Charles Mingus

On the turntable tonight .....

Stumbled across this in an antique mall where my longtime local record store (now closed), keeps a booth.

From 1966 on the Fantasy Records label. 'Right Now,' a live recording from one of the greatest names in jazz history, bassist, Charles Mingus. 

Art Blakey

Live recording from 1958. On compact disc. 

I really don't know much about jazz, its history and various styles. Oh sure, I know many of the names of the players and have a few where I search for their recordings, but I mostly sit and listen without attempting to analyze or describe what I'm hearing. I think I know swing when I hear it but the difference between bop and post-bop, I have no clue. 

I do know that Art Blakey is a drummer. And Lee Morgan, who is also on this recording, plays trumpet. 

I'm fascinated with the album cover photographs on jazz recordings from the 1950's and 60's. It's an art form that I wish were employed more often these days. If only producers, musicians and record labels felt the same about the everlasting power and beauty behind photographic images as I do.

Larry Coryell

'Spaces' by jazz guitarist, Larry Coryell. A vinyl find this afternoon on Vanguard Records. A 1970 release. A fusion of jazz and rock. Chick Corea is on this record playing electric piano. The back cover photo of the album is shown here. 

I love finding these early records of musicians who went on to have long careers. Found in a dusty, cramped record shop, in a plastic bin, under the racks of more well known, better selling recordings. I've stumbled across several interesting recordings in these bins.  

One Flight Up

It's another Saturday morning and on the turntable is yesterday's vinyl treasure find, from 1964 on Blue Note Records, 'One Flight Up' by Dexter Gordon. 

Stumbled upon while digging through bins of vinyl records. My favorite pastime these days. 

If it's on Blue Note, I assume it will be a rewarding listen. A proper assumption in this case. If nothing else, I wanted it for the cover photo. 

Vinyl Finds

 

New Order - 'Low Life'  

From 1985 on vinyl. Attempting to fill some gaps in my record collection. Specifically mid-1980's sounds. At the time, even though I was a huge fan of MTV, I was apparently too hung up on my old favorites from the 70's to notice much of what was going on that was different.

On the road yesterday, twenty miles out of town and had this in my hand, knowing that I've been wanting to add New Order for quite a while but still just not sure at the asking price. So, I put it back. It was ten minutes after returning home that I realized my mistake. I would have hit the road again had there not been a closing time. I had to get through todays time at work, speed back down the freeway, fretting the entire time, (knowing my kind of luck), the scary possibility that someone else just might not be as hesitant as I had been. 

It was still there!!! The ongoing issues of lack of 1980's Brit-synth sounds has been addressed for the moment.

I also had this in hand and foolishly returned it to the bins. 

Why can't I be more decisive?

John Williams Trio, self-titled album from 1955. Jazz piano. I loved the cover photo and had no hesitations or objections to the asking price. I was just unsure, having never seen this cover image before, of the musical quality. Again, a little research from home and I realized the errors of my ways, though I felt a little better about the likelihood of returning and it still being there. I made sure that it wouldn't be there tomorrow. 

I am of the opinion that there was much more thought put into album cover presentation and photography in the 1950's and 60's. Creating an impression through an image was more important in those days. The sounds within the cover photo and liner notes sometimes feels like ten bonus tracks.

The Sacred Veil

The Los Angeles Master Chorale performing 'The Sacred Veil,' in twelve movements. Eric Whitacre, the composer and conductor. The recording on compact disc from 2020 on Signum Records. The choir accompanied by piano and cello. 

Incredibly powerful and beautiful. I can't recommend this too highly. Find it!! Listen to it!!! Take the time to listen from start to finish!! Then, listen again!

From the Eric Whitacre website:

NOTE FROM COMPOSER

The Sacred Veil is a 12-movement work and the most recent collaboration between Eric Whitacre and poet/lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri telling a story of life, love and loss. Silvestri’s wife, Julie, died of ovarian cancer at age 36 in 2005, leaving two young children. Including texts from Silvestri, Whitacre and Julie herself, the intimate, compelling score tells a story of courtship, love, loss and the search for solace. 

The Sacred Veil  .... Eric Whitacre's page for The Sacred Veil.

From Darkness and Big Vicious

'From Darkness' by Avishai Cohen Trio. Released in 2015 on compact disc and on the RazDaz Records label. 

