Be Gentle and not Argue

[Serial_Apologist]

Sat 28 Oct

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rr87

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rr8j

Sun 29 Oct

http://www.alynshipton.co.uk/blog

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rqyf

[eighthobstruction]

Ooooooooooo....nicely formatted for silky smooth use of the jass listening public on R£3....

[Serial_Apologist]

Ooooooooooo....nicely formatted for silky smooth use of the jass listening public on R£3....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0SbVFxl64A

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Peculiar/strange Chet Baker etc track on JRR, at least to me. Chet picking up the change? And heresy, I find that era of John Surman more dated than and bop post bop boppera.

Apart from that...

[Serial_Apologist]

Peculiar/strange Chet Baker etc track on JRR, at least to me. Chet picking up the change? And heresy, I find that era of John Surman more dated than and bop post bop boppera.

Apart from that...

Wasn't it just!!! It felt like Chet's party had been gatecrashed, however good the singer. I agree too about the Surman - there is a definite tailing off of energy and inspiration in later years, though I have one BBC studio session with that band (mentioned in the pre-conversation with Alyn) and there have been fine recordings tucked among a variable mix: one from around the Millennium with an oud player. Oud have thought it?

[Jazzrook]

Wasn't it just!!! It felt like Chet's party had been gatecrashed, however good the singer. I agree too about the Surman - there is a definite tailing off of energy and inspiration in later years, though I have one BBC studio session with that band (mentioned in the pre-conversation with Alyn) and there have been fine recordings tucked among a variable mix: one from around the Millennium with an oud player. Oud have thought it?

John Surman described that 'Stranger Than Fiction' session as 'magical' and I quite enjoyed the track.
Here's oud player Anouar Brahem with Surman & Dave Holland from the 1997 album 'Thimar':

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=uDWR2YESJ6w

JR

[Tenor Freak]

one from around the Millennium with an oud player. Oud have thought it?

I would have to be in the mood for oud. In the moud.

[Serial_Apologist]

John Surman described that 'Stranger Than Fiction' session as 'magical' and I quite enjoyed the track.
Here's oud player Anouar Brahem with Surman & Dave Holland from the 1997 album 'Thimar':

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=uDWR2YESJ6w

JR

Thanks JR, I was more panicked on Sunday than too lazy to reference "Thimar" - all due to a leak, now happily sorted

[Serial_Apologist]

I would have to be in the mood for oud. In the moud.

Or In the Mode. John Litweiler's first edition book The Freedom Principle contained a misspelled chapter heading, "Model Jazz". From what I remember subsequent editions had it corrected to "Modal Jazz".

[Ian Thumwood]

Wasn't it just!!! It felt like Chet's party had been gatecrashed, however good the singer. I agree too about the Surman - there is a definite tailing off of energy and inspiration in later years, though I have one BBC studio session with that band (mentioned in the pre-conversation with Alyn) and there have been fine recordings tucked among a variable mix: one from around the Millennium with an oud player. Oud have thought it?

SA

I have to say that i am a big fan of John Surman albeit one my my mates is an even greater fan. I really like john Surman as a bloke. He was kind enough to once autograph my Book One of Bach's WTC and wrote "Enjoy this real music."

I am not sure where you think there is a tailing off in the energy of his playing. When i was about 16 the most shocking jazz record i heard was "My friends" with Karin Krog. I was horrified that jazz could sound lke that , as opposed to sounding like Coleman Hawkins. Beginning to understand Surman's music was one of the doors that I was able to push open to explore more contemporary jazz. When I managed to nderstand it, it was a revelation to me and I have been a fan ever since. Forgotten just how many times I have seen him perform live - much be about 6 or 7.

As far as "great" John Surman recordings I would single out the following:-

1. "The Amazing adventures of Simon, Simon " which was a duet with Jack DeJohnette. These two musicians have collborated frequently and I think that the energy and inspiration in their work is on another level. One of the great sax / drum duos.

2. John Abercrombie - "November" - Surman is on this record with Marc Johnson and Peter Erskine. Really good straight ahead jazz.

3. Miroslav Vitous - "Journey's End." Another "must have reord from the 1980s

4. Paul Bley - "Fragments" - I think this is one of the greatest jazz records from the 1980s albeit very introspective. It features a stellar quartet of Bley / Surman / Frisell / Motian. The opening "Memories" is, in my opinion, probably the greatest example of swinging hard at am almost glacial tempo. The whole disc is gem and marks a high waterlevel for ECM. Some of Carla Bley's finest compositions get the ultimate work out here. A much better disc than Bley's more celebrated "Open, to love."

[gurnemanz]

I do like listening to jazz from time to time, especially vocalists but claim no insight or expertise. Taken along by a friend I saw Surman at a pub in Redhill, I think, about 1970. I must have enjoyed it, especially his big old baritone, because I got a couple of ECM albums and a few years later after we had moved to Wiltshire, l immediately booked tickets when I noticed he was on at the Arnolfini in Bristol. A great evening, as I remember. It must have been 1981 because my wife was heavily pregnant and she reported that our unborn child was responding to the sound - baritone again I would guess - by jumping around vigorously in the womb. I later reported this to our daughter and played her some Surman to revive what was presumably her first experience of jazz.

[Old Grumpy]

I do like listening to jazz from time to time, especially vocalists but claim no insight or expertise. Taken along by a friend I saw Surman at a pub in Redhill, I think, about 1970. I must have enjoyed it, especially his big old baritone, because I got a couple of ECM albums and a few years later after we had moved to Wiltshire, l immediately booked tickets when I noticed he was on at the Arnolfini in Bristol. A great evening, as I remember. It must have been 1981 because my wife was heavily pregnant and she reported that our unborn child was responding to the sound - baritone again I would guess - by jumping around vigorously in the womb. I later reported this to our daughter and played her some Surman to revive what was presumably her first experience of jazz.

Love it!

[Serial_Apologist]

I do like listening to jazz from time to time, especially vocalists but claim no insight or expertise. Taken along by a friend I saw Surman at a pub in Redhill, I think, about 1970. I must have enjoyed it, especially his big old baritone, because I got a couple of ECM albums and a few years later after we had moved to Wiltshire, l immediately booked tickets when I noticed he was on at the Arnolfini in Bristol. A great evening, as I remember. It must have been 1981 because my wife was heavily pregnant and she reported that our unborn child was responding to the sound - baritone again I would guess - by jumping around vigorously in the womb. I later reported this to our daughter and played her some Surman to revive what was presumably her first experience of jazz.

So that's what they call belly dancing!

[eighthobstruction]

This one always puts a smile on my face....and I can't not think of elephants walking....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cEx76xksrA

[Tenor Freak]

As far as "great" John Surman recordings I would single out the following:-


4. Paul Bley - "Fragments" - I think this is one of the greatest jazz records from the 1980s albeit very introspective. It features a stellar quartet of Bley / Surman / Frisell / Motian. The opening "Memories" is, in my opinion, probably the greatest example of swinging hard at am almost glacial tempo. The whole disc is gem and marks a high waterlevel for ECM. Some of Carla Bley's finest compositions get the ultimate work out here. A much better disc than Bley's more celebrated "Open, to love."

Hard agree, which is why I am requesting a track from this release to be played by Alyn on JRR.