BFT #28 DISC TWO - ANSWERS

[MartyJazz]

OK, this disc contains more recent material, i.e., recorded within the last 20 years. JSngry astutely notes that in comparison with Disc One in which there was a “looking forward” and “discovery”, this disc seems, at least in some places, to have more of a “looking backward” and “reiteration” aspect. While the majority of you did prefer Disc One, a couple of people here (John B, naos) are more partial to “contemporary” (and I mean that in the best sense of the word) stuff or are at least more comfortable in terms of guessing or identifying what’s on this disc.

1) “Blues for Astor” (Diego Urcola) from Paquito D’Rivera & the United Nation Orchestra: A NIGHT IN ENGLEWOOD (Messador) – Multinational big band featuring on this track: Raul Jaurena (bandoneon); Urcola (tp); Andres Boiarsky (ts); Carlos Franzetti (p); Oscar Stagnaro (el-b); Adam Cruz (d); Bobby Sanabria (perc). Rec’d July ‘93.

Not being a Paquito D’Rivera fan, I graciously accepted this gift CD from a Latino friend (my barber) and found that surprisingly I do like it overall, especially this track that among other things has the virtue of NOT at all featuring the frequently strident Paquito. Rather, three Argentines solo, the soulful bandoneon of Jaurena (Stereojack and brownie had this instrument pegged correctly) standing out as well as the tenor contribution by Boiarsky. At least one listener here was disconcerted by Urcola’s “jazz messenger” solo which alters the feel of the piece quite a bit. Since Urcola is also credited as the composer, one wonders what his motivation was. Incidentally, this is the orchestra that was first founded and led by Dizzy Gillespie back around ’89, a couple of years before this recording was made.

2) “Promethean” (Mulgrew Miller) from Tony Williams: YOUNG AT HEART (Columbia) – Miller (p); Ira Coleman (b); Williams (d). Rec’d September ‘96.

I enjoy good solid straight ahead hard boppish piano (see Hawes on Disc One) within a trio context and this track definitely fits the bill. Mulgrew recorded this original earlier on one of his Landmark cds but this version stands out more for me especially with Tony Williams, the leader of the date, being so propulsive behind him. Musicians here may recognize that this piece is based on the changes to “Days of Wine and Roses”.

3) “Like Sonny” (John Coltrane) from Ray Barretto: PORTRAITS IN JAZZ AND CLAVE (RCA Victor) – John Bailey (tp); Steve Turre (tb); Adam Kolker, Joe Lovano (ts); John Di Martino (p); Kenny Burrell (g); Eddie Gomez (b); Vince Cherico (d); Barretto (congas); Bobby Sanabria (perc). Rec’d March ’99.

This Trane piece has a Latin rhythm component that I expected might cause a few to think perhaps of the Conrad Herwig aggregate album, “The Latin Side of John Coltrane”. However, Rosco first id’d this track correctly based on his instant recognition of Lovano. While the solo order is not specified, I think we can agree that it’s the less known Kolker who leads off with Lovano following. I really like their interaction, the track definitely being the highlight of this Barretto cd, IMO.

4) “Optimism” (M Weiss) from Michael Weiss: SOUL JOURNEY (Sintra) – Ryan Kisor (tp); Steve Davis (tb); Steve Wilson (as); Weiss (p); Paul Gill (b); Joe Farnsworth (d); Daniel Sadownick (perc). Released 2003.

I really like this piece and the entire cd it comes from. I say this because I confess that I’ve known Michael Weiss for over 20 years ever since we met when residing in the same Brooklyn apartment building. (Indeed, Michael was a guest and played at my wedding). Comments by and large were positive and I note that both Stereojack and JSngry thought that the pianist might be Cedar Walton. Naos shocked me with his guess of Michael but evidently he is unaware of the SOUL JOURNEY cd as he wondered whether Eric Alexander was also on it, perhaps on alto. I copped this excellent cd one evening when my wife and I together with a couple of friends surprised Michael a little over a year ago by showing up at a concert he led at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. If I recall correctly, the personnel that night was altered only by the substitution of Adam Kolker and Jim Snidero for Davis & Wilson, the program consisting entirely of Michael’s compositions from this album.

I’m hereby plugging Michael’s cd (I doubt that he minds) so if you want to cop it, by all means use this link:

Michael Weiss CD: SOUL JOURNEY

5) “Little Niles” (Randy Weston) from Stefon Harris & Jacky Terrasson: KINDRED (Blue Note) – Harris (marimba); Terrasson (p); Tarus Mateen (b); Terreon Gully (d). Rec’d January 2001.

I’ve always liked this relatively little known Weston composition since first hearing it on a George Shearing live date for Capitol. This version with marimba really cooks.

6) “Chester Leaps In” from Bennie Wallace: THE ART OF THE SAXOPHONE (Denon) – Wallace, Jerry Bergonzi (ts); John Scofield (g); Eddie Gomez (b); Dannie Richmond (d). Rec’d February ‘87.

