tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129278794157692172024-03-05T02:26:42.954-05:00Remembering The MusicThis blog is dedicated to my late husband, Jim Fisher, who knew and loved music as much as I DID NOT. Left with over 400 of his music CDs, I am going to listen and review each before I move them along. It is my opportunity to remember the music. And who knows, I might learn something.M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-72436635112714233582024-03-03T21:08:00.005-05:002024-03-03T21:08:49.364-05:00Spyro Gyra: Point of View<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s7dJIEnE3Tqu-YwiyklFAO4R-2pk6yC0DoWTq0B2e1pbz-9gC8twpBDVQ3rVYAVULdDZKroMNMSxIisntQOey_QTToHaA5tebOW0sHFgyvOIRcLAeMYnre-1lMGJIvQ7rgXr6688llszwPXHmy_DQ47QO7ImVMrZahcodOS8xD1Daa-dLQC8hh7l-2o/s600/SpyroGyra%20Point%20of%20View.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s7dJIEnE3Tqu-YwiyklFAO4R-2pk6yC0DoWTq0B2e1pbz-9gC8twpBDVQ3rVYAVULdDZKroMNMSxIisntQOey_QTToHaA5tebOW0sHFgyvOIRcLAeMYnre-1lMGJIvQ7rgXr6688llszwPXHmy_DQ47QO7ImVMrZahcodOS8xD1Daa-dLQC8hh7l-2o/s320/SpyroGyra%20Point%20of%20View.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like a little jazz-funk. Its smooth rhythm stands as classic background noise for me. But I can't tell the difference between one of the instrumental pieces of Spyro Gyra's Point of View album and any other. I just can't! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Any way, how did a band named after pond scum originate? When founder Jay Beckenstein was put on the spot for a name back in 1974, he grabbed a memory from biology class - spyro gyra. Yeah it's the name of a common algae, but it can also be used to describe the spiraling music of his band. Awesome name. It stuck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now in its 50th year, the band consists mainly of saxophonist Beckenstein, keyboardist Tom Schuman, guitarist Julio Fernandez, Bass player Scott Ambush, drummer Lionel Cordew, and a handful of specialists called on as needed. The band, which originated in Buffalo, New York, grew to international recognition for its popular, smooth jazz acts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The CD Point of View was released in 1989 by MCA Records. The jazz album style includes fusion, jazz-rock, and contemporary jazz pieces. It includes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Slow Burn</b> - Upon listening to this one, I remember it! It's the nice, soft jazz Jim used to play in his office while working. I especially like the bells.</li><li><b>Swing Street</b> - upbeat with sax. I like it but can't remember it.</li><li><b>Fair Weather </b>- Think I hear a little bit of flute? It seems to have a lot of attitude.</li><li><b>The Unknown Soldier</b> - To me, it is kind off stand-offish - if you can say that about a piece of music.</li><li><b>Hannibal's Boogie</b> - I like the name! It seems like a bunch of jams. Nice, but not very cohesive.</li><li><b>No limits </b>- This seems totally different to me. Very relaxing.</li><li><b>Carolina</b> - Hmmm. Just seems like more nice sounds thrown into a pot together.</li><li><b>River Walk </b>- Ditto.</li><li>Swamp Things - I like this one. It is kind of funky like its name.</li><li><b>Counterpoint</b> - Oh! I recognize this one. It's kind of sneaky.</li><li><b>Gotcha</b> - I like the smooth introduction followed by a swirl of music.</li></ul><div>Being a non-jazz person, I can still see how my Jim liked Spyro Gyra. It was his go-to band for relaxing (and driving me crazy). I do like the names of each musical piece. If they only included words I would be able to remember them. Sorry Spyro Gyra. Please don't take the views of this music illiterate to heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jazz lovers, go to the <a href="https://spyrogyra.com/" target="_blank">Spyro Gyra Website</a> to learn more about this great band, hear tunes, find out when and where they are performing next. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro_Gyra" target="_blank">Wikipedia entry</a> is also very interesting. I've got my eye on the <a href="https://www.ludlowgaragecincinnati.com/" target="_blank">April 20, 2024 Ludlow Garage performance in Cincinnati, Ohio</a>. Seeing this band in person is a real must do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or. go to <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/156090222105" target="_blank">Ebay and purchase my copy of Spyro Gyra <i>Point of View</i>.</a> Help me whittle down my late husband Jim's collection of CDs.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><p></p>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-87188531732132680922023-06-09T10:03:00.006-04:002023-10-04T15:58:13.127-04:00A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUyGP3-Hle6jEoq6mXCJUlcJCRpBKFXBLZQB_ZqsZJRkRaSM-kYkxhgo8xR1kCnJ9mLRJbDz4YI3D6RR-hI94Y94jDzaDcuyLWodPxmdkriw7lxb2gMRUE1p7po5xR73poOoe-SyyakobiKIyLnkWbOWVRe0Oj2QL31CaAUHsQsrjanhDMSCvFEcK/s600/Hard%20Day's%20Night.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUyGP3-Hle6jEoq6mXCJUlcJCRpBKFXBLZQB_ZqsZJRkRaSM-kYkxhgo8xR1kCnJ9mLRJbDz4YI3D6RR-hI94Y94jDzaDcuyLWodPxmdkriw7lxb2gMRUE1p7po5xR73poOoe-SyyakobiKIyLnkWbOWVRe0Oj2QL31CaAUHsQsrjanhDMSCvFEcK/s320/Hard%20Day's%20Night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Well! I finally found the perfect CD for getting the Saturday house cleaning done - The Beatles<b> A Hard Day's Night </b>album. Oh my! This early Beatles recording keeps my feet and hands moving.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was originally released in 1964. Back then I had the strength and stamina to easily lug the vacuum upstairs AND clean the entire area without losing a beat. Now fast approaching 70, vacuuming takes a little more time and effort. But listening to A Hard Day's Night takes me back to my youth and I dance as I clean the dirt away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The original sound recordings were made by EMI Records Ltd. Tracks 1 to 7 are from the soundtrack of the United Artist film "A Hard Day's Night." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Like all the Beatles early work, the tunes are rather simple; nothing to hint at the complex compositions of the fab four's later years. Songs include:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A Hard Day's Night</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I Should Have Known Better</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">If I Fell</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm Happy Just To Dance With You</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">And I Love Her</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Tell Me Why</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Can't Buy Me Love</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Any Time At All</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll Cry Instead</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Things She Said Today</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">When I Get Home</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">You Can't Do That</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll be Back</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;">Watch the movie trailer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AavEpS6CI" target="_blank">here</a>. Or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx2TFk0vh1I&list=PLycVTiaj8OI-HjTjakWPpJO9Y6kh1icp2" target="_blank">listen to the album</a>. I dare you to try and sit still through it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/155599816296?hash=item243a78c668:g:FH4AAOSw4Bhkg0ax&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0C05A3H3XZvgs9mlAAUTHX3RG9BRFeeJ9sXW8vsiKKu0S9abquAQp4TsoPMiNxcNA2nZe91GzjJUWY7SGU8ezwr28%2Bwpg%2F%2BMzKLaHZwuoSPZn%2BGdYC4PZSxNkGyIwPYCsly7ybGhzbuJipC9cGlIId7Ekps8Jni36BvEzVdnUi8YGudnM2ObeDPa7aE1kR1jbLw1fWcpB7xUjpuEspFTz2vDnX31sXCl4GGjU6KG%2FqGpZ5GzzaarvwwdObbxhsgQL0fMn%2BGig%2BdwY8ClJJeGwKs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9a-p5yUYg" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/155599816296?hash=item243a78c668:g:FH4AAOSw4Bhkg0ax&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0C05A3H3XZvgs9mlAAUTHX3RG9BRFeeJ9sXW8vsiKKu0S9abquAQp4TsoPMiNxcNA2nZe91GzjJUWY7SGU8ezwr28%2Bwpg%2F%2BMzKLaHZwuoSPZn%2BGdYC4PZSxNkGyIwPYCsly7ybGhzbuJipC9cGlIId7Ekps8Jni36BvEzVdnUi8YGudnM2ObeDPa7aE1kR1jbLw1fWcpB7xUjpuEspFTz2vDnX31sXCl4GGjU6KG%2FqGpZ5GzzaarvwwdObbxhsgQL0fMn%2BGig%2BdwY8ClJJeGwKs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9a-p5yUYg" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Buy this CD on Ebay</span></a>! Help me whittle down Jim's collection, Thank you.</span></div><p></p>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-54778633066646325802021-04-03T15:41:00.003-04:002023-10-09T15:14:37.634-04:00The Further Adventures of Flim & the BB's<p> </p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEDm9nu5D4E7_WdSo-RvyCNrzZSuSTYucCCAOtcV0W5uMgjI9HaXtk3yapU1OfJ3k9flR9DzCxXpZ8uD6jX6BWydw2drICXj48Abix0LDTbgWFXaBiN3V5TVrOsafXNNVWr-BKmkYGfU/s600/The+FurtherAdventures+of+Flim+%2526+the+BB%2527d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEDm9nu5D4E7_WdSo-RvyCNrzZSuSTYucCCAOtcV0W5uMgjI9HaXtk3yapU1OfJ3k9flR9DzCxXpZ8uD6jX6BWydw2drICXj48Abix0LDTbgWFXaBiN3V5TVrOsafXNNVWr-BKmkYGfU/w371-h370/The+FurtherAdventures+of+Flim+%2526+the+BB%2527d.jpg" width="371" /></a>
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I LIKE the cover art for
<i>The Further Adventures of Flim & the BB's. </i>How could anyone not? A
Superman-esque body topped by the heads of Flim and the BB's. And that
big F on his chest says it all. This is an album to be reckoned with!
