Rooster_Ties Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 (edited) Hi all, Leaving on Monday morning at 6am, so that's in not much more than 24-hours for now. This is my 2nd year going on an annual week-long planning retreat for everyone in the non-profit organization I work for (a small 20-person operation). The retreat is in Grand Lake, Colorado every year -- which necessitates two 13-hour drives from Kansas City (26-hours round-trip). Last year I packed too much obscure music that people didn't know, and there wasn't enough interest in the music I brought in order to turn the volume on the car-stereo enough so people could really hear it much. So, this year I'm erring on the side of MUCH more familiar tunes (so that means LOTS of pop "greatest hits" CD's, which I won't bore you with). BUT, for the JAZZ CD's I'm planning to take this year, I've narrowed down my choices to the following (which I could even narrow a bit further perhaps)... Miles - Kind of Blue -- of course, how could I not take this one. Miles - Sketches of Spain -- hard not to like this one either, but I have run into a few people that don't care for it. Eddie Henderson - Time & Spaces (2004) -- a brilliant "trumpet + piano trio" album, a tiny bit "out", but not really ("electric Miles"-ish for people that wouldn't like "electric Miles" - Eddie doesn't plug in on any of this, but they do cover some some "electric Miles"-ish material. Diz & Bird - Town Hall -- Bebop, but/and there's a good story to tell about the recording itself. Monk & Trane - Carnegie Hall -- another good story about the recording. Russ Long - Time to Go -- recent local (KC) tribute to local great Russ Long (and he's on it too, his last recording), with a TON of musicians I know personally (including our own Free For All!!), blowin' VERY strong on some accessible material, in a bigger "small group" context (four-horn front line). Pablo Ziegler Quartet - Tango & All That Jazz (w/ special guest Stefon Harris) -- a rather fantastic live tango album with a jazz attitude - and the guitar-player is electric for a change, in a sort of "Grant Green" kind of way. (Every other "tango" group I've heard or have recordings of has acoustic guitar.) Now, THAT's what I've already got packed in the CD flip-file case (everything up above). Here's what I'm ALSO toying with taking... Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble - Berliner Jazztage -- these arrangements and the playing both kill me every time. And while my wife doesn't exactly "love" it, she tolerates this recording as well as any jazz stuff I ever play (particular with sax, which she doesn't really care for much). Brad Mehldau - Day is Done (2005) -- one Radiohead cover, two Beatles covers, a Bacharach cover, a Nick Drake cover, and a Paul Simon cover - plus a handful of originals. Some solo piano, but mostly his most recent trio (with Jeff Ballard on drums), and not all the tunes are long and drawn out. Nat Adderley - Saying' Somethin' -- 'Side one' is kind of a big-band thing, and 'side two' is all small-combo - so that's some nice contrast and variation right there. Some tunes people will know too: "Walls of Jericho", "Satin Doll" (in a very 'poppish' arrangement), 'Cantaloupe Island". Side one is mostly shorter tunes too, which probably is a plus. Lee Morgan - Standards -- The Conn from early 1967, all Duke Pearson arrangements. Very approachable and "tasty" without getting to 'in your face' about it. Any other suggestions, or do any of these sound like a recipe for disaster?? Riding out I'm in a vehicle with three women, all of them probably in their mid-40's to mid-50's -- none of them specifically jazz fans, but probably as open-minded about music they don't know as anyone in the general public (anyone without a huge interest in music, I should also say). No idea who'll be in the van I'm in coming back. (I'm sure I'll revisit this topic in future years (as long as I work for this organization), so here's a thread for me to do that in annually.) Edited June 10, 2007 by Rooster_Ties Quote
White Lightning Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 I would say - more saxophone! I think sax is easier on the ear than trumpet. How about some Cannonball, LD, Mobley, Mulligan? Quote
sidewinder Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble - Berliner Jazztage -- these arrangements and the playing both kill me every time. And while my wife doesn't exactly "love" it, she tolerates this recording as well as any jazz stuff I ever play (particular with sax, which she doesn't really care for much). Brilliant album though this is, I wonder if this might have the ladies pulling their hair out? Something lighter perhaps - maybe one of Woody's more ballad-oriented quartet albums perhaps? 'In My Own Sweet Way', perhaps? Quote
