The Crusaders "Carnival of the Night"

Thought I'd highlight The Crusaders again and one of their best songs.  This is "Carnival of the Night" from the "Street Life" album, released in 1979.  The title track from this album is probably their best known song.  But, "Carnival of the Night" as explained in a post about them from months back, also stands up very well.  The groove is a hot one and Larry Carlton's solo is equally fiery.  Not to mention of course, the rest of the band (Sample, Felder, Henderson and Hooper), turning in a stirring performance on keys, tenor sax, trombone and drums, respectively.  Dig this!

Passport "Tarantula"

Check out this live version of Passport's "Tarantula" from 2009.  "Tarantula" was originally released on their "Looking Thru" record in 1973.

Frank Gambale "Fe Fi Fo Funk"

Check this out.  This is Frank Gambale and one of his bands doing a really cool tune entitled "Fe Fi Fo Funk".  It definitely has the late '80s, early '90s contemporary jazz sound to it, along with the guitar pyrotechnics of fusion as it originated.  Interestingly (and this is only the second time I've seen this), the second keyboard player (Freddie Ravel), is using some sort of mouthpiece for a wind controller (not an EWI), but rather, something built into the keyboard pitch bend wheel, that allows him to play the keyboard like an EWI or saxophone.  The only other time I've heard that is on a DVD of an Eric Clapton concert when his then keyboardist David Sancious (who has had his own groups and also played with Bruce Springsteen), did the same thing.

Another neat tune to be sure.

jazz fusion revisited (Passport & Frank Gambale solo work)

I have been on a jazz fusion exploratory kick today for some reason.  So, I thought I'd better post some of my findings.  I ended up discovering some wicked Frank Gambale solo numbers and, that led me to finding a band that my brother Charlie introduced me to that is still popular in Europe, but has not really been noticed here.  They are from Germany.  The band is called Passport.  Their main members are:

Klaus Doldinger: saxophone, flute
Wolfgang Schmid: bass
Curt Cress: drums
Udo Lindenberg: drums
Kristian Schultze: keyboards

There are other members who have probably played those instruments on their recordings, but sadly, the Wikipedia page describing them doesn't necessarily have info on, or credit those musicians.  I know Wikipedia tends to be quite inaccurate.  But, here's the link to their page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passport_%28band%29

They do also have a band website as well that has short samples of some of their best work as well as info on the band and a discography.

www.passportjazz.com

Their two major early albums that garnered them success are their self titled record from 1972 and "Handmade" from 1973 for which the album art is an animated landscape of a sunset or sunrise over mountains with a giant green hand risen up from one of the mountains.  Sadly, (even though my brother does possess one of their original records), the only way to really hear their music is either through YouTube or short clips on the band's website.  But, they are still playing and still creating music.  In coming posts, I will highlight some of it.  Stay tuned. 

Additionally, I have found some interesting videos of Frank Gambale and his solo work, particularly from the early '90s, a long time before he joined Chick Corea's Elektric Band and subsequently, Return To Forever.  Will post some of that, too.  It's good stuff.  Stay tuned for more fusion and further music ideas.  Until then, keep your ears open and check out good music.

Lee Roy Parnell "On The Road"

I am choosing to highlight an artist that kind of crosses between my love of country music, blues, and good old fashioned, southern fried boogie jam rock.  Lee Roy Parnell had success melding all those styles into his brand of country music in the 1990s and is still making records and performing at this point in time.  The thing that sets him apart from a lot of country guitarists is that he can not only genuinely sing and write songs, but, like a lot of my favorite blues and jam rock players, he's a gifted slide guitar player as well.  Will review an album of his in the not too distant future.  In the meantime, enjoy this song.  "On The Road", circa 1993.

"Midnight Rider" Farm Aid 2007 feat. Gregg Allman & Willie Nelson

Two of my favorite artists of all time (Gregg Allman and Willie Nelson), performing an acoustic take on "Midnight Rider" at Willie Nelson's Farm Aid benefit concert in 2007.