And you do.
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Starting with the very first track of <i>On The Avenue</i>, the music grabs
you. Just imagine the Flim giant strolling down a busy street and all the
havoc he would cause. Jim used to play this on the drive into
work. It's now stuck in my head as I drive along. Listen and you will
hear what I mean. Do do do, do do do do do..... I especially like the
saxophone.
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Next on the jazz album, released in 1988 by Digital Music Products Inc. (DMP),
is <i>Ireland</i>. The stiff beat combines a sing-songy flute solo which
stands out. The jazzy <i>Jazz Patrol</i> comes next. I like the piano
solo. <i>Cute Shoes</i> follows. I can almost imagine dancing in cute, shiny
red shoes. Ya' wanna' dance?<i>
One for Hermeto, Pharaoh, Five on the Floor,</i> <i>Curveball </i>and
<i>If You Only Knew</i> <i> </i> continue the musical
extravaganza. (Yes. I call it an extravaganza because the tunes are big
sounding and wonderful!)
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<i>Bathing Beauties </i>comes next. I can just imagine them strutting
and posing to the music. <i>The Coast Is Clear, Rokeby Garden</i>, and
<i>Over and Out</i> bring the album to a close with more tight toe-tapping
tunes.
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Listening to this CD brought back many good memories of Jim and his music. I
will always associate Flim and the BB's with Jim. If you would like to
know more about Flim and the BB's visit the
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flim_%26_the_BB%27s" target="_blank">Wikipedia site here.</a> Listen to the tunes here on YouTube. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9FF80C1BCB2AB2A0">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9FF80C1BCB2AB2A0</a>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Flim and the BB's formed in the 1980s. The band included bassist
Jimmy "Flim" Johnson, keyboard artist Billy Barber, percussionist Billy
Berg (the BB's), and reeds player Dick Oatts.</span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The band's<i> TriCycle</i> made its appearance in 1982 at the
beginning of the compact disc craze, and the BB's were sought after
by people first recording digital. Band members were happy to oblige, but
not able to quit their day jobs. Listen to some of of the recordings. I'm
sure you will enjoy Flim & the BB's.</span>
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M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-41049095616084733472021-02-08T19:34:00.002-05:002023-06-23T14:10:05.230-04:00Rockin' at Vandy<p> Valentines Day 2021 is fast approaching. So I decided to share a piece my forever Valentine, Jim Fisher, wrote a few years back for his <a href="http://wazopia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wazopia Blog</a>. The pictures for the 2003 and 2004 posts have been eaten by the Internet. However the text is still good. </p><p>It brings back memories of a very special day. I'll even throw in a link to <i>Rock Lobster</i> at the end. (Or down, down...)</p><p>Rockin' at Vandy by James D. Fisher, May 2004</p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">"My son graduated last week from Vanderbilt University. Mary and I went to the ceremony. It was very hot as you would expect from middle Tennessee in May. </p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">"Vandy gives the parents a Big Party the night before commencement. It's held on the lawn at Peabody College. The featured band was the B-52's, which, amazingly, was one of our favorite bands when Mary and I graduated from Kent State in 1980.The B-52's played a two-hour set with all our favorite songs,--<i> Love Shack, Deadbeat Club, Topaz</i>, and <i>Roam</i>. Their finale was <i>Rock Lobster</i>. At Kent, we would always slink down as low as we could get when lead singer Fred Schneider commanded, 'Down! Down! Down!'. </p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">"It was great. The best part was seeing this new generation singing and screaming to the greatest of all party bands from this past generation. Afterwards, I met up with Fred and thanked him for the show."</p></blockquote><p>There were pictures taken by Jim. But as I said earlier, the Internet ate them. Instead, please enjoy the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4QSYx4wVQg" target="_blank">Youtube link to <i>Rock Lobster</i></a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-69785554445202956442021-01-11T19:18:00.000-05:002021-01-11T19:18:51.479-05:00First Impressions by Eric Essix<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWrB1-kkT_zHmet_J35eZxJvXNMaRNFnTEUCTAd382b2IRG9ixsTd57TjsajmuAByDhCPXZ8_jHu9_Byi5wX9HrQcoXScJ14E_MKBK5lskjwNJenqAbrGOpKnBYpTxLoG0Q3us5DPXqo/s600/first+impressions+by+Eric+Essix.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWrB1-kkT_zHmet_J35eZxJvXNMaRNFnTEUCTAd382b2IRG9ixsTd57TjsajmuAByDhCPXZ8_jHu9_Byi5wX9HrQcoXScJ14E_MKBK5lskjwNJenqAbrGOpKnBYpTxLoG0Q3us5DPXqo/w433-h325/first+impressions+by+Eric+Essix.jpg" width="433" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Smooth. Very smooth.</p><p>I remember listening to this as we drove along. I definitely remember the music. But once it is played, the tunes leave me. 'Kinda like the perfect background music. A piece of piano lines or guitar strands may jump into thought at times. It's nice to have bits and pieces drop in as I go about my day.</p><p><i>First Impressions</i> by Eric Essix was recorded in 1989 on the Nova Records label, on both album and CD formats. The contemporary jazz playlist includes:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><i>First Impressions</i></li><li><i>Twilight</i></li><li><i>Cool Breeze</i></li><li><i>Brown Blood</i></li><li><i>Contents Under Pressure</i></li><li><i>Off the Clock</i></li><li><i>Sparrow</i></li><li><i>Watching Over Me</i></li></ol><div><i>Cool Breeze</i> is my favorite, with a touch of seagull calls included. I wish I could remember more than a few sounds. I've been listening to it off and on for six weeks, and it just doesn't stick. Just knowing that I like the music and where I can find some good tunes will have to be enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eric Essix, 61, credits his style first being brought up with gospel music in Birmingham, Alabama. His grandfather gave him his first guitar at age 10, from which he taught himself to play. His career grew and he became a noted guitarist and band leader. He and his band have performed extensively throughout the world. Members include saxophonist Kelley O'Neal and bassist Sean Michael Ray. Extending his talents, he is now Director of Programming at The University of Alababma's prestigious Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. </div><div><br /></div><div>Get to know a little more about Eric Essix through his biography on his Web site <a href="https://ericessix.net/bio" target="_blank">here</a>. Listen to one of his more recent piece, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1sDHam1SN0" target="_blank">Late Night Drive</a> on Youtube. I really do enjoy his music.</div><p></p>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-78420712394793433822020-11-20T18:49:00.000-05:002020-11-20T18:49:42.825-05:00TriCycle by Flim and the BB's<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDkDYtNq2LMjbnJ00kMQlLvnZbVnSGe7y05IZIKgOTLxv9KuN1_TYrItMvdfOBtmc28mvhAo9EQWSt2JQgaJismEEfbYCAAgkMPM8iDBg3LD4JBqTKwIJIAmXSzhkOt4w6z4za2QcVs8/s583/Flim+and+the+BB%2527s+Tricycle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="583" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDkDYtNq2LMjbnJ00kMQlLvnZbVnSGe7y05IZIKgOTLxv9KuN1_TYrItMvdfOBtmc28mvhAo9EQWSt2JQgaJismEEfbYCAAgkMPM8iDBg3LD4JBqTKwIJIAmXSzhkOt4w6z4za2QcVs8/w400-h390/Flim+and+the+BB%2527s+Tricycle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> So that's where that came from! I always enjoyed the piece <i>TriCycle</i> by Flim and the BB's. Learning the name, what CD it came from, and who composed it was too much trouble. Now I know! I love this modern jazz CD. The tunes are all instrumental, but happy and catchy. I've been humming them as I go about my day.<div><br /></div><div><i>TriCycle</i>, the first tune on the list and the albums namesake, is my favorite. I can close my eyes and imagine a three-or-four-year-old peddling around the basement, stopping and starting as the music does. The only thing missing is the sound of a bell or horn. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next on the list is <i>Cakewalk</i>. I'm not sure what a cakewalk is, but the music holds my attention. <i>Lunch Hour Wedding</i> is a very happy piece which moves you along from beginning to end, followed by <i>Sweet Winds of change</i> - even more happy music. <i>Thunder and Birdies</i>, and <i>Tell Me</i> follow with clear, easy to follow beats. And<i> High Wire</i>! Oh my I like this one. One can imagine a dare devil working the wire at a carnival or circus. Oh watch your step! <i>The 8:29</i>, <i>Sam's Samba</i>, and <i>Eden</i> complete the list.</div><div><br /></div><div> As I mentioned earlier, I <b>really</b> enjoyed this CD. You can listen to it here on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCgIorbove4" target="_blank">Youtube</a>. Flim and the BB's formed in the 1980s. The band included bassist Jimmy "Flim" Johnson, keyboard artist Billy Barber, percussionist Billy Berg (the BB's), and reeds player Dick Oatts.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>TriCycle</i> made its appearance in 1982 at the beginning of the compact disc craze, and the BB's were sought after by people first recording digital. Band members were happy to oblige, but not able to quit their day jobs. Read a little more about the BB's on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flim_%26_the_BB%27s" target="_blank">Wikopedia here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Listen to some of ye YouTube recordings. I'm sure you will enjoy Flim & the BB's.