Dan – Benny Green – “Whirl-a-licks” – A young Eddie Lockjaw Davis, with an intense solo. Interesting choice for a joust too. Eddie and Benny trade first then each take a solo and then exit trade on the way out. Very exciting. Many of the things Eddie plays here are uncharacteristic, it takes until the middle of his solo where I could here his iconic tone and then a lick at the end is one I recognize as his style. This recording is before his first album as a leader but he was steadily gigging, so it seems transitional, before growing into the tenor style we know. Travis did accurately guess Lockjaw from the growl.
Travis – Something Caribbean, but again (as with Travis) old or new? I’m divided and guessing old, but featuring some modern musicians being fresh. The tone qualities are too perfect, recreating them would have a flaw, so I think this is authentic. The horn section parts are totally in the 70’s and there is a lot of Fantasy Island vibes going on. Caribbean with a Disco influence. Very Summery. Willy Chirino – “Sing a Song Canten Mi Canción”
David – The Wood Brothers – “One More Day” – Travis “Nothing but Daisy Dukes and a used Cadillac.” I can’t say it any better than that. We discuss it being Chris Wood‘s family band and I am most impressed by the breaks, and then returning to the perfect tempo. It’s really well played, fresh without really sounding new. But possibly too long – at least for a song like this. I get that they are sitting in the groove and that they have some distinctions between the sections, it all has purpose, but maybe 8 minutes for this kind of song is stretching it. My mind wandered in the middle, but also Live, so if you there probably just perfect.
Nawi – Somehow we stayed here! It sounds like it has a spiritual continuation to the previous groove. James Gang – “Asshtonpark” Nawi thought he played this song before, but it’s new to us – though maybe familiar as well. At least he hasn’t played it at a Seshjawn before. It really is 5 years of almost no repeated songs in Seshjawns! This song is short and sweet, maybe more of an interlude. I probably would never guessed whom it was, but it makes sense after the reveal.
Bart – Architecture in Helsinki – “Heart it Races” – Bart mentioned hearing this as a Dr. Dog song and then discovering it was actually this bands song. I feel I have heard it myself but I couldn’t tell you where. And I could easily see using this song for a school band arrangement, the singers sound like kids. It also captures something child-like in a rare way and has spirit.
Dan – I break up the vibe we had going on tonight and end it with a 2nd tune that goes into quietitude. Susanne Abbuehl – “My River Runs To You” – I’ve wanted to play some Susan Abbuehl in a sesh for years, but she records for ECM and those tracks are often subscription only on YouTube. This is an Emily Dickinson poem put to music, from an album, The Gift, which is a collection of poems. Abbuehl is amazing at choosing songs and has a clear idea of the sound she wants to create. Everything comes out exquisitely realized. I’ve been having some intense moments this week, including reconnecting with an old friend. This song brought me right to those feelings and I even thought to send it to her, until I read the title and lyrics. Then I decided it was far too deep to drop that on someone. Here is hoping there will be a day to share it with her in the future.
Found Sounds 