JSngry Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 If it's 13 hours in a car with the same people one way, and then you got to spend more time with them, and then 13 more hours, how the hell is that a "retreat"? I mean, hey - I love everybody, really I do. But the number of people I like well enough to go through all that is somewhere between 0 & 1... Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted June 10, 2007 Author Report Posted June 10, 2007 (edited) If it's 13 hours in a car with the same people one way, and then you got to spend more time with them, and then 13 more hours, how the hell is that a "retreat"? I mean, hey - I love everybody, really I do. But the number of people I like well enough to go through all that is somewhere between 0 & 1... And you forgot in your calculus that the organization does this EVERY YEAR, and the trip is essentially mandatory. But in defense of the people that came up with this crazy idea -- the organization is a collection of what could have been "one-person" (or "two person") not-for-profits all unto themselves. But instead, all organized together as a 'collective' under one organizational "umbrella". So, 51 weeks out of the year, the amount of interaction between the people at work is often fairly minimal (perhaps 10 or 15 hours per week at most - or often even less). For instance, I'm in the office with any of these people only about once-per-week, and working elsewhere the rest of the time. So, it's not like we're all sick of working with each other all the time, like it would be in a conventional organization. That said, 26 hours is still a pretty long time in a vehicle with the same people. Oh, and just to clear this one up... * so we're all donating x amount $$$ so ya'll can take a vacation in Colorado? The place we're going to is owned by the organization itself -- so the cost for the week is next to nothing, except for transportation and food costs. I don't know the details, but the trip is as dirt cheap as one could ever imagine. Think "summer camp" circa 1970 - and you're not far off. Edited June 10, 2007 by Rooster_Ties Quote
Dan Gould Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 I think its extraordinarily presumptuous to think that people who aren't jazz fans to begin with would be interested in hardly anything you want to bring. I've tried the proselytizing thing during road trips with friends and it never ever works. Bring all the pop/rock/whatever greatest hits discs that you know these people will enjoy (and hopefully you can stand too), and hope that you can play two or three jazz things that you'll enjoy and won't drive other people nuts. Or else invite everyone to bring four or five discs of their own choosing, and rotate the CD programming among the group. Otherwise plan on carrying on a conversation. Quote
Uncle Skid Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Good advice from Dan. I can't imagine subjecting my wife & kids to that much road trip jazz, let alone co-workers. That said, I've noticed that anything by Frank Sinatra is usually welcomed ("Swinging Lovers, for instance). If you have it, "Harry "Sweets" Edison and his Orchestra" might be worth a try as well. Quote
Unk Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Me? My co-workers? I'd pack noise-cancelling headphones and whatever damn music I want to hear. Quote
BruceH Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 (edited) Hit 'em with some Ellington sooner or later. (1940-42 Blanton/Webster band, Such Sweet Thunder, Fargo, Blues In Orbit, and Piano Reflections come to mind, but it's all good.) Don't forget the Mobley and Tina Brooks. Serge Chaloff (Blue Serge) and Charlie Rouse (Soul Mates) are also good choices for the jazz-indifferent. And have you heard? Everybody digs Bill Evans! Edited June 10, 2007 by BruceH Quote
BruceH Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 I think its extraordinarily presumptuous to think that people who aren't jazz fans to begin with would be interested in hardly anything you want to bring. I've tried the proselytizing thing during road trips with friends and it never ever works. Bring all the pop/rock/whatever greatest hits discs that you know these people will enjoy (and hopefully you can stand too), and hope that you can play two or three jazz things that you'll enjoy and won't drive other people nuts. Or else invite everyone to bring four or five discs of their own choosing, and rotate the CD programming among the group. On the other hand, Dan has a very good point. ( ) Quote