This is good!

Frank Zappa: "Excentrifugal Forz"

After seeing Frank Zappa's son Dweezil play as the opening act for Return To Forever last summer, I have begun to dig Zappa's stuff.  I need to delve into a ton more of it that exists.  But, here is the first, short and hilarious song by Zappa that I got into.  This is "Excentrifugal Forz" which was not in the set list for Dweezil's set opening for RTF however.  This track is from Zappa's record entitled "Apostrophe". 

Etta James "Sugar On The Floor"

Here's another tribute to Etta James.  Her great cover of Kiki Dee's "Sugar On The Floor".  Pure soul in this tune: 'nuff said.

In Memoriam: Etta James

The legendary blues/soul singer Etta James has passed away after a long battle with leukemia.  I had the privilege of seeing her perform live in 2007 at the Minnesota State Fair along with Al Green and B.B. King.  She performed many of her classic songs such as "At Last", "Tell Mama" and the Randy Newman penned tune, "Sugar on the Floor" with a large band including a horn section.  She is one of the most significant female singers of our time.  She influenced many artists to be sure.  She won six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.  She had a career lasting over five decades.

 Here is the full story.

http://www.spinner.com/2012/01/20/etta-james-dead-dies/?icid=maing-grid7|maing5|dl1|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D129008

 As a tribute.  Here is a version of "At Last".  Enjoy this.  Rest In Peace, Etta.

Eric Johnson "Cliffs of Dover"

Check out this song.  "Cliffs of Dover" by guitar wizard Eric Johnson.  I had the pleasure of witnessing Johnson's masterful technique as he was a part of the Experience Hendrix Tour when they played a concert with a large cast of guitarists and other musicians at the Orpheum Theater in 2010.  Johnson usually plays this song on a Fender Stratocaster.  But, finding this version to be interesting, I have chosen one (that was linked via Facebook as the source), where Johnson is playing a fairly original looking Gibson SG.  This is a gorgeous display of his virtuosity as a guitarist.

Record collection revisited: The Essential Mingus Big Band

First off, I must write a disclaimer.  This record is not an original Mingus album.  Rather it is a reformation in a way of Charlie Mingus’ band for a tribute to him, playing all his major songs.  The genius bassist was a wild man and so were the guys in his band.  They were definitely rock stars, showing up drunk to performances and still playing, but probably causing a lot of antics onstage and off.  This record features all those zany, wild elements of Mingus’ original band with a bunch of players who probably did play with Mingus in the latter part of his career.  But, all his major songs covered here, are indeed Mingus compositions.  The idea for this project came from Charlie Mingus’ widow, Sue Mingus.7

Some of them are very intriguing and some, humorous.  The humor side really shows on off the wall tracks like “Eat That Chicken” and “Moanin’ “, which in and of itself is a serious tune, but the beginning has the band cheering on the baritone sax player on his opening solo.  Here is the track listing for the Mingus tribute album.  Also, a lot of these songs are available in original form.  I might discuss some of them in other posts.  The idea for this blog post came basically from my posting of Stanley Clarke’s cover of “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”, one of Mingus’ all time classics.

Here’s the track listing for the tribute album:

 

1.       Haitian Fight Song

 

2.       Gunslinging Bird

 

3.       Eat That Chicken

4.       Self Portrait in Three Colors

 

5.       Moanin’

6.       Boogie Stop Shuffle

      

7.       Nostalgia in Times Square

8.       Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

9.       Medley: Fables of Faubus/Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting

Credited arrangers & soloists on each track:

 

1.       Haitian Fight Song (arr. Sy Johnson) = Boris Kozlov: bass, Alex Foster: soprano saxophone, Randy Brecker: trumpet, John Hicks: piano, Jonathan Blake: drums

2.       Gunslinging Bird (arr. Steve Slagle) = Adam Cruz: drums, David Lee Jones: alto saxophone, Ku-umba Frank Lacy: trombone

