Crooked Music

Puzzle #3 - Pug

2012-01-17T12:37:00.002-08:00

Puzzle #2 - Cat on a Disco Ball

2012-01-17T12:37:00.001-08:00

Puzzle #1 - Star Wars

2012-01-17T12:36:00.001-08:00

2011 in review

2011-12-27T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well, the blog is clearly on life support. Don't have any interesting things to say, so I guess it's better I keep quiet. But figure I should do my annual souvenir to myself.

Exit 12 demo on New Year's Day!
Another gig with Gene
May 10, Rush @ MSG - Time Stand Still!
UFO at B.B. King's in May
Vinnie Moore @ Iridium w/Les Paul Trio in July
Pat Travers at B.B.'s in August

Cut way back on gigs to concentrate on recording, writing. So far, so good with that. Smooth Jazz CD is 'finished' - just needs mastering. Lots of new music written. Of course, the week I decide to cut back on gigs Jon Gordon and Sheryl Bailey BOTH offer to play with me. Committed to my new direction, I turned them both down, dummy that I am.

Farrell Band wins Nationals! Got to see them at Meadowlands. Awesomeness.

Summer vacation at the shore was fun. So much so, we had to go back a second time!

Listening - still lots of Prokofiev, Shostakovich (lots of ballet and film, in addition to symphony and chamber), Stravinsky, Bartok. Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin is a new ideal. Realized that a lot of the early parts of the year were spent with Bach (Brandenburg's), Haydn and Mozart. Good year for Yes (Fly From Here & live CD) and new Rush live CD has great playing, even if singing shows Geddy had a cold that night. A bunch of Les Paul.

Reading - lots of comic books. Science fiction - "Ender's Game" is great, "Hyperion" is awful. Lots of books on musical form.

Losses - Mr. G, Mr. L., Bob Brookmeyer.

New obsession - The Big Bang Theory TV show. So much geeky fun.

Next year? Hopefully I'll make some serious progress on my "orchestral" CD. Other than that? Health & happiness for all my loved ones. Just keep plugging along.

2010 year in review

2010-12-30T08:02:00.000-08:00

Well, the first thing I notice is that the blog has been pretty silent most of the year. A few pics here and there. This was kind of the quiet year I needed to recharge the batteries after last year, I guess. Things feel like they're starting to fall into place. Let's hope, eh?

Diana sweet 16.
Sheryl Bailey at Alor - and the awning mess!
P5 - few gigs here and there, but we really need to re-motivate ourselves.
Dream Band at Alor - hot, hotter, hottest!
Exit 12 at St. George, Richmondtown, Alor (unplugged), Cellar, and finally a good demo!
Summer concerts were good ones:
- Yes and Peter Frampton
- Rush
- Jack Wilkins at Alor
- Michael Schenker Group 30th Anniversary (with Lynch Mob, also awesome)

Still a guitar god.

Duo with Mike Bono in Asbury (after hearing his trio at Alor).
Richmondtown trio with Steve and Jerrold.
Vacation in Asbury (Thanks, D.).
Monks Monks keep their usual quarterly schedule - some really good gigs this time 'round.
The soundtrack that never will be ("looking for gigs - in the movies").
Marching band awesomeness.
No wheat or dairy (and no beer) and my hands are finally better!
Donna's St. Peters /Seton Chorale concert.
The big loft renovation (thanks AGAIN, D.).
The arrival of Studio D'M.
JP Morgan / Chase are awful. Just awful.

Between the renovation and clearing junk out of the house and the new computer/studio - feels like things are starting to gel. It seems pretty clear to me what I'm going to be doing for awhile, musically. The things I want to write and record - I have my first 4 projects lined up in my head. The first one is even all written.

The year in listening / reading:

Dominated in many ways by Wagner.
Getting rid of LP's and replacing them with CD's allowed me to revisit lots of old favorites.
Lots of 20th century music again - Prokofiev and Stravinsky got lots of play. Webern and Schoenberg, too.
Scofield "54" is a bit of an ideal.
Hindemith is a new discovery. Respighi, as well.
Schenker's live CD.
Holdsworth / Pasqua "Blues for Tony" - outstanding!
Vinnie Moore CD was still in heavy rotation, though I'm pretty sure it's from last year.
Reading - mostly books about Wagner, or comic books. (Same thing?).
Made it about 1/6 through my CD course on philosophy. Maybe by end of next year I'll be through half of it.

Feels like it was a good year of setting foundations. Looking back at last year-end post, I was filled with dread, and exhausted. This year, I'm excited to get to work. I have a lot I want to accomplish, and seemingly the means and energy to get it done. Even at work, I feel like it's time to get things moving again, after a year of holding steady. Not a bad year, but looking forward to an even better year. Hopefully 2011 will be the year of Exit 12, and we can see some real rewards for our efforts. And the idea of just writing and recording tons of music and putting it out to the world feels really good. Feels like all my various interests are converging in some significant way - jazz, classic rock, 20th century classical, opera, orchestral, electronic, philosophy, comic books, science fiction - quite a stew I have to work with, there. Let's see what comes of it!

Happy New Year, let's hope it's a good one!

Lofty ambitions

2010-12-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

Before:
After:
Before:
After:

Before:
After:
Before:
After:

Awning - ugh

2010-03-14T07:45:00.001-07:00

2009 in Review

2009-12-30T07:28:00.000-08:00

Revolving trio at Armory
Gene Master Class
Super Bowl Sunday at the Armory with Gene in the audience
Project 5 at the Cargo right before Board of Health closes it
Braden Master Class
Quartets with Kris
Armory cancels on me when I book Jon Gordon
P19 at CSI - big (not huge) success, but nice review in Advance
Adam Rogers Master Class
GC Jr Master Class
Jam with Andy and Robbie (and Johnny Rog for a little bit)
"Rush and Philosophy" - sort of
Quatro gig with "Project Four-Fifths"
Summer vacation with my buds
P19 Back to the Beach gets rained out, but not for long
20,000 people when we finally play
Richmond County Fair with Project 9
"John Martinson" picnic with John Rogers, Andy and one of the best bands I've ever played with
UFO at B.B. King's
Jon Gordon Master Class
B&B in New Paltz - with pugs (foo-dogs)
"Where the Wild Things Are"
Sheryl Bailey Master Class
//webdev crashes//
Gig with Gene Bertoncini at Alor Cafe - musical highlight of my life? Probably
Goodbye Uncle Eddie
Quartet with Keith Gurland - wow!

The year at work has been as bad as I could imagine. Search committees I wanted nothing to do with, machines crashing.
Pretty depressed as the year ends - hoping for something to shake me out of it.
Events of this year took everything I had. Feeling way empty, defeated.
Really made an effort at ambition, but I don't think it agrees with me. I would have liked to have seen some small measure of success. At anything.

Reading - lots of aesthetics.

Listening - still lots of Stan Getz.
Yes. Really the year of Yes.
"Return to Forever - Returns", "Five Peace Band", Metheny-Burton Quartet were some highlights.
Boulez, Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, UFO "The Visitor", Bobby Broom
Sheryl Bailey - "A New Promise"
Corea / Burton "New Crystal Silence" is a late-in-the-year favorite

What to look forward to in the new year? Well, hopefully shaking off this funk. Some need to re-prioritize. Hopefully my fancy new elliptical will help me lose some weight.
Need to turn off the TV some more. Watching 3 hours of Family Guy every night isn't as much fun as it sounds like.

Voice

2009-12-23T06:56:00.000-08:00

Learning to speak
Finding "your" voice
Speaking truth
Saying something valuable
Things unsaid
Singing

(idea for extended piece)

What's New In Baltimore?

2009-12-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

BALTIMORE MAYOR SHEILA DIXON DECLARES TODAY FRANK ZAPPA DAY

Mayor Sheila Dixon issued a proclamation today declaring December 21, 2009, as "Frank Zappa Day" in Baltimore.

Meanwhile, Baltimore's Southeast Anchor Library has been designated as the installation site for a replica of the Vilnian bust of Frank Zappa, which will allow fans, residents, and visitors to pay tribute to him in the city of his birth. Vaulternative Records released Frank Zappa's 'Philly '76' today, a thrilling double CD concert recording.

Zappa was born in Baltimore on December 21, 1940.

For full text of the mayor's proclamation, please go to:

http://www.zappa.com/whatsnew/news/baltimore.html

Things I'd like to learn more about

2009-12-15T10:14:00.000-08:00

Poetry
Philosophy

Both pretty general, I know.

Prokofiev - esp. orchestral and piano
Shostakovich - esp. orch and Madame Macbeth
Elliott Carter - always
Joe Henderson
Chick Corea
Wagner
opera in general
Boulez' compositions
Stan Getz - always
Miles - always
Schoenberg's chamber music
Brahms' chamber music
Freddie Green

Goodbye, Uncle Eddie

2009-12-08T12:05:00.001-08:00

You'll be missed, Godfather.

