The Journey of Life

Countless Blues

2011-07-05T08:49:00.000+04:00

I have always been fascinated by the sound of the Clarinet, more so a sound of a clarinet in jazz music. Benny Goodman comes to mind from the early days and Bill Smith from my recent Lover Man exposure. Although, my total exposure to clarinet playing in jazz tunes is limited but I do possess a timeless classic on an CD titled 'Jazz Clarinet, High Society' that contains a total of 21 tracks played by some of the greatest bands in the last century.

Today I thought I would post a Kansas City Six tune titled 'Countless Blues' with Eddie Durham on Guitar. Mind you, this was played & recorded way back in 1938.

It does not have the fine tuning, as is evident in today's music but the elegance *sigh*, makes me put it in repeat mode whenever I listen to this tune.

No wonder I keep going back to the great jazz masters of yesteryears instead of wasting too much time and energy on current age artists that lack the basic skill of appealing to a jazz lover.

'S Wonderful

2011-07-04T18:52:00.000+04:00

Stacy Kent is another female jazz vocalist I love listening to especially when she goes off-key within the sphere.

Listen to her beautiful rendition of George Gershwin' 'S Wonderful where she's accompanied on tenor sax by her husband Jim Tomlinson.

Oh, and the image has nothing to do with the song but the title and all that our country embodies in terms of being 'S Wonderful.

Happy Fourth!

In the still of the Night

2011-07-03T09:03:00.005+04:00

Singing off-key without sounding off-key or being off-key, it's an art, which very few vocalists dare & manage to pull it off. And those that can't, simply end up screwing up a tune, which in turn has prompted me to take them off my listening list once and for good.

Once such artist I keep going back to is Patricia Barber. Listen to her rendition of a Cole Porter standard 'In the still of the night'. She ups the tempo, sings off-key but remains well within the sphere. That's good in my books;

Had she wandered off the reservation, she would have ended up on my list. Nah, I'm just kidding, I could never put Ms. Barber on that no-listen list, as she tops our list of class acts.

Stompy Jones

2011-06-29T09:52:00.002+04:00

This relaxed session gave three of Duke Ellington's finest sidemen rare opportunities to record outside of Ellington's Orchestra: tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, Ray Nance (who had left Ellington a few years earlier) on trumpet, violin and vocal and (for half of this CD) altoist Norris Turney. The emphasis is on slower material but there are a few romps (such as "Stompy Jones") to give the session a bit of variety. Good swinging performances on mostly familiar tunes. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide - CD Liner Notes.

The Rictic

2011-06-27T11:30:00.003+04:00

Duke Ellington meets Coleman Hawkins

And true to my ear, that was Ray Nance on Violin

P.S.: Inspired to post after watching Al Pacino & Gabrielle Anwar tango in Scent of a Woman.

Sugar Cane Rag

2011-06-22T09:07:00.003+04:00

Two albums set the standard for my taste in jazz and classical music.

First, Antonio Vivaldi' 'The Four Seasons'.

Second, a Kurt Hiltawsky project from the late 80's when he cataloged jazz standards in a jazz and classical format titled 'Rhapsody in Blue'.

Sugar Cane Rag, ragtime two-step for piano
Composed by Scott Joplin with Jerome Rosen
Conducted by Kurt Masur

And what a journey, musically, it has been since then. I wish I could find the right words even though I know they're embedded deep inside waiting for the right moment to show face.

Strange Transmissions

2011-06-21T10:28:00.004+04:00

Not much into Club sounds, remixes, et al but this one sounds cool.

I swear I found the beat, off, at some point. No really!

New York, I Love You

2011-06-07T11:08:00.004+04:00

That's the movie, Sasha and I watched last night. A movie comprising short stories about life in NYC. It took my wife two views to fully understand the moral of the movie and all that's grand in the greatest city on Earth.

I just felt like saying that. Not that it's a lie.

And on that note and in anticipation of our forthcoming vacation, nothing could be finer & elegant than Manny Albam' Lullaby of Broadway from his Brass on Fire record.

I would have loved to post a few clips from New York, I Love You but then again, Youtube is not so friendly, not anymore!

Caravan

2011-06-05T09:26:00.004+04:00

No matter what, I keep going back to my grassroots as far as music is concerned.

Guitar jazz.

And nothing better said than what transpires in this tune. An Ellington/Tizol standard that needs no further elaboration to any jazz lover.

Joe Pass, guitar / Ray Brown, acoustic bass / Bobby Durham, drums

Be careful!

Bobby Durham' drum solo might just knock you out. I know it did me in spite of me being used to his beats.

The Jeep is Jumpin'

2011-06-05T08:22:00.006+04:00

Some tunes, the way they take you places, the way they connect can be truly marvelous, an amazing feature of the human mind of connecting the dots.

Back in the days of the portable CD player, I recall waiting for my flight at JFK. In the CD player I had a CD titled 'The Count meets The Duke', a reference to Duke Ellington and Count Basie. In that CD, there was a tune called Jumpin' at the Woodside, a jumpy tune featuring both bands at their best in the studio. Every tune just prompted me to put on my dancing shoes and just dance the day away even if it meant dancing without a partner and look like a fool to bystanders.

Well, anyway that was a while ago.

Now I have a partner with good moves and who knows one of these days, we'll put on our dancing shoes and cut a rug or two!

Limbo Jazz

2011-06-04T09:24:00.003+04:00

Duke Ellington meets Coleman Hawkins

And if I'm not mistaken, that should be Ray Nance, a great multi-instrumentalist in The Duke's squad on background vocals.

Image

2011-06-04T09:12:00.002+04:00

No kidding. That's what I keep telling my wife.

Humor

2011-05-31T20:01:00.005+04:00

My Notre Dame Alma Mater, I always know they're doing great when they send me jokes (instead of an nosy email) inquiring about my life, wife and everything in between.

