Just wanted to mention our Monday Night Listening Seshjawn has switched to an every other Monday night version, to account for my new course schedule at Rowan University. We still have a gathering of a few folks, songs and discussion – please reach out if you would like to join us.
Bart – Concealed Play – It sounds like a Dave Douglas type song but I’m not feeling the trumpet as being Dave…. Yet. It is in that early aughts NY Jazz style – i.e. could fit into multiple genres, more jazz because of its instrumental and improv sides than it’s swing or standards repertoire. The guitarist could be the leader. There is a nice edge to the guitar sound in the “solo” section. From the trumpet solo I’m saying it is Dave now, maybe Tiny Bell Trio as it seems to be a trio of trumpet, guitar & drums.
Dave at a certain point around 2003? was a favorite of mine. I saw him live 4? different times, all great shows. once more recently with Bart that was spectacular – a duet outside with a spiritually gorgeous, late Summer evening. And my Truth & Consequence opened for his “Witness” group years ago. Honestly, I have become less interested in his music over the years though I still think he is great. Dave Douglas – Tiny Bell Trio – “Sam Hill”
Dan – I’m doing a concealed play too, of Aleke Kanonu – “Home Sweet Home” – featuring a young and out of place Wynton Marsalis. I’m hoping for a real brain itch as to who it is is. Folks are saying Donald Byrd. It is Wynton on Fluegelhorn which makes it more difficult to identify + it’s a weird 80’s AfroFunk session, which Wynton doesn’t really do. Oooh Aleke comes in singing in another language and it is a surprise to the crew. Bart was right on with a Brand New Heavies guess, not them but certainly sounds like them but 15 years early. I actually don’t love this tune that much, kind of dull, but the guessing game was too rich to avoid.
Travis – All concealed plays so far – Sort of 70’s West Coast Jazz feel but sounds newer. The way the piano hits feels new but of an old McCoy style. Really short but cool rhythm, bass and 60’sish vocal group. Sunbear – “Mood 1 “L.O.V.E.” This features early Ernie Watts, and is from 1977 but is a West Coast product. Sounds really modern and is coming from that Soul to Jazz vernacular.
Nawi – A 2fer, and Nawi is wondering if we find the 2nd song to be derived from the 1st – by Francis Lai featuring Pierre Barouh – “A’lombre De Nous” – and – Jan Hammer “Flashback (Miami Vice)” – Lot’s of similarities, but I’m struck by how esoteric the choices are, both secondary musical themes from visual media. #2 is from Miami Vice but obviously not the Phil Collins tune or the main theme – but this crew were all stamped by Miami Vice in our childhood and are somewhat familiar with the theme. #1 from A Man and a Woman which is a popular film, but still this theme is not something I believe people would normally recognize. Nawi’s connection is apt though, probably Jan Hammer had heard this and copped it but designed the sound palate differently – it has the heartbeat rhythm, the melody sounds really different because its synthesized but yes it feels like it was borrowed.
The score was popular, nominated for several “best of” awards. Several themes were reused – one in Finland in an advertisement and an interesting connection (w/ Nawi’s original question) by time period, Harry James recorded the theme song in 1981. It is unusual for a cover to happen so long after the film release. Miami Vice is ’84, and though not touted as a cover song “Flashback” has enough distinct similarities that I think we could state it must be influenced by it. These musical events aren’t an example of two composer arriving at the same combination of sounds. My take is that this is the early era of VHS and people began to be able to rewatch films, and watch them at home. Those type of events typically revive interest in older works.
Lai had more success 2 years later for his score to “Love Story”. Hammer would have been 18 when AM&aW came out. AM&aW was an international success so he certainly could have watched it in Czechoslovakia. Lai was a successful film composer and Miami Vice was Hammer’s initiation into scoring for TV & film. I’m sure he reached back into his influences when he started his successful post-fusion/jazz career.
We end with a little reprise Marvin Gaye discussion so I dropped his Anthem from the 1983 All Star game which feels very Miami Vice to me too.
Found Sounds 