concert review, & record collection revisited (two for one): Ginger Baker & Jazz Confusion @ The Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant 6-18-14

Mesmerizing is the word to describe legendary drummer, Ginger Baker.  Baker, at age 74, despite looking weary, frail, and road worn, still has the fire as a musician and a drummer.  He is long removed from the shadows of his years in Cream and Blind Faith, and has taken to his roots in jazz, and also in African rhythms, to craft a band, an album, and a live show, that is truly unique and special.  Baker is joined on stage for his improvisational journeys, by his Jazz Confusion band mates, Pee Wee Ellis on tenor saxophone, Alec Dankworth on electric and upright bass, and Abass Dodoo on percussion.  It is a simple quartet lineup, that works very effectively, and like any jazz, the music swings, and with ease.

The set list, though not in exact order as it is on the record, was just that.  Baker played his new record "Why" pretty much in it's entirety.  The track listing on the record runs as follows with these credits.

1. Ginger Spice                         composed by Ron Miles
2. Twelve And More Blues       composed by Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis
3. Cyril Davis                           composed by Ginger Baker
*It should be noted that this tune was written by Ginger for and about his buddy Cyril Davis who played blues harmonica, and along with Baker, was a member of the band Blues Incorporated.  You can read more about Blues Incorporated, here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues_Incorporated
4. Footprints                         composed by Wayne Shorter
5. Ain Temouchant                composed by Ginger Baker
*This tune, Baker related, was written about a trip he took to the Atlas Mountains.
6. St. Thomas                       composed by Sonny Rollins
7. Aiko Biaye                       a traditional Nigerian tune, arranged by Ginger Baker
8. Why?                               composed by Ginger Baker

It was perhaps, the last tune on the record, that resonated most with the audience.  "Why?" is a question we ask as human beings all the time.  Baker said from his drum chair, "on this song, I want everyone in the audience to yell out the title when it comes time.  You'll be given a signal."  Bassist, Alec Dankworth, pointed to the audience on cue, and everyone cried out, "why?!"  That was a special part of the show to be sure.   Baker brought a really unique vibe to The Dakota, and played a memorable set.

The audience loved it, including yours truly.