Favorite solo jazz piano albums

ormsbop · May-25th-2004, 01:03 AM

Lately I've been listening to Bill Evan's "Alone" (his only solo work as far as I know). It doesn't get as much praise as his combo recordings but I'm enjoying it a lot. What solo piano albums are your favorites?

Nate Dorward · May-25th-2004, 02:13 AM

There's also Alone Again & the two posthumously released solo sessions from the end of his tenure at Riverside. Haven't heard the former for a while--I remember it had a very good "In Your Own Sweet Way"--but the latter discs are quite strong, notably the reading of "Nardis" & a solo "Ornithology".

Squaredancecalling Steve · May-25th-2004, 02:59 AM

[Since you specify jazz, I will, alas!, leave out Richter's Pictures At An Exhibition, Gould's Goldberg Variations, Watts' Chopin Recital, etc.]

Sergey Kuryokhin -- Some Combinations Of Fingers And Passion

Cecil Taylor -- Indent, Silent Tongues, For Olim, Spring Of Two Blue J's: Part I

Keith Tippett -- Mujician I & II, Mujician III, The Dartington Concert, Friday the 13th

Fats Waller -- The Joint Is Jumpin'

Sergey Kuryokhin -- Some Combinations Of Fingers And Passion

James P. Johnson -- Running Wild (1921-1926)

Don Pullen -- Evidence of Things Unseen ("Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.)

Sergey Kuryokhin -- Some Combinations Of Fingers And Passion

Jelly Roll Morton -- Winin' Boy Blues (Library of Congress, vol. 4)

Joachim Kuhn -- Famous Melodies

Sergey Kuryokhin -- The Ways of Freedom

Dave Burrell -- Windward Passages

Meade Lux Lewis -- Cat House Piano

Sergey Kuryokhin -- Some Combinations Of Fingers And Passion

Richardo Caerleoni · May-25th-2004, 04:56 AM

Agree about the Bill Evans solo albums...the tribute to Sonny Clark - "NYC's no lark" is moving.

Also Monk solo albums - both for Riveside, and in London towards the end of his active career are a joy.

[There are some solo Elmo Hope and Bud Powell tracks that stand out.]

Boris Badenov · May-25th-2004, 03:17 PM

Hunt this down, and kill for it if you have to!

Boris Badenov · May-25th-2004, 03:19 PM

Has anybody heard anything about a Sergey Kuryokhin recording called "Some Combinations Of Fingers And Passion"? Recommended?

Squaredancecalling Steve · May-25th-2004, 04:25 PM

Boris: even brushing aside its breathtaking virtuosity, its dazzlingly original style which is unlike anything else in jazz or classical music, and the sustained brilliance of its flood of original ideas, I would still recommend SCOF&P simply for its irrepressible humor and wit.

Nefertiti · May-25th-2004, 06:32 PM

A related question: What are your favourite albums from the Concord "Maybeck Recital" series?

stonemonkts · May-25th-2004, 06:38 PM

Boris beat me to the punch. That Hines set is extraordinary! Truly marvelous. One genius pondering another.

Squaredancecalling Steve · May-26th-2004, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nefertiti

A related question: What are your favourite albums from the Concord "Maybeck Recital" series?

The George Cables one is up there.

tom · May-29th-2004, 06:03 AM

Cecil Taylor / Silent tongues

Gordon B · May-31st-2004, 10:57 AM

SqdC's list includes most of my favorites.

I add:

Keith Jarrett-Facing You and Vienna Concert
Cecil Taylor- Fly!Fly!Fly!Fly!Fly! (Unfortunately it has never been release on cd).
McCoy Tyner- Passion Dance (side 1). Side 2 is trio.

My three favorites of all are:

Dave Burrell- Windward Passages
Don Pullen - Evidence of Things Unseen
Keith Tippett- Mujician III (August Air)

Dan G · May-31st-2004, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon B

Cecil Taylor- Fly!Fly!Fly!Fly!Fly! (Unfortunately it has never been release on cd).

Wasn't this one of the things released on Japanese Universal last year? I still see it occassionally on vinyl used, but not enough of us have turntables these days

If this had the distribution of Silent Tongues or For Olim, it would probably get the same recognition as a classic.

Gordon B · May-31st-2004, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan G

Wasn't this one of the things released on Japanese Universal last year? I still see it occassionally on vinyl used, but not enough of us have turntables these days

If this had the distribution of Silent Tongues or For Olim, it would probably get the same recognition as a classic.

That would be news to me.

It was released twice on lp.

# MPS (Germany) 0068.263 (lp)
# PAUSA (US) 7108 (lp)

I have the US version. I think I'll move this up to third, ahead of the Tippett on my top three list.

Pete C · May-31st-2004, 06:52 PM

My favorite Maybecks are Walter Norris & Cables.

