Spyro Gyra: Point of View

 

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! 

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.

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.

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:

• Slow Burn - 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.
• Swing Street - upbeat with sax.  I like it but can't remember it.
• Fair Weather - Think I hear a little bit of flute? It seems to have a lot of attitude.
• The Unknown Soldier - To me, it is kind off stand-offish - if you can say that about a piece of music.
• Hannibal's Boogie - I like the name!  It seems like a bunch of jams. Nice, but not very cohesive.
• No limits - This seems totally different to me.  Very relaxing.
• Carolina -  Hmmm.  Just seems like more nice sounds thrown into a pot together.
• River Walk - Ditto.
• Swamp Things -  I like this one.  It is kind of funky like its name.
• Counterpoint - Oh! I recognize this one.  It's kind of sneaky.
• Gotcha - I like the smooth introduction followed by a swirl of music.

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.

Jazz lovers, go to the Spyro Gyra Website to learn more about this great band, hear tunes, find out when and where they are performing next.  The Wikipedia entry is also very interesting. I've got my eye on the April 20, 2024 Ludlow Garage performance in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Seeing this band in person is a real must do. 

Or. go to Ebay and purchase my copy of Spyro Gyra Point of View.  Help me whittle down my late husband Jim's collection of CDs.

A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles

 

Well! I finally found the perfect CD for getting the Saturday house cleaning done - The Beatles A Hard Day's Night album. Oh my!  This early Beatles recording  keeps my feet and hands moving.

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.

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." 

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:

• A Hard Day's Night
• I Should Have Known Better
• If I Fell
• I'm Happy Just To Dance With You
• And I Love Her
• Tell Me Why
• Can't Buy Me Love
• Any Time At All
• I'll Cry Instead
• Things She Said Today
• When I Get Home
• You Can't Do That
• I'll be Back

Watch the movie trailer  here. Or listen to the album. I dare you to try and sit still through it!

Buy this CD on Ebay! Help me whittle down Jim's collection,  Thank you.

The Further Adventures of Flim & the BB's

 

I LIKE the cover art for The Further Adventures of Flim & the BB's. 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.

Starting with the very first track of On The Avenue, 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.

Next on the jazz album, released in 1988 by Digital Music Products Inc. (DMP), is Ireland. The stiff beat combines a sing-songy flute solo which stands out. The jazzy Jazz Patrol comes next. I like the piano solo. Cute Shoes follows. I can almost imagine dancing in cute, shiny red shoes. Ya' wanna' dance? One for Hermeto, Pharaoh, Five on the Floor, Curveball and If You Only Knew   continue the musical extravaganza. (Yes.  I call it an extravaganza because the tunes are big sounding and wonderful!)

Bathing Beauties comes next.  I can just imagine them strutting and posing to the music. The Coast Is Clear, Rokeby Garden, and Over and Out bring the album to a close with more tight toe-tapping tunes.

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 Wikipedia site here.  Listen to the tunes here on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9FF80C1BCB2AB2A0

 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.

The band's TriCycle  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.

Rockin' at Vandy

 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 Wazopia Blog. The pictures for the 2003 and 2004 posts have been eaten by  the Internet.  However the text is still good. 

It brings back memories of a very special day. I'll even throw in a link to Rock Lobster at the end. (Or down, down...)

Rockin' at Vandy by James D. Fisher, May 2004

"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. 

"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,-- Love Shack, Deadbeat Club, Topaz, and Roam. Their finale was Rock Lobster. At Kent, we would always slink down as low as we could get when lead singer Fred Schneider commanded, 'Down! Down! Down!'. 

"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."

There were pictures taken by Jim. But as I said earlier, the Internet ate them. Instead, please enjoy the Youtube link to Rock Lobster.

 

First Impressions by Eric Essix

 

Smooth. Very smooth.

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.

First Impressions by Eric Essix was recorded in 1989 on the Nova Records label, on both album and CD formats. The contemporary jazz playlist includes:

1. First Impressions
2. Twilight
3. Cool Breeze
4. Brown Blood
5. Contents Under Pressure
6. Off the Clock
7. Sparrow
8. Watching Over Me

Cool Breeze 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.

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. 

Get to know a little more about Eric Essix through his biography on his Web site here.  Listen to one of his more recent piece,  Late Night Drive on Youtube.  I really do enjoy his music.

