duaneiac

This year in particular, I am ready to go head-to-head with any one when it comes to the Airing of Grievances. (Feats of strength -- not so much)

In local news today -- COVID-19 is projected to be the third leading cause of death in Santa Clara County this year, behind only cancer and heart disease. The data was released by health officials as the county passed a grim milestone this week with 632 cumulative deaths reported to date. From zero to Number Three in just one year.

A Christmas album that even the jazz lovers who hate Christmas music might enjoy.

This is likely the theme song for far too many folks this year -- I first discovered this song on a 1993 various artists disc called A Cabaret Christmas. On that, Gerry Mulligan recorded his own version of this song (which he co-wrote with Ms. Holliday), both as musician and vocalist. He rarely recorded as a vocalist, so I was delighted to find that track. It wasn't until later that i discovered this previous version. Knowing about it, and about Mr. Mulligan and Ms. Holliday's relationship, now adds a whole big layer of poignancy to Mr. Mulligan's later recording.

I forget if this one has been mentioned before or not.

This evening, while finishing my Christmas cards -- The Mal Waldron Quartet here performs "The Christmas Song" and features Joe Henderson! Nice. The Elvin Jones group includes Terumasa Hino, Dave Liebman, Kenny Kirkland and George Mraz. The Larry Vuckovich group includes Tom Harrell, Jerome Richardson, Charles McPherson, Ray Drummond and Eddie Moore. The Richie Cole group includes Art Pepper, Roger Kellaway, Bob Magnusson and Billy Higgins. I'm not sure when these tracks were recorded (the CD has a 2003 copyright), but it's kind of sad that out of all those musicians apparently only Mr. Pepper and Mr. Hino had recording contracts at that time which entitled them to a "appears courtesy of" credit here. A bargain CD I found for 50 cents a few years ago. Which is great because there are only 3 tracks on here I listen to: one by Kenny Washington (the singer, not the drummer), one by Wesla Whitfield (gosh, how much I miss her -- I wish she had recorded a full Christmas album) and the title track, which has become a sentimental favorite (and hey, it's former Kenton band member Mary Fettig on sax!)

This is a beautiful album from a beautiful musician. What a great little band he had back then with the overlooked Clifford Solomon on tenor sax, Danny Caron on guitar, Ruth Davies on bass and Gaylord Birch on drums. The first time I saw Charles Brown perform was the late set on Christmas Eve at the old Yoshi's in Oakland. I'm guessing it was '95 or '96. Mr. Birch had passed away by that time and I forget who the drummer was with the band that night. To wind up the night, round about 11:30, Mr Brown sang "Merry Christmas, Baby" and with just that one song, it became the most unforgettable Christmas concert I've ever attended. I love what he does with this song. It always brings me a few minutes of peace amidst the holiday hubbub.

Listened to a couple of CDs filled with holiday cheer -- Three Gals, Three Guitars, or The Great-Aunts Every One Should Have Had as a Kid at Christmas Definitely one of my Top 10 favorite Christmas albums!

Nice find!

Discs 1 & 2 of 2.