Larry Kart Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 The other day I picked up a copy of Braden's 1995 album "Organic," with Jack McDuff, Larry Goldings, Fathead Newman and others and was quite pleased by what I heard. (I'd heard some '90s Braden before, I think on Criss Cross, and found him to be adept but rather generic.) I see that he's recorded a good many albums over the years, some of them with a pop and/or populist slant (e.g. "Workin'" -- an album of Earth, Wind and Fire tunes), but one of the tracks on "Organic" is a Whitney Houston cover, "Savin' All My Love For You," and it stimulates Braden to some fine playing. As I said above, any thoughts/recommendations? Quote
Milestones Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 I had one record by him (don't recall title) and it wasn't bad. Also caught him once at Tri-C JazzFest, and he was quite respectable--but not mind-blowing. Quote
John Tapscott Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 I don't have any of Don's recordings as a leader but his playing is very strong IMO on this live Valery Ponomarev Cd on Reservoir. Quote
Dan Gould Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 I recall some of those Criss Cross records as being pretty strong - Wish List and After Dark - but it's been quite a while since I've heard them. Should rectify that. Quote
Peter Friedman Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 Larry said it well when he referred to Braden as "adept but rather generic". I have quite a few examples of Braden's playing, primarily as a sideman with a variety of different musicians. More often than not, his solos fail to do much for me. Though every so often I hear something interesting from him. The CD "Organic" that Larry mentioned is certainly one of the best things I have heard by Don. Not too long before Art Farmer died, I saw his quintet live with Dan Braden sharing the front line. Braden's playing was rather disappointing to me. Quote
kh1958 Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 I saw him leading a group once at Sweet Rhythm. It was okay, but I mostly recall being bored. Quote
Larry Kart Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Posted February 17, 2015 What caught me about "Organic," was how song-like Braden's solos were, almost in a Wardell Grey or Teddy Edwards manner. If there is that strain in his makeup, perhaps it doesn't always get integrated with the hip, neo-hard bop side of his background. Quote
JSngry Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 "Saving All My Love For You" is a good tune to play on, nice singable melody, familiar changes that get laid out in a somewhat unpredictable manner, and a great bridge. Some people think of it as "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" Pt. 2, but not really, starts out like that but goes its own way soon enough. I've played it a gazillion times, but almost always on pop/R&B gigs. Guess it's not hip enough for jazz. Then again, sometimes it's more hip to be unhip. Quote
TedR Posted February 17, 2015 Report Posted February 17, 2015 I love the first cut from Organic. A tenor guitar duet. Beautiful tenor sound, simple and effective. Quote
Larry Kart Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Posted February 17, 2015 I love the first cut from Organic. A tenor guitar duet. Beautiful tenor sound, simple and effective. "Moonglow" -- that one caught my ear right away. And "Savin' All My Love for You." Quote
HutchFan Posted November 13, 2015 Report Posted November 13, 2015 I've enjoyed Don Braden's The Open Road for a long time. The record features a strong line-up -- with Tim Hagans, Kenny Werner, Larry Grenadier and Billy Hart. I especially like Braden's tune "Sundown." I haven't explored much of Braden's music beyond that one record though. Quote
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted November 13, 2015 Report Posted November 13, 2015 On 17/02/2015 01:26:06, Larry Kart said: The other day I picked up a copy of Braden's 1995 album "Organic," with Jack McDuff, Larry Goldings, Fathead Newman and others and was quite pleased by what I heard. (I'd heard some '90s Braden before, I think on Criss Cross, and found him to be adept but rather generic.) I see that he's recorded a good many albums over the years, some of them with a pop and/or populist slant (e.g. "Workin'" -- an album of Earth, Wind and Fire tunes), but one of the tracks on "Organic" is a Whitney Houston cover, "Savin' All My Love For You," and it stimulates Braden to some fine playing. As I said above, any thoughts/recommendations? Well, sorry, but I was going to join in this thread by warning people against this album. To me, apart from 'Moonglow' (the duet with that nice young gentleman on guitar) it's as entirely wrong as a soul jazz album (which is what Dorn and Braden intended - 'soul jazz with intelligence', it sez in the notes) as any album possibly could be, even with the presence of Fathead and Brother Jack. I resolved then not to get any others (though I DO have to say that he's on Jimmy Ponder's 'Guitar Christmas', which I like as lot as a Christmas jazz album). Perhaps I like 'Moonglow' because it LACKS intelligence and just sticks to swinging beautifully. MG Quote
HutchFan Posted November 13, 2015 Report Posted November 13, 2015 (edited) Prompted by this thread, I re-listened to The Open Road during my morning commute. I really like it. Nothing mind-blowing. But solid. They play an ear-catching version of "Someday My Prince Will Come" with some nice Herbie-ish harmonies. They cover "Maiden Voyage" too. Can't go wrong with that tune. By the way, anyone besides me ever thought that Don Braden looks an awful lot like Harold Land??? Not quite "dead ringers." But close! Edited November 13, 2015 by HutchFan Quote
Justin V Posted November 14, 2015 Report Posted November 14, 2015 I thought that I had mentioned it here, but I didn't- I really enjoy Braden's work on The Rivington Project's Trip. The Rivington Project is George Coleman, Jr's group. After seeing Big George and his son at Jazz Standard a few years ago, I played the heck out of that album. Quote
mandrill Posted February 4, 2016 Report Posted February 4, 2016 Surprisingly, no one mentioned so far "The Voice of the Saxophone" by The Don Braden Octet, with front line of Vincent Herring & Hamiett Bluiett, Randy Brecker & Frank Lacy & a solid, though mostly supportive rhythm section. Beautiful playing all overall, with inventive arrangements of classics like "Speak no Evil" and "After the Rain" and some good originals. Could be his best playing recorded. Quote
felser Posted February 4, 2016 Report Posted February 4, 2016 I'm also in the "adept but rather generic" camp - except for "Can't Hide Love" from the 'Workin' album, a live organ trio with Kyle Koehler and Cecil Brooks III, which has always knocked me out. Released under Braden's name, but I would bet it was Brooks' gig (he is listed as the producer). I never avoid anything when I see Braden's name, I've never seen him live. Quote
Dmitry Posted February 4, 2016 Report Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) Sounds generic. On 2/17/2015 at 1:16 PM, Larry Kart said: "Moonglow" -- that one caught my ear right away. And "Savin' All My Love for You." Don's sound is technically very facile, no doubt, but I find his playing anonymous. Just my $.02 Edited February 8, 2016 by Dmitry Quote
fasstrack Posted February 8, 2016 Report Posted February 8, 2016 I heard him Saturday night with a 'hard bop' (boy, do I hate these terms) group led by trumpeter Valerie Pomanarov. Sounded good. FWIW the crowd ate him up... Good player. That's as deep as I get with this. Quote
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