What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Flight of the Cosmic Hippo -- CD

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

1999 Warner Bros. Records
Don't miss out on this CD!, July 9, 2000
By Belafan "Belafan1" (Sunrise, Fl United States)


This is an early example of one of the most innovative bands in existence. If you only like to listen to bands that you can categorize, skip this CD. These four amazing musicians combine the best from all genres to make the best music possible. This CD is all instrumental. Bela Fleck plays the banjo and electric banjo in ways you have only heard if you're familiar with this artist. He is amazing! Victor Wooten, in turn, plays bass in new and amazing ways. He will astound you. Howard Levy plays piano and harmonica (often at the same time) and gets an outrageous range of notes from a simple diatonic harmonica. You have to hear it to believe it. Finally. Roy Wooten (aka Future Man) provides percussion in a completely different way. He has built a synth-axe drumitar which he plays flawlessly. You'll believe you are listening to real drums, but it creates other effects as well. If you don't have this one yet, by all means don't hesitate! Buy it now!

listen 1. Blu-Bop (LP Version) 4:22 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 2. Flying Saucer Dudes (LP Version) 4:50 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 3. Turtle Rock (LP Version) 4:13 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 4. Flight Of The Cosmic Hippo (LP Version) 4:28 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 5. The Star Spangled Banner (LP Version) 2:35 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 6. Star Of The County Down (LP Version) 4:22 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 7. Jekyll And Hyde (And Ted And Alice) (LP Version) 7:05 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 8. Michelle (LP Version) 5:09 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 9. Hole In The Wall (LP Version) 4:39 $0.99 Buy Track
listen 10. Flight Of The Cosmic Hippo (Reprise) (LP Version) 2:15 $0.99 Buy Track

 

[Dennie]

I'm giving this one a second spin.......

Clapton -- CD

Eric Clapton

2010 Reprise Records

Product Description
Co-produced by guitarist and long-time collaborator Doyle Bramhall II, ‘Clapton’ features an all star cast of musical collaborations started with the legendary JJ Cale, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Willie Weeks, and keyboardist Walt Richmond - and the sessions later added guests including Steve Winwood, Wynton Marsalis, Sheryl Crow, Allen Toussaint, and Derek Trucks. Clapton created a collection that touches on everything from century-old traditional brass bands to little-known country blues to brand-new originals. The result is both relaxed and revelatory, and unlike anything the guitarist has done in his legendary career.

‘This album wasn't what it was intended to be at all,’ says Eric Clapton. ‘It's actually better than it was meant to be because, in a way, I just let it happen. It's an eclectic collection of songs that weren't really on the map - and I like it so much because if it's a surprise to the fans, that's only because it's a surprise to me, as well.

Track list:
01. Traveling Alone
02. Rocking Chair
03. River Runs Deep
04. Judgment Day
05. How Deep Is The Ocean
06. Milkman
07. Crazy About You Baby
08. That’s No Way To Get Along
09. Everything Will Be Alright
10. Diamonds Made From Rains starts at 1:40
11. When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful
12. Hard Times
13. Rolling And Tumbling
14. Autumn Leaves

 

[Ronm1]

Saxophone Colossus, Way Out West - Sonny Rollins
Art Pepper meets the Rhythm Section
These three are 192/24 2ch only dvda's and are superbly remastered 60's sessions and IMHO reissues rarely get done better than this.

 

[Dennie]

The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 -- 20 bit/K2 mastered 3 CD Set

Bill Evans (Trio)

2005 Riverside Records

The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961, a three-CD box set released in 2005, marks the first time the entire Bill Evans Trio's complete sets at the Village Vanguard on June 25, 1961 have been released in their entirety (outside of the twelve-disc set containing Evans' complete Riverside recordings). It also marks the first US release of the first take of "Gloria's Step," which is incomplete due to a power failure.

These sets, from which the classic LPs Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby were drawn, were the trio's final live recordings. Bassist Scott LaFaro would die in an automobile accident on July 6.



