dg
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Post by dg on Dec 2, 2023 1:42:06 GMT
While rummaging through my collection recently I came across an album I only vaguely remember buying - and what it might sound like, I recalled not at all. But in looking at the notes I was stunned by the musicians appearing on it. In addition to the “leader” there are Pharoah Sanders and Ravi Coltrane on tenor sax, Cecil McBee and Don Pate on bass, Rashied Ali, drums, and Paul Shaffer on piano, organ and synthesizers. And yes, it’s that Paul Schaffer, who was David Letterman’s musical director, band leader and comedy foil for over twenty years.
The album was recorded in October of 2001, but not released until 2003. After listening to it a few minutes, I checked out each track and found that there are a variety of soundscapes and moods, ranging from a lovely childlike melody to a raging inferno reminiscent of Coltrane’s ASCENSION. I have been slowly working my way through the entire rather weird album.
This “leader” has a Discography of about 70 albums, including albums with Billy Hart, Dave Liebman, Marilyn Crispell, Steve Kuhn, Hilton Ruiz and several albums with John Medeski. HIs latest album is I believe a 2023 release with Bob Moses. The album I found in my collection was not simply a one-off for this “leader.” In his discography there are other albums with Sanders, Coltrane, McBee and Shaffer, including an album recorded “live” with this group (without McBee) in New York’s Village Underground.
Perhaps I have been living in an alternate universe, blithely unaware of these albums which have so many excellent musicians on them. Are they worth listening to?
With a nod to Dr. Seuss, can you, without searching the internet, name the leader of the group (and his instrument), who was able to attract such a stellar group of sidemen?
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Post by jazzhead on Dec 2, 2023 8:58:04 GMT
As soon as I read John Medeski’s name I thought of guitarist, John Scofield. Is it him??
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Post by bassman on Dec 2, 2023 9:23:39 GMT
So he/she is not a sax player, because this would be too much of a good thing.
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dg
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Post by dg on Dec 2, 2023 15:40:32 GMT
As soon as I read John Medeski’s name I thought of guitarist, John Scofield. Is it him?? No, not Scofield - but good guess. |
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dg
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Post by dg on Dec 2, 2023 15:41:17 GMT
So he/she is not a sax player, because this would be too much of a good thing. Correct, not a sax player. |
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Post by bassman on Dec 2, 2023 16:30:17 GMT
So he/she is not a sax player, because this would be too much of a good thing. Correct, not a sax player. In lack of anyone else's suggestions, I finally resorted to cheating: Tisziji Munoz? |
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dg
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Posts: 125
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Post by dg on Dec 2, 2023 17:29:28 GMT
Correct, not a sax player. In lack of anyone else's suggestions, I finally resorted to cheating: Tisziji Munoz? Yes, Tisziji Munoz. Being an ardent fan of John Coltrane, I had yet overlooked a musician who has released a trilogy of albums titled WHEN COLTRANE CALLS, inspired by the great saxophonist: FIERCE COMPASSION, LIBERATION FIRST and LIVING IMMORTALITY - and I’ve yet to hear them - and perhaps never will - ars longa, vita brevis.Incidentally, Theodore Geisel’s (Dr. Seuss) book “The Cat’s Quizzer” was withdrawn from publication (i.e., banned) in the US. “In the beginning of the “Cat’s Quizzer,” the “Cat in the Hat” introduces the reader to Ziggy and Zizzy Zozzfozzel, saying that they both got 100%, but got every answer wrong, and then asks the reader the recurring question "are you smarter than a Zozzfozzel"? The questions in the book range from simple queries to questions difficult enough to wear the Cat out.” (Wikipedia) |
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dg
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Post by dg on Dec 2, 2023 17:33:42 GMT
And the album referenced was DIVINE RADIANCE by the guitarist.
Anyone else have a difficult question they need an answer to?
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