Dan – Karin Krog – “We Could Be Flying” – This was a big surprise for me, and a pleasant one, the album sound and the songs are so weird and funky. It’s definitely post 60’s Rock affected Jazz, which can easily get to be too much, but here it is well balanced. Steve Swallow sounds great, they get a special band sound, but I think they may have only really gotten together as a group for this album specifically. Steve Kuhn and Swallow do record together elsewhere. Excellent, weird cover too!
Travis – Pop cheese. Stephen Bishop – ‘Walking On Air” – I’m in the minority? But I don’t like. Travis says it was from a film called The Boy Who Could Fly, a Fred Savage (& Mindy Cohn!) vehicle. The most interesting thing, for me, is that Mr. Bishop was “Charming Guy” in National Lampoon’s Animal House and contributed two songs to the soundtrack, as well as had John Belushi smash his guitar.
Bart – “It Never Entered My Mind” – Shirley Ross. I’m singing along with Shirley and I can still hear the Miles version(s) ringing in my head. I like this original version, but Bart drops the Miles (2nd Miles version) after the notes of the first finish ringing out. I’ve learned so much from this song and have a long percolating article about it stored in my mental knappy. It will come out one day, but the title is Miles Davis is Breaking Your Heart. Miles’ version of “INEMM” is all melodic mastery from him, featuring only a piano solo by Red Garland, equally masterful. Miles can interpret a Melody like no other and transform it into pure sound. When he plays it feels like its the only way it could be. You can hear the restraint and results of deliberation. Bart offered this to celebrate Rudy Van Gelder’s recording legacy and it is also perfectly recorded.
Matt – Sarah Vaughn – “Star Dust” – Sassy all day! Her phrasing is incredible. It feels both fast and slow and she is really driving the band with her mastery of time and space. It’s Count Basie’s band too which is a testament when a singer can drive that group’s intensity.
Romeo Poirier “One Two One Two”. Interesting sound collage of a variety of count offs that somehow align into something more. A kind of hysterical idea. I’m interested in hearing more, because the tasks of creating this seem interesting and then the results surprisingly listenable. We end ambiguously.
Found Sounds 