Mike Schwartz · May-31st-2004, 10:15 PM

I think I saw someone here mention that some of the Maybeck series CD's are OOP, and I have them all!
I'm very far for a completist in my personal musical library, actually quite scattered around, didn't get to CD's until 10 years ago. Just so happend that a former publicist at Concord got me the series and we did a modest promotion years ago at the station, so the Maybeck piano series and the 10 Duo recordings are probably my only 'complete set'

I'd also nominate [if it hasn't been already] the Dick Hyman/Maybeck "Music of 1937" ...probably the only guy around who could pull off such a project!

grove47 · June-2nd-2004, 08:08 PM

I like the Hank Jones Maybeck. In fact, Mr. Jones did a nice solo piano record for Savoy in the mid '50s that's great. And one called Tiptoe Tapdance in the late '70s with some wonderful reharms of a couple of spirituals among the gorgeous standards.

Come to think of it, I dig Hank Jones, period!

Someone mentioned Keith's Facing You, which I really love. I know there are many who disparage his improvised solo recordings, but The Vienna Concert from '91 is quite extraordinary to my ears.

My favorite Cecil Taylor record is Air Above Mountains. I think he's playing a Bosendorfer, which submits to his particular kind of architectural punishment. There's a continuity about this performance that seems special to me.

Anything by Art Tatum kind of puts this whole thread in perspective.

Steve

Pete C · June-2nd-2004, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grove47

I know there are many who disparage his improvised solo recordings, but The Vienna Concert from '91 is quite extraordinary to my ears.

My favorite Cecil Taylor record is Air Above Mountains. I think he's playing a Bosendorfer, which submits to his particular kind of architectural punishment. There's a continuity about this performance that seems special to me.

Agreed on the Cecil.

The Jarrett Vienna is indeed extraordinary--both in its excellence and its uniqueness in Jarrett's solo repertoire. It came after he had laid off the marathon solo concerts for many years, and is lacking in the excesses of the 70s concerts. There's a certain sublime, quiet majesty to it. It almost veers toward new agey at points, but doesn't ever fall into that abyss. In an odd way I hear the spirit of Trane in this work.

Boris Badenov · June-3rd-2004, 11:31 AM

Square -

I haven't been able to find Some Combinations... but have downloaded Ways of Freedom from emusic and will check it out!

stonemonkts · June-3rd-2004, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete C

The Jarrett Vienna is indeed extraordinary--both in its excellence and its uniqueness in Jarrett's solo repertoire. It came after he had laid off the marathon solo concerts for many years, and is lacking in the excesses of the 70s concerts. There's a certain sublime, quiet majesty to it. It almost veers toward new agey at points, but doesn't ever fall into that abyss. In an odd way I hear the spirit of Trane in this work.

I ordered this yesterday. I haven't been steered wrong by following your recommendations yet.

Squaredancecalling Steve · June-3rd-2004, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris Badenov

Square -

I haven't been able to find Some Combinations... but have downloaded Ways of Freedom from emusic and will check it out!

Cool. I dig WaysOfFreedom, but Some Combinations of Fingers and Passion is much much better! Did you try
this site ?

[edit:] Oh, oh, I think they may be out, too.

walto · June-3rd-2004, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

I ordered this yesterday. I haven't been steered wrong by following your recommendations yet.

Boy, then you're in for some real treats!

al j · June-3rd-2004, 12:32 PM

Marilyn Crispell - Live in San Fransisco
Monk's Black Lion stuff
Tatum - all of it

stonemonkts · June-3rd-2004, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walto

Boy, then you're in for some real treats!

I can say the same about you!

Which reminds me, I've been enjoying the Carter string quartets very much indeed.

On topic:

Currently my favorite Cecil Taylor solo recording is "Looking (Berlin Version)" on FMP.

Chris D · June-3rd-2004, 01:02 PM

Jaki Byard, "Blues for Smoke"

Squaredancecalling Steve · June-3rd-2004, 01:28 PM

That solo Byard looks good, Chris! Not immediately available, but I'll track it down.

Boris: I'd PM you an offer you wouldn't refuse, if I could. But I can't.

Oger · June-3rd-2004, 01:46 PM

I've just received some days ago the new solo album by Fred Van Hove (a double CD in fact) : Spraak & Roll, released on his own label Wim.
It's an amazing piece.

Brian Olewnick · June-3rd-2004, 02:26 PM

Jacques, is that you?

Hello and welcome in!

Oger · June-3rd-2004, 02:55 PM

Hi Brian

Just discovered Jazzcorner yesterday :-)
In fact I had subscribed one year ago, but I forgot....

best,

Jacques

Jon Abbey · June-3rd-2004, 03:10 PM

hi, Jacques!

are you going to see the Four Gentlemen of the Guitar this week? let us know how it is if you do...