Avishai Cohen is a bassist. This is not traditional jazz .... bebop or swing. And not improvisational, avant-garde or free jazz either. I suppose it would be labeled, contemporary jazz. Melodies that don't always go in the expected directions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

More contemporary jazz from a second Avishai Cohen. 'Big Vicious.' On vinyl, from 2020 on the ECM Records label. This Avishai Cohen is a trumpet player.

And before anyone assumes that I knew there were two different Avishai Cohen's, I didn't. I just discovered as I was typing this. I thought to myself, "Ummmm wait a minute. Bass? .... Trumpet?"

Another case of learning something new, every day.

Kenny Drew Trio

The Kenny Drew Trio - 'If You Could See Me Now'

From 1976 on vinyl. Piano jazz.

Browsing the bins today and came across this. The guy in the record store told me that it was probably rare but gave it to me for five dollars because it has surface scratch's. I've played both sides and there's a few minor ticks but no skips. I would have taken it for the cover photo alone. 

Adrianne Lenker

'Abysskiss' by Adrianne Lenker. 

First of all, I was going to pick this up for the cover photo alone. It didn't matter that I had no idea of what I would hear or if I would appreciate the music. That said, the music is incredibly beautiful. 

From 2018. Record stores going out of business and drastically slashing prices often leads to blind buys and the discovery of new sounds. 

Adrianne Lenker is a guitarist and lead vocalist for the band, Big Thief.

Oxford American

A compilation from 2001 and Oxford American magazine. I think they would put out an annual collection of Southern music. I found two or three of these compilations a few years ago for $1. A check today shows they have become quite pricey.

A variety of sounds on each, Americana, Blues, Roots, Appalacha, Country, Zydeco, Singer/Songwriter and more .....  A little of a lot of styles. Older and contemporary sounds. Always filled with gems. 

Compilations done right!!!

Favorites here are ..... 'You R Loved' by Victoria Williams (I love the trumpets), 'The Lonesome River' by Ralph Stanley and Bob Dylan (Old-timey, front porch feel) and 'Down to the Well' by Kevin Gordon (A new name to check out). The song is a duet with Lucinda Williams.

An Evening With Bruce Cockburn

From 1971, Bruce Cockburn - 'High Winds White Sky'

Original vinyl record from my early collecting days that was a tough find back then because it was an import recording. It's been with me for a few years now. Had to travel to Portland as I recall. 

Singer/Songwriter and great guitarist as well, often including a solo guitar instrumental tune on his albums. Favorite songs on here are back to back on side one .....  'Love Song' and 'One Day I Walk'. Both incredibly beautiful!!

Beautiful snow and trees photography on the front and back cover and inside the gatefold sleeve. 

New York Scene

 Various Artists - 'The New York Scene In the 40's - From Be-Bop to Cool'

On vinyl. Found while digging through bins. A Jazz compilation and history. Two of my favorite subjects. 

Number 27 in the 'Do You Like Jazz' series. Implies there are others to search for. 

Maggie Rogers

Maggie Rogers - 'Notes From the Archive: Recordings 2011-2016'

I had never heard of her prior to two weeks ago. I read a few lines of a review, checked out a few seconds of song samples and ordered this. It was more than next day delivery but even next day would have been too long of a wait.

How could I have not have known? I can't know everything but there's no way these songs should have passed by me all these years without notice. 

Starts with an Indie Rock vibe but feels more Singer/Songwriter the deeper you get. Reminds of new discoveries made during late night listening sessions of Oregon Public Broadcasting radio. 

And I love the simplicity and the black of the cover art. All you really need is the basics.  

Highlights after two listens are, 'Wolves', 'Blood Ballet' and 'Does It Feel Slow?' which is a duet with Holden Jaffe (another new name for me), but every song feels incredibly must listen vital.

"I'm not waiting for the wolves to rip my heart out, I'm not waiting for the wolves."

The Ellington Suites

Duke Ellington - The Ellington Suites.

An antique shop find on vinyl.

Jazz pieces recorded in 1959 and the early 1970's. Three separate suites that fit well together.

Impressions of side one .... It alternates between big-band, cinematic type songs and smaller, quartet ballads.

'The Single Petal of a Rose' is a beautiful tender piano ballad with a hint of cello.

'Apes and Peacocks' sounds like it could have been written for a movie. Perhaps a film such as the original 'Little Shop of Horrors.' In this case that's a good thing. 

Tomorrow..... A more focused listen to side two when not multi-tasking.

I love the cover photo and the mix of green and black. Eye catching!!! Causes the desire to flip it over for further checking it out/