Surprise it's James Taylor !?!

I was driving home tonight and a James Taylor song came on the radio. I have never been a fan. Something about James's voice always seems so flat, like the mid level has been turned right up and the treble turned off. As a fan of the saxophone I checked out the album he did with Michael Brecker, and even Brecker couldn't save the music. **(interestingly Brecker played a hard rubber Link 7* on that recording!)** At any rate this James Taylor song comes on the radio and for some unknown reason I was able to sing along to the whole thing! I guess that's what happens when you are busy checking out music to see if you actually like it...turns out it was pretty good.

Across the Universe

I first Heard Rufus Wainwright at a taping of a TV show in Los Angeles with my good friend Ron Samsom. I don't exactly recall how we ended up in front of Mann's Chinese theatre, but there we were receiving instructions and free tickets to a late night TV show taping. Thinking back it kind of seems strange that we actually went to the taping as we only had 10 hours in LA. Later that night were heading to Tahiti and then eventually on to New Zealand. At any rate the guests were Tim Robbins and Rufus Wainwright. I was not impressed. A few weeks ago I heard Rufus again and I thought, "who is this guy that sounds like George Harrison?" and sure enough he covers a classic Beatle hit, across the Universe. I can definitely say I really enjoy this Beatles cover, I hope you do too.

I can't go for that

People who know me well, know I am a huge fan of super duo Hall and Oates. A good friend of mine introduced me to an internet program called Live at Daryl's house. The program focuses on Daryl Hall hanging out in his house with his band, every episode they invite musicians over to perform songs together. It's an amazing concept, one I'd love to see expanded to include jazz musicians, It would be cool to hang out at Chick Corea's house, or a "live at Herbie Hancock's House'.....I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. This track features "Chromeo"

 

Red Garland!! Every time he plays he brings a "Smokey Nightclub" quality to the bandstand. I'm not too sure how he does this, but I don't hear other piano players playing quite the same way. I became a casual fan of Red through his work with Miles Davis and later John Coltrane. Lately I have been enjoying his fantastic trio albums, am I wrong in thinking I hear some Art Tatum in his playing?? I am really enjoying the album: "It's a Blue World" featuring his regular trio of Art Taylor (drums) and Paul Chambers (bass) I hope you enjoy "Teach me Tonight" from this fantastic record

Sparks-The Stinker!!

Melvin Sparks....who's that? it turns out he was a fantastic guitarist in the vein of Grant Green. He made a few terrific records on the prestige label in the seventies. I was surprised when I came across Melvin that I had never heard of him (unfortunately he passed away this past may 2011). Every time I discover someone new it encourages me to keep seeking out other interesting artists. I really enjoyed this track-The Stinker!! (check out the tight Horn/Organ shots) I hope you enjoy

Sam Rivers

Sam Rivers passed away recently and a lot has been written about him and his legacy. I have to admit, until his passing I didn't know that much about him. A good friend in Florida, Jeff Rupert often spoke highly of him and the tremendous positive impact he made on all of the musicians around him. I have managed to find a few of his records, and have been enjoying his first outing for Blue Note: Fuschia Fight Song (1964), I hope you enjoy one of Sam Rivers better known compositions; Beatrice.

Jack's Reggae

 

I read a great interview that George Colligan posted on his superb blog JazzTruth with Jack Dejohnette and it reminded me of this John Abercrombie track "Ethereggae". As I posted on The Death Defying Blog this song was a big influence on me as a young musician (I still really Love it) The melodic nature of everyones playing is fantastic. I think Jack alluded to this type of playing in his interview-making music with the drums. Added bonus: Brecker is outstanding....enjoy!

Cantaloupe Island

Ok, A few days ago a good friend and musical co-conspirator asked if I thought Cantaloupe island was a modal tune. My answer was very brief. no. Why? because it seems more like a blues (Note: I had to ask him to sing it for me as I couldn't bring the tune up right away) I should have seen this one coming but as I often blunder into these types of debates with him I attempted to answer and sound as knowledgeable as possible. He wasn't buying my reasoning so we checked the internet and sure enough some people out there consider it a modal tune...who knew. Whatever this tune is I know for sure that it is awesome....enjoy!!