I knew she was a terrible writer, but I had no idea she lacked taste in music

2009-09-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

"Rand called her doctrine "Objectivism," and it eventually expanded well beyond politics and economics to psychology, culture, science (she considered the entire field of physics "corrupt"), and sundry other fields. Objectivism was premised on the absolute centrality of logic to all human endeavors. Emotion and taste had no place. When Rand condemned a piece of literature, art, or music (she favored Romantic Russian melodies from her youth and detested Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms), her followers adopted the judgment."

http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/wealthcare-0

"Wealthcare" - Jonathan Chait

(quote is on page 2)

Start practicing NOW!

2009-09-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

Summers going fast -- Nights growing colder...

2009-09-02T06:35:00.001-07:00

Children growing up --
Old friends growing older
Experience slips away...

To be listened to, Fall 2009

2009-08-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

Melody
Ornette
Getz
Miles

Structure
Booker Little
Bartok
Prokofiev

Harmony
Jim Hall
Ed Bickert

Swing
Ray Brown
Basie
Bobby Broom
Miles
Monk
Steve Khan - "Suitcase" w/ Anthony Jackson and Dennis Chambers
Sinatra, Billie

Texture
Boulez/Nono/Stockhausen
Miles

Oomph
Rush, Yes
Coltrane
Fusion, old and new - Colosseum II, RTF, Five Peace Band, Metheny/Burton, Weather Report

Direction
Adam/Kurt/Turner/Potter/Gordon
Wynton Marsalis - first 3 or 4 records

Of course, Gene

The value of impermanence

2009-08-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

and the improvisers art. Good topic. For when I need something to write about.

Goodbye, Les.

2009-08-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

94 years young. Lester William Polfus, better known as Les Paul.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/14/arts/music/14paul.html?_r=1&hp

*sigh*

And today, we lose George Russell

2009-07-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

RIP, George.

Goodbye, Merce.

2009-07-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

"I prefer adventure to something that's fixed." - Merce Cunningham

http://www.merce.org/

April 16, 1919 - July 26, 2009

Longtime partner of John Cage. I got to see him dance to Cage performing the "Roaratorio" at BAM in the 80's. Another giant gone.

Party like it's 1976

2009-05-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

First there was this:

Then this:
And next this!!!

Peter Max cover, and everything! I never would have thought that fusion would come back into vogue, but who knew?

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Synchronized Looking

2009-05-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

First you have to ask yourself "What do I want?"

2009-02-19T11:23:00.001-08:00

Who the hell thought that would be such a hard question. I don't do ambitious well, never have. Is this a character flaw? Or a character trait? I'm reasonably at peace with it, but quite often people around me don't seem to be. And so I question my motivation. Or lack thereof. And when I do try to cultivate ambition, everything else around my life seems to suffer. Making me think - is this worth it? What do I want? A simple, peaceful, happy life with steady, good gigs.

Quote

2009-01-30T13:49:00.000-08:00

"There are four qualities essential to a great jazzman. They are taste, courage, individuality, and irreverence." - Stan Getz

2008 Year in Review

2008-12-29T11:42:00.000-08:00

A very musical year, all things considered. Let's see what we've got -

Cafe Milano duo with Steve - 9 months! Longest steady gig I ever had.

The flu.

Fordham Teach-In concert with GC, Jr., Lance and Sylvester. Thanks, Jude.

Project 19 at CSI! HUGE success.

Sliced Bread at a bakery. Oh well...

Plotting MEC.

UFO at B.B. King's with Vinny. Only You Can Rock Me, Rock Me.

Mini-reunion at Carmen's with Vinny, Maria and Laurie.

Concert at Alvin Ailey Studios with GC, Leon and Braden.

Monks Monks at Adobes every quarter (or so).

Diana graduates!!!

Project 9 gig.

RUSH at PNC. Changes aren't permanent, but change is.

"Jazz wedding" with Andy and Johnny Rog.

P19 goes "Back to the Beach" (audience somewhere between 8-15 thousand).

My worst (and possibly last) class.

High school begins.

Slices of RivProj at Adobes (Mike Mullen and GC).

Project 5 debuts at The Cellar.

Caught Adam Rogers at the Jazz Gallery - amazing. w/Antonio Sanchez and Boris Kozlov.

One door closes, another opens. The Armory Inn 'duo + special guest' gig begins! Thanks Steve!

Elliott Carter turns 100.

Christmas with the Heifers.

Knicks vs. T'Wolves with "the kids".

Seems like all music, huh? Pretty much. Got the cool recorder, and bass guitar, and cool drum machine I haven't had time to use yet. Spent a lot of time planning for the coming year, esp. Master Class series, and P19 back at CSI. Of course, on the home front all was wonderful with the notable exception of the loss of our dear Mr. Kitty. The great beyond just got a little more Zen.

Reading - don't think I made it through much this year. A couple of Stan Getz and Rush books (see "listening"), the truly frightening "American Theocracy" which gave me nightmares. Bruce Sterling over the summer.

Listening - mostly Rush and Stan Getz. Also Steve Khan "Suitcase" and "Borrowed Time". Gene's "Concerti" - absolute masterpiece. Lots of Miles, too, esp. Blackhawk Complete. But really, it was all about Rush and Getz. Wow, I just reviewed my Amazon purchases to see if I forgot anything significant, and was just frightened but the volume of Rush and Stan Getz that I consumed this year. Seems to be agreeing with me, though, so I'll probably stick to it for the foreseeable future.

Here's looking forward to a wonderful 2009, especially for the MEC ad/venture. So much happened this year that I would not have anticipated, I have to say I'm really enjoying the ride at the moment.

Oh yeah. O-BA-MA!!!!

Happy 100th Birthday Elliott Carter

2008-12-11T07:21:00.000-08:00

Many happy returns!

Mr. Kitty - ???? (1999 for us) - Nov. 5, 2008

2008-11-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

Mr. Vince Dodsworth Joey "Big Fella" "Miles O'Fluff" "Zen Master" Kitty.

Best. Cat. Ever.

First day of HS

2008-09-03T06:23:00.000-07:00

"Rock and Roll!"

Summer's going fast, nights growing colder
Children growing up, old friends growing older
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each impression a little bit stronger

Experience slips away
Experience slips away...
The innocence slips away

- "Time Stand Still" by - aw, hell, you should know by now.

R0 - Between Sun And Moon

2008-07-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

ahh yes to yes to ahh ahh to yes
why the sun why the sun

R1 - Tom Sawyer

2008-07-11T04:24:00.000-07:00

No his mind is not for rent
To any god or government
Always hopeful, yet discontent
He knows changes aren't permanent
But change is

R2 - A Farewell to Kings

2008-07-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

When they turn the pages of history
When these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness
For the seeds that we let grow?
We turned our gaze
From the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down
On the path of least resistance

The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred Halls of Truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth
Can't we find the minds that made us strong?
Can't we learn to feel what's right
And what's wrong?
What's wrong?

Cities full of hatred, fear and lies
Withered hearts and cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude and
Scoffing at the wise
Can't we raise our eyes and make a start?
Can't we find the minds to lead us
Closer to the heart?

January 20, 2009. Goodbye, George.

R3 - Closer To The Heart

2008-07-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality
Closer to the heart
The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
They forge their creativity
Closer to the heart

Philosophers and ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart
You can be the captain
I will draw the chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the heart

R4 - Freewill

2008-07-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice.

When Permanent Waves came out, the lyrics on the album sleeve had this line printed this way:

If you choose not to decide you can't have made a choice.

I always wondered if it was intentional. Were they choosing not to make a choice between the two versions of this line, choosing NOT to decide? Was the ambiguity supposed to be part of the point? Or was it simply a misprint?

R5 - The Pass

2008-07-07T06:13:00.001-07:00

All of us get lost in the darkness
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars

R6 - We Hold On

2008-07-06T04:45:00.000-07:00

How many times
Do we tire of all the little battles
Threaten to call it quits
Tempted to cut and run

How many times
Do we weather out the stormy evenings
Long to slam the front door
Drive away into the setting sun

Keep going on till dawn
How many times must another line be drawn
We could be down and gone
But we hold on

This song, more than any other (along with "Light In The Black" by Rainbow) got me through those 2 awful weeks. I listened to it every night before I went to sleep, if you can call what I did out there sleep. We hold on...

R7 - The Way the Wind Blows

2008-07-05T06:46:00.001-07:00

We can only go the way the wind blows
We can only bow to the here and now
Or be broken down blow by blow

R8 - Far Cry

2008-07-04T04:43:00.000-07:00

Whirlwind life of faith and betrayal
Rise in anger, fall back, and repeat

One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel
And the next it's rolling over me
I can get back on
I can get back on

R9 - Roll the Bones

2008-07-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

We go out in the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones

Single digits!

R10 - Show Don't Tell

2008-07-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

You can twist perceptions
Reality won't budge
You can raise objections
I will be the judge
And the jury

R11 - Mission

2008-07-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

Hold your fire
Keep it burning bright
Hold the flame 'til the dream ignites
A spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission

I like the fact that it's not "hold your fire" as in - "don't shoot". But rather "hold your fire" as in "foster your creative spark".