</div>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-78809319613824420662020-08-28T21:21:00.003-04:002023-06-08T10:57:00.835-04:00Phil Colllins Serious Hits Live<p>w </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMkagVvmHEwvdihEjIlSYS1s0QLvw5HayOsVqytn4cm6-Ssl569ZoaIYTHGtBbE4cD7JGMFFHSHRKOXQivhcSGCPjbuLz4ki9DE_Nd5cauwRR2l6SwY8TxnjJgU399lKJuufuUjEu87Q/s592/phil+collins+live.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="585" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMkagVvmHEwvdihEjIlSYS1s0QLvw5HayOsVqytn4cm6-Ssl569ZoaIYTHGtBbE4cD7JGMFFHSHRKOXQivhcSGCPjbuLz4ki9DE_Nd5cauwRR2l6SwY8TxnjJgU399lKJuufuUjEu87Q/s0/phil+collins+live.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every now and then my Jim would take pity on me, and not play jazz as we were driving along. He would add a CD of what he called "pop trash" to appease me. I WAS grateful for a little Phil Collins after weeks of commuting to one modern jazz piece after another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Phil Collins <i>Serious Hits Live</i> filled the bill quite nicely. Toe-tapping tracks include:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Something Happened On the Way to Heaven</i></li><li><i>Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)</i></li><li><i>Who Said I Would</i></li><li><i>One More Night</i></li><li><i>Don't Lose My Number</i></li><li><i>Do You Remember</i></li><li><i>Another Day in Paradise</i></li><li><i>Separate Lives</i></li><li><i>In The Air Tonight</i></li><li><i>You Can't Hurry Love</i></li><li><i>Two Hearts</i></li><li><i>Sussudio</i></li><li><i>A Groovy Kind of LoveR</i></li><li><i>Easy Lover</i></li><li><i>Take Me Home</i></li></ul><div>All tracks were recorded live and produced by Phil Collins and Robert Colby. Engineered by Paul Gomersall, and mixed by Gomersall and Colby. the CD was released in 1990 by Atlantic Recording Corporation.</div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite piece is <i>One More Night</i> - not for the romantic ideas the song presents - but for practical matters. If I had one more night I would ask Jim "What is the password for such-and-such site," "Where did you put the safe deposit box key," and "which button do you push to get the CD player to work." </div><div><br /></div><div>I would also tell him about <i>Downton Abbey</i>. He was always asking what the show was about. I never took the time to tell him. He was too busy watching basketball games to care about a period piece soap opera. So sorry I never told him. I would also tell him about his kids and grand kids and what great people they are. Oh, we would talk all night! But back to Phil Collins....</div><div><br /></div><div>Philip David Charles Collins was born in 1951 in West London. He started playing drums at age five, and grew into international fame. He landed in with 70s band Genesis as the drummer, and moved on to vocalist after lead singer Peter Gabriel left. He expanded his career to include solo work, and earned numerous awards. His work is also featured in several Disney productions Of late,he is performing in his Last Domino Tour in and around England - but currently on hold because of the pandemic. </div><div><br /></div><div>Learn more about Phil Collins at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Collins" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> . Watch In the Air Tonight reaction video by twins Tim and Fred Williams.Watching them react to the awesome drum solo which begins in the middle of the song is a hoot. I'm glad they appreciated it. Hmm the music fades out. Guess Youtube thought I was stealing. You can go directly to youtube and<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l3-iufiywU&t=319s" target="_blank"> listen here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div data-async-context="query:phil%20Collins" eid="JzxEX5m0IMO7tAb7-pv4CQ" id="rso" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; margin-top: 6px;"><div class="g" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 28px; margin-top: 0px; width: 600px;"><div class="rc" data-hveid="CAgQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjZ44j37rTrAhXDHc0KHXv9Bp8QFSgAMAB6BAgIEAA" style="position: relative;"><div class="r" style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.58; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Collins" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Collins&ved=2ahUKEwjZ44j37rTrAhXDHc0KHXv9Bp8QFjAAegQICBAB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"><br /></a></div><div class="s" style="color: #4d5156; line-height: 1.58; max-width: 48em;"></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-71478564571487983522020-07-28T21:12:00.001-04:002020-07-28T21:12:52.083-04:00Return to Forever by Chick Corea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6r7cOWadKlbdBW5yEwgP3uEi-JDn_OMyiuGTtjWsXLdFM8NvyDyCHSoCjKC6KVsLYhhqIBCMy812sC6AWsQ5nmzjeOv4UiQg0CuZsTW0CUkCK0lhD57mhymo6_UHMFx7jy9c9esgYj0/s1600/return+to+forever+Chick+Corea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="600" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6r7cOWadKlbdBW5yEwgP3uEi-JDn_OMyiuGTtjWsXLdFM8NvyDyCHSoCjKC6KVsLYhhqIBCMy812sC6AWsQ5nmzjeOv4UiQg0CuZsTW0CUkCK0lhD57mhymo6_UHMFx7jy9c9esgYj0/s320/return+to+forever+Chick+Corea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I knew it would come to this. Chick Corea was one of my Jim's favorite artists - often playing his tunes in the car as we drove along. But to be honest, I did not like or particularly enjoy the new jazz music. Yes, there are many sections I enjoy, however the sections change quickly without any rhyme or reason. To me, it is just a mish-mash of pleasant sounds thrown together. Splat!<br />
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There are four tracks on the album, first published in 1972 and later transferred to the then new CD format:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Return to Forever</i></li>
<li><i>Crystal Silence</i></li>
<li><i>What Game Shall We Play Today</i></li>
<li><i>Sometime Ago - La Fiesta</i><i>. </i></li>
</ul>
<div>
One moment I am enjoying <i>Return to Forever. </i>The next I can't understand why the tunes are yelling at me. <i>Crystal Silence </i>is enjoyable at first,but makes a quick change, and I feel like my once 4-year-old at his sister's grade four band concert. "Make them stop.Make them stop!" he cried. <i>What Games Shall We play Toda</i>y is my favorite. It carries on in a sing-song way, kinda' like it's title. <i>Sometime Ago - La Fiesta </i>rattled me. At first I am humming along, an then a quick change into - to me - discordant sounds.<br />
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Oh well. I will have to just agree to disagree with Jim on this album.<br />
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Armando Anthony "Chick" was born in 1941 in Chelsea, MA and grew up in a musical family. He said, "There were always musicians around. My dad would come home from a gig...he'd bring the band back, they'd have their tuxes on and they'd loosen their ties and my mother would cook some pasta."<br />
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Chick began studying piano at age four. His love for that grew as his love for jazz, and he became known as a piano and keyboard expert. He took jazz to new levels. Read more <a href="https://legacy.npr.org/programs/jazzprofiles/archive/corea.html" target="_blank">about him</a>. Learn more about the 23-time Grammy-Winning Jazz Legend, Pianist and Composer at <a href="http://chickcorea.com/" target="_blank">his Web sit</a>e.Dig in and you'll find schedules for concerts, training for professionals, a blog, and store for all your Chick Corea CDs and T-shirts. Or, listen to some of his music on <a href="https://youtu.be/ppUpj90YAFU" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br />
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I enjoyed listening to the music, and remembering how my Jim used to tease me with it. "Shall we listen one more time?" Mwa ha ha?</div>
M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-17632352419382716992020-06-24T19:29:00.000-04:002020-06-24T19:29:19.099-04:00Rob Mullins 5th Gear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDYl9pYYKdR36JnarySERr9mp0Zh_59lLJAjvLV4TMteN-yzYMGLs7bo4BsVHkFp_gG7Y-nJuMauUFHxexLTPBtgZBgvvN4Annyiyv6haKRxotuQcwEmBD91Zy0Tv5FID8RUun99PdDk/s1600/5th+Gear+Rob+Mullins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDYl9pYYKdR36JnarySERr9mp0Zh_59lLJAjvLV4TMteN-yzYMGLs7bo4BsVHkFp_gG7Y-nJuMauUFHxexLTPBtgZBgvvN4Annyiyv6haKRxotuQcwEmBD91Zy0Tv5FID8RUun99PdDk/s320/5th+Gear+Rob+Mullins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What wonderful background music! I enjoyed <i>Rob Mullins 5th Gear</i>. I can see my Jim working at his desk with this accompanying him.<br />
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The contemporary jazz album was recorded in 1988 by NOVA Records Inc. Mullins produced the album with Co-producer Kevin Clock and Executive Producer David Gimpel. The album featured<br />
Rob Mullins, Marty Ruddy, Larry Thompson, Steve Reid, and SteveTavaglione, and came up with the song list below. They worked together with Mullins, known as an American jazz pianist, studio keyboardist, composer, producer, arranger. recording engineer,<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans", arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><font face="times">composer, and producer. Whew! That's quite a line up! </font></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans", arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<br />
<u><b>Track List</b></u><br /><i>
Japanese Girl</i><br /><i>
