Ron Carter

BlueMiles · August-16th-2005, 03:18 PM

I'm interested in some discussion on Ron Carter.

I am sure most would regard Carter as among the greatest jazz bassists. He and Mingus were the first two bassists that I really got into. I knew Carter mainly through his work with Miles. His contributions were a bit more subtle than those of Shorter, Hancock, and Williams--but he was a key part of the group. There is some stunning bass work on those records, especially on "Miles Smiles."

I also got to know him from quite a few sideman appearances, such as those with McCoy Tyner--as well as the groups with old pals from the Miles days, including the live "Quintet" and "Quartet" with none other than Wynton M. (pretty good record).

About two decades ago, I was pretty deeply into Carter. For example, there was a nice trio record with Hancock and Williams: "Third Plane." And he had another good record on Elektra (which seemed to take only a brief stab at producing jazz): "Etudes." That one had Tony Williams, Art Farmer, and saxophonist Bill Evans.

I have not heard many of his records on Blue Note.

Some of you may know that Carter was canonized (so to speak) by Bill Frisell. The tune "Ron Carter" appears on Frisell's "Blues Dream" and on his new live CD.

Carter, Frisell, and Arthur Blythe all appear on two records by Joey Baron.
I've really enjoyed "Down Home" (1997), rediscovering how good it is after setting it aside for a few years.

jazzy mary · August-16th-2005, 03:25 PM

Ron is great to see live! I saw him a couple of years ago w/ his string nonet (I believe) and oh, what beautiful music!!! He's a pretty nice guy too, very elegant in his bearing.

groover · August-16th-2005, 03:33 PM

Ron Carter is one of my bass-playing idols.

Telephone, a live duo session with Jim Hall, is probably his best recorded work under his own name.

"Blues Farm" is a sentimental favorite, as it's one of the first jazz albums I owned. Far from his best work overall, but worthwhile for the relentless groove of "R2, M1".

Cem · August-16th-2005, 03:56 PM

As I've previously recounted, this beauty was the reason I got into jazz. It seems that Ollie was in the audience...

Peterdubya · August-16th-2005, 03:58 PM

I have always loved Ron's playing and his tone. He is instantly recognizable.

He can really mess with the time and is always interesting in what he does.

i love the work he did with Frisell, Frisell is also on one of the Blue Note releases.

Darryl G. Thomas · August-16th-2005, 04:00 PM

Being a big Miles Davis fan naturally I've listened to a lot of Carter. He's one of the few bassists I can identify "blindfolded". I think he's great, but I understand there have been some complaints about his intonation. Specifically, I'm thinking of Bill Milkowski's comments in Jazz Time's "Who's Overrated/Underated" article that got a bit of noteriety a while back. Those of us who were active Jazz Central Station participants remember that one.

Monte Smith · August-16th-2005, 05:26 PM

I've had the pleasure of seeing Carter live w/ Houston Person at the Vanguard.

These are the two albums from my collection that I think of when I think of Ron Carter:

And then the one that I am sure most of my generation knows Carter's work from. (And it is a brilliant record, though not jazz):

Samuel · August-16th-2005, 05:30 PM

Joe Henderson's State of the Tenor is a live double-pocket trio date with Al Foster on drums. It's the best "later" Ron Carter I've heard.

Noj · August-16th-2005, 05:31 PM

Aside from many of the above listed, I'm very fond of this one:

Peterdubya · August-16th-2005, 06:58 PM

Ron will be at Yoshi's in March.

Tom Marcello · August-16th-2005, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noj

Aside from many of the above listed, I'm very fond of this one:

I thought I was the only person who had this!

I have it on vinyl; is it out on cd?

BlueMiles · August-16th-2005, 08:00 PM

I imagine a lot of the older Carter albums are very hard to find; maybe quite a few have yet to appear on CD.

Hell, I couldn't find a single CD by Ron Carter (not even recent Blue Notes) last time I looked at Borders.

I think I have "Piccolo" on cassette. It's a double live album, right?

Noj · August-16th-2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Marcello

I thought I was the only person who had this!

I have it on vinyl; is it out on cd?

Tom, I have the Label M reissue pictured but Label M has since gone the way of the dodo. So, it has been on cd, but it might not be anymore.

GoodSpeak · August-16th-2005, 10:12 PM

Besides Ray Brown [God Rest His Soul], Ron Carter is the best bassist on this or any other planet.

Captain Hate · August-16th-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

Joe Henderson's State of the Tenor is a live double-pocket trio date with Al Foster on drums. It's the best "later" Ron Carter I've heard.