R12 - Bravest Face

2008-06-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

Though we might have precious little
It's still precious

In softest voice there's an acid tongue
In the oldest eyes there's a soul so young
In the shakiest will there's a core of steel
On the smoothest ride there's a squeaky wheel

In the sweetest child there's a vicious streak
In the strongest man there's a child so weak
In the whole wide world there's no magic place
So you might as well rise put on your bravest face

Out of order, I know. It may have been that first couplet, when I listened to clips online, that made me say "yeah, I want to get this CD". I just thought it was great. This, again, was one of those songs that helped me through. Might as well...

R13 - Spindrift

2008-06-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

What am I supposed to say?
Where are the words to answer you
When you talk that way?
Words that fly against the wind and waves

What am I suppose to do?
Where are the words that will make you see
What I believe is true?

One of the songs that made this record mean so much to me. One of the reasons I survived those 2 awful weeks.

R14 - One Little Victory

2008-06-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

A certain measure of innocence
Willing to appear naive
A certain degree of imagination
A measure of make-believe

A certain degree of surrender
To the forces of light and heat
A shot of satisfaction
In a willingness to risk defeat

Celebrate the moment
As it turns into one more
Another chance at victory
Another chance to score

The measure of the moment
In a difference of degree
Just one little victory
A spirit breaking free
One little victory
The greatest act can be
One little victory

One of my new favorites. Sometimes (Most of the time? All of the time?), all you get are little victories. But they can add up. A good way to approach every moment, as a potential victory.

Yeah.

R15 - Faithless

2008-06-27T12:55:00.001-07:00

I've got my own moral compass to steer by
A guiding star beats a spirit in the sky
And all the preaching voices -
Empty vessels ring so loud
As they move among the crowd
Fools and thieves are well disguised
In the temple and market place

Like a forest bows to winter
Beneath the deep white silence
I will quietly resist

R16 - Freewill

2008-06-26T06:19:00.000-07:00

Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet

I started reading "Anthem" last night, my first foray into the books of Ayn Rand (and quite honestly, probably my last. I can't commit to 800 pages). It seems to me that you can trace the fading influence of her thought on Neil Peart pretty easily. "Fly By Night" (containing the song 'Anthem') and "2112" were it's apex. "Farewell to Kings" could be seen as disillusion with great men when they abuse power or fail to live up their positions. "Hemispheres" recognizes the limits of objective thought when it's not tempered by feeling, by emotion. With "Permanent Waves" there begins a real shift toward an understanding that there is a valuable place for "we" along with "I". If each of us are a "cell of awareness", that means together we make up one complete entity of some sort?

R17 - Something For Nothing

2008-06-25T06:18:00.000-07:00

What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory
What you love is your own power
What you live is your own story
In your head is the answer
Let it guide you along
Let your heart be the anchor
And the beat of your own song

The first Rush song I ever learned to play. A little Ayn Rand-y, but a good plea for individuality and trusting yourself. Again, to refer to Emerson - "To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius."

BTW, I've come to a different understanding of the line "What you love is your own power". As a 16 year old boy, that sounded like a description of a megalomaniac. Now, as a 45 year old man, it sounds like "the things you love are the things that give you power", about drawing power from and defining power by the things you love. Not sure if it was meant that way in the 70's, but that's how I read it here in the aughts.

R18 - Entre Nous

2008-06-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

We are secrets to each other
Each one's life a novel
No one else has read
Even joined in bonds of love
We're linked to one another
By such slender threads

We are strangers to each other
Full of sliding panels
An illusion show
Acting well rehearsed routines
Or playing from the heart?
It's hard for one to know

R19 - Time Stand Still

2008-06-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
See more of the people and the places that surround me now

I claim not to be nostalgic (I don't think I am), but I admit to being sentimental. It would be a good thing to foster an appreciation for things and people, eh?

R20 - The Spirit Of Radio

2008-06-22T04:46:00.000-07:00

One likes to believe in the freedom of music
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity

Not everywhere, thankfully.

R21 - Bravado

2008-06-21T04:08:00.000-07:00

If we burn our wings
Flying too close to the sun
If the moment of glory
Is over before it's begun
If the dream is won
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost

I could do with a little more Icarus in my personality.

R22 - Subdivisions

2008-06-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

Conform or be cast out

OK, I know - very similar to R27. We get the message! Let your Geek Flag FLY!

R23 - Resist

2008-06-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

You can surrender
Without a prayer
But never really pray
Pray without surrender

I can learn to resist
Anything but temptation
I can learn to coexist
With anything but pain

I can learn to compromise
Anything but my desires
I can learn to get along
With all the things I can't explain

One of those lyrics that has several clever turns-of-phrase. BTW, tix arrived in the mail yesterday.

R24 - Circumstances

2008-06-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

Plus ca change
Plus c'est la meme chose

OK, I know I've used this recently, and I know it's certainly not original to Rush, but it IS the reason I remember this phrase.

R25 - Witch Hunt

2008-06-17T05:53:00.000-07:00

They say there is strangeness too dangerous
In our theaters and bookstore shelves
That those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves

R26 - New World Man

2008-06-16T06:45:00.001-07:00

He's got to make his own mistakes
And learn to mend the mess he makes
He's old enough to know what's right
But young enough not to choose it

R27 - Vital Signs

2008-06-15T04:05:00.000-07:00

Everybody got to deviate from the norm

It's not quite "Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist" (Emerson), but the sentiment is in the right place.

R28 - Cinderella Man

2008-06-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

Because he was human
Because he had goodness
Because he was moral
They called him insane

We could use a little more humanity, goodness and morality. Call me what you will.

Bonus GRADUATION Rush

2008-06-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

The more we think we know about
The greater the unknown

-Mystic Rhythms

R.I.P. Tim Russert

2008-06-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

Shocked. Far too young. Meet the Press was a Sunday morning ritual for me.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.

R29 - Natural Science

2008-06-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

Wheels within wheels in a spiral array
A pattern so grand and complex
Time after time we lose sight of the way
Our causes can't see their effects

R30 - Armor and Sword

2008-06-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

The snakes and arrows a child is heir to
Are enough to leave a thousand cuts
We build our defenses, a place of safety
And leave the darker places unexplored

Sometimes the fortress is too strong
Or the love is too weak
What should have been our armor
Becomes a sharp and angry sword

Our better natures seek elevation
A refuge for the coming night
No one gets to their heaven without a fight

We hold beliefs as a consolation
A way to take us out of ourselves
Meditation or medication
A comfort ,or a promised reward

Sometimes the spirit is too strong
Or the flesh is too weak
Sometimes the need is just too great
For the solace we seek
The suit of shining armor
Becomes a keen and bloody sword

The song that started my current fascination. Seemed an appropriate place to start. This song and this record (Snakes and Arrows) showed up at the exact moment I needed it. I think there's some sense that gratitude is playing a role in my Rush-mania of the last several months.

R30 - T-minus One

2008-06-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will mark one month till the Rush concert at PNC in NJ. To get myself psyched for the concert, I'm going to dedicate the next month of this blog to favorite Rush lyrics. It's only in the last year that Rush have taken on some kind of importance in my life, and I'm still not entirely clear why. I just go with these things when they happen, don't bother to question too much. Just enjoy the ride, and the shreik. :-)

So, to Alex, Geddy and Neil - thank you, and looking forward to the concert!

What I'm learning from playing the bass

2008-05-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

I just got a bass, with the idea that I could use it for some home recording. But I'm having so much fun with it, I'm seriously thinking about doing some doubling on it. Of course, switching from guitar to (electric) bass (I'm nuts, not CRAZY!) has more to do with changing your head than your hands. I mean - you have to play on every friggin' beat!

Last night had my first jam on the bass, and realized a number of things. Including - it's kind of like driving a truck after you're used to driving a compact car. Doesn't handle the way you expect it to. Everything takes a little longer. You really have to think when you take curves. The notes are BIGGER and last LONGER, you really have to tame it. There are also some more musical, as opposed to simply practical, things that I'm learning and hope to learn. They are:

1) Time. Kill the time. On guitar, as a soloist, even comping, you can float. I mean, I try to dig in and play time, but on bass, you're responsible for the time. You really have to place the notes. This kind of respect for time will, hopefully, carry over into my guitar playing and make it more in the pocket.

2) Love the triad. It's all about triads. I realized just how much I *think* about scales when playing. Scales kind of sound crappy when walking a bass line. Triads sound good, appropriate. This leads directly to my next point.

3) Don't be afraid of the obvious note. Whenever I would try something fancy, like anything other than a root on a big chord change, it would sound lame, ambiguous, just kind bad. Again, I've often had the experience transcribing solos that things that sound hip are often simpler than I thought they would be. Simple bass is good bass.

These are all quite the sea change for my thinking, and hopefully it will pay dividends. If nothing else, I'm having tons of fun. And now I have caluses on my fingers on both hands.

Music for my funeral

2008-05-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

Not really as depressing a topic as it sounds. Listened to a song this morning and thought "I'd like this to be played at my funeral". There are a few others that I'd had that thought of in the past, so I figured I'd collect them. Not that I'm planning on needing to make use of this list any time soon, mind you.