Larrys Tune</i><br /><i>
Georgia On My Mind</i><br /><i>
Rockin' at the Regas</i><br /><i>
Memories of Tomorrow</i><br /><i>
5th Gear</i><br /><i>
Nora</i><br /><i>
Looking for Money</i><br /><i>
The Bush Patrol</i><br /><i>
Home</i><br /><i>
Reverie</i><br /><i>
Sky's the Limit</i><div><br /><div><i>Larry's Tune</i> and The <i>Bush Patro</i>l are my favorites. Just can't seem to keep my feet still as I am driving down the road listening to them. <a href="http://www.planetmullins.com/">planetmullins.com </a>is the address for his Web site. Check it out to see when his next live performance is.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Mullins was born in Enid, Oklahoma in 1958, end eventually moved to Los Angeles, California.You can tell by the smile o his face as he drives his red convertible, pictured on the album cover, that he enjoys his music career. Learn all about him during a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpc0bQBP2zU&list=PL85919A6DFBC0F850">recent interview with him in his home town.</a> Or listen to my favorite <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9AyY1DZdA8">Larry's Tune here</a>. I won't blame you if you get up and dance!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>
<br /></div></div></div></div>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-21137497201820519362020-05-02T15:41:00.001-04:002020-06-24T19:30:28.645-04:00Warren Bernhardt - Heat of the Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrXxSL6Sp4onSkQ-RxO8-f1HyXV6MUKDzyZ6MgIItSH-kYYa9EzwAsdWQwnEIHVGZE9XUdZIP3u-aVyWMCSSTK4lxFdxHsEFb35vJVinfMybF98Ek1e19PVvxft_HdWgXSbbgbPI-PfE/s1600/heat+of+the+moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="600" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrXxSL6Sp4onSkQ-RxO8-f1HyXV6MUKDzyZ6MgIItSH-kYYa9EzwAsdWQwnEIHVGZE9XUdZIP3u-aVyWMCSSTK4lxFdxHsEFb35vJVinfMybF98Ek1e19PVvxft_HdWgXSbbgbPI-PfE/s400/heat+of+the+moment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well this is nice. Warren Bernhardt's <i>Heat if the Moment</i> CD is a gentle reflection of the pianist's jazz style. When listening, I almost feel like I'm sitting in a lounge with a group of friends with the music playing gently in the back ground. Although I don't remember the music, Jim would play something like this while he was typing away on the computer. It is just plain nice.<br />
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My favorite title of the album, recorded in 1989, by Digital Music Products Inc., is <i>Club Black Diamond </i>by Bernhardt, followed by <i>Love Walked In </i>by Ira Gershwin, and oh my - I<i>n a Sentimental Mood</i> by Duke Ellington.<br />
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The <i>Heat of the Moment </i>album band was comprised of Bernhardt on piano, Peter Erskine on drums, Jay Anderson on acoustic bass, Gordon Gottlieb on percussion, and Mike DeMicco on guitar.<br />
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On the album, the group artfully played:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Love Walked In</i>, I. Gershwin</li>
<li><i>Bodas de Sangue</i>, Bros Valle</li>
<li><i>Club Black Diamond</i>, W. Bernhardt</li>
<li><i>Wakin' Up</i>, B. Evans</li>
<li><i>Heat of the Moment</i>, W. Bernhardt</li>
<li><i>There Came You</i>, B. Evans</li>
<li><i>Pali Lookout</i>, M. DiMicco</li>
<li><i>The Two Lonely People</i>, B. Evans</li>
<li><i>Mi En Broma?</i> W. Bernhardt</li>
<li><i>A Sentimental Mood</i>, D. Ellington</li>
</ul>
<div>
Lots of good listening!</div>
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Bernhardt was born November 1938 in Wausau, Wisconsin, the son of a pianist. His home was filled with music, and often went to sleep as a toddler under his father's grand piano as a notable pianists played above.When his father passed at an early age, Bernhadt took a break from music and began studying chemistry and physics at Chicago University. There, however, he was attracted to the local music scene and all the jazz players had to offer. Several well-known musicians took him under their wings and he was hooked. And so, his career as a noted jazz, pop, and classical pianist began. His career lead him not only down many solo and band leading paths, but in cooperation with many performers and bands, including Simon and Garfunkel and Steely Dan.<br />
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I enjoyed an interview with the artist on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sq-lkK8pDM">youtube</a>. Bernhardt spoke about his career in ways which made him seem like an ordinary guy. He did, like many of us, have to consider how he was going to pay tuition for his kids when choosing a job. Learn about his career well-played at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Bernhardt" target="_blank">wikipedia</a>.<br />
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Listen to <a href="https://youtu.be/MCLZ9nG-xUU" target="_blank">some of the some of his music here</a>. I'm sure you will enjoy it.<br />
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<br />M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-83369798132692180252020-03-10T19:32:00.001-04:002020-03-11T19:12:46.264-04:00Peter Buffett The Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
It's Peter Buffett, Mary. Not <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue2-ZVxpVjc" target="_blank">Jimmy Buffett of Margaritaville fame.</a> Glad I finally have that figured out. The abstract, down tempo tunes from the American musician, composer, author and philanthropist are enjoyable and relaxing. I don't remember Jim playing these tunes, but they are the kind that easily fit into the background . So maybe he did play <i>The Waiting</i>. I just don't remember it.<br />
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The 1987 album, released on the Narada Mystique label, includes nine titles - each as smooth and enchanting as the next. Titles include:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Empire Builder</i></li>
<li><i>The Waiting</i></li>
<li><i>Why</i></li>
<li><i>Aberdeen</i></li>
<li><i>Generation Prelude</i></li>
<li><i>Generation</i></li>
<li><i>New West</i></li>
<li><i>One More Time</i></li>
<li><i>Big Sky</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>The Waiting</i> is my favorite. The electronic music played ever-so-softly in the beginning reminds me of the sunrise eventually breaking forth in all its glory. Listen and see what you think. Or, you can listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDxMck1QnxU&list=OLAK5uy_mbgI5ZhDatjF-dMkylZb2xGUmeMgLp6Rg" target="_blank">the whole CD album on Youtube here</a>.<br />
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Buffett, 61, is the youngest son of billionaire Warren Buffett. The keyboard artist adds emmy-award-winner, co-chairof the <a href="http://novofoundation.org/" target="_blank">NoVo Foundation</a> - established to help end violence toward girls and women- performer and composer to his description. His 30-year-plus career is capped with his <a href="https://www.peterbuffett.com/concert-and-conversation#tour-dates-anchor" target="_blank">Concert and Conversation with Peter Buffett</a>. Attend one of the presentations to listen to his music, find out what it is like to grow up as the son of a billionaire, and various experiences.<br />
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Read more about Buffett at his <a href="https://www.peterbuffett.com/" target="_blank">Web site here</a>. I hope you get a chance to listen to some of his music. It is enjoyable.</div>
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<br />M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-79268307658381765882020-02-19T17:09:00.000-05:002020-02-19T17:21:18.420-05:00Alphonse Mouzon Band: Back to Jazz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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LAUGH OUT LOUD! I could not believe what I was listening to and the memories it dragged up. The bleeping blooping sound of the Alphonse Mouzon Band: Back to Jazz track <i>Space Commander</i> reminded me of a pre-personal-computer-day video arcade - which Jim loved! He would spend evenings feeding quarters into the machines at the Electronic Zoo in Kent, Ohio playing some ridiculous game, until he realized quarters were running out and he better get a job.<br />
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Fortunately, there is only one piece on the CD, released in 1986 by L & R Records, which sounded video arcade-ish. The rest is very pleasant soul-jazz-funk. I can even remember the tunes and carry them around in my head all day. Sound tracks include:<br />
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1<span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><i>St. Thomas,Written-By – </i>Sonny Rollins<br />
2<span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><i>The Next Time We Love</i><br />
3<i> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Poobli<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i><br />
4<span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Space Commander</i><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
5<span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Peace On Earth</i><br />
6<span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><i>The Baker's Daughter</i><br />
7<span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Just Because Of You</i><br />
8 <i> Step Into The Funk</i><br />
9 <i> When We Were Young</i><br />
10<i> Hello, I must Be Going</i><br />
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Space Commander is of course, my favorite. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vkl-H261qc&t=1869s" target="_blank">Listen here on Youtube to the CD album</a>. (Try not to dance....)<br />
