BFT#25, disc #2 - discussion!!!

[Rooster_Ties]

And I am hereby opening up the discussion for BFT#25, disc #2!!

Just in case there is any confusion, disc #2 has 13 tracks (and disc #1 has 16 tracks).

If you only provide commentary for one of the discs, please do so for disc #1 – the more "serious" of the two discs. Disc #2 is more of a "fun" mix disc that I thought people might like and/or at least find interesting.

Disc #2 is mostly made up of cuts I didn't have room to include on disc #1. And I'll leave it to all of you to decide if there is any sort of theme or not, and if so - what it might be.

Have fun!!!

Edited May 6, 2005 by Rooster_Ties

[Bright Moments]

enjoying all the discs RT!! thanks for your hard work.

i think track #8 on disc 2 is #5 from this one:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:5du36j8771u0

[tooter]

I'm stuck for much to say about this one. 8. is I think "You are the Sunshine of my Life" and sounds to me like someone in the Rollins/Ervin bracket. Otherwise I don't know anybody or any of the tunes apart from 10. which I somehow associate with Bobby Hutcherson or Harold Land but can't name. It's in my stuff somewhere but not this version.

I had a sinking feeling at 1. - not my thing at all. However, 2 suited me just fine but no idea who or what. Back to funk for 3 but then a couple of tuneful things I liked but still no ideas - 4 being my favourite on the disc.

Funk for me has to be in very small doses if at all - I usually avoid it - so I couldn't really join in the fun here, RT. But the ones I like are nice so worth it for those, including the solo piano 12. Thanks a lot.

[randyhersom]

2-1 Jazz version of King Crimson's Red, fabulous. I'm inclined to credit British musicians. Maybe John Ethridge?

2-2 Paul Bley comes to mind.

2-3 Some subtle hip-hop influences here. Graham Haynes perhaps?

2-4 Bossa feel. Bobby Watson perhaps?

2-5 Reminiscent of Keith Jarrett, but no vocalisms. Frank Kimbrough?

2-6 Quite lovely. Maria Schneider?

2-7 Pronounced rock backbeat. Maynard Ferguson?

2-8 A tenor tearing it up on Stevie Wonder's Sunshine of My Life. Joshua Redman?

2-9 Sounds like tenor and alto jamming over Rhodes rhythm section. Very fresh. Donald Harrison maybe?

2-10 Burning organ and tenor track. Agonizingly familiar, but I can't put a finger on it. Don Patterson?

2-11 Herbie's Mwandishi Band? No, that trumpet is just too Miles. Bigger band than I'm used to hearing with Miles.

2-12 More good solo piano. I hate to HAFC so I'll try Roland Hanna

2-13 Live organ date. Soft Machine?

[Big Al]

I wish I were in a better mood while typing this, so I apologize in advance if I come across as more overcritical than usual.

Track 1: No clue, but it sounds like the piano player is the leader. I’d venture a guess that this is from the Andrew Hill Mosaic Select, as that sounds like his phrasings. Trumpet player Johnny Coles maybe?

Track 2: Nice piano trio, no clue as to who the players are, but the composition itself is reminiscent of an Earl Zindars waltz! So, perhaps this is a tribute to either him or Bill Evans (a man who could play Zindars like nobody else!).

Track 3: I dunno, whenever I hear a big band sound like this, the first thing that pops to mind is Bob Mintzer, or the One O’Clock Lab Band at North Texas U. Or Blood, Sweat, & Tears. Discussion of this one oughta be interesting, but I’m losing interest in it. Off to the next track.

Track 4: Well, I wanted to say Wayne Shorter, perhaps around Native Dancer or something like that. Except that on closer listening, that is not a tenor. Oh, wait, whatsamatta with me? This is Cannonball from that Bossa Nova album he did for Riverside..... no wait, this is definitely the brothers Adderley, but I have no idea from what album this is lifted!

Track 5: Listened to it twice, and still no clue. All I could think of was George Winston doing the Doors, but no clue as to which song.