Aquas De Marco by Stan Getz, with Joao and Muicha
I Want To Talk About You by John Coltrane from Live at Birdland
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Jeff Beck
the slow movement from my String Quartet #1
my Prayer for Tenor Saxophone and SQ (Billy Gagliardi's performance from my Masters' Recital)

Not sure about the order, probably Aquas De Marco last. Just a thought. Really, not nearly as maudlin as it sounds.

Lost another hero.

2008-04-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

RIP Jimmy Giuffre.

"Jimmy followed his own angel," trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, a former member of Mr. Giuffre's trio, said yesterday. "He was one of the most courageous and dedicated men I ever met. He didn't care about what was profitable. He did what he felt was necessary."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/25/AR2008042503545.html

A truly important musician. I've spent a lot of time listening to his music, but I always think "I should listen to more". Listening to his "Piece for Clarinet and String Orchestra" as I type. What an amazing, diverse body of work. That so many experiments would yield successes is remarkable. A giant. Goodbye, Jimmy.

Plus ca change, plus c'est al meme chose.

2008-04-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Snaggle tooth and sleepy eyes, me and a Les Paul, 25 or 30 years apart.

UFO at B.B. Kings NYC – 4/12/08

2008-04-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Well, not quite 30 years to the day, but close enough to have some meaning. It was 1978 the first time I got to see UFO live. Probably had to be the “Lights Out” tour since it was the ‘classic’ lineup – Mogg, Way, Parker, Schenker, Raymond. So, was going to see them in 2008 simply an act of nostalgia? I’ve often railed at old rock stars preening around on stage as hair-plugged and dyed shadows of their former selves. Was this just like all those people who flock to doo-wop shows to catch a glimpse of their former heroes?

I figured they would be good. They made their reputation as a live band. Their last few albums were really good. Vinnie Moore is a class guitar player, though I confess I like him best when he leaves his shred past behind. I wasn’t really expecting them to be great, though. But great they were. With Schenker gone it’s Phil’s’ band. Also with Schenker gone, you can depend on them actually showing up and playing (though I hear they had to cancel at least one date, not sure if it’s due to illness or low ticket sales). So, it’s Phil’s gig, and he makes it a good one.

Is he just another old rock star strutting as if he were still in his 20’s? Hell NO! He even made a few cracks about being shown on the big video screens on either side of the stage, complaining that he’s not a young Johnny Depp, and that he knows he’s bald. This is less like Mick Jagger doing the chicken walk, and more like seeing an old bluesman out doing what he does. No one ever really thought it was weird for Muddy Waters to perform into his 60’s. No one thinks twice about B.B. King hitting the road into his 80’s! These aren’t rock stars. These are rockers. This is what they do. I would bet that none of them really have enough money to not do it anymore. But to me that just adds to the urgency to really deliver. It’s more about delivering the music than it is about delivering a show. Old rock stars preen and count the box office. Old rockers rock and head to the bar!

Phil sounded great. I think his delivery has matured and he’s turned into a great singer. He also isn’t just going through the motions. He puts everything he’s got into every note. Even when he screws up the words (it’s always funny to hear the crowd sing the right lyrics and him sing the wrong lyrics), there’s an honesty that’s there. It’s not some over-rehearsed spectacle, it’s a bunch of musicians playing music as hard as they can.

Andy Parker back on drums was a joy. My brother in UFO (and in many other things, too) Vinny said that he thought he sounded better than he did 30 years ago, and I have to agree. His groove is more relaxed, more on. His brings a different thing to the band than Jason Bonham did while he was playing with them. It just sounds more like UFO with him again. The grooves are the right grooves, the tempos are just a little more right, the fills all catch the vocal and instrumental parts a little better. It’s just more right.

Paul Raymond deserves more love than he gets. Just like it took me a long time to realize that John Paul Jones was a huge reason Zeppelin sounded as good as they did (especially live), the same goes for Paul. His rhythm guitar sound is full without ever becoming over-saturated. The keyboard parts are spot on. (He could do with a new hairstyle). And how many songs did he really write?

We missed Pete Way. Mostly because it’s always an adventure to see what might happen when he’s around, but Rob De Luca did a fine job of holding down the bottom. (Probably plays better than Pete, though he’s not Pete, know what I mean?).

Vinnie Moore – here’s a guy with a tough gig. Yet, he manages to fill it better than anyone could imagine. He treats the original parts and solos with just enough reverence. He plays the really iconic parts, suggests the important parts, and gives you his own stuff whenever he can. I respect the way he handles this. My buddy Vinny was even won over by the end of the night.

Speaking of which – I kind of forgot what Vinny’s like at a concert. He’s sort of like a NY Times food critic at a restaurant. Critically taking everything in, showing little or no reaction. After about the first 4 or 5 songs I’m wondering to myself – “Does he hate it? He’s not clapping. Is he disappointed?”. Then they played “Only You Can Rock Me”. When Andy Parker played THAT fill, Vinny turned and gave me a look. OK, things are looking up. Then, when Vinnie Moore played the studio solo note-perfect (better than I ever heard Schenker play it live) he turned and gave me an actual smile. He’d been converted!

The band is certainly back in town, giving it as good as ever. Here’s to many more!

Non-Classic Classics

2008-03-01T09:41:00.000-08:00

There's a whole category of recordings that are agreed-upon classics, records in every genre that are must-haves. Kind of Blue, A Love Supreme, Ellington at Newport, etc. There are, however, recordings that do not attain iconic status that are, for one reason or another, to me every bit as essential, every bit as classic as those more well known discs. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

Booker Little was an amazing musician, and should be more well-known. This recording was done when he was only 22, I believe. His own playing on it is breath-taking. The top notch band includes Wynton Kelly and Tommy Flanagan sharing piano duties, and Roy Haynes on drums. What makes this record so special for me, though, is the contribution of bassist Scott LaFaro. Not only his playing, but the way the recording was made it has trumpet panned hard to one side, bass hard to the other with piano and drums center. You get to hear LaFaro more clearly than on any other recording I know of, including his classic collaborations with Bill Evans. His tone is also better captured. On some of the Evans sides, his action must have been very low, and you can hear the strings bouncing off the fingerboard of his bass. Not so here. His tone is rich and full, and you can get a fuller appreciation for how he functioned as accompanist in a more traditional role. His time when walking is something to behold.

This live Stanley Turrentine recording, "Up at Minton's" features guitarist Grant Green in a co-staring role. Stretching out on standards and blues, this record captures all that is good about jazz. Spontaneity, communication, cooperation, in-the-moment excitement. Funky, soulful, swinging - pick any positive adjective that should be applied to a jazz recording and it will fit this one.

Elvin Jones was a force of nature. This post-Coltrane recording features a trio with George Coleman on tenor and Wilbur Little on bass (with Hannibal Marvin Peterson guesting on trumpet on one tune). I love trios. Probably goes back to an early affection for Cream and Jimi Hendrix, and certainly in jazz Jim Hall's trios and Bill Evan's trios are responsible for some of my favorite music. But sax-bass-drums trio is a trickier animal. The most obvious comparison to this recording would be Sonny Rollins' "A Night at the Vanguard" which also features Elvin Jones. This is a different beast, though. What's so remarkable about the Rollins is that you get to hear him think, you can almost hear the process, you can hear him becoming himself in this trio context, finding a way to make it a viable ensemble. There's an edginess, a "will this configuration even work?" searching to the Rollins. Those questions had all been put to bed by the time of this recording. Everyone is on FIRE on this. Even the ballads burn! I love hearing players so exposed, and the trio gives Elvin all the room he needs to color the music, drive the energy, lay down the law. This is one of my favorite GC recordings, the stark trio context gives him space to show his truly distinctive voice.

Next to trios, my favorite ensemble is quartet with a horn (usually tenor) and guitar, with bass and drums. Sort of the best of both worlds, you have the harmonic support of a chord instrument, but you also have a better front-line partner than piano quartet provides. This record is half live, half studio, but it all has a very live feel to it. There's a story in the liner notes about the difficulties they were having in the studio and how their frustrations and anger came out in their performance - but in a good way! Sco's band with Lovano is more well known, and ultimately a more integrated outfit, since they were a regular working group. Listening to Scofield and Lovano phrase melodies together - the way they would breath as one - that can only happen with a lot of playing and a lot of listening to one another. This has an edgier, flying by the seat of your pants feel that works for it. Not famous, and hard to find, this is one CD I keep handy and return to often.

Coleman Hawkins' "The Hawk Flies High" is a typical blowing date type of recording. There are a number of key elements that raise it for me to classic status. First up, the presence of Barry Galbraith on guitar. His comping gives the date a Basie/Freddie Green feel. But Hawk was a swing-era player who wasn't afraid to evolve, and here he surrounds himself with boppers - Oscar Pettiford, Hank Jones, J.J. Johnson and Idrees Sulieman. There's a great relaxed vibe to the performances, but it seems like everyone is at the top of their game, like Hawk brought out the best in all of them. This is one of those records that you can play for people who think they don't like jazz, and they'll like it. Like the Turrentine, it swings, grooves, moves, is fun, earthy, but not simple or simple-minded. It's easy to connect to, but the details reveal all the beauty and intricacy that make jazz more art than entertainment. But it can be entertaining, too.