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Alphonse is known as an American jazz fusion drummer and the owner of <a href="http://www.tenaciousrecords.com/" target="_blank">Tenacious Records</a> - primarily used to release his recordings. He was born in 1948 in South Carolina, and began his music studies in high school. The next step was moving on to New York for college where he began studying medicine. But drumming eventually won out.<br />
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His career included acting, producing, voice-over work, composition and arrangement. He performed in all four corners of the world, and is listed in all major jazz publications. Performances included acting alongside Tom Hanks in T<i>hat Thing You Do!</i> and other acting and musical performances on the movie screen.<br />
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He served as the original drummer for Weather Report in 1970-72, and gained even more notoriety with the fusion band Eleventh House, 1973-75. Mouzon's career also included stints with <span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, Chubby Checker, Eric Clapton, Betty Davis, Patrick Moraz, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, Lee Ritenour, Seawind Horns and Freddie Hubbard. A very busy, creative guy. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">Mouzon passed December 25, 2016 at his home in Granada, California. You may read more about hiim at<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphonse_Mouzon" target="_blank"> Wikipedia</a>. I can see why Jim enjoyed him so much.</span><br />
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<br />M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-40611220820505563792020-01-30T18:17:00.000-05:002020-01-30T18:18:34.889-05:00Kit Walker: Fire In The Lake<br />
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Oh! I remember this CD. Jim often played it as we were driving along. And Kit Walker <i>Fire In The Lake </i>is perfect background music. Although I liked the music, it just doesn't stay in my thought. 'Kinda wish I had a tune I could carry along all day. No such luck. But I do enjoy the music on the CD.<br />
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Play list includes:<br />
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<li><i>Thunderworld</i></li>
<li><i>Touch the Earth</i></li>
<li><i>Fire in the Lake</i></li>
<li><i>White Crane Spreads Its Wings</i></li>
<li><i>Lightning In His Blood</i></li>
<li><i>Orion</i></li>
<li><i>The Nagual</i></li>
<li><i>First Snow</i></li>
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I like the titles. One can imagine the titles going along with the music. My favorite is <i>The Nagual</i> and its soft flute music. Nagual is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as "a personal guardian spirit or protective alter ego assumed by various Middle American Indians to reside in an animal or less frequently in some other embodiment." Oooh Eee Oooh. I think I will just enjoy the music and not think about the meaning.</div>
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The jazz fusion album was released in 1989 on the Windham Hill label. Composer Kit Walker defines himself on his Web site as a musician, philosopher, and oracle. That's quite a mouthful for Walker, who is known as a composer, keyboardist, and producer in the music world. You might like to spend some time on his Web site. There is a lot of heavy thinking going on. </div>
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Listen to <i>Fire in the Lake</i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STTplp3KqJM" target="_blank">here</a>. Check out his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/kiwa11" target="_blank">Youtube site </a>and listen to his latest with his cohort Mariana Ingold. Spend some time there. You will enjoy the music.</div>
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M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-56975424493289330392020-01-11T17:13:00.000-05:002020-01-11T17:33:58.055-05:00Island by David Arkenstone with Andrew White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes life just isn't fair! I'm driving down the road listening to the island sounds of David Arkenstone's <i>Island</i>. The musical flute and rythmic drums make me think of warm sandy beaches, bright blue skies, and soft tropical breezes. But outside the car windows, there is six inches of snow and the flakes keep falling. No fair!</div>
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Well at least I have the somewhat new age sounds of Arkenstone's CD to cheer me up. Island, by Arkenstone with Andrew White, was released in 1989 on the Narada Eqinox label. The electronic jazz album includes:</div>
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<li>Nantucket</li>
<li>Ballet</li>
<li>The Island Road</li>
<li>Desert Ride</li>
<li>Along the Shoreline</li>
<li>Caravan</li>
<li>Hindu Holiday</li>
<li>Passage</li>
<li>Nullarbor</li>
<li>The Palace</li>
<li>Carnation Lily Lily Rose</li>
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The names have me thinking of at island retreat. Darn snow! Take a moment to listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zocGFAbonQ&list=OLAK5uy_knhKota45TVckOLfo8WQ6cPUA7brq7fUk" target="_blank">Nantucket and other pieces</a> on Youtube</div>
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An American composer and performer, Arkenstone has filled his career with over 45 albums. Add soundtracks, commercials, and game scores to the list, and you realize he must be creating all the time! His Web site describes him as a musical story teller. I can't wait to hear the results of his recent trip to iceland.</div>
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Learn all (well at least some) of what there is to learn about Arkenstone <a href="http://www.davidarkenstone.com/about.html" target="_blank">here</a>. He's and interesting guy. And listen to more of his music. Hmm. Maybe if I play music of his from Iceland, I will see sun and sandy beaches out my car window. Anything is possible.</div>
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M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-73244306443030061842019-10-15T18:51:00.000-04:002019-10-15T19:45:57.636-04:00Dave Brubeck - We're All Together Again for the First Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Perfect and orderly.</b> That was the way Jim kept his music collections. He knew exactly where each album, CD, cassette tape and digital recording was on the shelves.</div>
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Things have kinda fallen apart since he left, which is how I ended up with another jazz CD to study. I reached in the box of CDs and pulled out Dave Brubeck's <i>We're All Together Again for the First Time</i>.The Jazz album, recorded before a live audience, was first released in 1973, and the first CD version in 1990. It is nice to hear some of Jim's favorites, even if I never knew they were from Dave Brubeck. </div>
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<b>I have a love-hate relationship </b>with the jazz-great's music. I hear great tunes which I can carry in thought all day, and bam! The tune slips into a cacophony of discordant sounds - those were the parts that Jim liked best.</div>
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The group consisted of Dave Brubeck on the piano, Paul Desmond on alto sax,Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, Jack Six on bass, and Alan Dawson on Drums.My favorite piece on the album is <i>Take 5</i>. The classic jazz tune had my feet tapping instantly. And, I remember dancing around with the kids -babies at the time - as Jim played the music.</div>
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<b>The CD was created from the original</b> analog recording. Beside <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHdU5sHigYQ" target="_blank"><i>Take Five</i> </a>by Paul Desmond, the CD includes <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j14pe8F1KNU" target="_blank">Truth</a></i> by Dave Brubeck, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xlyo5wwr90" target="_blank">Unfinished Woman</a></i> by Gerry Mulligan,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr_k1up_gn8" target="_blank"> <i>Koto Song</i></a>, by Dave Brubeck, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTmxiVGTs2s" target="_blank">Rotterdam Blues</a></i> by Dave Brubeck, and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA7ebL6Cuf8" target="_blank">Sweet Georgia Brown</a></i> by Ben Bernie, Kenneth Casey and Maceo Pinkard ( solo piano performance by Dave Brubeck). I connected each to a Youtube recording for your enjoyment.</div>
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Brubeck, 1920 to 2012, was born into a musical family in Concord, California. When he was four, he began studying piano with his mother. 88-years-later his career ended being designated a "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress for his jazz and classical work. His biography on his Web page states "he was one of the most active and popular musicians in both the jazz and classical worlds. With a career that spanned over six decades, his experiments in odd time signatures, improvised counterpoint, polyrythm and polytonality remain hallmarks of innovation." That's a mouth full!</div>
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<b>Listen to a classical recording</b> of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQO90Q_E4rg" target="_blank">Brubeck Meets Bach</a>. Now <b>that</b> I can listen to all the time. If you want to learn more about Dave Brubeck, or find out where you can hear his music, <a href="http://davebrubeck.com/" target="_blank"><b>visit his Web site</b></a>. You can also listen to more of his tunes there. His music lives on! </div>