A few of you pointed out that this piece is obviously based on “Moon” changes. I personally like Wallace’s phrasing with its obvious roots in Dolphy and to a lesser extent, ‘60s Rollins, at least to my ears. Since Bennie is not everyone’s cup of tea, here, Bergonzi’s Trane influence should be more palatable, I would suspect, although I note that JSngry also prefers Wallace’s playing. I dig the contrast between these tenors as well as the other two tracks on which they play together on this OOP Denon cd, they also being based on other pop standards, “Indiana” and “All the Things….”. BTW, the cd employs the same rhythm section throughout, the second saxophonists who each appear on the other three sessions on this disc being Lew Tabackin, Harold Ashby and Oliver Lake.

7) “Nightlake” (Richie Beirach) from Kenny Barron: WANTON SPIRIT (Verve) – Barron (p); Charlie Haden (b); Roy Haynes (d). Rec’d February ‘94.

I suspect that many of you already own this Verve cd since Kenny Barron certainly does not lack for followers on Organissimo. However I programmed it gambling that this Beirach original would not be easily recognizable. I really love Barron’s expressiveness on this track and marvel at his development since I first heard him as a sideman on Dizzy’s ‘60s Phillips recordings.

8) “Soulmate” (Lucien) from Gary Bartz: THE RED AND ORANGE POEMS (Atlantic) – Eddie Henderson (tp, fl-h); Bartz (as); John Clark (fr-h); Mulgrew Miller (p); Dave Holland (b); Greg Bandy (d); Steve Kroon (perc). Rec’d September ‘94.

This is just a very fun piece to get up and move to, the south African influence being quite apparent. A few of you thought it sounded “cheesy” (yuk) or “Disneyesque” (ouch!). But I think on the whole that this Bartz cd is underrated. I see it all the time in the used bins at the second hand CD stores down here in southeast Florida and have been tempted to tell anyone who happens to be standing next to me in the jazz section to pick it up. I’ll continue to refrain from doing so since I see that this track certainly didn’t grab everyone here.

9) “Quarte’s Fever” (Michelot) from Pierre Michelot: BASS AND BOSSES (Emarcy) – Pierre Blanchard (vio); Toots Thielemans (harmonica); Maurice Vander (p); Michelot (b); Billy Higgins (d). Rec’d December ‘89.

no cover photo available

I got this in a Tower Records cutout store in the east Village many years ago, attracted not only by the low $6 price but intrigued by the presence of Billy Higgins behind a front line of violin and harmonica. This is only one of two originals on the date, the other tracks, also well done, consisting of a number of jazz standards, e.g., “Godchild”, “The Peacocks”, “Jitterbug Waltz”. Anyway, Toots really wails on this one and I particular enjoy the closing exchanges between he and Blanchard. Interesting, as brownie noted, to also hear Maurice Vander as well as the leader, Michelot, some 3-1/2 decades plus after the Django date on Disc One.

10) “Innocence” (Keith Jarrett) from the compilation: AS LONG AS YOU’RE LIVING YOURS – THE MUSIC OF KEITH JARRETT (RCA Victor) – George Garzone (ts); Massimo Biolcati (b); Bob Gullotti (d). Released 2000.

A few months ago I was at the local library where they were having a benefit sale featuring quite a few sealed cds priced at $3 apiece. Most of them were of the popular variety but I did notice this one and among the varied artists listed on the back insert, Garzone’s name popped up thanks to an earlier BFT by .:.impossible that turned me on to this tenor saxophonist. This is a short track but I was immediately struck by the obvious ‘60s Rollins influence (seconded by JSngry here) in terms of tone and attack – indeed at 1:10 on the cut, I hear a phrase that seems lifted from the lengthy similar trio instrumentation version of “52nd Street Theme” Newk did with Roy McCurdy on drums for Victor back around ’64. Check it out if you have it. As is known by those who know me, I very much favor any tenor playing that is indeed, or is evocative of, ‘60s Rollins. Anyway, Rosco has been driven to distraction trying to id this piece as he did recognize it as a Jarrett composition (something I could never have done if I was on the receiving end of this BFT), so I trust he’ll be glad to know the particulars once he reads this.

To be continued

[Big Al]

7) “Nightlake” (Richie Beirach) from Kenny Barron: WANTON SPIRIT (Verve) – Barron (p); Charlie Haden (b); Roy Haynes (d).  Rec’d February ‘94.

I suspect that many of you already own this Verve cd since Kenny Barron certainly does not lack for followers on Organissimo.  However I programmed it gambling that this Beirach original would not be easily recognizable.  I really love Barron’s expressiveness on this track and marvel at his development since I first heard him as a sideman on Dizzy’s ‘60s Phillips recordings. 

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Hafta listen to this again. I used to own this, but it's been years since I did. Wonder if it'll sound at all familiar upon second listen?

[JSngry]

Garzone, eh? Well, no wonder!

[Guest]

4) “Optimism” (M Weiss) from Michael Weiss: SOUL JOURNEY (Sintra) – Ryan Kisor (tp); Steve Davis (tb); Steve Wilson (as); Weiss (p); Paul Gill (b); Joe Farnsworth (d); Daniel Sadownick (perc).  Released 2003.

