Funny Rat

[paul secor]

You kept the Rudd discs for the music?  I dunno--I found vol. 1 incredibly frustrating: two long & dull solo pieces at the end & a promising tune at the beginning thrown away on a not-terribly-interesting drum solo.  I guess I got the disc largely because I wanted to hear new Nichols tunes &was disappointed that many of them was delivered in such a way one really got little idea of what they "ought" to sound like.

The guitarist & drummer seem to have sunk back into obscurity after that session, for whatever reason.

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I got the Rudd discs for the same reason you did and felt the same disappointment when I heard them.

I agree that volume 2 is better, but I haven't been able to get myself to break up the set. The collector in me, I guess.

It was a pretty perverse decision on Rudd's part to debut these unknown tunes with such skeletal instrumentation.

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Talking about Nichols' music interpretations, I remember this one being not bad:

Sound samples are here: http://www.k2b2.com/blue_chopsticks.html

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I'd highly recommend that puppy.

When Nichols asked Neidlinger to one day see that his tunes got recorded with strings and horns , I'm absolutely sure that he didn't picture the raggedy bluegrass/western swing slant of these interpretations.

Still, they work for me.

Then again, as I hinted above, I'm a Herbie Nichols fanatic, and I appreciate just about any cover of his tunes, at the very least for the fact that they raise the man's profile that infinitesmal notch or two.

Seriously, this is a nice record.

Anyone hip to Duck Baker's finger-picked solo guitar tribute to Nichols, entitled

Spinning Song(Avant)? It's both beautiful and amazing.

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I'm a fan of both the Neidlinger and the Baker sides. If you're looking for conventional takes on Herbie Nichols' music, look elsewhere. If you dig unique and honest playing, you'll probably enjoy both of these.

Incidentally, Duck Baker also plays on one track of Roswell Rudd's Broad Strokes (Knitting Factory) CD - "Sassy and Dolphy" - a trio with Roswell Rudd and his son Christopher.

[J.A.W.]

For those interested, I just got this e-mail from Eremite:

http://eremite.com/discography/bluewinter_47_48.html

mte-47/48 BLUE WINTER

Fred Anderson tenor saxophone

Hamid Drake drums

William Parker bass & nagaswaram

Blue Winter is a milestone achievement in the great career of one of the stalwarts of the tenor saxophone, Fred Anderson. An exponent of the illustrious Chicago heavyweight tenor tradition that includes his contemporaries Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin, John Gilmore & Von Freeman, Anderson spent decades as a family man & bar owner before starting to seriously tour & record in the nineties. Born 1929 in Monroe, Louisiana, Anderson migrated to Chicago in 1940, where he devoted many years of study to the music of Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, & Charlie Parker. In 1964 Anderson co-founded the seminal Chicago musicians' organization the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). The strength & individuality of his playing in early AACM ensembles with Muhal Richard Abrams, Joseph Jarman, & Henry Threadgill earned Anderson the nickname "the lone prophet of the prairie." On Blue Winter, Anderson is joined by one of the premier rhythm sections in any music genre, Willi

http://eremite.com/discography/perles1_45.html

mte-45 PERLES NOIRES volume I

Sunny Murray drums

Sabir Mateen alto & tenor saxophones, alto-clarinet

Dave Burrell piano

Alan Silva bass

Louis Belogenis tenor saxophone

Sunny Murray’s talent is bigger than any category you could use to describe it. He’s one of the most original musical minds of the past 50 years, a genuine innovator, the liberator of the drum kit, and an artist of uncompromising honesty. Murray's playing in the 1960s with Albert Ayler, Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, & others opened up entirely new expressive realms for the drums in jazz. Murray’s act of liberation-- to free drummers from their strict time keeping role --still outrages many listeners, and his militant individuality, his obstinate adherence to his artistic vision over the years, still make him something of an outlaw presence in jazz. It should come as no shock to his listeners, then, that the music on this CD and its companion volume, recorded on brief visits to the U.S. from Murray’s home base in Paris, is full of fire and surprise, ornery as hell, charming and urbane, and totally, unstintingly true to his free-spirited aesthetic.