Here are two classics worth a laugh(s):

(1)

INTERNET WARNING:
If you get an email entitled
"Nude photos of Nancy Pelosi" - don't open it...

It contains nude photos of Nancy Pelosi.

(2)

"Some of The
World's Shortest Books"

'THINGS I DID TO DESERVE
THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE'
by Barack Obama
+
'OTHER BLACK PEOPLE I'VE MET
WHILE YACHTING'
by Tiger Woods
+
'THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY COUNTRY'
by Jane Fonda & Cindy Sheehan.
Illustrated by Michael Moore
+
'MY CHRISTIAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS &
HOW I HELPED AFTER KATRINA'
by Rev Jesse Jackson & Rev Al Sharpton
+
'THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BILL'
by Hillary Clinton
+
Sequel:
'THINGS I LOVE ABOUT HILLARY'
By Bill Clinton
+
'THINGS I CANNOT AFFORD'
by Bill Gates
+
'THINGS I WOULD NOT DO FOR MONEY'
by Dennis Rodman
+
'THINGS WE KNOW TO BE TRUE'
by Al Gore & John Kerry
+
'AMELIA EARHART'S GUIDE TO THE PACIFIC'
+
'A COLLECTION of MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES'
by Dr. J. Kevorkian
+
'TO ALL THE MEN WE'VE LOVED BEFORE'
by Ellen de Generes & Rosie O'Donnell
+
'THE AMISH PHONE DIRECTORY'
+
'MY PLAN TO FIND THE REAL KILLER(S)'
by O. J. Simpson

What a Tuesday! *sigh*

Terrace Theme

2011-05-31T09:36:00.004+04:00

iHumor

2011-05-31T09:10:00.005+04:00

Always try and start your (work) day with a laugh is what I tell myself and my other half but this morning, even I wasn't prepared after seeing a feed in my inbox.

Click on image for more.

A Tribute to Gil Evans

2011-05-29T08:34:00.006+04:00

What does one make of a spoonful?

Nothing derogatory please, is what I said to my wife this morning while preparing her to to listen to the feature here over a stay-slim breakfast.

She had no clue until she finished listening to the entire 13:45 minute track.

And then she hit the repeat button on the CD remote and cranked up the decibel on our Macintosh.

That is what I later informed her was 'The Individualism of Gil Evans'. One of the greatest arrangers of our time that brought out the best of the finest jazz musicians to work on this project that continues to echo in the music delivered by Maria Schneider and her Orchestra.

Happy listening.

Image

2011-05-22T09:35:00.003+04:00

Almost sounds too good to be true,

Or easier said than done.

Images

2011-05-22T08:51:00.001+04:00

Rapture Eleven

2011-05-22T08:25:00.004+04:00

I needed a laugh this morning and after scrounging the headlines, I found the following cracker comment some dude posted on Yahoo:

INSTALLING RAPTURE. ███████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 44% DONE. Install delayed....please wait. Installation failed. Please try again. 404 error: Rapture not found. EVENT "Rapture" cannot be located. The rapture you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.

I said to myself, I had to compliment this comment. So, I Googled for an image and found something that would tell it all.

All said and done, I hope we humans realize that every moment is worth cherishing instead of trying to figure out the end, which eventually no doubt will come to pass but when that's anybody's guess.

I don't know if all above makes any sense because I just felt like writing.

Roman Pokorny

2011-05-18T08:41:00.005+04:00

Back to guitar, jazz, classical, and all things trio, quartet, quintet, and more.

Fat Choco Dancing Girl

An extensive write up on Roman' music can be accessed by clicking the image.

Image

2011-05-17T17:00:00.003+04:00

Disclaimer: Posted purely from a humorous point of view. Courtesy: The Copy Macheen.

Images

2011-05-17T10:58:00.002+04:00

A valuable advice in few words

A horny kid

The Rosenberg Trio!

2011-05-17T10:00:00.005+04:00

Gettin' back from a self-imposed hiatus.

This morning, I was forced to wake up listening to 'Bolero Triste', a bossa-nova melodized rendition by The Rosenberg Trio with Toots Thielemans on harmonica. Well, that was courtesy my wife who felt like cranking up the decibel on our newly acquired McIntosh at 7 AM this morning.

And guess what, she's not even pregnant.

I think!

This post was inspired by my love for all things beautiful.

Image!

2011-03-05T11:08:00.003+04:00

What a view,

I've never been afraid of heights;

That is what I call a birds eye *sigh*,

But that said, I'll admit, even the one above is dizzying a sight!

iPad 2 - Spoof!

2011-03-05T10:16:00.004+04:00

Neither of us are getting the iPad 2.

It's got nothing to do with this spoof but there's nothing in the new one that's appealing in any way,

According to popular sources, the new device embodies slimming, front-facing camera, faster processor.....

Blah!

Corporate Barometer!

2011-03-04T09:31:00.006+04:00

I often wonder whenever I read Fortune's jargon.

Take for instance this (click image) article. It talks about admiration in the Corporate World. But how does one measure admiration in this so-called elastic world of Corporate cultures. Being a (minor) stockholder in some of Fortune 500 companies, I recall back when I first went ahead with my investment plan, I didn't do so from an admiration point of view but because I wanted a reasonably chunky change in the long run. Something that I and my family could make use of when the sun chose not to shine.

Well. This (absurdly-insane) write-up has no significance but I just felt like ranting in the direction of amateur journalism.

Incidentally, even my wife with a Ph.D in Business Management has no clue on the functionality & measurement scope of the Corporate Barometer for Admiration.

Go figure!

The King's Speech!

2011-02-28T18:11:00.004+04:00

My Valentine's Day gift was a DVD of 'The King's Speech' and the Soundtrack from the movie on CD.

And the best part of it was Mr. Beethoven' 'Adagio un poco mosso' from Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major.

