What are you listening to? June 2020
- Thread starter Unsomnambulist
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rating.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
Gotta dig that one out.Illinois Jacquet vs Flip Phillips - Mayhem In Manhattan (1947)
Tower of Power - Tower of Power (1973)
George Duke - After Hours (1998)
Various Artists - WattStax: Music From The WattStax Festival and Film (recorded 1972, released 2007)(disc 1 of 3)
As everything about this (except for the recording quality) is about 98% in my wheelhouse, I'm embarrassed to admit I almost never listen to it. Even more embarrassing, that lack of listening has nothing to do with forgetting about it. Where it physically resides in my CD collection is literally right beside the CD player, in the standalone (all other shelves are built-in) CD stand that holds St-Z. Whenever I peruse my collection for something to listen to and consider that stand, I can't help by notice this set. Yet, I always bypass it.
I'm glad I did not bypass today. The first three tracks are straight fire. "Salvation Symphony" is a dynamic salve. It's refreshing to hear the voice of a young Jesse Jackson speak on the 2nd track, the official introduction to the festival/album -- "I am ... SOMEBODY!" indeed. And the official opening song, "Lift Every Voice And Sing" is something that has been on my mind for over a week but I couldn't remember an album to turn to to hear it. Kim Weston sings it here and it's about as perfect a rendition as can be.
As everything about this (except for the recording quality) is about 98% in my wheelhouse, I'm embarrassed to admit I almost never listen to it. Even more embarrassing, that lack of listening has nothing to do with forgetting about it. Where it physically resides in my CD collection is literally right beside the CD player, in the standalone (all other shelves are built-in) CD stand that holds St-Z. Whenever I peruse my collection for something to listen to and consider that stand, I can't help by notice this set. Yet, I always bypass it.
I'm glad I did not bypass today. The first three tracks are straight fire. "Salvation Symphony" is a dynamic salve. It's refreshing to hear the voice of a young Jesse Jackson speak on the 2nd track, the official introduction to the festival/album -- "I am ... SOMEBODY!" indeed. And the official opening song, "Lift Every Voice And Sing" is something that has been on my mind for over a week but I couldn't remember an album to turn to to hear it. Kim Weston sings it here and it's about as perfect a rendition as can be.
the liner notes said:
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Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Elephant9 & Reine Fiske - Atlantis (2012)
Dayna Stephens - Peace (2014)
This is a great assemblage of talented musicians. Usually when I listen to this, I respect it but feel it is too slow as a whole. This time, I am slowing down with it and appreciating the magnificent musicianship. Of course, Julian Lage makes that a little easier. He never misplays a note and every string is perfectly touched.
This is a great assemblage of talented musicians. Usually when I listen to this, I respect it but feel it is too slow as a whole. This time, I am slowing down with it and appreciating the magnificent musicianship. Of course, Julian Lage makes that a little easier. He never misplays a note and every string is perfectly touched.
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Crazy Doberman - s/t (2019)
Freddie Hubbard - Liquid Love (1975)
Listening to this and paying close attention, I have a hard time reconciling the disdain it receives. TWO stars on AllMusicGuide? Really?
Granted, it's not Goin' Up or Hub-Tones, but then again Liquid Love was not released in 1960-1962. Granted, it's not as good as Red Clay or Sky Dive, but then again, Liquid Love wasn't released by CTI. Hubbard's supporting sounds changed from 1960 to 1968 to 1972 to 1975. That's to be expected with the public's finnicky tastes changing constantly. Constant change by Miles was respected by the critics, if not immediately, then not long after. Hubbard did the same, only in a different way. What didn't change was Hubbard's phraseology. Listening to him lead and solo, this is pure Hubbard, slightly updated to suit his aging self. Fortunately, I'm not so put off by the admittedly dated backing.
This is trying to straddle where Jazz was in the mid-70s. This is not militantly adhering to the Jazz tradition of the 60s. Thankfully, Hubbard is not trying to mimic Miles Davis of a year or two earlier. And Hubbard isn't trying to copy fusion acts like Weather Report, or directly rip off the burgeoning Smooth Jazz sound of Bob James or the Funky Jazz sound of Grover Washington Jr. Listening to this with an open ear, it's not a reach to say that while this could be accused of sounding like a generic mish mash of mid-70s easy-listening Jazz, I hear a mature lion trying his hand at being as adventurous as Miles was being, or as the Weather Report was being. The end result may not appeal to anyone, but this is not a musician lying low, idly collecting paychecks, and not giving a damn. I hear, and now appreciate the effort and creativity.
Listening to this and paying close attention, I have a hard time reconciling the disdain it receives. TWO stars on AllMusicGuide? Really?
Granted, it's not Goin' Up or Hub-Tones, but then again Liquid Love was not released in 1960-1962. Granted, it's not as good as Red Clay or Sky Dive, but then again, Liquid Love wasn't released by CTI. Hubbard's supporting sounds changed from 1960 to 1968 to 1972 to 1975. That's to be expected with the public's finnicky tastes changing constantly. Constant change by Miles was respected by the critics, if not immediately, then not long after. Hubbard did the same, only in a different way. What didn't change was Hubbard's phraseology. Listening to him lead and solo, this is pure Hubbard, slightly updated to suit his aging self. Fortunately, I'm not so put off by the admittedly dated backing.
This is trying to straddle where Jazz was in the mid-70s. This is not militantly adhering to the Jazz tradition of the 60s. Thankfully, Hubbard is not trying to mimic Miles Davis of a year or two earlier. And Hubbard isn't trying to copy fusion acts like Weather Report, or directly rip off the burgeoning Smooth Jazz sound of Bob James or the Funky Jazz sound of Grover Washington Jr. Listening to this with an open ear, it's not a reach to say that while this could be accused of sounding like a generic mish mash of mid-70s easy-listening Jazz, I hear a mature lion trying his hand at being as adventurous as Miles was being, or as the Weather Report was being. The end result may not appeal to anyone, but this is not a musician lying low, idly collecting paychecks, and not giving a damn. I hear, and now appreciate the effort and creativity.
Jason Isbell - Reunions (2020)
flisten
Very good and very Isbellish. Listening to this for the first time felt very comfortable. I listened to the music and tone of the singing more than I did the lyrics. Looking forward to a second listen.
Very good and very Isbellish. Listening to this for the first time felt very comfortable. I listened to the music and tone of the singing more than I did the lyrics. Looking forward to a second listen.
Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage (1980)
Pharoahe Monche - We Are Renegades (2011)
Idris Elba lends his voice as the narrator to this, which plays out as a story of parts. Hi quality stuff. Among other topics, Pharoahe tackles the issue of mental health in the AA community. In fact, his next album is titled "PTSD"
Idris Elba lends his voice as the narrator to this, which plays out as a story of parts. Hi quality stuff. Among other topics, Pharoahe tackles the issue of mental health in the AA community. In fact, his next album is titled "PTSD"
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Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Trevor Tyrell - Falcons On The Moon EP (2020)
Nickyboy
Staff member
Slide, slide, slippity slide!Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage (1980)
Stefano Bollani - Joy In Spite Of Everything (2014)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Weird Owl - Bubblegum Brainwaves (2017)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - s/t (2019)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
T,FTFY
McCoy Tyner - The Greeting (1978)
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