Disc two

Evening Set 1

1. "Gloria's Step" (Take 2)
2. "My Man's Gone Now" (George Gershwin-Ira Gershwin-DuBose Heyward)
3. "All of You" (Take 2)
4. "Detour Ahead" (Take 1) (Lou Carter-Herb Ellis-John Freigo)

Evening Set 2

1. discussing repertoire
2. "Waltz for Debby" (Take 1) (Bill Evans-Gene Lees)
3. "Alice in Wonderland" (Take 2)
4. "Porgy (I Loves You, Porgy)" (George Gershwin-Ira Gershwin-DuBose Heyward)
5. "My Romance" (Take 2)
6. "Milestones" (Miles Davis)

 

[Dennie]

Happy Birthday Charlie Brown! :handgestures-thumbup: :eusa-clap:

Linus & Lucy - The Music of Vince Guaraldi -- CD

George Winston

1996 Windham Hill Records

Amazon.com
While Vince Guaraldi's piano playing and composing have had a big influence on George Winston's work, there is little sense of direct imitation in this affecting tribute to the man who composed the memorable music for the television specials based on cartoonist Charles M. Schultz's Peanuts characters. Winston's solo piano style is fuller and more reflective than Guaraldi's, a hearty blend of powerful chords and subdued rhythms. It seems to embrace Guaraldi's tunes, both the Peanuts songs, like the title tune and "You're in Love, Charlie Brown," and Guaraldi's other music, like "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" and "Monterey," which seems to blend somber tones with an almost luminous quality. The warmth, wit, and whimsy here evoke memories of the best work of Guaraldi and Schultz. --Adam Rains

Track listing
1. Cast Your Face to the Win
2. Skating
3. Linus & Lucy
4. Great Pumpkin Waltz, The
5. Monterey
6. Charlie Brown Thankgiving, A
7. Treat Street
8. Eight Five Five
9. Masked Marvel, The
10. Charlie Brown & His All Stars
11. You're in Love Charlie Brown
12. Peppermint Patty
13. Bon Voyage
14. Young Man's Fancy
15. Remembrance
16. Theme to Grace/Lament

 

[smgreen20]

Elton Johns "Candle in the wind' & "Goodbye Englands rose".

 

[Dennie]

Discovering The Blues - Live CD

Robben Ford

1997 Avenue Records

WOW......just.......wow!, July 6, 2000
By Brian E. Defferding (Oshkosh, WI United States)

I decided one day to buy this on a whim even though I never heard his stuff before. Boy am I glad I took that risk.

With A+ guitar playing like this, you'd think somebody would paint "Robben is God" on a building somewhere. I'd rank this CD right along with all of those blues-guitar masters like T-Bone Walker, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy. This album isn't just Robben showing off what he can do on the guitar; he also shows what he can do on the saxophone in the awesomely-done cover of "You don't know what Love is". Great hardcore blues; listen to it over and over.

1. Sweet Sixteen - Robben Ford, Josea, Joe
2. You Drive a Hard Bargain - Robben Ford, Ford, Robben
3. It's My Own Fault - Robben Ford, Hooker, John Lee
4. You Don't Know What Love Is - Robben Ford, DePaul, Gene
5. My Time After Awhile - Robben Ford, Badger, Ron
6. Raining in My Heart - Robben Ford, Bryant, Boudleaux
7. Blue and Lonesome - Robben Ford, Little Walter

 

[Dennie]

Best of the Vanguard Years -- CD

John Hammond

2000 Vanguard Records

Amazon.com

John Hammond's particular genius is simply this: he can take a classic blues tune and play it how it's meant to be played, whether it's Delta or Chicago, uptempo or slow. Best of the Vanguard Years provides an excellent introduction to Hammond's work, showcasing as it does much of what made him a national artist in the first place. His early work for Vanguard is some of his best, making this collection a near-perfect set of classic blues. A key moment for recognizing Hammond's talent for stylistic variety comes in the juxtaposition of tracks seven and eight, "Hellhound Blues" and "I'm Ready." Putting these Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters classics next to each other highlights the issue nicely: Hammond really is that good. He goes gut-deep on every track, too; this is probably one of the best takes of "Big Boss Man" on record, and his version of "I Want You to Love Me" is sexy enough to make your stereo sweat. Required listening all around. --Genevieve Williams

Tracks

1. 32-20 Blues
2. Statesborough Blues
3. Seventh Son
4. Drop Down Mama
5. Going Back to Florida
6. Ask Me Nice
7. Hellhound Blues
8. I'm Ready
9. I'm a Man
10. Keys to the Highway
11. No Money Down
12. I Live the Life I Love
13. Big Boss Man
14. So Many Roads, So Many Trains
15. Who Do You Love
16. I Want You to Love Me
17. You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover
18. O Yea!
19. Who's Been Talkin'
20. Pretty Thing
21. Last Night
22. I Wish You Would
23. Guitar King