Of course, it wasn't as impressive as Sylvia Capova' rendition that I wrote about here but okay for a biased listener.

One of these days, I need to find the time to watch the movie to figure out what inspired its nomination and eventual win!

Random Images!

2011-02-23T10:20:00.004+04:00

Just felt like posting some images to clear my head

Resembling a scene from 'The Devil's Advocate'

Pamella Geller' (dot com) page. Skip the 'ed'

REM song. Michael Stipe would like this free ad

Chernobyl

And last but not the least, I have no clue what this implies

Best,

Youtube Legal

2011-02-23T09:53:00.005+04:00

After my recent 'Small Day Tomorrow' predicament with WMG & Youtube Legal, I got another email this morning from Youtube Legal citing that Paramount Pictures had objected to the content I had hosted on my Youtube account.

Below is a snapshot of their email, which even threatens to permanently delete my account should I fail to comply. Comply with what?

The content that I had hosted was Leslie Nielsen' humorous rendition of 'Besame Mucho' from Naked Gun 2 1/2.

Well done Youtube, Paramount and WMG.

Here's wishing you continued 'success' and while you're at it, always remember to never underestimate the make-or-break power of the masses!

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

Bésame Mucho!

2011-02-21T11:34:00.005+04:00

I like the original rendered by Consuelo Velázquez and the one featured here by Tania Libertad.

Everybody else makes a futile effort to impress but it just doesn't click including Diana Krall that included this one in 'The Look of Love'. I believe the turn-off was the accentuated rendition although the music was awesome in Ms. Krall' version but that's about it.

Biased, I know but I'm also a traditionalist and full of passion!

Sway - Rosemary Clooney!

2011-02-19T11:47:00.002+04:00

Sasha' developed a liking for Rosemary Clooney, which in part was inspired by her recent viewing of 'Good Night and Good Luck', 'Michael Clayton' and 'Syriana'.

Of course, that's got nothing to do with Rosemary but she likes the sound of it (Rosemary, per se!) and because she's George Clooney' Aunt

Girls, one can never understand how their taste buds develop!

Abnormal Neuronal Firing!

2011-02-18T19:47:00.005+04:00

Whatever the devil that means in layman terms.

Wednesday - May 9, 2000 - 19:15 PM was my last epileptic seizure.

Was on meds since that day until December 31, 2008.

2009 and 2010 were drug-and-seizure-free.

Thursday - February 10, 2011 - 10:30 AM - my abnormal neuronal firing took place that resulted in a seizure at work.

And since that day, I'm now back on meds and on the wagon as per my Neurologist, my other half and (extremely) demanding inlaws' orders.

Meanwhile, I wonder what to make of all the vintage wine in our wine cellar!

AntennaGate - Part 2!

2011-02-09T09:04:00.003+04:00

First, it was AT&T.

Now, Verizon.

And, I'm glad I'm on neither.

Video courtesy iLounge

At the back of my head, I'm visualizing -- over at Cisco -- Mark Papermaster laughing his head off at this continuing episode of ad absurdum!

Will this prompt Steve Jobs to cut short his break from all-affairs-Apple and address this issue or the privilege go to Tim Cook?

Meanwhile, the world awaits the next move in this session of mind games!

Old Posts, music, et al!

2011-02-07T18:29:00.003+04:00

Back in 2006, I started this blog on a whim but looking back I never realized that 4 years down the road, it would still be up and running.

In a way, I'm glad that I've not ignored this blog (especially during the stormy sailings of my life) like I've done with Tumblr and my recently developed liking for Posterous.

I also have a Youtube page where I regularly put up (host) my favorite videos but unfortunately Youtube doesn't have the same charm and level of intellectualism as a Blogging site, be that Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr, Posterous amongst many others.

Getting back to Blogger, I was never under the impression that people actually followed this on-and-off blog. So, it definitely came as a surprise to me when I received an email from a reader on the West Coast informing me that some of my earlier music that I hosted via a Far Eastern hosting site was dead. And right on the dot she was when I went back and checked out those posts. It was gone.

Thank you Missy :) Per your request, here's Antje Duvekot' soulful rendition of 'Into The City' that first appeared on Peter Malick' 'Chance and Circumstance'. I hope you like it :)

Well, unfortunately I can't re-host all that music but I'll surely try and do my best.

The Daily!

2011-02-06T11:00:00.006+04:00

Rupert Murdoch' daily dose of right-aligned views

I haven't the slightest clue how the gang at 'The Daily' got the impression that I was right-aligned or GOP, which is why I was surprised when I recently found an email in my ME box with a complimentary subscription offer.

Or maybe it's a move ahead of what's to come 2012, you know the Palin-McCain ticket that lost 2008 to the Barack/Biden 'Change we can believe in' motto'. At the moment of this writing, I'm trying to figure out those changes. No, seriously!

After the lost promises of 2008, I doubt I would ever vote again, let alone GOP.

Getting back to the Daily, the only interesting stuff I found on this e-zine weekly was a couple of images.

Meanwhile, I wonder what's to come 2012!

Moves on Stage!

2011-02-06T08:19:00.005+04:00

Life is full of surprises and contradictions.

Take for instance the image in this post.

Boris Yeltsin, the late Russian President post-Perestroika dancing with a girl on stage.

The contra part is this.

My in-laws, patriotic and extremely nationalistic Ukrainian-Americans from the grassroots region in Western Ukraine (L'viv or L'vov, whichever you may please!) have this capture amongst others framed in their study.

Upon a query, I was told they admired Yeltsin because he was one of the powerhead(s) that drafted freedom for all those under the Soviet Union, and the next President post-Perestroika or the period after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

A further inquisitively-laced question, shouldn't that admiration be directed towards Mikhail Gorbachev?

Their response:

He wasn't lively, lacked moves or danced that well, or for that matter drank vodka like Boris Yeltsin!