Guy Berger Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 (edited) Based on my experience... I think that unless your co-workers are diehard jazz nuts or you're completely indifferent to their response, you should keep the jazz to a minimum. Guy Edited June 10, 2007 by Guy Quote
Patrick Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 And unless your wheels have a really nice sound system, I'd stay away from subtle stuff that is difficult to appreciate over road noise (ballads, much chamber music, etc). Maybe a jazz recording could be used to break up a parade of pop/rock/folk greatest hits albums--anyone for Malachi Thompson and Africa Brass performing "Lift Every Voice"? Quote
Epithet Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Riding out I'm in a vehicle with three women, all of them probably in their mid-40's to mid-50's Just listen to the oestrogen gurgle. Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted June 10, 2007 Author Report Posted June 10, 2007 (edited) I think its extraordinarily presumptuous to think that people who aren't jazz fans to begin with would be interested in hardly anything you want to bring. I've tried the proselytizing thing during road trips with friends and it never ever works. Bring all the pop/rock/whatever greatest hits discs that you know these people will enjoy (and hopefully you can stand too), and hope that you can play two or three jazz things that you'll enjoy and won't drive other people nuts. Or else invite everyone to bring four or five discs of their own choosing, and rotate the CD programming among the group. Dan's right, of course, about bringing as much "popular music" as I can -- so I'm one step ahead of you, Dan. FYI, a strong majority of the people where I work are women, average age probably about 40 to 45. So, here's all the pop/rock I'm bringing (and already had packed before I even started this thread)... ABBA - Greatest Hits (Gold) Beatles - Love (the new mish-mash thing, sort of a Greatest Hits) Blondie - Greatest Hits (Best of...) Death Cab for Cutie - Plans (their latest release) -- stupid name for a band, but GREAT music Eurythmics - Greatest Hits Evanescence - The Open Door (their 2nd album) -- think Jim Steinman's "Meatloaf"-type material, but with a female singer The Fixx - Greatest Hits Ben Folds Five - Reinhold Messner (their last album before Folds went solo) Peter Gabriel - So Genesis - Greatest Hits (Platinum Collection, Disc #1 - the more recent 3rd of the 3-disc set) Don Henley's - Greatest Hits (Actual Miles) The Impressions - This is my Country / The Young Mods Forgotten Story Elton John tribute - Two Room, Celebrating The songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin Billy Joel - Songs in the Attic (live collection of deeper album tracks) k.d. lang - Ingenue Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstacy The Police tribute - by Modern Rock artists (forget the title) R.E.M. - Greatest Hits ('88-'03, Best of WB years) Snow Patrol - Eyes Open (their most recent release) Steely Dan - Greatest Hits (Gold) Sting - All This Time (live in front of a studio audience "career overview" type thing) Tears for Tears - Greatest Hits U2 - Joshua Tree The Rainmakers (Kansas City band from the 80's) - Tornado (1987) Bob Walkenhorset - The Beginner (lead singer of The Rainmakers, and a personal friend of mine) Steve Winwood - Greatest Hits (Chronicles, just his solo-work - so no Traffic, Blind Faith, etc...) Then the jazz... Nat Adderly - Saying' Somethin' Miles - Kind of Blue Diz & Bird - Townhall Russ Long tribute - Time to Go Brad Mehldau trio - Day is Done Monk and Trane - Carnegie Lee Morgan - Standards Pablo Ziegler 4tet (w/ Stefon Harris) - Tango meets Jazz Rooster_Ties - Blindfold Test, Disc #1 Korngold - Symphony in F-sharp (yes, that Korngold, the movie-soundtrack guy) Otherwise plan on carrying on a conversation. 13-hours in a van is a LONG time. Edited June 10, 2007 by Rooster_Ties Quote
Niko Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Korngold - Symphony in F-sharp (yes, that Korngold, the movie-soundtrack guy) out of curiosity: does that have some jazz aspect to it? (all i know by Korngold is an opera i once saw, liked it a lot but it sure wasn't "jazzy") Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted June 10, 2007 Author Report Posted June 10, 2007 Korngold - Symphony in F-sharp (yes, that Korngold, the movie-soundtrack guy) out of curiosity: does that have some jazz aspect to it? (all i know by Korngold is an opera i once saw, liked it a lot but it sure wasn't "jazzy") Not really. Just a great Neo-romantic symphony that I think people not familiar with Classical Music could possibly connect with. Reminds me of Barber at times. Quote
