Music Thread

[Rob C]

Hey, let's talk about music! I'll start.

I listened to Woody Shaw's Stepping Stones a couple of times this weekend. Man, this might be THE Woody Shaw record.... Beautiful stuff. Nobody played like Woody--I don't think there's a trumpeter (or cornetist or fluegelhornist, in the case of this record) who I've heard play with such an utterly perfect balance of technique and emotion. I love listening to him.

I've also been spending some time with Paal Nilssen-Love's record on Clean Feed, Townorchestrahouse. Surprised there hasn't been more discussion about this one around here. What a band: Paal, Ingebrigt Haaker-Flaten, Sten Sandell, and Evan Parker. This is all improvised, but has a very "free jazz" feel to it. I'd never heard Sandell before, but I like his stuff. As for Parker, this record reminds me how much I like his tenor playing. For a long time I was so awed by his soprano technique that I kind of forgot about his tenor. How wrong I was. Now I think his tenor playing might be even more creative than his soprano, which as others sometimes point out, can sound the same after a while.

The new Exploding Customer disc has gotten many spins in the past week or two. Love it! If you dig the pianoless quartet, and who doesn't, this is a band to hear. Where's that US Tour??? I continue to clamor for it.

The record store around the corner is having a sale, so I picked up the complete Charlie Parker live on Savoy box, which I've been wanting for a long time, and, on a whim, Naked City live. I'm working my way up to NC's complete box. I've been downloading a lot of Zorn off eMusic lately. His appeal had largely eluded me before, but something has clicked and I'm really digging him. His duo with Milford Graves smmmokes. Looking forward to listening to both of these--I'm hoping the CP sound quality doesn't suck too much--the Town Hall release has set a high bar for me.

[JamesH]

I don't have time for music. I'm too busy fighting with people.



Just kidding I've heard Stepping Stones and think it's great. I also think the new David Murray with strings is very strong.

[Pete C]

Shouldn't this be in the political alley?

[walto]

Originally Posted by JamesH

Just kidding I've heard Stepping Stones and think it's great. I also think the new David Murray with strings is very strong.

Just curious. Is this an example of the greater "depth" we can expect when more mainstream music is being discussed?

[Cem]

Rob, listening to some of that artsy fartsy stuff again, eh?

Thanks for the heads up on the EP with the boys. I had no idea...intrigued!

I haven't even been able to give a full listen to the new Exploding Customer, as I'm busy booking for Jan-Feb, having to listen to tons of other music, mostly no pleasure.

[RainyDay]

Over the weekend, I bought Stevie Wonder, Charlie Hunter, and Diana Krall's Xmas record. Stevie is the bomb. I talked about it a little bit on Cookie's Stevie Wonder new record thread. I don't know why this record didn't get more attention because it is a fine bit of work. His singing is still strong and his writing is excellent. I miss the mainstream R&B sound that Stevie's work represents and yet his latest doesn't sound like a Stevie rehash.

The Hunter record is a disappointement, especially after seeing him last week and loving his live performance. I talk about that on the Charlie Hunter thread a little bit.

The Krall record is fine for what it is, pleasant holiday music. I like her and realize almost no one else here does.

After work, I'm going to look for an Xmas record by the Whispers. It's not Xmas without the Whispers, speaking of mainstream R&B sounds.

Last weekend I put on Miles' Jack Johnson record. When I was a student, I played this thing to death. Decades later, I still love it. It's just so rich and funky. Even though it is repetitive, it's become a game to pick out the little tweaks that make each repetition unique, if that's not an oxymoron. Unique repetitions.

[Rob C]

If I was going to pick one year by one artist as my all-time favorite, it would probably be 1970 Miles.

[bostontricky]

Rainy, I dig the Jack Johnson album; I can't remember how long ago it was when I first heard it on the radio, but it compelled me to pull over at the next pay phone I saw to call the radio station and find out what was playing.

And what's the matter with Diana Krall? Just keep them strings away from me! As for R&B Christmas sounds, does the Phil Spector album count?