http://eremite.com/discography/perles2_46.html

mte-46 PERLES NOIRES volume II

Sunny Murray drums

Sabir Mateen alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet

John Blum piano

Oluyemi Thomas bass clarinet & c-melody saxophone

It needs to be said that the Volume II designation of this disc does not mean the music is in any way inferior to the music on Volume I. There’s enough great music from Sunny Murray’s 2003 Northeast tour to fill yet another volume. The designation is dictated partly by chronology --this material comes from the later part of the tour-- and partly by an aesthetic decision to program the music to show off the diversity and contrasts in Murray’s handling of the different ensembles he worked with on the tour. At 66, Murray is a different drummer than he was forty years ago when he first made jazz history with Cecil Taylor & Albert Ayler. Partly that’s because it’s harder at his age to physically sustain the intense high energy of previous decades. Partly, it’s a matter of artistic growth, development, and change. Murray’s drumming on these discs is unfailingly musical. His unerring touch, sensitivity to sound and color, his relaxation and swing, are the mark of a mature talent who knows exactly what he’s doing. As he approaches 70 years of age, Murray’s creativity, wit, and power are at a mature peak and no aspect of improvised music is beyond this most individual --and still radical-- drummer.

[Nate Dorward]

I have the 2nd Herbie Nichols Project disc--I thought it was pretty nice, though I've never got much out of Frank Kimbrough alas (I say this because he's such a nice guy in the shark-infested waters of the Jazz Corner board that I wish I was more excited about his music). -- I remember that Change of Season with Mengelberg, Lacy &c was another good Nichols tribute album with a few previously unheard tunes.

I've never heard vol. 2 of the Rudd Nichols set but vol. 1 was so disappointing I dumped it rapidly (despite its having Rudd signature on the cover!).

[Nate Dorward]

The Duck Baker disc is really nice by the way. Baker's best known as a critic--he has a regular column for Coda for instance.

[Д.Д.]

For those interested, I just got this e-mail from Eremite:

Can't say I'm impatient about hearing those. Most likely same-old predictable type of stuff.

Anyway, I have a feeling John will get those, so we'll see whether my suspicions are true.

[Kalo]

Anyone hip to Duck Baker's finger-picked solo guitar tribute to Nichols, entitled

Spinning Song(Avant)? It's both beautiful and amazing.

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Don't think I've ever heard of Duck Baker. Sounds interesting!

More Nichols' music tributes (on Palmetto and Soul Note, respectovely):

Anybody knows these ones?

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Those are both excellent.

I quite like this Herbie Nichol's tribute album

Some very solid bop piano playing. Mike Melillo also covers some Monk on the album too.

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I don't know that one. I'll have to check it out.

[gnhrtg]

About BLUE WINTER - I think John B was at the show which makes up part, all?, of the two discs, and gave a rave review of the concert. I will wait for some first impressions of the music as it appears on the discs from him, or others, and will likely pick this up barring words of warning from you guys.

[John B]

About BLUE WINTER - I think John B was at the show which makes up part, all?, of the two discs, and gave a rave review of the concert. I will wait for some first impressions of the music as it appears on the discs from him, or others, and will likely pick this up barring words of warning from you guys.

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Correct. Blue Winter is the complete concert I attended in December. I loved the show and am looking forward to hearing how it translates to cd. I'll be ordering this one today.

I'm also going to order PERLES NOIRES volume II, if only to hear Oluyemi Thomas' contributions. I'll decide if I need volume I after hearing volume II.

[Д.Д.]

I'm also going to order PERLES NOIRES volume II, if only to hear Oluyemi Thomas' contributions.  I'll decide if I need volume I after hearing volume II.

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John (and other nice people), you aware of this little sucker:

Oluyemi Thomas / Gino Robair "Unity in Multiplicity" (Rastascan). I haven't listened to it yet, but judging form a couple of tracks of this duo on Gino Robair's Buddy Systems (Meniscus), this can be something mindblowing.

[John B]

I'm also going to order PERLES NOIRES volume II, if only to hear Oluyemi Thomas' contributions.  I'll decide if I need volume I after hearing volume II.

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John (and other nice people), you aware of this little sucker:

Oluyemi Thomas / Gino Robair "Unity in Multiplicity" (Rastascan). I haven't listened to it yet, but judging form a couple of tracks of this duo on Gino Robair's Buddy Systems (Meniscus), this can be something mindblowing.

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No, never heard of that one. I'll have to get it. Oluyemi with no vocalist is close to becoming a "must order" for me.

[Д.Д.]

I'm also going to order PERLES NOIRES volume II, if only to hear Oluyemi Thomas' contributions.  I'll decide if I need volume I after hearing volume II.

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John (and other nice people), you aware of this little sucker:

Oluyemi Thomas / Gino Robair "Unity in Multiplicity" (Rastascan). I haven't listened to it yet, but judging form a couple of tracks of this duo on Gino Robair's Buddy Systems (Meniscus), this can be something mindblowing.

