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Sounds to cherish 2
Another in an occasional series… Bill Evans, Quintessence (Fantasy/Original Jazz Classics)An early ’90s reissue of a May 1976 session. The pianist, four years prior to his death, leads a quintet with Harold Land on tenor sax, Kenny Burrell on guitar, Ray Brown on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums — leading off with a Kenny Wheeler tune, of all
A case against Erlewine
The critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine has penned “A Case Against Sufjan Stevens” at the All Music Guide website. It’s a glib, egotistical, clueless piece of writing, the sort of stuff that gives music critics a bad name. Before I continue, I’ll disclose that I wrote reviews for AMG for about three years, until late 2002, when Erlewine let me go,
Quote of the day
“I don’t see the country falling into a civil war, despite the regrettable activities of certain people who ignore that Iraq is united.” — Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki [Update: Apparently I need to spell out that I offer this quote ironically, to highlight Maliki’s spin and mind-boggling denial.]
Slow posting
Sorry for the lack of posts. I’m finishing a review of Stanley Crouch’s new collection of jazz essays, Considering Genius. It’ll appear in the September issue of Jazz Notes, and I’ll post it here as well. Events in Iraq and Gaza merit comment, of course, but my head is spinning and I’m not in a position to follow the news
Six Picks: July 2006
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, July 2006: Kris Davis, The Slightest Shift (Fresh Sound-New Talent) Frank Kimbrough, Play (Palmetto) Bennie Maupin, Penumbra (Cryptogramophone) Ursel Schlicht/Robert Dick, Photosphere (NEMU) Jamie Stewardson, Jhaptal (Fresh Sound-New Talent) Marcus Strickland, Twi-Life (Strick Muzik)
Whose national interest?
In the Sunday NY Times of July 2, the Council for the National Interest Foundation (CNI Foundation) ran a huge full-page ad abutting the editorial page. The headline: “America and Israel: A Troubling Alliance.” There are quotes from Pat Buchanan and others. The text calls for a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine and a fundamental reassessment of the U.S.-Israel alliance. CNI
Monk, Coltrane… Wilbur Ware
Interesting note about this new two-disc item, Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane: The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings, which combines most of the music from two of my favorite discs: Monk’s Music (sextet with Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins) and Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane (quartet with just Coltrane). “Ruby, My Dear,” one of Monk’s best songs and one of the finest
Wayne Shorter
That’s me with tenor/soprano saxophonist Wayne Shorter, arguably the greatest American composer alive. We’re backstage at Carnegie Hall following the incredible Herbie Hancock concert last Friday, the JVC festival’s last blast. I was embarassed to pose for this, but my friend forced me. (Hey, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have gotten backstage at all.) We also met Herbie,