Ethnically Excited!
Sure, I really dig the far out jazz (and we'll be getting to that shortly), but sometimes it's nice to spin a straight ahead, trad platter of...British jazz. More than a dog's age ago (or at least my cat's) a friend visited her homeland of England and brought me back a present: October Song by Wally Fawkes and Friends. One of these friends being Al Casey, an American guitarist, who first cut his teeth playing with Fats Waller in the mid-Thirties. Fawkes is (was?) a clarinetist and soprano saxophonist (and a famous newspaper cartoonist!) who I suppose owes a debt to the Sidney Bechet school of playing. Not surprising, considering that Bechet spent a good number of years living in Europe influencing the players there. Anyway, I haven't listened to this record for ever and ever, and was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining and relaxing it is--especially after spending the morning with a crippling headache and the dry heaves at work (you didn't need to know that).
And speaking of clarinets...As I was telling the Psychedelic Eskimo, I initially had a difficult time taking a nap this afternoon because I was so "ethnically excited" listening to The Incredible Clarinet by Giora Fiedman (It is Passover, after all). Fiedman is (or was) a klezmer clarinetist from Argentina (It's sort of creepily interesting to me that Argentina--the most European of South American countries-- became a refuge for both Eastern European Jewish and Nazi exiles). There isn't much info about the actual recording on the back of the album--I'm not even certain when it was made--but it has a different feel than the American-based klezmer recordings that make up the bulk of my collection (such as it is). Less of a jazz influence, more hard driving, almost a mingling of classical and Israeli-folkish-somethingorother (?). And am I mistaken or is he experimenting with "multiphonics," playing split notes a la John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders?
And speaking of John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders...My to- and from-work commute today consisted of a close, spiritual listen to John Coltrane's Live at The Village Vanguard Again on CD. At this point in Trane's career, the "classic quartet" has broken up--only Jimmy Garrison remains on bass--with Alice Coltrane at the piano, Pharoah Sanders going wild on additional saxophone, and Rashied Ali on drums. Although the classic Coltrane quartet with Elvin Jones on drums, McCoy Tyner on piano and Garrison on bass is the justly lauded one, the late 'Trane group is pretty exciting as well. Rhythmically free, colorful, and tonally adventurous, they take "Naima," and especially "My Favorite Things" into a deeper spiritual realm. Speaking of "My Favorite Things," dig Pharoah's wild saxophone multiphonics and Coltrane's accompanying flute on this tune as they vaporize all lingering images of the Van Trapp children. When it comes to 'Trane, why make a strict choice (Miles era; Monk era; Blue Trane era; Giant Steps era; My Favorite Things era; Dolphy era; A Love Supreme era; Ascension era) when you can listen to all phases of JC's thrilling career?
Over the next few days: More late Coltrane on CD, and a serious woodshed session with some Ella Fitzgerald vinyl.
And speaking of clarinets...As I was telling the Psychedelic Eskimo, I initially had a difficult time taking a nap this afternoon because I was so "ethnically excited" listening to The Incredible Clarinet by Giora Fiedman (It is Passover, after all). Fiedman is (or was) a klezmer clarinetist from Argentina (It's sort of creepily interesting to me that Argentina--the most European of South American countries-- became a refuge for both Eastern European Jewish and Nazi exiles). There isn't much info about the actual recording on the back of the album--I'm not even certain when it was made--but it has a different feel than the American-based klezmer recordings that make up the bulk of my collection (such as it is). Less of a jazz influence, more hard driving, almost a mingling of classical and Israeli-folkish-somethingorother (?). And am I mistaken or is he experimenting with "multiphonics," playing split notes a la John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders?
And speaking of John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders...My to- and from-work commute today consisted of a close, spiritual listen to John Coltrane's Live at The Village Vanguard Again on CD. At this point in Trane's career, the "classic quartet" has broken up--only Jimmy Garrison remains on bass--with Alice Coltrane at the piano, Pharoah Sanders going wild on additional saxophone, and Rashied Ali on drums. Although the classic Coltrane quartet with Elvin Jones on drums, McCoy Tyner on piano and Garrison on bass is the justly lauded one, the late 'Trane group is pretty exciting as well. Rhythmically free, colorful, and tonally adventurous, they take "Naima," and especially "My Favorite Things" into a deeper spiritual realm. Speaking of "My Favorite Things," dig Pharoah's wild saxophone multiphonics and Coltrane's accompanying flute on this tune as they vaporize all lingering images of the Van Trapp children. When it comes to 'Trane, why make a strict choice (Miles era; Monk era; Blue Trane era; Giant Steps era; My Favorite Things era; Dolphy era; A Love Supreme era; Ascension era) when you can listen to all phases of JC's thrilling career?
Over the next few days: More late Coltrane on CD, and a serious woodshed session with some Ella Fitzgerald vinyl.
posted by ken at 4:51 PM
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