Von Freeman

[Bol]

Weird how some musicians' playing just sneak up on you. Despite all the glowing reports, I did not *get* Von Freeman for a long time. And now suddenly, he seems like the most cogent tenor player alive. I am really enjoying "The Improvisor" and "The Great Divide", both on Premonition. I am beginning to see where Ab Baars gets his sound. The booklet for "The Improvisor" has a small essay by Kevin Whitehead that says that Vonski has played in the past with Han Bennink and Misha Mengelberg. Only if such sessions could be released as recordings!!

As I was writing this, I got the following message from Premonition:

"We're working on a new Von Freeman record at the moment. We're planning to record here in Chicago with several of his regular bands, sort of a smorgasboard of sidemen, but also add some NY guys in there as well.

"The live recording that you are talking about, I believe, was supposed to be released by a european label associated with the Bim Huis in Amsterdam. In fact, I know they went all the way through to the mastering phase but then nothing. i don't know what the status of it is. It was recorded about 18 months ago live at the Bim Huis (the original). The personnel was Von, Han Bennick, Amina Claudine Meyers, and a great, dutch bass player whose name I'm spacing on (shame on me). Would very much like to hear it, for sure ..."

[Free For All]

10/3/07

Happy birthday Vonski!

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Didn't realise it was his birthday. Will dig out some of the few LPs I have of his.

Von is a guy who has been overshadowed, in my collection, by brother George, whom I LURVE. But I'd appreciate some recommendations as to what's available that's really exciting.

MG

[paul secor]

Koch has issued a box with 2 CDs of Von Freeman's Premonition recordings (unreleased material included) plus a DVD of video material - http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?...87742&BAB=M.

[six string]

On a related note, where should I start with Von Freeman? I've been curious for years, but never got around to a purchase.

[relyles]

"The live recording that you are talking about, I believe, was supposed to be released by a european label associated with the Bim Huis in Amsterdam. In fact, I know they went all the way through to the mastering phase but then nothing. i don't know what the status of it is. It was recorded about 18 months ago live at the Bim Huis (the original). The personnel was Von, Han Bennick, Amina Claudine Meyers, and a great, dutch bass player whose name I'm spacing on (shame on me). Would very much like to hear it, for sure ..."

There is a radio broadcast of a live performance by this group that I think was seeded on dimeadozen a while back. The basic info is as follows:

Freeman, Von 03/13/02 Concerto Jazz Rete Due, Studio 2, RSI, Lugano, Switzerland

Von Freeman (ts), Amina Claudine Myers (p), Hein van den Geyn (b), Han Bennink (d).

[relyles]

On a related note, where should I start with Von Freeman? I've been curious for years, but never got around to a purchase.

Considering the length of time of his career, Von Freeman does not have that many recordings as a leader. His recent recordings for Premonition seem to be the most activity he has had from a recording perspective in his career. I enjoy all the recent Premonition discs, but my personal introduction was the two Nessa releases, Serenade & Blues and Have No Fear, both of which are easily recommended. I also like his debut recording as a leader, Doin' It Right Now and the SteepleChase quartet recordings that I believe were all recorded at the same sessions.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

On a related note, where should I start with Von Freeman? I've been curious for years, but never got around to a purchase.

Considering the length of time of his career, Von Freeman does not have that many recordings as a leader. His recent recordings for Premonition seem to be the most activity he has had from a recording perspective in his career. I enjoy all the recent Premonition discs, but my personal introduction was the two Nessa releases, Serenade & Blues and Have No Fear, both of which are easily recommended. I also like his debut recording as a leader, Doin' It Right Now and the SteepleChase quartet recordings that I believe were all recorded at the same sessions.

Thanks Relyles. Are the Nessa's available?

I've got "Doin' it right now" - played it this morning Did Rahsaan produce the Steeplechase albums, too?

MG

[Aggie87]

Are the Nessa's available?

I think Have No Fear is available directly from Chuck.

[Chuck Nessa]

Are the Nessa's available?

I think Have No Fear is available directly from Chuck.

As is Serenade & Blues.

[J.A.W.]

Are the Nessa's available?

I think Have No Fear is available directly from Chuck.

As is Serenade & Blues.

Both are highly recommended.