Sidemen

* John Hammond, vocal/ guitars
* Michael Bloomfield, piano
* Charlie Musselwhite, harmonica
* Robbie Robertson, guitar
* Bobby Donaldson, drums
* Jimmy Lewis, bass
* Mark Wenner, harmonica
* Jimmy Thackery, guitar
* Levon Helm, drums
* Garth Hudson, organ (Hammond)
* Pete Ragusa, drums
* Jan Zukowski, bass
* Tom Vickers compilation
* Georgette Cartwright, creative services coordinator
* Joel Brodsky, photography

 

[Dennie]

Amazing Grace -- 2 CD Box Set

Aretha Franklin

1972/1990 Atlantic Records

Amazon.com essential recording

Originally released as a double LP in 1972, Amazing Grace cracked the Billboard Top Ten upon its release, making it one of the bestselling gospel records of all time. Grace was recorded in a large Baptist church with an ultraenthusiastic, loving audience in the pews and a full, funky, band as well as the Southern California Community Choir under the direction of her mentor Rev. James Cleveland. Her voice is melismatic and intensely emotional, yet pure and controlled--as if she were directly channeling the Holy Ghost. Aretha's father, the brilliant preacher Rev. C.L. Franklin, makes a brief, proud appearance, remarking how "she has never left the church!" Highlights include the beautiful "Wholy Holy," an 11-minute, heart-stopping "Amazing Grace," and Inez Andrews's stirring song "Mary, Don't You Weep." Way more than a return-to-the-roots record, the set is an inspired gospel-soul workout that arguably showcases Aretha's strongest singing ever. --Mike McGonigal

Disc: 1
1. Mary, Don't You Weep
2. Precious Lord, Take My Hand/You've Got A Friend
3. Old Landmark (Spoken Introduction)
4. Give Yourself To Jesus
5. How I Got Over
6. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
7. Amazing Grace
Disc: 2
1. Precious Memories
2. Climbing Higher Mountains
3. Remarks By Rev. C.L. Franklin
4. God Will Take Care Of You
5. Wholy Holy
6. You'll Never Walk Alone
7. Never Grow Old

 

[topper]

"Spirit Of Music" by Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers



topper

 

[Rope]

BT - This Binary Universe

Rope

 

[Dennie]

Quiet As The Moon -- CD

Dave Brubeck

1991 MusicMasters

A family that plays nice together, October 22, 2008
By James A. Vedda (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Quiet As the Moon (Audio CD)

This album, recorded in three sessions from 1988-91, is a great mix of old and new, fast and slow, demonstrating an impressive amount of variety for such a small ensemble. The opening track is a jazz waltz version of "Bicycle Built for Two" that is classic Brubeck. "Travelin' Blues" is everything you'd expect from a jazz quartet rendering a comfortable walking-bass blues. Nice blues action in "When I Was a Child" too.
In contrast, five of the 12 tracks feature the smooth, rich cello of Matthew Brubeck in settings reminiscent of recordings that Yo-Yo Ma has done with jazz artists (including the elder Brubeck). That gives us contemplative tracks like "Forty Days" and "The Desert and the Parched Land." But a slight shift in instrumentation yields joyous jazz like "Benjamin" and "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" and gorgeous ballads like "Quiet As The Moon" and "When You Wish Upon a Star."
A major contributor to this album is Bobby Militello, who plays flute on seven tracks and alto/tenor sax on two. His playing is just the right combination of technique and emotion, and he gets a great sound out of all the horns. Clearly, he's not one of those woodwind doublers who sounds uncomfortable on anything other than his main instrument. Listening to this collection, you'd be hard pressed to figure out which one is his main instrument.
To complete the family gathering, Chris Brubeck plays electric bass on eight tracks and bass trombone on one; Dan Brubeck plays drums on two tracks. I highly recommend that you join this family gathering.

