Originally posted by Ian Thumwood
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p.s. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
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From what I've heard, the line up in Blue Vertical is definitely preferred to Isabella; I was finding the alto in Isabella a little tiresome (too much clarinet has the same effect on me).
p.s. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year -
Jackie McLean, Blue Mitchell, Walter Bishop, Jr., Paul Chambers & Art Taylor playing 'Francisco' from the overlooked 1960 album 'Capuchin Swing':
JRComment
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QuarkyOriginally posted by Quarky View PostFrom what I've heard, the line up in Blue Vertical is definitely preferred to Isabella; I was finding the alto in Isabella a little tiresome (too much clarinet has the same effect on me).
p.s. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
I will let you know as I had ordered the second album and it is not due to arrive until January. I liked "Isabella" and was particularly struck by the guitarist. The albim with Dave Ballou is supposed to be more outside.
Currently listening to the new Andrew Cyrille album. This is something which also seemsto be quite under-stated. Bill Frisell is very much the stand out musician in this quartet. At the moment he can do no wrong as far as I am concerned.Comment
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specialOriginally posted by Jazzrook View PostJackie McLean, Blue Mitchell, Walter Bishop, Jr., Paul Chambers & Art Taylor playing 'Francisco' from the overlooked 1960 album 'Capuchin Swing':
JRComment
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‘Open House’ – Jimmy Smith
with Blue Mitchell, Jackie McLean, Ike Quebec, Quentin Warren & Donald Bailey
Blue Note (rec. 1960, released 1968)Comment
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Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil
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Kahil El Zabar's "What it is."
It is strange how Delmark has not really managed to sustain the level of creativity it had 10-15 years ago now it has been sold on. At one point I was buying records from this label just on the strength of other recording artists whilst knowing little about the work of the musician whose CD I had ordered. I love that kind of risk with jazz. One of the more celebrated names on the label was drummer / percusssionist /singer Kahil El Zabar. His "What it is" features a quartet with tenor saxophonis Kevin Nabor anf the keyboard of Kevin Dillard.
El Zabar always strikes me as something of a musicial alchemist, creating magic from quite small ideas. This album takes it cues from classic Coltrane with tracks like "impressions" and the progonal "Kari" featuring Dillard's best McCoy Tyner impersonation. Howveer, there is more to this album than a nod the the maestro. Kahil El Zabar's music is always very groove-based and when Dillard switches to organ and Fender Rhodes, the music has almost funky feel to it. I also love the leader's rich, soulful voice. The album can be seen as a mash up of Coltrane, Funk and West African music and the whole record is really enjoyable. The icing on the cake for me is a version of Coltrane's "Central Park West" which soars over an infectious groove laid down by Kahil's percussion. It is a reminder that , in it's time, Coltrane was producing music which had a popular appeal. I cannot see many people not enjoying this disc , especially as it is difficult not to be mesmerised by El Zabar's playing. I think I have only ever seen Jazzrook comment on this drummer's work before. It is an album that Joseph would probably enjoy.Comment
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That sounds good, Ian.
I have found it on youtube and will listen later.
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‘Take Twelve’ – Lee Morgan Quintet
with Clifford Jordon, Barry Harris, Bob Cranshaw & Louis Hayes
Jazzland (1962)Comment
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If I had been given that name, I would definitely have changed it!Originally posted by Ian Thumwood View Post
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"Neighbor, Neighbor" - Jimmy Hughes, 1967. Memories of the Scene Club in Hams Yard. By the Windmill.
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Eddie Boyd(piano, vocal); Ernest Cotton(tenor sax); L.C. McKinley(guitar); Alfred Elkins(bass) & Percy Walker(drums) playing 'Five Long Years' in 1952:
JRComment
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QuarkyOriginally posted by Quarky View PostFrom what I've heard, the line up in Blue Vertical is definitely preferred to Isabella; I was finding the alto in Isabella a little tiresome (too much clarinet has the same effect on me).
p.s. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Having now listened to "Blue Vertical" I concur that it is a really good record. I think that the piano playing of Matt Mitchell is incredible on this disc. Drummer Tyshawn Sorey was coming under some criticism on this board a few weeks ago but his is excellent on this album. The third member of Mario Pavone's quartet is the trumpter Dave Ballou, a player with the savvy of Dave Douglas but with the pure tone of musicians such as Chet Baker and Ron Miles. I suppose you would class all four musicians as being associated with the more creative aspects of contemporary jazz.
Personally , I actually prefer "Isabella" - laegely because of the guitar playing of Micahel Pavone and also because the compositions seem more fully realised on this album. By contrast, "Blue Vertical" takes a more abstract approach to the material which you could say is more adventurous. It is certainly takes far greater liberties , the music being quite abstract and then evolving to hit a point where the compositions start to swing in a more traditional sense. I feel it is a record that will take it's time to yield it's treasures.
Listening to it in my car, I was was wondering if there had been any other jazz artists who had purposely produced two albums with largely the same material where it has been treated so radically by two different groups ? The only example I could think of was Orentte Coleman's "In all languages." "Blue Vertical"is an interesting comparison to see how far Free Jazz has travelled since Ornette. Once again, it demonstrates just how small, independent labels seem to be releasing more creative music that their more illustrious competitors. Having also enjoyed Andrew Cyrille's "The New" this Christmas, I would argue that Mario Pavone's two swansongs are far more adventurous than what is a quite edgy release for ECM these days.Comment
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Thanks Ian.
Based on your recommendation, I will order a download of this album - assuming I can find some way of paying in UK currency.Comment
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‘The Tokyo Blues’ – Horace Silver
with Blue Mitchell, Junior Cook, Gene Taylor & John Harris Jr.
Blue Note (1962)Comment
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