TriCycle by Flim and the BB's

 So that's where that came from! I always enjoyed the piece TriCycle 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.

TriCycle, 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. 

Next on the list is Cakewalk.  I'm not sure what a cakewalk is, but the music holds my attention. Lunch Hour Wedding is a very happy piece which moves you along from beginning to end, followed by Sweet Winds of change - even more happy music.  Thunder and Birdies, and Tell Me follow with clear, easy to follow beats. And High Wire! Oh my I like this one.  One can imagine a dare devil working the wire at a carnival or circus. Oh watch your step! The 8:29, Sam's Samba, and Eden complete the list.

 As I mentioned earlier, I really enjoyed this CD.  You can listen to it here on Youtube. 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.

TriCycle  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 Wikopedia here.

Listen to some of ye YouTube recordings.  I'm sure you will enjoy Flim & the BB's.

Phil Colllins Serious Hits Live

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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.

Phil Collins Serious Hits Live filled the bill quite nicely. Toe-tapping tracks include:

• Something Happened On the Way to Heaven
• Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)
• Who Said I Would
• One More Night
• Don't Lose My Number
• Do You Remember
• Another Day in Paradise
• Separate Lives
• In The Air Tonight
• You Can't Hurry Love
• Two Hearts
• Sussudio
• A Groovy Kind of LoveR
• Easy Lover
• Take Me Home

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.

My favorite piece is One More Night - 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." 

I would also tell him about Downton Abbey.  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....

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. 

Learn more about Phil Collins at Wikipedia . 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 listen here.

Return to Forever by Chick Corea

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!

There are four tracks on the album, first published in 1972 and later transferred to the then new CD format:

• Return to Forever
• Crystal Silence
• What Game Shall We Play Today
• Sometime Ago - La Fiesta. 

One moment I am enjoying Return to Forever. The next I can't understand why the tunes are yelling at me. Crystal Silence 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. What Games Shall We play Today is my favorite.  It carries on in a sing-song way, kinda' like it's title. Sometime Ago - La Fiesta  rattled me.  At first I am humming along, an then a quick change into - to me - discordant sounds.

Oh well.  I will have to just agree to disagree with Jim on this album.

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."

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  about him. Learn more about the 23-time Grammy-Winning Jazz Legend, Pianist and Composer at his Web site.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 Youtube.

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?

Rob Mullins 5th Gear

What wonderful background  music! I enjoyed Rob Mullins 5th Gear. I can see my Jim working at his desk with this accompanying him.

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
 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,, composer, and producer. Whew! That's quite a line up!  


Track List
Japanese Girl
Larrys Tune
Georgia On My Mind
Rockin' at the Regas
Memories of Tomorrow
5th Gear
Nora
Looking for Money
The Bush Patrol
Home
Reverie
Sky's the Limit

Larry's Tune and The Bush Patrol are my favorites.   Just can't seem to keep my feet still as I am driving down the road listening to them. planetmullins.com is the address for his Web site. Check it out to see when his next live performance is.

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 recent interview with him in his home town. Or listen to my favorite Larry's Tune here. I won't blame you if you  get up and dance!

Warren Bernhardt - Heat of the Moment

Well this is nice. Warren Bernhardt's Heat if the Moment 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.

My favorite title of the album, recorded in 1989, by Digital Music Products Inc., is Club Black Diamond by Bernhardt, followed by Love Walked In by Ira Gershwin, and oh my - In a Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington.

The Heat of the Moment 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.

On the album, the group artfully played:

• Love Walked In, I. Gershwin
• Bodas de Sangue, Bros Valle
• Club Black Diamond, W. Bernhardt
• Wakin' Up, B. Evans
• Heat of the Moment, W. Bernhardt
• There Came You, B. Evans
• Pali Lookout, M. DiMicco
• The Two Lonely People, B. Evans
• Mi En Broma? W. Bernhardt
• A Sentimental Mood, D. Ellington

Lots of good listening!

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.

I enjoyed an interview with the artist on youtube. 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 wikipedia.

Listen to some of the some of his music here. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Peter Buffett The Waiting

It's Peter Buffett, Mary.  Not Jimmy Buffett of Margaritaville fame. 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  The Waiting.  I just don't remember it.

The 1987 album, released on the Narada Mystique label, includes nine titles - each as smooth and enchanting as the next. Titles include:

• Empire Builder
• The Waiting
• Why
• Aberdeen
• Generation Prelude
• Generation
• New West
• One More Time
• Big Sky

The Waiting 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 the whole CD album on Youtube  here.

