With “Lucy and Linus”, my daughter got me back into jazz last Christmas on Spotify and youtube. It’s something I’ve always felt I should study, but I hadn’t gotten around to it over the decades.
This kicked into high gear in October after discovering that the library’s Hoopla streaming app has a host of classic albums in their catalog. (And if an album isn’t on Hoopla, it’s almost certainly on the library’s other app Freegal).
Now I can listen to the music without advertisements!
I’m no good at listening to music, much less writing about it. But following my old tagline “notes on my consumption” here’s a write up.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas — The classic christmas album, Guaraldi riffs on old classics along with her favorite “Linus and Lucy”.
From All Sides — My daughter got into this collaboration between Guaraldi and Bola Sete, especially “The Ballad of Pancho Villa”. I should give the album an active listen.
Time Out — Brubeck was a favorite in college and this remains a classic. Brings me right back to studio when I wanted to feel cool.
Time Further Out — I need to give the whole album it run. I was a dancer in a piece that included “Unsquare Dance” (and “Rabbit in Your Headlights”).
Giant Steps — Grabbed me late one night and made see the light of Coltrane.
Olé Coltrane — The use of spanish / arabic scales makes the music seem otherworldly. Spiritual.
Parker With Strings — This isn’t the most representative introduction to Charlie Parker, but it’s his most popular album. I pushed past my dislike of sissy stuff to understand why. After a few listens, I was thrilled to hear him synchronize with his accompaniment while rising beyond as the soloist.
Kind of Blue — Why is this the best selling jazz album of all time? Took a few listens for the music to groove into my brain. Miles Davis’ catalog is primarily on Freegal, which is less user friendly. It may be a moment before I get deeper into his oeuvre.
Portrait in Jazz — Parker got me to accept soft jazz, so I gave Bill Evans a run when I saw he was the pianist in Kind of Blue. Started with Portrait in Jazz because I initially found the live noise sounds of the other two albums slightly off putting. It didn’t click.
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Waltz for Debby, Sunday at the Village Vanguard — On the other hand, these albums hit. In just a couple of years, these three musicians melded organically into a comprehensive sound, sacrificing individualism for a unified totality. Though fate was much too cruel to take Scott LaFaro right after these Vanguard sessions.
Ballads — Since Bill Evans cemented my appreciation of soft music, I thought I’d see how Coltrane does it. I don’t remember much.
A Love Supreme — Time to listen to Coltrane’s other Magnum Opus. It is.
Fiddler On The Roof — Loved the yellow cover with Cannonball Adderley, and gave it a whirl. Unmemorable. Would I enjoy it more, if I knew the original musical?
Somethin’ Else — It feels dominated by Miles Davis’ trumpet even Adderley is the headliner. I wonder if some folks have that ineffable extra edge that dominates a stage, even when it’s not theirs.
Way Out West — A unique trio with Sonny Rollins on saxophone accompanied by bass and drums. I dig the unique instrumentation, though the music was unmemorable after the cheeky first track.
Brilliant Corners — I’ve always held that Straight No Chaser should be the soundtrack of the sophisticated high life. Time to listen to the album that landed Thelonious in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry Listing. I dig it. Lively. Monk showcases immense range. The cover is a perfect visual representation of the album’s music.
Getz/Gilberto — Felt the urge for bossa nova over lunch so I borrowed this album. We argued about going to the park that day. Otherwise, very comfortable music. This Adam Neely video is a great breakdown of the “Girl from Ipanema”
Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus — It’s got memorable moments, but I’m still in thrall of the Bill Evans Trio borg-mind-meld, so the distinctness of the instruments in Vince Guaraldi Trio is slightly grating. But very nice once I get past my prejudice.
The Black Messiah — I borrowed this after reading best-of lists of Cannonball Adderley. After a few listens I’ve gotten used to it, but I’m not ready for the 70’s (nor electricity).