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[...] Oluyemi with no vocalist is close to becoming a "must order" for me.

←

Not too much of this avialble, unfortunately.

[P.L.M]

Back to JOELLE LEANDRE CONCERTO GROSSO.

The record is one of her best.

And, as it is, it's certainly one of the best double bass record that I've ever heard.

Not the equal of WAS DA IST (but who can ever equal this one?) but certainly in the same league.

14 pieces (the longest is 9'55 long, the shortest 3'22), seven on each record, beautifully recorded (with a close mike) for a sound "bigger than life".

Even David, with his crapy low-fi stereo, could enjoy all the "nuances" of the invigorating playing of Mrs LEANDRE. Guaranty.

Edited July 26, 2005 by P.L.M

[Д.Д.]

Even David, with his crapy low-fi stereo, could enjoy all the "nuances" of the invigorating playing of Mrs LEANDRE. Guaranty.

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I enjoy Ms. Leandre's playing even when played through built-in mono speaker on my laptop while I am 10 meters away in the bathroom with electric razor and running water providing additional "nuances".

Edited July 26, 2005 by Д.Д.

[P.L.M]

in the bathroom with electric razor.

You are old enough to have something to shave?

[Д.Д.]

I'm also going to order PERLES NOIRES volume II, if only to hear Oluyemi Thomas' contributions.  I'll decide if I need volume I after hearing volume II.

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John (and other nice people), you aware of this little sucker:

Oluyemi Thomas / Gino Robair "Unity in Multiplicity" (Rastascan). I haven't listened to it yet, but judging form a couple of tracks of this duo on Gino Robair's Buddy Systems (Meniscus), this can be something mindblowing.

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No, never heard of that one. I'll have to get it. Oluyemi with no vocalist is close to becoming a "must order" for me.

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Just finished my first listen to it - it's OK, but nothing earth-shattering (meaning, much less interesting than Thomas' duo with Alan Silva Transmission (Eremite)). More on a standard screaming side. Very energetic and inventive drumming by Gino Robair raises it above average level.

[Д.Д.]

New on Intakt:

IRENE SCHWEIZER

Live at taktlos

Irène Schweizer: Piano

George Lewis: Trombone

Maggie Nicols: Voice

Joëlle Léandre: Bass

Günter Sommer: Drums

Paul Lovens: Drums

1. FIRST MEETING 10’14

Irène Schweizer: Piano

George Lewis: Trombone

2. LUNGS AND LEGS WILLING? 12’04

Irène Schweizer: Piano

Maggie Nicols: Voice

Günter Sommer: Drums

3. TRUTZNACHTIGALL 20’30

Irène Schweizer: Piano

Joëlle Léandre: Bass

Paul Lovens: Drums

4. EVERY NOW AND THEN 1’21

Maggie Nicols: Voice

Lindsay Cooper: Piano

Recorded live at Taktlos 1984 by Peter Pfister

Grafic Design: Ruedi Wyss

Photos: Gertrud Vogler, Leonhard Mühlheim

Liner Notes: Patrik Landolt

Executive Production: Patrik Landolt

First released as Intakt LP 001 / 1986

Intakt CD 001/ 2005

At the first Taktlos Festival in 1984, Irène Schweizer assembled several chosen musician to a three-day improvisation meeting. The recordings, which appeared in 1986 as the first Intakt LPs, reveal the improvisational art of the pianist in three different formations: Schweizer and Lewis / Schweizer, Nicols and Sommer / Schweizer, Léandre and Lovens. Twenty years after their initial release, these improvisations haven’t lost any of their playful inventiveness, liveliness, power and originality. “A city tour through musical liberated zones” was what Zurich press wrote after the festival. In addition, the record is a cultural-political document of the atmosphere of awakening in Zurich in the eighties; moreover, it marks the beginning of the jazz label, Intakt Records, as well as that of the Taktlos Festival.

[Д.Д.]

Norwegian Jazzaway label just released new Sonny Simmons and Tony Malaby CDs.

[Geoff]

I finally got a credit card guys!

Give me some links so I can start using it.

[Д.Д.]

I finally got a credit card guys!

Give me some links so I can start using it.

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Welcome to the adult world of reckless spending, Geoff.

I normally buy either form lables or artists directly. Many of them are not set up to receive credit card payments, but most accept payments through PayPal. I would highly recommend you setting up a PayPal account (free, but they do fuck the foreginers up on exchange rate).