Speaking of Basie and Freddie Green, here we have a great Pablo Basie small group recording. I think it was during Basie's extended stay in Vegas, this is from the 70's I'm guessing, without looking at the CD. I love later, small group Basie things because you can really HEAR Freddie. And putting his photo on the cover indicates how important he is to this date. Again, you have swing era vets playing with younger boppers. A great, unpretentious record, this presents brilliant musicians doing what they do best. And of course, it swings like a MF!

This record of Bob Brookmeyer compositions played by the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra is, in my opinion, one of the great records of the 80's. Brookmeyer was taking big-band writing, and turning it into jazz orchestra composition. This, along with it's sister recording (that I couldn't find an image of, but that includes a haunting arrangement of "My Funny Valentine" and a tune with the wonderful title of "The Nasty Dance" that features Joe Lovano playing his butt off!) are high water marks. That Brookmeyer could make the advances he was, and pull it all off so successfully, amazes me to this day. These are not just great jazz records, these are important pieces of 20th Century art.

This package contains 2 albums by the last incarnation of the Jimmy Giuffre 3, the one with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow (then still playing upright). Not as grating as "Freefall" which would follow it, this recording (called "1961" but originally the albums "Thesis" and "Fusion") would meld chamber jazz and free jazz into a wonderful and seriously neglected composite. Quiet almost to a fault, this is closer to Boulez than Basie. But it showed a different approach to what could be accomplished with the new found harmonic freedom jazz musicians enjoyed. The path not taken. Regrettably.

This record and the one below ("Doin' It Again" and "If They Only Knew") feature Dave Liebman's Quintet with John Scofield and Terumasa Hino. Another piano-less ensemble, this one has a more traditional 2 horn front line, but it's anything but traditional. Again, from the early 80's, a much maligned and/or ignored period in jazz, these should show just how unjust that is. Each record has a standard ballad (Stardust and Autumn in N.Y.) that gets a fresh reharmonization. There's a sense of discovery on these sides, a sense of moving beyond the very electric, heavy handed fusion of the 70's, but still finding a way to incorporate what was good about it with a more straight-ahead jazz.

The only flaw with either of these is the recorded bass sound. It has that very in-your-face bass sound that was ubiquitous throughout this era. Happily, bass sounds have become more natural. It's funny to contrast the bass sound on these records - made during a much more technically advanced period - with the bass sound on "Booker Little", where they probably stuck a microphone in front of Scotty LaFaro and said "stand HERE".

Someday, someone will have to build a monument to Don Thompson. If it weren't for his penchant for recording gigs we wouldn't have "Jim Hall Live!", the Paul Desmond recordings from Bourbon Street in Toronto, a whole host of essential Ed Bickert recordings, and the present disc. Frank Rosolino's "Thinking About You" features Bickert, Thompson and drummer Terry Clarke. This is quite possibly my favorite Ed Bickert recording, which is saying a lot because I have most of them, and love them all. But there's real magic here. Now a 2 CD set, with 8 tunes that weren't on the original LP, these are the cream of the crop of Rosolino's stay at the Toronto club. Maybe Don will release everything he has? Someday? Please? The liner notes mention that for the whole engagement (I forget if it was one week or two) they decided not to play any tunes twice. They played different tunes every set, every night, the whole time. I got to speak to Terry Clarke and he confirmed this. So everything on here is a "first take". There's so much music on here, it's almost too much to digest. But take your time, go slowly through it all, and enjoy. This is improvisation of the highest order, with one of the great rhythm sections in jazz history.

The Hammond B-3 organ is one of the most glorious sounds in the known universe. Those keys are little tiny black-and-white angels, the Leslie the gives forth their angelic voices like rotating heavenly hosts. And no, I don't think I'm overstating it. Another record featuring Grant Green, Big John Patton's "Got a Good Thing Goin'" is a great party record. Great tunes, great playing, a great vibe throughout, and a cover that has a cute go-go dancing girl. What more could you ask for?

This one just came to mind the other day. Sort of an update on the Big John Patton record, if you will. Rodney Jones' "Soul Manifesto" features Maceo Parker, Arthur Blythe, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lonnie Plaxico and Idris Muhammad. Not too shabby! Overwhelmingly funky, this record grabs hold of you like a physical force, and doesn't let you go. Rodney is one of the great guitarists of this generation, and my favorite along with Kurt Rosenwinkel and Adam Rogers. Those are the 3 guys that I want to hear everything they do. RJ is in the Benson/Grant Green mold, but with a Coltrane-like intensity, fervor, that's just powerful.

Fortune Cookie

2008-02-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

"Be prepared to accept a wondrous opportunity in the days ahead!"

2/28/08

The (Worst Ever?) Year in Review

2007-12-21T07:38:00.000-08:00

Approaching the end of another year. And not a freaking moment too soon, if you ask me. There were some amazing highs and lows, but it seems likely that one particular event will forever overshadow everything else that happened this year. But let’s go in order, shall we?

Diana’s birthday at the Knicks-Nets game at MSG. Knicks of course lost because Eddie Curry missed like a million free throws. In fact, I think his line from the charity stripe was like 1-1,000,001.

CT gig with Braden, Eric Lemon and GC, Jr.

Jazz wedding (nice bread).

Stomp!!! Almost missed it because I didn’t pay attention to the ticket. Cut short our dinner at Zen Palate.

Mardi Gras at Virgil’s with RivProj.

GC, Jr. heads Down Under.

Jesse’s first NYC gig.

NDHS reunion – good job Steve!

Trio Beyond at Blue Note.

Recording at Chez Banfitch.

Summer of demos – w/Lance, and Sliced Bread.

Install recording studio at CSI.

The BIG Lancaster weekend! The absolute highlight of the year. So much love. A wonderful reminder of how lucky I am. I love you guys dearly.

GC, Sr. at Smoke. Smokin'!!

Remixing Donna’s CD.

Two weeks at the Monte Square. Without a doubt, the worst two weeks of my life. Not without some bright spots. Nice to spend so much time with the kids, and great to know Katie, Ed, Mike McD, Jill, Kurt and Jeannie, Joe P. Mjolnir and “Snakes and Arrows” got me through. Friday, November 16, the verdict. Now, trying to get back to normal. Good luck with all THAT!

Diana’s school trip on her own!

Sliced Bread starting to hit its stride.

Project 19 rehearsals peel away 20+ years in a flash.

Another friend with medical worries. This is getting old. I want my friends HEALTHY, DAMMIT!

Listening – RUSH, esp. “Snakes and Arrows”, but old stuff, too. Ornette at the Hillcrest. New Sco (Trio Beyond and This Meets That), posthumous Brecker, Chris Potter’s Red Line. Jimmy Raney "Live at Bradley's", Herbie Nichols, Booker Little (whoa! hot damn!), Wes Montgomery alternate takes. Trio of Doom (finally got to hear this, and the live stuff lived up to my expectations).

Reading – Emerson and Thoreau bios. Tree-hug THIS. Superhero novels. I like it when the good guys win.

Thinking – nothing special. Survival. How to continue. Time for a change, no?

Happy New Year. Let's hope it's a good one, without any fear.

A Giant Lost

2007-12-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

The AP really needs better headline writers.

"Composer Karlheinz Stockhausen Is Dead"

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gpq-8EJ7pi-cej5Bl_V5HCfXd-dAD8TCQB980

Really, couldn't they do this man justice? The audacity of his life, if nothing else, will ensure his place in the history of 20th century music. The really important post-war composers are dwindling, and I find it sad. Elliott is closing in on 100, miracle that he is, and Pierre is still kicking. But Nono, Xenakis, Ligeti are all gone. Berio, too. Penderecki is still here, Babbitt.

Much of his work is important, if not good. Much of it is important AND good. Much of it I haven't heard, but those works from his most influential period create wonderful sound worlds. His ego, his spirit, his audacity will be missed. Return to the stars, Karlheinz!

Opened the floodgates.

2007-11-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

Nobody likes bad puns more than I do. Nobody. But it seems like my friends like them ALMOST as much as I do. I invited it. And they didn't disappoint. Italics are mine. Thanks everybody!!!
**********************************************************************************

Man, the food jokes are just too easy. C'mon? Sliced Bread at Panini King? They practically write themselves....

OK... I'll Bite!You'll probably get good bread for that gig!

You'll get to hear my new tune - "Challah If You Love These Blues".Stop me, I'm on a roll......

I'm sure you do this gig for the love of music, and not because you "knead the dough"...doh!

All rye, already!!!

You might want to cover the Beatles tune....All You Kneed is Love

How about will there be a "press" release or should we just "grill" Vic for more information. Just remember you guys started this.

We should be discussing this at a bar with a few too many beers in us! I'd be loafing my arse off!

You better ask now - once I get to the gig and have a few drinks I'll be toasted!

Just don't do the gig half baked okay!

Yes, this is a gig Vic's been looking forward to, because he's going to make a lot of bread. Hello? Is this thing on?

I hope the gig is in a safe neighborhood. I would not want some thug to hit me in the bread basket and take my dough.

You boys are really on a roll. Frankly, I'm sick and tart of all thesebuns. I mean puns. I mean croissants.