As far as jazz pariahs, I'm contemplating calling Stereo Jack's to see if they can stock some of the 1950s Maynard Ferguson recently issued on CD by Fresh Sound. You can abuse his later work all you want, but this is some pretty solid, small-format jazz.

[stonemonkts]

I've been listening to all sorts of shit.

Just today I listened to, of all things, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) [EXPLICIT LYRICS]".

I'm trying to broaden my horizons.

I read all of the WAYLT type threads and see what other people listen to, then I see if I dig it too. So today I downloaded the Wu-Tang thing. Holy shit! (that's for Walto).

Here's a picture. I'm a picture-posting bloke.



Within 15 minutes I was talking to my cat like this....

"get yo motherfuckin' black ass 'way from the food dish"

"drop game on me, motherfucka? I put a cap in yo fuckin' ass"

and so on. Infectious stuff.

I also have a PILE of dimeadozen bootleg cd-rs I am methodically listening to, but I feel hinky posting about any of them. I feel there is something not quite Kosher with the whole bootleg scene. Im too lazy to dredge up past threads which possibly address the right and wrong of it all. So I mostly keep mum.

I've revisited the Mosaic Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band box lately. Just fantastic stuff. Wonderful arramgements (for Walto).

Oh yeah, one more thought.

You know what I think causes so many riffs here regarding jazz and what it is, and what it isn't?

[Rob C]

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

Oh yeah, one more thought.

You know what I think causes so many riffs here regarding jazz and what it is, and what it isn't?

What?

[Jon Abbey]

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

I've been listening to all sorts of shit.

Just today I listened to, of all things, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) [EXPLICIT LYRICS]".

you should try Genius/GZA-Liquid Swords, that's the best Wu-related full-length.

[stonemonkts]

Glad you asked, Rob.

I think it is related to tastes, and how broad or narrow they are relative to each cyber pugilist.

For example, I love jazz from the 1920s as much as any other era, AND I tend to enjoy all sorts of styles and genres within each. So I would automatically fall into the camp who defends Evan Parker, for example.

"Hurray for me, and fuck you!" is basically how I see it.

But seriously, I recognize a certain staunch and narrowminded attachment to 'mainstream' jazz, and a mistrust of people who don't stick within that curve (and yet post here as if Evan Parker, per se, was worthy of discussion on a jazz bbs).

I love mainstream jazz too, but I don't view it as more valid jazz than Anthony Braxton's Symphony for Twenty Rusty Refrdigerators, or whatever.

Discuss.

[stonemonkts]

Originally Posted by Jon Abbey

you should try Genius/GZA-Liquid Swords, that's the best Wu-related full-length.

Thanks, Jon, I will.

[Monte Smith]

I got this in the mail from BMG today. Five bucks on account of I used to work for them.



So far I have to say it stinks.

[Mike Schwartz]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

I got this in the mail from BMG today. Five bucks on account of I used to work for them.



So far I have to say it stinks.

Did you get a $4.99 discount for the cover *art*?

[mke]

Been listening to John Hollenbeck's Large Ensemble "A Blessing", very nice; clear textures, not as iconoclastic as the Claudia Quintet, kinda like Maria Schneider, but also kinda like John Adams (admittedly, I found that out totally randomly as my mp3 player was cycling through the folders alphabetically: John Adams led to John Hollenbeck...). Also, Lafayette Gilchrist's second album on Hyena "Towards the Shining Path." More joyous than the previous one, but I'm initially a little disappointed that the music hasn't evolved more, but I'm happy that there's more piano to be heard. My opinion may change with a few more listens.

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by walto

Just curious. Is this an example of the greater "depth" we can expect when more mainstream music is being discussed?

Just curious or just being an ass. My guess is that a curious person wouldn't spend their time looking to take cheap shots so I'd put you in the ass category.

[stonemonkts]

Originally Posted by RainyDay

Last weekend I put on Miles' Jack Johnson record. When I was a student, I played this thing to death. Decades later, I still love it. It's just so rich and funky. Even though it is repetitive, it's become a game to pick out the little tweaks that make each repetition unique, if that's not an oxymoron. Unique repetitions.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again. To my ears, that extended solo Miles takes was among his finest ever. I think it was a true peak. I still love it to death, and turn the volume way up whenever I play it. The Jack Johnson box set is worth every penny, whether you own the single CD release, or not.