I rest my case.

Nasdrovya!

Tank Man Video!

2011-02-05T16:37:00.003+04:00

A brief moment goes a long way historically

A small tribute dedicated to all the unsung heroes of our time.

And to those that are to come!

Sway 4!

2011-02-03T13:07:00.004+04:00

First, there was a sway with Julie London.

Then came, Rosemary Clooney.

Thereafter, Michael Buble.

And this sway (American Pie) is unlike any other.

Bic Runga

And all this while, I've been under the impression that the singer was Liz Phair!

Winds of Change!

2011-02-01T20:08:00.004+04:00

Very rarely do I read the Editorial page of Middle Eastern & Arabian Gulf newspapers. I generally scan and move on to the next page until I'm done.

However, this morning the editorial page of the local newspaper (Gulf News) grabbed my attention. I believe the following title had something to do with it:

'Reading Gandhi on Cairo's Streets'
(Emphasis on ethical politics based on non-violence and mutual respect may be the best way forward in Arab world)

Being a big fan and follower of Mr. Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, I actually read the whole article that was penned by Mr. Ramin Jahanbegloo, an Iranian dissident living in exile in Canada. This article first appeared in the fall edition of NPQ on January 28, 2011.

I have always believed that violence was never the key to any solution. In fact, an eye for an eye would only leave one blind. Hence, I truly hope the winds of change blowing this part of the world would be resolved in a peaceful manner.

Mr. Jahanbegloo has quoted the following line by Mr. Gandhi:

"Even the most despotic government cannot stand except for the consent of the governed, which consent is often forcibly procured by the despot," Gandhi wrote. "When the subject ceases to fear the despotic force, the power is immediately gone."

and ended his write-up with the following words of wisdom:

What we have seen in Tunisia, and what we are seeing on the streets of Cairo today, suggests that Gandhi understood power better than the autocrats and ayatollahs who are now trying to hang on.

Here's hoping sensibility prevails on both ends while the winds of change accomplish their part for the sake of all humanity!

Change of Heart - Pat Metheny Trio!

2011-02-01T13:52:00.004+04:00

Now that my other half is back into the real world, recuperated, and way-away from her existential world of denial, I've got her hooked onto jazz, full-time. Looks like, she's digging it. That's evident with her scant objections whenever I feel like blasting our system at home especially jazz tracks that I hold close to my heart. I call them, my own tracks, that I use to unwind and escape into a fantasy world of jazz, jazz, and nothing but mainstream, mainline jazz.

She's particularly developed a liking for 'Change of Heart', Pat Metheny' composition that he released via his 'Question & Answer' album back in 1990. This album with a finely penned liner notes by Rafi Zabor contains some of the finest standards Pat played in a one-guitar, one-setting, one-day recording session along with Roy Haynes (drums) and Dave Holland (acoustic bass).

Rafi Zabor, in his liner notes, particularly described 'Old Folks' and 'Change of Heart', two tender waltzes. I concur. I've been known to put 'Change of Heart' in repeat mode whenever I listen to it. And my other half liked it on her first listening session. According to her, it contains a melody unlike any other that she's listened to, in the past.

I'm impressed, especially since that comes from someone that's more into Classical music and to a lesser extent, jazz.

Well, I tell her, jazz is all about passion, about passionate experiences, and journeys. I get a nod, every time I say this to her. Now, I have no clue whether her nod means she's in agreement or she nods to say, you're a weirdo.

Happy listening!

David versus Goliath!

2011-02-01T11:46:00.005+04:00

The current events unfolding in this region brings to mind the images from the following slideshow of the '89 Tiananmen Square standoff:

In a way, I like the way the winds of change have blown-in in 2011!

Truth or Dare!

2011-02-01T09:50:00.006+04:00

Having downloaded and watched the entire CBS interview of Julian Assange (you know the whistleblower over at Wikileaks), and comparing it with the suppression of truth in this day & age, it brings to mind the following line from 'The Insider':

'And in the editorial, it accuses us of betraying the legacy of Edward R. Murrow'

Good Night, and Good Luck!

Random!

2011-02-01T09:07:00.004+04:00

I have only recently come to realize that the curious & intellectual side of my brain functions well under the influence of nicotine. Add to list, fine spirits, as well.

Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement but just my thought for the day.

Pasodelphia!

2011-01-31T10:27:00.005+04:00

I haven't heard of Pasodelphia.

Have you?

I thought so!

But Peter Malick & Butch Norton have concocted a brilliant duo piece consisting of percussion and a straightforward electric guitar masterpiece called 'Walking in Pasodelphia', courtesy Peter' 'Duets From the Spin Dry Cycle'.

The inspiration to listen to this type of (I can't find the right terminology) music came after listening to 'Feed Bag Dad' that Peter had hosted at his MySpace page, which no longer exists.

But I'm starting to dig this type.

It's unique but it's definitely not for the lighthearted!

Advice for Hosni Mubarak!

2011-01-31T08:40:00.001+04:00

An 8 year old Saudi girl speaks her mind. And I've always believed the Female mind in this part of the world -- immensely underused -- was way too bright than what's portrayed to us in the West and the rest of the World.

Well, here's hoping you'll get your day in the sun. You have my vote.

(Courtesy Charlie White at Mashable)

Hosni Mubarak, listen to this child. Who knows her advice may save your life.

'Nuff said!

Meet Daphne Willis!

2011-01-30T10:32:00.004+04:00

Hey!

Didn't I say, first impressions count!

They do. They did. They always do. And I hope it stays that way for me.

A few days ago, while at Luxury Wafers and Peter Malick' Wordpress write-ups, I accidentally hit the play button on Daphne Willis' video. Sometimes, accidents are good.