3.       Eat That Chicken (arr. Ronnie Cuber) = Ku-umba Frank Lacy: trombone

4.       Self Portrait In Three Colors (arr. Charles Mingus) No solos

5.       Moanin’ (arr. Sy Johnson) = Ronnie Cuber: baritone saxophone, Ryan Kisor: trumpet, Art Baron: trombone

6.       Boogie Stop Shuffle (arr. Sy Johnson) = Ryan Kisor: trumpet, Gary Bartz: alto saxophone, Kenny Drew Jr.: piano, Adam Cruz: drums

7.       Nostalgia in Times Square (arr. Ronnie Cuber) = Ronnie Cuber: narration, baritone saxophone: Randy Brecker: trumpet, Kenny Drew Jr.: piano, Michael Formanek: bass

8.       Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (arr. Sy Johnson) = Seamus Blake: tenor saxophone, Boris Koslov: bass

9.       Fables of Faubus/Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting

Fables of Faubus (arr. Steve Slagle)  Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting (arr. The Mingus Big Band Workshop) = Phil Harper: trumpet & Steve Slagle: alto saxophone 

So, no, this record is not a definitive Mingus recording.  But, as a tribute to the man and his music, it stands up well for what it is and is very enjoyable to listen to if you are a Mingus fan or a big band jazz fan.  For definitive recordings by Mingus, I suggest fully researching him, because he was an amazing, genius bassist and composer who brought many contributions to the jazz world.

Stanley Clarke Band: "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"

When I saw Stanley Clarke and his solo band play The Dakota back in March, 2011, (the specific date of the show was March 15th, 2011), this song was one of the most mesmerizing musical experiences I've ever had.
Clarke and his band covered Charlie Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" which Mingus wrote as a tribute to jazz saxophone great, Lester Young.

It was a moment of pure musical bliss where I felt myself just sitting there, watching the band, but at the same time, being able to completely take in the experience of what I was hearing.  This video comes from a link to a website found through Facebook called All Bass, No Treble.  It is a YouTube video and can be accessed through the link.  Enjoy!  Stanley Clarke with pianist, Hiromi, drummer Ronald Bruner Jr., and keyboardist Rusian Sirota.  Prepare to be amazed.

http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/01/13/stanley-clarke-band-featuring-hiromi-goodbye-pork-pie-hat/

Also, found a video FROM the performance I went to at the Dakota Jazz Club featuring Stanley Clarke on March 15th, 2011.  The song, "Pork Pie Hat".  Look at both videos if desired, because the one in the article only covers half the tune.

record collection revisited: Corea, Clarke & White "Forever"

Having seen Return To Forever, having a chance to meet the band after that concert, and also, having posted about what their music is here, I wanted to revisit what they contribute to the world of jazz and jazz fusion music by looking closer at the new double album by their three core members, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White.

In 2011, the trio released "Forever" which is a live and in-studio record that covers many jazz standards as well as songs by Return To Forever as a band, done as a trio, or, as the quartet of RTF, though this is NOT (repeat, not), indicated to be a Return To Forever album.  The two discs completely contrast each other.  Disc one is traditional trio or combo, acoustic jazz.  It is comprised of Chick on grand piano, Stanley on bass, and Lenny on drums.  There are a couple Return To Forever numbers as well as jazz standards and songs Chick Corea wrote for other projects on that disc.

Disc two is the full electric band that is essentially what Return To Forever has become throughout their career.  It is Cora, Clarke, White, Jean Luc Ponty, and Bill Connors (the original RTF guitarist), playing.  Connors was meant to be on the tour in 2011 but health issues prevented him from going out on the road, so, Frank Gambale took his place.  Either way, RTF has had three amazing guitarists in their lineup over the years between Connors, Al di Meola, or Frank Gambale.  They are all very talented musicians and bring their own flair to the songs.  Connors shines on the electric portion of the album.  Chaka Khan makes a guest appearance on vocals for a few of the tracks on the more electric sounding disc in the set, singing lead vocals on "High Wire - The Aerialist", and "I Loves You, Porgy" (George Gershwin).  There are superb covers on this record in addition to the RTF inspired material, or Chick Corea solo pieces.