catesta Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 I think its extraordinarily presumptuous to think that people who aren't jazz fans to begin with would be interested in hardly anything you want to bring. I've tried the proselytizing thing during road trips with friends and it never ever works. Bring all the pop/rock/whatever greatest hits discs that you know these people will enjoy (and hopefully you can stand too), and hope that you can play two or three jazz things that you'll enjoy and won't drive other people nuts. Or else invite everyone to bring four or five discs of their own choosing, and rotate the CD programming among the group. Dan's right, of course, about bringing as much "popular music" as I can -- so I'm one step ahead of you, Dan. FYI, a strong majority of the people where I work are women, average age probably about 40 to 45. So, here's all the pop/rock I'm bringing (and already had packed before I even started this thread)... ABBA - Greatest Hits (Gold) Beatles - Love (the new mish-mash thing, sort of a Greatest Hits) Blondie - Greatest Hits (Best of...) Death Cab for Cutie - Plans (their latest release) -- stupid name for a band, but GREAT music Eurythmics - Greatest Hits Evanescence - The Open Door (their 2nd album) -- think Jim Steinman's "Meatloaf"-type material, but with a female singer The Fixx - Greatest Hits Ben Folds Five - Reinhold Messner (their last album before Folds went solo) Peter Gabriel - So Genesis - Greatest Hits (Platinum Collection, Disc #1 - the more recent 3rd of the 3-disc set) Don Henley's - Greatest Hits (Actual Miles) The Impressions - This is my Country / The Young Mods Forgotten Story Elton John tribute - Two Room, Celebrating The songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin Billy Joel - Songs in the Attic (live collection of deeper album tracks) k.d. lang - Ingenue Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstacy The Police tribute - by Modern Rock artists (forget the title) R.E.M. - Greatest Hits ('88-'03, Best of WB years) Snow Patrol - Eyes Open (their most recent release) Steely Dan - Greatest Hits (Gold) Sting - All This Time (live in front of a studio audience "career overview" type thing) Tears for Tears - Greatest Hits U2 - Joshua Tree The Rainmakers (Kansas City band from the 80's) - Tornado (1987) Bob Walkenhorset - The Beginner (lead singer of The Rainmakers, and a personal friend of mine) Steve Winwood - Greatest Hits (Chronicles, just his solo-work - so no Traffic, Blind Faith, etc...) Then the jazz... Nat Adderly - Saying' Somethin' Miles - Kind of Blue Diz & Bird - Townhall Russ Long tribute - Time to Go Brad Mehldau trio - Day is Done Monk and Trane - Carnegie Lee Morgan - Standards Pablo Ziegler 4tet (w/ Stefon Harris) - Tango meets Jazz Rooster_Ties - Blindfold Test, Disc #1 Korngold - Symphony in F-sharp (yes, that Korngold, the movie-soundtrack guy) Otherwise plan on carrying on a conversation. 13-hours in a van is a LONG time. That's a lot of cds, dude. Personally, I'd be more worried about the farts in such close quarters for 13 hours rather than the tunes. If the van had satellite radio it would save you a lot of trouble. Quote
Aggie87 Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Have they asked you to expose them to music, or is this a self-appointed thing? It might be presumptuous of you to think they want to be exposed to what you want them to listen to. I like Dan's suggestion that everyone bring music that they like, and each person in the car takes turns playing their choice. That's much more democratic. Beside, with 3 other women riding with you, it's likely they'll prefer chatting to listening to music intently anyway. Quote
JSngry Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Beside, with 3 other women riding with you.. Dude, you have done dissed the Rooster's manhood. Prepare to be bitch-slapped. Or worse! Quote
Aggie87 Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Beside, with 3 other women riding with you.. Dude, you have done dissed the Rooster's manhood. Prepare to be bitch-slapped. Or worse! Ooops, sorry Tom! Though with that much time in the car perhaps the four of you can give each other pedicures while listening to Diz & Bird. Quote
sheldonm Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 ...ipod, every man/women for themselves!!! m Quote
Parkertown Posted June 11, 2007 Report Posted June 11, 2007 Be sure and take along either "The Velvet Underground & Nico" or "White Light/White Heat." I'm sure the gals would love to hear "Sister Ray." Just slip it on and wait for the reactions... heh... Quote
GA Russell Posted June 11, 2007 Report Posted June 11, 2007 I'm thinking Stan Getz bossa nova and Paul Desmond with Jim Hall. They both go down pretty easy. Quote
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