A Mingus question. It’s well understood that Charles’s discography is quite complicated, but is there a clearly defined starting point for his work as leader. What is his first official album as leader? Thanks!
Actually, Johnny Smith was determined to quit it all, the live gigs and the recording dates. He fulfilled his somewhat longer contractual obligations to record after he quit the live dates and the NYC scene. Occasionally, but very rarely, he let a close friend cajole him into recording (thus the Verve dates). He made his living after he quit from past composing royalties (Walk Don't Run) and his local guitar shop. Companies begged him to record for many years, but he refused. Regarding the super-rich subsidizing musicians, that is the yoke that Mozart broke, when he "went rogue" and refused to compose what the royalty of Europe demanded. He became the first major "independent musician", though his health suffered as a result. I would like to see more of the super-successful musicians supporting the work of the not so successful artists. At least they might support artistic freedom. The amazing thing about Mozart, is that no one really knows what he looked like. Images of him are from the imagination.
As he recorded first in the 78RPM era, his first recordings as a leader were in 1945. His early recordings were overlooked for many years. The very best compilation of his first work as a leader is this CD. If you buy a used copy, be certain to get it in the slipcase with the 100 page book. Often used copies separate the book and slipcase. The book is seriously fantastic.
Yesternow: Based on your new avatar, you have not decided to leave Planet Earth and join Sun Ra and the Arkestra, have you? Space may be the place, but I'll take Earth for what it's worth. Don't tell me you are leaving Earth for the thrills
It isn't HOT until it breaks 90. Celsius that is. That is when playing vinyl becomes hazardous and all you can hope for is to go down streaming.
I like vinyl plenty. Too much, says my wife in complete exasperation. The marketplace is a rip off though.
I enjoyed these Hersch "solo" albums because he can unwind some great lines in this context: At Maybeck Fred Hersch Plays Rodgers And Hammerstein Songs Without Words (3 CD set) I like how he explores "It Might As Well Be Spring" after the familiar chorus (from the Rodgers And Hammerstein album):
Finishing up tonight with contrasting styles on Blue Note: first, one of my favorite soul-jazz style albums from the label... Stanley Turrentine--Never Let Me Go (1992 CD Reissue) Turrentine (ts); Shirley Scott (organ); Major Holley, Sam Jones (b); Al Harewood, Clarence Johnston (d); Ray Barretto (conga, tambourine) The groove and Scott's lines on "Trouble" sold me on this album:
Second, a more free jazz style Blue Note favorite: Cecil Taylor--Conquistador! Taylor (p); Bill Dixon (t); Jimmy Lyons (as); Alan Silva, Henry Grimes (b); Andrew Cyrille (d) "With (Exit)" shows the sound he would increasingly move towards:
Another cool morning with virtually no background noise from the turnpike. So spinning another Zorn Tzadik disc from the rather large pile I have to sell for a friend (or buy for my own collection, although where would you stop? This stuff seems to all be great, something you'd not tire of hearing.) Later today, we are planning to attend an outdoor wedding and reception, which that is supposedly being held in a facility that will have ceiling fans running and open window to make it "safe" and also ( I speculate) to circumvent the local restrictions related to large gatherings. Over half the invitees have already cancelled and we may just split after the ceremony and skip the risk of a large indoor gathering. Everyone be safe out there and have a great weekend. Masada (3) – Gimel DIW – DIW-890 Tracklist 1 Ziphim 9:17 2 Abidan 6:48 3 Katzatz 2:24 4 Hazor 6:04 5 Netivot 3:38 6 Karaim 5:58 7 Hekhal 3:02 8 Sheloshim 8:15 9 Lebaoth 5:12 10 Tannaim 8:54 Credits Alto Saxophone – John Zorn Bass – Greg Cohen Composed By – John Zorn Design [Cover] – Arai Yasunori* Drums – Joey Baron Mastered By – Allan Tucker Producer – John Zorn, Kazunori Sugiyama Recorded By, Mixed By – Jim Anderson Trumpet – Dave Douglas Notes Recorded at RPM, New York City on February 20, 1994 and at Power Station, New York City on June 22, 1994.