A Century of Music

[Zeeba Neighba]

Max Roach - We Insist! (Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite) - (1960)
Bill Evans Trio - Portrait In Jazz (1960)
Freddie Hubbard - Open Sesame (1960)
Tina Brooks - True Blue (1960)

Jazzy day with some incredible albums
Max Roach developed We Insist (with lyrics by Oscar Brown) with the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation (1963) in mind. Jazz vocalist and activist Abbey Lincoln provides the vocals. Classic cover honoring the sit-in movements of the era. Powerful stuff.
Portrait of Jazz finds Evans trio primarily covering ballads, but definitely with unique interpretations.
Finally trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's debut along with True Blue both albums which have Hubbard and tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks. Brooks was a talented tenor who sadly was affected by heroin addiction and would not record past 1961 (he died in 1974). This was his only release in the 1960s with Brooks as a leader (other albums would be released posthumously). He also was a sideman with Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell, and Jackie McLean. Wonderful tone - sad he didn't share more of his talent

 

[Ojai Sam]

Max Roach developed We Insist (with lyrics by Oscar Brown) with the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation (1963) in mind. Jazz vocalist and activist Abbey Lincoln provides the vocals. Classic cover honoring the sit-in movements of the era. Powerful stuff.

Back in the day, an album like this would never appear on a major label. Fortunately, Nat Hentoff’s CandId Records had the courage to release this classic expression of anger and frustration.

 

[axolotl]

I just came here to pay my respects to and for Tina Brooks. I know now what Imma gunna play this evening.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Art Farmer & Bennie Golson - Meet the Jazztet (1960)
The Ventures - Walk Don't Run (1960)
The Button Down Mind of Bob Newhart
Clark Terry - Color Changes

End of yesterday and early this morning:
When naming the greatest hard bop jazz groups of the 50s/60s, The Jazz Messengers and Clifford Brown/Max Roach's groups are always mentioned. But don't forget trumpeter Art Famer and tenor Benny Golson who's "Jazztet" recorded 6 albums then reunited in the 1980s for 6 more - very enjoyable. The Jazztet helped launch the career of pianist McCoy Tyner and trombonist Grachan Moncur III

Have always loved the Ventures sound and feel "Walk Don't Run" is one of the best instrumentals of the pop/rock era, but sometimes entire Ventures albums are hit or miss ranging from bold to a bit loungy.

Yes, it's a Century of MUSIC, but how could I ignore a huge album of the year, Bob Newhart's comedy debut. A favorite of my father - remember the LP in our family stereo. Newhart's delivery is perfect - routines like "The Driving Instructor" and "Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Ave" make me still laugh as often as I've heard them.
And yet, I've never paid attention to the header of the album "The Most Celebrated New Comedian Since Atilla the Hun" (which Newhart had originally wanted as the album's title).

Clark Terry's trumpet was often known as "The Happy Horn", and indeed he often has a bright sound, but that moniker undermines the depth his music can have - Color Changes is a rich album with some moody, complex pieces helped certainly by multi-instrumentalist Yusef Lateef

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross - The Hottest New Group in Jazz (1960)
Charles Mingus - Mingus Dynasty (1960)
Julie London - Around Midnight (1960)
Here's Lee Morgan (1960)

May be a couple more albums over the weekend, but pretty solid overview of 1960 so far this week with 26 albums plus my singles playlist - this afternoon decided to branch out to some albums I don't spin much - often not for any particular reason as I've enjoyed playing each of them today

I believe Sam posted about the jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross before - dynamic trio that worked very well together. Nice interpretations, some cool scat. A bit dated in sound today as it sounds like the Manhattan Transfer who were indeed influenced by this trio

Mingus Dynasty is often overlooked in Mingus' discography released right between his breakthrough Ah Um and the fantastic Blues & Roots (technically Pre-Bird is in there too). Very different as many of the songs were originally conceived for TV and film scores mixed with some covers (Ellington's "Mood Indigo" is outstanding). Bit of a hodgepodge album, but always interesting. The cover cracks me up, though Mingus didn't choose it to be satirical - it reflects his part-Chinese heritage

Julie London's albums of cool, late-night jazzy songs are consistent throughout the era. One can just picture playing this in 1960 on your hi-fi for a romantic evening.

Trumpeter Lee Morgan was only 21 yet had been recording as a leader for several years. Lee has such a wonderful tone - again not sure why I don't break this one out as much as other Lee Morgan albums - it's quite good. "I'm A Fool to Want You" is like buttah!