Track 6: Rather like the buildup throughout the song. No clue as to who it is. Like I said in the disc one discussion, I’m completely ignorant when it comes to trumpeters not named Miles Davis.

Track 7: That has GOT to be the world’s most boring drummer on a jazz track! I haven’t heard drumming this stiff since whoever did the drumming on “Your Mama Don’t Dance” by Loggins and Messina! I dunno, this sounds like a quintet that wishes it was the Miles Second Quintet. No, worse than that: this sounds like a high-school marching band. On a bad day!

Track 8: That is one of the HIPPEST Stevie Wonder covers ever! Is that Joe H.? I gotta do some researchin’ on this. But that high-pitched wailin’ is getting mighty old mighty fast! This is starting to sound like that sax player from the SNL band from the 80’s.

Track 9: I used to have this disc. Note the tense. Note also that I don’t remember the name of the performer or the album from which it came! Didn’t do much for me, but I do recall this track as being the highlight of it.

Track 10: Ridiculously greeeeeazy “Passion Dance!” Can’t wait to find out who this is!!!

Track 11: OOWWWW!!!! I daresay this version of “Spanish Key” surpasses the original brilliant Miles Davis version! The slightly slower tempo just adds that much more of an ominous tone! I can’t WAIT to find out who this is!!! (An AMG search reveals that it might be the UMO Jazz Orchestra with Tim Hagans. Worth looking into?)

Track 12: No clue, but I like the constant return to the droning theme. Sounds like a George Winston-type thing (which I like!).

Track 13: Everyone’s clapping like they know what song this is. As usual, I have no clue. But the forcefulness suggests Brother Jack!

Oy! Another trip down Clueless Ave. Ah well, ‘twas fun while it lasted. Now to see how badly I did!

[RDK]

"Fun"" is right, and overall I have to give the nod to this disc over disc #1. It may be less “serious,” but it’s much more offbeat and interesting to me. Several of these tracks I definitely need to add to my collection...

1. This track, however, doesn’t do that much for me. Like the bit of a theme played in the beginning, but the rest of it feels meandering and unfocused and the track goes on for way too long (though it gets interesting again at around 8:30 on).

2. This I like. A little bit inside; a little bit outside.

3. Great groove, but almost non-jazzy in a way. I really like the muted sounds of the brass. Very curious about this one, but probably not one I’d rush out to buy. (Just have to add that I’m liking it more with repeated listening.)

4. This tune sounds familiar but I’m not caring for the sound of the combined horns in the beginning. The solo passages are better, but that rhythm section is getting monotonous.

5. If this isn’t Keith Jarrett I don’t know what is. Short, solo, and with that ECM sound, so probably from Facing You, though I haven’t listened to that one (on LP) in some time. What can I say? – I love this one.

6. Very atmospheric – lovely. Reminds me of track 3 from disc 1, though I think I like this track much better.

7. This sounds familiar, too, but no clue. Some good playing, but that incessant drumbeat tends to ruin the track for me.

8. My first thought upon recognizing the tune was that this might be from Stanley T’s Stevie Wonder album, but that’s so obviously not ST on the sax. Sounds more like Shepp in places, trying his best to stay inside on a pop standard. I dunno, but I definitely want to hear more of this. I love this style of impassioned playing. It’s recognizable,

over-the-top, and above all fun. How could anyone not dig this one? Not the greatest sounding recording – live? – so maybe a boot?

9. Oh yeah. The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Great version and an unexpected choice for a jazz cover. Stuff like this really makes me wish that more guys did jazz covers of pop/rock tunes. Don’t have a clue as to who’s playing, but this is another of my favorites on this BFT.

10. Damn, I should know this one. I’m pretty sure I have it. Larry Young, Grant Green, and Sam Rivers from Into Somethin’? No, maybe not Sam…

11. Lots of this kind of post-BB jazz-funk on disc 1, but I like this track better than most of those on that disc. Dunno why, but more energetic and interesting to me. Bennie Maupin maybe on sax?

