sidewinder Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 But you didn't hear it from me... B-) I hear you.. Quote
sidewinder Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 (edited) On the subject of the Jazz Crusaders, there's a great video of a TV recording of some of the 'Freedom Sounds' material put out yonks ago by TCB in a series called called 'Video Jazz'. Recorded in LA in the early 1960s for the series 'Frankly Jazz'. This particular video has about 30 minutes by the Jazz Crusaders and 30 minutes by Gerald Wilson's Orchestra. Priceless ! Tracks include: 'The Young Rabbits' 'After You've Gone' 'Freedom Sound' May Ann McCall on vocals is featured on one number - not the automatic choice of vocalist for this group, I would think... Other releases in this series include Curtis Amy/Dupree Bolton and Stan Kenton. Edited March 30, 2005 by sidewinder Quote
Bluerein Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 Wow that's great news about those VHS's. You mean the Swiss label TCB? Maybe we should start emailing them for a DVD reissue of these. Quote
sidewinder Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 (edited) No - I don't think these have ever been put out on DVD. They were released back in the 1980s I think on 'Kay Jazz', put out by TCB Releasing Ltd (who were then based in Frome, Somerset UK - I think). I'm not sure if they have anything to do with the 'Swiss' TCB, suspect that these are two entirely separate enterprises. From my recollection, the UK TCB provided a valuable library facility for jazz film rental, including supply to the likes of the BBC. Edited March 30, 2005 by sidewinder Quote
brownie Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 Other releases in this series include Curtis Amy/Dupree Bolton and Stan Kenton. Anybody seen that Amy/Bolton? Would love to see/hear that one! Quote
Dan Gould Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 Other releases in this series include Curtis Amy/Dupree Bolton and Stan Kenton. Anybody seen that Amy/Bolton? Would love to see/hear that one! How ironic that this gets mentioned. Just last night I started to do some audio transfers of videos borrowed from a board member, and the first one I wanted to hear was the Amy/Bolton tape. I was doing it into the computer so I wasn't even looking at the video (yet) but judging from the audio signal, the source was in pretty good shape. Here are the details: 1) Summertime 2) Katanga 3) Laura (Bolton feature) 4) Blues for Amy 5) theme Curtis Amy, tenor sax Dupree Bolton, trumpet Dolo Coker, piano Ray Crawford, guitar Victor Gaskin, bass Ronnie Selico, drums Date is given as the 60s, but I noticed that the host mentioned that "Tippin on Through" was the current release by Curtis Amy, so that would help narrow the date down (not sure but I think that was about 1966?). Quote
JSngry Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 I don't know if you guys know this... but why did the Jazz Crusaders (the Mosaic set's focus) switch from that style of music to "Street Life" and whatever they are doing now.... ? It was a gradual transition, actually. As I see it, the evolution was equal parts natural inclinations, geographic/cultural environment of the times, and financial consideration. As The Jazz Crusaders, the group always played "soul jazz" type material as well as the more straight-ahead stuff. Some of the later PJ is full of unabashed commercially oriented material. Then, being in L.A. and all, they, as individuals, started doing seeion work and got exposed to that scene (and I may be wrong, buit I think they probably had an influence on groups like the LA Express). Their last albums as the Jazz Crusaders & their first as The Crusaders basically had the same type of music - funk-jazz. Now, they were all from Houston, so this earthier appraoch came naturally to them, and although the change was not without its awkward moments, pretty soon they got it right. This early/mid-70s funk, Texas R&B period is fine with me. The grooves are right, and the feel is true. But as happened with everything else in the 70s, the trend towards glossy and glamorous got hold of them too. STREET LIFE still works fine for me, but after that, eh... Honestly, though, in terms of how well the music succeeds on its own turf, I think that an albums like CRUSDAERS 1, SCRATCH, & THOSE SOUTHERN KNIGHTS are probably "better" than the PJ stuff. But I like it all, at least until the music began to serve the production, instead of vice-versa. Quote
