quarter hours of disco nothingness. 




So I decided to do a video series (everyone's doing it) that helps you in your pursuit of musical bliss: "Should I Listen To It"; where I give you the verdict on lesser-known albums from the 70's and 80's while I whip up something delicious in my very casual and often messy kitchen. It's all in good fun, and of course it's just my opinion! If you enjoy - sharing, liking, subscribing are all very much appreciated! Thanks for stopping by!- Kendo

Monday, March 2, 2020

Playlist for 2-25-2020 WFCF - 1980!

1980 Art Pepper with strings (and Howard Roberts)



On this show we listened to albums created and performances captured in the year 1980 featuring music by Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Art Pepper, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Barron, Art Blakey, Gary Wofsey and more along with excellent cuts from the new jazz shelf! Thanks to all who joined me and thank you for stopping by! - Kendo


Hour One:

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers - "Soulful Mister Timmons" - Recorded Live at Bubba's (1980)

            3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Billie Holiday - "Good Morning, Heartache" - (1946)

Eric Alexander - "Some Other Time" - Eric Alexander with Strings (2013)*

Anita O'Day - "I Fall In Love Too Easily" - Anita! (1955)

Michael Wolff - "Bounce" -  Bounce (2019)

Raquel Cepeda - "Canto De Ossanha" - Passion - Latin Jazz (2019)*

Herbie Hancock - "Spiraling Prism" - Mr. Hands (1980)
Posthumous release recording in 1980


Bill Evans - "Knit for Mary F." - Letter to Evan (1980)

Hour Two:

Kenny Barron/Dave Holland Trio - "Porto Alegre" - Without Deception (2019)*

Kenny Barron - "Golden Lotus" - Golden Lotus (1980)

Benny Benack III - "Social Call" - A Lot of Livin' to Do (2019)*

Art Pepper - "Here's That Rainy Day" - Winter Moon (1980)

Weather Report - "Night Passage" - Night Passage (1980)

Herbie Hancock - "4 AM" - Mr. Hands (1980)

Freddie Hubbard - "Red Clay" - The Best Of Live and In Studio (1980)

Hour Three:
Possibly Hutcherson's wildest album cover!


            ~ Flagler Footnotes ~

Bobby Hutcherson - "Ivory Coast" - Un Poco Loco (1980) - The Ride Home!

Bobby Hutcherson - "Ebony Moonbeams" - Un Poco Loco (1980)

Oscar Peterson - "Lulu's Back In Town" - My Favorite Instrument (1980)

Bill Evans - "Emily" - Letter To Evan (1980)

Harry Connick Jr. - "You Do Something to Me" - True Love (2019)*
Kenny back on acoustic piano in 1980.


Oscar Peterson - "Take the 'A' Train" - My Favorite Instrument (1980)

Negroni's Trio - "Tempus Fugit" - Acustico (2019)*

Kenny Barron - "Dewdrop" - Golden Lotus (1980)

Hour Four:

Lafayette Harris Jr. - "Things Ain't What They Used To Be" - You Can't Lose With the Blues (2018)*

Freddie Hubbard - "Sunshine Lady" - Mistral (1980)

Herbie Hancock - "Just Around the Corner" - Mr. Hands (1980)
Gary's 1980 recording


Weather Report - "Dream Clock" - Night Passage (1980)

Gary Wofsey - "Close to the Edge" - Kef's Pool (1980)

Herbie Hancock - "Textures" - Mr. Hands (1980)

Weather Report - "Three Views of a Secret" - Night Passage (1980)





Playlist for 2-18-2020 WFCF - Featured Albums!

photo by Julia Kuzenkov



More featured albums than you can shake a stick at on this show including "Sky Dive" by Freddie Hubbard, Mulgrew Miller's "Wingspan", "Waterbed" by Herbie Mann and "Roll Call" by Hank Mobley. Mixed in was plenty of new jazz along with a song called "Mr. Baggy Pants". Thanks to all who tuned in and thank you for stopping by! - Kendo


Hour One:

Mulgrew Miller - "Soul-Leo" - Wingspan (1987)

Nat "King" Cole - "Off The Beam" - Hittin' the Ramp (1939)*

            3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Hank Mobley - "The More I See You" - Roll Call (1960)

Andrea Brachfeld - " Waters of March" - Brazilian Whispers (2019)*

Aaron Diehl - "A Story Often Told, Seldom Heard" - The Vagabond (2019)*

Freddie Hubbard - "Ride Like the Wind" - Ride Like The Wind (1981)

Mulgrew Miller - "Wingspan" - Wingspan (1987)

Joshua Redman & Brooklyn Rider - "Flash" - Sun On Sand (2015)*

Hour Two:

George Cables - "Mr. Baggy Pants" - Looking for the Light (2003)

Jeff Rupert & George Garzone - "Bahia" - The Ripple (2019)*

Herbie Mann - "Bang Bang!" - Waterbed (1975)

Jason Tiemann - "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" - T-Man (2019)*

Freddie Hubbard - "The Godfather" - Sky Dive (1972) CTI Moment

Benny Bennack III - "Won't You Be My Neighbor" - A Lot of Livin' To Do (2019)*

Mulgrew Miller - "One's Own Room" - Wingspan (1987)

Massimo Biolcati - "Boo Boo's Birthday" - Incontre (2019)*

Hour Three:

            ~ Flagler Footnotes ~

Hank Mobley - "Roll Call" - Roll Call (1960) - The Ride Home!

Freddie Hubbard - "Sky Dive" - Sky Dive (1972) CTI Moment

Mulgrew Miller - "The Eleventh Hour - early take" - Wingspan (1987)

Mulgrew Miller - "I Remember You" - Wingspan (1987)

Hour Four:

John Scofield - "Chicken Dog" - A Go Go (1998)

Twink - "Alphabent" - The Broken Record

Herbie Mann - "Deus Xango" - Waterbed (1975)

Grant Green - "Ease Back" - Carryin' On (1969)

Freddie Hubbard - "Condition Alpha" - Ride Like The Wind (1981)

Bill Cunliffe Trio - "The Continental" - Sunrise Over Molokai (2018)*

Herbie Mann - "Comin' Home Baby" - waterbed (1975)

John Scofield - "Green Tea" - A Go Go (1998)


Grant Green - "Upshot" - Carryin' On (1969)

Playlist for 2-11-2020 WFCF - Lyle Mays

back cover of "As Falls Wichita..."



This episode celebrated the life and work of Lyle Mays. Thanks to all who tuned in, and to all who called and shared their memories of Lyle and his impact on their lives. Thank you for stopping by! - Kendo


Hour One:

Miles Davis - "On Green Dolphin Street" - Jazz Track (1958)

Miles Davis - "Fran Dance" - Jazz Track (1958)

            3:15 Jazz Track

Pat Metheny Group - "Au Lait" - Offramp (1981)

Tim Ray - "Nothing from Nothing" - Excursions and Adventures (2019 5)*

Tim Ray - "Maria" - Excursions and Adventures (2019 5)*

Pat Metheny Group - "Last Train Home" - Still Life (Talking) (1987)

Brother Jack McDuff - "The Vibrator" - Down Home Style (1969)

Michel Camilo - "Tropical Jam" - Rendezvous (1993)

Hour Two:

Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays - "Ozark" - As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls (1980)

Virginia Schenck - "Bali Hai" - Battle Cry (2018)*

Mike Pope - "Prelude in Emin op. 28 no. 4" - Cold Truth, Warm Heart (2011)

Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood - "Little Walter Rides Again" - (2006)

Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays - "It's For You" - As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls (1980)

Jeff Rupert & George Garzone - "Go-Go" - The Ripple (2019)*
L-R Mark Egan, Danny Gottlieb, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays
photo by Rob Van Petten


Pat Metheny Group - "As It Is" - Speaking of Now (2002)

Negroni's Trio - "Let's Go Camping" - Acustico (2019)*

Hour Three:

            ~ Flagler Footnotes ~

Pat Metheny Group - "Proof" - Speaking of Now (2002)

Pat Metheny Group - "Eighteen" - Offramp (1981)

Hank Garland - "Relaxin'" - Jazz Winds from a New Direction (1960)

Pat Metheny Group - "Minuano (Six Eight)" - Still Life (Talking) (1987)

Negroni's Trio - "Tempus Fugit" - Acustico (2019)*

Hour Four:

Pat Metheny Group - "(Cross the) Heartland" - American Garage (1979)

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - "Teru" - The Music of Wayne Shorter (2015)*

Pat Metheny Group - "Airstream" - American Garage (1979)

Warren Wolf - "For Ma" - Reincarnation (2019)*

Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays - "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls" - As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls (1980)

Pat Metheny Group - "Are You Going With Me" - Offramp (1981)


Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Playlist for 2-4-2020 WFCF - Hank Garland!

This album was Hank Garland's vision come to life.



The night before this show I listened to some Hank Garland albums while I cooked and decided the next morning to do a show on him. A mutual follower on FB saw my post and alerted Hank's brother and sister-in-law, who called me at the station during the show (later messaging me) and regaled me with fun facts and information about the guitar giant and the songs we were listening to, to share with our listeners! They also posted a bunch of pictures on the Jazz Greats Facebook page (some shared here) including ones with Elvis, Barney Kessell, George Benson! Thanks to the Garland family and thanks to all who tuned in! Much love - Kendo


Hour One:

Massimo Biolcati - "Hello, I Lied" - Incontre (2020)*

John Coltrane - "Spiral" - Giant Steps (1959)

            3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Hank Garland - "Autumn Leaves" - Velvet Guitar (1959)
Hank Garland - check out his
collection of cowboy hats in
the rear winshield!
Courtesy of the Garland family.