12. Whoa – buzz kill after that last track. Again, sounds like solo Jarrett, but later than track 5 – maybe something from “Dark Intervals?” If not Jarrett, certainly inspired by him and someone I want to listen to more.

13. Rinky-dinky organ in the opening, but the crowd suggests that he’s just putting us on. This may have been more fun for those in attendance – by the end, the “joke” runs out of gas – but still an enjoyable track.

[John B]

1. - no clue. sounds fairly prog-rockish. very "angular" guitar interesting. not warming to it very much, but I'm intested enough to want to listen to it again and (possibly) explore the album it came from.

2. no clue, nice enough piano trio. Nothing really jumping out at me here.

3. Nice groove. This almost sounds like a jazz / hip hop hybrid with some nice latin percussion, maybe something from the Blue Series on Thirsty Ear. This one never really “takes off” to my ears, but I wouldn’t mind hearing more of it.

4. Bossa Nova, but not too exciting to my ears. The horns don’t mesh well with the rhythm section, to my ears. Solidly “ok,” but not essential.

5. Short solo piano piece, this sounds like a cover of a treacly 1970’s pop song. Too saccharine for my tastes. This is either burned off of vinyl or whoever mastered this had some issues, as the sound of the piano seems to distort just around 2:30.

6. Nice atmosphere. I’m not hearing much I can grab onto to try and identify anyone, but I enjoy what they are doing. Nothing flashy, no one hogging the spotlight, just a nice, relaxed mood being created by some solid musicians.

7. Is that a drum machine? I hope that isn’t a human sounding so metronomic and boring. I’m not hearing much to redeem the track from the other players either. The drums are FAR too loud in the mix and dominate, much to the track’s detriment.

8. Just in time for my Stevie-fest this week. A nice fiery cover version. Not sure who this is. This doesn’t sound too “out,” more like someone coming from the r&b / gutbucket tradition who is reacting to the “new thing” players of the late 1960’s. I’m not too impressed with the rhythm section, mostly the drummer, who isn’t doing anything interesting at all. Not a bad track, given the limitations of the backing band.

9. Very rocking drummer, nice organ / horn front line. Other than that I am pretty much clueless. I recognize the tune, but can’t quite place what it is.

10. Again, I recognize the song, but can’t place it. Nice track, this sounds live to me. No clue who this is. I’m not often in the mood for organ but, when I am, this would hit the spot perfectly.

11. Miles homage by a big band. Very Bitches Brew, this must be “Spanish Key.” The horn sounds too distorted to be Miles himself, so I’ll guess this a fairly recent tribute. Nice energy, good groove, not copying the original too severely…everything I would look for in a successful cover of a Miles classic. This doesn’t sound like the “Yo Miles!” project to me, so I am clueless. I dig this track a lot. I’m looking forward to finding out who this is.

12. This one sounds like solo Jarret, maybe something more recent. Not sure other than that. Not bad. I’d like to find out who this is and check out the rest of the album.

13. Another track from a live recording. The audience is really into this. The track starts off slowly and the really develops some steam. Odd mellow section in the middle. This almost sounds like Phish at this point. No clue who this is.

All in all a lot of fun to listen to. Not all tracks are to my taste, but I enjoyed hearing them all, and I am really looking forward to finding out who some of these are by.

Thanks again, Tom!

[.:.impossible]

My guess is that this is the jazz covers rock mix that Rooster was asking for recs earlier in the year, or the outakes from it.

I recognized The Beatles (my favorite Ringo), Stevie Wonder (covered often... Charlie Byrd and your favorite latin jazz vibist), Elliott Smith (which I had to play twice because the next track just couldn't follow it, Elliott's music hits me deeply and Mel does a nice thing here), Miles, Radiohead (New Music Seminar), and others, but it has been a few days.

So what is everyone's stance on jazz covers rock? Any good examples of rock covers jazz?

[John B]

Any good examples of rock covers jazz?