Wow and I was like Wow! That's wow. Felt a hint of Antje Duvekot and her memorable studio rendition of 'Into The City' that Peter included in 'Chance & Circumstance' that also featured the likes of Kirsten Profitt, Norah Jones, Mercy Malick, and Jess Klein.

But having said that, Daphne Willis is Daphne Willis, very original, with a fresh voice and a lively attitude. All the requisites for success in the artful world of music.

And that was Daphne' studio cut of 'Bluff'.

Is she good, or is she good!

Small Day Tomorrow - Janis Siegel

2011-01-29T20:40:00.019+04:00

A few years ago while at The Living Room in NYC, I put up a request for 'Small Day Tomorrow', a ballad sung by Janis Siegel. The female vocalist totally ruined it, as did the horn accompaniment. After that date, I swore to myself that I would never request standards from wannabes especially those rendered by my favorite female vocalists, Janis being one of them.

Looking back, I wish I had recorded that rendition from The Living Room date. Just so, I could host it here and let you guys be the judge whether I was hasty in being harsh with my judgment. But I consider myself to be a meticulous listener and aficionado especially when it comes to jazz or classical music, so I stand by my criticism.

Just recently, I discovered a video version of 'Small Day Tomorrow' on Janis' website. Navigate to 'CAUGHT....on film' and look for this video for a 4-plus minute view. It's awesome. What? Stuff that. It's full of passion & emotion that can't be described in words until you catch a glimpse to understand what I mean!

Having downloaded this video and after re-hosting it on my Youtube page, I got a righteous trash email from Youtube Legal citing that the video I had hosted was licensed by WMG and may not be viewable outside the U.S. True to their word, it wasn't, which left me with no other option than to pull it off.

The next morning, I attempted to host an audio (after paying the obligatory 99 cents for downloading it off iTunes) version with images of Janis. That too prompted a righteous trash message from Youtube Legal citing WMG had objected to my hosting a video whose rights were owned by them!

So what?

If anything, WMG & Youtube should appreciate the fact that my action(s) don't embody piracy. On the contrary, they represent free of charge advertising for an artist under their label. If I'm not mistaken, my action in hosting their video would only boost record sales unless I'm missing something here.

Surprisingly, my emails to WMG Legal seeking permission to host this video remain unanswered.

But screw all that I now say to myself. Looking back at these events, I guess major record labels and their equally (high priced) lawyers concocting jargon are simply dumb and totally beyond redemption, repair et al.

Judging from the roll down of these events, I'm further convinced that indie artists/labels are the best and that I should focus, full-time, my attention on them and ignore the rest.

So without any further ado, here's Janis (until I receive another notice from WMG & Youtube legal) with her passion-filled rendition of 'Small Day Tomorrow'. For the curious minded, the trumpet soloist on this track is none other than the great Lew Soloff.

An impressive two-page write-up on Janis is here.

Happy listening!

P.S.: I'm totally pissed-off with Youtube Legal & WMG and this was written while I was enjoying a bourbon water back & a hand rolled Monte Cristo.

No Go Egypt!

2011-01-29T20:08:00.003+04:00

Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh were supposed to be our forthcoming destinations round V-Day. I even had a phrase coined 'the healing journey of our lives' or better yet, to escape and deal with our recent loss. But after seeing the friggin' mess that Egypt is in right now, I don't think we'd be headed in that direction.

Bummer :/

Perhaps, Port Louis!

Challenger!

2011-01-29T09:19:00.003+04:00

January 28, 1986

It seems like yesterday, or to quote William Parrish' (Anthony Hopkins) memorable line from 'Meet Joe Black'

'Sixty Five years. Don't they go by in a blink'

RIP Sunshine!

2011-01-15T18:01:00.004+04:00

'When a mother loses a child, she loses a part of her future'

Many years ago, I read this line on a SIDS (Sudden-Infant-Death-Syndrome) page. After losing our child due to a miscarriage and especially after I was looking forward to our girl, I'm beginning to realize what this line means, as a father that was to be.

But life goes on and we will keep trying. Unfortunately, all that's left now are memories.

That's about it for now.

Flamenco, Jazz, & Tap!

2010-12-12T10:21:00.002+04:00

All in one session

No, seriously!

Irish Candor!

2010-12-11T18:20:00.004+04:00

Catherine' Dad sent me a Youtube clip with a note saying he would have used a steady flow of the F-word to describe the Irish state of affairs in this day & age.

You know what, I support his candor!

Kirsten Profitt!

2010-12-11T15:34:00.004+04:00

Something I Can't Be

Personally, I would have preferred if this track were included in 'Chance & Circumstance'.

Fast Car!

2010-12-06T11:26:00.003+04:00

Tracy Chapman

MrBuc128
6 days ago

Of course there are people that don't like this.They want to see a woman dressed like a slut prancing around on stage singing songs about partying , dancing and sex while pre recorded synthisized music plays.They have no interest in hearing a real artist that knows how to play an instrument and write a song singing songs that actually have meaning. - Youtube comment.

In my opinion, that comment just about sums up the state of music these days!

Eire in a Limbo!

2010-11-23T20:31:00.004+04:00

I've been following the Irish financial crisis, not that I'm from Ireland but there was a time I was close to someone that is from Ireland.

Ireland!

That is a beautiful country with a great culture that gave us the likes of James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tip O'Neill, The Kennedys, Jim Curley, The Cranberries amongst others.

But what it boils down to now in this capitalist day & age is best summed in the following lines courtesy Ross Dauthat of the New York Times:

Ireland found riches a good substitute for its traditional culture but now we may be about to discover what happens when a traditionally poor country returns to poverty without its culture - Christopher Caldwell.

My sentiments exactly.

Autumn!

2010-11-21T15:53:00.004+04:00

Eddie Daniels has brilliantly blended Vivaldi' 'Four Seasons' into a jazz & classical format that includes the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Bernard Rubenstein (LACO Conductor), Eddie Daniels (clarinet), Dave Carpenter (bass), Peter Erskine (drums), Alan Broadbent (piano)

Here without missing a single note, he renders Autumn.