M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-11884832349350523392019-09-08T18:17:00.000-04:002019-09-13T18:54:54.604-04:00Oscar Peterson The TrioLaugh Out Loud! I am reminded of the movie <i>Amadeus, </i>where the king tries to counsel young composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart that his musical piece has "too many notes"!<br />
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For me, the same holds true for Canadian jazz pianist-composer-legend Oscar Peterson. Not in a bad way, of course. His music is fascinating. There ARE a lot of notes. His fingers seem to fly along the keyboard. And you can tell he is loving every minute he is performing - with him happily humming as he is playing along.<br />
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He began studying music when he was five under the direction of his father, an amateur trumpeter and pianist, and his older sister, a classically trained pianist. He continued his studies with other well-known instructors. The young prodigy practiced four to six hours per day. He dropped out of high school when he was 14 to become a professional musician It wasn't long before he became known as the <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharaja" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Maharaja">Maharaja</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> of the keyboard"</span> and his career continued to grow. He recorded over 200 pieces during his career.<br />
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We are looking at the Trio performed before a live audience in Chicago. The trio, including guitarist Joe Pass and bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen <span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">produced the album <i>The Trio</i> which won the1974 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance. It was a nice surprise to find the <i>The Trio</i> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">CD</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">among Jim's collection. I've been listening to it all week as I drove to work. It is truly joyous music.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Songs on the CD include:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Blues Etude</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Chicago Blues</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Easy Listenin' Blues</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Come Sunday</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Secret Love</span></li>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">All great! Listen to some Oscar Peterson <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6EE7MDiPJY" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Listen to a piano lesson <a href="https://youtu.be/ec-FrnaU0rs" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Also, I am reminded of Black Books, The Entertainer, where Manny <a href="https://youtu.be/JPh53BCJQKE?t=2" target="_blank">(Bill Bailey) plays the piano.</a></span></span><br />
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Peterson passed in December 2007 and is remembered through the Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival. Check it out. <a href="https://www.oscarpeterson.com/" target="_blank">Maybe you can attend</a>.</div>
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<br />M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-43357683823666168292019-08-18T11:16:00.000-04:002019-08-18T11:20:22.910-04:00Steve Winwood Roll With It<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeueyuX1UTZeDPWx8s5Tu1oKQafIKYGGubh13ZOBzznvJkBzjZgoz3T2PmAmnlgUuY5XSsfx78_Baa4BEwcQHQwcPrrLH2T1RKx-1QfdBJ4NFNXTXHoK9gpj6IquG-FXNL3BNrax4WBo/s1600/steve+winwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeueyuX1UTZeDPWx8s5Tu1oKQafIKYGGubh13ZOBzznvJkBzjZgoz3T2PmAmnlgUuY5XSsfx78_Baa4BEwcQHQwcPrrLH2T1RKx-1QfdBJ4NFNXTXHoK9gpj6IquG-FXNL3BNrax4WBo/s400/steve+winwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I went down to the deep, dark corner of the basement where the CDs are stored, and pulled out Steve Winwood's Roll With It.<br />
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What a nice surprise! The classic four-beats-to-a-measure-and-a-quarter-note-gets-one-beat rock album - bordering on pop rock - had me humming along in no time. I especially enjoy <i>Put On Your Dancing Shoes </i>by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings.<br />
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"Life's a dance; put on your dancing shoes; take a chance ..."</blockquote>
What a wonderful reminder to go on living - and living well. So I'll put on my dancing shoes and tap dance on!<br />
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Winwood is an English singer and musician. Known mainly as a vocalist and keyboardist, he also plays numerous other instruments including drums, guitars, bass and saxophone. His music is often described as progressive rock, rhythm and blues, and jazz. I describe it as just plain listening fun.<br />
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In between his solo career, Winwood is known for participating in popular bands including The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and Go. Notable solo pieces include <i>While you See a Chance, Back in the High Life Again, Higher Love,</i> and<i> Roll With It</i>. Even I am familiar with those, and now I know who sings them. I am even happy to know the next time I go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I can read about him as a member of Traffic. He was inducted in 2004.<br />
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The CD Roll With It was released in 1988 by Virgin Records of America Inc. Songs include:<br />
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<ul>
<li> Roll With It</li>
<li>Holding Oh</li>
<li>The Morning Side</li>
<li>Put on Your Dancing Shoes</li>
<li>Don't You Know What the Night Can Do?</li>
<li>Hearts on Fire</li>
<li>One More Morning</li>
<li>Shining Song</li>
</ul>
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I like them all. Learn more about Winwood at his <a href="https://stevewinwood.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, or listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_vkKozA8OI" target="_blank">Roll With It</a> on Youtube. Don't forget your dancing shoes!</div>
<br />M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-45557273801776019372019-07-09T19:07:00.000-04:002019-07-09T19:07:47.792-04:00Yellowjackets Samurai Samba<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh! So that's where those tunes originated from.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Yellowjackets Samurai Samba was frequently heard from Jim's office. I admit I enjoyed the jazz music, but I never put a name to it. Now I have the name forever - Yellowjackets!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9OtiDxDqli_H3BhwJLNXjAvyPRzOHYPPuUKrXuRnOcfoQrY6qdWRjUmMKaC9VE9bmCCBCrfKGMBFJWHcY7jDOEVwF3NTrjJ44gfaDTKJq7Ul4IUFfAEzLuq5Lhcce7XtP77kjZpltxo/s1600/yellow+jackets+samurai+samba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="354" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9OtiDxDqli_H3BhwJLNXjAvyPRzOHYPPuUKrXuRnOcfoQrY6qdWRjUmMKaC9VE9bmCCBCrfKGMBFJWHcY7jDOEVwF3NTrjJ44gfaDTKJq7Ul4IUFfAEzLuq5Lhcce7XtP77kjZpltxo/s320/yellow+jackets+samurai+samba.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The 1985 album was produced by Tommy LiPuma and Yellowjackets<span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">, with: </span></span></span><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: inherit;">Russell Ferrante, keyboards</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jimmy Haslip, bass</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ricky Lawson, drums/electric drums</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marc Russo, alto sax</span></li>
<li>Also, in later editions:</li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Carlos Rios, guitar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael Landau, guitar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paulinho Da Costa, percussion</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bobby Caldwell, Marilyn Scott, Paulinho Da Costa and Carl Caldwell, vocals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bobby Caldwell, lead vocal on “Lonely Weekend”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paulo da Costa Jr., vocals on “Los Mambos”</span></li>
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Tracks include:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Homecoming (Ferrante)</span></li>
<li>Deat Beat (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson/Russo) </li>
<li>Daddy’s Gonna Miss You (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson/Russo) </li>
<li>Sylvania (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson) </li>
<li>Silverlake (Ferrante) </li>
<li>Lonely Weekend (Ferrante/Curiale/Lawson/Caldwell) </li>
<li>Los Mambos (Ferrante/Russo/da Costa) </li>
<li>Samurai Samba (Ferrante) </li>
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The jazz fusion band steps back to 1977 when guitarist Robben Ford was recording his first album. He recruited to join him keyboardist Russell Ferrante, base guitarist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Ricky Lawson. The name Yellowjackets was selected by producer Tommy LiPuma from a list of suggestions from band members.</div>