Here's the track listing

Disc 1

Acoustic

1. On Green Dolphin Street     (Kaper & Washington)
2. Waltz for Debbie                 (Evans & Lees)
3. Bud Powell                         (Chick Corea)
4. La Cancion de Sofia            (Stanley Clarke)
5. Windows                             (Chick Corea)
6. Hackensack                         (Thelonius Monk)
7. No Mystery                         (Chick Corea)
8. Senor Mouse                       (Chick Corea)

Disc 2

Electric

1. Captain Marvel                   (Chick Corea)
2. Senor Mouse                      (Chick Corea)
3. Crescent                             (John Coltrane)
4. Armando's Rhumba             (Chick Corea), *Chick Corea's given first name is Armando.
5. Renaissance                         (Jean Luc Ponty)
6. High Wire - The Aerialist      (Chick Corea) feat. Chaka Khan
7. I Loves You, Porgy              (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) feat. Chaka Khan
8. After The Cosmic Rain         (Stanley Clarke)
9. Space Circus                       (Chick Corea)
10. 500 Miles High                  (Chick Corea) *this track returns to the piano, bass and drums arrangement found on the first disc.

The virtuosity of these musicians is very difficult to describe without hearing it either in person or on recording.  But, this record (whether it's the more traditional jazz, or the fusion inspired tracks), is very inspiring to listen to.  Return To Forever is a very unique band and was one of the first (arguably after what was done by Miles Davis), to go in the jazz/rock fusion direction.  It is also great to see these players bring to the forefront, what purists might call "real" jazz, too.  But, any form of jazz (as there were so many eras), is real, at least to my ears.  Yes, I am editorializing with that last comment.  But, it's true.  Each era of jazz has it's own unique sound.

Great to see the band paying tribute to jazz greats with their choice of cover numbers on this record as well, and pulling out a lot of acoustic oriented tracks for the first half, while retaining the tight, synchronized sound that is so free and open to improvisation that RTF is known for.  Check this one out.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are approaching.  These are the most coveted awards in the music industry, however, it seems to me, quite unfairly, that there are a lot of categories of awards that don’t really get attention.  There are mainstream music categories like R&B/hip hop, country, alternative rock etc. that are definitely  put into the spotlight, but other awards that are not highlighted during the ceremony.

  

Time constraints partially have to do with that, but also, it is just the avant garde nature of some of the awards.  For example, there are a lot of artists I personally do pay attention to who are up for awards.  But obviously, whoever wins these particular categories, it won’t receive too much coverage.  Take note of these categories which (though they may be listed in the awards on the website), won’t make it to TV for the reasons already stated (i.e. time constraints, and lack of knowledge or interest in the mainstream for these kinds of music).

…And, artists who are nominated who may or may not get the nod who I’ve personally followed.

Jeff Beck              Best  Rock Album “Rock & Roll Party Honoring Les Paul”

Chick Corea        Best Improvised Jazz Solo “500 Miles High” from Corea, Clarke & White, “Forever”

“Forever” is also nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

Randy Brecker   Best Improvised Jazz Solo “All or Nothing at All” from The Jazz Ballad Song Book, Randy Brecker & DR Big Band

Ron Carter (legendary jazz bassist)          Best Improvised Jazz Solo “You Are My Sunshine” from This Is Jazz with Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham)

Brecker’s record is also up for the Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. 

Three of my favorites (all members of the Allman Brothers), have nominations for their own albums in the Best Blues Album category.  These albums were all featured in reviews on the blog.  They include “Low Country Blues” by Gregg Allman, “Man In Motion” by Warren Haynes and “Revelator” by the Tedeschi Trucks Band.  Only one can be the winner.  Plus, the competition also includes Keb Mo’s record “The Reflection” and “Roadside Attractions” by blues pianist Marcia Ball.