The whole album titled 'The Five Seasons' is freely available for download at Rapidshare.

Don't miss out on this masterpiece!

Also, the whole set of Eddie' works can be found here.

Julie Anne!

2010-11-21T14:09:00.006+04:00

While googling for Clarinet (jazz) standards, I accidentally bumped upon Julie Anne' music.

What wise people say about first impressions, does count, after all!

At least, I know it does for me.

Oh yeah! One more thing!

The best sounds are indie!

Lover Man!

2010-11-14T08:34:00.008+04:00

Life is full of surprises

Sometime ago, I had written a post about 'Lover Man', a song written by Jimmy Davis, Roger Ramirez, and James Sherman.

This song is listed in the greatest 100 Jazz Standards of our time.

The first time I had listened to this song was rendered by Linda Ronstadt when she gave us her finesse in the 3-album (What's New - Lush Life - For Sentimental Reasons) release spanning '83-'86. All three albums were conducted by Nelson Riddle who brought in some of the best soloists of that time.

I've heard all the vocal renditions of this standard but the first time I actually heard an instrumental version and fell in love at first-listen is the one featured here. Ever since my first listen, I've been wondering about this music; who was the featured horn player, was it a sax or a clarinet although I was dead sure it was a clarinet but I was double minded, what effects did the horn player use, etc .

Until now!

A comment I had posted on a Youtube page finally got a response:

ELaermans has sent you a message:

Bill Smith

Hello Jazzical28,

Just read your comment on Lover Man, a recording of Dave Brubeck. For me this is one of the best recordings and I keep enjoying it. I read you do too. Great! I guess we share the same taste. The soloist you hear is Bill Smith (aka William O. Smith) on clarinet using all kinds of electronics to eleonguate the notes he is playing. Sometimes the clarinet sounds like a soprano sax. He is one of the greatest and (probably) most innovative clarinet players in the world.

Regards,

Eric (from Holland)

Lover Man

Thank you Eric. You made my day :)

Tangerine!

2010-11-13T13:39:00.002+04:00

Ben Webster meets Coleman Hawkins

More than the music, what caught my attention was the beautiful child featured in this video. In time, I hope to capture our daughter enjoying fine jazz like this adorable angel.

Vintage Jazz

2010-11-13T13:06:00.005+04:00

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of vintage jazz. JATP sessions, Columbia & Deccan vinyl collections.

But nothing compares to all the bigwigs like this gem.

This post was totally inspired by Coleman Hawkins touching (tenor sax) rendition of 'Like Someone in Love' circa 1955.

Ernest' Advice!

2010-11-11T21:24:00.001+04:00

I find the 4th bit weird coming from a guy that (eventually) blew his brains out!

Image Rhyme!

2010-11-11T21:15:00.004+04:00

Alice in W (solo-version)!

2010-11-06T11:02:00.003+04:00

John' solo rendition of Bill Evans' standard

What version of 'Alice in Wonderland' is this? 'Alice in Hindustan' is more like it. Very pretty. - Youtube

Image?

2010-11-02T09:06:00.003+04:00

I wonder

Courtesy: THISISACRISIS, a Tumblr blog I follow!

In Memoriam - Ted Sorensen!

2010-11-01T09:44:00.004+04:00

Ted Sorensen died 10/31/10 aged 82

I never knew who he was but at the back of my head, I knew he embodied a beauty in the form of words that were unlike anybody could coin.

My memories of Mr. Sorensen and his writing are both connected to Television. The first being the Kennedy series that was first screened November 1983, which was the 20th Death Anniversary of JFK. The second being 'Thirteen Days', a thriller focusing on the thirteen days of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

It appears Mr. Sorensen was the one that coined 'Don't ask what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country' et al. He emphasized the word 'country' to RFK' suggestion of 'nation'. This, I recall from the Kennedy series of 1983 that starred Martin Sheen as JFK and John Shea as RFK.

From 'Thirteen Days', I recall the speech that JFK made before the blockade.

Such was the brilliance of Mr. Sorensen whose play with words made all the difference in making this world a better place for us to live in.

I tip my hat to him while wishing him all the peace that he afforded us.

Amen.

Alice in Wonderland!

2010-10-31T10:57:00.006+04:00

John Abercrombie, Marc Johnson, Peter Erskine

Our Girl digs this standard and she's not even out yet. I have yet to fathom what she digs, John' guitar, Marc' elevated bass, or Peter joining in the fun.

But!

It's confirmed that she's going to end up a jazz-guitar freak like her old man.

Telepathic, is what her Mom says.

Wow!

Friendship!

2010-10-28T12:05:00.001+04:00

Little Buttercup!

2010-10-27T09:33:00.003+04:00

HMS Pinafore

My girls had an awesome laugh last evening watching Matt Damon' performance in The Good Shepherd but this rendition by Rima Te Wiata takes the cake.

Mack The Knife!

2010-10-26T08:35:00.003+04:00

Dutch Swing College Band

Inspired to post after viewing Robert Redford' classic 'Quiz Show' and post listening to Kurt Masur' symphonic rendition of Scott Joplin' 'Sugar Cane Rag'.

Guitar Boogie!

2010-10-26T08:21:00.003+04:00

Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith

Courtesy Ducky Carlyle (my Notre Dame Alma Mater) dedicated to our girl to come!

Indie Jazz!

2010-10-24T17:23:00.002+04:00

Hugo Contini

Free music for professional licensing

Where Sky Meets Sea!

2010-10-24T10:45:00.005+04:00

Kendra Springer

7 out of 10. The 7 owing to Kendra' playing & flushing this tune with (Yamaha' DX7) synth effects.

Personally, I would have preferred nothing short of a Grand Steinway!