[relyles]

On a related note, where should I start with Von Freeman? I've been curious for years, but never got around to a purchase.

Considering the length of time of his career, Von Freeman does not have that many recordings as a leader. His recent recordings for Premonition seem to be the most activity he has had from a recording perspective in his career. I enjoy all the recent Premonition discs, but my personal introduction was the two Nessa releases, Serenade & Blues and Have No Fear, both of which are easily recommended. I also like his debut recording as a leader, Doin' It Right Now and the SteepleChase quartet recordings that I believe were all recorded at the same sessions.

Thanks Relyles. Are the Nessa's available?

I've got "Doin' it right now" - played it this morning Did Rahsaan produce the Steeplechase albums, too?

MG

I see now my sentence structure may have created a little confusion. The SteepleChase quartet recordings (recorded in 1992) were not produced by Rahsaan.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

On a related note, where should I start with Von Freeman? I've been curious for years, but never got around to a purchase.

Considering the length of time of his career, Von Freeman does not have that many recordings as a leader. His recent recordings for Premonition seem to be the most activity he has had from a recording perspective in his career. I enjoy all the recent Premonition discs, but my personal introduction was the two Nessa releases, Serenade & Blues and Have No Fear, both of which are easily recommended. I also like his debut recording as a leader, Doin' It Right Now and the SteepleChase quartet recordings that I believe were all recorded at the same sessions.

Thanks Relyles. Are the Nessa's available?

I've got "Doin' it right now" - played it this morning Did Rahsaan produce the Steeplechase albums, too?

MG

I see now my sentence structure may have created a little confusion. The SteepleChase quartet recordings (recorded in 1992) were not produced by Rahsaan.

Ah, thanks.

MG

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

This board is good! Too good

Two Vonski Nessa's ordered. Thanks to all.

MG

[JSngry]

Von Freeman is a bad motherfucker.

MG - you need to track down the live Milt Trenier thing on Cadet. Von's in the backing band, and although he's not prominently featured, what's there is choice (apologies to Spencer Tracy, who I otherwise find a bit piffelish).

Show BIDNESS baby!

:tup :tup

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

check out his bro's "brand new funk" album or whatever it is called on groove merchant. a good amount of von freeman rocking out although most of the songs are regretably brief (though to the point).

I've got all of George's albums - that was how I got to hear Von.

MG

[king ubu]

I finally got the fourth Premonition album, "Good Forever", and I think I like it most of them all! The live show from The Dakota is amazing, and "The Great Divide" is very good as well, but I do connect somewhat more with "Good Forever" (same band on both). "The Improvisor" has some BAD Vonski on it (well, which of his albums doesn't?) but all in all it's a bit too peacemeal, I find.

Koch has issued a box with 2 CDs of Von Freeman's Premonition recordings (unreleased material included) plus a DVD of video material - http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?...87742&BAB=M.

So... now that I have all four - what's the unissued material, and what's on the DVD? I was unaware there was anything new on that package!

Details, anyone?

Edited May 29, 2012 by king ubu

[Chuck Nessa]

The 2 disc "best of" includes 3 bonus tracks: Moose the Mooche (8:21) from the Dakota session, It's Impossible (7:15) from the Divide sessions and This Is Always (2:56) from the live portion of Improvisor.

The dvd is in 2 parts; the first a public interview conducted by Neil Tesser and the second is the ceremony renaming a portion of 75th St Von Freeman Way. The interview is 38 minutes and the other is 10. Both were recorded in October 2002.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Chuck Nessa

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

St Von Freeman Way.

I thought you had to be dead to be canonised.

MG

[Chuck Nessa]

St Von Freeman Way.

I thought you had to be dead to be canonised.

MG

Sloppy edit now corrected. Thanks.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

St Von Freeman Way.

I thought you had to be dead to be canonised.

MG

Sloppy edit now corrected. Thanks.

I think St Von has a certain ring to it, Chuck.

MG

[David Ayers]

Only on this board.

[king ubu]

Only on this board.

Alas... and as you keep telling us were not the avant of but the arrierest of gardes, that will likely not change that much, won't it? ;-)

Thanks for the info, Chuck. Not my kind of package, but still sounds attractive enough!

[David Ayers]

Well, good luck getting it past the Pontiff, guys.