Very Quiet

crawjo · April-1st-2004, 11:12 PM

It's been very quiet here the last few weeks. Why is that? When I log onto Speakeasy, I want someone to climb through my computer screen and punch me in the face with something I haven't heard before. I keep coming by, hoping someone will do just that, but lately, there hasn't been much.

Tonight I enjoyed two albums that I never would have come across if not for Speakeasy: Booker Little's "Out in Front" and Sun Ra's "Magic City." Two very, very different recordings, and yet both were inspiring and invigorating. I find myself, sitting here, typing up this ridiculous post, trying to figure out a way to convey the impressions I received from these two albums. I listened to Booker while playing on the living room floor with my 6-month-old daughter. She's got a soft spot for trumpeters, it seems. I've never heard anyone play the trumpet like Booker Little, and this now ranks as my favorite recording of him.

Sun Ra I listened to while driving on Route-90 through the pouring rain in the dark. The music fit so perfectly with the scene that I felt like I had missed it when the album was finished. "Shadow World." What is going on there?

We need something here, people. Somebody type up a manifesto for jazz in the 21st century. Somebody say something outrageous.

Sergio Zamora · April-1st-2004, 11:23 PM

When I read the thread title, for a second I thought it would be about Radu Malfatti.

I haven't heard the Little, but the Sun Ra is really awesome - one of my faves by Sonny.

These things go in cycles. Sometimes it gets real busy, and sometimes it's lonely here. I've been working a lot lately and haven't had time to post anything but short things here and there - nothing substantive. Also, I just haven't been listening a lot lately. There are quite a few new recordings I need to get soon, and some on the way that I'm anxiously awaiting (including three new Ersts!)

[edit: after checking AMG, I rememberd I *do* have that Booker. I just don't remember too much about it]

Stuckinagroove · April-1st-2004, 11:35 PM

Nate Dorward · April-2nd-2004, 01:01 AM

Actually, I hate manifestos.

Out Front is nice, as is Booker Little & Friend, as are the Five Spot dates with Dolphy.

chuckyd4 · April-2nd-2004, 01:43 AM

How bout this: my significant other knows that if I should die an early/untimely death, "Man of Words" from Out Front is to be the music played at my funeral. Personally, I would love it if people I knew filed into the place (wherever they have it), listened to that one song in perfect silence, and filed back out. Try listening to that song with your own funeral in mind, and then I dare you not to weep like a baby.

As for quietness, I too have been busy with work, and this weekend will be busier still getting my groove on the ACME fest in Athens.

Gary Sisco · April-2nd-2004, 07:11 AM

I've been locked out of JC most of the time since the format change, so I reregistered with my real name. Haven't had much time, anyway. Glad to be able to post again, however.

Pete C · April-2nd-2004, 08:17 AM

I thought this was going to be a medley of "Very Early" & "Quiet Now."

bluenoter · April-2nd-2004, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Dorward

Out Front is nice, as is Booker Little & Friend, as are the Five Spot dates with Dolphy.

Surely you perceive the Five Spot recordings as more than "nice"--or don't you?

Anyway, the Five Spot recordings are widely thought to burn in spectacular fashion (I'm describing the music, not a copying process!) and are very highly recommended to those who don't know them. If they're available on eMusic, go for it; the last time I checked, acquiring all the tunes recorded at the Five Spot on July 16, 1961* was both difficult and expensive. (I sprang for the Prestige Dolphy box [on eBay] and haven't had a moment's regret.)

*"Like Someone in Love"
"God Bless the Child"
"Aggression"
"Fire Waltz"
"Bee Vamp"
"Bee Vamp" (Alt.)
"The Prophet"
"Booker's Waltz"
"Status Seeking"
"Number Eight (Potsa Lotsa)"

(BTW, the title is indeed Out Front, not Out in Front.)

mke · April-2nd-2004, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Try listening to that song with your own funeral in mind, and then I dare you not to weep like a baby.

Because of the song or because you're dead?

Clay Fink · April-2nd-2004, 09:30 AM

"Out Front" would be in my list of top-10 albums from the '50s and '60s. The level of playing and the composing is extraordinary and I think it's Little's best. It's so sad that he died shortly after this was made. This wasn't hard bop and it wasn't Ornettish at a time when many were aping Ornette (not that was bad, or anything). It also wasn't third stream. It didn't follow any of the threads that existed at the time than encompassed the "new thing". I do see it as part of the thread that influenced the more 'serious' stuff on Blue Note later in the sixites by Andrew Hill, Kenny Dorham/Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson/Joe Chambers; sober, music that played with odd intervals, interesting harmonies and original melodies that wasn't like the "fire music" played by Shepp, Ayler, etc..

I need to get the Mosaic box of the Roach/Little groups. Roach, no doubt, must have had an enormous influence on the younger musician.

Pete C · April-2nd-2004, 09:44 AM

I agree with Clay's analysis. "Victory & Sorrow," a/k/a "Booker Little & Friend" is in a similar vein. Compositionally, those Little albums rank with the Moncur/McLean albums.

Gentle Giant · April-2nd-2004, 10:24 AM

In a Very Quiet Way
Kind of Very Quiet
A Very Quiet Supreme
One Very Quiet Night in Tunisia
Very Quiet Corners
Now She Sings, Now She Very Quietly Sobs
Very Quiet Portrait of Debby

chuckyd4 · April-2nd-2004, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mke

Because of the song or because you're dead?

