Late

Hipsters don't know how to smile.

Same here. Yes.

I believe so. Hermansader created the first two covers, and Reid Miles created the third. I like them all.

As much as I've been enjoying The Three Sounds this summer, this Jamal album is on another level. I think perhaps it's Vernell Fournier that I respond to in particular. The Three Sounds were a trio—a fully functioning unit that responded to each other—and so were Jamal, Israel Crosby, and Vernell Fournier. Phew! What a vibe. (The 2016 Japanese SHM-CD sounds really, really good.) I'm listening right now. Soooo good. I'm sure there are other fans of this album here. For me, it's Jamal's Kind of Blue.

Liebman really shines on that gig. Miles looks like he's looking for something that the band isn't quite giving him. Regardless, that 1973 unit was pretty tight. I do kinda wish that there was a keyboard in the mix, but I understand that Miles was moving away from that instrument during this period. After Liebman left, the emphasis moved solidly to the guitars. Not a bad thing, just what it was.

A favorite box set to play in the warmer months. Paired with a vodka martini and lemon twist.

I always found it interesting that A Night At Birdland got three different covers!

Stockholm, 1973

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that June 26 is also the date that we lost Richie Powell (and Nancy, his wife). Just when I think that Richie Powell is perhaps not a very interesting pianist, he always surprises me with a turn of phrase that I previously didn't pay very close attention to. I wonder how much he and Bud sat at the piano together. Well, I just checked Powell's Wiki entry, and the second sentence claims that Richie received no assistance in his musical development from his older brother. Instead, apparently, Richie was influenced by a New York pianist named Bob Bunyan; he also studied under Mary Lou Williams. I found this Wiki claim interesting: "His relatively heavy touch and use of left-hand fourths influenced fellow pianist McCoy Tyner."

And, rounding out the evening:

Now onto: I'm not the biggest Lou Donaldson fan, but I'll say that this is perhaps my very favorite playing of his. And Brown is on fire.

In the midst of an impromptu Clifford Brown Memorial Celebration, this one is now spinning, the ballad feature "Once In A While" an absolute gem: The BN Works Series has some staying power. I wonder how old Lee Morgan was when he first heard Clifford Brown. Listening to Brown, you can almost hear the teen Morgan putting together how he was going to sound as a soloist. Morgan was 17 when Brown died.

Clifford Brown left us 66 years ago today. I'm spinning this one right now: The TOCJ retains the original LP order, which really works. The RVG, which significantly adds 8 tracks, scrambles the original order.

I'm having a Three Sounds renaissance of sorts this summer. My appreciation for the unit only grows. While I'm not necessarily enamored of Dowdy as a drummer, within the context of the trio ... he's just right. The Three Sounds had some formulas that they used on repeat, but to their credit they always seemed to ignite some blue sparks. Gene Harris couldn't not swing. I'm glad there're as many albums as there are, even if I know perhaps only half of them. Ruth Lion was right.

I'm fairly convinced this is Clark's masterwork. Just listened to the whole session last night. "Nahstye Blues" in particular evinces the Mingus influence. Stellar track.

I wonder if we'll ever see a complete Town Hall release. Would it have to be Denardo who would give permission? (Wasn't there also a track titled "Taurus?" An unaccompanied Izenson solo?)

So ... it's perhaps likely that this particular set is being issued because Miles' nephew is on it? Maybe the 1972-1974 bootlegs will be issued ... for Miles' 100th in 2026!

I don't know this record, but I noticed that it's being reissued in Japan this August.

That's a fine track. I don't know that record. But I have a feeling I should.

Big Kinks fan here. I always liked this short B-side. I don't think it ever made it onto vinyl.

Only 15 years later, and I finally picked up the CD of this fine album. An under-remarked Ornette album if there ever was one.

Finally ordered and received the (somewhat) recent Japanese version of The Ringer: CD Japan doesn't carry this particular title for some reason. I only ever had a CDR of the Black Lion edition, but this new remaster (with original UK cover art) sounds really good. Not compressed at all. Highly recommended. Tolliver would go on to finer solos, but what an auspicious debut. Play it loud! ("Debut" as far as it being released in the day.)

I like Parlan a lot as a sideman, but as a leader I find his albums somewhat grating. (I recognize I'm probably in the minority with that opinion.) That said, Happy Frame of Mind is a small masterpiece. (I guess I'm thinking about albums without horns. Those I haven't been able to get with.)