Track listing

1. Bicycle Built For Two
2. Linus and Lucy
3. Forty Days
4. When I Was a Child
5. Quiet as the Moon
6. Cast Your Fate to the Wind
7. Benjamin
8. Looking at the Rainbow
9. Desert and the Parched Land, The
10. Travelin' Blues
11. Unisphere
12. When You Wish Upon a Star

 

[Botch]

BT - This Binary Universe

Rope

What do you think of this one, Rope? I've got a lot of BT's stuff, love it, but this is so intricate it kinda flies right over my head (like a Charlie Parker solo). He intended it to be his life's masterwork, from what I've read. :ugeek:

 

[Rope]

Botch -

I agree with your synopsis as it relates to the stereo CD, it's kind of "dry" electronica that serves it purpose as back ground music for my use. although, I own the DVD DTS version. When he puts pictures with the electronica it becomes much more clear in my mind, and I enjoy it much more.

Rope

BTW, listen closely to the 6th track, "The Anhtkythera Mechanism." The DVD DTS video/audio of this track are astounding.

 

[Dennie]

Strike Like Lightening -- CD

Lonnie Mack

1985 Alligator Records

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

Anyone who thought Lonnie Mack was only a rock-guitar history book name-thanks to his seminal country-and-blues instrumental version of Chuck Berry's "Memphis"-got slapped upside the head by his 1958 Gibson Flying V guitar when this Stevie Ray Vaughan co-produced album appeared in 1985. On both fast and slow songs his fluid leads fulgurate like bolts from the blue, with additional illumination provided by his heavy, worn-and-torn singing voice. A gang of Mack's old Cincinnati cronies contribute glowingly as if at a roadhouse torching, while Vaughan supplies still more sizzle to the shuffle with "If You Have to Know" and four more. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

 

[Botch]

I own the DVD DTS version.

Thanks for the tip, added to the list! :handgestures-thumbup:

 

[Dennie]

Spirit Of The Moment - Live at the Village Vanguard 2 CD Set

Joshua Redman Quartet

1995 Warner Bros. Records

Spirited session, July 26, 2000
By Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Spirit Of The Moment: Live At The Village Vanguard (Audio CD)
Redman delivers a ton of music on this two-CD collection of tunes gathered over a five-night stand at the Village Vanguard in 1995. There's nearly two and a half hours of music here, and most of it is well worth listening to, although there are times that Redman's relative youth is revealed and the sessions drag a bit.

There's no question that on the uptemp stuff, Redman is in complete command. "Herbs and Roots," "Slapstick" and a fine rendition of Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas" display his ability to burn through changes and to play all over the instrument without stumbling or losing his way. He's also very strong when he takes on the Coltranesque "Lyric," which winds up the second CD. He captures the passionate spirituality of Trane's music in this tune.

All of Redman's bandmates are major assets. Chris Thomas is solid on bass, Peter Martin is fleet on piano and capable of delivering lyricism and fire, and Brian Blades is quite simply one of the best young drummers out there.

The biggest complaint I have is that Redman hasn't quite found his voice on ballads and slower-tempo numbers yet, and that weakness is exposed on a couple of tunes on the CD, most notably "My One and Only Love." Here the saxophonist sounds uncertain of what he wants to do. He meanders around, seems to stray from the tune's lovely melody and generally presents a far different musical voice than the one we heard on the cookers. For contrast, play Coltrane's version, which he recorded with Johnny Hartmann. The difference in command is startling.

A personal gripe (I'm sure many won't agree) is the pointed inclusion of crowd noise. The crowds at the Vanguard were obviously huge Redman fans and they applaud heartily -- and distractingly -- for almost everything he does. I guess I come from a different listening generation. Jazz fans used to spend more of their time listening and saved their applause for when the musicians had finished their statements. This sounds more like a rock crowd.

That quibble aside, this is a good value and a useful document of Redman's continuing -- and very interesting -- development.

~ TRACKLISTING ~

Disc: 1
1. Jig-A-Jug
2. My One and Only Love
3. Count Me Out
4. Second Snow
5. Remember
6. Dialogue
7. St. Thomas

Disc: 2
1. Herbs & Roots
2. Wait No Longer
3. Neverend
4. Just In Time
5. Mt. Zion
6. Slapstick
7. Lyric

 

[Dennie]

Infinity -- CD :handgestures-thumbup: :handgestures-thumbup: :eusa-clap:

McCoy Tyner Trio featuring Michael Brecker

1995 Impulse!/GRP Records - PROMO ONLY STAMP

INFINITY won a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual Or Group. Michael Brecker won a 1996 Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for "Impressions."A Worthy Successor to the Classic Coltrane Quartet,
November 14, 2001