Everybody better show up now, it'd be a pita if you didn't! Seriously, this is a very versatile band, there's muffin we can't play.

Hey Vic, Are you playing guitar piano and singing these days? If so your buns my get toasted because you are filling so many rolls.

Sorry - Can't resist! I support you and I believe this is one gig you will definately rise to the top with!

I suppose it's the yeast I can do.....

The crust of the problem is that I can't help myself. Vic will flour-ish!

Now you're just buttering me up!!

Don't get saucy with me béarnaise!

Batter up. Is there a cover charge or will it be open-faced?

I'm not good at buns, I mean puns!

Oh my god! this thread has gotten ridiculously long!....definitely can use some "shortening"...waaa waaa waaa waaaa.....

Boy you guys are really on a roll!

Will you do your love song, "I Wanna Pump-er-nickel?" ew, that's dirty...

I hope nobody takes this as sourdough grapes, but I'm disappointed to come in on the 'end' of the day of punning....Now, it may be naan of my business, but it bagels the mind to think that all that bun-fun was had while I was stuck in my office dealing with hot-cross philosophers....

I knew you'd get in on it sooner or later. You're not one to loaf...

Essential Jazz (Guitar, but not only) Recordings

2007-11-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

Wes Montgomery
1. Smokin at the Half Note (or the CD called "Impressions: The Verve Jazz Sides")
2. Incredible Jazz Guitar
3. Full House

Jim Hall
1. Jim Hall Live!
2. Intermodulation with Bill Evans (also Undercurrents, but I like this one a little better)
3. The Bridge with Sonny Rollins

Grant Green
1. Idle Moments
2. with Stanley Turrentine - Up at Minton's

Kenny Burrell
1. Midnight Blue (his playing is really simple on this one, but it's a great place to pick up licks from)
2. Lotus Blossom (maybe my favorite guitar sound on this recording)

Joe Pass
1. Virtuoso (THE solo guitar recording, Vol. 2 and 4 are also very good)
2. The Best of: Pacific Years (great overview of early, hard-bop Joe)
(3 and 4) Also “Live at Donte’s” (great example of guitar trio) and “Tudo Bem” (almost pop-sounding Brazillian influenced recording, but he burns on it).

Tal Farlow
1.Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow
2. with Red Norvo Trio “Modern Red Norvo”
http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Red-Norvo/dp/B0000667QQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195063998&sr=1-2

The stuff with Norvo and Charles Mingus is amazing, and can be found on lots of Tal compilations, too.

Jimmy Raney
1. With Stan Getz, at Storyville
2. Jimmy Raney Featuring Bob Brookmeyer
http://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Raney-Featuring-Bob-Brookmeyer/dp/B000CIXCDM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195070516&sr=1-3

Raney also did some time with Norvo, there’s a CD that has both Farlow and Raney which is great. His later stuff is also great, though a lot of my favorites (on the Xanadu label) are out of print.

Les Paul (not just the name of a guitar!)
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Capitol-Masters-90th-Birthday/dp/B0009IW9CU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195070624&sr=1-1
This looks like a good compilation. Anything with “How High the Moon” and “the World is Waiting for the Sunrise”

Ed Bickert – maybe the best chord player. Refined like Raney, but could make the guitar sound like a piano.
1. With Paul Desmond, “Pure Desmond”
2. With Frank Rosolino, “Thinking About You”. I spoke with the drummer on this date Terry Clarke, he said they did a week (or two?) at a club and never played the same tune twice. Plus, they play tunes in unusual keys on this.

Lenny Breau – could play more guitar than, maybe, anyone, ever. Classical, flamenco, country, bebop. For my money the best solo guitarist ever.
1. Five O’Clock Bells / Mo’ Breau
http://www.amazon.com/Five-OClock-Bells-Mo-Breau/dp/B000003TKN/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195071124&sr=1-2
2. Live at Bourbon Street

The story about him is that two guys were standing outside of a club he was playing at, and the first guy says “sounds like 2 great guitarists playing in there”. The second guy says “yeah, except there’s just one”.

Pat Metheny – the PMG stuff runs more towards “contemporary” sounding stuff, but he has straight ahead, avant garde, folksy CD’s too.
1. Bright Size Life (in between fusiony and straight ahead)
2. Pat Metheny Group (White Album) (more fusion)
3. Travels (fusion)
4. 80/81 (straight ahead/avant garde)
5. Trio Live (straight ahead)

John Scofield
1. Shinola
2. with Trio Beyond – “Saudades”
3. Time On My Hands

Bill Frisell (not a big fav of mine, but very influential. I tend to like him on other peoples records better than his own)
1. Live
2. with Don Byron, “Romance with the Unseen”

Jack Wilkins – SMOKIN’ HOT!!!
1. “Trio Art”
2. with Bob Brookmeyer “Live at Sandy’s Jazz Revival”

George Benson
1. George Benson Cookbook
2. In Concert – Carnegie Hall

Pat Martino
1. Live – the version of Sunny on this is definitive
2. Think Tank – gets mixed reviews, but I think it’s a classic

Hank Garland
1. Jazz Winds from a New Direction (included on the double CD “Move”)

Gene Bertoncini – my teacher
1. Body and Soul

Django
Any good compilation with Stephane Grappelli, “Swing de Paris” is the best I’ve found
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_m_pop/?search-alias=popular&unfiltered=1&field-keywords=&field-artist=django&field-title=&field-label=proper&field-format=&sort=relevancerank&Adv-Srch-Music-Album-Submit.x=0&Adv-Srch-Music-Album-Submit.y=0

Charlie Christian
“Original Guitar Genius” is my favorite compilation
http://www.amazon.com/Original-Guitar-Genius-Charlie-Christian/dp/B000BO5LY0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195142662&sr=1-5

Eddie Lang
“The New York Sessions”, like the Christian and Django box sets are pretty affordable and quite complete.
http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Sessions-1926-1935/dp/B00009XH3X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1195142767&sr=1-3

Mike Stern
1. Give and Take

John McLauhglin
1. Birds of Fire (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
2. Live at Royal Festival Hall (playing nylon string triggering a synth)
3. After the Rain

Johnny Smith
1. Moonlight In Vermont

George Van Eps
1. Mellow Guitar

I’m also a big fan of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Rodney Jones and Adam Rogers among younger guys. Vic Juris and John Abercrombie are two others I should have mentioned. Joe Beck is an amazing chord player, too. Joe Diorio. Howard Roberts was also great.

*** Added later on!!! ***
Ooooh, I can't believe I forgot to mention Emily Remler!!!

That’s enough guitar players.

Miles – Kind of Blue, Birth of the Cool, Miles Smiles, Highlights from the Plugged Nickel (actually the whole box set is amazing, but pricey)

Charlie Parker – the Savoy and Dial recordings.

Coltrane – Giant Steps and A Love Supreme are the obvious choices, but I prefer Blue Train, Coltrane Jazz and Live at Birdland.

Monk – “Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall” is transcendent. I like his groups with Charlie Rouse and Ben Riley, too, so “Straight No Chaser” is a good place to start.

Sonny Rollins – already mentioned “The Bridge” with Jim Hall, “Saxophone Colossus” would have to be mentioned, along with “Night at the Village Vanguard”. There must be 20 recordings I could list here, but those are good places to start. "The Impulse Story" is a nice compilation, too.

Wayne Shorter – “Speak No Evil” is an almost perfect jazz record. I also love “Heavy Weather”-era Weather Report. Most of his Blue Note records from the 60’s are classics.

Bill Evans – The live stuff at the Vanguard with Paul Motian and Scott LaFaro are required listening. “Waltz for Debby” and “”Sunday at the Vanguard” (both are included in “Complete Vangaurd Recordings, 1961”).

Cannonball Adderley – “Somethin’ Else”

Duke Ellington – hard to narrow down, here. The “Blanton-Webster” recordings (several compilations) cover early important recordings, “Black, Brown and Beige” is an important extended work, and “Such Sweet Thunder” is a favorite later Ellington recording.

Count Basie w/Freddie Green – Freddie Green may be the most important guitarist in the history of jazz. His rhythm playing freed up the Basie band in a way that eventually made bebop possible. Never underestimate what he does. Early Basie has Lester Young (among others) but later recordings allow you to hear Freddie better. “The Complete Decca” is everything you would need from early Basie, though you can find the same things elsewhere. “Atomic Basie” is great Second Testament Basie (First Testament refers to the band with Lester Young, etc. Second Testament refers to later bands where there were more written arrangements). “Count Basie and the Kansas City 7” is a great small group recording, very easy to hear FG on this.

Lester Young – so much good Prez, the Ken Burns is a decent compilation including his “Lady Be Good” solo. Some of his classic solos are on Billie Holiday records. Actually, there’s a label called Quadromania that have great, inexpensive 4-CD sets that capture lots of great things together.

Coleman Hawkins – something with the “Body and Soul” recordings, obviously. Again, Ken Burns seems to be an ok compilation. “The Hawk Flies High” is a nice, later recording with Barry Galbraith playing great FG-style rhythm guitar.

Ornette Coleman – “The Shape of Jazz to Come”. “Love Call” is a personal favorite.

