A Lark Ascending

Gil Evans' 'Out of the Cool.'

Two observations: 1. 'Infinite Search' is a wonderful album that I'm sure is a long time favourite of many. But it was made a long time ago. I'm not sure we'll be doing the new album justice by comparing it with that one right from the start. Maybe once we've got the measure of the new one, but... I'd hate to think that everything I did today would be immediately scrutinised in regard to how I did the same thing 30 years ago (no lewd comments please!). Personally I hope its very different (though just as good). These chaps (those involved on the original, that is, and in similar music of that time period) have all moved on a long way since then. I hope it won't be one of those 'Let's recreate our glory days' outings. 2. Nice positive review linked above. I found this interesting "For many listeners who have grown tired of Garbarek’s recent solo work, his playing on Universal Syncopations will signal a return to form, yet this is not a look back; rather, it is a consolidation and move forward." Now I'd have been one of those listeners a bit weary of Garbareks recent direction up to a few months back. However, immersing myself in Scandanavian folk music of late has made me much more appreciative of the recent Garbarek. I don't think Garbarek's been 'off form'...I do think he's been doing things that are not part of the jazz norm. Maybe 'will signal a return closer to the contemporary jazz mainstream' might be more accurate.

Very much looking forward to this one.

Eberhard Weber - 'Yellow Fields.' Totally different in instrumentation and completely lacking in 'blues' feel but has that same spacey, taking your time feel as KOB. Perhaps 'In A Silent Way' would be a closer reference point.

I just noticed in this month's issue of 'Mojo' that Ian MacDonald - the writers whose ideas I was raising at the start of this thread - died in August. Brits of a certain age will recall him as one of the most intelligent writers from the glory days of the NME in the early 70s. Most will know him for his excellent 'Revolution in the Head', a blow by blow account of the Beatles output. He also wrote an intriguing book on Shostakovich. 'The People's Music' - his most recent collection - is a thought provoking collection, highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the popular music of the last 50 years. A sad loss.

'Invitation' opens the criminally-not-yet-released on-CD 'Serious Gold' by the Ronnie Scott Quintet from the late 70s. Great performance, superb album.

Yes, obscurity is relative. I've just received disc #2 and it's all obscure to my ears! I havn't a clue! Which is exactly how I like it. I'm hoping to widen my experience in listening to these discs. Dan's wonderful disc will be getting regular plays in the car. When I know who everyone is I'll probably be seeking out a few players on it. Let's hear the Australians!!!

I found myself very, very moved by the film. Gloriously funny, but very moving. And avoiding the normal attempt by films to tie it all up at the end (no reconcilliation between father and daughter). I though it told a much wider story too. How easy it is to slip into lies and deceipt for the best possible motives and the way that can get out of control. A lesson as true or the old West, the old East and the present world. The unveiling of the Coca-Cola sign during the birthday party was priceless!

'Vive la differance' Quite. But with more women on the jazz bandstand just think how much more of a 'differance' that could make to the varying directions of jazz? I'm more than happy to sacrifice 'babe' discussions for that.

Anyone else fallen in love with this wonderful, wonderful film?

Sounds like a particularly excitable moment on the 70s UK kids show 'The Clangers' (they were paper-mache animated figures who lived on the moon) UK posters of a certain age will understand.

You can see their logic. Instrumental music - in the sense of improvising soloists - is very rare in pop music today (the mesmeric dance instrumental music seems to work to a very different drum (machine?) to jazz). Jazz is bound to sound rather abstract. How different from the 60s/70s when the instumentalists - your Claptons, Hendrix's, Emersons, Garcias etc - were gods to listener's to 'rock.' Regardless of what you think of their actual skill compared with jazz improvisers it did mean that rock listeners often developed an ear for instrumental extemporisation. The leap to instrumental jazz was not such a distance. It might also explain why you find so many younger posters on boards such as this who have come across from Metal, a music where instrumental prowess is still lionised.

Still going strong, I believe. Her recordings have a high profile in the jazz and 'easy listening' sections of Swedish record stores. I saw adverts for a jazz club in Stockholm which she either partly runs or is a regular at. Take a look here: http://abekat.mobilixnet.dk/babs.html

Thanks J.A.W. I got a reply from Gary so my original message(s!) got through. Today I got told I had committed a protocol error. I suppose this means it will be at least 20 years before I get invited to dinner at Buckingham Palace!

Many thanks Dan and Gary. Gary, I've tried to PM you but keep getting an error message. I'll try again in the morning.

Have a look here. Nice cards. Good cause. http://www.mbf.org.uk/

I'd like to be involved in this. I doubt if I'd guess much but it sounds a great way of hearing a wide range of music. How does the Euro distribution work? It might help to have a 'How to join up' section pinned at the top.

I agree. Flung together 'supergroups' rarely produce music that I find myself returning to often. But I suspect these are people Tommy Smith knows from his time in America. What intrigues me about this one is the very different backgrounds of the players. Taylor is very much the odd one out. Let's hope his distinctive has an influence on the overall recording. I have a suspicion he will probably just be 'sideman.' They don't get much better, but...

Sorry Anglo-American sounds better but I'd get in very hot water... Due soon: Tommy Smith Sextet - 'Evolution' Smith Joe Lovano John Scofield John Taylor John Patitucci Bill Stewart Details here: http://www.spartacusrecords.com/newreleases.html Neither Smith or Lovano are great favourites of mine but I find it hard to resist discs with John Taylor aboard. Also touring the UK in November.

I'm very much with Simon on this one. Women do approach most areas of life differently from men. Get a significant number of women playing jazz and we'll get an increasing diversity of jazz. I'm very much for that.

Jazzmoose, No intention on my part to criticise you personally. I enjoy your enthusiastic and informative posts. My point was very specific to the criticism of AAJ, a case for the defence. Nothing more. Apologies if it came over a bit stronger than intended.

My original comment was not intended to slag off this board...merely to point out that all boards have their weaknesses. Because of the name of this board it probably gets very few chance arrivals. It consequently developed with a very strong sense of identity based around its core contributors. Now that might well be its strength. Small board, limited contributors, everyone more or less knows one another, civility will (usually) be maintained. AAJ is much more likely to attract outsiders and can suffer for that. But also tends to be more diverse both in the range of jazz it accommodates and the type of poster. So here's an interesting question. What if 'Organissimo' became 'Organissimo Jazz' or some such title where 'jazz' was picked up by google, yahoo etc. Good or bad?* [My mild 'Gentlemen's Club' jibe will become clearer as answers appear! One of those smiley face things] *Just a hypothetical question, not a suggestion.

Acker Bilk played a beautiful bit of clarinet on a Sandy Denny track towards the end of her life. I'm not familiar with his music but always liked 'Stranger on the Shore'...evokes pre-Beatles Britain nicely.

I've posted a couple of times tonight (11/9). Both times I've got 'Mail not sent' messages. Last time when I resent it also resent a post from a couple of hours back which led to a double posts (which I've since deleted). Odd. I've never used the PM function here so it can't be that! [And it's done it again trying to send this...here we go again!]

I've posted a couple of times tonight (11/9). Both times I've got 'Mail not sent' messages. Last time when I resent it also resent a post from a couple of hours back which led to a double posts (which I've since deleted). Odd. I've never used the PM function here so it can't be that!