Saturday, February 28, 2009

Jozn Zorn

The Big Gundown - John Zorn plays the music of Ennio Morricone (2000)


One genius paying tribute to another in this 15th anniversary deluxe edition of John Zorn's 1985 reworking of Ennio Morricone's cinematic masterpieces we all learned to love bearing the seal of approval from the maestro himself, with 6 new tracks thrown in for good measure. This is contemporary kick-ass jazz of the highest order - not to be missed.

personnel:

Marc Ribot - guitar
Mike Patton - spoken vocals
Joey Baron - drums
John Zorn - spoken vocals, alto saxophone, piano, harpsichord, saw
Mark Feldman - violin
Erik Friedlander - cello
Mark Miller - drums, tympani
John Patton - organ
Wayne Horvitz - piano, organ, celeste
Bobby Previte - vocals, tympani, percussion
Tim Berne - alto saxophone
Anthony Coleman - vocals, piano, harpsichord, organ
Melvin Gibbs - bass
Jim Staley - trombone, bass trombone
Luli Shioi
Orvin Aquart - harmonica
Richard Quine
Vicki Bodner - oboe, English horn

Also: Toots Thielemans, Bill Frisell, Vernon Reid, Fred Frith, Arto Lindsay, Anton Fier, Diamanda Galas, Jody Harris


track listing:

1. Big Gundown, The
2. Peur Sur la Ville
3. Poverty - (Once Apon A Time In America)
4. Milano ODea
5. Erotico - (The Burglars)
6. Battle of Algiers
7. Giu la Testa - (Duck, You Sucker!)
8. Metamorfosi - (La Classe Operaia Va In Paradiso)
9. Tre Nel 5000
10. Once Upon a Time in the West
11. Sicilian Clan, The - (bonus track)
12. Macchie Solari - (bonus track)
13. Ballad of Hank McCain, The - (bonus track)
14. Svegliatti E Uccidi - (bonus track)
15. Chi Mai - (bonus track)
16. Ballad of Hank McCain, The - (bonus track)

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Kenny Clarke · Francy Boland Sextet - Calypso Blues (1965)


Had it not been for the post-war migration of many top American jazz musicians to Europe, it is quite likely that the legendary Clarke-Boland Big Band, one of the most noteworthy jazz big bands formed outside the United States, might never have come into existence.

It was formed in 1961, when, with the help of producer Gigi Campi, the US drummer Kenny Clarke and Belgian pianist and composer Francy Boland and ex-Duke Ellington bassist Jimmy Woode brought together several jazz musicians of note. Although based in Europe, the band was truly multinational, also having several US musicians in the line-up.

It was disbanded in 1972, after having recorded more than 15 albums. They released many of their albums on the German jazz record label MPS Records and members of this stellar outfit included Johnny Griffin, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Ronnie Scott, Carl Drewo, Tony Coe, Derek Humble, Nat Peck, Ake Persson, Dusko Goykovich, Stan Sulzmann, Ack van Rooyen, John Surman, Jimmy Deuchar, Manfred Schoof, Albert Mangelsdorff, Eric van Lier, Ron Mathewson, Fats Sadi, Kenny Clare, Benny Bailey, Jimmy Woode, Art Farmer, Sahib Shihab, Shake Keane, Idrees Sulieman, Herb Geller, Jimmy Deuchar, and were joined on occasions by Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz and many others.

In between the much-acclaimed, epic recordings made by the Clarke-Boland big band, there were a number of memorable small group sessions, featuring key sidemen from the big band, which over the years have tended to be forgotten. This excellent 20-track compilation is largely a composite of two sessions: one recorded in the Alten Bahnhof von Rolandseck in Germany on September 25,1965 and the other recorded in Berlin on June 16, 1965. This is great and very hard-to-find latin-tinged music (used copies sell for big bucks on the used market), enjoy.

personnel:
Bass - Jimmy Woode
Drums - Kenny Clarke
Flute - Sahib Shihab
Percussion - Joe Harris
Piano, Arranger - Francy Boland
Vibraphone, Percussion - Fats Sadi


track listing:

1 Ebony Samba (3:55)
2 Tin Tin Deo (2:53)
3 Please Don't Leave (4:09)
4 Lush Life (4:27)
5 The Man From Potter's Crossing (3:17)
6 Wives And Lovers (3:20)
7 Ensadinado (2:32)
8 Lorraine (3:52)
9 Love Hungry (3:42)
10 Balafon (3:05)
11 Day By Day (2:41)
12 Calypso Blues (4:06)
13 Invitation (4:38)
14 Insensatez (2:41)
15 Serenata (3:23)
16 Con Alma (5:03)
17 Just Give Me Time (3:11)
18 Born To Be Blue (3:49)
19 Lilemor (4:25)
20 Sconsolato (2:32)

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Queen Bey & Arthur Blythe - Live! (1997)



Fantastic bootleg live set from 1997 with excellent audio quality to boot (pun intended) as it was recorded directly from console to DAT capturing all the nuances and ambiance of a live performance, featuring the great vocalist Queen Bey from Kansas City in a loving tribute to another great, late blues queen, Dinah Washington. The supporting band is led by the great Arthur Blythe on alto sax and piano player Mike Hennessey from the UK who spices things up with a touch of British wit every time he makes an announcement through the microphone.
The repertoire is full of timeless standards expertly delivered. Great stuff indeed, enjoy.



track listing:

Vol.1

1. Just Friends
2. Stormy Monday Blues
3. The Lady Is a Tramp
4. Lover Man
5. All of Me
6. If I had You
7. Lover
8. Easy Living
9. What a Difference a Day Made



Vol. 2

1. Straight, No Chaser
2. Drink My Water
3. On Green Dolphin Str.
4. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
5. I Thought About You
6. In a Sentimental Mood
7. This is the End of a Beautiful Friendship
8. Misty
9. Teach Me Tonight
10.Kansas City Here I come
11.Summertime
12.C.C. Rider