Dave Burrell

[Kalo]

Windward Passages is an excellent record.

I like his work with David Murray, but I LOVE his album The Jelly Roll Joys. You haven't fully lived until you've heard his stride version of "Giant Steps."

Got to go, the Fresh Air concert/interview is about to start.

[Chalupa]

http://citypaper.net/articles/2005-09-15/cover2.shtml

[Guest akanalog]

does anyone have any tapes of dave burrell with sam woodyard?

i believe they toured or at least had a residence in france somewhere in the 70s.

sounds very interesting to me.

[AllenLowe]

fascinating intreview with Burrell, whose work I like very much, in general. Two things:

1) it's a pity the interview did not get further into Paul Bley, who was really THE guy who put "free" piano on the musical map - he deserves more credit than he is given here -

2) I like Burrell's playing very much but, honestly, do not find his stride/Morton particularly convincing - it sounds to me like another example of a contemporary musician playing "at" a style instead of fitting comfortably "in" the style - but that's just my opinion -

[jazzbo]

I like his Morton, but agree with you.

What do you think of Marcus Roberts?

[AllenLowe]

I have mixed feelings on Roberts - some I like, some I don't. It may be that I've listened to so much of the old school - James P, Fats, Luckey Roberts, Willie Smith, and everybody in between - that I'm spoiled. Of course, Jaki Byard was the contemporary guy who REALLY knew how to make something new and original out of stride -

[JSngry]

I dunno, Byard & Burrell are/were two different creatures...

I mean, I think that Burrell knows the "style" well enough to use it to his own unique ends. I'm not sure that actually "playing the style" (and all that implies) or even making it "contemporary" is what he's really about.

Somewhat of a "grey area" afaic, but I'm not gonna press the issue. That's how grey it is for me.

[AllenLowe]

maybe - but I've also heard Burrell playing Morton straight, as Morton, and thought the results were uninteresting --

[jazzbo]

Yes, IF he is trying to be really doing "the style," he's not that convincing. If he's having some fun playing the stuff, it's fun to hear him do that. That's how I view what I've heard.

As for Roberts, I've listened, do listen to a lot of the early giants too. And he sometimes on records gets close to really nailing it if you ask me. I've seen him four times live now, and he gets even closer live somehow. And he is one of the few pianists I've seen whose hands were literally a blur on some numbers. An impressive mofo!

Edited September 16, 2005 by jazzbo

[Kalo]

I don't think he's trying to be a "revivalist" playing "authentically."

But when I hear him play that way it makes me happy.

I like Byard a lot, but I think I dig Burrell more in this mode.

[clifford_thornton]

Byard and Burrell both - Byard a bit more of a prankster, though. I haven't heard the more recent Morton songbook stuff (shame, shame) but do enjoy his readings and interpretations of that music from previous projects.

Still, what kills me is West Side Story, and La Vie De Boheme ain't too shabby either.

As an interviewer, Dave has probably been one of my favorites - such an easy guy to talk to, as the one in this thread will (hopefully) attest to.

[Late]

I finally landed a copy of High Won-High Two! Man, it was worth the wait. A fine, fine record. Norris Jones is all over the bass on this one.

For those looking for a copy, I found one (new) at www.selections.com — an outfit from England that was very speedy! Their website still says they have it in-stock ... as well as Stanley Cowell's Brilliant Circles.

Also, for more Burrell, I saw a used copy (cd) of Windward Passages at the San Francisco Amoeba a few weeks back. Might still be there?

This guy's turning into one of my favorite pianists.

[Chalupa]

I went to see the world permier of The Philadelphia Four last night. That's Dave Burrell, Reggie Workman, Rashied and Muhmammad Ali. Great show. Anyway, they had copies of the new Dave Burrell cd entitled "Momentum" I've only listened to the whole cd once but my initial impression is that this is a very good release. It hits the stores Nov. 14th.

Edited October 16, 2006 by Chalupa

[Late]

That line-up looks great. How were the two drummers together?

[clifford_thornton]

I'd be curious to hear that outfit for sure!

A friend of mine went to the gig but haven't heard the report. Good to know Muhammad is still playing!

[Guest akanalog]

has anyone mentioned burrell's avante version of "la boheme"?

it's very nice. one of my favorite BYG/Actuel albums. much more mellow and pretty than other work of burrells i have heard from this period. moncur, colbeck, terroade, elanor burrell on vocals, some french people....it's good. not very opera-ey. but the themes give the musicians something to work with and go in a different direction than normal BYG fare.

i wish another batch of these discs could come out-this, aquariana or whatever it is called by burton greene, other afternoons.....

[Late]

Didn't even know about the La Boheme effort. I'd like to hear it. What Burrell does with West Side Story is pretty engaging. Heck, I'd listen to Burrell play cop show themes.

And, yes, I wish another round of BYGs could come out, too. Probably will happen at some point. For now, the Thurston Moore-approved box will do.

[Chalupa]

Thurston Moore approved box??????

[Chalupa]

Oh right the Jazzactuel box.

Yeah they need to release the rest of the BYG stuff. Pronto!

[clifford_thornton]

That stuff is fast becoming like the ESP catalog - a few top-notch reissues, a lot of dubious ones, and nobody knows what's going on... at least Stollman's at the helm of ESP, however. Sort of.

[clifford_thornton]

Bumping this for Dave Burrell's 68th birthday, today!

[AndrewHill]

Happy BDay DB! Will have to spin Echo and After Love tonight-two frickin' great records!