Keith Jarrett

I am nearing completest status on the recordings of a few musicians. Jazz pianist, Keith Jarrett falls into that short list. The other day, I stumbled upon one (of two) from his 1970's-early 1980's recordings that wasn't in the collection.

Beyond excited to find this. 'Changes' by Keith Jarrett (piano), Gary Peacock (bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums). From 1984 on ECM Records and on near mint condition vinyl. 

Usually in his trio settings he's recording jazz standards. On this record though, the trio is playing Jarrett's original compositions. And I always prefer musicians performing or expressing their own unique visions and creations. 

That leaves the massive 'Sun Bear Concerts' which I doubt I'll ever find in the local shops. And if I did happen to come across it, I'd probably have a heart attack right there where I stood and never make it home. In all my years of collecting, I've only seen photos of it. 

While often difficult to reach the level of completist and exciting to be nearing the goal, there's also something a little sad in that there won't be more to seek out .... or blindly and excitedly stumble across on a random Sunday afternoon.

Hillbilly Pleasures

'Hillbilly Erotica' by Sir Richard Bishop. From 2026 on Drag City Records. Solo acoustic guitar improvisations, often frenetic. As I listened, I kept thinking: 'John Fahey on steroids/" The notes on Bandcamp calls it: "Imagined American music at its most gorgeous and violent."

Vacation Day Away from Work Listening Choices

This is a vinyl bin digging find from last week. I had heard of the band, Appliance and their record, 'Manual'. From 1999 on Mute Records. Drawn in by the album cover and took a chance. Read a little about it in the record shop that mentioned, 'Krautrock' and Stereolab. Appliance was a three-member British band and this was their debut album. What a debut! Played it through this morning and loved it. There are a couple instrumentals mixed in with the songs with vocals and inventive sounds from the long list of instruments and electronics that were used. I don't know if they had a follow-up, but I will be researching.  

Another find from the same store, a month earlier. Again it was the cover art that grabbed my attention. 'The Vanishing' by Oren Ambarchi, Martin Ng and featuring Ensemble Offspring. From 2018 on the Hospital Hill recording label. Very Experimental. Two violins, percussion and various effects. There are sounds of what I identify as steel rubbing against steel and low distant rumblings of thunder and I'm at a place in my record collecting and listening life where I can appreciate and enjoy this. That likely wouldn't have been true three years ago.

'It's Always About Liberation' by Ancient Infinity Orchestra on Gondwana Records, a UK jazz label. Just released this year. On compact disc.

Jean-Luc Ponty

Used bookstore find from earlier this evening. Always a thrill to stumble across surprise finds like this in person. 

French violinist, Jean-Luc Ponty Experience. His 1972 album, 'Open Strings' on what looks to me as mint condition vinyl. And a gatefold sleeve with liner notes inside.

I've never seen this one before out in the record bins. Early 1970's jazz fusion. Sounds I've been specifically looking to add to my collection lately.

I hear a little experimentation, a bit of minimalism, a little spacey here and there, some free jazz moments, plus a little frenzied violin. I can appreciate these sounds in my senior years. 

An album review from the All About Jazz website ..... All About Jazz

And with each glance at the album jacket, the more I'm loving the artwork.

Julius Hemphill

'Dogon A.D.' by Julius Hemphill. This is a 2026 vinyl reissue. Recorded and originally released in 1972. Avante-garde or free jazz. About the art and culture of the Dogon people of West Africa. The 'A.D.' in the title stands for "adaptive dance,"

Julius Hemphill plays alto saxophone and flute. 

I was initially drawn in by the cover art. That seems to be a common theme in my discoveries and choices of music. It's a wild listen. 

Mott the Hoople

Engaging in a little record store bin digging this afternoon. Found a seven-inch vinyl 45rpm of an obscure punk band, a R,E.M. tribute recording on compact disc and this .....

Mott the Hoople - 'All the Young Dudes.' From 1972 and on vinyl. 

I was so focused on the singer/songwriters like Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, etc., in those years that I never paid much attention to bands of the time. These days, I'll occasionally hear something that grabs my attention and think that I have some catching up to do. I'm only half a century behind.

David Bowie produced this and wrote the title song.

The 7-inch vinyl 45 that I unearthed. I know nothing about this record. Purchased because the cover photo caught my eye. I read that they were a garage rock / punk band. from 1995 on the 'Rip Off Records' label .... which caused me to smile. I'm a big fan of the existence of all these small independent record labels with interesting names. There ought to be a reference book or two or a corner in the library with works listing all these labels with bios, label logos and history. Maybe there is?

Music for the Other Head

'Music for the Other Head' by Brother J.T. & Vibrolux. From 1996 on the Siltbreeze Records label.