←

Off the top of my head, the only rock covers of jazz tunes I can think of are by Phish. I know they covered many Miles, Herbie and Sonny Rollins songs live over the years.

[randyhersom]

Santana covered Coltrane's Welcome on the album of the same name. He also dropped a quote from Afro Blue into his Lotus live album.

Blood Sweat and Tears did God Bless the Child.

Steely Dan covered Duke's East St. Louis Toodle-oo on Pretzel Logic.

[randyhersom]

If either of then solo piano pieces were 90's or later rock, then Brad Mehldau is likely to have played one or the other.

[John B]

Santana covered Coltrane's Welcome on the album of the same name.  He also dropped a quote from Afro Blue into his Lotus live album.

That reminds me: the Derek Trucks band does a great version of Afro Blue. I think it has been released on both live and studio albums.

[randyhersom]

Oh, yes, a recent favorite. Yo La Tengo covers Sun Ra's Nuclear War. It's an EP with 4 versions. One of them features childrens voices singing Sun Ra's lyrics that would not be permitted on network TV, unsettling but somehow appropriate.

[.:.impossible]

Good ones... Phish also covered Back At The Chicken Shack, Manteca, Birdland too. I saw Derek Trucks do Afro Blue in Aspen this winter and it was intense. Off topic, but he had an amazing frontman with the band named something Madison. So soulful. Reminded me of some of the old Atlantic singers.

I've also seen YLT do Nuclear War, which is a real trip.

[randyhersom]

#1 would seem to be this group.

[dutchmanx]

I think disc #2 is a set of covers of rock classic . I personally think to make covers from well-known rock hits is bad idea basically and I know of the only exception which just confirms the rule - Love Sweat by Golden Earring. Sorry Rooster_Ties I won't be playing this disc again. There's too many brass and it's boring to me. No hard feelings OK?

These are tracks I could identify:

1 Red from Red album by King Crimson. This cover sounds very pale in comparison to heavy original. Red as track and as album in a whole is considered as one of best King Crimson albums in the peak of their creative power.

6 Roxanne from Outlandos d'Amour by Police

13 Paranoid Android from OK Computer by Radiohead

Andrew

[Noj]

Blindfold Test #25 Disc Two

Compiled by Rooster Ties

1. The FUNK keeps shining through! A little fuzzy guitar in there, even. I don't know what to make of this one. Weather Report-ish. Haven't the foggiest.

2. I don't recognize the piano player, I suspect I should. The slow pace leaves lots of room to play around, and I like how the bass player compliments.

3. Rooster can't help himself with the funky bass lines, this time with a latin feel. It has an MMW vibe to it, but I know it isn't them. Dig that percussion, wild!

4. This time a samba pace, and a very happy sound. Uplifting and enjoyable, but I don't know who it is.

5. Sentimental, but not bad. No guess. Borders on "Wind Beneath My Wings" which bugs a little.

6. Once those military drums kick in, I'm having saddening visions of war carnage. Something in the accompanying piano and guitar is a little cheesey to me.

7. NMCOT

8. "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life." Stevie Wonder covers are tough to pull off for some reason. I don't dig this one.

9. Is this another pop tune cover? I don't know the composition. Odd percussion, lots going on from the drummer. Not bad, not great.

10. Another one that seems to be leaving something to be desired. Maybe I'm fatigued from listening for so long. I like this better than the previous five tracks.

11. Strange, but in a good way. Somewhat like "In A Silent Way." Funky wah-wah guitar, but I can't get a feel for who that might be. Mahavishnu Orchestra-like.

12. Like track 5, this is a bit sentimental for my tastes, but it isn't bad. I wouldn't say I dislike it.

13. MMW?

Thanks and all due praises to Tom for compiling these discs! I've enjoyed them very much, and I'm sure I will buy a few of the full-length cds from which these tracks came from. Particularly tracks 4 & 5 from disc one!

Now, on to (finally) read everyone's responses!

John B, your BFT is next, then I'll get to Sangrey's!

[Noj]

The suspense is still killing me!