Well, the smartass answer is that if you're weeping, chances are you're still alive, in which case we can use process of elimination. But as to what I think you meant by that question, it's definitely the song - the whole thing is basically a long, dirge-like Little solo over the band who just sort of rises and ebbs, over and over again; they really sound something like waves. And then in particular, there's this one point where Little seems to be reaching the climax of his solo, and he basically just blurts out four or five high notes with big pauses in between each.... it says something to me about no matter how far we come, and how many beautiful things we are able to do in this world, there will always be that moment - for everyone - when your faculties and capacities finally give way. It gets me every time... it's sad, but not whiney and depressing; just beautiful, sad, and dignified.

Pete C · April-2nd-2004, 11:09 AM

There's something about Booker's tone that makes me think he'd been Sephardic in a prior life.

Nate Dorward · April-2nd-2004, 12:18 PM

I said "nice" because I was tired & it's shorter to type than "utterly superb".

bluenoter · April-2nd-2004, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Dorward

I said "nice" because I was tired & it's shorter to type than "utterly superb".

Oh.

hearsay · April-2nd-2004, 01:11 PM

"OUt Front" is one of my favorite albums, way ahead of it's time in my opinion. "Man of Words" is beautiful, the piece "Moods in Free Time" is spectacular too, really I can't think of any compositions to compare to the ones on this album and Booker's playing is brilliant as well.

Definitely check out "Victory and Sorrow" (as was recommeded) if you dig this one. Also Max Roach's "Percussion Bitter Sweet" with Booker, Dolphy and Priester among others, is a great album with a similar approach.

GoodSpeak · April-2nd-2004, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawjo

I want someone to climb through my computer screen and punch me in the face with something I haven't heard before. I keep coming by, hoping someone will do just that, but lately, there hasn't been much.

I have...but you put me on your ignore list

Sand · April-2nd-2004, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

I thought this was going to be a medley of "Very Early" & "Quiet Now."

Me, too, I thought it was a Bill Evans Thread.

Uli · April-2nd-2004, 06:39 PM

I thought this was gonna be a discussion of one of them new rating guides.

Captain Hate · April-2nd-2004, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawjo

We need something here, people. Somebody type up a manifesto for jazz in the 21st century. Somebody say something outrageous.

Check out the archives when Reynolds was still among us and in music threads instead of the stupid Boston sports circle jerk ones.

vibes · April-2nd-2004, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

Check out the archives when Reynolds was still among us and in music threads instead of the stupid Boston sports circle jerk ones.

Who is Reynolds? I've heard this name a few times, but having only been around here for a year or so, I'm clueless...

Captain Hate · April-2nd-2004, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vibes

Who is Reynolds? I've heard this name a few times, but having only been around here for a year or so, I'm clueless...

Steve Reynolds; do a search on the members site for some of his posts on musical threads. Avoid the stupid sports ones at all costs; you'll think he's the dumbest f-ing mook that ever came down the pike. When you catch his spiels about music that moves him you'll see what passion is all about.

Better yet, go in the Archives (assuming their wood-burning search engine hasn't gasped its last) and find one of his favorites like Exploded on Impact or Machine Gun (or anything by Brotz). You'll have a new appreciation of the term "foaming at the mouth". I think we all miss his presence.

vibes · April-2nd-2004, 09:00 PM

Thank you. What happened to him?

Captain Hate · April-2nd-2004, 09:05 PM

Beats me; I've emailed him a coupla times but I've never met him, so I can't say.

Brian Olewnick · April-2nd-2004, 09:56 PM

Steve's been incommunicado for a few months now. We all hope everything's ok and he's just lying low for his own reasons.

HLJ · April-2nd-2004, 09:58 PM

Yeah Booker's shit is the Joint.I got turned on to him a couple of years ago and copped 'Out Front",'Friends' and The Five Spot sets.Was digging Freinds the other day mean stuff.Peace and all that.

crawjo · April-2nd-2004, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

Check out the archives when Reynolds was still among us and in music threads instead of the stupid Boston sports circle jerk ones.

Yes, the archives. Always with the archives. Don't you people see! We're creating tomorrow's archives today! I feel like we're that sorry basketball team from that movie where Michael J. Fox turns into a werewolf. And then at the end of the movie Michael J. Fox shows up but he can't be a werewolf anymore, and so they decide that they can win the championship without the werewolf. And they do. And why? Because they believe in themselves and because it's a really crappy movie. But that's not the point! The point is that Stevie Rey is a werewolf and for a long time I'm sure it was great to watch his face, arms, and legs get all hairy and to see him dunk the basketball. But that's not going to happen anymore and we need to start working on our passing and setting screens for each other and getting easy looks under the basket. Is this so hard to understand?

Pete C · April-2nd-2004, 11:27 PM

If it's manifestos you want check for threads started by Reid. You can have 'em.

crawjo · April-2nd-2004, 11:29 PM

What I'm trying to say, is that I can't be Stevie Rey. (Hey, that rhymes.) I don't drink Budweiser and I'm not very smart. But, gosh darn it, I can be the best darn crawjo that I can be. In fact, right now I'm going to go listen to Sun Ra's "Atlantis" and start drinking some whole (yeah, that's right, I said whole) milk by the gallon. I'm going to drink so much goddamn milk and listen to so much goddamn Sun Ra that by the time I'm done I'll be convinced that I'm a lactos-intolerant tympani player who comes from the Oort Cloud, or whatever the hell it's called.