This is just a post about a couple of disks I'm really enjoying lately, not recent releases, but as I've found, undiscovered by most of my friends, and as they have found, worth giving a spin. I've always had a certain fondness for women who play jazz (probably started with a thing I had for a keyboard player in Boulder back in the early 70's), and maybe you will find yourself fond of one or both of the following.
First up is "Companion", by Patricia Barber, (Blue Note/Premonition Records 72435229633) a hot item in some circles in the last few years, but still not very well known. A followup to her well received disks "Cafe Blue" and "Modern Cool", it goes down a slightly different track by being a live recording at The Green Mill in Uptown Chicago, July 17-19, 1999. Barber and her band play a combination of originals and offbeat but well delivered covers of other artists- but maybe not the selections you'd expect! In this one disk, there are covers of a Bill Withers tune ("Use Me"), a Sonny Bono tune (yes, THAT Sonny Bono) ("The Beat Goes On"), and a Peter Green number (Remember early Fleetwood Mac, pre Buchingham?). And not with the effectiveness you'd expect, either. The cut that most epitomizes the success of her approach to covers is the Peter Green number, "Black Magic Woman", which is best known as a cover done by the indefatigable Carlos Santana and company. Skeptical? Of course. But give it a spin. And be prepared to feel like you're sitting in the club- it's a great recording. And an excellent band.
Next up, an older outing by Emily Remler. Aficianados of her music will proabably gravitate to "This is Me" as her best recording, completed shortly before her death, but there are other issues VERY much worth your time, if her take on a more traditional jazz mode is your cup of tea- as it is mine. "East to Wes", on Concord Records CD4356 (1988), features an excellent backing ensemble, with Hank Jones on piano, Buster Williams on bass, and Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums. (Yes, this is the Concord Records about 35 miles North of where I live!). With a title like this, you'd expect that Remler is dedicated to the influence and direction Wes Montgomery brought to Remler's playing and development, and you'd be exactly right. This album inlcudes a mix of originals and covers, and they all swing with a lyricism and impeccable sense of timing that comes from players who live this kind of jazz in their soul. The recording quality is very good, particularly for a "budget" label- very clean high end, and open, soulful midrange, with a nice balance between the instruments. Unlike some jazz fusion recordings (that I also like, peverse that I am), this record will relax and rejuvenate you, instead of making your teeth itch!
Regards,
Jon
First up is "Companion", by Patricia Barber, (Blue Note/Premonition Records 72435229633) a hot item in some circles in the last few years, but still not very well known. A followup to her well received disks "Cafe Blue" and "Modern Cool", it goes down a slightly different track by being a live recording at The Green Mill in Uptown Chicago, July 17-19, 1999. Barber and her band play a combination of originals and offbeat but well delivered covers of other artists- but maybe not the selections you'd expect! In this one disk, there are covers of a Bill Withers tune ("Use Me"), a Sonny Bono tune (yes, THAT Sonny Bono) ("The Beat Goes On"), and a Peter Green number (Remember early Fleetwood Mac, pre Buchingham?). And not with the effectiveness you'd expect, either. The cut that most epitomizes the success of her approach to covers is the Peter Green number, "Black Magic Woman", which is best known as a cover done by the indefatigable Carlos Santana and company. Skeptical? Of course. But give it a spin. And be prepared to feel like you're sitting in the club- it's a great recording. And an excellent band.
Next up, an older outing by Emily Remler. Aficianados of her music will proabably gravitate to "This is Me" as her best recording, completed shortly before her death, but there are other issues VERY much worth your time, if her take on a more traditional jazz mode is your cup of tea- as it is mine. "East to Wes", on Concord Records CD4356 (1988), features an excellent backing ensemble, with Hank Jones on piano, Buster Williams on bass, and Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums. (Yes, this is the Concord Records about 35 miles North of where I live!). With a title like this, you'd expect that Remler is dedicated to the influence and direction Wes Montgomery brought to Remler's playing and development, and you'd be exactly right. This album inlcudes a mix of originals and covers, and they all swing with a lyricism and impeccable sense of timing that comes from players who live this kind of jazz in their soul. The recording quality is very good, particularly for a "budget" label- very clean high end, and open, soulful midrange, with a nice balance between the instruments. Unlike some jazz fusion recordings (that I also like, peverse that I am), this record will relax and rejuvenate you, instead of making your teeth itch!
Regards,
Jon
Comment