sidewinder Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 The Amy/Bolton was recorded in 1962 (not sure exactly when). It is combined on the video with a broadcast by the Paul Horn Quintet. Quote
DMP Posted March 30, 2005 Report Posted March 30, 2005 (edited) I think JSngry's post is right on the money. The last "Jazz Crusader" album - "Old Socks..." - was pretty light on the jazz content, and the whole sound was kind of odd. When I bought their next album ("Pass the Plate") I didn't even notice the word "Jazz" was no longer in play. My favorite from that period was "Crusaders 2" - a 2 LP set now available from Japan - long cuts, good solos from everyone. In terms of the PJ material... The group starts out strong, but after the third LP (the original "Lighthouse" - the one with "Appointment in Ghana") falls off for a period. "Heat Wave" and "Tough Talk" are fairly inconsequential - short tracks, I recall a harpsichord in there somewhere, nothing special. The one with Joe Pass and Monk Montgomery (Stretchin' Out") returns them to form, and, of course, the Buster Williams editions (and subsequent "live" albums, particularly "Festival Album") are strong. So, I think people will mostly enjoy the Mosaic set - it's great to come across music you may not be familiar with, instead of the usual suspects. Edited March 30, 2005 by DMP Quote
tranemonk Posted March 30, 2005 Author Report Posted March 30, 2005 thanks to you and JS for the explanation... I'm looking forward to the Mosaic set... as this group was/is brand new to ME? Quote
ASNL77 Posted July 20, 2005 Report Posted July 20, 2005 (edited) Any news about when this set will be released? The jazzmatazz website has it planned for August but it is not even in the 'upcoming releases' of the Mosaic website yet. For those of you who pre-ordered it, were you given any info about when it would come out? Edited July 20, 2005 by ASNL77 Quote
sidewinder Posted July 20, 2005 Report Posted July 20, 2005 I had the feeling it was a July/Aug release date but I may be wrong. Anyone interested in pre-ordering could probably try emailing Mosaic direct. Quote
tranemonk Posted July 24, 2005 Author Report Posted July 24, 2005 I think it was planned for an August release... given that there's no notice on the website... methinks probably late August.... but you can preorder by just giving them a call.... that's what I did... Any news about when this set will be released? The jazzmatazz website has it planned for August but it is not even in the 'upcoming releases' of the Mosaic website yet. For those of you who pre-ordered it, were you given any info about when it would come out? ← Quote
Bluerein Posted July 26, 2005 Report Posted July 26, 2005 it's on the site.......so get your pre orders rollin'.. Quote
Brad Posted July 28, 2005 Report Posted July 28, 2005 I can't say I'm all that familiar with them so before I invest $100, how would you describe their sound, especially as it evolved in this set until 1970? Is it soul jazz or more geared toward lighter, breezier stuff? Quote
sidewinder Posted July 28, 2005 Report Posted July 28, 2005 One of the best mixes of hard bop and soul jazz that there ever was, IMO. Definitely not lightweight - it will be a great set ! Quote
Brad Posted July 28, 2005 Report Posted July 28, 2005 Other releases in this series include Curtis Amy/Dupree Bolton and Stan Kenton. Anybody seen that Amy/Bolton? Would love to see/hear that one! How ironic that this gets mentioned. Just last night I started to do some audio transfers of videos borrowed from a board member, and the first one I wanted to hear was the Amy/Bolton tape. I was doing it into the computer so I wasn't even looking at the video (yet) but judging from the audio signal, the source was in pretty good shape. Here are the details: 1) Summertime 2) Katanga 3) Laura (Bolton feature) 4) Blues for Amy 5) theme Curtis Amy, tenor sax Dupree Bolton, trumpet Dolo Coker, piano Ray Crawford, guitar Victor Gaskin, bass Ronnie Selico, drums Date is given as the 60s, but I noticed that the host mentioned that "Tippin on Through" was the current release by Curtis Amy, so that would help narrow the date down (not sure but I think that was about 1966?). ← If anybody's looking for this, why not get the Amy Select; it's got that and a lot of other great music. Quote
