What Jazz are you listening to now?

[Ian Thumwood]

One of the best albums i have heard this year is Gary Clark Jrs 'This land' and have been playing again this evening. It fascinstes me as it had beem difficult to understand that the Blues were still relevant. This disc covers si many bases as well as blues and also takes it's cues frim Motown and R n' b. It is a staggering album.where every track hits home.

The fascinating thing about it is how it recasts the lyrics into a vitriolic attack on Trump so that the songs strike me as having as much bite as country blues from 1920s. It is truly contempotary and as edgy as any Rap. Probably the most authentic new album i have bought since James Brandon Lewis. I discovered it in the playlist flying back from Doha this year. You can find some excellent on Qatar Airways playlist but no need to fly out there anymore since getting married.

Listening alot to Jose Mari -Chan this week who is the Phippines answer to Cliff Richard but not so edgy ! Not sure i can convert my wife to Thelonious Monk.?
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[Jazzrook]

One of the best albums i have heard this year is Gary Clark Jrs 'This land' and have been playing again this evening. It fascinstes me as it had beem difficult to understand that the Blues were still relevant. This disc covers si many bases as well as blues and also takes it's cues frim Motown and R n' b. It is a staggering album.where every track hits home.

The fascinating thing about it is how it recasts the lyrics into a vitriolic attack on Trump so that the songs strike me as having as much bite as country blues from 1920s. It is truly contempotary and as edgy as any Rap. Probably the most authentic new album i have bought since James Brandon Lewis. I discovered it in the playlist flying back from Doha this year. You can find some excellent on Qatar Airways playlist but no need to fly out there anymore since getting married.

Listening alot to Jose Mari -Chan this week who is the Phippines answer to Cliff Richard but not so edgy ! Not sure i can convert my wife to Thelonious Monk.?
.

Many thanks, Ian. Another one for the ‘wants list’!
Here’s an impressive video of ‘This Land’:

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=9KgNaRQ_J-c

P.S. If this doesn’t convert your wife to Thelonious Monk, nothing will!

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=0o7vrg-r6Xg

JR

[Ian Thumwood]

Jazzrook

What i love about this track is that it was inspired by a property dispute with a white neighbour who resented the fact that Clark had moved into the neighbourhood and was resentful of him. It is as relevant as a Rap diss track and harks back to artists like Sleepy John Estes or Bukka White who also mentioned genuine people in their music. Mr Williams is a real person. All the tracks are a powerful as this albeit some are more in the direction of soul. We have very similar tastes and am sure you will love thisakbum. The extended edition is rhe one to go for. No filler on this record. Rhe latest record is also supposed to be goid but This Land is a masterpiece. Bluesnik will love this record too.

I was not aware of the video which is equally powerful.

Thanks for posting.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

I like the politics and lyrics but not the guitar & general sound and what seems to me an overproduction, but I am of "an age" . But Clark's vocal sound reminded me of William Bell, of whom I'm a great fan back from the Stax beginnings. And lo and behold, Gary and William Bell together! On the occasion of Bell getting a very belated Gammy for Born Under a Bad Sign. This I do like. Both.

http://youtu.be/X0d2XNe3iik?feature=shared

[Ian Thumwood]

I am usually adverse to overproduced music. Not quite convinced that this applies to Gary Clark but i feel he is relevant at a time when the blues are at risk of sounding archaic. Clark sounds like an artist from 2024 , addressing issues relevant to today's society just as artists did in 1920s.

i have been playing Haydn piano sonatas today. The earlier pieces don't seem too more advanced than Scarlatti but i really love the clarity of his music. I am amazed Haydn is never cited by jazz musicians. Haydn would have loved jazz.