Louis Armstrong – Hot Fives and Hot Sevens. Pick a compilation, there are a bunch. This should, of course, be first on the list.

Jaco – “Jaco Pastorius”

And of course everything by Jimi Hendrix (esp. Are You Experienced, Electric Ladyland, Band of Gypsies) and Jeff Beck (esp. Blow by Blow and Wired).

I’m sure I missed a few – but that’s an awful lot.

Red = Power

2007-10-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

I think I want a red guitar. For some weird reason, I like the idea of a bright red guitar at the moment. The missus and I are picking music to bring with us on our impending trip to empower us. It's a funny thing, thinking about music that displays real power, and music that can be a conduit of power. When I think about things that have power it's almost always saxophone music - Trane, Ornette, Wayne, Rollins, Brecker - or rock guitar - Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Peter Green, Roy Buchanan, Blackmore. The traditional jazz guitar sounds isn't a very "powerful" sound, know what I mean? It's an understated type of power that you hear in Jim Hall or Jimmy Raney, a quiet strength, if you will. The only guys I could think of that play with a clean jazz sound and really evoke power were Benson, Jack Wilkins, Grant Green, and to somewhat lesser degrees Wes and Kenny Burrell (Wes was certainly a powerful improviser). Django had power! Charlie Christian to a degree, too. John McLaughlin is WAY powerful, but not always with a clean "jazz" sound. Metheny and Sco are so important because I think they've found sounds that aren't "rock" sounds, but are powerful enough to stand on the front line with a great tenor sound.

So anyway, I want a powerful red freaking guitar. I think, anyway.

AC/DC Big Chill hits Lancaster, PA! 8/17-8/20/07

2007-08-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Arnie was hip.

2007-05-10T11:44:00.001-07:00

"Great art presupposes the alert mind of the educated listener."

Arnold Schoenberg

Music and Life

2007-05-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite things.

http://www.neticons.net/music_life/

(I was turned on to this from Andrew Sullivan's blog.)

A week on my own

2007-05-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

Well, the missus is away for a week. And that leaves me alone with a houseful of guitars, cats and insecurities. At some point, I figure, she'll wake up and realize what a schlub she married. Till then...

Of course, being in between gigs isn't helping at all. I've known since I was about 16 that my whole sense of self-worth is predicated on my last gig. Now, my last gig was pretty good. ("Stella" the first night at Virgil's was about the best thing I've ever played). But it was so long ago now, that I've lost whatever I had gained from it. If I'm not gigging, I'm just a schlub. If I'm gigging and playing well, then at least I'm a schlub who plays guitar.

GC in Australia is a good thing for the RivProj, I'm sure. But it was at a moment in time when we were hitting our stride, gig-wise. So, it feels like we've lost a little head of steam. Hopefully when he gets back we'll pick up where we left off.

As for the insecurities - where to begin? The last few weeks I've been a mess. A bundle of self-doubt bordering on self-loathing. And fun to be around!! A gig would probably snap me out of it. I've been keeping busy with side projects, but not having that finish line in front of me, a gig to prepare for and hit hard, I just feel like I'm floundering. This then spills over into everything I think and feel about myself.

Damn, this is the most diary-entry-ish thing I've ever written here. Time to stop. As Seinfeld would say - "good luck with all THAT!".

Update - (the next day) had a good rehearsal last night, restored some small sense of self-worth. Amazing what a good throw-down will do for the soul.

GC, Jr. - Down Under!

2007-04-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

George is spreading the gospel of The Rivington Project Down Under in Australia. Getting some nice press, and airplay on the ABC - which I suppose is like the BBC or PBS, except that their toilets flow in the opposite direction when flushed.

(GC - if you happen to read this, sorry I couldn't take your call that night. I either would have gotten a ticket or gotten into an accident. My phone didn't capture your new number, so I couldn't call you back. Sorry!)

http://www.abc.net.au/classic/daily/stories/s1853081.htm

They played Giant Blues somewhere between 5 and 7 p.m. - pretty prime time! We usually get airplay at 3 in the morning!

http://www.theage.com.au/news/gig-previews--reviews/george-coleman-jnr-quartet/2007/03/30/1174761733715.html

Accolades and kudos!

2007-03-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

Best Jazz Instrumental: There's No Then In Zen by The Rivington Project

http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00001235.html

AND

Best Jazz Instrumental CD: TRiP by The Rivington Project with Don Braden

http://www.musesmuse.com/musereviews-cdawards2006.html

Thanks to Muse's Muse for all the kindness!!

Rivington Project at Virgil's for Mardi Gras - 2/20/07

2007-02-21T12:16:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Amanda for the photos. (I left out the ones that too obviously show my bald spot).

They like us, they really really like us!

2007-01-17T13:21:00.000-08:00

http://www.billboardsongcontest.com

14th Annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest

2006 WINNER - JAZZ
1) The Rivington Project - "Navl Gazr"

yay, us.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as babies

2007-01-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

If anyone wants a full sized pic, let me know and I can email it to you. Breakfast is in the middle. This is shortly after we first discovered them outside our door. First time we tried to get them to the vet (around this time) they weighed less than a pound. Notice the way Breakfast is holding hands with Lunch.

The year that was: 2006

2006-12-28T12:44:00.000-08:00

MSG cancels again, but the dinner goes on.
Spamalot
Rangers vs. Pens
Mixed TRiP
CSI Guitar Extravaganza
Summer of Suspenders
Rivington Project’s TRiP released!
Recorded The Cave
PA Jazz wedding
MUS 108 Fall 06
Vacation week with Jim Hall at the Vanguard
Finally went to the dentist after 20+ years (only 2 cavities)
Waldorf and Jazz Standard with Gags
Continuance
Devils vs. Pens
Ice skating at Rockefeller Center under the tree
NYE gig – first one in 15 years?

Reading – Barthes, "Fiasco", lots of Zen late in the year.
Listening – Ornette, Trane, Monk, UFO's Monkey Puzzle.
Thinking – “Ornette and the Semiotic Breach”. (Now let’s see if I ever write it)

Far too many passings, far too soon. A friend's illness avoided. These leading to a fair amount of spiritual turmoil, hopefully leading to something better. Replaced alcohol with meditation and herbal tea - seems to agree with me.

Read this, or something like this, on a tea bag. “To learn – read. To understand – write. To master – teach.”

Happy New Year.

Devils 3, Pens 0, 12/26/06

2006-12-27T10:37:00.000-08:00

Me, Keith and Jesse. Pics from Keith's camera. Yes, we were really that close. Directly behind the penatly box.

July, Forth

2006-07-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius.

Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist.

I ought to go upright and vital, and speak rude truth in all ways.

What I must do is all that concerns me, not what people think.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

I will have no covenants but proximities.

Society never advances. It recedes as fast on one side as it gains on the other.

Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.

- from "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy independence Day!

Running AWAY from Bush

2006-06-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

Seems like Vito Fossella (R-NY) isn't as enamored of the President as he once was.

*********UPDATE*********UPDATE*********UPDATE*********
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/430906p-363263c.html

Hardee-har-har!!!

The Greatest Year for Rock Lead Guitar?

2006-04-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

In my opinion there are only 2 possible years that could earn this distinction. 1969 or 1978. Now, I can't equivocate in terms of importance or influence - 1969 would win hands down. Especially if you add in 1968 (even adding 1979 to balance it out). But I have to say, in terms of QUANTITY and QUALITY - I have to give the nod to 1978. Your thoughts?

1969
Led Zep I AND Led Zep II
Santana (debut)
Jeff Beck Group - Beck-Ola
Cream - Goodbye
Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On
Frank Zappa - Uncle Meat AND Hot Rats

OK, I may be on thin ground, but I'm holding out for 1978. Here's what just missed the cut - they came out in 1968.

1968
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland
Cream - Wheels of Fire
Jeff Beck Group - Truth (if this record had come out in '69, I would have to give the nod to that year, but alas it didn't).

Now, before I get to my main argument for 1978, here's what bookends it.

1977
Steely Dan - Aja
Santana - Moonflower
UFO - Light Out

1979
Pat Travers - Live-Go For What You Know
AC/DC - Highway to Hell
Scorpions - Lovedrive
Thin Lizzy - Black Rose

OK, now for the core list. Remember, we're just talking LEAD GUITAR. Just guitar, nothing else.

1978
UK - with Holdsworth
The Who - Who Are You (surely Pete's finest hour in terms of lead guitar, no?)
AC/DC - Powerage
Dire Straits (not a favorite of mine, but...)
Journey - Infinity
REO Speedwagon - You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish
Rainbow - Long Live Rock and Roll
Gary Moore - Back on the Streets
Thin Lizzy - Live and Dangerous
UFO - Obsession AND Strangers In The Night (this is, to me, the lead guitar One-Two punch that balances out LZ I & II)
Van Halen

Have I made my point? Any years I'm missing that might contend? Anything I've missed? You can check here:

http://www.oldielyrics.com/years.html

TV's Dada Moment

2006-02-18T07:51:00.000-08:00

1979, Uncle Milty introducing Ornette Coleman and Prime Time on SNL, back when SNL was TRULY good.

http://www.youtube.com/?v=zkbHlPl-Mz0

Ah, when all tings were possible...