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Band membership has<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> changed over the years. Curr</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">ent members include Russell Ferrante, Bob Mintzer, William Kennedy and Dane Alderson. But the band remains true to its rasping saxaphone, deep bass, rythmic drums, and melodic keyboard sounds. Yellowjackets remains a popular jazz fusion band pleasing old and current generations of fans. Soloist Luciana Souza has added her own special flair.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The band has recorded close to 30 albums,been nominate for numerous awards, and evolved into its own jazz sound. Check out the band's <a href="https://www.yellowjackets.com/itinerary" target="_blank"><b>itinerary for a concert or workshop</b></a> you don't want to miss.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Listen to <a href="https://www.yellowjackets.com/recordings/samurai-samba-1985" target="_blank">Yellowjackets Samurai Samba</a> and more at<b> <a href="https://www.yellowjackets.com/" target="_blank">its website</a></b>, or take home some of its music from the <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/sp?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B00CAZOHQG&isAmazonFulfilled=0&isCBA=&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&orderID=&seller=A74S6P7U4FPJD&tab=products&vasStoreID=" target="_blank">amazon Buzz Store.</a> </b> </span></div>
M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-46738465095705871312019-05-27T15:36:00.000-04:002019-05-27T15:37:40.023-04:00Brinsley Schwarz - Silver Pistol / Please Don't Ever Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm back. Been listening to the music, but did not feel like writing. Guess it is time to get back at it.</div>
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I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Brinsley Schwarz Silver Pistol / Please Don't Ever Change as I drove the highway to and from work. It's a little piece of 1970's rock and roll heaven. Named after the band's guitarist, Brinsley Schwarz , the British band developed a strong following, but never really took off.</div>
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The Silver Pistol and Please Don't Ever Change albums include Nick Lowe on base, guitars, and vocals. Bob Andrews on keyboards and vocals. Bill Rankin on drums. BrinsleySchwarz ( I think his parents were out to get him)a1 on guitars, and Ian Gomm on guitars, bass and vocals. </div>
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Silver Pistols includes:</div>
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<ul>
<li> Dry Land (Gomm)</li>
<li>Merry Go Round (lowe)</li>
<li>One More Day (Gomm)</li>
<li>Nightingslr (Lowe)</li>
<li>Silver Pistol (Lowe)</li>
<li>The Last Time I was Fooled (Lowe)</li>
<li>Unknown Number (Lowe)</li>
<li>Range War (Gomm) </li>
<li>Egypt (Lowe)</li>
<li>Niki Hoeke Speedway (Ford)</li>
<li>Ju Ju Man (Ford /Vegas)</li>
<li>Rockin'Chair (Gomm)</li>
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Please Don't Ever Change consists of:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Hooked On Love (Gomm)</li>
<li>Why Do We Hurt The One We Love (Lowe)</li>
<li>I Worry (')Bout You Baby ) (Lowe)</li>
<li>Don't Ever Change (Goffin / King)</li>
<li>Home In My Hand (Self)</li>
<li>Play That Fast Thing (One More Time) (Lowe)</li>
<li>I Won't Make It Without You (Lowe)</li>
<li>Down in Mexico (Lowe)</li>
<li>Speedoo (Navarro)</li>
<li>The Version (Hypocrite) (Sibbles)</li>
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The band played together from 1969 through 1975. Members went on to various bands including Ducks Deluxe and various solo careers.</div>
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I am glad I happened upon this CD. Now I have a name for the music I often heard Jim play. It kept my foot tapping and generally added to the happy ambiance of home. I especially liked Play That Fast Thing One More Time and Hooked on Love.</div>
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Catch a glimpse of Brinsley Schwarz on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brinsley_Schwarz" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>. Or listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMsy6xXN6-Y" target="_blank">Please Don't Ever Change</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7CjtRZjXs" target="_blank">Down in Mexico</a>.</div>
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I hope you discover some old favorites.</div>
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<br />M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-67770895357799200622018-05-06T19:22:00.000-04:002018-05-06T19:26:47.316-04:00Eddie Daniels - Blackwood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrlPM_7-uMwscuEKR4YfiGr6XD4-nDHglLokKABUpRXxIDcO9Ewp5B-pNLjdNfhVK1jqUhf02NViS44NrRVpRWiCeub09RdLfNu2ai1fepAgfacA_qF01ABsF0XKnmjdvIKGqmbJgb68/s1600/Blackwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="500" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrlPM_7-uMwscuEKR4YfiGr6XD4-nDHglLokKABUpRXxIDcO9Ewp5B-pNLjdNfhVK1jqUhf02NViS44NrRVpRWiCeub09RdLfNu2ai1fepAgfacA_qF01ABsF0XKnmjdvIKGqmbJgb68/s320/Blackwood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Whoa! To me, clarinets were always the "sick geese" of high school band. They filled each performance with - to me - a rather grating sound. Yes, to me they sounded just like the proverbial fingernails on a chalk board.<br />
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Imagine my surprise when I pulled Eddie Daniels <i>Blackwood </i>from Jim's CD collection. His clarinet playing was remarkably smooth and enjoyable. Titles included are:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Blackwood</li>
<li>Cruise</li>
<li>Heartsong</li>
<li>P.I.</li>
<li>Toucan Dance</li>
<li>Black Diamond Run</li>
<li>Clara's Heart</li>
<li>Walking the Line</li>
<li>Blackwood (Reprise)</li>
<li>Blue Waltz</li>
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Each piece has wonderful percussion wrapped around Eddie's jazz clarinet playing. It is awesome! I'm not kidding. <b><a href="https://youtu.be/4mI4UEMyRo8" target="_blank">Listen to Blackwood here</a></b>. And then he continues his magnificent playing in a <b><a href="https://youtu.be/k7dafOEAoyU" target="_blank">classical setting.</a> </b><br />
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Produced by Dave Grusin, Rob Mounsey, and himself, <i>Blackwood</i> was released in 1980 by GRP Records Inc. The title, Blackwood, makes reference to the African Blackwood, from which the finest clarinets are made.<br />
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If you would like to learn more about Eddie and his remarkable musical career, <a href="http://eddiedanielsclarinet.net/index.html" target="_blank">visit his Web site</a>.<br />
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After hearing Eddie's music, I'll never again think of clarinet playing as sick geese.<br />
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<br />M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-24262286813954229642018-03-10T12:20:00.000-05:002018-03-19T10:18:01.693-04:00The Beatles Please Please Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Come with me to the infamous cartoon character <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj61eUqDuP4" target="_blank">Mr. Peabody's Way Back Machine</a> to 1963, where The Beatles were young, and I was even younger. Just listening to the music reminds me of warm summer days at the neighborhood pool, where popular music like The Beatles played all day. That, an occasional frozen Zero chocolate bar, and nonstop swimming were the highlights of what was then endless summer.<br />
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The Beatles CD, <i>Please Please Me</i>, is made-up of original sound recordings by EMI Records LTD, and includes:<br />
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<ul>
<li>I Saw Here Standing There</li>
<li>Misery</li>
<li>Anna (Go To Him)</li>
<li>Chains</li>
<li>Boys</li>
<li>Ask Me Why</li>
<li>Please Please Me</li>
<li>Love Me Do</li>
<li>P.S. I Love You</li>
<li>Baby It's You</li>
<li>Do You Want To Know A Secret</li>
<li>A Taste Of Honey</li>
<li>There's A Place</li>
<li>Twist And Shout</li>
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My toes are tapping just thinking about the tunes, even if by today's standards they are simplistic.</div>
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If you live in the Cleveland area, you may want to catch a show by Beatles tribute band Revolution Pie on April 7, 2018.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHcpKkxkeEsu3t9RsTcj8Rvh3xlfHgZJh0wmiN5Y0SbhEmPiF2ICTUm4vgct48613_VvgId6eoXSfYQ5z5kM4-OvNW5nuQAOkgcg06DC1sZap9WxaFSb80Ovjjh5yYPjo62ZZ3V9wGcg/s1600/28577817_1785897568129837_3126366992950732334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHcpKkxkeEsu3t9RsTcj8Rvh3xlfHgZJh0wmiN5Y0SbhEmPiF2ICTUm4vgct48613_VvgId6eoXSfYQ5z5kM4-OvNW5nuQAOkgcg06DC1sZap9WxaFSb80Ovjjh5yYPjo62ZZ3V9wGcg/s640/28577817_1785897568129837_3126366992950732334_n.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>
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Or if you would like to know more about the album <i>Please Please Me</i>, listen here:</div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2MnuNvzyfI4" width="560"></iframe>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-47685760162133629482018-02-03T15:38:00.000-05:002018-02-04T11:29:49.541-05:00Duke Ellington Blues In Orbit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow! I never really thought much about Duke Ellington. </div>
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<b>Tunes of the great composer, pianist, and band leader</b> would zip in and out of my life on the radio or old movies, with me rarely paying any attention where they originated. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a stack of Duke Ellington CDs among Jim's collection, and decided to listen to one. </div>
