robviti Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Hello friends! I will soon be saying goodbye to a therapist I've been supervising for the past two years. As a parting gift, I plan to give her what I think are five classic and representative cds of great jazz (she has expressed an interest in learning about the music and I don't think she has any recordings yet). When I give her this present, I will tell her that if she does own any of these discs, I will replace that cd with another title. Here are the five I've purchased for her: Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue Bill Evans Trio - At The Village Vanguard (compilation of the original two lps without alts.) Ella Fitzgerald - The Best Of The Song Books Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue Now here's the question/challenge (if you're interested): What cd do you think would make an appropriate substitution for one of these discs? For instance, if she has KOB, I'd probably get her Cannonball's Something Else. Of course, you don't have to "play by the rules." If there's a title that I should have chosen (and should be pistol-whipped with a Kenny G disc for having neglected it), feel free to mention it. One caveat: I prefer not to give compilations (I know, I know. The Ella and Evans cds are comps.) Anyway, thanks for reading, and for particpating if you choose to do so. B) Bye-ya, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Johnson Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 If she's not yet into jazz, and you're trying to open various doors, I might swap the Ella disc for Blue Train--because a) it's such an extraordinary disc musically; B) the sound is great; and c) it's accessible on so many levels. Just my $.02! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chaney Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Maybe she's be more likely to enjoy a male singer rather than Ella? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robviti Posted May 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Maybe she's be more likely to enjoy a male singer rather than Ella? why is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I don't know the person, or what their musical background is, so this may not be an appropriate suggestion, but have you considered something a little more modern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undergroundagent Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I'd seriously consider putting Oliver Nelson's "Blues & the Abstract Truth" on this list as well. Maybe even, "Maiden Voyage." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chaney Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Maybe she's be more likely to enjoy a male singer rather than Ella? why is that? Just a theory that generally speaking, men prefer the voice of women and women prefer the voice of men. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmirBagachelles Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 What suggestions does your supervisor have for this gift-giving to this protege? I personally think at least one out session is appropriate, given the relationship context of better mental health. How about one of the Cecil Taylor or Sam Rivers 60s BN sessions? Pick a Coleman Atlantic! An Ayler! Lasha/Simmons' The Cry! C'mon, don't fence this poor soul's head in any longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhoots Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 How about Saxophone Colossus or Giant Steps?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I will soon be saying goodbye to a therapist I've been supervising for the past two years. Well, jazzshrink... How about one disc each by Eddie Henderson, and Denny Zeitlin. /a half-serious suggestion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 (edited) I think both the Coltrane/Hartman and the Coltrane/Ellington are pretty accessible for a new listener (also the Coltrane Ballads recording). I know you said you were avoiding compilations, but I think the "Gentle Side" might be a good choice. Off topic, when I think of jazzshrink at work, I picture the patient on the couch talking, and jazzshrink responding "Mm-hmm....yes.....and how does that make you feel?...." while the whole time he is discretely on his laptop hanging out here and ordering CDs. Just kidding. I'm sure you are the consummate professional. Edited May 19, 2004 by Free For All Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I would switch Miles Davis's KOB with "Relaxin'." I have given this to many people who don't listen to jazz and they all LOVED it. Ella's "Live in Berlin" makes for a nice intro to her work, live and in peak singing form as well. Chris Connor's Bethlehem dates are nice as well. I wouldn't do avant stuff unless you know the person was inclined towards that sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man with the Golden Arm Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 The bonus-disc once she gets over all the others: Then she'll think your'e really crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 (edited) Horace Silver's Song for My Father always makes a good introduction, I think. And given your profession, it might have a little added import. Edited May 19, 2004 by Hank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed S Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 I've done a couple of these starter pack sort of things and they have been received well. IMO, Mark (Jazzmoose) nailed when he said that you have to know the tastes of the recipient to some degree and looking at something more modern. I also tend to go with a few contemporary pieces in such packs (Contemporary as in current, not "contempo"/smooth) The current/recent roster of Blue Note artists actually has a lot of accessible stuff. The new Lovano and Bill Charlap are two very accessible releases. Jackie Terrasson has some nice stuff as well that should appeal. I particularly like Smile. If she's anythng like most of the women I know who don't like jazz per se but dig the music I play at get-togethers (ie-stuff that gets you movin')- some of the Blue Note releases by the likes of Ronny Jordan, Paul Jackson Jr (not his most recent one - too smooth), Karl Denson, St Germain, Rodney Jones fit the bill nicely. Perhaps even Erik Truffaz if she's more adventurous. I'd also consider some Pat Metheny Group material. Their most recent release is very accessible as are the classic stuff like Letter From Home and Still Life Talking. Actually, the live Road To You would be another good choice. If you're thinking of more contemplative stuff, Tomasz Stanko's new one is really nice (Suspended Night). If you want to use my wife as a barometer of how far you can push the envelope, she really digs Charles Lloyd's and Dave Holland's recent ECM stuff. If you really need to include a jazz vocalist, I'd go with Dianne Reeves or Diana Krall. The way I figure it, using contemporary artists helps to include a number of factors - jazz is a living, breathing artform; contemporary sound, trends, and production values. I know that some of the above suggestions might not be the best from a jazz lover's perspective, but you're not buying for a jazz lover. You're buying for someone who wants to start exploring. Actually, I think you've made some pretty good choices from an older jazz standpoint - though I'd scrap the Ella and Bill Evans. IMO, there's always time to explore the greats. I'd go with trying to make a connection first and I've found the current material a good way of accomplishing that. All just my opinion of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mule Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Whenever I'm giving one of these jazz "starter sets" I usually include Coltrane's BLUE TRAIN, Brubeck's TIME OUT, or Blakey's MOANIN'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 May I suggest an Ellington? Such Sweet Thunder or Blues In Orbit or Piano Reflections or And His Mother Called Him Bill. Also Mingus Ah Um is a perennial favorite of both jazz lovers and jazz beginners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Or how about Ellington & Basie at one fell swoop? First Time! Count Meets the Duke is a nice intro, since you get tunes from both leader's songbooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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