Hank Garland - "Ed's Place" - Velvet Guitar (1959)

Hank Garland - "Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)" - Velvet Guitar (1959)

Kat Edmonson - "In a World of My Own" - Dreamers Do (2019)*

Wes Montgomery - "Bumpin'" - Bumpin' (1965)

Terry Gibbs - "Let's Do It" - ()

Pat Metheny - "Watercolors" - Watercolors (1977)

John Coltrane - "Syeeda's Song Flute" - Giant Steps (1959)

Hour Two:

Hank Garland - "Three-Four, The Blues" - Jazz Winds from a New Direction (1960)

Hank Garland - "Always" - Jazz Winds from a New Direction (1960)

Brother Jack McDuff - "I'll Be Seeing You" - Goodnight It's Time to Go (1961)

Billie Holiday - "He's Funny That Way" - At Storyville (1951)

Andrea Brachfeld - "Passarim" - Brazilian Whispers (2019)*

Jeff Rupert & George Garzone - "Without a Song" - The Ripple (2019)*
Coincidentally, a number of the other artists
played on this show were good friends of Hank!


Hank Garland - "Move" - Jazz Winds from a New Direction (1960)

Billie Holiday - "Miss Brown to You" - At Storyville (1951)

Billie Holiday - "Lover Come Back to Me" - At Storyville (1951)

Wes Montgomery - "Just Walkin'" - Bumpin' (1965)

Hour Three:

            ~ Flagler Footnotes ~

Hank Garland - "Riot-Chous" - Jazz Winds from a New Direction (1960)

Harry Connick Jr. - "Begin the Beguine" - True Love (2019)*

Hank Garland - "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That, Baby" - Velvet Guitar (1959)

Hank Garland - "Secret Love" - Velvet Guitar (1959)
Hank in front of the Grand Ole Opry
marquee. Courtesy of the Garland
Family.


Hank Mobley - "Avila and Tequila" - Hank Mobley Quartet (1955)

Hank Garland - "Why Not?" - The Unforgettable Guitar of Hank Garland (1959)

Hank Garland - "It's Love, Of Course" - The Unforgettable Guitar of Hank Garland (1960)

Hank Garland - "Tammy" - Velvet Guitar (1959)

Sarah Vaughan - "I Should Have Kissed Him More" - The New Scene (1966)

Hour Four:

Charles Mingus - "Peggy's Blue Skylight" - Tonight at Noon (1961)

Hank Garland - "All The Things You Are" - Jazz Winds from a New Direction (1960)

Pat Metheny - "Lakes" - Watercolors (1977)
George Benson loved Hank's playing.
The two became very good friends.
Courtesy of the Garland Family.


Gary Burton Quintet - "Dreams So Real" - Dreams So Real (1975)

Hank Garland - "Like Someone In Love" - Velvet Guitar (1959)

Lenny White - "The Venusian Summer Suite" - Venusian Summer (1975)

Wes Montgomery - "Bumpin'" - Bumpin' (1965)

Jack McDuff - "Loose Foot" - Moon Rappin' (1969)



Playlist for 1-28-2020 WFCF - This and That!

The new kid on the block is good!


There wasn't a theme for this week's show, just some albums I've been itching to share and a lot of new good music coming into the station! We did do some two-fers for some of the albums including Thelonious Monk, Brother Jack McDuff, Jeff Rupert and George Garzone and Joe Farrell. Thanks to all who tuned in and thank you for stopping by! - Kendo

Hour One:

Jeff Rupert & George Garzone - "Bahia" - The Ripple (2019)*

Erroll Garner - "That's My Kick" - That's My Kick (1966)*

            3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Lolly Allen - "If You Could See Me Now" - Coming Home (2016)*

Miles Davis - "It Your Own Sweet Way" - Workin' (1956)
Way cool album cover, excellent pairing.