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<i>Blues In Orbit </i>was released in 1988 by CBS Records Inc. as part of its Columbia Jazz Masterpieces series. The CD case proudly states the collection is " Digitally Remastered Directly From The Original Analog Tapes" of the original 1960s album. It does hum, with the bass rattling the walls at a normal level. The jazz-swing compilation has been remastered over 10 times between the 1988 version and 2017.</div>
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<b>The CD includes the original tunes</b> from the album, and had some room to include a few later pieces. Fourteen titles making up the list include:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Blues in Orbit</li>
<li>Track 360</li>
<li>Villes Ville Is the Place, Man</li>
<li>Brown Penny</li>
<li>Three J's Blues</li>
<li>SMADA</li>
<li>Pie Eye's Blues</li>
<li>C Jam Blues</li>
<li>Sweet & Pungent</li>
<li>In a Mellotone</li>
<li>Sentimental Lady</li>
<li>Blues in Blueprint</li>
<li>The Swingers Get The Blues, Too</li>
<li>The Swinger's Jump</li>
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<b>I really enjoyed this CD. Made me want to get up and dance.</b> My toes are still tapping. If you would like to know more about "the jazz legend" Duke Ellington, visit the<a href="http://www.dukeellington.com/home.html" target="_blank"> official site here</a>.</div>
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Or for a traditional taste of his music, listen to the YouTube post below.</div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qDQpZT3GhDg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-64106657505124265642018-01-03T20:43:00.000-05:002019-10-19T16:41:19.927-04:00Fruitcake Toss Day? Hmmmm<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFM5uWjIMoRDVS-JGVcUDRwSOE-OCVYig3NMf9NT6DWyD0SUtFlHPzTo_9nAwuKDMNhiqAas3EMaOCkbNT4RBv71rwc1EKtb-JuVeeUQWExlWn3w9LPHRIbp13umYPhVG8NLqW5iJadw/s1600/christmas-fruit-cake-574680_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1280" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFM5uWjIMoRDVS-JGVcUDRwSOE-OCVYig3NMf9NT6DWyD0SUtFlHPzTo_9nAwuKDMNhiqAas3EMaOCkbNT4RBv71rwc1EKtb-JuVeeUQWExlWn3w9LPHRIbp13umYPhVG8NLqW5iJadw/s400/christmas-fruit-cake-574680_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was quietly remembering Jim on his birthday, January 3, when I discovered the date is shared by <a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/fruitcake-toss-day" target="_blank">Fruitcake Toss Day</a>. He would have liked that, probably going out and buying one on clearance just to toss.<br />
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Apparently this holiday was first created and celebrated <span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">in Manitou Springs, Colorado</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> in 1995. It involves taking all the left over fruitcake - often given as presents - and chucking it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I know, I'm supposed to be writing about music. But </span>it was too tempting to write about Jim having to share his birthday with fruitcake. I'm sure he would have been impressed.<br />
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And if you suddenly find yourself wanting a fruitcake, follow these i<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r49oeaFn_1o" target="_blank">nstructions on Youtube</a>.<br />
<br />M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-29978277307462202792017-12-26T17:21:00.000-05:002019-10-19T17:12:17.277-04:00Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Boy Named Charlie Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh2IH355AFEwVSp0FSuX_so1VJUVEW3Ob8k_wZ05YqfyjDxH4sExZE33IKJcNanNg__2jPEOnXKRE6G0RQcOqhJY5A5oBtUCQpp_D8k0OvSsUOSd2u_sQpDBCzWtHLSzFVgNgw-dVdts/s1600/Charlie+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh2IH355AFEwVSp0FSuX_so1VJUVEW3Ob8k_wZ05YqfyjDxH4sExZE33IKJcNanNg__2jPEOnXKRE6G0RQcOqhJY5A5oBtUCQpp_D8k0OvSsUOSd2u_sQpDBCzWtHLSzFVgNgw-dVdts/s320/Charlie+Brown.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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Da da da, da da da, daa daa, da da da daa....<br />
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<b>I pulled this CD from Jim's shelf and smiled.</b> The track <i>Linus and Lucy </i>filled my thought and I immediately went and listened to the Vince Guaraldi Trio: <i>A Boy Named Charlie Brown</i>. The sweet jazz music is from the original sound track for the well-known CBS television special.<br />
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The animated comedy-drama made its appearance on TV in December 1969. Released as a record in 1972, and then on CD in 1989 by Fantasy, Inc..<br />
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<b>Most of the tracks were composed and played</b> by jazz pianist <a href="http://www.vinceguaraldi.com/biography.htm" target="_blank"><b>Vince Guaraldi </b></a>and supported by Monty Budwig on bass, and Colin Bailey on drums.<br />
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Tunes include the following:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Oh, Good Grief</li>
<li>Pebble Beach</li>
<li>Happiness Is</li>
<li>Schroeder</li>
<li>Charlie BrownTheme</li>
<li>Linus and Lucy</li>
<li>Blue Charlie Brown</li>
<li>Baseball Theme</li>
<li>Freda (With the Naturally Curly Hair)</li>
<li>Fly Me to the Moon (an additional and enjoyable track not on the original LP)</li>
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<b>The CD makes me happy,</b> not only because I remember Jim enjoying it, but because the characters and the music associated with each one makes me happy - even ornery Lucy. I've made a mental note to play this CD if I'm feeling down. Can't stay there for long.</div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Boy_Named_Charlie_Brown" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Boy_Named_Charlie_Brown" target="_blank">Read a Wikipedia article about A Boy Named Charlie Brown here</a>. I really enjoyed the article, and am sure you will too.<br />
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M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212927879415769217.post-88776122296808213402017-12-11T18:19:00.000-05:002017-12-12T21:43:06.679-05:00The Ultimate Four Seasons: Vivaldi's Greatest Hit<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIX-ouNUTz1xCW3ZQISuEjwbFJIBhPh3QF_knEe_zCDsrvL9uKaDXXnUci4qIELUH9TVM7nDJ9B9FMjjLOXsTnGiIYPJ9KRQv2XPY0pr3dDlBvqK9xPSzChjr3c58HUNU08RSr_HOj834/s1600/Vivaldi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="400" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIX-ouNUTz1xCW3ZQISuEjwbFJIBhPh3QF_knEe_zCDsrvL9uKaDXXnUci4qIELUH9TVM7nDJ9B9FMjjLOXsTnGiIYPJ9KRQv2XPY0pr3dDlBvqK9xPSzChjr3c58HUNU08RSr_HOj834/s400/Vivaldi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are so many memories attached to Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Starting in elementary school music classes, through high school band, driving down the highway listening to the radio, and yes, even floating from Jim's office. I've always loved the Four Seasons. </div>
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<b>The back of the CD describes it this way:</b></div>
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"<i>Joyous and exhilarating, this is Vivald's Four Seasons as you've never heard it before! From a springtime Saturday picnic in the park to a summer screen-porch Sunday brunch, from autumn's blustery afternoon chill to a winter's warm holiday hearth, take a pleasurable stroll through the seasons with Vivaldi's 'Greatest Hit.' A multi-colored experience combining classical. traditional, new age and chamber music, this one-of a kind album provides the perfect accompaniment for quiet contemplation or entertaining.</i>" I found that to be a perfect description.</div>
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<b>The first part of the CD is</b> a classical rendition of Four Seasons, followed by more modern versions in the second half. I got the Saturday housework done as I listened to the upbeat music - even spent some time thinking about the summer tree on the front of the CD with his rather bushy hair!</div>
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Released in 2003 by the Musical Heritage Society, and includes 77 minutes of great music performed by:</div>
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Vladimir Spivakov violin</div>
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James Galway flute</div>
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Michala Petri recorder</div>
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Gottfried von der Goltz baroque violin</div>
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Kazuhito Yamashita & Larry Coryell guitars</div>
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Tracy Scott Silverman violin</div>
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Ransom Wilson flute</div>
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Amsterdam Guitar Trio</div>
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Modern Mandolin Quartet</div>
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<b>The CD booklet includes sonnets</b> which inspired the music. I really enjoyed reading them, but I must admit, I'm about all Vivaldi'd out at the moment!</div>
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Read a Wikipedia biography about Vivaldi <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Vivaldi#Later_life_and_death">here</a>, and find out why he was called the <b>Red Priest. </b>Then listen to a portion of the Four Seasons below.</div>
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<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3s6Th2uNPOw?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>M. Fisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454248717669975411noreply@blogger.com0