Nawi – “It’s gonna take me a sec, normally I have 50-100 tabs open on the computer. I guess this is the earliest recording of Dylan on harmonica.” Harry Belafonte – “Midnight Special”. Who knew? Well my friend, and Dylan-phile, Jef Schwachter did and said “I think he was paid $50 for it”. We diverge into the Dylan session guy topic for awhile – see below.
Bart – Don Ellis Orchestra – “Superstar 1972” (Jesus Christ Superstar) – Bart “This one goes out to (an absent, sleepy) Travis!” Yes, a full plate of Big Band Cheese that Travis is missing tonight. The 70’s had a lot of indulgent music and Big Band is one of the more indulgent ensembles. Ellis’s big band embraces all of it Big Swings, Big Misses, Big Band. In general Ellis’s misses just end up in gaudy debauchery, or perverse weirdness, both of which are endearing in the weird Uncle way. You can only see Don’s face on the album cover, but I know he’s naked below the cover…
Active intervention – we check Bob Dylan’s other 1962 guest harmonica appearance with Carolyn Hester – “I’ll Fly Away”. We dig a little deeper into early session guy Dylan. This is an interesting track and I’d never heard of Hester before. Dylan, on both tracks, sounds good but very noodely. He doesn’t really sound like he is accompanying a singer, just playing constantly and being panned in and out of the track at the discretion of the engineer. I wonder if this was more of a throw Dylan a bone opportunity or that they projected him to be playing harmonica on session recordings – his has a unique harmonica sound, but I doubt he has session chops.
Dan – I get indulgent and take Travis’ play for myself! Starting with 2 tracks I hear a similarity in. Keletigui Et Ses Tambourinis – “Miri Magnin” & Mdou Moctar – “Afrique Victime (Live)” –
I got/heard the first track second, but it immediately reminded me of the 2nd track which I use for teaching examples, because of the vibrant atmosphere in the video. The chord progression at the beginning of track 1 is similar to what happens to when Mdou Moctar get going (around 1:30-2min). I’d suggest that is the main theme of the song, with lots of cadenza like solos before it locks into the groove. Tonight we never actually discuss it, but I played these because I have been comparing the tracks to discover what made them click in my mind. We all just enjoy their vibes instead.
Lonnie Smith “Play It Back” – It’s just FUNKY! and props to Joe Dukes incredible, sustained vibe from the drums. Just saying this Dr. Lonnie Smith and not the other keyboard player Lonnie Liston Smith – they are both cool and sometimes conflated with each other.
Love to find that album!
Found Sounds 