There is good news even if the aforementioned albums by the members of the ABB do not win in their category for best blues album.   The Lifetime Achievement awards.  A few of my favorite artists and music industry individuals are getting respect they deserve in the forms of those awards, including The Allman Brothers Band, George Jones, Glen Campbell and Antonio Carlos Jobim.  Not to mention, Steve Jobs.  

Plus, jam band phenomenon and B3 organ wizard Grace Potter is up for an award in a duet she did with Kenny Chesney for a song called “You And Tequila”.  Vince Gill is up for the same award in Best Country Song for “Threaten Me With Heaven” from his new record “Guitar Slinger” (which will be reviewed at some point).  The Potter/Chesney duet number also has a nod for best country performance by a duo or group. 

So, there are parts of the Grammy Awards I really and truly care about while others, not so much.  Good luck to the nominees I have plugged to do well.  I am not showing biases.  I am just explaining which artists and/or albums I will pay most attention to when it comes to the awards themselves in February. 

The website for the Grammy’s is www.grammy.com. 

Johnny Winter "Hideaway"

Check this out.  It's a wicked cover of blues guitarist Freddie King's instrumental "Hideaway" done by an equally influential guitarist who was just featured in an album review here.  Johnny Winter.  Saw him play "Hideaway" in concert at the Cabooze bar in Minneapolis back in 2007 and LOVED IT!  Enjoy this.

Return To Forever "After The Cosmic Rain" original studio version (1973)

Check this out.  This is the original version of "After The Cosmic Rain" by Return To Forever from 1973 with Bill Connors on guitar.  Great song, though.  This was re-released on the latest album by Corea, Clarke & White entitled "Forever" with Bill Connors playing guitar (just as in 1973-'74), and Jean Luc Ponty on violin.  This particular version is unreleased from a performance at the Bern Jazz School.  

Eric Clapton "Anyday" 2006 World Tour

My first chance to see Eric Clapton was back in 2006 on his world tour.  This song ("Anyday", which is one of my all-time favorites), was not played that night.  But, this stellar band featuring Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II. and Derek Trucks on guitars, Tim Carmon & Chris Stainton on keyboards (B3 organ and piano respectively), Willie Weeks on bass, and Steve Jordan on drums, (plus backing vocalists Michelle John and Sharon White), was absolutely mesmerizing to watch.

Interestingly, later, when I saw the Allman Brothers for the second time at the Minnesota State Fair in 2007, "Anyday" was a part of the set list and very well played that night by the brothers, with bassist Oteil Burbridge handling the lead vocal.  Proof that a great song stands up whether it's the original artist's version, or, a good cover.  Enjoy.

Record collection revisited: Johnny Winter “Roots”

I’ve followed the career of Texas blues guitarist Johnny Winter for a while, having had a chance to see him perform in concert some years ago at the Cabooze club in Minneapolis.  What I remember most about that gig was just the raw ferocity with which he played guitar even though he is well into his 70s and has obviously been toughened by the road over the decades.  This new record, “Roots” finds Johnny going back to songs that likely influenced both he and his brother Edgar (keyboardist and saxophonist for the Edgar Winter group), in their musical endeavors.  

Edgar plays saxophone on this album on a cover of a tune entitled “Honky Tonk”.  Johnny Winter’s band consists of Paul Nelson on guitar, Mike DiMeo on piano, Scott Spray on bass, and Vito Liuzzi on drums.  Parts of this band played with him at The Cabooze as I recall.  I think Nelson and Spray were there, but I can’t recall if Liuzzi was the drummer or not.  Needless to say, they tore down the house that night and do equally well on this album which is all blues standards, played with a raw ferocity that Winter can still deliver after all these years.  

His rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited” is a classic, and he’s had some other very good songs.  There is an older album of his that I have entitled “I’m A Bluesman”.  Look for that to be reviewed in another blog post in the future.  Here is the track listing for the new record “Roots” along with the artists who played with Johnny on them, and, the songwriting credits.