I see it classified as Psychedelic Rock. I'll need another listen, this time distraction free. There were some sounds that had me thinking or reminded vaguely of 'In-a-gadda-da-vida' by Iron Butterfly though not as hard as that. Like I said, I need a more attentive listen.

It's one of these weird finds I've been seeking out lately. I would have never listened to this up to a year or two ago. Part of my golden olden years evolution.

Don't know if this will help or confuse but it's a description copied from the albums Bandcamp page ..... "Somewhere between the Rama Lama sonic assault of MC5 & the Cosmic Tones of Sun Ra's Myth-Science Arkestra these guys carved out their own serendipitous expression." 

Mary Lou Williams

 

My latest listening obsession .... where you excitedly discover the music of someone you should have been listening to all along, with a long career and extensive catalogue of recordings to catch up on .....

'Zoning' from Mary Lou Williams. On compact disc and the Smithsonian Folkways label. Recorded and originally released in 1974. This is a 1995 reissue with a couple of previously unreleased tracks added. Piano jazz quartet with a second pianist. 

Thought it was a lifeless and mediocre audio quality recording initially, not the performance or original song writing, but the actual engineering quality .... until I corrected my erroneous ways of worrying about what the neighbors would think and playing it at a low volume. Upon turning it up, the sound just washed over me and blasted open my senses. Beautiful and unique stuff, often reminding me of the years it comes from.

So as a result, and while feeling incredibly unaware and unlearned, I added this recording to my collection. From 1964. There's much more to discover. Looking forward to the adventure.

She had recently converted to Catholicism and this was a work of 'sacred jazz' with styles sometimes leaning towards spirituals, blues and avant-garde jazz.

Late Night Listening Party

Mountain In the Clouds by jazz bassist Miroslav Vitous. From 1972 on vinyl, recorded on the Atlantic Records label.

1970's free jazz - early jazz fusion, centered around the acoustic bass playing of Miroslav Vitous. Herbie Hancock contributes electric piano sounds, Joe Henderson on saxophone with Jack DeJohnette and Joe Chambers playing drums. 

Perfect selection for this Saturday late night moment and a 2:00am low volume listening party after awakening from a few heavily tossing and turning hours of restless sleep. Sounds that I wouldn't have given much chance to or appreciated even two or three years ago. Sounds that I prefer these days. There are a few benefits that come with turning seventy.

Foreverandevernomore by Brian Eno. From 2022 on vinyl. Ambient and electronic. Spacey at times. Eno sings on most of the tracks. Found a week ago in Corvallis on a Fourth of July weekend vinyl hunting excursion. 

My two selections this evening, released half a century apart, with different styles but having the same calming impact.  

Friday Afternoon Listening Session

 

Lucas Gunn - "You Shouldn't Try to Barrow Other People's Skin.'

American Primitive acoustic guitar, mostly 12-string with a little 6-string guitar and synthesizer mixed in ..... with a sound and style reminiscent of John Fahey. Each song recorded live in the studio with no overdubs. Just released today by Carbon Records. The vinyl hasn't arrived yet so I'm listening to files.  

Lucas Gunn is Portland, Oregon based. It's difficult to pass on something from home.

Willard Grant Conspiracy

Willard Grant Conspiracy is Robert Fisher. A singer/songwriter will a huge deep voice. Sadly, he passed away in 2017. His songs are Americana / Alt-Country. His records have always filled me with traveling through a lonely American Southwestern desert intersecting with Jim Morrison vibe. But that's just me. Others may hear these sounds differently. You will hear acoustic guitar often mixing with sad, weeping violin .... And that powerful voice!!

A Saturday afternoon, observing the final official day of spring short playlist ..... 

Yo La Tengo - Before We Run .... with an exploring the universe guitar solo by Ira Kaplan.

Hiss Golden Messenger - Joyce & Joel 

The Valkarys - Fading Away

Toad the Wet Sprocket - Finally Fading 

Tony Joe White - Bad Mouthin'

And a little jazz change of pace as it moves into the evening ....

Tomasz Stanko Quintet - Terminal 7

Makaya McCraven - Time Travel / The Encore

Vinyl record in my mailbox today. Recorded in late 1969. Jazz acoustic bassist. A founding member of the jazz fusion group, Weather Report. This came before the Weather Report recordings and was considered to be 'groundbreaking' for the jazz fusion genre. Herbie Hancock plays electric piano.

Sun Ra at 3am

3am listening. Originally recorded in 1956 and released in 1957. I'm always drawn to music recorded in the year that I was born. 

This is a 2025 re-issue on compact disc and with a second disc of alternate takes. These fascinating jazz sounds are a bit easier on the imagination when compared with and placed alongside what would come later.