Buffett, 61, is the youngest son of billionaire Warren Buffett. The keyboard artist adds emmy-award-winner, co-chairof the NoVo Foundation - established to help end violence toward girls and women- performer and composer to his description. His 30-year-plus career is capped with his Concert and Conversation with Peter Buffett. 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.

Read more about Buffett at his Web site here. I hope you get a chance to listen to some of his music.  It is enjoyable.

Alphonse Mouzon Band: Back to Jazz

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 Space Commander 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.

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:

1 St. Thomas,Written-By – Sonny Rollins
2 The Next Time We Love
3      Poobli
4 Space Commander
5 Peace On Earth
6 The Baker's Daughter
7 Just Because Of You
8     Step Into The Funk
9     When We Were Young
10  Hello, I must Be Going

Space Commander is of course, my favorite.  Listen here  on Youtube to the CD album. (Try not to dance....)

Alphonse is known as an American jazz fusion drummer and the owner of Tenacious Records - 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.

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 That Thing You Do! and other acting and musical performances on the movie screen.

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 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. 

Mouzon passed December 25, 2016 at his home in Granada, California. You may read more about hiim  at Wikipedia. I can see why Jim enjoyed him so much.

Kit Walker: Fire In The Lake

Oh!  I remember this CD. Jim often played it as we were driving along. And Kit Walker Fire In The Lake 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.

Play list includes:

• Thunderworld
• Touch the Earth
• Fire in the Lake
• White Crane Spreads Its Wings
• Lightning In His Blood
• Orion
• The Nagual
• First Snow

I like the titles. One can imagine the titles going along with the music.  My favorite is The Nagual 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.

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. 

Listen to Fire in the Lake here. Check out his Youtube site and listen to his latest with his cohort Mariana Ingold. Spend some time there.  You will enjoy the music.

Island by David Arkenstone with Andrew White

Sometimes life just isn't fair! I'm driving down the road listening to the island sounds of David Arkenstone's Island. 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!

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:

• Nantucket
• Ballet
• The Island Road
• Desert Ride
• Along the Shoreline
• Caravan
• Hindu Holiday
• Passage
• Nullarbor
• The Palace
• Carnation Lily Lily Rose

The names have me thinking of at island retreat. Darn snow! Take a moment to listen to Nantucket and other pieces on Youtube

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.

Learn all (well at least some) of what there is to learn about Arkenstone here.  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.

Dave Brubeck - We're All Together Again for the First Time

Perfect and orderly. 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.

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 We're All Together Again for the First Time.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. 

I have a love-hate relationship 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.

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 Take 5. 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.

The CD was created from the original analog recording. Beside  Take Five by Paul Desmond, the CD includes Truth by Dave Brubeck, Unfinished Woman by Gerry Mulligan, Koto Song, by Dave Brubeck, Rotterdam Blues by Dave Brubeck, and Sweet Georgia Brown by Ben Bernie, Kenneth Casey and Maceo Pinkard ( solo piano performance by Dave Brubeck). I connected each to a Youtube recording for your enjoyment.

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!

Listen to a classical recording of Brubeck Meets Bach. Now that 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, visit his Web site. You can also listen to more of his tunes there.  His music lives on! 

Oscar Peterson The Trio

Laugh Out Loud! I am reminded of the movie Amadeus, where the king tries to counsel young composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart that his musical piece has "too many notes"!

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.

 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 "Maharaja of the keyboard"  and his career continued to grow. He recorded over 200 pieces during his career.

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 produced the album The Trio which won the1974 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance. It was a nice surprise to find the The Trio CD among Jim's collection.  I've been listening to it all week as I drove to work.  It is truly joyous music.

Songs on the CD include:

• Blues Etude
• Chicago Blues
• Easy Listenin' Blues
• Come Sunday
• Secret Love

All great! Listen to some Oscar Peterson here.

Listen to a piano lesson here.


Also, I am reminded  of Black Books, The Entertainer, where Manny (Bill Bailey) plays the piano.

Peterson passed in December 2007 and is remembered through the Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival. Check it out.  Maybe you can attend.

Steve Winwood Roll With It

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.

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 Put On Your Dancing Shoes by  Steve Winwood and Will Jennings.

"Life's a dance; put on your dancing shoes; take a chance ..."