Dave James Posted July 28, 2005 Report Posted July 28, 2005 I'd guess the primary motivation for The Jazz Crusaders change in musical direction was, in no particular order, financial, financial and financial. There's a little George Benson in all of us. I mean you gotta figure anyone who tries to get a toehold in this business is being true to their muse in the beginning. But, once you realize there's not much of a living to be eeked out in pursuit of same and something else comes along that can really change your life, even if it does require an artistic compromise or two and, presto, what do you get? The Crusaders. Up over and out. Quote
Dan Gould Posted July 28, 2005 Report Posted July 28, 2005 Other releases in this series include Curtis Amy/Dupree Bolton and Stan Kenton. Anybody seen that Amy/Bolton? Would love to see/hear that one! How ironic that this gets mentioned. Just last night I started to do some audio transfers of videos borrowed from a board member, and the first one I wanted to hear was the Amy/Bolton tape. I was doing it into the computer so I wasn't even looking at the video (yet) but judging from the audio signal, the source was in pretty good shape. Here are the details: 1) Summertime 2) Katanga 3) Laura (Bolton feature) 4) Blues for Amy 5) theme Curtis Amy, tenor sax Dupree Bolton, trumpet Dolo Coker, piano Ray Crawford, guitar Victor Gaskin, bass Ronnie Selico, drums Date is given as the 60s, but I noticed that the host mentioned that "Tippin on Through" was the current release by Curtis Amy, so that would help narrow the date down (not sure but I think that was about 1966?). ← If anybody's looking for this, why not get the Amy Select; it's got that and a lot of other great music. ← No, the Amy Select does not have this material, as this came from a show called "Frankly Jazz" and was not issued on Pacific Jazz (although the program was clearly a Pacific Jazz production, judging from the end credits.) Quote
sidewinder Posted July 28, 2005 Report Posted July 28, 2005 (edited) Several of the 'Frankly Jazz' show tunes are included on the very fine 'Katanga!' session, which is included in the Select. The show was, I believe, sponsored by Dick Bock of PC and during each episode they publicise the then-current product of the artist featured. The Amy/Bolton had a quick feature on 'Katanga' I believe and the Jazz Crusaders show featured 'Freedom Sound'. Edited July 28, 2005 by sidewinder Quote
Guy Berger Posted July 28, 2005 Report Posted July 28, 2005 I'd guess the primary motivation for The Jazz Crusaders change in musical direction was, in no particular order, financial, financial and financial. There's a little George Benson in all of us. I mean you gotta figure anyone who tries to get a toehold in this business is being true to their muse in the beginning. But, once you realize there's not much of a living to be eeked out in pursuit of same and something else comes along that can really change your life, even if it does require an artistic compromise or two and, presto, what do you get? The Crusaders. I'll admit upfront that my knowledge of this group (in both phases) is pretty low, but given what I've read about them and heard, it's not obvious to me that they "compromised artistically" in the early 70s -- unless you're going to call their entire career up to that point one long artistic compromise. They made groove-based, earthy jazz in the 60s and continued to do so in the early-mid 70s. I think Jim made this point more articulately upthread. Guy Quote
ASNL77 Posted July 29, 2005 Report Posted July 29, 2005 (edited) I like the front cover of this set! Edited July 29, 2005 by ASNL77 Quote
ASNL77 Posted August 2, 2005 Report Posted August 2, 2005 (edited) I have just listened to the 3 'downloadable' tunes on the Mosaic website. Waow! I know very little about the Jazz Crusaders but this set looks and sounds very promising indeed. And another plus: You can listen to these 3 tracks in full! Much better than 30 seconds on the O'Day set. Edited August 2, 2005 by ASNL77 Quote
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