[RainyDay]

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

I've said this before, but I'll say it again. To my ears, that extended solo Miles takes was among his finest ever. I think it was a true peak. I still love it to death, and turn the volume way up whenever I play it. The Jack Johnson box set is worth every penny, whether you own the single CD release, or not.

Ever since my post, the music is playing in my head. I can hear every note of Miles' opening on the first side. Man, it's great.

[Rob C]

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

Glad you asked, Rob.

I think it is related to tastes, and how broad or narrow they are relative to each cyber pugilist.

Discuss.

You're welcome and I think you're right. Me, I have a pretty broad definition of jazz, which was part of the point of my first post, actually.

To go back to the argument on that other thread in the Alley, and the idea that listening to Evan Parker is somehow antithetical to listening to Charlie Parker--as I said there, I think if you could draw a Venn diagram to encompass the tastes of all the posters around here, you'd find the heaviest points of intersection in the classic mainstream of the music. I'm talking about the greats from Bird to Miles to Trane, etc. Everybody here listens to those guys, as well they should. I think even Abbey might listen to these guys once in a while?

From there, tastes get more diffuse. Some people drop off with 60s free jazz, some with 70s fusion, some with the European free improv guys. Or wherever. Me, I think all that stuff fits in the definition of "jazz", including someone like Evan Parker. Whereas something like EAI seems to me to be outside of and apart from jazz, even though a lot of people around here dig both.

Maybe someone would make the argument that EAI is part of "jazz". I don't want to turn this into a bashing thread, but to make my point, I have to say, I don't much care for the EAI I've heard--it strikes me as music that's had all the elements that I like about music stripped out of it. But I could see where someone would feel exactly that way about Euro free improv, or fusion, or free jazz, or whatever point on the continuum that the music loses them.

But that of course comes back to what is the definition of "jazz"? And how broad is that "continuum"? Which are questions that people will be arguing about forever.

[Rob C]

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

The Jack Johnson box set is worth every penny, whether you own the single CD release, or not.

That box is the bomb. I was iffy on buying it for a long time, because from the track listing, it looked too repetitive. And it IS repetitive, kind of. But it's not boring.

[stonemonkts]

I love Venn you talk like that.

[cookie]

I love that Diana Krall Christmas disc. Like I said on the other thread, I didn't expect to like it, but I did. It was swingin' as all hell. And ain't nothin' wrong with strings when the writing's so phat. Yum, yum.

Unfortunately, I lost the one that was given to me. I hope it turns up---soon!!

I had a thought: I think that sometimes artists' Christmas albums among their most satisfying work. I think it's because they're often having more fun. I have to say that this is one reason I like this Krall recording so much: Diana sounds like she's having a *very* good time and that attitude reached me. I think some people let their guard down more when it's holiday stuff. I really think it's my very favorite of ALL her discs.

And I really like Michael McDonald's Christmas disc. "Oh Holy Night" in-7 is wild, man!

And what *is* it with the Stevie disc man?? Did *anybody* besides Rainy and me and that other guy over there buy it?? I love it, but I don't mind reading that somebody else hates it (reasons would be appreciated). But I can't figure out why nobody seems to be HEARING it. I think it needs to be heard. It's really much better than "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Much.

I'm drippin' music--
Some days I fear I may drown
Neck deep in CDs.

[Pete C]

People talk about how Miles didn't have great technique, but he has some serious chops on his 1969-71 official & bootleg recordings.

[RainyDay]

Originally Posted by cookie

I love that Diana Krall Christmas disc. Like I said on the other thread, I didn't expect to like it, but I did. It was swingin' as all hell. And ain't nothin' wrong with strings when the writing's so phat. Yum, yum.

Unfortunately, I lost the one that was given to me. I hope it turns up---soon!!

I had a thought: I think that sometimes artists' Christmas albums among their most satisfying work. I think it's because they're often having more fun. I have to say that this is one reason I like this Krall recording so much: Diana sounds like she's having a *very* good time and that attitude reached me. I think some people let their guard down more when it's holiday stuff. I really think it's my very favorite of ALL her discs.