What a wonderful reminder to go on living - and living well. So I'll put on my dancing shoes and tap dance on!

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.

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 While you See a Chance, Back in the High Life Again, Higher Love, and Roll With It. 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.

The CD Roll With It was released in 1988 by Virgin Records of America Inc. Songs include:

•  Roll With It
• Holding Oh
• The Morning Side
• Put on Your Dancing Shoes
• Don't You Know What the Night Can Do?
• Hearts on Fire
• One More Morning
• Shining Song

I like them all.  Learn more about Winwood at his website, or listen to Roll With It on Youtube.  Don't forget your dancing shoes!

Yellowjackets Samurai Samba

Oh! So that's where those tunes originated from.

 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!

The 1985 album was produced by Tommy LiPuma and Yellowjackets, with: 

• Russell Ferrante, keyboards
• Jimmy Haslip, bass
• Ricky Lawson, drums/electric drums
• Marc Russo, alto sax
• Also, in later editions:
• Carlos Rios, guitar
• Michael Landau, guitar
• Paulinho Da Costa, percussion
• Bobby Caldwell, Marilyn Scott, Paulinho Da Costa and Carl Caldwell, vocals
• Bobby Caldwell, lead vocal on “Lonely Weekend”
• Paulo da Costa Jr., vocals on “Los Mambos”

Tracks include:

• Homecoming (Ferrante)
• Deat Beat (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson/Russo) 
• Daddy’s Gonna Miss You (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson/Russo) 
• Sylvania (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson) 
• Silverlake (Ferrante)  
• Lonely Weekend (Ferrante/Curiale/Lawson/Caldwell) 
• Los Mambos (Ferrante/Russo/da Costa)  
• Samurai Samba (Ferrante) 

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.

Band membership has changed over the years. Current 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.

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 itinerary for a concert or workshop you don't want to miss.

Listen  to Yellowjackets Samurai Samba and more at its website, or take home some of its music from the amazon Buzz Store.      

Brinsley Schwarz - Silver Pistol / Please Don't Ever Change

I'm back. Been listening to the music, but did not feel like writing. Guess it is time to get back at it.

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.

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. 

Silver Pistols includes:

•  Dry Land (Gomm)
• Merry Go Round (lowe)
• One More Day (Gomm)
• Nightingslr (Lowe)
• Silver Pistol (Lowe)
• The Last Time I was Fooled (Lowe)
• Unknown Number (Lowe)
• Range War (Gomm) 
• Egypt (Lowe)
• Niki Hoeke Speedway (Ford)
• Ju Ju Man (Ford /Vegas)
• Rockin'Chair (Gomm)

Please Don't Ever Change consists of:

• Hooked On Love (Gomm)
• Why Do We Hurt The One We Love (Lowe)
• I Worry (')Bout You Baby ) (Lowe)
• Don't Ever Change (Goffin / King)
• Home In My Hand (Self)
• Play That Fast Thing (One More Time) (Lowe)
• I Won't Make It Without You (Lowe)
• Down in Mexico (Lowe)
• Speedoo (Navarro)
• The Version (Hypocrite) (Sibbles)

The band played together from 1969 through 1975. Members went on to various bands including Ducks Deluxe  and various solo careers.

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.

Catch a glimpse of Brinsley Schwarz  on Wikipedia. Or listen to Please Don't Ever Change or  Down in Mexico.

I hope you discover some old favorites.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Eddie Daniels - Blackwood

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.

Imagine my surprise when I pulled Eddie Daniels Blackwood from Jim's CD collection. His clarinet playing was remarkably smooth and enjoyable. Titles included are:

• Blackwood
• Cruise
• Heartsong
• P.I.
• Toucan Dance
• Black Diamond Run
• Clara's Heart
• Walking the Line
• Blackwood (Reprise)
• Blue Waltz

Each piece has wonderful percussion wrapped around Eddie's jazz clarinet playing.  It is awesome!  I'm not kidding.  Listen to Blackwood here.  And then he continues his magnificent playing in a classical setting. 

Produced by Dave Grusin, Rob Mounsey, and himself, Blackwood was released in 1980 by GRP Records Inc. The title, Blackwood, makes reference to the African Blackwood, from which the finest clarinets are made.

If you would like to learn more about Eddie and his remarkable musical career, visit his Web site.

After hearing Eddie's music, I'll never again think of clarinet playing as sick geese.