The indefatigable Charles Lloyd

[Gentle Giant]

This cat has been on a roll since hooking up with ECM back in the early 90s. Since then, he's released an album every year or two - strong albums, some double disc sets, too. I caught him a few years ago and will try to see him in Boston in a few weeks.

I notice that his latest, Hagar's Song, is his second studio album in a row to feature a song from the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. On Mirror (2010), it was "Caroline No." The new one has a rendition of "God Only Knows." Probably a lot of people know he recorded and toured with the Beach Boys in the early 70s, and that three Beach Boys appear on his 1972 album, Waves (the common bond seemed to be TM). As a huge Brian Wilson nut, I love this; but as a Charles Lloyd fan, I especially love his ability to put across that long slow burn that turns in an instant to Coltranian shrieks. He has that spiritual thing that comes out in surprising ways sometimes, and his bands are always first class.

He turns 75 on March 15 and I hope he continues this pace for many more years.

[Ron Thorne]

He turns 75 on March 15 and I hope he continues this pace for many more years.

Me too, Jason.

We had the great good fortune to hear Charles many years ago as the replacement for a rock concert lineup, and it was a mind-bending evening. That was about 44 years ago, and we had our two children (4 and 2) with us, because we couldn't find trustworthy sitters in time. We met him after the show, and he was beyond gracious. Keith Jarrett had (sadly) recently left the band, and Jim Zitro was in the drum chair. I got to know Zitro much better when he returned to Alaska with Jim Pepper years later.

Man, if I were only that young again, knowing what I know now.

[BFrank]

My first ever jazz concert in 1971, he opened for Freddie Hubbard.

[Uli]

[gonzo]

have really been enjoying him since his bands with michel. current band is fantastic.

[Gentle Giant]

I picked up the new CD yesterday, Hagar's Blues, with Lloyd and Jason Moran. It's beautiful. I'm not sure I've heard Lloyd play so lyrically and pure throughout an entire CD before. There's one track where they get "out" but for the most part it's just beautiful duets, not surprising seeing as it opens with chestnuts by Strayhorn, Duke, and Gershwin. There's an amazing suite, the title work, that alternates dark and light, and the whole CD is recorded perfectly. I will say that the album is not exactly a conversation between equals; for the most part, Moran is in a support role but his playing is stellar throughout. Recommended.

[Bourne]

For some reason I have nothing from Mr. Lloyd. Where should I start?

[hornplayer]

I picked up the new CD yesterday, Hagar's Blues, with Lloyd and Jason Moran. It's beautiful. I'm not sure I've heard Lloyd play so lyrically and pure throughout an entire CD before. There's one track where they get "out" but for the most part it's just beautiful duets, not surprising seeing as it opens with chestnuts by Strayhorn, Duke, and Gershwin. There's an amazing suite, the title work, that alternates dark and light, and the whole CD is recorded perfectly. I will say that the album is not exactly a conversation between equals; for the most part, Moran is in a support role but his playing is stellar throughout. Recommended.

mmmmmm sounds like that needs to find a place in my library.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I want to see LLoyd at the Sanders Theatre in Cambridge on March 21st, but $45 for partial view seats and $65 for "normal" seats? That's way too much. I imagine they're going to have trouble filling that venue at these prices. I wonder if Lloyd is asking for a lot or the venue is marking it up too much?

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I never saw Mr. Lloyd live but I have two of his cds that I revisit regularly, "The Call" and "Acoustic Masters I". Both were released in 1993. I especially like Bobo Stenson and Anders Jormin on "The Call" They gel very well with Charles. Billy Hart's not too shabby either. "Acoustic Masters I" features Cedar Walton, Billy Higgins and Buster Williams along with Lloyd.

[Gentle Giant]

I want to see LLoyd at the Sanders Theatre in Cambridge on March 21st, but $45 for partial view seats and $65 for "normal" seats? That's way too much. I imagine they're going to have trouble filling that venue at these prices. I wonder if Lloyd is asking for a lot or the venue is marking it up too much?

It's part of the Celebrity Series so I'm guessing they've jacked the prices up. Last time I saw him was at Sculler's; much more appropriate venue but still a bit pricey.

[Gentle Giant]

For some reason I have nothing from Mr. Lloyd. Where should I start?

There's a couple ways to go. His early quartet with Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette is not to be missed. Forest Flower and Journey Within are good examples. From there, I might jump over the 70s and 80s and just dig his ECM stuff. Canto is pretty cool, as is Water Is Wide, which has Brad Mehldau, John Abercrombie, Larry Grenadier, and Billy Higgins.

[groover]

For some reason I have nothing from Mr. Lloyd. Where should I start?

I'm sure others here will make different suggestions, but Forest Flower is his masterpiece.

[Bourne]

Thanks for the recs, gentlemen.