   
1.       T Bone Shuffle feat. Sonny Landreth (slide guitar)  T Bone Walker
2.       Further on up the Road feat. Jimmy Vivino (guitar) Don Robey & Joe Veasy 
3.       Done Somebody Wrong feat. Warren Haynes (slide guitar) Elmore James
4.       Got My Mojo Working feat. Frank Latorre (harp) McKinley Morganfield (a.k.a. Muddy Waters) 
5.       Last Night feat. John Popper (harp) Johnny Winter
6.       Maybellene feat. Vince Gill (guitar) Chuck Berry 
7.       Bright Lights, Big City feat. Susan Tedeschi (guitar & vocals) Jimmy Reed
8.       Honky Tonk feat. Edgar Winter (saxophone) Billy Butler, Bill Doggett, Clifford Scott & Shep Shepherd
9.       Dust My Broom feat. Derek Trucks (slide guitar) Elmore James
10.     Short Fat Fannie feat. Paul Nelson (guitar) Larry Williams
11.     Come Back Baby feat. John Medeski (Hammond B3 organ) Walter Davis

For those who might just be getting into the purity and raw emotion of blues music for the first time, this is a great album to check out.

Record collection revisited: Miles Davis “Tutu”

Recently, after hearing the LP version of this album, I was very much interested in getting the CD and lo and behold, it was in a pile of Christmas gifts under the tree.  “Tutu” which was one of Miles Davis’ later albums in a span during the ‘80s and ‘90s, showcases his shift into the more modern jazz sound, when fusion merged with pop music and became “smooth jazz”.  Davis had begun working with bassist/multi- instrumentalist/producer Marcus Miller on this record.  Well known fusion keyboardist George Duke and producer Tommy LiPuma were also at the helm.

Paulinho Da Costa (a great jazz percussionist) plays on three of the songs.  Jason Miles is the synthesizer programmer.  Omar Hakim plays drums and percussion on one number.  Bernard Wright provides additional synthesizers and Michael Urbaniak plays violin along with Wright on the track “Don’t Lose Your Mind.”  Miller, Duke and LiPuma really make this album interesting even though it seems like a cliché, overly slick ‘80s record, which even jazz records were back then.  It’s more than that.  The arrangements are interesting to the listeners ear even though this album does possess some of the oddities in production in terms of sounds that came to define Miles Davis from “Bitches Brew” onwards.  

 Marcus Miller even plays soprano saxophone on the record and I will admit his playing is somewhat reminiscent of Wayne Shorter’s work with Davis in the ‘60s and early ‘70s.  Miller’s calling card is bass though, and it is all over this record in healthy doses.  His masterful double thumb slapping technique on his signature Fender jazz bass is a hallmark just as much as Davis’ trumpet.

It is an enjoyable record to listen to.  I’ll admit, I am biased as I love everything Miles does and I have yet to hear many recordings he did.  Still, “Tutu” in and of itself is a very listenable record, despite some parts that can take listeners by surprise like the funky and energetic beat of “Splatch” (the fourth track on the album), which includes synthesizers, sax, bass, and these voices in the synthesizer program that in certain parts of the song are sequenced with the drums and bass to say, “uh!” every so often.

I will also mention, the final track on the album “Full Nelson” (named of course for the wrestling move), is another wickedly produced slice of funkadelic bliss that only Miles can pull off.  Marcus Miller is also front and center on this one with the bass.  …And the groove is incredible, considering the fact that it is done via programmed drums.  

So, there is a slight element of humor in that song, too.  Who says instrumentalists can’t incorporate humor in places of their songs?  Check this album out if you can get by some of the cliché production, because it is a great one to listen to and isn’t necessarily like a ‘70s Miles album that can sometimes leave a first time listener asking what hit them.  

Here is the track listing for “Tutu”

1. Tutu


2. Tomaas


3. Portia


4. Splatch


5. Backyard Ritual


6. Perfect Way


7. Don't Lose Your Mind


8. Full Nelson