And I really like Michael McDonald's Christmas disc. "Oh Holy Night" in-7 is wild, man!

And what *is* it with the Stevie disc man?? Did *anybody* besides Rainy and me and that other guy over there buy it?? I love it, but I don't mind reading that somebody else hates it (reasons would be appreciated). But I can't figure out why nobody seems to be HEARING it. I think it needs to be heard. It's really much better than "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Much.

I'm drippin' music--
Some days I fear I may drown
Neck deep in CDs.

I think the Krall CD is good, not my favorite by her, but nice. I seem to conenct with some quality in her voice. I just like the sound of it. Yeah, the Stevie record is really nice. If weren't for you, I wouldn't have bought it. Best recommendation I've had in a long time.

[MRS]

Originally Posted by Jon Abbey

you should try Genius/GZA-Liquid Swords, that's the best Wu-related full-length.

Didn't you say W was their most realized (paraphrasing) record? We have to part ways there, I'd take a couple tracks from it though. Forced as far as the group discs go, I'd put maybe five or six tracks from 36, maybe three tracks from the double-disc (including "Dogshit") before looking at W.

[crawjo]

Against much advice to the contrary and perhaps against my better judgment, I recently sprang for Bill Dixon's six cds of solo trumpet, Odyssey. It arrived in the mail today. I am reading the essays now and looking forward to listening to it over the next couple of days. Will post once I've had a chance to digest it a little bit.

[Peterdubya]

I've been listening to the new EST a lot, I like it and their conception.
The music is moody, etherial, and at times burning. It's a nice new CD.
Also, still enjoying the new Mehldau, which gets better with each listen.

The new Krall is OK for what it is.

For Christmas music, give me "The Three Suns, Ding Dong Dandy Christmas"

For something different for Charlie Hunter, try his Quintet CD from a few years ago, it's the trio with harmonica and rombone added.

There is some really nice ensemble playing, not just funkk grooves. Gregoire Maret and Curtis Folkes round out the group.

I also pulled out KOB this weekend, listened to it all the way through for the first time in a few years. Still great.

[kedoane]

Originally Posted by RainyDay

Over the weekend, I bought Stevie Wonder, Charlie Hunter, and Diana Krall's Xmas record. Stevie is the bomb. I talked about it a little bit on Cookie's Stevie Wonder new record thread. I don't know why this record didn't get more attention because it is a fine bit of work. His singing is still strong and his writing is excellent. I miss the mainstream R&B sound that Stevie's work represents and yet his latest doesn't sound like a Stevie rehash.

The Hunter record is a disappointement, especially after seeing him last week and loving his live performance. I talk about that on the Charlie Hunter thread a little bit.

The Krall record is fine for what it is, pleasant holiday music. I like her and realize almost no one else here does.

After work, I'm going to look for an Xmas record by the Whispers. It's not Xmas without the Whispers, speaking of mainstream R&B sounds.

Last weekend I put on Miles' Jack Johnson record. When I was a student, I played this thing to death. Decades later, I still love it. It's just so rich and funky. Even though it is repetitive, it's become a game to pick out the little tweaks that make each repetition unique, if that's not an oxymoron. Unique repetitions.

I am currently listening to the Complete Jack Johnson CD set and I am really enjoying it. I was really young when the original album was released.

[Jon Abbey]

Originally Posted by MRS

Didn't you say W was their most realized (paraphrasing) record? We have to part ways there, I'd take a couple tracks from it though. Forced as far as the group discs go, I'd put maybe five or six tracks from 36, maybe three tracks from the double-disc (including "Dogshit") before looking at W.

the W as a band, but including side projects, Liquid Swords.

the Wu-Tang proper tracks I have on my iPod are Reunited and Triumph (from Forever), Hollow Bones, Gravel Pit, Conditioner and I Can't Go To Sleep (from the W), and One of These Days and Iron Flag (from Iron Flag), nothing from the debut (for me, the production isn't as sophisticated as it is on later discs).