Stress

2006-02-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

I have had a stress headache for around 3 days now. Lovely. I want to smash my skull into a wall to try to relieve some of the pressure. Probably not a medically sound procedure. But then again, neither is drinking yourself into unconsciousness, my preferred method of dealing with stress.

Sad news.

2006-01-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/25/
obit.fayardnicholas.ap/index.html

I've always maintained that there's a close affinity between tap dancing and jazz drumming. Listen to Max Roach and imagine the Nicholas Brothers. You'll hear/see what I mean.

Break up the Knicks!!!

2006-01-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

This may be my only chance to say this this season - the NY Knicks are the hottest team in the NBA right now! They have the longest current win streak. Ok, it's only 4 games, but during a season like this one, you have to take what you get.

Channing Frye is going to be a superstar. Nate Robinson is a freak of nature. I mean that in a good way. Watching a 5' 9" guy dunk with authority is an unbelieveable sight.

Let's hope the tide has turned for these guys.

What might Jesus' message sound like if he were to come back today?

2005-12-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

I think it might go something like this:

"Try not to be a dick."

Merry Christmas!!!

New word

2005-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

I've coined a new word. There's a point when petting my cat, Mr. Kitty, that goes beyond mere contenment. He's not just enjoying a little affection. His whole being is involved. He gets so happy that he almost convulses as he purrs. There are snorting sounds coming from him; deep, throaty, gutteral noises; involuntary movements, his body almost convulses.

The new word for this?

Purrgasm

Maybe Iraq has an American style democracy after all?

2005-12-22T12:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10572818/

I hate Sen. Ted Stevens (AK)

2005-12-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

Farewell to my favorite all-time radio show!

2005-12-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

Today was the final broadcast of my favorite radio program. No, not Howard Stern, that's my wifes favorite.

I'm talking about Air America Radios' "Morning Sedition". I've been listening since day one, and have grown to love Marc Maron, Mark Riley, and the gang. The Mortensens, the Milfingtons, Sammy the Stem Cell, Johnny K Street. Everyone. K-Lo, Bredan, Dan. I am going to miss the Liberal Confessional (I have some confessions I never got to make). I won't know what to do without my Liberal Agenda from the Streisand Compound. This was the best show on the network by a long shot, and their decision to pull the plug boggles my mind.

I will also miss Brian from Everet and his inconsistent mental disposition.

I'm glad Riley will still be around, and I love Rachel Maddow, so I guess I'll start listening to her in the morning (I have been known to get up at 5:30 just to catch a little of her brilliance). But she will somehow feel like a Stepmom that we're fond of, but don't really love.

I hope Maron gets back on the air. And I regret not picking up a copy of his book used on Amazon when they were a dollar, instead of waiting till now when it has become a collectors item. I may purchase the digital download to printout and read. I think I'll be suffering some serious MS withdrawal.

Goodbye geniuses, philosopher kings and queens, working class heroes, progressive utopians with no sense of humor, lurking conservatives, etc....

That's what I said!

2005-12-16T06:54:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -
Morgan Freeman says the concept of a month dedicated to black history is "ridiculous." "You're going to relegate my history to a month?" the 68-year-old actor says in an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes" to air Sunday (7 p.m. EST). "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051216/
ap_en_ce/people_morgan_freeman_5

Addendum - Not having seen this interview yet (since it hasn't aired yet, as far as I know) I based my understanding of what Mr. Freeman meant on the article linked to above. It seems that either I completely misunderstood what he was getting at, or all the folks jumping all over him are in error as to just what point he was making.

I took his statement to mean that Black history should not be relegated to a single month of study, but that the Black American experience was worthy of inclusion in American history. It seems that many people have taken his meaning as there's no need for a Black history month because there's no real separate issue to study.

I have never before so strongly believed that there IS a very different history to be told by Black America, and that it has to be understood and integrated into American history in order for us, as a nation, to reach a deeper understanding of who we are.

I guess I'll have to watch the interview to find out how he meant his comments.

Last Class of '05

2005-12-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night is the last class for this semester of my Jazz History class. This is the opening lecture I prepared.

Listening – Wynton Marsalis playing "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?"

We’re back where we started the semester. In New Orleans, listening to a young trumpet virtuoso. We’ve traversed Louis Armstrong to Wynton Marsalis. What have we explored this semester?

College should be savored. It’s been said that it’s the last time you’ll have the opportunity to learn just for the sake of learning. Ideally, you’re broadening your perspective on the world.

Why study jazz? Because it’s uniquely American music. Because it is American culture.

What is it that I hope you learned? A little about music. A lot about how to listen to music. Something about history – music history, American history, African-American history, about the way that art reflects the world and the time when it’s created. In his book of 1956 "The Story of Jazz" Marshall W. Stearns writes:

The only group of social scientists who have attempted a partial explanation of the appeal of jazz are the psychiatrists. In 1951, Dr. Aaron H. Esman outlined the basic theory and, in 1954, Dr. Norman M. Margolis enlarged upon it. Their hypothesis: ‘Jazz is essentially a protest music’, and they support it with careful and lengthy arguments. Stripped of technical terms, the main point of their theory is that, just because jazz is looked down upon by the general public, people who love this music choose jazz – in part – as a way of expressing resentment toward the world in general.

America was born on the backs of slaves – this is the harsh reality of our birth as a nation. Understanding this is key to coming to grips with the Black experience in America. Understanding the impact the fact of slavery had on generations, and its enduring legacy still has – and it has and does endure in the form of lynchings, Jim Crow, discrimination – is key to understanding the America we live in. And until the Black experience is seen not as a sidebar to the American experience, but integral to it, and until we as a nation have come to terms with that fact, all the Equal Rights Amendments in the world will not help us to become a truly integrated society.

Jazz has been the voice for those marginalized by society – black and white alike. Music that is at once both a serious art music that is worthy of study and intellectualization, and a true folk music that only survives in its purest, most vital forms through its oral traditions, it embraces the great dichotomies of American life.

A country that holds nothing more dear than freedom wouldn’t have been able to come into being or survive economically or socially without the ugly fact of slavery. Our very existence is a dichotomy. At the time the Constitution was written slavery was specifically taken off the table as a topic to be addressed so that Southern states would stay a part of the fledgling union. This came to a head first obviously in the Civil War, and again during the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s.

Clearly, however, there’s more work that needs to be done. How the general populace of this country can allow themselves to become so distracted only a few months after the most devastating natural disaster we have ever faced (remember, we’re back in New Orleans again) – and forget about the displaced, the homeless, the unemployed, the people who not only lost everything they owned but lost the very city they called home – shows that there is still work to be done.

Because of this state of affairs jazz is still vital, and will remain so. Voices of dissent, voices of protest are needed, are always needed. Too often criticism is (intentionally) confused with disloyalty. It’s not a contradiction to say "America is the greatest country the world has ever known" and "America can do better". Those positions are not mutually exclusive.

Jazz calls us on our bullshit. Jazz is a mirror. Jazz tells the truth because it has to. It isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always difficult, either. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, serious, fun (and funny), ironic, self-righteous, passionate, too cool for its own good – often in the same song! - it embraces contradiction. But it always seeks to be one thing – cathartic. It tries to take us and make us honestly face the world, often saying things in notes that we would be afraid to say ourselves in words. Revealing aspects of ourselves we know about but may chose to keep hidden away. It seeks to change us by making us face things honestly.

Jazz is a call to action. Cornel West has a beautiful phrase, "jazz freedom fighters". He says in his book "Race Matters":

I use the term "jazz" here not so much as a term for a musical art form, as for a mode of being in the world, an improvisational mode of protean, fluid, flexible dispositions toward reality suspicious of "either/or" viewpoints, dogmatic pronouncements, or supremacist ideologies. To be a jazz freedom fighter is to attempt to galvanize and energize world-weary people into forms of organization with accountable leadership that promote critical exchange and broad reflection. The interplay of individuality and unity is not one of uniformity and unanimity imposed from above but rather of conflict among diverse groupings that reach a dynamic consensus subject to questioning and criticism. As with a soloist in a jazz quartet, quintet or band, individuality is promoted in order to sustain and increase the creative tension with the group – a tension that yields higher levels of performance to achieve the aim of the collective project.

This is serious, important music, with serious, important things to say. If you’ll listen.

Better than radio!!

2005-12-01T13:31:00.000-08:00

My new favorite web site!

http://www.live365.com

Just type in a favorite artist, or style, and you can find a radio station that plays it exclusively. My favorite stations at present are:

http://www.live365.com/stations/ufo4ever

and

http://www.live365.com/stations/mpr2

The first - Scorpions, UFO & MSG Forever - focuses on the brothers Schenker and all things related. The second - Music Mavericks / Crunchy - deals with avant-garde music, mostly 20th and 21st century classical, but I heard "Sun Ra and John Cage" on there before, so....

I would be remiss if I didn't mention:

http://www.live365.com/stations/pat_smith

Pat's Jazz Guitar station. I think he may even have a few tracks of mine on there.

I guess you can see why I like it so much. Where else could I find sources for music of such specificity? Makes being at work bearable. Almost.