Prelude in Eb major!

2010-10-24T09:44:00.005+04:00

Maya Filipič

The best sounds are indie!

Random Tumblr!

2010-10-24T09:19:00.003+04:00

Right!

Bolero Triste!

2010-10-18T14:18:00.005+04:00

Our daughter kicks her Mama's tummy every time she hears acoustic guitar on our sound system. And she's been specifically kicking her Mama every time she listens to the Rosenberg Trio along with Toots on Bolero Trieste.

Our girl (to-come) I see has been smitten by the Gypsy influence that prompts her Mama to listen to nothing but acoustic guitar, samba-rumba style.

*sigh*

Girls and their ever changing tastes!

Let's see if she digs Django Reinhardt, that's up on our playlist next!

One Note Samba!

2010-10-18T10:42:00.004+04:00

There's nothin' like listening to Toots with a waltzy feeling at an uptown jazz club and a glass of premium (well-aged) scotch.

In my opinion, that's what Toots embodies!

Agua de Beber

2010-10-18T10:10:00.005+04:00

While browsing our store room, I found a bundle of old vinyl records that we had stashed away after reorganizing our entertainment rack. To my surprise, I discovered Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim amongst many others.

Even though the sound doesn't have the digital effect that is so prevalent in this day and age, but still this rendition of 'Agua de Beber' with a clean, clear, & crisp voice of Astrud Gilberto and the accompanying percussion takes the cake. My hat tip to the sound engineers and musicians that gave us these and many classics of yesteryears.

Sasha feels the backing vocals are of Joao Gilberto while I say Antonio Carlos Jobim.

The genius of Norman Granz!

Hold the Traffic!

2010-10-18T09:15:00.003+04:00

While browsing for images on Flickr (iView), I couldn't help but admire this cutie!

That apart, who says our cousins aren't well-mannered?

No, seriously!

Memorably Touching!

2010-10-13T10:23:00.002+04:00

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)

Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor
IV. Adagietto. Sehr langsam

Wiener Philharmoniker
Daniele Gatti, conductor

Recorded at Philharmonie Köln, 2010

Manha de Carnaval (Part 2)!

2010-09-27T16:49:00.003+04:00

Inspired by Singer Saints' recent post on Vince Guaraldi' music, I did my own research to find out which other artist had rendered 'Manha de Carnaval'.

In addition to Astrud Gilberto, Paul Desmond, Claudine Longet et al, I found this label's feature, a cool rendition by Eliane Elias on Grand Steinway to add to my repertoire. Eliane is supported on this track by her husband (Marc Johnson on acoustic bass) and Jack de Johnette, a drummer who's antics I can distinguish from a distance.

I like this trio version although I would have preferred if Eliane had thrown in some vocals to maintain the originality and elegance in this timeless Latin classic!

Manha de Carnaval!

2010-09-21T08:24:00.005+04:00

I had never followed or listened much to Vince Guaraldi' music even though George Winston (a jazz & new age pianist I often listen to) considers Vince his inspiration for all the music he composes and renders.

Singer Saints, a blog I religiously follow wrote a feature with an album upload (Trio format). Here, I am post downloading, asking myself 'what took me so long to listen to Vince?'. I think the turn off was the Peanuts & Charlie Brown reference that got associated with Vince Guaraldi' music.

The waltzy rendition of Manha de Carnaval, as played here by the Vince Guaraldi Trio embodies what an upper class elite jazz club with its modest crowd exuberating elegance looks & feels like!

I have now assigned myself a task whereby I must dig up more of Vince' music and cherish every moment of it.

Flamenco in the Dark!

2010-09-18T16:19:00.006+04:00

Being a big fan of Inspector Jack Clouseau aka Peter Sellers, Sasha gifted me a DVD pack containing the whole Pink Panther series.

A Shot in the Dark was my first view and I absolutely loved the Flamenco dance scene from this hilarious-can't-do-no-wrong movie.

Speaking of dance, in my opinion, no dance embodies originality, grace, and elegance as does raw (by raw, meaning barring sound enhancement gizmos, overdubs, lab projects et al) Flamenco!

Elvira Madigan!

2010-09-15T08:48:00.005+04:00

Sasha, unable to waltz, now that she's pregnant with our first child has created a play list for our girl to come. And she's feeding her all the Grand Steinway music (Beethoven, Mahler, Mozart, Ravel, Schumann) with frenzy. I think her objective is to have the first classical pianist in our family. At the rate she's making an effort, I feel success is just around the corner. No, seriously!

It's a great feeling when two minds think alike, as I'm totally hooked to the 'Andante' movement from Mozart' Piano Concerto No. 21.

And it all started with Beethoven' Adagio un poco mosso!

Take Five on a B3!

2010-09-06T09:17:00.004+04:00

In continuation with my fascination for all sounds B3, I discovered another great artist joining my growing repertoire including but not limited to Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith, Rhoda Scott, Barbara Dennerlein et al.

Somehow, I can't get myself to dig Joey DeFrancesco!

Summertime!

2010-09-05T09:16:00.004+04:00

In continuation with my love for all sounds B3 and especially after having nothing other than B3 sounds on a recent Trans-Atlantic journey, I am of the opinion that our girl to come will demand either a Rhodes, Wurlitzer or a B3, as she progresses through the journey of her life.

Well, that's alright with me so long as she belts out Bach amongst all the jazz repertoire that we've been feeding her all through these days.

And now that summer shows no signs of easing in this part of the world, I thought why not put up The Barefoot Lady's classic rendition of Gershwin' 'Summertime' in a duo format.

Damn, I'm excited for later this year!

The Apple Cloud!

2010-09-04T19:52:00.002+04:00

The new redesigned logo of iTunes 10

versus the old

Although, I preferred the former but I guess Apple is moving forward with 'cloud computing' aka live-streaming now that the CD misses out on the new resigned logo.

