Cleaned up on some classic jazz records today. Releases by mostly familiar names, but titles that I've never seen before. Alerted to the possibility of a haul by a facebook posting. My old local record store, now closed but still dealing in vinyl, cd's and more through a space in an antique mall. Took home eight records. Left much more behind. I'll likely be returning very soon.
My assignment for the rest of the week is to take in all these sounds. I have little choice but to accept the challenge.
Glanced at the vinyl on this one and it's in mint condition. The cover design caught my attention. Big band jazz from the early 1960's.
The vinyl taken home is a mono copy. Max Roach is a drummer.
A few words taken from the Dusty Groove online stores website: "A cool piano-less group that hits some really unusual notes!"
From 1964.
I've always enjoyed coming across lesser known titles on obscure record labels. This is free jazz and featuring saxophonist Arche Shepp. It's a 1971 reissue on Barnaby Records of a record originally released in 1960 on Candid Records. Cecil Taylor plays piano.
Again, I love the cover design and photo.
McCoy Tyner - Echoes of a Friend. From 1972. Solo jazz piano. There's a cover of 'My Favorite Things.'
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.
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.
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.
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?
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."
'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.
From the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble label. George Colligan and Theoretical Planets .... the album 'Zero.' A grouping of Portla...