I probably agree with this more than any other posts. The only one that I really take issue with is his playing on the "Down Home" release; he sounds to me like the odd man out on a disc that I'm really not fond of at all. Strangely enough, the Vines had a double disc live at the Bluenote performance of this group that I strongly expected to dislike, but the latter cuts snuck up on me and were really effective.

bluenoter · August-16th-2005, 10:55 PM

New and used copies of the 2001 CD reissue of Uptown Conversation on Label M are available from private sellers at Amazon.

That reissue of Uptown Conversation and a whole mess of other Ron Carter-led CDs are available from Counterpoint Music (which is based in California).

Where? (from 1961) is the only Carter-led CD I have; I like it a lot. It's available from Counterpoint Music and Barnes & Noble online, among other places. eMusic apparently has it too, and I believe it has other Carter-led CDs on labels in the Fantasy family (at least). (I can't use eMusic, so I haven't checked it.)

BlueMiles, bricks-and-mortar CD stores don't have squat anymore, and with few exceptions, they don't stock artists' backlists. I suggest that you shop at online stores (if you don't already).

Tom Storer · August-17th-2005, 02:08 AM

I'm also a big fan of Carter. There are sour-faced nay-sayers who whine that his technique isn't good enough (poor intonation is a frequent complaint). I yawn in their face. What tone, what personality!

One of my favorites is "Live at Village West," another duo with Jim Hall--a superb, intimate recording.

Brian was in the audience for "Piccolo"? So was I! Small world.

BlueMiles · August-17th-2005, 09:32 AM

Bluenoter,

Yeah, I know how pitiful the stores have become. I have bought music through Amazon a good deal, and I should explore other online outlets.

I make extensive use of my library system as well; I know I can get my hands on a few of Carter's CDs (mostly newer ones) this way.

JHMurray · August-23rd-2005, 11:46 PM

My first Ron Carter record was "Pick 'em" in the late '70s. I've been curious ever since about the piccolo bass. Has anyone ever seen one? Is it merely a retuned cello?

August-23rd-2005, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Rita, this is simply one of the most fantastic sets of all time!!!!

Thanks, now I have something to pull out of the archives to listen to tonight!!!!

Felix · August-23rd-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodSpeak

the best bassist on this or any other planet.

I know a great bass player from Sirius called Rdf.kjhag Brlkeuah.

August-24th-2005, 12:01 AM

Actually, I think Brother Goodz may have been referring to Richard Davis. Who, of course, would be the best bassist on this or any other planet.

hornplayer · August-24th-2005, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHMurray

My first Ron Carter record was "Pick 'em" in the late '70s. I've been curious ever since about the piccolo bass. Has anyone ever seen one? Is it merely a retuned cello?

Sure! I've seen Ron's. Its body is cello-sized, but has a bass-sized finger board. and it must be very hard to play in tune, because I don't think I've ever heard him play it in tune. which is not true for the "regular" bass.

Pete C · August-24th-2005, 07:58 AM

For something different, check out Entre Amigos, with Brazilian singer Rosa Passos (they are credited as co-leaders).

stonemonkts · August-24th-2005, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMiles

I knew Carter mainly through his work with Miles. His contributions were a bit more subtle than those of Shorter, Hancock, and Williams--but he was a key part of the group. There is some stunning bass work on those records, especially on "Miles Smiles."

You can say that again. He was as essential to the miracle which was that band as any of the other four musicians.

Other examples of his playing which I think are worth noting (although none come close to his work with the Miles 5tet imo):

Jaki Byard - Out Front!
Benny Golson - Free
Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles
Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage
Booker Little - Out Front
Archie Shepp - The Way Ahead
Wayne Shorter - The All-Seeing Eye
Wayne Shorter - The Soothsayer
Mal Waldron - The Quest (he plays cello here, iirc)
McCoy Tyner - The Real McCoy

Chazro · August-24th-2005, 08:35 AM

Wazzup All!
Surprised no one's mentioned his work as the house bassist for CTI. As a youngster, this was my 1st exposure to his work. Imagine my surprise when I graduated to Miles's work to see he was such a prominent player in so many historic sessions. Ron's the man!

Hot Ptah · August-25th-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Actually, I think Brother Goodz may have been referring to Richard Davis. Who, of course, would be the best bassist on this or any other planet.

Yes!

Hot Ptah · August-25th-2005, 12:12 PM

I do think that Ron Carter's playing on McCoy Tyner's Trident is exceptional.

Peterdubya · August-25th-2005, 02:16 PM

I love Ron, always have.
His tone is intantly recognizable.
One of the first concerts I ever saw was Ron's quartet at Concerts by the Sea.
Ron playing piccolo bass, George Mraz, Kenny Barron and maybe Ben Riley.
His current quartet is a fine group with Stephen Scott on piano.

Tom Storer · June-18th-2007, 03:21 AM

Check out Ethan Iverson's interview with Ron Carter on Do The Math.

He's got a 70th birthday concert coming up soon at Carnegie Hall that looks very nice indeed. All hail Ron Carter!