Further evidence of 'the cloud' in full swing is the absence of blu-ray player in their new iMacs.

Does this mean, the future of cinema halls is at risk?

Fly Me To The Moon!

2010-08-05T11:09:00.004+04:00

Sasha' getting her daily dose of jazz & classical. She says, it'll be an awesome exposure to our child's creative abilities that's due later this year.

Much credit goes to Joe Sarno. Joe blogs about grand vintage jazz & classical music over at Singer Saints.

Fly Me To The Moon - Carol Sloane

Jazz aficionados can download (Rapidshare) Ms. Sloane' album courtesy Singer Saints.

All The Things You Are!

2010-07-28T10:32:00.003+04:00

A great jam

Dave, Paul & Gerry jam a standard!

Better Than Anything - Irene Kral!

2010-07-28T09:29:00.003+04:00

Courtesy: Singer-Saints

Joe Sarno' website contains a wealth (write-up & downloads) of jazz & classical for the elites of our musical world!

iSpoof iP4!

2010-07-20T11:28:00.003+04:00

Sasha: This isn't funny.

That's her (AT&T & Apple) loyalty speaking volumes but she still laughed her head off!

T for 2, 2 for T!

2010-07-17T13:22:00.003+04:00

This rendition takes me back to F Scott Fitzgerald' 'Tender is the Night' starring Peter Strauss & Mary Steenburgen where this Grand Steinway piece of music was played by John Heard.

This was the Thelonious Monk version!

Blue Monk (Rehearsal)!

2010-07-17T11:38:00.003+04:00

I've always enjoyed watching rehearsal acts, such as this one

No audience, no critics, none to please while improvising!

Caravan!

2010-07-15T13:32:00.005+04:00

The first of a two-part rendition of Juan Tizol' 'Caravan' by none other than Thelonious Monk.

Next up: Cincinnati Pops!

One Hand Clapping!

2010-07-14T14:27:00.002+04:00

Brian Gore with Susan Z

There's a reference to Eckhart Tolle that was inspiring.

Well, not as much as Brian' guitar tabs & Susan' no frills rendition of this folksy ballad!

Cracker!

2010-07-14T12:59:00.001+04:00

WIFE: 'What would you do if I died? Would you get married again?
HUSBAND: 'Definitely not!
WIFE: 'Why not? Don't you like being married?'
HUSBAND: 'Of course I do.
WIFE: 'Then why wouldn't you remarry?
HUSBAND: 'Okay, okay, I'd get married again.'
WIFE: 'You would?'
HUSBAND: ........?
WIFE: 'Would you live in our house?'
HUSBAND: 'Sure, it's a great house.'
WIFE: 'Would you let her drive my car?'
HUSBAND: 'Probably, it is almost new.'
WIFE: 'Would you replace my pictures with hers?'
HUSBAND: 'That would seem like the proper thing to do..'
WIFE: 'Would you give her my jewelry?'
HUSBAND: 'No, I'm sure she'd want her own.'
WIFE: 'Would she wear my shoes'
HUSBAND: 'No, her size is 6.'
WIFE: -- silence .......
HUSBAND: “SHIT” !!

Blues in B Flat!

2010-07-14T12:57:00.003+04:00

While Sasha was knitting, I put on some vintage JATP sessions on our system at home with the volume turned down to a normal audible level. That was to avoid waking up our child (to come) and start kicking Mommy's tummy.

All was good until I switched to Gerry Mulligan's CD and particularly 'Blues in B Flat'. The volume at first play was still turned down when my other half requested that I repeat the tune with an upped volume.

During the second listen, I could see a glow in her eyes with a smile on her face. What was the cause I can't fathom. Was it the melody in these Blues or simply the horn effect. But from the look of it, seems like Mommy and our child had a really good time because this track's been in repeat mode.

In a way, I'm glad that jazz is definitely a big thing at our pad especially during these days when mood swings and attitude is the order of the day considering this is our first pregnancy.

Here's to more fine jazz before we are full-time parents of, hopefully, an artistically-leaning intellectually-minded child!

Ready for the Storm!

2010-07-13T07:57:00.004+04:00

After listening to some vintage (Gerry Mulligan, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie) jazz last evening, I had lined up a post featuring Gerry's 'Blues in B Flat'.

But then, life lately has been full of surprises!

And speaking of surprises, this morning I got an e-invitation on my Youtube page by theguitarnight.

Here's the first video I viewed on his page that totally took me by surprise. I thought, it'd be cool to document that moment here at my journal.

That apart, I feel it's a timely exposure for our child to this no-frills music!

Satin Doll!

2010-07-10T08:10:00.003+04:00

Ella & Count
(Courtesy: Duke, Billy, & Johnny)

Dedicated totally to the Satin Doll in my Life who's currently listening to Duke' 'Mood Indigo' with a big smile on her face!

Flight of the Bumble Bee!

2010-07-07T08:14:00.004+04:00

I'll admit that I've been a late bloomer to the Marsalis Brothers' music especially Wynton. And now that I've been exposed to his music, I keep going back for more, digging up my archives for music that I had previously downloaded off iTunes and CDs that were purchased but never opened.

Maybe I was not into horns at that time. No, wait! I've always been into horns considering the extensive collection of Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, and evergreen bandleaders such as Lawrence Welk, Nelson Riddle, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie Orchestra amongst many other big names.

So, I keep asking myself why the devil didn't I expose myself to Wynton' music? Some of his classical renditions are simply out of this world. Those are the ones I listen to most these days with the volume at the right level, hoping that it develops our child to come' musical ear.

Once in a while, I also crank up the decibel on lively upbeat standards such as the one that got me going the other day.

Better late than never, huh!

Ah, the joys of jazz, they never cease to amaze me!

Oh Shenandoah!

2010-07-05T12:58:00.003+04:00