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

It's Monday - starting a new year - 1961

Top Singles of 1961
1) "Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis
2) "I Fall to Pieces" by Patsy Cline
3) "Michael" by The Highwaymen
4) "Crying" by Roy Orbison
5) "Runaway" by Del Shannon
6) "My True Story" by The Jive Five
7) "Pony Time" by Chubby Checker
8) "Wheels" by The String-A-Longs
9) "Raindrops" by Dee Clark
10) "Wooden Heart" by Joe Dowell
11) "Calcutta" by Lawrence Welk
12) "Take Good Care of My Baby" by Bobby Vee
13) "Running Scared" by Roy Orbison
14) "Dedicated to the One I Love" by The Shirelles
15) "Last Night" by The Mar-Keys
16) "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles
17) "Exodus" by Ferrante & Teicher
18) "Where the Boys Are" by Connie Francis
19) "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles
20) "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)" by Sue Thompson

Plenty of other great singles too:
"Shop Around" by The Miracles
"A Hundred Pounds of Clay" by Gene McDaniels
"Stand by Me" by Ben E. King
"Crazy" by Patsy Cline
"The Wanderer" and "Runaround Sue" by Dion
"Quarter to Three" by Gary U.S. Bonds
"Please Mr. Postman" by The Marvelettes
"Heart and Soul" by The Cleftones
"Can't Help Falling in Love, "Little Sister", and "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame" by Elvis Presley
"Blue Moon" by The Marcels
"Duke of Earl" by Gene Chandler
"Unchain My Heart" by Ray Charles
"Cupid" by Sam Cooke
"I Don't Want to Cry" by Chuck Jackson
"Gypsy Woman" by The Impressions
"Baby It's You" and "Mama Said" by The Shirelles
"Barbara Ann" by The Regents
"Night Train" by James Brown
"Ya Ya" by Lee Dorsey
"Moon River" by Jerry Butler
"Some Kind of Wonderful" by The Drifters

101 Song Playlist today - lots of great music

 

[Ojai Sam]

Yes, it's a Century of MUSIC, but how could I ignore a huge album of the year, Bob Newhart's comedy debut. A favorite of my father - remember the LP in our family stereo. Newhart's delivery is perfect - routines like "The Driving Instructor" and "Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Ave" make me still laugh as often as I've heard them.
And yet, I've never paid attention to the header of the album "The Most Celebrated New Comedian Since Atilla the Hun" (which Newhart had originally wanted as the album's title).

This one was on my family stereo, too.

Newhart’s style of standup was tailor made for records.

 

[axolotl]

This one was on my family stereo, too.

Newhart’s style of standup was tailor made for records.

Ditto from here. Family stereos were large consoles back then. Ours graced our father's home long after it was playable.

Newhart's comedic delivery translated so well to television. And, who among us didn't have a crush on Suzanne Pleshette?

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

John Coltrane - My Favorite Things (1961)
Frank Sinatra - Ring-A-Ding-Ding (1961)
Ray Charles - Genius + Soul = Jazz (1961)
Milt Jackson & John Coltrane - Bags & Trane (1961)

After Giant Steps, 1961 was a big year for Coltrane with the two albums above as well as several other release (Ole Coltrane, Africa/Brass). Will hit most of these this week. My Favorite Things is an oft-played album of mine (own on vinyl too) not just because of the famous title track, but also his takes on "Summertime" and (a ballad I adore) "Everytime We Say Goodbye. This album placed the then infrequently-used soprano sax front and center for the first time since the 1930s with Sidney Bechet (aside from Steve Lacy's work).
My 16 year old sarcastically thanks John Coltrane for his influence in popularizing "My Favorite Thing" leading it to it being covered as a Christmas song by several artists in the 1960s ("It's NOT a Christmas song!")

In between the Coltrane albums (Bags and Trane released in '61 though recorded in '59 is always welcome due to Milt's vibes), a nice swingin' Sinatra album - his inaugural album for his Reprise label - and a great Ray Charles album with big band arrangements by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - A Night At Tunisia (1961)
Miles Davis - Someday My Prince Will Come (1961)
Yusef Lateef - Eastern Sounds (1961)
Judy Garland - Judy at Carnegie Hall (1961)

Today's listening thus far.
Blakey has released several takes of Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia" - probably a favorite of his as he has noted he was there when Dizzy wrote the song on a garbage can lid. Nice soloists here - Lee Morgan and tenor Wayne Shorter

Someday My Prince Will Come, recorded in 1961, is certainly not as critically-esteemed c/w Kind of Blue or Sketches of Spain, but still damn good. Coltrane is here on the title track and on "Teo", but most tracks have Hank Mobley on tenor, the only Miles recording session Mobley appears. I'm very fond of the album because it was my second Miles album after Kind of Blue 30 yrs ago

Eastern Sounds is so beautiful...so elegant...I'm just not sure why I don't listen to this one 2-3 times every year.

