Kenny Wheeler Albums You Come Back To...

rene · February-5th-2007, 09:41 AM

So, what Kenny Wheeler albums do you reminisce and come back to listen to? What are his post ECM releases worth checking in to?

olie brice · February-5th-2007, 10:02 AM

The Kenny Wheeler I listen to the most is probably 'Gnu High', but post-ECM I love 'Dream Sequence'. Some of the same material as Angel Song but I actually prefer it, the addition of drums and the dryer studion sound allow it to breath and swing a bit more to my ear.
The line up is Kenny Wheeler, Stan Sulzmann (tenor), Ray Warleigh (alto, flute), Tony Levin (drums), John parricelli (guitar) and Chris Laurence (bass), but rarely all at once.
Also wondeful was the 75th birthday bigband tour, which I taped form the radio. Hope that gets released one day.

Gerardo A · February-5th-2007, 01:22 PM

With a rare ECM appearance by Eje Thelin, plus Evan Parker and Vesala:

Surfer · February-5th-2007, 01:55 PM

Sand · February-5th-2007, 05:22 PM

It would be impossible to limit it to one album.
Until 5 years ago it would have been Gnu High, Deer Wan or Music For Large Ensembles. They were the ones I had access to between 74 and 2002 (+ Angel Song and some sideman projects). Let's say Gnu High, then. After realizing in 2002 that some of the finest concerts I've been to have been Wheeler concerts, I've collected a number of recordings - old and new - and among those I return to these most frequntly:

Kenny Wheeler: Around 6

Kenny Wheeler: Flutter By, Butterfly (Soul Note)
- more punch than the other albums here

Kenny Wheeler: The Widow In The Window (ECM)

Kenny Wheeler: Dream Sequence (PSI)

Kenny Wheeler: What Now? (CamJazz)

I haven't had time for my first Wheelers for awhile.

BayviewSax · February-5th-2007, 06:58 PM

I really love him on George Adams' SOUND SUGGESTIONS. It's around the same time as DEER WAN and sounds somewhat similar, but I prefer George to Jan Garbarek.

Paul B · February-5th-2007, 07:15 PM

Another great Wheeler album on ECM is "Double, Double You." In that company, Brecker shines.

"Music for Large and Small Ensembles" is a classic.

jazzgregg · February-10th-2007, 03:06 PM

Deer Wan
Gnu High
Around 6 (vastly under-rated, I think. This is a great album, an all time favourite of mine)

G

Dennis Gonzalez · February-10th-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfer

Amen!

mjb · February-10th-2007, 06:08 PM

I have been addicted to Kenny Wheeler and his music since seeing him with SME is the 60s (at The Institute for Contemporary Arts, I think.) For me all his music calls me back.

A couple of years ago we saw him at the late lamented Montreal Bistro here in Toronto. I spoke to him and asked if he'd mind signing a CD - I pulled a couple out and he took "Widow in the Window" saying "that's not a bad one."

Gordon B · February-10th-2007, 06:13 PM

I only come back to one, "Music for Large and Small Ensembles."

Norma Winstone is my favorite jazz singer.

Jazzylisp · February-13th-2007, 01:13 AM

I mostly go back to Gnu High and Deer Wan, though the Large/Small Ensembles set is nice too.

Ron Thorne · February-13th-2007, 01:57 AM

Gnu High and Deer Wan were two of the Wheeler-led recordings which hooked me intially, but I need more.

Yes, Paul, Double, Double You is superb, too.

Gerardo A · February-13th-2007, 03:05 AM

I also love his solos in Moholo's Spirits Rejoice and Dave Holland's Jumpin' In.

BrianL1 · February-19th-2007, 12:45 AM

I will add another vote for "Deer Wan". Amazingly beautiful. I also fall back to "Widow In The Window" a lot too.

Kenny's recent work on CamJazz has also been top notch.

Morthrablethrockmorten · February-19th-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjb

I have been addicted to Kenny Wheeler and his music since seeing him with SME is the 60s (at The Institute for Contemporary Arts, I think.) For me all his music calls me back.

A couple of years ago we saw him at the late lamented Montreal Bistro here in Toronto. I spoke to him and asked if he'd mind signing a CD - I pulled a couple out and he took "Widow in the Window" saying "that's not a bad one."

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

'have to say he's right about "Widow ..."

wthii · February-19th-2007, 04:38 PM

"Deer Wan" is my favorite. I can't find "Around 6" anywhere! Lately I've been enjoying "It Takes Two!" Abercrombie and Parricelli are quite different, and the whole affair is reminiscent of "Angel Song," another terrific outing.

There's no going wrong with Kenny Wheeler. I'm pleased to see he's still quite active.

bluenoter · February-20th-2007, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wthii

I can't find "Around 6" anywhere!

It's listed as being available from Downtown Music Gallery (online store and a bricks-and-mortar store located in NYC)--

Quote:

KENNY WHEELER With EVAN PARKER et al
Around 6
Label: ECM 1156 Country: Germany
Format: CD Category: AVAILABLE Price: $23.00

AFAIK, the specific item is "unlinkable," but I found it by entering the album title into DMG's search engine.