By "greensauce75" (Portland, Oregon United States)
This review is from: Infinity (Audio CD)

This is one of the best matchups of two of the most seminal figures in jazz today. There is no saxophonist alive more worthy of playing alongside the legendary pianist from the John Coltrane Quartet of the 1960s than Michael Brecker. His style is very much influenced by Coltrane's ideas and harmonic innovations but he still manages to have a completely original voice. His playing on this date is up to his usual standard of excellence and truly seems to inspire and push the trio forward. One of the reasons that Tyner and Brecker play extremely well together is that both heavily employ the use of pentatonics. Their styles mesh amazingly well.

The music itself is mostly written by Tyner with a few exceptions including their take on Coltrane's classic Impressions. Brecker truly extends himself on this modal standard but the highlight of the album is the first track, Flying High. Both Brecker and Tyner are in top form and play beautifully with extreme intensity.

This is one of my favorite jazz albums in my collection of over 200. You will not be dissapointed if you buy it.

Also, Avery Sharpe takes one the most amazing bass solos I have ever heard on Thelonious Monk's I Mean You and is truly up to the challenge of playing with such top-notch players.

1. "Flying High" - 10:14
2. "I Mean You" (Hawkins, Monk) - 7:19
3. "Where Is Love" - 5:31
4. "Changes" - 9:46
5. "Blues Stride" - 3:38
6. "Happy Days" - 9:42
7. "Impressions" (Coltrane) - 11:13
8. "Mellow Minor" - 5:26
9. "Good Morning Heartache" (Drake, Fisher, Higgenbotham) - 9:21

All compositions by McCoy Tyner except as indicated

* Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, April 12 (track 1 & 6), 13 (tracks 4, 7 & 8) and 14 (tracks 2, 3, 5 & 9), 1995

 

[Dennie]

Days Like This -- CD

Van Morrison

1995 Polydor Records
Amazon.com

In an era when most old rock stars are left to recycle their greatest hits for megatours and MTV Unplugged, it's refreshing to know that Van Morrison still pours on all the originality and wit he had when he made Moondance. On Days Like This, Morrison continues his lifelong exploration of the human psyche, offering up highly entertaining and danceable (yes, danceable!) tunes about everything from love to manic depression. As always, Morrison's vocals rumble along through intelligent lyrics, plowing up a range of emotions almost too numerous to catalog. Needless to say, the sweet, soulful harmonies of Morrison's adroit backup singers and Pee Wee Ellis's fabulous horn arrangements serve as fabulous counterpoints to Van the Man's energetic and pointed performances. When all is said and done Morrison sums it up best in "Songwriter," a self-effacing ditty about the job he has done, and still does, so very well. --L.A. Smith

All songs by Morrison unless noted otherwise;

1. "Perfect Fit" – 4:33
2. "Russian Roulette" – 3:56
3. "Raincheck" – 5:53
4. "You Don't Know Me" - (Arnold, Walker) – 4:32
5. "No Religion" – 5:14
6. "Underlying Depression" – 4:35
7. "Songwriter" – 2:50
8. "Days Like This" – 3:13
9. "I'll Never Be Free" - (Benjamin, Weiss) – 3:37
10. "Melancholia" – 3:56
11. "Ancient Highway" – 8:53
12. "In the Afternoon" – 6:21

 

[Dennie]

Moondance -- CD :handgestures-thumbup: :text-bump: :handgestures-thumbup:

Van Morrison

1970/1990 Warner Bros. Records

Amazon.com essential recording
Van Morrison went a long way towards defining his wild Irish heart with his first two classic albums: the brooding, introspective Astral Weeks (1968), and the expansive, swinging Moondance. If the first was the work of a poet, its sequel was the statement of a musician and bandleader. Moondance is that rare rock album where the band has buffed the arrangements to perfection, and where the sax solos instead of the guitar. The band puts out a jazzy shuffle on "Moondance" and plays it soulful on "These Dreams of You." The album includes both Morrison's most romantic ballad ("Crazy Love") and his most haunting ("Into the Mystic"). "And It Stoned Me" rolled off Morrison's tongue like a favorite fable, while "Caravan" told a tale full of emotional intrigue. Moondance stood out in the rock world of 1970 like a grownup in a kiddie matinee. --John Milward