Of resellers, the ones I use the most are:

Indiejazz - good (and constantly growing) selection, excellent prices, great service.

Erstwhile distro - in addition to Erstwhile releases, carries a lot of EAI music at very good (best, I'd say) prices. Excellent fast service.

Cadence - the main online source for improv music with good prices.

CDBaby - some really good (and obscure) stuff here with $5 sales and very generous sound samples for each disc. Good brousing system. Flawless service.

CD Connection and CD Universe - two "mainstream" on-line stores. Good for US releases mostly. I prefer CD Connection due to better international shipping rates, but CD Universe has a nice promotion on recently-released CDs (Jazzmatazz site has a list of upcoming CDs with direct links to corresponding CD Universe pages).

Jazzos - best source for Italian labels. Good shipping rates. The owner, Marco Valente is very knowledgeable about Italian music and will gladly give you recommendations. Check out his own Auand label.

2001 - small selection, but occasional great deals. Shipping costs might be prohibitive, though.

Finally, the most enigmatic of them all, The Music Resource - has some very good prices for many labels (e.g. Emanem), but has very inaccurate availability database (50% of what you order is likely to turn out to be unavailable) and is extremely sloiw (expect to wait 2-3 months if you place a big order.

There are more: Jazzloft, Forced Exposure, Squidco, Verge, DMG - but I haven't used them too much so can't comment on them.

[gnhrtg]

What D.D. said, but let me say that I've ordered countless times from Verge without a single problem - and I think they now accept payment through pay-pal as well. If you get on their mailing list, you get monthly updates along with routine cut-out sales and also get notified of the more seldom but very good sales they have. They have very good coverage and quite competitive prices (perhaps the best prices for Canadian labels, such as Red Toucan and Victo). Oh, and they also get contemporary classical releases, e.g., those on Bridge, at good prices. Thought I'd let you all know as I am, and have long been, a very satisfied customer.

[Geoff]

I finally got a credit card guys!

Give me some links so I can start using it.

←

Welcome to the adult world of reckless spending, Geoff.

I normally buy either form lables or artists directly. Many of them are not set up to receive credit card payments, but most accept payments through PayPal. I would highly recommend you setting up a PayPal account (free, but they do fuck the foreginers up on exchange rate).

Of resellers, the ones I use the most are:

Indiejazz - good (and constantly growing) selection, excellent prices, great service.

Erstwhile distro - in addition to Erstwhile releases, carries a lot of EAI music at very good (best, I'd say) prices. Excellent fast service.

Cadence - the main online source for improv music with good prices.

CDBaby - some really good (and obscure) stuff here with $5 sales and very generous sound samples for each disc. Good brousing system. Flawless service.

CD Connection and CD Universe - two "mainstream" on-line stores. Good for US releases mostly. I prefer CD Connection due to better international shipping rates, but CD Universe has a nice promotion on recently-released CDs (Jazzmatazz site has a list of upcoming CDs with direct links to corresponding CD Universe pages).

Jazzos - best source for Italian labels. Good shipping rates. The owner, Marco Valente is very knowledgeable about Italian music and will gladly give you recommendations. Check out his own Auand label.

2001 - small selection, but occasional great deals. Shipping costs might be prohibitive, though.

Finally, the most enigmatic of them all, The Music Resource - has some very good prices for many labels (e.g. Emanem), but has very inaccurate availability database (50% of what you order is likely to turn out to be unavailable) and is extremely sloiw (expect to wait 2-3 months if you place a big order.

There are more: Jazzloft, Forced Exposure, Squidco, Verge, DMG - but I haven't used them too much so can't comment on them.

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thanks for the guide

[Geoff]

if only I lived in America, shipping wouldn't be as bad as it is in Australia

[Д.Д.]

What D.D. said, but let me say that I've ordered countless times from Verge without a single problem - and I think they now accept payment through pay-pal as well. [...] They have very good coverage and quite competitive prices (perhaps the best prices for Canadian labels, such as Red Toucan and Victo).

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Red Toucan is now distirbuted by indiejazz at the price 12 USD - great deal, I'd say (and an excellent label). I assume they's pick up Victo and Spool as well.

[Geoff]

I've bought Victo records for only $10 AUS ($7.50 US approx) in Australia!

[John B]

Allegro Music is having a 25% off sale on AUM Fidelity titles through 8/2.

http://www.allegro-music.com/label_search.asp?label=AUM

The new Vision Festival live cd/dvd is only $16.46. At that price, I am tempted.