Finally Judy Garland's Carnegie Hall album - extremely popular when released - highlights what a charismatic performer she is. Garland too often at this stage is viewed through the lens of her addictions and depression. Here though she's at her peak (I prefer to think of her this way) - the audience loves it.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - A Night At Tunisia (1961)
Miles Davis - Someday My Prince Will Come (1961)
Yusef Lateef - Eastern Sounds (1961)
Judy Garland - Judy at Carnegie Hall (1961)

Someday My Prince Will Come, recorded in 1961, is certainly not as critically-esteemed c/w Kind of Blue or Sketches of Spain, but still damn good. Coltrane is here on the title track and on "Teo", but most tracks have Hank Mobley on tenor, the only Miles recording session Mobley appears. I'm very fond of the album because it was my second Miles album after Kind of Blue 30 yrs ago.

The beautiful woman gracing this cover was Miles’ wife, Frances Taylor Davis.

Wiki shares the sad story of their tempestuous relationship:

Taylor first met Davis when she was dancing at Ciro's nightclub in Los Angeles in 1953. When she traveled back to Chicago, Davis was also in town for gigs. Taylor introduced Davis to her family and he asked her father for her hand in marriage to which he said, "No." Taylor also rejected his proposal. Instead, Taylor married Jean-Marie Durand in Mexico City in 1955 where they were both performing. Durand was of Haitian descent and also a member of the Katherine Dunham's dance troupe; they met in Argentina in 1954. Following the marriage, she left the troupe and gave birth to a son, Jean-Pierre Durand. After Taylor separated from her husband, she ran into Davis in New York City in 1957 and he told her, "Now that I've found you, I'll never let you go."

Taylor and Davis were married in Toldeo, Ohio on December 21, 1959. She became his muse, influencing his change in musical direction. He wrote the song for her called "Fran Dance" on his album Jazz Track (1959). Her role in the musical Porgy and Bessinspired his album Porgy and Bess (1959). His album Sketches of Spain (1960) was inspired by a flamenco performance Taylor insisted they attend. Davis also put Taylor on the cover of multiple albums, including Someday My Prince Will Come (1961). However, their marriage was marred by domestic violence. Davis became increasingly violent towards Taylor as his cocaine addiction and alcohol abuse worsened. "Every time I hit her, I felt bad because a lot of it really wasn’t her fault but had to do with me being temperamental and jealous," Davis wrote in his 1990 memoir Miles: The Autobiography. Shortly after Taylor and Davis were photographed together for the cover of his album E.S.P. in 1965, she fled from him and went to stay with her friend singer Nancy Wilson in California. Taylor filed for divorce in 1966; it was finalized in 1968.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley (1961)
Bill Evans Trio - Sunday at the Village Vanguard (1961)
West Side Story (Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1961)
Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (1961)
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook (1961)
Jimmy Smith - Midnight Special (1961)

Last night and today's listening.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, but excited to be doing this exercise to refresh my memory about wonderful albums like Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley's collaboration - Have owned it for many years, but doesn't come to mind when looking for album choices

As I mentioned when the Broadway cast album came up, the film soundtrack of West Side Story was one of my first albums owned (on 8-track). Paid special attention on the overture and prologue today - Bernstein's score in outstanding.

Ella's Harold Arlen song book doesn't get as much attention as the ones I've spun over the past few years (Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Gerswin, Duke, Rodgers & Hart), but it's worth hearing too - musically, Billy May's orchestra really brings it. Lots of verve (always get a kick out of Ella's version of "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead"

Though recorded in two 1956 sessions, Miles four "-in'" albums were spaced out on release - listened to all four of them with Steamin' the last released. Contains a fun version of Oklahoma!'s "Surry with the Fringe on Top". Also Dizzy Gillespie's "Salt Peanuts" and a beautiful finale with "When I Fall in Love" from a Robert Mitchum war film One Minute to Zero. Best known for its Nat King Cole cover, found out today, Rick Astley did a cover (which almost won the UK Christmas Number One until overtaken by the Pet Shop Boys "Always on My Mind")
Hmmm....quite the fun fact

 

[axolotl]

As I mentioned when the Broadway cast album came up, the film soundtrack of West Side Story was one of my first albums owned (on 8-track).