Art Farmer with Joe Henderson - "Blue Montreaux" - Yama (1979) CTI Moment

Ella Fitzgerald - "I've Got a Crush On You" - Ella at Zardi's (1956)

Jeff Rupert & George Garzone - "Go-Go" - The Ripple (2019)*

Herbie Hancock - "People Music" - Secrets (1976)

Hour Two:

Grachan Moncur III - "Air Raid" - Evolution (1963)

Justin Varnes - "Prelude" - Survival Instinct (2019)*

Justin Varnes - "Fergimore Island, TX BLues" - Survival Instinct (2019)*

The New Tony Williams Lifetime - "Fred" - Believe It (1975)
Aaron Diehl - photo by Jaime Kahn


Aaron Diehl - "Polaris" - The Vagabond (2019)*

Oliver Nelson - "Butch and Butch" - The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961)

Herbie Hancock - "Water Torture" - Crossings (1972)

Hour Three:

            ~ Flagler Footnotes ~

Freddie Hubbard - "Outer Forces" - Blue Spirits (1965) - The Ride Home!

Alex Levin - "Sweets" - A Sunday Kind of Love (2019)*

Charlie Mingus - "Four Hands" - The Jazz Experiments of Charlie Mingus (1954)

Jack McDuff - "Minha Saudade" - A Change Is Gonna Come (1966)

John Bailey - "Pebbles in the Pocket" - Can You Imagine? (2019)*

Hour Four:

Nat "King" Cole - "There's No Anesthetic for Love" - Hittin' the Ramp (1939)*
Never get tired of this album cover!


Nat "King" Cole - "Riffin' at the Bar-B-Q" - Hittin' the Ramp (1939)*

Thelonious Monk - "Liza" - The Unique Thelonious Monk (1956)

Thelonious Monk - "Memories of You" - The Unique Thelonious Monk (1956)

Jack McDuff - "A Change Is Gonna Come" - A Change Is Gonna Come (1966)

Hubert Laws - "Fire and Rain" - Afro-Classic (1970) CTI Moment

Binker Golding - "I Forgot Santa Montica" - Abstractions of Reality Past and Incredible Feathers (2018)*

Joe Farrell - "Song of the WInd" - Joe Farrell Quartet (1970)

Joe Farrell - "Follow Your Heart" - Joe Farrell Quartet (1970)









Retro Review - Freddie Hubbard "Ride Like the Wind"



Freddie Hubbard "Ride Like the Wind" (recorded 1981)

Score: 2/5
It may appear I'm shooting fish in a barrel for this one, but in my defense I approve of albums others disdain, and I'm frequently at odds with the chaps over at Allmusic, whose occasionally scary opinions seem to hold much weight in jazzlandia.

First, let it briefly be said that there will never be another trumpet player as good as Freddie Hubbard in his prime. There is no adjective to describe just how impossibly good he was, from tone to technique. Secondly, this album was recorded live to two tracks. For that, it sounds really good, and the performances are exceptionally tight from the orchestra and brass sections.

Track by Track (briefly):

"Hubbard's Cupboard" is one of three originals by the album's arranger and conductor Allyn Ferguson. All three are largely mediocre. At times, Ferguson seems to be trying to channel the ghost of Isaac Hayes' writing on the "Shaft" soundtrack. Overall not bad, not great, just kinda fun.

"This Is It" (yes the Kenny Loggins hit) suffers from a tepid arrangement, odd register choices for (or by) Hubbard and a faster tempo. Without the motivational lyrics, it is not a well suited instrumental and is the album's clinker.

Ferguson's soul ballad "Condition Alpha" is the best of his three. No memorable melody here, but the vibe is quite nice and Freddie throws in an exceptional and extended acrobatic solo. Again, the strings during this solo hearken of "Shaft"; in a good way.

"Ride Like the Wind" starts out rather tamely, but Freddie digs in from his solo onward. Ferguson oddly makes us wait for that killer refrain ("bah-dah-dah-dup...) and I kind of like that he did that. That said, the orchestra is strangely laid back on them; and even more sadly, Freddie's obvious inspiration during the last refrain gets faded out immediately. Still, his fire makes this the stand out track.

Side two opens with "Birdland", a composition that many arrangers have difficulty pulling away from every note of the original Weather Report version. Ferguson also succumbs, but he at least tries to alter here and there. Another good solo from Hubbard and some decent energy from the brass lift this track up a bit; but it's still not something you're gonna share with friends or post on social media.

Then we are confronted with yet another version of Hubbard's ballad "Brigitte". Even he sounds a bit tired of it (the best version can be found on the 1973 album "Keep Your Soul Together"). Ferguson choice to make the "hook" into an awkward fusion samba literally takes all the punch out of it. The ending sounds like a justifiably exasperated sigh.

Ferguson's "Two Moods For Freddie" borrows so much from "I Remember Clifford" that it's disappointing when you discover that it isn't. Things do get cooking a bit (another fusion samba) with Freddie's improvisation, and thankfully trombonist Bill Watrous gets a brief solo as well.

So all in all, if you spot a good copy for $1 (I got mine for $3) and you're either curious or just love every note Freddie plays, then pick it up. Otherwise, forget about this one guilt free.