Another cold day . . . but no new snow, I’ll take it.
Kai Winding ‘Rainy Day’ Verve Japan cd
I bought this on a whim and because it was cheap and because I like Kai.
Kai arranged this with a singing group and boy it’s a mid-sixties idea of mod hip jazz. Less interesting than but probably inspired by McFarland’s work. Fun listen overall, but not quite enough crackers to go with the cheese. . . . Probably not a surprise that the tracks without the vocal group are the best. Nice sound to warm up the stereo with though.
Elmo Hope “The Beacon & Celebrity Trio Recordings” Prevue cd
Reissues two LPs: “Here’s Hope” and “High Hope,” featuring Hope compositions. 3/4 of the disc have Paul Chambers with Philly Joe Jones completing the trio.
Cold! Got to sleep in more again. . . feels a bit weird but I’ll get used to it.
Finally got around to pulling this 2 cd set out for a listen. I love the ensemble portion on disc 2–always have loved the recordings of this tour, and this is one of the best as far as sound quality goes. I have dozens and dozens of Monk Quartet recordings, but there are fewer of these larger ensemble recordings.
Thelonious Monk "Live in Rotterdam 1967"Lost Recordings 2 cd set disc 2
I’m with you brother. I wasn’t a fan of the McMaster or RVG CDs. The ones from Japan, with either their special sauce or Kevin Gray, or both, are such a fantastic listen, especially the 85th anniversary series with Kevin Gray remaster. They make me want to toss the turntable…. Just kidding but the sentiment is true.
Shoveled ice and snow yesterday so feeling it this morning. First listen is something that soothes the soul….
I know how “feeling it” this morning feels. Did a lot of shoveling last night. I have neglected my car for about four days (we’ve been using my wife’s) and I have to clear about ten inches off it and clear some of the driveway later today. And it’s COLD out there–going to change into fleece-lined jeans.
Cold blustery morning here. No snow, how I miss it. Slept in a bit with ths weather it seemed appropriate. The mention of wind brings a certain melancholy about in regards to these in the northern Los Angeles area. Four wild fires burn uncontrollably.
I prefer my wild fires as above on this fine double CD set, Allen Lowe & The Constant Sorrow Orchestra, Louis Armstrong’s Aerica Volume 1.
There was a article from the current Stereophile talking about Japanese Kissa, and there were quite a few mentioned in Tokyo area.
Talking to my Japanese friend this morning, who is a golfer and used to own a tour company in Kyoto. He said these jazz cafes are like libraries, you are not supposed to talk much at all, just drink coffee or whiskey and listen to music. Since my wife and younger daughter are going too, he does not think they will like it.
Blue Note Tokyo is the right pick for us, he said.
Regarding the actual Japanese Kissa, think of it as an audiophile’s opium den for the enjoyment of recorded jazz.
I’ll seek out the latest Stereophile, the most recent I have is dated January 2025. Here is mention of the Kissa in a 2023 Stereophile edition:
Now on to
Duke Ellington “Afro-Bossa” Reprise/Warner Japan cd
I have this in the Mosaic set as well, but I didn’t want to get drawn into hours of Ellington listening as usually happens when I pull out one of his box sets, so I went with the 24 bit remastered cd from japan which sounds fantastic.
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Such great music . . . warming up a cold morning.
I don’t know if YouTube counts, but my first listen today is fingerstyle guitarist (and my old grade school friend) David Ziegele doing his own arrangement of “In My Room.”
Sunday morning, with Cecil Taylor UnitLive at Fat Tuesday’s… Always enjoy an opportunity to hear Jimmy Lyons, and here he does not disappoint. Joining Cecil and Jimmy are Alan Silva, Jerome Cooper, Sunny Murray, and Ramsey Ameen.
“Classic Vanguard Small Group Swing Sessions” Mosaic Records, disc 7
Listening again to the final disc in this most recent Mosaic box set to start off a cold morning. Quiet outside, bluesy inside thanks to the electric guitar of Roy Gaines. This disc has vocals by “Mr. Five by Five” Jimmy Rushing, and Joe Williams.
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