When I was in Detroit a few years back, the local radio station played the Alexander-Weiss band so heavily -I think I heard it a couple of times every day - that it must have had me remember the sound of the band without my knowing it. I guess Weiss was doing the arrangement in that band too. I saw them - and Stefon Harris too - once at the Ford Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival. I particularly remember Alexander played solo (forgot the tune he did. was it In a Centimental Mood?) and it sounded beautifully into the open air.

10) “Innocence” (Keith Jarrett) from the compilation: AS LONG AS YOU’RE LIVING YOURS – THE MUSIC OF KEITH JARRETT (RCA Victor) – George Garzone (ts); Massimo Biolcati (b); Bob Gullotti (d).  Released 2000.

This is my fav song! I really like the way Jarrett-Garbarek Quartet played it live on "Nude Ants". But I had no idea until I saw the answers. Surprised!

Edited August 26, 2005 by naos

[Michael Weiss]

4) “Optimism” (M Weiss) from Michael Weiss: SOUL JOURNEY (Sintra) – Ryan Kisor (tp); Steve Davis (tb); Steve Wilson (as); Weiss (p); Paul Gill (b); Joe Farnsworth (d); Daniel Sadownick (perc).  Released 2003.

When I was in Detroit a few years back, the local radio station played the Alexander-Weiss band so heavily -I think I heard it a couple of times every day - that it must have had me remember the sound of the band without my knowing it. I guess Weiss was doing the arrangement in that band too. I saw them - and Stefon Harris too - once at the Ford Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival. I particularly remember Alexander played solo (forgot the tune he did. was it In a Centimental Mood?) and it sounded beautifully into the open air.

For the record, there has never been any such entity as an Alexander-Weiss band. The CD you are referring to was my recording for DIW called Power Station, on which Alexander played. On that disc, all the arrangements and six of the compositions are mine. Ed Love of WDET has been a great supporter. In 2000, my septet, with the same personnel listed above, performed at the Detroit Jazz festival. Eric appeared earlier that evening with another group. Nevertheless, as Marty mentioned, you are quite astute to have been able to identify me. I'm impressed!

Thanks Marty for adding me to the stew.

Edited August 30, 2005 by Michael Weiss

[Rosco]

Again, a little late in posting these responses but…

1: What little Paquito I’ve heard has been in a more Latin style. Nice track.

2: I have the earlier version on Keys to the City but it didn’t click. MM is a fine pianist. Almost speculated that Tain Watts was the drummer. Glad I didn’t. That would have been embarrassing. ‘Days of Wine and Roses,’ huh? Hm, I sort of hear it but it would never have occurred to me.

3: Thanks for crediting me with ‘instant recognition’ of Lovano, but it actually took a couple of listens. Not familiar with Kolker but he sure holds his own in such fast company.

4: A nice tune and good arrangement. And, hey, how ‘bout that piano player? Nice choice. I like that this BFT isn’t just a ‘name that tune’ quiz, it also has some things that hopefully a few of us will get turned on to.

5: Cooks indeed. Two musicians I need to hear more of.

6: Again, Wallace isn’t I player I’m familiar with but he’s very interesting here. A definite Dolphy influence here, sounding a little (now that I listen to it again) like David Murray. Sco doesn’t sound quite himself here for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on; a little more subdued maybe, a less bright sound; anyway I kept thinking it might be Mike Stern.

7: ‘The piano style seems very familiar,’ I wrote. Yeah, I would hope so: I really like Barron. I have this album and for some reason it didn’t occur to me. Should’ve spotted Haden, too. Nice stuff.

8: Opinion was divided on this, but I quite liked it. Surprised that it was Bartz (although listening back I can hear his tone); in fact I’m surprised this was American musicians (well, ok, Holland excepted).

9: Yeah, Toots is probably one of the most distinctive voices in jazz. Blanchard’s new to me. Good track.

10: Yep, this is the one that drove me nuts! I recognised it almost straight away as a Jarrett tune and in my head I could hear Garbarek playing it. I just could not think what it was. The original (from Nude Ants and Personal Mountains) is a slow, lush ballad; this is transformed into a furious (as several have rightly pointed out) Rollinsesque sprint. Kind of a curious choice to interpret this way- somewhere between irony and parody- but very much like the irreverent approach Rollins often employed, particularly during the sixties. Jarrett has written some fine tunes and it’s a pity more players haven’t seen fit to reinterpret them. I remember this album coming out although I seem to recall the line-up not looking too promising… Not familiar with Garzone’s playing but on the basis of this I will be seeking out some of his work.

Edited September 6, 2005 by Rosco

[mikeweil]

I wish I had the time to listen more thoroughly before the answers were posted - this would have been a lot of fun. I have the Tony Williams disc and remember I was reminded of this by some track at first listen, although my thoughts went tworads the Great Jazz Trio records; have the Bennie Wallace, and like it - wonder if I would have got it ....