[Ron Thorne]

No matter what other Charles Lloyd recordings you choose, you must get a copy of Forest Flower. It's magical.

[groover]

Charles has had a great late-career renaissance. He was lost in inner space through the '70's. Michel Petrucciani dragged him back into serious playing in the early '80's (Live in Copenhagen is quite good), but from Acoustic masters in 1993 through his latest release, he's played more consistently great music in the latter half of his career than in the former.

[groover]

His ECM era actually kicked off in 1989 with Fish Out Of Water, and 1991's Notes From Big Sur is also pretty good. Canto or All My Relations are good starting points for exploring his ECM era.

[groover]

Doubt I'll make this, but Happy birthday, Charles!

Charles Lloyd Birthday Celebration

The Kennedy Center celebrates saxophonist Charles Lloyd with a star-studded concert, featuring Jason Moran and special guests. Over his career, Lloyd has played with some of the most talented musicians of our day, from Cannonball Adderly to the Doors.

• Fri., Mar. 22, 2013, 8:00 PM
• Concert Hall
• 90 minutes
• $20.00 - $65.00

[groover]

Here's a whole set of the Sangam trio:

Charles Lloyd Sangam Trio:
Charles Lloyd - flutes, saxophones, batterie, piano
Zakir Hussain - tablas, voix, percussions
Eric Harland - batterie, piano

Description:

1. Dreamweaver (Charles Lloyd)
2. Sangam (Charles Lloyd)
3. Prayer (Charles Lloyd)
4. Ballade y Allegro (Charles Lloyd)
5. Guman (Zakir Hussain)
6. Ramanujan (Charles Lloyd)
7. Tales of Ruml (Charles Lloyd)
8. Passin' Thru (Charles Lloyd)
9. Kuti (Zakir Hussain)

[Ron Thorne]

Here is more info on the Kennedy Center concert. How much cooler could a 75 year-old man look?




Charles Lloyd Birthday Celebration

The Kennedy Center celebrates saxophonist Charles Lloyd with a star-studded concert, featuring Jason Moran and special guests. Over his career, Lloyd has played with some of the most talented musicians of our day, from Cannonball Adderly to the Doors.


About the Program

Saxophonist and forward thinker Charles Lloyd celebrates his 75th birthday in style with pianist Jason Moran, Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain, bassist Reuben Rogers, Greek lyrist Sokratis Sinopoulos, drummer Eric Harland, vocalist Alicia Hall Moran, and the legendary Greek vocalist Maria Farantouri. Lloyd is no stranger to playing with masters over his long and illustrious career. He's played with B.B King, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, The Beach Boys, and many, many more. The New York Times says, "Mr. Lloyd has come up with a strange and beautiful distillation of the American experience, part abandoned and wild, part immensely controlled and sophisticated." Nearly 50 years after his first release as band leader, he is still making critically acclaimed records today. Beloved by mainstream listeners and jazz die-hards alike, Charles Lloyd's music "is a rare, enduring balance of sophistication and accessibility" (JazzTimes).

Performance Timing: 90 minutes, with no intermission.

[Gentle Giant]

That sounds awesome. He is a pretty cool dude. When I saw him at Sculler's a few years ago, he came out afterwards to sign CDs. I had him sign my copy of Waves; not because it's my favorite of his but because it was my first - I actually bought it before I was ever really introduced to jazz, when I was 15, simply because three Beach Boys were on it. He seems like a very peaceful, centered, content soul.

[BlueMiles]

I'd recommend Rabo de Nube, a live set with Jason Moran. Some really stellar stuff here, and it does capture the live experience of Lloyd's group; I caught him once in concert and it was a great show.

[groover]

From Charles FB feed: Charles Lloyd puts Charles Barkley in his place. Barkley's o.k. with it.



Lloyd: " I'm a Russell man." Barkley: "He's the Master."

[Gentle Giant]

That's hysterical! Good for CB, though.

[Gentle Giant]

Doubt I'll make this, but Happy birthday, Charles!

Charles Lloyd Birthday Celebration

The Kennedy Center celebrates saxophonist Charles Lloyd with a star-studded concert, featuring Jason Moran and special guests. Over his career, Lloyd has played with some of the most talented musicians of our day, from Cannonball Adderly to the Doors.

• Fri., Mar. 22, 2013, 8:00 PM
• Concert Hall
• 90 minutes
• $20.00 - $65.00

The occasion sparks a rare feature in the Wall Street Journal.

[groover]

The occasion sparks a rare feature in the Wall Street Journal.

Good article, thanks, Jason.

[groover]

Caroline No (Brian Wilson)

Charles Lloyd - tenor sax
Jason Moran - piano
Reuben Rogers - bass
Eric Harland - drums

Jazz à Porquerolles, 13 juillet 2011

[Gentle Giant]

Awesome.

[claude]

Charles made the cover of downbeat for May.