Bitd, 8-track was the shit. I can just imagine someone listening to an 8-track copy of WSS while toodling around with his friends in-tow. Reminds me of that scene in Fast Times, with "Kashmir."

Though recorded in two 1956 sessions, Miles four "-in'" albums were spaced out on release - listened to all four of them with Steamin' the last released. Contains a fun version of Oklahoma!'s "Surry with the Fringe on Top". Also Dizzy Gillespie's "Salt Peanuts" and a beautiful finale with "When I Fall in Love" from a Robert Mitchum war film One Minute to Zero.

Miles had foreign albums? Ah, okay... I get it now. Never mind.

Best known for its Nat King Cole cover, found out today, Rick Astley did a cover (which almost won the UK Christmas Number One until overtaken by the Pet Shop Boys "Always on My Mind")
Hmmm....quite the fun fact

Did Rick Astley end up rick-rolling himself? I wonder if he derives any income or joy from the memetic experience of his one, most-repeated song.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Final day of 1961 (feel like still so many left on table)
John Coltrane - Africa/Brass (1961)
Oliver Nelson - The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961)
Hank Mobley - Roll Call (1961)
Bobby Bland - Two Steps from the Blues (1961)
The Shadows - The Shadows (1961)

LOVE Africa/Brass - in my top 3 Coltrane albums. His quartet plays with a big band for a total of 21 musicians. Still bold/experimental but what a great sound.

Again The Blues And the Abstract Truth is one of those truly great, critically celebrated albums that I sometimes forget about probably because I don't really listen to much Oliver Nelson. But what a cast! Dolphy, Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard!

Freddie Hubbard, 23 y old at the time, had his first album as a leader just the year before, but he is all over this year in jazz, not only on Nelson's album but here with Hank Mobley and Coltrane too. He released three albums in 1961 (not sure if I'll get to them) and was also on a couple of Art Blakey albums and sets with Duke Pearson, J.J. Johnson, Dexter Gordon, Curtis Fuller, and Jackie McLean - all in 1961 (!!!)

Moving away from jazz for the last two albums of the day - Bobby Bland's Two Steps from the Blues is about as good as a vocal blues/soul album can get. Then on to the British instrumental/guitar group The Shadows who influenced so many of the future mid/late 60s guitarists to follow (Clapton, Gilmore, Knoffler, Iommi all cited as influences)

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Lot of listening today but some greats left on the table (Ole Coltrane, Dolphy at the 5 Spot, Booker Little's Out Front, Stan Getz's Focus, Thelonious Monk with Coltrane
Heading on a trip this weekend so might not get to some of these Still fill hit a good representation of 1961....1962 awaits Monday - decade's about to get REAL!!

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

1962 Playlist - 96 of the year's big songs

Top Singles of 1962
1) "Stranger on the Shore" by Acker Bilk
2) "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles
3) "Mashed Potato Time" by Dee Dee Sharp
4) "Roses are Red (My Love)" by Bobby Vinton
5) "The Stripper" by David Rose
6) "Johnny Angel" by Shelly Fabares
7) "The Loco-Motion" by Little Eva
8) "Let Me In" by The Sensations
9) "The Twist" by Chubby Checker
10) "Soldier Boy" by The Shirelles
11) "Hey! Baby" by Bruce Chanel
12) "The Wanderer" by Dion
13) "Duke of Earl" by Gene Chandler
14) "Palisade Park" by Freddie Cannon
15) "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" by Neil Sedaka

Acker Bilk, a goateed British clarinetist, played the instrumental "Stranger on the Shore" which would be the first British single to top the U.S. charts ushering in the British invasion (well not really, but interesting trivia)

Other great songs of the year:
"Twistin' The Night Away", "Having a Party", and "Bring It On Home to Me" by Sam Cooke
"Green Onions" by Booker T. & The MG's"
"You Really Got A Hold On Me" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
"Sherry" and "Big Girls Don't Cry" by The Four Seasons
"Return to Sender" by Elvis Presley
"These Arms of Mine" by Otis Presley
"Up on the Roof" by The Drifters
"Twist and Shout" by The Isley Brothers
"Wipe Out" by The Surfaris
"Do You Love Me" by The Contours
"He's A Rebel", "He's Sure the Boy I Love" and "Uptown" by The Crystals
"Soldier Boy" by The Shirelles
"Tell Him" by The Exciters
"Beachwood 4-5789" by The Marvelettes
"Chains" by The Cookies (Great year for "girl groups" as you can see by the last few songs)
"Lover Please" by Clyde McPhatter
"Pipleline" by The Chantays
"Miserlou" by Dick Dale (oh yeah and a good year for surf music)

Oh year, and two songs released in England (though wouldn't be a big thing for a couple of years here:
"P.S. I Love You"
"Love Me Do"
Both by a little quartet

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Starting albums of 1962:
Booker T. & the MG's - Green Onions (1962)
The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem - Hearty and Hellish!: A Live Nightclub Performance (1962)
Stan Gets & Charlie Byrd - Jazz Samba (1962)
Peter, Paul and Mary - Peter, Paul, and Mary (1962)

Green Onions was the first album released on the Stax label (three prior albums recorded at Stax were released on Atlantic). Also first Stax album to chart hitting the top 40.

