Begin the Begin sounds... rollicking? I'm not sure I've used that adjective to describe and REM song before. These Days is actually more fast paced; it's like they're that they're not going to be dreary anymore. In fact, all of side one maintains the same pace, you're almost straining to make sure you don't miss anything. If Murmur is the night wrapped up in fog, then this is the day with unlimited visibility. I almost laughed out loud when Underneath the Bunker came on; feels like an outtake from a Camper Van Beethoven record but here it serves as an intermission.
And then a phone call interrupted me, so I'll listen to the second half tomorrow.
The second half of LRP...
is brilliant. More varied than the first half, and ends on Superman, which I had no idea REM had ever covered. What a great song. Also Swan Swan H is maybe the best song on the album. Complex, dark, and makes just about as much sense as Whiter Shade of Pale. They're really just using a lyric paintbrush to paint a wall in Civil War colors. It's more about creating a feeling than making sense. I dig that.
I hate that I split this into two pieces, but the second half left me wanting more. I actually appreciate that there weren't any instantly unrecognizable songs here (other than the obscure closing track) and I can easily see myself buying this and really getting into it. We'll go 80/100 for now with a lot of upside.
Murmur (1983) - 95/100
Document (1987) - 85/100
Lifes Rich Pageant (1986) - 80/100
Reckoning (1984) - 75/100
Chronic Town (1982) - 70/100
Fables of the Reconstruction (1985) - 60/100
Lalena : Can't Blame Ya :: Costanza : Can't Stand Ya
I traded in a couple of records for this today, a nice German first pressing. First time hearing it, but I was intrigued by reading that this is DP's most prog album. There's definitely some prog here, the 12 minute finale is a poster child for the genre (that could also easily be the main theme to a spaghetti western), but the guitar on Why Not Rosemary certainly hints at more Blackmore's Mark II and III playing to come. Super glad to add this to my collection.
Only time for one more tonight. This was a major acquisition from my wantlist that arrived while I was away with the wife for Christmas. To find it still in the shrinkwrap 50+ years later is pretty dang cool. This is the only recording of Hasaan Ibn Ali to be officially released. You can go read about him if you like, but suffice it to say that Hasaan was one of the great names in jazz, especially in the Philadelphia area, and it's a shame that we can't hear more of his work.
Had time for one more after all. This is high grade funk from an outfit that's been around since 1999. It's not anything you're going to remember tomorrow, but it feels good while it's playing.
Had a busy week so I didn't get to spend much time here. Here are some highlights of what I was listening to.
First and foremost I celebrated my 35th birthday Wednesday. Got this wonderful box set from my wonderful wife because she's the best around. This is the photo from the booklet and I love the look on Jerry's face.
First listenings, like a lot of other things in life, is about expectations. The Jarrett is a 2014 release where I thought maybe he'd have lost a step or two from his 70s and 80s peak. Couldn't be farther from the truth. The interplay between him and Haden over four sides was nothing less than extraordinary.
My knowledge of post-1969 jazz is limited at best, so I didn't know about Phil Woods and his European Rhythm Machine. I purchased that album because the sleeve was die-cut and I thought it looked cool. His playing, especially on The Executive Suite, blew me out of the water. Great stuff, and now I'm going back to the local record store this week to pick up anything else of his that might be in the bins.
Last thing I'll share from this past week is this George Lewis album I found in the $2 bin today. I picked up the CD maybe 20 years ago and it was my first exposure to Dixieland Jazz. So I was beyond thrilled to pick this up and be reminded of how great it is. I'll let Scott Yanow from Allmusic give the description:
Quote:
This LP is a classic, one of the greatest sessions ever by clarinetist George Lewis. The title is actually quite inaccurate, for "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" is the only funeral song included on the date, and there is nothing somber about any of the joyful music. Trumpeter/vocalist Kid Howard, who was often very erratic during the era (particularly on radio broadcasts), sounds in top form; the consistent trombonist Jim Robinson is an asset in the ensembles, as usual; the rhythm section really drives the group, and clarinetist Lewis often seems to be quite exuberant. Their version of "When the Saints Go Marching In" is definitive, and other highlights include "Ice Cream" and "Panama." This set of prime New Orleans jazz music belongs in every serious jazz collection.
I started trying to keep track of what I was listening to last year. Part of that process was tracking what records I played and what albums I listened to for the first time. I think I did a reasonable job at it; I'm sure I missed stuff, but for the most part I think this is accurate.
Total albums listened to in 2017: 446
Albums listened to on Spotify/Youtube: 137
Albums listened to on Vinyl: 333
First listens: 309
Best 2017 albums -
Best 2017 Jazz First Listens -
The jazz was easy to pick out because there weren't any non-jazz 5 star first listens last year. I'll go back and find the 4.5 star stuff later.
If you can only listen to one record during any given day it should be this one. It makes all other jazz albums, especially Kind of Blue, sound like amateur hour. Mingus' orchestration here transcends rational thought. What I'm trying to say is... you should listen to this album.
Was reading about that Phish album and came across a list from 2003 by The Vermont Review called The Top 250 Albums of the Millennium. This isn't your normal top 250, as it has a strong jazz slant to it.
Clocking in at #14 is a Grant Green album recorded in 1967 and released in 1971 called Iron City. Is this objectively the #14 album of the 1900s? No. But I appreciate the moxie of a list with Alice's Restaurant (11) slotted in 15 spots in front of Abbey Road (26) and will be mining it for more first listens.
EDIT: After wondering why I was seeing so many 1971 albums in a row it occurred to me that these albums are listed chronologically. But I still like the idea of Alice being ranked ahead of Abbey.
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