Charles Brackeen photo copyright Robert Ross Archives/ CTSImages
Dan – Charles Brackeen – “Hour Glass” – In honor of his passing. This is basically with Ornette’s group. They dance and yet have a somber quality that I love. Don Cherry sounds like his always great self. And then there is Brackeen who has a powerful Tenor sound haunting, dark and yet piercing. Sounds like a lonely bird’s call, like all great saxophones do. He sounds more Ornette-like here than in his later recordings. The whole band is in its prime here, Ed Blackwell sounds amazing and Haden.
Bart – Robert Johnson — “Come On into My Kitchen” – This is a very clean sounding mix, I’m used to a lot more crackle in whatever version I own. I do a History of Pop test question where we listen to many cover versions of Johnson songs, which most students already know, I think COiMK might be the most frequent of his covered songs. I use him to portray popularity through influence rather than success. Johnson is some of the most popular Blues music ever but more from it being other famous musicians’s favorite music than its original sales. The romance of his story helps too, but for me the guitar work and his haunting voice are the key.
Nawi – Brigade Futur III – “Norwegen” – I think I noticed Nawi post this somewhere (Facebook?) already. It’s beautiful. Is that how they spell Norwegian? In whichever language this is in (German)? Very atmospheric and somehow both feels like a movie and yet being sung directly to me. Love the build up. Woe! Masterful transition to nowhere with a big piano solo spinning infinity. Even more love it. Guess I need it. Need it even more with those bouncy horn riffs underneath it all. Definitely my kind of thing.
Peter – Roxy Music – “Lady Tron” – Love this song, this is a live tape of it at the Old Grey Whistle Test. Weird scene! Electric oboe and lots of sparkly tiger print, a tasty mix. I always wonder how the horns were integrated, they are definitely used in a more layering fashion. Playing saxophone in Rock music can feel lonely and noodely but he feels like part ofd the band in an essential way. Manzanera!
Rich – “This is probably the worst thing to end on…. But I decided (to play it) already.” This feels very 90’s she has a nice scream too. I like it, the guitar parts are bell-like. And then it goes into an interesting interlude thru those guitars, I like this very much – I can’t decide if I want a return to the melody or an abrupt ending. This goes to… Some sound design? Positive direction. Fire-Toolz – “Thick_flowy_glowy_sparkly_stingy_pain.mpeg”
Then a last moment return by??? Dave! It’s not the end, Rich didn’t send us into the night fucked!
Dave – Fred Van Hove – “Florence Nightingale” – Commemorating another passing. This is a long video of solo piano but its nice to see that it was captured. I am not so familiar with Van Hove and this is nice. It is more about the directions he goes in, the way he keeps the feeling alive and his spinning patterns. He doesn’t have the physicality of Cecil or Dave Burrell but is creative with the instrument and I like his percussive string punches.
Found Sounds 