It's not March yet, but any month great (for me anyway) for The Clancy's and their white cableknit sweaters

Of course, Getz/Gilberto would be huge, but Jazz Samba is as enjoyable and ushered in the bossa nova movement into the U.S. (which still influences jazz today). But you know that - it was an original MG album pick

Finally Peter, Paul, & Mary's debut. As I listen to the music of this era, I think of my parents who were 22 and 18 respectively - but not sure that they listened to much of this stuff contemporaneously with the music's release. My dad was a Clancy Brothers fan and enjoyed Peter Paul & Mary (but later). He enjoyed older music when younger e.g. big band. My mom did like teen artists like Fabian, Mario Lanza, and Frankie Avalon, but I don't think was an album person and wasn't into things we now look back and consider critically esteemed.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Starting albums of 1962:
Booker T. & the MG's - Green Onions (1962)
The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem - Hearty and Hellish!: A Live Nightclub Performance (1962)
Stan Gets & Charlie Byrd - Jazz Samba (1962)
Peter, Paul and Mary - Peter, Paul, and Mary (1962)

Green Onions was the first album released on the Stax label (three prior albums recorded at Stax were released on Atlantic). Also first Stax album to chart hitting the top 40.

It's not March yet, but any month great (for me anyway) for The Clancy's and their white cableknit sweaters

Of course, Getz/Gilberto would be huge, but Jazz Samba is as enjoyable and ushered in the bossa nova movement into the U.S. (which still influences jazz today). But you know that - it was an original MG album pick

Finally Peter, Paul, & Mary's debut. As I listen to the music of this era, I think of my parents who were 22 and 18 respectively - but not sure that they listened to much of this stuff contemporaneously with the music's release. My dad was a Clancy Brothers fan and enjoyed Peter Paul & Mary (but later). He enjoyed older music when younger e.g. big band. My mom did like teen artists like Fabian, Mario Lanza, and Frankie Avalon, but I don't think was an album person and wasn't into things we now look back and consider critically esteemed.

Gotta check out that CB&TM live set. It’s almost time to haul out Zeeba’s world famous Celtic playlist!

The beer is actually green. Use your imagination!

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (Vol. 1 & 2) - (1962)
Bill Evans and Jim Hall - Undercurrent (1962)

More listening today starting with both volumes of Ray's C&W albums
Then onto one of my favorite album covers (and pretty darn good music too). The guitar of Hall and piano of Evans work perfectly together. Low key duet, mellow but intricate and uber-cool.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Today's listening:
Dexter Gordon - Go (1962)
Charles Mingus - Tijuana Moods (1962)
Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan (1962)
Sonny Rollins - The Bridge (1962)
Bill Evans - Waltz for Debbie (1962)

Still lots of great jazz this year:
Go is probably my favorite album of the year - have always loved Gordon's tone as a tenor saxophonist but also his mix of animated uptempo numbers (with humorous "samples" of other numbers thrown in) and the beauty with which he approaches a ballad.

Tijuana Moods - this era of Mingus is tremendous. Really dig the Latin flavors he uses on this album

(A break from a jazzy Thursday) Bob Dylan's debut - have always felt it's just a'ight - not sure if I was picking this up in 1962 if I would at all predict the greatness to come

After a three year hiatus, Rollins (who was the preeminent experimental saxophonist in the late 50s) returned after honing his craft. Reviews were just OK not because it wasn't a great album, but because not 'Trane and Ornette had hit the scene and critics felt Sonny was not following enough in their paths. Still, I love Rollins choice to expand his sax trio with a guitar instead of piano (and Jim Hall is always great)

A second recording taken from The Bill Evans Trio live dates at the Village Vanguard, and the last of this classic piano trio. Bassist Scott LaFaro died in a car accident ten days later. Evans would go into a year's seclusion, hit hard by LaFaro's death. He would reform a trio later in 1963. Evans would continue through the 1960s to be prolific but arguably never quite hit the heights of the original trio