Welcome to JC!

--Rita

mjb · February-20th-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morthrablethrockmorten

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

'have to say he's right about "Widow ..."

Another Kenny Wheeler moment ... A few years ago I was at a set where Kenny and Sonny Greenwich co-led a group, also at the Bistro. One number Kenny sat out and stood by the doorway watching the band. A young couple came in and were clearly looking for somewhere to sit. They spoke to Kenny. He then walked a few paces into the restaurant craning his neck checking the tables. He went back to the couple and pointed out a couple of chairs. He led them a few steps in and again pointed the way.

For that alone, I love the guy.

Morthrablethrockmorten · February-20th-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjb

Another Kenny Wheeler moment ... A few years ago I was at a set where Kenny and Sonny Greenwich co-led a group, also at the Bistro. One number Kenny sat out and stood by the doorway watching the band. A young couple came in and were clearly looking for somewhere to sit. They spoke to Kenny. He then walked a few paces into the restaurant craning his neck checking the tables. He went back to the couple and pointed out a couple of chairs. He led them a few steps in and again pointed the way.

For that alone, I love the guy.

Then he's every bit the gentleman I thought. Thanks.

I had an LP with Kenny and Sunny. I've lost track of it but I wonder if it was recorded at this venue?

mjb · February-20th-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morthrablethrockmorten

Then he's every bit the gentleman I thought. Thanks.

I had an LP with Kenny and Sunny. I've lost track of it but I wonder if it was recorded at this venue?

I think so ...

Sand · February-20th-2007, 03:15 PM

I listened to this one for the first time today - from 1968-9 - and pre-music-for-large-ensembles:

Kenny Wheeler And John Dankworth Orchestra, The - Windmill Tilter (The Story Of Don Quixote)

Label:	Fontana
Catalog#:	STL 5494
Format:	Vinyl, LP
Country:	UK
Released:	1969
Genre:	Jazz
Style:
Credits:	Bass - Dave Holland Composed By - Kenny Wheeler Drums - John Spooner Guitar - John McLaughlin Percussion - Tristan Fry Piano - Alan Branscombe , Bob Cornford Saxophone - John Dankworth , Ray Swinfield , Tony Coe , Tony Roberts Trombone - Chris Pyne , Michael Gibbs Trumpet - Derek Watkins , Henry Lowther , Henry Shaw , Les Condon Tuba - Alf Reece , Dick Hart
Notes:
Rating:	No votes yet. Rate It
Submitted by:	jazzmann

Tracklisting:

A1		Preamble
A2		Don The Dreamer
A3		Sweet Dulcinea Blue
A4		Bachelor Sam
A5		Sancho
B1		The Cane Of Montesinos
B2		Propheticape
B3		Altisidora
B4		Don No More

SEJ · February-24th-2007, 03:50 PM

I've been coming back to this thread thinking I might leave an answer to the question, but all I've arrived at is that I may just be in love with Kenny Wheeler.

Gary Sisco · February-25th-2007, 10:30 AM

I like "After 6." Good to relax with.

olie brice · March-1st-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Gonzalez

Amen!

and amen again! My partner just bought this album today, I'm a big wheeler fan but had somehow never got around to buying 'music for large and small ensembles'. Its quite astonishingly beautiful!

bigtiny · March-6th-2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rene

So, what Kenny Wheeler albums do you reminisce and come back to listen to? What are his post ECM releases worth checking in to?

I love kenny's work from Braxton to Maynard to his own recordings, but my 2 consistently favorite works of his are (in order) "Deer Wan" and "Gnu High".

I remember getting "Deer Wan" wen it came out and wearing out 3 copies of it. I thought (and still think) that it is the absolute perfect blend of written material and improvisation, startling soloists, an amazing rhythm section and wonderful tunes.

bigtiny

Ron Thorne · March-6th-2007, 12:58 AM

I couldn't agree more, bigtiny, though I also love much more of Wheeler's work beyond those two recordings.

The titles are pretty clever and hip, too.

Bill Barton · March-10th-2007, 07:54 PM

Of the ones mentioned so far, Double, Double You is probably my top pick although they're all superb.

One I come back to again and again is Azimuth's How it was then...never again. The multi-tracked Wheeler solo brass interpretation of "How Deep is the Ocean" knocks me out: just gorgeous!

SEJ · March-11th-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olie brice

and amen again! My partner just bought this album today, I'm a big wheeler fan but had somehow never got around to buying 'music for large and small ensembles'. Its quite astonishingly beautiful!

And amen yet again. Norma Winstone is one of my favorite big band instruments.

jazzmullin · March-12th-2007, 03:57 AM

A long time ago, surprises, innovates and reprises many types of music. I just love Gnu High, All the More, Flutter by, Butterfly, 1975, and Angel Song. He also appears on Jane Ira Blooms, "Th Nearness." His contribution to George Adams and Don Pullen's Soul Suggestions is indelible.Kenny escapes delineation by being non-pretentious and open to things both new and old.